Picnic at Mudsock Meadow [Mass Market Paperback]

Patricia Polacco (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 19, 1997

Another funny, genuine story by the acclaimed author of Just Plain Fancy and The Keeping Quilt. After suffering the constant teasing of Hester Bledden when he fails to win any of the contests at Mudsock Meadow's annual Halloween picnic, William finds an even more important challenge--saving the people of Mudsock Meadow from the ghost of Titus Dinworthy! Full color.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A cast of clamorous children and colorful adults vivifies Polacco's latest childhood memory. Know-it-all Hester is always the first to point out shy William's shortcomings. At the annual Halloween picnic, however, William--having suffered humiliation throughout pumpkin carving, pumpkin seed spitting and tug-o'-war--decides to get even. He jumps into the eerie, glowing swamp nearby and emerges with a scary look that wins the costume contest hands down--and Hester's admiration, too. Polacco's text has the easy-going rhythm of a seasoned storyteller. Memorable nomenclature makes the proceedings distinctive, while many homey details exude feelings of small-town coziness and simplicity. Humorous scenes, such as a crew of girls from the Wah Tan Yee Girls Auxillary, Wigwam
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2-- The Mudsock Meadow kids are waiting for the wienie roast at the annual Grange Hall Halloween picnic. Nearby is Quicksand Bottoms, the marsh from which the ghost of miner Titus Dinworthy is reputed to rise each night. When Hester makes fun of William's explanation that the legendary ghost is nothing but swamp gas, he tries, but fails, to reclaim his dignity by besting her in the pumpkin-carving, seed-spitting, and pie-eating contests. But he finds a more courageous way to win Hester's admiration: by meeting the dreaded ghost face-to-face and debunking its myth. The watercolor illustrations, in harvest colors, are typical Polacco: exaggerations approaching the cartoonish, but belying too much loving reverence to be considered as such. A crew of gangly, wide-eyed country characters populate the pages. There's lots of energy within each picture, and it often bounces around from person to person as the characters make startled eye contact with one another. Polacco's artwork couldn't be better--simultaneously funny and poignant; packed with interest and good humor; and always a feast for the eye. The story feels golden and genuine. Its ending, though, is predictable, as opposed to the emotional punch line that gives her Chicken Sunday (Philomel, 1992), for example, its extra-special impact. This basic difference between the two books will invite comparisons, from which Picnic may emerge looking almost fabulous. --Liza Bliss, formerly at Leominster Public Library, MA
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (May 19, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0698114493
• ISBN-13: 978-0698114494
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,792,778 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born Patricia Ann Barber in Lansing, Michigan, to parents of Russian and Ukrainian descent on one side and Irish on the other, Patricia Polacco grew up in both California and Michigan. Her school year was spent in Oakland, California, and summers in her beloved Michigan. She describes her family members as marvelous storytellers. "My fondest memories are of sitting around a stove or open fire, eating apples and popping corn while listening to the old ones tell glorious stories about their homeland and the past. We are tenacious traditionalists and sentimentalists.... With each retelling our stories gain a little more Umph!"Studying in the United States and Australia, Patricia Polacco has earned an M.F.A. and a Ph. D. in art history, specializing in Russian and Greek painting, and iconographic history. She is a museum consultant on the restoration of icons. As a participant in many citizen exchange programs for writers and illustrators, Patricia Polacco has traveled extensively in Russia as well as other former Soviet republics. She continues to support programs that encourage Russo-American friendships and understanding. She is also deeply involved in inner-city projects here in the U.S. that promote the peaceful resolution of conflict and encourage art and literacy programs.The mother of a grown son and a daughter, Patricia Polacco currently resides in Michigan, where she has a glorious old farm that was built during the time of Lincoln.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great literature kids relate to!, April 6, 2000

By 

Tina L. Handshy (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Picnic at Mudsock Meadow (Mass Market Paperback)

I'm a speech-language specialist who is very picky about which books I use in therapy sessions. Polacco's books draw kids into the very identifiable characters. We spent 3 weeks on the story, reading it, retelling it and drawing a story map about it. Great around Halloween! Highly recommended for grades 2-5.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Swamp Thang, June 29, 2004

By 

M. Allen Greenbaum (California) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Picnic at Mudsock Meadow (Hardcover)

This is a magical ghost story/young romance /comedy by one of the very best children's book writers, Patricia Polacco. Here she creates a wonderfully drawn `folk tale' about a group of kids and their almost encounter with the ghost of Quicksand Bottoms. Polacco is at the top of her narrative and artistic game.

On pages 3-4, for example, Polacco foreshortens the perspective, in a manner that evokes Grandma Moses, to show the dozens of towns `folk" making Halloween preparations. (Patricia Polacco is also Dr. Patricia Polacco, with a doctorate in art history). On the very next two-page illustration, Polacco returns to her familiar loveable loopy style. She is a master at conveying emotion and character just through splashes of color accenting expressive broad faces.

The story is both leisurely and suspenseful, as the Halloween contests and pre-adolescent William's attempts to show Hester a thing or two (i.e., woo her) play against the looming presence of the legendary ghost. William can't seem to get anything right, and he gets "mad as the dickens." Polacco uses colloquialisms to good effect, especially with names: There's Hester Bledden, the object of his affection, as well as Mr. Stillwater, Lula Mae Cobb, Eulaylee Tester, Boof and Bertie Schiffer, all portrayed without condescension.

Williams' big opportunity arrives that night "as an eerie blue light came up out of the swamp." Polacco's drawing of the swamp gas--or is it?) give us some spectacular blue tones and evanescent effects.

The exciting, well-plotted denouement gives frustrated William a chance too show his bravery and win the heart of Hester, as they share a plate of ice cream. This is a beautifully drawn and written story, and is one of the best of the Polacco's many superb books. Teachers, parents, other adults, and kids will also want to check out her fun and informative website.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The laughingstock failure becomes a hero, May 30, 2006

By 

Charles Ashbacher (Marion, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Picnic at Mudsock Meadow (Mass Market Paperback)

William is attending the annual Halloween picnic at Mudsock Meadow and things are not going well. They are at the edge of Quicksand Bottoms and there is an eerie glow that people say is caused by the ghost of Titus Dinworthy, a miner who disappeared about one hundred years ago. When William says that the glow is due to swamp gas, he is laughed at.
The first event is the pumpkin-carving contest, which he fails at miserably. At the fishing booth, he manages to tangle his line with Hester's and she laughs at him saying "Peee youuuuu, smelly old William." He tries to compete in the pumpkin spitting contest but is disqualified because he accidentally swallows the seed. In the tug-o-war, he slips and falls at Hester's feet. He has high hopes in the dress-up contest, but his old sheet costume is mediocre compared to the others.
However, the "ghost" reappears and when everyone else flees, William walks out and challenges the ghost. Even though he lands face first in the mud, he is a hero to everyone else and Hester sits by him and calls him her hero.
Beautifully illustrated and with a delightful moral, this story is an excellent one for young children. I strongly recommend it.