From School Library Journal
K-Gr 3-As she did with Itsy, Bitsy Spider (Charlesbridge, 1998), Trapani takes an old rhyme and adds her own spin to it. Illustrated in muted watercolors, with a setting suggestive of a Victorian winter, the book features Ms. Sheep and her friends, all of whom want something from her. Kittens want milk, a pig wants slop, the dog wants bones, and a horse wants hay. Alas, except for the master, the dame, and the little boy who lives down the lane, the sheep just can't fill her neighbors' requests. As a result, all of them are in a huff, and cry out "Boo, boo, black sheep, shame on you!" However, she has a surprise for them. As it so happens, she has been hard at work knitting a woolen surprise for each and every one of them-mittens for the cats, a shawl for the horse, a fine hat for the pig. In the end, everyone has learned the value of sharing, and they come to her door loaded with presents. The illustrations are pleasing and the expressions on the faces engaging. The story itself works, although it's not particularly engaging. Other old favorites on sharing and caring, such as Angela Johnson's Julius (Orchard, 1993) or Nancy Carlson's Harriet's Halloween Candy (First Avenue, 1994) are just as much fun.
Roxanne Burg, Thousand Oaks Library, CA
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
About the Author
Iza Trapani came to America from Warsaw, Poland, with her mother when she was just seven years old. However, it was during those early years in Communist Poland, living with her large family in a tiny one-bedroom apartment, that Iza's artistic life began to blossom. She would spend hours filling every scrap of paper with drawings of princesses in castles, knights on horses, and all kinds of animals.
Iza put herself through college at the State University in New Paltz, New York, working in many different capacities. Her first job was as a caregiver to a little boy who was hyperactive. Other jobs ranged from short-order cook to rock-climbing guide, from real estate broker to freelance artist. After college Iza married, re-united with her brothers and sister, whom she had not seen since she left Poland, and finally became a published author and illustrator of children's books.
Always fascinated with children's literature, Iza loves to explore the pure simplicity of words matched with charming illustrations in her own work. As a child, Iza spent hours immersed in the magical world of picture books, and as an adult Iza will still sit and giggle with Dr. Seuss's books.
Through her wondrous stories like Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star and The Itsy Bitsy Spider, Iza proudly shares a part of herself with children. Her detailed illustrations and charming characters tell stories that teach as well as delight and touch young readers.
