| |||||||
“This sensitively written tale…is compelling as the young, would-be hunter schemes to keep his uncle and father from discovering [the seal’s] favorite hole in the ice. Kyo’s uncle is not harshly drawn…Readers are not hit over the head with the theme of animals being best left in the wild…Kyo’s transformation from hunter to conservationist is plausible and touching. While there are many stories about Eskimo life for older children, this book is a welcome addition for younger readers.” Booklist “Kyo is a well-realized, likable character and children will relate to his protective instincts. The story’s setting and events offer an intriguing lead-in to a discussion of the pros and cons of keeping an animal in captivity.” Boston Globe “…the seal’s secret dramatically saves the day.” Hartford Courant Listed The Secret of the Seal as one of the 10 best children’s books of 1989. Detroit Free Press “…a fine little drama.” Social Education “…a brief and touching novel that will cause readers to examine attitudes towards wildlife conservation and exploitation. The strength of the story is that nobody is a villain.” Potato Eyes “From the moment we enter the world of Kyo and his Eskimo family, we are swept up with the simple, haunting beauty of their everyday lives. Although set in the twentieth century, the theme is a timeless one of progress versus tradition and of preservation of nature…Davis depicts characters with deft skill, allowing the compelling drama to unfold in one chapter after another. The relationship between boy and seal grows quickly and verges on magic throughout the book…Designed for children ages 6 to 10, this text is singularly non-didactic in forward the preservation of nature theme, and unlike what we often find in contemporary children’s literature, the main character is likeable, a child whose gentle ways and sensitive approach to his world make the reader wish for a sequel…It is a story that children will want to read and reread, and which sensitive parents will enjoy as well.” Down East “For a young reader the story is a dramatic one, placing the ever-present struggle between preserving the environment and bowing to progress at the center of a simple and beautiful story of compassion, loyalty, and love. Davis’ story skillfully and quietly persuades readers, children, or otherwise, to question and to dare to protect whey respect and cherish. This is a well-designed, beautifully crafted children’s book for readers ages seven and up.” “This selection will not be on the shelves long between checkouts.” “When you start to read Secret of the Seal you can’t put it down it so good.” | |||||||
|