From School Library Journal PreS-Gr 2—A sprightly introduction to orangutans through nimble wordplay and attractive book design. Kurilla's pen-and-ink illustrations frame Engle's tanka verses, which relate a simple story of an orangutan family in an animal sanctuary in Borneo. Massive papa, whose "great weight makes/low branches waltz slowly" and mama, baby, inquisitive big sister, and watchful grandma live an idyllic existence amid the tall trees. Child-friendly verse evokes the habitat and should have wide appeal: "Imagine/rain forest music—/insects/buzz, zoom, and hum/while green leaves swish." Teachers will also appreciate the page of orangutan facts, where they can find print and online suggestions for further reading. Readers learn that the long-term outlook for this species of gentle primates is in doubt as deforestation threatens their rainforest habitats in Borneo and Sumatra. Engle also includes a note describing tanka poetry, an ancient Japanese format; the modern form is unrhymed and consists of five lines (short, long, short, long, long) of linked poems. She concludes by inviting children to write their own poems and dance like orangutans "with energetic arms and legs." This well-crafted book, with its accomplished verses and smattering of facts, should earn a wide audience.—Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA Read more Review “A sprightly introduction to orangutans through nimble wordplay and attractive book design . . . This well-crafted book, with its accomplished verses and smattering of facts, should earn a wide audience.” ―School Library Journal, Starred Review“[A] warm, rewarding portrait of these intelligent apes.” ―Publishers Weekly“* Like the firefly light, Engle's poetry is a gossamer thread of subtle beauty weaving together three memorable characters who together find hope and courage. Another fine volume by a master of the novel in verse.” ―Kirkus Reviews, starred review on The Firefly Letters“Engle presents a delightful tale of five orangutans in a string of linked tankas, an ancient Japanese form of poetry . . . A playful and instructive introduction to a little-known form of verse.” ―Kirkus Reviews“Cleverly combining poetry with scientific information, Engle's modern tanka poems . . . express humor and energy. . . .The hilarious digitally colored pencil-and-ink illustrations depict the lush jungle environment and the furry orange orangutans' extended family at rest and play. Children will be inspired to move their arms and legs energetically like a happy orangutan, dancing the "Orangudance" to the music of the rain forest.” ―Booklist“* This book is an outstanding choice for young people of all reading skills.” ―School Library Journal, starred review on Tropical Secrets“* Readers will be caught by the compelling narrative voices.” ―Booklist, starred review on The Surrender Tree“* An absolutely lovely book . . . that should be read by young and old, black and white, Anglo and Latino.” ―School Library Journal, starred review on The Poet Slave of Cuba“* Readers will hear the stories--and never forget them.” ―Booklist, starred review on The Poet Slave of Cuba“* The moving poetry and finely crafted story will draw readers in and leave them in tears and in awe.” ―The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review on The Poet Slave of Cuba Read more See all Editorial Reviews
S**S
Kids will love the Orangutans in this Tanka Filled Beauty
Orangutanka = Orangutans + TankaTanka is a Japanese five-line poem with a specific syllable count of 5 in the first line, 7 in the second, 5 in the third, and 7 in the fourth and fifth. Engle doesn’t use this traditional arrangement. She uses a “loose line length” of short, long, short, long, long. In a note before the story begins, Engle explains more about tanka poems. Orangutanka reads like a visitors observation log, as she watches the orangutans throughout the day. Each tanka is linked to the next, creating the story of one non-sleepy orangutan who loves to dance. The dancing theme resonates through each spread.One reason I love Orangutanka is the illustration work of Kurilla. Her orangutans are beautiful reddish-orange and brown masses of smiles and contentment. The eyes of each orangutan give the creatures’ additional emotion. I cannot imagine anyone taking in Kurilla’s forest of orangutans and not smiling at the beautiful creatures. The images remind me of the dense monkey filled rainforests of Costa Rico.The author explains, in back matter, most orangutans that survive are doing so in wildlife sanctuaries and rescues. Engle explained it is the logging and the deforestation for (mostly), farming that is destroying the orangutans’ (and other animals’) habitats. Engle includes several resources for those interested in knowing more about orangutans and their plight.Orangutanka is a fun, beautiful, emotional, poetic, and important story for the orangutans. Kids will enjoy the story of a day in a Borneo forest and of big sister and grandma dancing in the rain together. They will love the pencil and ink illustrations, digitally colored in rain forest browns, greens, reddish-orange, and pale blues. The opportunity to learn more about the tanka—traditional and modern—and about orangutans, makes Orangutanka a good book for teachers of English and science.The Orangutanka orangutans are beautiful and humorous, which will appeal to kids, especially those that love animals. Engle’s energetic poetry and her concern for these beautiful creatures combined with Kurilla’s dynamic illustrations will appeal to both readers and award committees. If this were April—Poetry Month—Orangutanka: A Story in Poems would be my top pick.Originally reviewed at Kid Lit Reviews/received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
M**E
Simple, yet satisfying – written with heart
Written in a contemporary style of the Japanese tanka form, this simple yet satisfying story of an orangutan family comes alive with vivid language and playful illustrations by Renée Kurilla. Children will enjoy seeing how similar these lovable apes are to humans. Teachers and parents will appreciate the opportunity to introduce "Orangutan Facts" described at the back of the book, not the least of which is their critically endangered status. The back matter also includes recommended resources to learn more about orangutans.It seems that no matter what age group Margarita Engle is writing for, there are common themes amongst her books:1. A love of nature2. Some aspect of freedom3. Giving voice to the underrepresented – the "forgotten" ones whose stories need to be told.While ORANGUTANKA may not be based on a historical figure like many of her other books, Ms. Engle is no less passionate about her topic or her cause. Besides her sensory-rich language (which I am prone to drool over), this is one of the things that I like best about her books: she is driven to shine a light on others – human or otherwise.
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