Whuppity Stoorie [Hardcover]

Carolyn White (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 19, 1997 | Age Level: 6 and up

Kate and her mum must guess the mysterious Green Lady's name within three days and banish her from their lives forever in order to cure Kate's beloved pig, Grumphie, from a fatal illness, and prevent Kate from becoming the Green Lady's prisoner.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4. A Scottish variant of "Rumpelstiltskin" and "Tom Tit Tot." Grumphie, a beloved pig, is ailing. A fairy woman dressed in green appears and asks the animal's owner, "If I cure your pig, what will you give me?" Too quickly the woman answers, "Anything your ladyship asks." The price exacted for the cure is the woman's daughter, Kate. The green lady will return to claim the child in three days, unless they can guess her name. When Grumphie runs off, Kate follows and overhears the fairy reveal her name as she dances and sings. On the third day, Kate identifies the green lady as Whuppity Stoorie. Thwarted, the fairy disappears in a rage. This universal tale has many ancient and powerful characteristics: belief in the interdependence of name and identity, emotional tension arising from the mother's terrible pledge, and the satisfying appeal of a clever human outwitting a supernatural being. Other versions of "Whuppity Stoorie" differ in the details and White does not cite her sources. Schindler's illustrations, done with watercolor, gouaches, and pastels, have a painterly style that complements this traditional tale. The Scotland he depicts is a world of stone walls; white-washed, thatched-roof cottages; and dramatic skies. The fairy, who arrives in the center of a whirlwind, is sharp-featured and slightly malignant without looking like a traditional hag. The pig is a charmer. This tale is not included in many of the standard collections; therefore libraries with significant folklore collections will want to consider purchasing it, despite the lack of a citation.?Kate McClelland, Perrot Memorial Library, Greenwich, CT
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

... the book is delightful to read and just scary enough to keep kids guessing what, oh what, will be the outcome for Kate and her Mum and their beloved Grumphie. (Ages 4 to 8) -- The New York Times Book Review, Lisa Shea

Kate and her mother may be poor, but they do have a fine pig. When the pig falls ill, Kate's mother makes an ill-fated promise to a fairy and must search for a way to break the spell before it's too late. Good reading skills will enhance enjoyment of this gentle fairy tale. -- Midwest Book Review

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Juvenile; 1ST edition (May 19, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399229035
• ISBN-13: 978-0399229039
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,162,736 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Whuppity Stoorie, May 25, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Whuppity Stoorie (Hardcover)

This charming Scottish folktale has elements of the classic Rumpelstiltskin. When Kate's mother makes a deal with the fairy who promises to heal the family's prized pig, Grumphie, Kate is the prize unless her mother can come up with the fairy's name. The illustrations complement the text with soft muted colors and traditional renditions of the Scottish countryside. A nice addition to collections for lovers of fairy tales and folklore.