The Missing Tarts (Viking Kestrel picture books) [Hardcover]

B. G. Hennessy (Author), Tracey Campbell Pearson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1989 | Age Level: 3 and up | Series: Viking Kestrel picture books

This story with a simple rhyming text features many characters from familiar nursery rhymes. The illustrations bring this rollicking tale for young children to life and introduces them to traditional nursery rhyme characters.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The Knave of Hearts's theft of tarts launches the Queen of Hearts on a search that involves Jack and Jill ("Let's look up the hill"), Old King Cole ("Not in my bowl"), Old Mother Hubbard ("Check the cupboard") and other Mother Goose characters. Finally, with everyone joining the hunt, "Here's a clue!" said Little Boy Blue, as he holds out a tart. The Knave, who proves himself a soft touch, has fed the tarts to all of the Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe's children. Hennessy, who last imagined The Dinosaur Who Lived in My Backyard , has turned a familiar nursery rhyme landscape splendidly upside down, in verse that sails along. She is generously aided by Pearson's zany, racing gangcherubic faces adorn this happy crowd, well-placed and well-paced throughout. Ages 3-8.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-- The Queen of Hearts has made some tarts, and, naturally, the Knave of Hearts has stolen them away. But, in this spirited variation of the traditional nursery rhyme, the Knave does not come swiftly to justice. Rather, the Queen calls for help and a number of Mother Goose characters, including Old King Cole, Mother Hubbard, and Little Jack Horner, come to her aid. When the stolen tarts are finally found, the cast discovers that the Knave has given them all away to the hungry children of the Old Woman in the Shoe. The naughty Knave is then rewarded by the Queen with a kiss. Hennessy's upbeat adaptation of the original nursery rhyme will undoubtedly be popular with the modern picture book audience. The mention of almost a dozen nursery characters serves as a nice introduction to other rhymes, but children already familiar with such nursery companions as Jack Sprat and Jack and Jill will delight in the visual interpretations of their stories. Pearson's well-known line and wash illustrations are the perfect accompaniment to Hennessy's tale. The colorful paintings burst with energy and cry to be pored over. Humorous touches such as the avalanche of bones from Mother Hubbard's cupboard will charm readers, who will also love searching for the scattered strawberries that lead the way to the Old Woman's shoe. A true gem, The Missing Tarts will be an apt storyhour companion to the Ahlberg's Each Peach Pear Plum (Viking, 1979). --Jeanne Marie Clancy, Wolfsohn Memorial Library, King of Prussia, Pa.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Viking Juvenile; First Edition edition (March 1, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670820393
• ISBN-13: 978-0670820399
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6.7 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,389,845 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

B. G. Hennessy has authored over 35 children's books including the entire series of CORDUROY lift-the-flap books. With nearly four million books in print in ten languages, her writing awards and honors include two Parenting Magazine Reading Magic Awards an IRA/Children's Choice Award Book and a Best Book of the Year by the Bank Street College of Education. She recently authored CORDUROY LOST AND FOUND, a companion to Don Freeman's beloved Corduroy bear series. More information on her books can be found at www.bghennessy.com. Ms. Hennessy lives in Paradise Valley, Arizona with her family.