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| Page 7 | Book Reviews - Children & Young Adults |
March 2009 |
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DVDs - Various HumptyDumpty Was Pushed and Other Cracked Tales by Bruce Lord and Elizabeth Richards, iUniverse, paperback, 182 pages, $14.95, ISBN 978-0-595-47691-6 |
By J. M. Smith Bruce Lord has been a professional storyteller for more than 10 years. Elizabeth Richards is a poet, playwright and educator. They have been writing together for over 20 years and live in Milton, ON. Was HumptyDumpty Pushed? Is the first story in their rollicking collection of tales. Well, was he? Chicken Little thinks so and he's asking too many questions. Did the King's Men do it? Did they send a tasty omelet to the King? No one listens to The Starfish Hunter's adventures and more. He's grown old and grumpy. When a you lad reminds him that he is "a legend," his confidence returns. He vows to hunt his nemesis, 'The Great Pink'. .Will planning, getting in shape and determination allow him to finally find peace? In Billy and His Tragic Nose Hair, a young boy learns to accept his odd condition, find fame and to benefit humanity. Sir Stinks-A-Lot is a lonely night, both loved and despised for the 'power' of his fabulous armpits. Their fearsome stench can slay dragons and demolish invading Barbarians. Can he ever be socially acceptable and find happiness? I a Whale and a Tiger had a fight, who would win? This question plagues poor Margaret, and she continuously seeks the answer well into adulthood. Will she ever know? As for The Mosquito Farm, if you are ever wondering how to deal with the pesky things, read this! The Last Action Librarian confronts Suzy and Cam, two self-centered, primping air-head dolls, with an elaborate scheme to get Suzy reading. Literacy will change her life. In Super Doodle Noodle Poodle, a hero rises out of chaos to save his noodle world from the wicket Mighty Meatball Men. Are peace and friendship possible? And on they go: 22 funny, gross, silly short stories with the oddest collection of sometimes familiar and very determined protagonists. They struggle through adversity and triumph splendidly in the endexcept for poor Chicken Little. Social commentary abounds in these over-the-edge tales. Lively dialog and ridiculous situations capture the readers imagination. Gleefully aimed at ages eight to 12, give or take, these quirky stories would be a valuable tool in the classroom. Read aloud with animation and appropriate character voices, they may inspire discussion, writing, acting, illustrating and even more reading! |
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