Summer tales> ‘Pigs in the Mud in the Middle of the Rud,’ ‘Beauty ‘ interesting reading for children

Each month the children’s librarians at Bangor Public Library offer a selection of classics and new favorites designed to encourage reading and provoke thought in young readers. The books may be purchased at local bookstores or found at your local library.

PRESCHOOL

PIGS IN THE MUD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RUD, written by Lynn Plourde, illustrated by John Schoenherr, Blue Sky Press, NY, 1997, $15.95.

“Pigs in the Mud in the Middle of the Rud” is written by Lynn Plourde, who now lives in Winthrop. This book is a great read-aloud that keeps the listener in suspense until the surprising ending. The story takes place during the mud season, when a family goes on an outing in its Model T Ford and is stopped from passing by different animals who love to be “in the mud in the middle of the rud.” Who and what will charm the animals into moving out of the “rud” to let the family pass?

The lovely lines drawn by John Schoenherr enliven the characteristics and actions of the family and animals and the delicate color washes add richness and depth to the story.

GRADES ONE-THREE

BARN, written and illustrated by Debby Atwell, Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1996, 32 pages, $15.95.

If only the walls could talk, we sometimes say. In “Barn,” they do. Built in the late 18th century, a barn recounts its history, from traditional raising to present. Through years of farm life, the barn houses animals and observes the passing of people, seasons and fortunes. The Great Depression severs the barn from the ancestors of its original owners. A woman purchases the building at an auction to use for selling antiques. Homecomings, World War II, electric lights, the Vietnam War and years of emptiness pass. New owners fail to realize old wiring and squirrels are a bad mix, and the barn burns. They rebuild the barn, an exact replica of the original, and it then houses the horses that a young family raises.

With folk-style oil paintings, rich with light and shadow, and clear, direct prose, Atwell shares the barn’s tale. The unique point of view and broad time lapse meld nicely with the progression and simplicity of the story. The author’s use of the same voice for both the original and the replacement barn doesn’t ring true, but with a shake of storyteller’s license, it does work. A resident of Rockland, Atwell has created a strong New England story with interesting perspective on a bit of the history for the last two centuries.

GRADES FOUR-SIX

AMASA WALKER’S SPLENDID GARMENT, written by Emily Chetkowski, illustrated by Dawn Peterson, Heritage Publishing Inc., 1996, 38 pages, $15.

Amasa Walker was an educator, politician and supporter of the antislavery movement. This short and informative story is an adaptation from a speech he gave to the New England Historic Genealogical Society in 1850.

Emily Chetkowski’s simple telling of how Amasa gets a new coat gives a realistic glimpse of history and an appreciation for things we take for granted today. It takes six months to make Amasa’s “splendid garment,” from the gathering of the wool to the visit of Aunt Debby, the seamstress, and the many craftspeople in between.

Chetkowski thoughtfully includes a glossary of unfamiliar terms on each page. Main illustrator Dawn Peterson captures the historic feel with sepialike drawings and careful attention to detail. The book concludes with a short biography of Amasa Walker.

The real lesson in this charming historical tale is the joy that comes from collective work and artistry. A great book for young history buffs.

YOUNG ADULT

BEAUTY: A RETELLING OF THE STORY OF BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, written by Robin McKinley, HarperCollins Children’s Books, 1978, 256 pages, hardcover $16, paperback $4.95.

Although similar in many ways to the traditional tale, McKinley presents a nontraditional Beauty whose real name is Honour. Unlike her two lovely, delicate sisters, Beauty is a plain, strong girl who, out of necessity, does the work around the homestead that would be expected of a boy once the family moves to the country after losing its fortune. When she must take the place of her father at the palace with the ugly Beast, Beauty’s stubborn, independent personality combines perfectly with her preferences for books and being alone to allow adjustment to her fate. Gradually, the story unfolds to reveal the truth of the mysteriousness that surrounds the Beast and his palace.

By telling the story from Beauty’s in-depth perspective, McKinley has written a very personal account that enhances the character-reader relationship. When Beauty feels the slight magical breeze that moves her place to place, choosing her clothes and her food, prompting her actions, the reader feels it, too. Though a fairy tale, the author gently intertwines the events and characters, making them so believable that the reader will transcend the mundane occurrences of everyday life. Taking the mystical tale a step beyond the original, Robin McKinley, Newberry Award medalist, has created an uplifting, “grown-up” version for both young adults and”older” adults to enjoy.