The Friends of Emily Culpepper

Emily Culpepper, a sweet-tempered old witch, comes up with an ingenious way of keeping her friends around for company--by shrinking them and keeping them in jam jars for safekeeping

PreSchool-Grade 2 The old adage ``With friends like that, who needs enemies?'' takes on particular significance in this charming picture book. Mrs. Culpepper shrinks her three most special friends and keeps them in glass jars. But her little habit is not at all menancing, judg ing from the expressions of delight on her ``victims'' faces as she royally en tertains them. In fact, the curious plot twist which replaces the three friends with the policeman who comes to their rescue is amusing and feels like a part of a whimsical game that the entire vil lage is in on. The book achieves a fine balance because of the constant pull be tween the narrative and the illustra tions: the narrative is simple and hand- lettered, while the illustrations are busy and complex; the narrative tells a single story, while the illustrations develop many story lines; the narrative is quiet and matter-of-fact, while the illustra tions are noisy and animated. This see- saw effect creates tension and develops a satisfying story which will engage the imagination of many readers for a good long ``spell.'' Lee Bock, Brown Coun ty Public Libs . , Green Bay, Wis.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Emily Culpepper loves talking to her friends. And so, being a witch of sorts, she miniaturizes them and puts them into jars so she can talk to them whenever she wishes. One by one, the milkman, the postman and the plumber join her household in this way. It is a most benign captivity: the three are let out daily to eat lunch and cavort around an old dolls' house, where they are clearly having the time of their lives. And when a policeman comes to solicit their release, Emily complies. Though sad without her old friends, she is not lonelyfor every day she lets the policeman out of his jar to play! Harvey's lively illustrations capture all the good-humored absurdity of this appealing tale. They imaginatively extend Coleridge's deadpan text, providing a wealth of fine and funny details to entertain and reward the careful reader. Ages 6-9.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.