Tink

April 1, 2011

A lyrically quiet celebration of community from Denmark. Continuing where the Danish titles Crow-Girl (2004) and Eidi (2009) left off, Bredsdorff's newest translation returns to the peaceful Crow Cove, where a mismatched band of friends and relations are trying to start a new life. Young Tink, blaming himself for allowing the food crop to be destroyed by livestock, finds and rescues an old drunk named Burd with a violent past. There are people in Tink's community who ran away just to get as far as they could from this man, yet it is through Burd that Tink learns to fish and discovers that there is more to a person than their worst qualities. More than just a story of survival, this is a tale about creating a community and settling down where you are safe and loved. There is no denying the author's acuity for lyrical language. Readers would be well advised, however, to make a point to read the previous two books in the series should they wish for the revelations made throughout the book to have any kind of an impact. It's a lovely story, but without the requisite background knowledge it will fail to carry the proper weight. Readers who make the investment in reading the two prior titles will find themselves well rewarded. (Fiction. 9-12)

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April 1, 2011

PreS-Gr 1-When Mama Duck's recalcitrant egg finally hatches, everyone finds the baby's sharp claws, large teeth, and swooshing tail a puzzling sight. Realizing he is different, the ugly duckling heads out into his prehistoric world. There, after trying to make friends with lizards, turtles, and other creatures, he comes upon Mother Tyrannosaurus rex, who welcomes him home. This unusual takeoff on a much-retold Andersen tale is hampered by overly exaggerated facial expressions and harsh colors. However, if read aloud, the dialogue and variant font styles (some in color) may give rise to vocal responses-especially from dinosaur enthusiasts. Of more interest may be the appended two-page author's note that includes scientific paintings and information about the dinosaurs, flora, and fauna mentioned in the story. However, young children will probably need adult interpretation to understand the back matter.-Barbara Elleman, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, MA

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