Duck's Breath and Mouse Pie: A Collection of Animal Superstitions

Whimsical collages illustrate and interpret seventeen animal superstitions, including the beliefs that it is bad luck for a black cat to cross one's path, but that throwing a hairy caterpillar over the left shoulder brings good luck.

Grade 2-6-Jenkins presents 17 superstitions dealing with animals. Commonly held "beliefs," such as a black cat crossing one's path bringing bad luck to lesser-known old-wives tales, such as throwing a hairy caterpillar over the left shoulder for good luck, are included. A delightful, full-color, cut-paper collage illustrates each adage in intricate detail. Information on why, when, and where the superstition got started is appended. A great learning and teaching tool and an enjoyable picture book.
Sandra Welzenbach, H.K. Williams Elementary School, San Antonio, TX
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Gr. 2-4. Jenkins' beautiful paper collages are reason enough to buy this book, but the 17 weird superstitions about animals that he has rounded up will definitely amuse and fascinate. A few of the superstitions are fairly well known (dalmatians are lucky, black cats are not), but most are unfamiliar: a mouse eaten in a pie will cure stuttering (and apparently colds, measles, and bed-wetting). Jenkins provides historical notes explaining what constitutes a superstition and then traces the origins of each of the beliefs he has included. The design and artwork are sophisticated enough in appearance to appeal to children somewhat beyond the target age level, and science teachers can use the book to spark discussion of humankind's explanations of natural phenomena. A bibliography is provided. Chris Sherman