Rude Mule - Hardcover

Edwards, Pamela; Nascimbeni, Barbara

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0805070079 ISBN 13: 9780805070071

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR), 2002

Synopsis

Can a little boy with impeccable etiquette and a very rude mule enjoy an afternoon together?

What would you do if a mule knocked on your door one day and said, "I've come for lunch"? You'd say, "Hello! Come in, Mule."

But what if the mule was very badly behaved?

This extremely funny story shows young readers exactly how to handle such a situation. Wonderfully bold and bright illustrations and a child-in-charge perspective make this a tale of manners that even the rudest will enjoy.

About this title

About the Author:

Pamela Duncan Edwards is the author of Livingstone Mouse, Roar!, and many other books for children. She grew up in Northern England, but has lived in the United States for more than 20 years. A former children's librarian, she now writes full time.

Barbara Nascimbeni has illustrated a number of books for children, including Small Brown Dog's Bad Remembering Day, and The Real Winner. She was born in Vimercate, Italy, and now lives in Germany.

From Publishers Weekly:

Rather than focus on a recalcitrant child, Edwards (Some Smug Slug) reverses the typical plot of a book about polite manners and places a child in charge of a slurping, tantrum-throwing mule. Throughout, the narrator directly addresses the reader: "What would you do if a mule knocked on your door one day and said `I've come for lunch'?" In a series of familiar situations, made humorous by the cumulative recounting of the mule's discourteous behavior, the boy amiably civilizes his guest: "Mule, eat your food quietly." When the mule predictably replies, "Won't!" the boy delivers a mature response: "Then we won't be able to play with my train set after lunch." The mule brays and stamps his hooves ("You'd ignore him until he stopped, wouldn't you?"), and each time, the boy wins over his belligerent companion with consistency and patience. There's plenty of flying spaghetti and action in Nascimbeni's (Small Brown Dog's Bad Remembering Day) fiesta-bright, black-lined illustrations, which pump up the energy in full-bleed spreads of the mounting chaos. When the mule begins to shape up, a series of vignettes demonstrates the rewards of the newly forged friendship as the two ride the boy's train, play hide-and-seek, etc. (and the boy's dog acts as a barometer for the proceedings). A refreshing twist on the value of knowing one's P's and Q's. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0805070079
• ISBN 13: 9780805070071
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32