LUCAS FISHBONE

The imaginary Lucas Fishbone fosters a special relationship between a grandmother and her granddaughter.

Grade 2-5-- The unique blend of reality, fantasy, and spirituality so effective in Maguire's novels is overwhelming and confusing here. A little girl visits her beloved grandmother throughout the year. During each visit, Grandma talks of Lucas Fishbone, a mystical character from her youth, whose return she awaits. She is finally reunited with Lucas, seemingly in death. The little girl will now wait for a message from Lucas Fishbone, who will "send me word of one I cherish/ Who in leaving does not perish." This book proves that not all picture books are for young children. The girl's narration is at times innocent and naive, at other times sophisticated and insightful--and too long and ambiguous to hold a child's interest. Readers will wonder where the grandmother has gone, and will be confused by Lucas Fishbone's identity, especially with the visual portrayal of him as a man/lion. Even with adult explanation, the story isn't satisfying and may even frighten some. The illustrations are an effective extension of the themes, but also lack child appeal. Deep earth-tone paintings featuring solid ethnic characters and folk-art patterns underscore the sense of transcendent love and family bonds as basic elements of life. The layered, almost collage designs and unusual proportions point to the book's multiple dimensions. Overall, an artistic and sophisticated effort that isn't likely to connect with an audience. --Heide Piehler, Shorewood Public Library, WI
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

A girl goes to visit her grandmother, but they are never alone: Lucas Fishbone is there, an imaginary friend of Grandma's who merits his own plate and vegetables from the garden. The seasons change, and Lucas is a part of all their activities: "We carve a Lucas Fishbone face on the pumpkin." Lucas is so interwoven through Grandma's life that the girl "can see Lucas as if she's drawn his picture in the grass." The girl notes that her grandmother talks in rhyme ("Lucas taught me," says the lady), but the device is not maintained. Other aspects of this overwritten story--and its academic approach to children's fantasies and fears--may confuse young readers, as well: its pretentious language, odd imagery and ambiguous ending. Lucas Fishbone appears in leonine guise and takes Grandma away--is she dead? It would seem so, and that life continues its cycle as the girl plans to "make some Lucas Fishbone gingerbread cookies. / And I'll make some rhymes." The illustrations are unappetizing, muddy collages of somber fabrics, paint and occasional bits of newspaper. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.