Reviews

PreS-Gr 3-When we last visited the town of Chewandswallow in Judi Barrett's Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (Macmillan 1978), the food raining down from the skies had grown enormous and dangerous, so the townsfolk were forced to evacuate. In this sequel (Atheneum, 1997), a visit from grandpa, known for his tales of Chewandswallow, inspires Kate to dream of visiting the town with her brother. It has been resettled and the giant food is now being shipped all over the world, for free, to feed hungry folks. Ron Barrett's watercolor and detailed ink illustrations are scanned iconographically as this first person tall tale is read expressively by a female narrator. Sound effects abound as well as occasional light music. Different voices are used for the various characters. Both video and audio quality are excellent. It is not necessary to have read the first book to enjoy this video, since it includes a brief synopsis of the original story. While this is not as compelling as the first book, it is a fun flight of fancy that children will enjoy.-Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

Nearly 20 years after the publication of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs comes this droll sequel starring Kate and her brother Henry. This time, a postcard from their grandfather's peculiar vacation spot sparks Kate's dream about the oddly familiar town of Chewandswallow. Unusual weather patterns still bring showers of super-sized food to the island ("we can see dinner approaching from the west. Spaghetti and meatballs I think!"), but the citizens who fled in the first book have returned to create the Falling Food Company ("Large Food for Large and Small Countries, Free"). Ron Barrett's witty cross-hatched pen-and-ink illustrations have a quirky retro flavor (enhanced by Judi Barrett's tonal colorings); he joins in the fun with such visual puns as the marquee on the local movie theater (featuring Breakfast at Tiffany's and Babette's Feast). If the story's social consciousness seems a bit contrived ("Even with poverty and drought there's always food for everyone!"), the sheer zaniness of the concept (e.g., fried egg lilypads, birds in nests of shredded wheat, an airstrip made of bacon) makes this exuberant tall tale as much of a delight as the original. The dream-like quality ties this sequel neatly to the first book, while the broad hints that Grandpa (just in from his trip, toting colossal chocolate chip cookies as souvenirs) knows a thing or two about Chewandswallow add a delicious whiff of mystery. This return visit is a feast for the eyes and ears. Ages 4-8. (Oct.) FYI: Food drive event kits are available from the publisher.