THE CHICKEN SALAD CLUB

by Marsha Diane Arnold ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 1, 1998

The story of a boy who visits his 100-year-old great-grandfather every day after school to hear his tales is imbued with elements of wishful thinking. Nathaniel looks forward to chicken salad sandwiches and lemonade in the perfectly appointed 1940s kitchen of his ""Greatpaw,"" after which they retire to the living room for storytelling. ""Tell me about the day of the storm,"" is one opener to the elderly man's recitations of boyish adventures and dreams, including one about meeting his wife at the church box supper: ""I had to buy it, even though the biddin' went a mite high,"" Greatpaw says. The two advertise for other century-old storytellers by posting a notice in the library for a gathering with refreshments, and it will be hard for readers to believe that a man this old doesn't prepare himself for disappointment when nobody shows. Nathaniel places an ad in the ""Confidentials,"" which draws an elderly storyteller named Sadie. Despite the illustrations full of warm and cozy details, this nostalgic, personal book is so unlikely--more of a prescription for youngsters than a description of their real lives--that it may fail to find an audience.

Pub Date: June 1, 1998

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Dial

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1998

Categories: CHILDREN'S