The Horn Book Guide

PICTURE BOOKS

Bannerman, Helen , Bannerman, Helen

The Story of Little Black Sambo

32 pp. | Handprint | December, 2003 | Trade ISBN 1-929766-55-6 $$17.95

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Christopher Bing & Christopher Bing. Although this book's large pages have been subjected to a faux-antique finish, the antiquing is more distracting than atmospheric and the elaborateness of the paintings threatens to subvert the energy and playfulness of the story. However, Bing still knows to focus on the three things that matter--the hero, the tigers, and the pancakes--and to leave alone the less-is-more nature of Bannerman's indestructible tale.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2004