From: Steven
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 11:57:36 PST

I've used "The Hunterman and the Crocodile" with a couple of classes, grades 1-3.. It worked well both times. The illustrations are great for groups because of the strong shapes and clear white outlines...they almost look better from a short distance than they do close up. A second grader in today's class knew just from the cover that this story was from Africa. There's not a great deal of visual action in the middle part of the story, as one animal after another tells why they will not help the hunterman, but there's enough liveliness in the paintings to keep it all fun and interesting. There are also pleasing details on each page, like the varied borders around each square illustration, the changing expressions of the sun who looks on, and the small illustrations adorning the text pages. Though the award is for illustrations, I also think that the tale is written very well and makes an excellent read aloud. This last may be totally irrelevant, but I'll throw it in anyway: one group I shared it with was about half African-American, all low income; the other was all white, very well off West Linnians. I didn't notice any difference in their level of enjoyment, which of course is as it should be with a good book.

-------------------------------------------------------Steven Engelfried, West Linn Public Library 1595 Burns Streeet West Linn, OR 97068 ph: 503e6x57 fax: 503e6'46 e-mail: steven at westlinn.lib.or.us
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Received on Tue 24 Feb 1998 01:57:36 PM CST