Aunt Nancy and Old Man Trouble

Old Man Trouble can really cause a stir in a household and turn things upside down for Aunt Nancy, but being more clever than he is, she can turn his bad doings into good situations, bringing defeat to Old Man Trouble's mischievous ways.

Grade 1-4?When sweet-faced old Aunt Nancy bends over the spring hole to see why there is no water and her good luck coin falls into it, it's a clear sign that Old Man Trouble is in the neighborhood. Then he appears in a long black hat and shiny black shoes, swinging a silver-headed walking stick. The woman cheerfully returns one salvo after another as Old Man Trouble tries to do his dirty work. Finally, she tricks the trickster into repairing her spring and sends him on his way. In the tradition of Appalachian Jack tales, this original story features a sharp-witted heroine. Set timelessly at Aunt Nancy's lonely log cabin, the full-color oil illustrations reveal a folksy Nancy and a surreal (and very toothy) Old Man. Effective use of light and angle varies the perspectives and adds energy to the narrative, and dark tones give way to lighter ones as Nancy triumphs. Silhouettelike black spot art creates visual bridges within the tale. Rhythmic language and interesting use of sound spice up the text. All told, here's a pleasing story for reading aloud, telling, or tickling the fancies of independent readers.?Carolyn Noah, Central Mass. Regional Library System, Worcester, MA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

A quick-witted country woman uses reverse psychology to ward off a Mephistophelean visitor in this sprightly original folktale. Aunt Nancy is having one of those days: it's barely sunup and her spring has gone dry and she's lost her "good luck three-legged wooden buffalo nickel." Such misfortune must mean Old Man Trouble is nearby, and before long the Old Man?irritation personified?knocks on Aunt Nancy's log cabin door. The arrogant Mr. Trouble, hell-bent on making matters miserable, gets his comeuppance when sweet Aunt Nancy methodically tricks him into refurbishing her water supply. Root's (Sam, Who Was Swallowed by a Shark) yarn-spinning talents shine here, in a text laced with a mountain-folk vernacular. Such down-home phrases as "Seat yourself and stay a spell," or "faster than a firecracker on the Fourth of July" add color and warmth. Parkins's (Sophie's Tom) sinister depiction of Old Man Trouble, with his row of crocodile-like teeth exposed through a black beard and needle-sharp nose, gives the story a bit of dastardly suspense. Expressive black-and-white silhouettes of the characters decorate each page of text, an inviting design element that complements Parkins's full-color, darkly hued oil paintings on the facing pages. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

In the stylized voice of a storyteller, replete with old-fashioned comparisons and idiosyncratic syntax, Root (Contrary Bear, 1996, etc.) tells of Aunt Nancy's triumph over Old Man Trouble by pretending that all the bad luck he sends her way are really blessings. The story begins when Old Man Trouble dries up Aunt Nancy's spring and ends when he restores it, believing that he is ruining her stated run of good luck. When they part company, they're both pleased with the results. Root's text seems to take Aunt Nancy's side, while Parkins's art is more in Old Man Trouble's corner. One side of each spread features an elegant, black-and-white silhouette; the other has a large oil painting, realistically rendered but for the facial expressions and postures of the characters, which are closer to caricature. The motifs are familiar, the execution has life and wit, and the overall effect is captivating. (Picture book. 5-8) -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.