GRIZZ! - Hardcover

Kimmel, Eric A.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0823414698 ISBN 13: 9780823414697

Publisher: Holiday House, 2000

Synopsis

Seven years is a long time, yet in order to gain his fortune, Cowboy Lucky Doolin must not bathe, cut his nails, trim his hair, or shave for that amount of time, in an amusing tale about one truly filthy guy attempting to make his dreams of wealth come true.

About this title

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4-In this rough-and-tumble version of "The Bearskin," cowboy Lucky Doolin is just not good enough to marry his boss's daughter, Shelby. So he leaves Oregon for Denver and meets a sinister traveler on the train, who convinces him to accept a mortal wager: if he doesn't groom himself for seven years, he'll receive a lifetime of good fortune. But break this vow, and his soul is forever lost. Lucky agrees and luck and riches abound, but he grows more grizzly and frightening each year. Back at the ranch almost seven years later, Shelby is about to wed a shifty lawyer in order to extricate her father from financial ruin. In the nick of time (and one hour before the wager is up), Lucky arrives and convinces Shelby to marry him. He willingly condemns his soul to the devil in order to clean up for the ceremony. His luck holds though, for the devil hadn't reckoned with the one-hour change in time zones. As the newlyweds head off on their honeymoon, the dastardly attorney is seen cutting a deal with you-know-who. Down-home dialogue, humorous understatement, and the requisite amount of suspense result in a brisk and lively read. Glass's oil-stick and watercolor illustrations are aptly exaggerated and melodramatic; as Lucky becomes Grizz, he is both terrifying and deserving of sympathy. An author's note credits the sources of the folktale and provides a brief history of time zones. A fine addition to storytimes, and a worthy companion to Anne Isaacs's Swamp Angel (Dutton, 1994) and Diane Stanley's Saving Sweetness (Putnam, 1996).
Carol Ann Wilson, Westfield Memorial Library, NJ
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

The Bearskin fairy tale by the Grimm brothers is retold with a western flavor. Rejected by Shelbys father as a suitor for his daughter, Lucky Doolin makes a pact with the devil in return for her hand and countless riches. The deal is that he cant wash, shave or trim his hair and nails for seven years. Yuck! Shelby is about to marry a despicable lawyer before her 25th birthday just to receive her inheritance, but Lucky Doolin shows up, looking like a grizzly bear. Despite his unkempt appearance, Shelby recognizes her sweetheart instantaneously and agrees to marriage. The Devil eagerly cuts Luckys hair and helps him bathe believing the seven years are not yet up, but the one-hour time change between Pacific Standard Time is in Doolins favor. Andrew Glasss (Bad Guys, 1998, etc.) illustrations of a man turned beast will make even the strong squeamish. The importance of patience and perseverance is underscored in a story that proves goodness will prevail despite all odds and is sometimes funny as well. (Fiction. 4-8) -- Copyright ©2000, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

About this edition

• Publisher: Holiday House
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0823414698
• ISBN 13: 9780823414697
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Glass Andrew