Dinner's Ready - Hardcover

Gedye, Jane

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0385260830 ISBN 13: 9780385260831

Publisher: Doubleday Books for Young Readers, 1989

Synopsis

A fastidious rabbit and a slovenly pig demonstrate mealtime do's and don'ts

About this title

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2-- Intended as a humorous look at table etiquette, this insipid book fails miserably. A slovenly pig and a fastidious rabbit accompany the didactic text. There's no writing skill involved here, just a listing of do's and don't's with the pig shown breaking each rule while a shocked rabbit looks on. The irony of the pig's misbehavior juxtaposed with the dry commands of the text might have been amusing if the pictures had been truly humorous. Unfortunately, the illustrations have as little subtlety as the writing. After the second full-page spread of the pig's posterior, the lack of imagination becomes especially evident. While the animals have a certain winsome charm vaguely reminiscent of those in Helme Heine's books, they lack the verve and expressiveness necessary to elevate this book above banality. As for teaching manners, children will be more likely to emulate the misbehaving pig than to identify with the catatonic rabbit. For a funny and instructive look at manners, stick with Marc Brown's Perfect Pigs (Joy Street, 1983). --Lori A. Janick, Parkwood Elementary School, Pasadena, TX
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Publishers Weekly

Beginning with "Remember to wash your hands and don't bring toys to the table," this book soon moves on to some of the finer points of dining: "Don't throw food, or lick your bowl." These pages are occupied by a rabbit who observes the rules and a pig who most assuredly does not. The pig not only reaches across the table for the ketchup, but he does so while balancing on one foot on a stool. The poor rabbit, his napkin tied neatly around his neck, politely leans out of the way. On the next page, ketchup, stool, pig and plate are all on the floor; every rule is complemented by droll illustrated examples of what happens when it is broken. Readers won't find guidance on which fork to use for which course, but this text covers the basics; with expressive watercolor illustrations, Gedye takes a humorous stab at the slow process of civilizing toddlers. Ages 3-8.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Doubleday Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 1989
• ISBN 10: 0385260830
• ISBN 13: 9780385260831
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 30