From School Library Journal
Gr 3-6-From first tale to last, Quirky Tales are so imaginative, unusual, bizarre, and humorous that students relate immediately to the principal character and become immersed directly into the plot. Since the titles of the nine tales are announced and not printed on the slip case, their phonetic composition can't be fully understood or appreciated: "Sneeze'n and Coffin," "Santa Claws," "Tonsileye'tis." The unsavory characters of "Spooks, Inc." were guilty of intimidating an elderly woman into selling her home. Another "bloke" known as Frisbee would kill toads, stuff them, and sell them in his shop. Imagine having a garden gnome's eye on the tip of your finger; see for yourself in "Tonsileye'tis." Would you like to sleep with a corpse or go rowing in a coffin? What if yes meant no and up was down? Steven Pacey's dramatic readings are fully voiced, expressive, and captivating. His Australian accent is not at all obtrusive, and unusual phrases add a further aspect of intrigue to each story. Further research may be in order to derive the meaning and derivations of the unknown expressions. Quirky Tales will be in constant demand. Teachers, media specialists, and parents will discover many creative ways to use these stories in classrooms and on a one-on-one basis.-Patricia Mahoney Brown, Franklin Elementary School, Kenmore, NY
Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
Book Description
Quirky? You can say that again. Look at it. His mouth is so small there is only just enough room to poke in one pea at a time. He can't talk, he can't stick out his tongue and he can't eat. You'll be speechless. More stories from Paul Jennings.
