Created by front view screen Stephen Gammell is the beloved illustrator of more than fifty books for children, including Song and Dance Man by Karen Ackerman, which received the Caldecott Medal, and two Caldecott Honor Books: The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant, Where the Buffaloes Begin by Olaf Baker, and The Secret Science Project That Almost Ate Our School by Judy Sierra. Mr. Gammell lives with his wife, Linda, in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Theo has earned a village-wide reputation for being greedy and grabby. While the locals all have theories about the root of the problem, Theo's grandmother knows the true cause: he is spoiled rotten. Grandmother also knows the only cure is a heaping helping of humble pie a gigantic concoction that she happens to be preparing. She mixes Theo in with the fruit filling and covers it with crust, and not even Theo's worst tantrums get him out. Finally, when he rolls still inside the pie into a nearby village of starving people, the boy gets a taste of what it means to be compassionate. Debut author Donnelly gamely offers rhythmic turns of phrase ("Theo howled and yowled and thumped and bumped over rocks and ruts and branches") but her shapely prose does not disguise the didactic flavor of an old-fashioned morality tale. In addition, her examples of what constitutes spoiling a plump featherbed, a soft tunic, a warm coverlet are a stretch. The illustrations, however, convey an impish sense of fun that will have young readers happily following along and cheering for Theo's comeuppance. In Gammell's (Song and Dance Man) signature style, wispy colored-pencil and watercolor compositions alternate between shadowy black-brown hues and a palette bursting with rainbow brightness. Anchored in Old World details, his interpretations add dramatic punch and leavening along with a healthy dash of humor. Ages 4-7. (Sept.) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
K-Gr 3-Theo is spoiled, unruly, selfish, and arrogant, and his grandmother is intent on teaching him humility. Watching her make a huge pie, with each step he asks, "What kind of pie?" and she replies, "Humble pie, child." After each question, she responds, "Let the boy eat Humble Pie." After falling into the very large pastry, Theo needs help, but no such luck. No one wants to come to his rescue because he "boasts and brags and wants his way, he never takes turns and shares, and he tattles and tells and always makes trouble." Being baked in the oven and eaten seems all but inevitable. Amazingly, he does escape and hurries home, a reformed and grateful child, so much so that his grandmother observes, "-the boy got his just desserts." Gammell's pastel, watercolor, and colored-pencil illustrations provide a perfect formula for expanding the text. Each page exudes brilliant characterization and dynamic, expressive gestures. The rich vocabulary and descriptive language enhance the engaging plot. Children will undoubtedly follow Theo's problem and his reform with great interest. A likely response will be requests for repeated servings.-Marian Creamer, Children's Literature Alive, Portland, OR Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
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