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Nivola, Claire A.
5 Reviews
(2)
K-3
The Star Child--"a flame of vapor, invisible and timeless"--visits Earth "as a human child." In a tender second-person address (in the voice of "his elders"), the text recounts the everyday joys and confusions of the life of a human being. Lyrical prose details all that the Star Child will learn, feel, and discover. Nivola's detailed paintings are rich with brilliant color and pattern.
Reviewer: Thom Barthelmess
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2014
(2)
K-3
Earle's intimate knowledge of the creatures she's spent over half a century observing, whether while snorkeling near the surface or walking on the ocean floor, permeates this enthusiastic biography illustrated with exquisitely detailed watercolor art. An author's note explains why we all need to get involved in efforts to curtail the threats of overfishing, climate change, oil spills, and other pollutants. Bib.
Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
March, 2012
(1)
4-6
In the 1950s, Nivola's father's Sardinian birthplace, with its modest red roofs, scenic valley, and welcoming relatives, was a mind-opening place to visit. Orani and its people are lovingly evoked in watercolor and gouache paintings, from expansive views to more intimate scenes. It's not a nostalgic picture, but one of children thriving in a close-knit community nurtured by its simple way of life.
Reviewer: Joanna Rudge Long
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2011
(2)
K-3
After five years away from Kenya, Maathai returns to a despoiled homeland. She rallies women to plant trees, and the movement spreads. Maathai's words, deftly inserted, help explain her achievement. Nivola's writing, in turn, has the simple eloquence of a traditional tale, and her absorbing images--sweeping views of the countryside with miniature human figures--are reminiscent of folk paintings. Bib.
Reviewer: Barbara Bader
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
May, 2008
(4)
PS
A mouse, deciding to face its fear of the forest, hikes there one day. After fighting panic all the way, the mouse discovers an "enormous beauty" in the woods and sky and goes home changed. The language of this first-person account is elegant and pellucid, though the voice is far older than its preschool audience. Nivola's meticulous stippled paintings convey both menace and beauty in a fresh, understated way.
Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam
5 reviews
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