The Shaking Bag [Hardcover]

Gwendolyn Battle-Lavert (Author), Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2000 | Age Level: 6 and up

An old African-American woman willingly shares all she has and is repaid with a bag that provides for all her needs.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4-An old African-American woman lives in her run-down house with only her dog, Effie Lucille. Miss Annie Mae never lets the birds in her yard go hungry, even if it means giving up her last crust of bread. One day, five ravens arrive and receive the last few seeds from her feeding bag. Later, a young traveler called Raven Reed shows up seeking shelter. She offers him the last of her food and her only chair, but Raven produces the feed bag and says, "Shake it up! Shake it up! All around!" to produce firewood, food, a bigger table, and two extra chairs. Next morning, he leaves the bag for her so that she'll never be hungry again. Battle-Lavert takes the folklore motif of kindness to a stranger and spins a brilliant, beautifully written original tale. The rhythmic language demands to be read aloud, and children will enjoy chiming in on Raven's magical chant. The author tells the story in a straightforward manner that is elegant in its sheer simplicity. Robinson's exuberant paintings, done with rich, broad brushstrokes, are full of energy. The figures, knobby and exaggerated with oversized hands, and the rustic house and furnishings reinforce the folksy tone. Touches of color effectively demonstrate how the old woman brightens her somewhat bleak surroundings, and the chick in her pocket is a delightful touch. This fresh, vigorous tale is too good to miss.
Donna L. Scanlon, Lancaster County Library, PA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Annie Mae leads a fine life with her faithful dog in a run-down cabin. There's not much in the way of food, but they get by--and there's always enough for Annie Mae's many bird friends. One evening when the cupboard is almost bare, a man knocks at the door asking for a place to lay his head. Annie Mae offers Raven Reed what little she has. Seeing her generous spirit, Raven shakes the magic sack he totes; out spills food, firewood, extra furniture, and whatever Annie needs. The next day he's gone, but he has left the shaking bag for Annie Mae. Although she never sees him again, she occasionally catches a glimpse of his eyes in the eyes of a visiting bird. The folk art, strikingly textured and colorful, gives this fable a strong sense of place and culture. Goodness of the soul has never looked so fresh. Shelley Townsend-Hudson

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company (March 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807573280
• ISBN-13: 978-0807573280
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,268,037 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars TERRIFIC, September 14, 2000

By 

Michael S Roberts - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Shaking Bag (Hardcover)

What a wonderful way the author shares the idea that doing for others results in a wonderful reward for you. Sometimes the rewards are a good feeling and other times it can be something tangible. Gwendolyn shares a multi-cultural story that will have children thinking about things that they can do for others. Thank you to the author for a very impressive and touching story.