From Publishers Weekly
As exquisite and simple as a well-browned loaf of bread, this elegantly designed picture book celebrates the ordered existence of a Shaker village. Each stanza offers a small glimpse of the Shaker way of life-"Morning is a golden face,/ hands to work, hearts to God,/ sisters shake the linens out,/ white as morning snow"-while the author's introduction and illustrated endnotes provide intriguing historical detail (e.g., Shakers believed so strongly in equality that they bought the freedom of some slaves so they could join Shaker communities on equal footing). Turner's (Sewing Quilts; Apple Valley Year) series of spare, four-line stanzas are pinned together with a series of end rhymes that only occasionally strain for effect, and with the repetition of Mother Ann Lee's Shaker motto, "hands to work, hearts to God." Perfectly joined to the verse, Minor's (Heartland; Mojave) otherwise static paintings are suffused with sunlight and crisp detail, lending warmth and familiarity to the clean lines of the facing white pages. Shaker food, herbs and tools are featured in the design ornamentations, while the paintings' well-swept wooden floors and snow-topped barns reinforce the tone of peace and order. The joy of the Shaker utopian community depicted, so "far from world of woe," offers a sharp contrast to the complexities of modern life, making both art and text seem a rare gift. All ages.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 3. The Shaker motto "hands to work, hearts to God" provides the thematic thread and rhythmic pulse in this poetic treatment of a nearly extinct sect. Turner's clean verse incorporates important practices and beliefs into four-line stanzas. The rhyme scheme invites the toes to tap and creates a subtle appreciation for the movement that triggered the group's name, as well as for the concluding scene in which women in swaying skirts and men with knees raised offer outstretched hands to one another in a joyful dance. Printed on a white background, the text is framed by a "window" that includes a homespun image in the lunette?an apple pie, a sprig of herbs, a wheelbarrow. Facing pages contain full-color scenes, depicting daily life and work, that glow with a soft, but brilliant light. Windows are a clever leitmotif throughout, highlighting their importance to the Shakers and creating the sense that readers are peering into a distant time. Minor's buildings are solid, his landscapes sweeping, his people almost sculptural. An introductory note provides a brief background; details alluded to in the text (dancing, gender equality) are described in back matter. Children would enjoy comparing Minor's acrylics to Raymond Bial's photographs in Shaker Home (Houghton, 1994). Jane Yolen's Simple Gifts (Viking, 1976; o.p.) offers more in-depth information. Find a use for this masterfully made celebration of a group that has quietly made significant contributions to society. ?Wendy Lukehart, Dauphin County Library, Harrisburg, PA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
