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		Papa Pride written and illustrated by Kathy Mallat 2005 Walker HC $15.95, $23.95 Canada ISBN 0-8027-8963-3 RTE $16.85, $24.95 Canada ISBN 0-8027-8964-1 Category: Picture Book/Family		Free Bookmarks
	We are Papa's pride and joy. We're always by his side. We're learning all we need to know with Papa as our guide.
Kathy Mallat in her "Treetop" Studio with the Papa Pride art on her "art laundry rack".
Cover Art Printer Ready
Kathy Cooks Up Her Art
	Note the cooking tins, food tray, and other kitchen items that Kathy uses to organize her artist's tools.
				Art before the background is added.
				The finished art.
		In the studio Kathy's art comes to life.
	From the Walker Catalogue: "The bond between a father and child is unique and strong. In her trademark simple style, Kathy Mallat once again speaks directly to toddlers and preschoolers with a catchy, rhyming text about one of the most important figures in their lives -- their fathers. Young ones will relate to and adore Kathy's cuddly wolf pups, just as fathers will recognize the papa wolf's pride and love for his children in their own relationships."
		From sketch to finished book art.
Research Research Research Kathy Mallat researched carefully to assure the accuracy of the wolves, the wolf behavior, and the wolf habitat. From the Walker Catalogue: This is the ideal Father's Day gift. Kathy Mallat's books are preschool favorites. The wolves' behavior is realistic and accurate.
Reviews
Please Note: The following review incorrectly refers to wolf young as cubs. Wolf young are called pups. "A fine celebration of family life, with lush, alluring illustrations." Booklist April 2005 The emphasis on family in this gorgeously illustrated book makes it a great companion to Mallat's Mama Love (2004). In that book, a mother chimpanzee cradles her infant in the forest, expressing her love in rhyme. Papa Pride also takes the gentle rhyming approach, but features different animals--a wolf pack of four, one grown wolf and three cubs. The baby wolves, who collectively serve as the narrator, talk about Papa's pride in his pack; his playfulness, protectiveness, and patience; and his skill. Papa teaches the cubs to swim, to sniff out tracks, and to howl. Although Papa has an oddly anthropomorphic smile at times, and the rhyming occasionally becomes a little awkward, this is still a fine celebration of family life, with lush, alluring illustrations, in oil pastels and colored pencils that give the images a tactile quality. -- Connie Fletcher
Booklist magazine web site at A.L.A.
Please Note: The following review incorrectly refers to wolf young as cubs. Wolf young are called pups. "Beautifully wrought pastels ." School Library Journal May 2000 PreS-Gr 2 - This book presents an idealized vision of a father-child relationship as enacted by a wolf and his three offspring. Readers hear the voice of the cubs, musically but also awkwardly rhymed. The ingenuousness of the text is sometimes strained: "We are Papa's pride and joy, / his wildest dream come true, / his perfect little miracles... / so innocent and new." The beautifully wrought pastels have a twilit atmosphere. Light and dark are somehow balanced in a setting that conveys a sense of nighttime. The wolves are appealing creatures, displaying affection, mutual respect, and, in the father's case, quiet dignity. Since there is always room for picture books exemplifying loving parent-child relationships, this offering, along with its companion title, Mama Love (Walker,2004), which features more expert use of language and equally lovely illustrations, should find many interested readers. -- Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY
www.schoollibraryjournal.com
Please Note: The following review incorrectly refers to wolf young as cubs. Wolf young are called pups. "A lovely study of animal habits . . . good nature storytime choice." April 1, 2005 Kirkus Reviews Mallat illustrates a family's expression of love and pride through a series of scenes denoting the confidence and security of young wolf cubs as their nurturing and patient papa wolf guides them. Full-page oil pastels in muted dark colors of the natural terrain beautifully paint the family's active day of learning and play as papa teaches skills for swimming, hunting and basic survival concluding with a protective nighttime embrace. As Papa displays his pleasure in a howl of joy, the cubs are equally happy and assured in the security of learning from and relying on a doting, caring parent. "Papa is our pride and joy, / the one that we adore. /He's everything we want to be, / and ever so much more." A lovely study of animal habits paralleling concepts of parental devotions and praise for any family. Good nature storytime choice. (Picture book. 2-4)
www.kirkusreviews.com
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