Review — Sister Tricksters

By Dorothy Helfeld
BayViews — 10/1/2006

To your folktale collection of strong, clever women, add these exploits of Molly Cottontail (MizHare), Miz Duck, Miz Goose, and Sis’ Duck as they outwit such as Mistah Bear, Mistah Slickry Sly-fox, Rooster, and Mistah Hare. Their stories were gathered in the antebellum South and published at the turn of the century in a book entitled At the Big House in which a character, Aunt Nancy, claims, “When a woman start out to be trickish, she can beat a man every time,” as she does in (almost) all these eight tales told with a Southern spin. Enjoy Miz Hare’s irreverent behavior at Mistah Fox’s faux funeral and Mistah Bear’s frustration when the eggs Miz Goose tells him to sit on for the family he craves becomes smashed pumpkins. The gentle humor is enhanced by the action in nine full-page realistic old-fashioned illustrations, beautifully colored. The lengthy introduction discusses the origin and nature of this and other trickster tales, citing observations by Julius Lester and Virginia Hamilton among others.

Ratings:
OUTSTANDING: Outstanding in its presentation of the genre, including style, consistency, design, accuracy, and consideration of audience. Books receiving this rating will be considered for the annual Distinguished Book List.

ADDITIONAL: Competent, but may be excelled in its field by other books. A useful addition to most library collections. Reviewers who wish to distinguish books at the high or low range of the broad ADDITIONAL category may use the terms HIGH ADDITIONAL or LOW ADDITIONAL to do so.

UNSATISFACTORY: Contains so many weaknesses in style, content, and/or book design that it is not recommended for general library purchase.

Title Details: Sister Tricksters
Author: Robert D. San Souci
Illustrator: Daniel San
Interest Level: GR 3-6

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