Jackie Mims Hopkins

Jackie Mims Hopkins create a fun take on Chicken Little. Mary McBlicken the prairie chicken is hungry and in search of her breakfast when she hears rumbling, grumbling, and tumbling and makes a run for it in fear of a stampede nearby. She warns all her friends along the way and almost falls into the coyote's trap when Cowboy Stan and Reddog Dan comes to their rescue. The rumbling, tumbling, and grumbling grow louder and we discover the noises are coming from Mary McBlicken's stomach! The only answer is to get Chicken Little some food! This is a funny take on the story Chicken Little and I love the ending! The illustrations are vibrating colors and spread across the pages to make the text come to life.… (mer)

Once upon a time, in the land of dust and tumbleweeds, there lived a young girl named Reba Jo. She loved playing the guitar, singing and roping her way through the day above all else....even when it meant not listening to her father's warnings about crossing the dry arroyos (or creeks). One misadventure lands he in debt to a horned toad....a "prince" nonetheless. His requests for repayment land on deaf ears...at least at first.....for as we all know a deal is a deal after all.

Suffice it to say that this story plays off the classic "The Princess and the Frog"; HOWEVER, that is where the similarities end....just on the surface. If we go one step deeper, we find the story made over in location, characters, personalities (gotta love their spunkiness...all of them really), and the actual promise made. The final outcome will surprise you fully in all ways. Seriously! Even after the final words have been read, there is one more picture that adds a little more Reba Jo-ness before the curtains close.

The illustrations are another wonderful aspect of the book as they have an earthy quality in both color and texture that takes you out of suburbia and places you on the lonesome prairie with the characters. Plus, the author incorporates a bit of learning into the scheme of things with a basic Spanish lesson scattered throughout the tale. It's subtle but a great touch.

A great little book for readers of all ages; whether young or simply young at heart, the messages are clear.....be careful what you promise AND things aren't always as they seem at first glance. Happy reading!… (mer)