Brer Rabbit and His Tricks

Rhymed versions of "Brer Rabbit and the Tar Baby," "Winnianimus Grass," and "Hello House," first collected by J.C. Harris

Brer Rabbit and His Tricks, by Ennis Rees, is a modem classic based on southern folklore. 'Me best-known of the three stories, "Brer Rabbit and the Tar Baby," was first published more than a century ago by Joel Chandler Harris in his Uncle Remus sketches. That, and other versions of the Bret Rabbit stories, were written in difficult-to-understand dialect and are little read today, according to Rees. His recreations in modem English, in humorous rhymed verse, will not share such a fate; they are a delight! The whimsical illustrations in vivid colors by noted artist Edward Gorey are very appealing. Gorey's figures are simple and symmetrical, drawn in his usual style, yet full of life and imagined movement. As Brer Rabbit gets stuck in Tar Baby-first one hand, then the other, then both feet, and finally his headGorey shows it all. The other two stories, "Hello, House," and "Winnianimus Grass and Whipmewhopme Cake," are just as cleverly told and illustrated. This is a wonderful book to read aloud. Children will join in on the repetitious phrases, as when Brer Rabbit pleads: "But please don't fling me in that briar patch." For ages four and up. Highly recommended for bookstores and all children's library collections. -- From Independent Publisher