Meteor! - Hardcover

Studying in the United States and Australia, Patricia Polacco has earned an MFA and a PhD in art history, specializing in Russian and Greek painting, and iconographic history. She is a museum consultant on the restoration of icons. As a participant in many citizen-exchange programs for writers and illustrators, Ms. Polacco has traveled extensively in Russia as well as other former Soviet republics. She continues to support programs that encourage Russo-American friendships and understanding. She is also deeply involved in inner-city projects in the United States that promote the peaceful resolution of conflict and encourage art and literacy programs. The mother of a grown son and a daughter, she currently resides in Michigan, where she has a glorious old farm that was built during the time of Lincoln.

Kindergarten-Grade 3 A pleasant enough tale of a small town's excited reaction to the landing of a meteorite in a front yard. The family cordons off the ``rock,'' and the townspeople soon flock to the spotsome auction meteor basket lunches and sell popcorn, the local high-school band gives a meteoric performance, and university science departments come to analyze the meteorite. The entire town seems filled with a special magic inspired by touching the meteorite. There is a nostalgic, homey feeling to this book, and small-town America comes to life in its pages. Unfortunately, the townspeople call the meteorite a meteor, which is inaccurate, and the adjective meteoric becomes monotonous. The stylized acrylic illustrations are unusual and appealing. Facial expressions are espcially well-drawn. Unfortunately, the flaws in the book don't lift it above the mediocre. Barbara S. McGinn, Oak Hill Elementary School, Severna Park, Md.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.