Rachel Fister's Blister [Hardcover]

Amy MacDonald (Author), Marjorie A. Priceman (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

With all the vitality of a jump-rope rhyme, the whole community pours in with remedies for Rachel's blister, and all romp across the page in lively illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Whatever is to be done? Rachel Fister is ailing, and the pandemonium caused by her "tiny little blister" is a joy to behold--and hear. MacDonald's sparkling tale has the exceptional virtue of making her verse seem effortless. "Pastor Masters / called for plasters--/ six or eight or ten or three. / Farmer Chalmer / was much calmer-- / he suggested broccoli." From far and wide come the blister "experts," as the rabbi, maid, vicar, Doctor Proctor and fireman (Roger Byreman) rush pell-mell to aid the beleaguered girl. Appropriately enough, it takes royalty to put forth the perfect remedy: Queen Alice offers a simple, if somewhat cryptic, solution. It's difficult to believe that this book is a collaboration, so perfectly matched are the text and art. Priceman's ( Friend or Frog ) harum-scarum drawings run riot over the pages, and her characters' concern for Rachel's plight is lunacy itself--all are manic in their panic. Ages 2-8.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3-- This book's infectious rhythm and rhyme demand that it be read aloud. When Rachel Fister discovers a blister on her little toe, her parents summon the entire neighborhood to help find a cure. From hot tea to lemonade, from broccoli to prayer, nothing works until Queen Alice (" 'the smartest, that's for sure' ") provides the perfect suggestion. MacDonald's clever verse keeps the action perking along and constantly makes a silly situation even more absurd. And no one would have ever guessed there are so many rhymes for "blister." The watercolors contribute verve as characters dash around the pages in their efforts to help Rachel. By varying the perspectives, Priceman enhances the story's energy; the book perfectly captures the pacing and hilarity of jump-rope rhymes and tongue twisters. Although very young children may be confused by the rapid pace, picture-book veterans will delight in its high spirits. --Kathy Piehl, Mankato State University, MN
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin (September 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395521521
• ISBN-13: 978-0395521526
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,651,650 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars delightful, lyrical silliness, December 9, 2001

By 

Jessica E. Hope (Woodside, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rachel Fister's Blister (Paperback)

The text and illustrations are both great, and it holds my 8 month old daughter's attention despite its length. It will be even more fun to read to her as she gets older and can find Rachel's cat on each page, laugh at the silly blister remedies, and eventually read the great rhymes along with me.

I know I'll have this terrific book memorized soon, and won't mind endless repetitions over the years.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wrap Your Tongue Around It Ton Of Imagination Kind Of Book, March 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Rachel Fister's Blister (Paperback)

Oh what a true delight it is to read this book! It has to be one of my favorites. It never fails to delight both the reader and the listener. Chaos, calamity, consideration and correction. This book is pure fun! Thank you Amy MacDonald!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun to read!, December 4, 2007

By 

cambridge reader "cambridgearea" (cambridge, ma United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rachel Fister's Blister Book & Cassette (Carry-Along Book & Cassette Favorites) (Paperback)

This book is so fun to read and my 2.5 year old daughter loves to hear it. I also love that the main characters are female and the hero in the end (the queen- female) is described as very smart. The doctor in the book is also female, although it's a little hard to tell b/c of the old-fashioned illustrations. PS- I have not listened to the cassette part so I can't comment on that.