What! Cried Granny [Hardcover]

Kate Lum (Author), Adrian Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up

It's Patrick's first sleep-over at his Granny's, but what is that boy to do when he can't go to bed because something is missing? And what will his Granny do when she discovers the missing something is a bed, and a pillow, and a blanket...and more? With her ladylike purse slung over one arm and a loaded toolbox over the other, this amazingly resourceful Granny—in a whirlwind of dusk to dawn activity—proves she can do whatever it takes! And does she finally get Patrick tucked in? Well, that's another story! Taken to delightfully silly extremes, this wickedly daffy stalling-at-bedtime romp contains scenes that exhausted whatever-it-takes adults will recognize and every almost-ready-for-bed kid will wish for! What! Cried Granny marks the impressive debut of two exciting new talents. Kate Lum drew on her own experiences as a cajoling parent to create this innovative not-quite-bedtime story. Adrian Johnson's artwork is inspired by his interest in the graphic designs of the 1950's and 1960's.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This chuckler of a bedtime romp pits the wiles of a young procrastinator against his no-nonsense grandmother. Patrick's grandmother announces that it's time for bed. " 'But Granny,' said Patrick.... 'I don't have a bed here.' 'What?' cried Granny." Thus begins the pleasingly repetitive structure of the text. A whirlwind of efficiency, this spry and resourceful grannyAsporting reading glasses, pearls and a smart black handbagAmakes a beeline for the yard, where she chops down a tree, carries it to her workroom and proceeds to make him a bed, following extensive blueprints. No pillow? No problem: a quick trip to the henhouse produces the needed feathers; and of course, Granny is a master seamstress. Finally all of Patrick's comforts are secured and Granny orders him to bed. "But Granny... it's morning," Patrick replies. Lum's forthright text plays straight man to Johnson's elastic artwork, which stretches the story's humorous elements with a kind of manic glee. With their beady eyes, poker faces and exaggerated hairdos (Granny sports a lavender beehive; Patrick an Elvis-esque swoop), Patrick and his Granny make a bracingly droll pair. The pages hum with visual energy, from the dotted white lines that follow Granny as she zips about, to the puckishly retro palette (lime green paired with purple, fiery orange with red, and so on) applied in blocky shapes ? la Bruce Ingman. Sleepy sheep counting businessmen as they jump over fences and a glimpse of The Avengers on Granny's small black-and-white TV add to the eye-popping fun. Ages 3-7.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-It's Patrick's first sleepover at his Granny's house, and the woman is a little unprepared. As the sun begins to set, she instructs her grandson to get ready for bed. "But, Granny," the boy points out, "I don't HAVE a bed here." "WHAT?" cries Granny, and she runs out to chop down a tree, out of which she proceeds to make a bed. Patrick then points out the lack of a pillow, blanket, teddy bear...and finally, the fact that morning has arrived. This simple and inventive story moves along with a satisfying predictability; and if the pace is a bit rushed, readers will enjoy the mock surprise and melodrama of Patrick and Granny's repeated lines. The acrylic-paint illustrations are styled after the graphics of the 1950s and '60s, with dramatic and exaggerated layouts that command attention from a distance. The black text is well integrated into the double-page spreads, as are Granny's frenetic maneuvers. The effect is a little too enthusiastic, as is the story; but this is an admirable first picture book for both author and illustrator, and one that should find a place in most storytimes and collections.
Nina Lindsay, Oakland Public Library, CA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dial; 1st edition (April 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803723822
• ISBN-13: 978-0803723825
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 9.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #574,336 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Hi everyone,

Thanks for stopping by.

A bit about me: I was born in New England but live in Ontario. I have two kids who are almost grown up. I wrote "What!" for my son, and the first "Princess" book for my daughter.

"What! Cried Granny" is for every kid who resists bedtime, and every adult who makes it happen anyway. Brilliant illustrations by Adrian Johnson.

The "Princess" series -- their third story is coming soon!-- is about three imperfect but good-hearted Princesses. They run their own Princessdom, not without mishaps; they figure it out as they go. Hilarious illustrations by Sue Hellard. Check out the hairdos!

"Stanley's No-Hic Machine" is the fourth in a series about Stanley the capable dog, by wonderfully quirky artist Bernice Lum.

Enjoy!

Kate

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A funny, outrageous story, perfect for toddler's bedtime., July 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: What! Cried Granny (Hardcover)

This is a darling, funny story of the gyrations a granny must go through to get her visiting grandson to bed. From shearing sheep, to stuffing teddy bears, this grandma works all night to get little Patrick to bed. Our whole family loved it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fun for toddlers -- and not so bad for adults either!, August 10, 2001

By 

audrey (white mtns) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: What! Cried Granny (Hardcover)

This book adds to a cherished history of tall tales as Granny goes to valiant efforts to get all the things her grandson Patrick needs in order to get to sleep at her house. Whenever Patrick tells her he lacks something (bed, pillow, blanket or teddy bear), the resourceful Granny goes to extraordinary lengths to get him what he needs. (The two-page spread of Granny working with the tree she's cut down, complete with saw, drill, blueprints and paint, is a treat.)

It is wonderful to watch your child's sense of humor taking shape. This book will delight youngsters, will not bore parents, and will introduce little ones to the joy of a good tall tale.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Boy Laughs SOOOO LOUD!!!!, December 24, 2003

By 

P. Lund (Minneapolis, MN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: What! Cried Granny (Hardcover)

This book is hilarious for my toddler, who completely laughs like crazy everytime granny says: WHHHHATTT?!!! to Patrick.

Also, the retro art style, which summons up books from when I was a child in the 1960's is really interesting to look at. A very clever and well drawn book.