Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 22, 1992 TAG: 9203220278
SECTION: HORIZON PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
By Geoffrey Chaucer. Retold by Fulton Roberts. Illustrated by Marc Davis. Disney Press. $13.95.
Disney has got it! Whether it is cartoons, movies or books, those folks know how to do color, plot and animated figures. These two choices are based on literature and they prove, once again, that the 10 or so basic plots used throughout the centuries rarely fail in gifted hands. Marc Davis started with Disney in 1935, so no one will be surprised at the familiar look of Chanticleer and company.
The Tin Soldier and the paper doll Ballerina, in their classic love story, are sure to be a favorite tragedy for many a little tot. The conceited Chanticleer - a fine rooster - and the Fox who advocates "no work and all play" as his campaign slogan show us good triumphing over evil one more time. The tales are not new but the artwork, from the Disney Archives, is new in publication form.
Either or both selections would enhance any child's library, and they can be classified under animal, Disney, fairy tale, classic, fable, favorite, colorful, fiction, ancient, modern, comedy, tragedy, sad, happy, fantasy or real-life.
- PEGGY C. DAVIS
A Tale of Two Rats.\ By Claude Lager. Illustrations by Nicole Rutten. Stewart, Tabori, and Chang. $13.95.
Belgian writer Claude Lager's "A Tale of Two Rats" is a new variation on the old theme of friendship and loyalty. From the moment that the crusty New Yorker, Arthur, meets warm and affectionate Italian-born Jack, the two enjoy a growing friendship. Their friendship takes Jack across the Atlantic to Italy, where he sells his paintings of New York. Arthur realizes that his paintings of Italy will sell in New York and plans a trip home to seek fame and fortune. He bids Jack and his new friends goodbye but then realizes how lonely he was in New York.
The book is illustrated with detailed paintings in soft tones. Artist Nicole Rutten gained her experience working for Antwerp's Royal Theater. She also has another picture book to her credit. An easy reader, "A Tale of Two Rats" made the Parent's magazine list of Best Children's Books in 1991.
- SARA ZEEK
Eight Hands Round: A Patchwork Alphabet.\ By Ann Whitford Paul. Illustrated by Jeanette Winter. HarperCollins. $13.95.
This is an alphabet book of patchwork designs that describes life during the time in America when quilting was an important everyday pastime. With a page for each letter, there is an illustration of the whole quilt design, a close-up of the central pattern and a scene that visually depicts the information given.
For example, "A for Anvil" would have little meaning for today's second- and third-graders who might not know what an anvil is, who used it or for what purpose. This information is given, but there is a drawing of a blacksmith using an anvil to work on a horseshoe. The transformation of the tool into the design pattern is also shown individually and in an entire quilt.
The title design for "Eight Hands Round" is a square dance call turned quilt. Twenty-six fascinating, informative, authentic patterns are described in this same manner in a book that will be enjoyed by children of all ages for many reasons.
- JUDITH ROSENFELD
Peggy C. Davis reviews books regularly for this page.\ Sara Zeek lives in Clifton Forge.\ Judith Rosenfeld reviews children's books from Bristol, Va.
by CNB