from: Midwest Book Review Volume 5, Number 11 November 2006
Written by bird lover John Italia and illustrated by portrait artist Elena Caravela, The Birds of the Harbor is a splendid picturebook about a young boy's wish to experience the wisdom of the birds. His strict mother denounces his beliefs as foolish, yet his desire to know leads him to a forbidden visit to the harbor, and an experience with a seagull that will resonate in his imagination and transform him forever. The sweepingly beautiful artwork adds a majestic touch to this wonderful fable.
from: Contra Costa Times February 4, 2007
In this poetically told story, a boy lingers by the harbor longing to speak the language of birds. Frightened, his mother warns him to stay away or they will build a nest in his hair. Her dire prediction proves right, but after three days, when he's able to remove the seaweed nest and cast the spotted egg into the sea, his most fervent wish is granted -- "the boy's voice was so sweet and his song so beautiful that even the birds of the harbor came to hear him sing." Gently realistic pastels set the mood for this lyrical tale from Walnut Creek author Italia.
from: Kirkus Reviews December 1, 2006
Caravela's richly hued pastels depict, generally up-close, a moon-faced, introspective-looking lad communing with gulls for this folkish original tale of ineffable desire. Brushing off his mother's warnings, a boy sits by the shore longing to understand the cries of the birds, and eventually nods off. When he wakes, a gull has built a nest on his head, and left an egg that will grant any wish if thrown into the sea after three days. It's a difficult three days, but when the boy at last casts the egg away, a big fish rises to ask his wish. Here the story takes an even odder turn, for the boy wishes "for the wisdom of the birds, who could sing so sweetly and cry so loudly, though they too were unable to speak the things most dear to them." Thereafter, the boy's singing charms not only everyone in his village, but the birds too. Did the boy actually get his wish? It's hard to tell. Young readers might prefer that he had made a better, or at least less ambiguous, one.
Washington Parent Magazine ..... July 2006 by Mary Quattlebaum, Beach Reads
A trip to the shore calls for The Book of Mermaids (Shenanigan Books, 2005, ages 5 and up, $14.95). Author/illustrator Patricia Saxton draws from many cultures and her own imagination to create a fanciful picture book on merfolk arts, language and family life. These sea creatures (half fish, half human) were revered in ancient times as powerful gods and continue to surface in popular culture. (Witness the Disney animated adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's classic fairy tale "The Little Mermaid.") Youngsters will have a great time learning about mermaids' mystical tools (pearls and blue stones), weaving their own mermaid tales and poring over Saxton's shimmering mixed-media illustrations, which further heighten the magical quality of these legendary beings.
From: Library, American International School, Vienna
For any girl who knows in her heart that mermaids simply and surely must exist, The Book of Mermaids is a must have. Not only does it confirm everything she always knew to be true, it gives a fantastic view, rippling with romance and realism, into the underwater world that seems only a tail-flick away. From merlore and history to details about merfamilies, merfashions and merfestivals, this book is a celebration of fantasy worthy of a reading during Jewel Time festivities. Beautiful, murky water-colored illustrations give a glimpse into a world we all wish to be real. Reviewer - Tracy Games McCafferty
From: Our Readers
...the quintessential encyclopedia of Mermaidolidgy. Where they swim, how they play, what's hot and what's not in the captivating world of mermaid culture are just a few of the topics skillfully explored in "The Book of Mermaids." It's the perfect choice for every true believer and mermaid lover.
Reviewer - True Believer, Summit,NJ
This book is an imaginative, delicious plunge into the cherished myth and magic of mermaids. Saxton's art sparks the imagination: her underwater world of fashion, culture and fun comes alive with color and depth. I love this book!! It's the perfect gift for those who want to explore the myth of mermaids and believe in the possibilities. Remember to buy one for yourself as well!
Reviewer - Merfan, Lake Sunapee, NH
From: The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
This contemplative picture book offers reflections on the experience of living in West Africa from the perspective of a young white American boy. As noted on the opening page, the boy’s teacher has asked her students to keep journals; the narrative is thus a series of journal entries detailing the boy’s experiences (such as encountering a disabled boy who sells butterflies, hunting a thief--who turns out to be a monkey, and acquiring a special knife, complete with backstory, from the local blacksmith) and his struggle to appreciate the culture around him. Many of the entries feature Yampabou, a West African friend who assists the boy in understanding the many strange and bewildering encounters he experiences; his quiet wisdom and gentle humor guide the tone of the narrative. The entries stand isolated, each individually titled, and lean toward the abstract, with lessons buried deep within the rich language and subtle undertones of the boy’s movement toward understanding. Rather than offering detailed descriptions of occurrences, the vignettes are spare, allowing readers to interpret the meaning for themselves and to feel that they, like the protagonist, are looking out onto an unfamiliar culture from the inside. Painted scratchboard and oil illustrations framed in wide, earth-toned borders face most page of text; compositional details range from hatch and cross-hatch to thick paint strokes, offering an unusual but very effective combination of styles that gains both strength and intricacy from the network of lines. The individual entries would work very well as either discussion starters or writing samples; reflective older readers are also likely to engage with the complex subtlety of the boy’s thoughtful observations. Reviewer - HM - University of Illinois Graduate School of Library and Information Science
From: Booklist
Gr. 3-5. In this picture book for older children, a white American boy visiting a village in West Africa tells how he learns from his friend Yampabou about "the mysteries and magic" of a different culture. In one- to two-page episodes, loosely gathered together as a journal and illustrated with full-page colored woodcuts, the visitor records his experiences. The boy sees both wonderful and sad things, such as a baboon chained to a mango tree. He learns that people in the village eat mice ("the one who caught it got the head"). When he expresses shock that they also eat dogs, Yampabou explains he is just as appalled that Americans eat pigs. More than separate episodes, the experiences move together toward a surprising climax: Will Yampabou find his courage by catching a lion and eating its heart? Yes and no. The friendship story will touch readers; it will also make them think about people in different parts of the world and about Yampabou's laughing comment "that what is forbidden for one is completely acceptable for another."
Reviewer - Hazel Rochman Copyright © American Library Association.
From: Midwest Book Review
The collaborative work of author Peter Watson and illustrator Mary Watson, The Heart Of The Lion is the picturebook story of a young American boy and his West African adventures with his friend Yampabou as recorded in the pages of his personal journal. It is through the people he meets and the animals he encounters that this American boy comes to understand and respect the rich culture and traditions of West Africa. Peter Watson is a natural born storyteller who himself first experienced the mystery and magic of African culture as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Dahomey/Benin. The impressively stylistic artwork of Mary Watson is a perfect showcase and complement to this story told in discrete segments that will engage the total attention of young readers from first page to last. The Heart Of The Lion is an enthusiastically recommended addition to family, school and community library picturebook collections.
Reviewer - James A. Cox, Oregon, WI
From: Library, American International School, Vienna
As an American who has spent much time living in cultures in some ways mysterious from her own, it was a welcome treat to read The Heart of the Lion. Although my daughters didn’t have to learn to shake scorpions from their shoes, they did have to learn to change into Hausschuhe, or house shoes, upon entering their school. These small details that are sometimes unexplainable, and yet become a part of everyday life when living abroad, are painted with beauty and clarity in this story, The Heart of the Lion. Through small vignettes, we get a view into a mysterious land that has become the young boy’s home. And through the bond of friendship, the most natural and satisfying of cultural bridges, we watch as the young boy develops an understanding and respect for the traditions and people of his new home. Reviewer - Tracy Games McCafferty
From: Our Readers:
Thoroughly enjoyed the great ideas in this book. Each project is so well thought out you can't go wrong. Very helpful preparation is spelled out so doing the craft for a group goes smoothly. Tried the hand felted butterfly and the garden stepping stone so far.
Reviewer - Cindy, Warren, NJ
Great ideas! The crafts in this book are perfect for groups because all of the prep work can be done in advance! Boys and girl alike love these projects!
Reviewer - Animal Lover, Marietta, GA