Great
Books About Unusual Lives
Reviews by Dawn Brunke
and Madigan McGillicuddy
|
Ram
the Demon Slayer
By
Vatsala Sperling
Illustrated
by Pieter Weltervrede
(Bear
Cub Books, 2005; hardcover, 15.95)
For
more, see www.innertraditions.com
|
|
~Review
by Madigan McGillicuddy
Adapted
from the classic Indian tale, The Ramayana, this richly-illustrated
picture book tells the story of Lord Vishnu's earthly life as Ram, the
Hindu prince who vanquished demons at a time when such beings roamed
the earth freely. The vivid, three-dimensional illustrations are a
delight to behold, and make Ram's fantastic and bold adventures come
to life.
This
tale follows the plight of the people forced to live under the rule of
the terrible ten-headed demon Ravana. Knowing that Ravana can only be
defeated by a human, Brahma asks Vishnu to volunteer to be
reincarnated in human form. Soon, Vishnu is re-born into the Ayodhya
family, along with his friends Bharat, Lakshman and Shatrugn. The
story goes on to detail some of exploits of Ram: fighting demons,
marrying his wife Sita (an incarnation of Lakshmi), and organizing an
army of monkeys and bears to take on Ravana himself. Several pages are
devoted to the many twists and turns of the epic battle between demon
Ravana and human Ram, with both sides calling for as much help their
supernatural allies can lend.
The
book contains an illustrated cast of characters page—a boon for
anyone unfamiliar with the Hindu pantheon of gods. There is also a
note for parents and teachers at the end of the book, helping to put
the story in cultural context. This lengthy and complex picture book
is recommended for children aged 6 to 12.
|
The
Boy from Nine Miles: The Early Life of Bob Marley
by
Cedella Marley and Gerald Hausman
Art
by Mariah Fox
(Hampton
Roads Publishing Company, Inc., 2002; hard cover, $17.95)
For
more, see www.hamptonroadspub.com
|
|
~Review
by Dawn Brunke
Nesta
Robert Marley was born in the village of Nine Miles in the Parish of
St. Ann,
Jamaica
. His mother Ciddy was so proud
that February morning and so were his grandfather Omeriah and his
grandmother
Alberta
, in whose house Nesta opened
his eyes to the world.
On
the windowsill in the warm winter sun, three little birds came to sing
their sweet songs. “It is a sign,” said Ciddy. Omeriah, who was
known all around as a seer, nodded and said, “I think a new day is
dawning.” And the song of the three little birds and the news of the
birth traveled throughout the hilltop town of Nine Miles.
So
begins this touching, well-written, and thoroughly engaging account of
the early life of musician and poet, Bob Marley, whose Rastafarian
views and songs celebrating the unification of all people would come
to influence several generations.
Authors
Cedella Marley (Marley’s eldest child) and Gerald Hausman (author
and folklorist) do a lovely job of immersing the reader into the
sights, sounds, smells and feel of both rural and urban
Jamaica
. So, too, are we privy to the inner world of 5-year-old Nesta as he
is taken from his village and family by his father to attend school in
Kingston
. Captain Marley deposits the boy with Mrs. Gray, a kind but sickly
older woman who, it soon turns out, cannot even care for herself. Thus
Nesta becomes a caretaker, shopping for groceries in the Kingston
market, meeting a variety of ‘teachers’ such as the “blackheart
man,” living in a crate under the bridge, and the “beanie man,”
who teaches the young boy songs. Amidst poverty and desperation, Nesta
learns the truth of his grandfather’s saying, “Rain does not fall
on one man’s house alone.”
This
wonderful book has some deep messages as readers of all ages may
observe the inner growth of a very young child becoming wise and
dreaming his future. Also included are brilliant illustrations by
Mariah Fox that capture the essence of Marley’s
Jamaica
. Parents may likewise appreciate the short afterword of Marley’s
rise to fame, as well as the helpful glossary and chronology that
accompany the book. All in all, this is a great book about a great man
whose music reminds us that “every little thing gonna be all
right.”
|
The
Revelations of Alvin Tolliver
by
David Kherdian
(Hampton
Roads Publishing Company, Inc., 2001; paperback, $7.95)
For
more, see www.hamptonroadspub.com
|
|
~Review
by Madigan McGillicuddy
The
latest offering from David Kherdian, winner of the Newberry Honor
award for his book Road From
Home, takes us into the life of Alvin Tolliver, a sixth-grade
loner with a keen appreciation for nature.
Alvin
dreams of becoming a tracker and spends his free time exploring the
local
Wisconsin
woods. The book is divided into four portions, one for each of the
influential adults who helps to change
Alvin
's outlook.
While
on a nature walk,
Alvin
falls into a pit and injures his leg. Although Crazy Eli, a disabled
man who is unable to speak, has been the object of Alvin and his
schoolmates scorn, he teaches Alvin the value of compassion by
rescuing him and tending him with herbs before returning him home.
While
fishing for muskie,
Alvin
is taken under the wing of Joe Kerensky, who reveals the secrets of
the lake.
Alvin
is awed and mystified by the beauty of the lake and the creatures who
live in and around it, and begins to see the difference between
wanting something and truly needing it. Next,
Alvin
meets Hannah the Bird Lady. When
Alvin
finds a great horned owl accidentally caught in a hunter's trap with
an injured wing, he brings the bird to Hannah, hoping she can nurse
the owl to health. Finally, he is honored to meet the legendary Native
American outdoorsman, Philip Sunbear, who agrees to include
Alvin
at his next sweat lodge. The intense experience of the sweat lodge
cements the importance of the revelations that
Alvin
has received on his journey to spiritual maturity.
Though
this book is intended for third to sixth grade readers, adults may
also find the unhurried pace of this coming of age story interesting.
Madigan
McGillicuddy is a recent
Master's degree graduate from the
University
of
Texas
at
Austin's library program. She is currently employed at a children's library
and prior to that spent six years working at a children's bookstore.
Dawn Brunke is the editor of Alaska Wellness and author of Animal Voices and Awakening
to Animal Voices. See www.animalvoices.net
for more.
