Customer Reviews

Earthquack!

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Little Chucky Ducky had just finished his morning swim when it happened. "He heard the ground grumble. He felt the ground rumble. And then, with a stumble, Chucky Ducky went down in a tumble!" The earth is crumbling. It's a quake and he has to warn his friends. He races around the barnyard, telling everyone, Lucy Goosey, Vickie, Nickie, and Rickie Chickie, Brewster Rooster who finally sounds the alarm even though "...I only doodle-doo once a day," Sue Ewe and her kids, Sam and Pam Lamb, Nanny Goat, Iggy Piggy, and Merle Squirrel. They all hear the grumble, feel the rumble, and see the crumble. Now what are they going to do? And that's when a wiley, wormy weasel, disguised as benign and helpful Herman Ermine steps onto the scene with a solution..... Inspired by Henny Penny and his falling sky, Margie Palatini has written a fun-filled, manic romp that's sure to be a storytime crowd pleaser. Her engaging text, filled with lots of humor, rhyme, rhythm, wordplay, puns, and alliteration, just begs to be read aloud, and is complemented by Barry Moser's bold, bright and expressive illustrations. Each barnyard spread is rich in color, marvelous facial expressions, and eye-catching detail. With a hilarious surprise twist at the end to set everything right once again, Earthquack is perfect for youngsters 3-7, and is a rollicking good time that shouldn't be missed.

I'm a more-or-less fan of Palatini. The stuff of hers I like, I love. The stuff of hers I'm so-so about... well, it's just apathy all around. *shrugs*

But this one was just $2, so I picked up a copy and crossed my fingers.

It's not my *favorite* of her books (that'd be Lousy Rotten Stinkin' Grapes), but it's sure a good one! This is a funny, punny variation on Chicken Little, with earthquakes instead of acorns and ducks instead of chicks. It *does* have Palatini's standard sarcasm-laden characters, so if you're trying to make every book sweetness and light for your kids, pass this one by. (But if that's the case, do you really want one where a major plot point is that one critter wants to eat the others? Seriously?)

Otherwise, I recommend this one highly.