Aunt Isabel Tells a Good One

Charming watercolors tell a story within a story as Aunt Isabel concocts a fanciful tale that helps explain the elements of good fiction to her niece Penelope.

Kindergarten-Grade 2-- When Aunt Isabel makes up a story for her niece Penelope, the tale she tells of Lady Nell and Prince Augustus is occasionally cliched but redeemed by a clever ending. As the young mouse helps her aunt weave the plot, Isabel provides a gentle lesson in story-making. The story within a story works mainly because of Duke's exuberant portrayal of her endearing mice. Children will identify with bright-eyed, feisty Penelope and will wish that they had a quirky aunt like Isabel (she's dressed in a 1920s flapper dress and sports a feathered headband). Because of the switches in narrative, the book would be best shared one-on-one or used as a language-arts supplement. An entertaining way to introduce children to the elements of storytelling while providing an impetus for their own creative endeavors. --Lori A. Janick, Parkwood Elementary School, Pasadena, TX
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Aunt Isabel is delighted to have her niece Penelope spend the night, and a made-to-order story is part of the package. Asking for guidance from Penelope along the way, Isabel weaves a story of a handsome prince and the enigmatic Lady Nell who can "fiddle like a cricket, sing like a dove and wiggle her ears." Isabel may ask for help, but she is clearly in charge here, insisting on "a little Danger" and "Villains" to flesh out her tale. No passive heroine awaiting the prince's marriage proposal, Nell tackles adversity in fine fashion. In a stylistic departure for the gifted artist ( The Guinea Pig ABC ; Roseberry's Great Escape ), fanciful mice--somewhat reminiscent of Helen Craig's illustrations for the Angelina books--take the spotlight here, and the delicate watercolors brim with fairy-tale characters and atmosphere. Especially appealing are the artwork's winsome borders, adorned with tiny, appropriate decorative touches--sandwiches in the frame's corners when Nell is following a trail of crumbs, for example. Though the running conversation between narrator and Penelope at times detracts from the action, the diverting story-within-a-story is an inviting opportunity for youngsters to double their fun. Ages 4-7.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

There's a lot going on here: a story within a story--Aunt Isabel, a bohemian-looking mouse, pauses in her artistic endeavors (her drawings and paintings are informally hung around her snug home) to tell little Penelope a spur-of-the-moment story explicitly designed to demonstrate the construction of a plot. Getting some features from her niece (``When does this story begin?'' ``Long, long ago'') while also pointing out the importance of others (``I think we should leave that Problem part out,'' Penelope complains, but ``Just wait till you hear what happens next!'' her aunt replies), she spins a story with classic elements (romance, villains) and a feminist denouement especially designed for her small audience (the heroine, after being spurned by the king and queen, bravely and cleverly saves the prince; there's a grand celebration, but any possible nuptials will occur only after careers are established). The framing story has an appealing warmth and is deftly interwoven with Aunt Isabel's tale so that both narratives move briskly; Duke's attractive watercolor illustrations are also well paced, and reinforce the similarities between the little mouse and the heroine of her aunt's tale. All in all: an entertaining production, with a light touch that saves it from preachiness; the playful introduction to the elements of fiction is especially intriguing, and should be invaluable to creative-writing programs for young children. (Picture book. 4-8) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.