Circle of Thanks

An Alaskan boy and his mother walk through the slushy tundra. When a baby otter pup slides into the icy river, the boy's mother rushes in to rescue her. This selfless act prompts a chain reaction of rescues from other animals, including Raven, Mother Caribou, and Arctic Fox. Full color.

Ages 4^-7. As the seasons are cyclical, so are good deeds, in this mystical tale of the tundra. When a young boy's mother rescues an otter pup, the action sets off a chain of other brave, benevolent acts among animals in the wild. The otter gives his fish dinner to an injured raven; the raven uses his flock to call a mother caribou's attention to her lost calf; the caribou springs an arctic fox from a trap. When the boy becomes injured, the arctic fox plays a hand in his rescue and return to his mother. Beautiful watercolor illustrations dramatically portray the ever-changing landscape of the Far North, from snowy winters to the vibrant, bloom-filled springs, as well as expressive, appealing renditions of the humans and animals that populate this fascinating environment. Although some would dispute the idea that animals are capable of compassion toward other species, this picture book effectively illustrates the concept of the importance of helping others--the favor may one day be returned. Shelle Rosenfeld

Kindergarten-Grade 3-Alaska is the setting for this satisfying circular tale. A Yupik mother's rescue of an otter pup in the spring sets in motion a chain of kindness from one animal to another over the seasons. The circle is complete as winter approaches and the mother is led to her injured son by an Arctic fox. In spite of their active participation in acts of charity, the animals are not otherwise anthropomorphized. The focus is on the natural world and the interrelatedness of all living things (although romanticized). Catalanotto's realistic yet poetic watercolors, similar to his paintings in George Ella Lyon's Dreamplace (Orchard, 1993), wonderfully capture the sweep of the tundra. The artist uses unusual points of view to increase the drama of the encounters between animals, or animals and people, and beautifully captures the warmth of the cozy cabin and the love shared by the boy and his mother. Pair this with Virginia L. Kroll's The Seasons and Someone (Harcourt, 1994), which is also set in Alaska, and James Magdanz's Go Home, River (Alaska Northwest, 1996), which gives a picture of native life before European contact.
Pam Gosner, formerly at Maplewood Memorial Library, NJ
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

The drama and interconnectedness of the natural world swirl through this luminous picture book set on the Alaskan tundra. An unnamed boy and his mother venture into the spring sunshine, gorgeously depicted as bands of color in Catalanotto's (The Painter) striking watercolors. When Mama rescues an otter pup that has fallen into icy water, the otter seemingly responds by later performing a good deed for an injured raven. Thus, a chain of kind acts is set in motion, from animal to animal, throughout each season of the year. In the end, an arctic fox plays a role when the boy injures himself and cannot get home as a snowstorm approaches. In evocative language, Fowler (I'll See You When the Moon Is Full) introduces a somewhat exotic, isolated region of wide-open spaces, where humans are completely in tune with and responsive to nature; a gentle humor keeps the tone from being earnest or precious. She also effectively relays bits of information about the wildlife and flora indigenous to Alaska as well as basic animal behavior. Catalanotto's delicately lit art fluidly renders the beauty of a rugged wilderness in both summer bloom and winter snow. Thanks to imaginative perspectives, the interactions between his animals seem spontaneous and dynamic. Ages 4-7.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.