THE HOUSE IN THE SKY

by Robert D.--Adapt. San Souci ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 1, 1996

In a careful source note, San Souci (The Little Seven-Colored Horse, p. 1501, etc.) calls this folktale a ""mix and match"" of several narrative elements in the tradition of Bahamian storytelling. It also shares a distant kinship with Goldilocks and the three Bears; put a pair of shiftless brothers in place of Goldilocks, and for the bears substitute a family of spirits who live in well-stocked house in the clouds. The cleverer of the brothers shows the greedy one a way into the house and its enormous cache of food. But greedy Boukee is too hungry to leave and pays the price when the spirits find him in their home. The story bounces along at a brisk pace, with just enough dialect to spice it up; Clay's fresh and colorful illustrations include the peculiar details of the narrative (the spirits' backward feet) that children will find funny.

Pub Date: Jan. 1, 1996

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Dial

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 1995

Categories: CHILDREN'S