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Yummy: Eight Favorite Fairy Tales
Common Sense says
- Lucy Cousins
- Fairy Tale
- 2009
Parents say
Kids say
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this a faithful treatment of classic favorite tales: funny and sometimes instructive, but also dark and even a bit gruesome. Parents who miss the edgy fairy tales of their youth will enjoy this, but those who prefer the stories tamed for young readers will want to steer clear. The illustrations revel in the drama, showing not only the wolf gobbling up Little Red Riding Hood’s grandma, but the hunter lopping off the wolf’s head with an axe. The final scene in the tale of the Three Little Pigs is of a pig watching the limp wolf in a boiling pot over the fire. Some parents might struggle with the story of the musicians of Bremen, who displace a band of robbers from their house.
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What's the story?
Eight classic tales -- including The Enormous Turnip, The Little Red Hen, and The Three Billy Goats Gruff -- are drawn together in a faithful compilation complete with hungry wolves and foxes, bullying trolls, and nosy little girls.
Is it any good?
Let’s be clear: This is nothing like Lucy Cousins’ gentle, popular Maisy books. This daring collection dishes up a treat, but it isn’t to everyone’s tastes. It’s too strong for sensitive kids (and sensitive parents). Families who are disappointed with watered-down revisions, however, will revel in this fun collection. Cousins’ familiar style -- emphatic lines and bold, joyful colors -- are put to wonderful use, infusing the stories with humor.
Some parents will be horrified by images like that of the wolf’s head flying over the head of dancing Little Red Hood and her grandma, but kids will very likely ask to read these again and again.
Vivid, exciting, and funny. Cousins’ familiar style -- emphatic lines and bold, joyful colors -- are put to wonderful use, infusing the stories with humor.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about Little Red Hen's refusal to share her bread. Was she right to keep it to herself?
Quite a few of these stories involve bullies and deceitful characters. Pick one or two and talk about how the heroes deal with these difficult characters. What could they have done differently?
Book details
- Author: Lucy Cousins
- Illustrator: Lucy Cousins
- Genre: Fairy Tale
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Candlewick Press
- Publication date: August 11, 2009
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 3 - 7
- Number of pages: 128
For kids who love little red hens and fairy tales
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