Lousy Rotten Stinkin' Grapes [Hardcover]

Margie Palatini (Author), Barry Moser (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 11, 2009 | Age Level: 4 and up

The grapes are tantalizing and juicy—and high up the tree. But don’t worry—Fox is sly and clever, and he has a plan. First, he’ll get Bear to give him a boost. Then, he’ll get Beaver to give him an oomph. He’s sure to be eating grapes in no time at all. Margie Palatini brings us a hilarious twist on the classic Aesop’s fable “The Fox and the Grapes,” and Barry Moser’s expressive illustrations are priceless.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. PreSchool-Grade 3–Palatini and Moser have taken a spare Aesop fable and expanded it into a riotous treat for eyes and ears while still keeping the essence of the original. Fox eyes the grapes hanging from a vine high in a tree and thinks that he can get them easily: I am sly. Clever. Smart. After all, I am a fox. So, armed with paper and pencil, he draws his Plan Alpha and tries it out–no grapes. He asks Bear to help him out with Plan Bravo and Bear starts to say something, but Fox interrupts: Bear, Bear, Bear. …Your job is brawn. Not brain. You leave the thinking to me. If you say so, says Bear. After the third, fourth, and fifth plans fail, involving Beaver, Porcupine, and Possum, Fox gives up and departs in disgust with the usual rationale: lousy, rotten, stinkin' grapes. If you say so, say the other animals as they feast on the fruit thrown down to them by Possum. Moser's wonderful watercolor illustrations of the doubting animals executing Fox's convoluted plans are rich in humor. They are silhouetted against plenty of white space, with the grapevines and tree dominating each large spread. Matched by a text that rolls off the tongue and is full of action and repetitive phrases, the book is a delight.–Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA
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Review

"This appealing riff on the Aesop fable of “The Fox and the Grapes” is ideal for families that make a point of reading aloud at night…In “Lousy Rotten Stinkin’ Grapes,” a delightful third collaboration of author Margie Palatini and illustrator Barry Moser, the old story takes on a new texture as Fox tries to enlist one animals after another in his quest for the tasty treat…Mr. Moser’s renderings of the Fox are very funny: We see both the animal’s predatory authority and his egotistical foolishness when he is shown launching himself wildly at the grapes from various absurd locations. What really seals this picture book as a bedtime choice for children ages 4-8, though, is Ms. Palatini’s lively dialogue…In the end, as in Aesop, Fox stamps away disgruntled. But in this version, the other creatures feast cheerfully on the elusive delicacy that was, for resourceful them, always within reach."--Wall Street Journal

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers (August 11, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689802463
• ISBN-13: 978-0689802461
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #193,240 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Wow. My very first picture book -- PIGGIE PIE!, is celebrating
it's fifteenth anniversary this year! It tickles me to know that
'Gritch' is still giving giggles.
Visit her and my other characters on my website: www.margiepalatini.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This would be the perfect fable to read and discuss during circle or storytime. Just remember not to laugh!, November 7, 2009

By 

D. Fowler "Dragonfly77" (Vermont) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Lousy Rotten Stinkin' Grapes (Hardcover)

Fox was sitting beneath a tree that held some scrumptious looking bunches of grapes. He was writing a formula on a piece of paper trying to figure out the best way to get the grapes because they were too difficult to reach. No doubt he would succeed in his plan because, after all, as he claimed, "I am sly. Clever. Smart." Those grapes were as good as his already. He jumped this way. He jumped that way. No grapes. He needed to enlist a bit of help. "Why, Bear, old buddy! I say . . . do you like grapes?" He was just the kind of sucker that Fox was looking for. He could step on his head and then the grapes would be his.

"One. Two. Three - and . . . No grapes." When that plan didn't work, he needed the "dentally challenged" Beaver to add a little height. No go again. Next he enlisted the help of Porcupine, a "short scooch of a fellow." Fox was on a roll now and when he showed his plans to the group he was sure of success. "One. Two. Three - and . . . No grapes." The Fox was still thinking as he peered at the tree. His toes were grinding into Porcupine's face, but there were no complaints. Whoa, there was shy Possum. Fox started in once again. "Bear stands - here. Beaver stands on Bear's head - . . . "

I thought the twist on Aesop's fable, "the Fox and the Grapes," was absolutely refreshing and priceless. When you read this one to your child or a small group, the sides of your mouth are going to ripple a bit as you try not to laugh out loud when you hit certain passages like "Beaver, Beaver, Beaver, my dentally challenged chum. You just mind the oomphing . . . " My funny bone was tickled big time several times while reading this book. The artwork was very appealing and meshed well with this fable. This would be the perfect fable to read and discuss during circle or storytime. Just remember not to laugh!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A new version of an old favorite, September 26, 2009

By 

Joy Frerichs (Chatsworth, Ga) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Lousy Rotten Stinkin' Grapes (Hardcover)

Ms. Palatini has another winner here. With all the animals assisting fox to get the grapes, he goes off before they are attainable. We root for the other animals and recognize fox's attitude. A great book to contrast stories,and share with children.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Witty and Humorous Classroom Book, October 20, 2009

By 

Kitchen Diva (United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Lousy Rotten Stinkin' Grapes (Hardcover)

This book was a HIT for my 3rd grade classroom! The story is witty and captures children's attention. This book is a wonderful multidisciplinary addition to a curriculum. A teacher can discuss teamwork, manners, and problem solving. The text has a flow to it that makes it a humorous read. It is full of action and repetitive phrases that the class can join in on as you read. I had my class make a craft involving finger painting using their thumbprints to create grapes and had real grapes as a snack for a bonus treat. This book is a wonderful time filler and HIGHLY recommended!