Auntee Edna - Softcover

Smothers, Ethel Footman

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0802852467 ISBN 13: 9780802852465

Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2002

Synopsis

Tokee was having one of those days, her "wish I'd never been born" kind. How come she had to be cooped up here with old-fashioned Auntee Edna? Tokee was sure that Auntee Edna would be no fun -- she didn't even have a TV!

Soon, however, Tokee discovers that Auntee Edna has her own ways of having fun, ways from the past that are new to Tokee.

In this warm story about kinship and family heritage, author Ethel Footman Smothers takes young readers back to earlier times when homemade teacakes were cut out with canning jars, when toys were created with simple sewing scraps, and when a pile of old buttons could hold wonderful stories. Illustrator Wil Clay's paintings charmingly capture Tokee's changing moods and her growing appreciation for "old-fashioned" Auntee Edna.

About this title

From School Library Journal:

K-Gr 3-Tokee's overnight visit with her elderly Auntee Edna seems like an unsatisfactory way to "get to know your people," and she's sure she'll be bored. When her sister takes off with a neighbor, Tokee thinks that a "`wish I'd never been born' day" is inevitable. However, homemade treats, family stories, vintage crafts, and hair curling bridge the generation gap with radiant warmth. Clay's acrylics-on-canvas illustrations positively glow with superb detail, texture, and light. Each character in this African-American family is fully realized as the full-page contemporary pictures and miniature flashbacks grace the pages with a tangible realism. Author and illustrator combine their talents to create a fresh tribute to the beneficial bonding of young and old in a family or community. Reminiscent of Patricia Polacco's Thundercake (Philomel, 1990) and Rebecca C. Jones's Great Aunt Martha (Dutton, 1995; o.p.), Auntee Edna stands on her own. Young readers will wish they could reach out and pet her cat, catch a firefly or two, and taste the teacakes (recipe included), but they'll have to look to their own aunties. A wonderful read-aloud to share with a group or with a few listeners.

Jody McCoy, The Bush School, Seattle, WA

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review:

Though Tokee is sure that staying with Auntee Edna will be boring, she soon discovers that Auntee has her own ways of having fun, ways from the past that are new to Tokee. A warm story about kinship and family heritage. "A fresh tribute to the beneficial bonding of young and old in a family or community.... A wonderful read-aloud."

About this edition

• Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0802852467
• ISBN 13: 9780802852465
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Clay Wil