These reviews appeared in the Stratford Gazette on May 25, 2011
Written by Sally Hengeveld, Librarian
The Gigantic Sweet Potato, adapted by Dianne de Las Casas, 30 pages.
@ SPL: JP Tolst
When Ma Farmer decided that it was time to harvest the huge sweet potato in her garden, she couldn’t budge it. She called Pa Farmer to help, but together they couldn’t move it. With Bessie Cow’s help, they still couldn’t pull the sweet potato out of the ground. And even with Farmer Pa, Bessie Cow, Ralphie Dog and Kitty Cat all helping, the gigantic sweet potato just would not come out of the ground.
What to do?
To be honest, Ma Farmer, now rather hot and exasperated, didn’t know what to do next, and when itty-bitty Lily Mouse happened along and offered to help, Ma Farmer readily accepted.
The others wondered how Lily Mouse could make any difference at all, but they said nothing.
So they all pulled on the sweet potato plant, and it began, ever so little, to move. They pulled harder. The plant moved a little more, and then some more. And finally, finally, Ma Farmer’s gigantic sweet potato popped right out of the ground!
The familiar Russian folktale, The Giant Turnip, has been very nicely adapted by storyteller Dianne de Las Casas in this story which conjures up an American southwest flavour. Martha Gentry’s droll artwork and a recipe for sweet potato pie complete this fun, “predictable” tale in which the help of even the littlest creature does, indeed, make a difference.
** Recommended for ages 3 to 6 years.
Goldie and the Three Hares, by Margie Palatini, 30 pages.
@ SPL: JP Palat
One morning, Papa, Mama and Baby Hare were abruptly awakened by a loud THUMP against the door of their rabbit hole.
A little girl, Goldilocks, had fallen down the hole while being chased by three very angry bears.
Invited in to rest her injured foot, the three hares quickly discovered why the bears were so angry at Goldie. She proved to be a most demanding and rude guest. First, she complained about Papa’s hard chair, Mama’s soft chair and Baby Hare’s small chair. Then she complained about the blankets (“too scratchy, too itchy, too big, too little, too hot”). She demanded every cushion and pillow in the rabbit hole (leaving none for anyone else). She bemoaned the lack of heat and she complained about the poor television reception. (In fact, poor Baby Hare had to stand beside the television set for hours so that his big rabbit ears could enhance the reception.)
And that was just the beginning of a very, very bad hare day for the three hapless hares!
At dinnertime, Goldie ate and ate and ate, leaving nothing for the hares. She even gobbled up the carrot tops. Papa, Mama and Baby Hare were now truly desperate to be rid of Goldie!
Young readers will be thoroughly intrigued by what the three hares did next in Margie Palatini’s clever sequel to the favourite tale Goldilocks and the Three Bears, featuring the hilarious illustrations of artist Jack E. Davis.
** Recommended for ages 4 to 7 years.
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