The Rattlebang Picnic [Hardcover]

Margaret Mahy (Author), Steven Kellogg (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1994

The McTavishes have piled into their old rattlebang car for a picnic on the top of Mount Fogg. But when the mountain starts to shake and red-hot lava erupts, the McTavishes hope that the old rattlebang can stay together long enough to save them from disaster!
-- "An original tall tale with an outrageously bizarre plot...(Mahy's) writing is vivid, funny, and full of details that will be dear to a child's heart". -- School Library Journal, starred review

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

An eccentric family with a rattlebang car go picnicking on an active volcano in this tall tale PW called "absurdly amusing." Ages 5-7.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3-An original tall tale with an outrageously bizarre plot. When Jack and Marion McTavish get married, they have to decide between a "wonderful, speedy car that never breaks down" or a large family. They opt for children-seven of them-and an old rattlebang car. Meanwhile, Granny McTavish makes pizzas and pancakes that are so tough they can break sharks' teeth. One day, the entire family takes a picnic to the top of Mount Fogg, where they are caught by an erupting volcano. One of the inedible pizzas fills in for a wheel that has fallen off the old car, and the story ends happily. Only Mahy could concoct a story about an overcooked pizza saving a family from rivers of hot lava. Her writing is vivid, funny, and full of details that will be dear to a child's heart. And Kellogg's watercolors are a perfect match, adding to the air of deadpan chaos. For the lava, he has let his paints run together in an artful way, a departure from his usual contained look. Take children on this picnic, and you'll all enjoy the ride. A terrific picture book.
Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dial; 1ST edition (September 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803713193
• ISBN-13: 978-0803713192
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 9.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,816,215 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Margaret Mahy lives in New Zealand and is internationally acknowledged as one of the most outstanding children's writers today. She is the author of more than two hundred books for children of all ages, two of which have received England's Carnegie Medal and others of which have garnered numerous citations from the American Library Association. She is also the recipient of An Order of New Zealand, the highest honor a citizen can receive. In 2006 she received the Hans Christian Andersen award for her contributions to international children's literature.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great fun!, July 28, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Rattlebang Picnic (Picture Puffin Books) (Paperback)

Anyone who grew up in a large family can relate to crazy family outings and the inevitable trade-off between fancy things and more children. We love this great book, especially the wonderful Steven Kellogg illustrations.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A rollicking good time for all!, August 10, 2002

By 

Catherine S. Vodrey (East Liverpool, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Rattlebang Picnic (Picture Puffin Books) (Paperback)

Margaret Mahy's exuberant "Rattlebang Picnic" is fun for everyone--parents and kids alike. The tale of an energetic family who likes to rattle around in an old automobile on trips hither and yon (to Shark Park, for instance!), this particular picnic turns into an adventure none of them will ever forget.

The kids turn out to save the day--I won't tell you how--when they hit on an ingenious way to escape the danger threatening their bucolic meal.

Steve Kellogg's rollicking, movement-filled illustrations perfectly suit the high-energy mix of the text, and there are lots of fun semi-hidden goodies for wee tots to find if they look closely enough. All in all, lots of good fun!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A big lava experience on a family picnic., June 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Rattlebang Picnic (Hardcover)

This is a really cool book. You can learn a lot from it because you learn not to picnic near a volcano. The McTavish family was very smart and lucky to have seven kids and their old rattlebang car and a grandma who always overcooked the food. We recommend this book for all young readers.