Tinka

Rating:
Summary: beautiful illustrations, quirky story
Review: as a children's librarian i am often given kid's books as gifts as was the case with this one. i probably would not have purchased this book for myself, but it is cute. the illustrations are easily the best part. they are adorable, soft and fresh and make you want to put tinka in your pocket. the story is a bit odd and occasionally jumps awkwardly. it's a little long for group sharing but would work one-on-one. most people will probably be attracted to it by its cover and will forgive the somewhat trite, predictable storyline. overall, it's an okay book.

Rating:
Summary: A Beauty of a Book
Review: Ms. Dohaney's debut is a beauty. The drawings are fantastic and the story is sweet. Ignore the age suggestions, because the older kids will love to read this one to their younger siblings. There is SO much to take in with every picture, like each sheep having it's own signature item. Kids will love spotting "MYLA, because she has the glasses", etc.....a true wonderland to explore. Each drawing was made with great attention to detail and is a work of art in its own right. Young and old will love this wonderful book. A great gift idea, with a nice HAPPY ending.

Rating:
Summary: Sweet as can be, and gorgeous to look at...
Review: This is that rare and special kind of children's book that doesn't play to any particular age or audience, instead choosing to exist in a world where every breathing soul can enjoy its simple message and its fun delivery.

Dohaney's theme isn't new. Her young lamb Tinka follows her dreams, finding the courage to accept her own individuality and seeing life beyond the confines of the tiny farm where her family lives. What's special is that the discovery of this courage does not come at the expense of that family unit--in fact, it enhances Tinka's place amongst the herd (and not in some scary conformist way, either, but in a warm and fuzzy good way).

Adding further to the specialness of the book is Dohaney's unique vision. Tinka's world is not a conventional one. It's filled with oddball characters and a vivid imagination that allows a field of flowers to be seen as a giant spider by those unwilling to look beyond their fenced-in pens. The illustrations have a loving depth of detail, with small touches like ever-present insects used to add an extra dimension to Tinka's farm, bringing it all to life. Dohaney's soft colors are gorgeous, too, and you'll want to spend a good amount of time looking at them even after you're done reading the words.

All in all, a special debut. I plan to buy a couple of copies and give them to friends who have some children on the way, so that they can share the delight I've found in TINKA.

Rating:
Summary: A GORGEOUS book!
Review: This lovely story about confidence and individuality is a hit with my children and their friends. Little Tinka and her friend Sooty the crow have touched our hearts. The illustrations are beautiful, with lush textures and attention to detail. This book is a favorite at bedtime, that we've read again and again.

Rating:
Summary: Beautifully done
Review: Tinka was a breath of fresh air. The artwork was superb and the characters are the cutest. You want to just pick that little sheep up and give her a hug. The story was very nicely written with a little suspense about the spider. I'm a grandmother and all my grandchildren just loved it, and they range from 3 year olds up to 9 years old. We went on a trip recently and visited a few people. Instead of bringing wine or candy, we gave them a copy of Tinka, if they had children or grandchildren.