These tasty tales have Aesopean flavor with Southern spiciness. While each of this wonderful storyteller’s eight stories indicates its specific origins, many edify while some are simply entertaining. In “The Golly Whumper,” while the tongue is having fun with cadence, Aunt Molly is depending on her friends the animals to help her escape the witchy Golly Whumper (unripe gourd) that is chasing her about trying to whump her. The reader learns that one good turn deserves another. “Waiting for BooZoo,” however, is “Wait ’Til Martin Comes” in a new version of the spinetingler about a brave stranger who, hoping to earn $1,000, tries to spend the night in an old haunted house. All he has to do is face the monster cat and break its spell. The story builds in suspense and nobody can blame the stranger for finally losing his nerve. In the title story creatures big and small make a deal with a poisonous vine, which has inadvertently been infecting the people, in which they take on its poison, but also acquire markings that warn the humans of their venom. Reneaux’s last story ends with the quote, “Respect earth’s creatures, and you will repay their gift, and help to saved the animals just as they once save the people.” It is the late Reneaux’s gift that her wonderful way with words comes through on these pages, leaving us with the spirit of her voice. Ransome radiantly illuminates these tales with lush watercolors that paint touchably realistic animals with a dash of humanity in their expressive faces and bits of clothing. Every single page is a joy to read. (glossary, sources, bibliography of stories and recordings) (Folktales. 5-10)
Pub Date: Feb. 28, 2001
ISBN: 0-688-16253-3
Page Count: 64
Publisher: HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2000
Broccoli: No way is James going to eat broccoli. “It’s disgusting,” says James. Well then, James, says his father, let’s consider the alternatives: some wormy dirt, perhaps, some stinky socks, some pre-chewed gum? James reconsiders the broccoli, but—milk? “Blech,” says James. Right, says his father, who needs strong bones? You’ll be great at hide-and-seek, though not so great at baseball and kickball and even tickling the dog’s belly. James takes a mouthful. So it goes through lumpy oatmeal, mushroom lasagna and slimy eggs, with James’ father parrying his son’s every picky thrust. And it is fun, because the father’s retorts are so outlandish: the lasagna-making troll in the basement who will be sent back to the rat circus, there to endure the rodent’s vicious bites; the uneaten oatmeal that will grow and grow and probably devour the dog that the boy won’t be able to tickle any longer since his bones are so rubbery. Schneider’s watercolors catch the mood of gentle ribbing, the looks of bewilderment and surrender and the deadpanned malarkey. It all makes James’ father’s last urging—“I was just going to say that you might like them if you tried them”—wholly fresh and unexpected advice. (Early reader. 5-9)
Pub Date: May 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-547-14956-1
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Clarion Books
Review Posted Online: April 4, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2011
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Trisha is ready to start at a new school, where no one will know she has dyslexia. At first, she is heartbroken to be in Miss Peterson’s special-ed class, aka, “the junkyard.” But Miss Peterson treats the children as anything but junk, showing them that everyone has a unique talent. Polacco’s trademark style is fully present here; her sensitively drawn alter ego shines with depth of feeling. When bullying occurs, Miss Peterson proves her students are worthwhile by planning a junkyard field trip, where they find valuable objects to be used in exciting ways. Trisha’s group repairs a plane, and the class buys an engine for it. Then a beloved class member dies, and the children must find a way to honor him. While the plot meanders somewhat, the characters are appealing, believable and provide a fine portrayal of a truly special class. Children will be drawn in by the story’s warmth and gentle humor and will leave with a spark of inspiration, an appreciation of individual differences and a firm anti-bullying message, all underscored by the author’s note that concludes the book. (Picture book. 7-10)
Pub Date: July 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-399-25078-1
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: May 31, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2010
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