A LITTLE EXCITEMENT

by Marc Harshman ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 1989

During the midwinter doldrums on a remote farm, Willie is weary of his sisters' ganging up on him and wishes for something to happen. He gets more than he'd hoped; a chimney fire that involves the whole family in a midnight battle to save their house before the volunteer fireman, along with other neighbors, arrive to help and stay on for talk and food--""better than Thanksgiving."" Though poet Harshman narrates smoothly, Willie's concluding insight that ""maybe my fussing had earned me some of [my sisters'] bossing"" isn't really justified by what has happened. But Rand's realistic paintings are wonderfully evocative of the winter farm; his depiction of the blazing chimney and the effort to quench the fire have the drama the text lacks. A genuine, attractively produced piece of Americana.

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1989

ISBN: 1891852213

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Cobblehill/Dutton

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1989

Categories: CHILDREN'S