Winslow Pinney Pels

This is my favorite retelling of the story "The Fisherman and His Wife" from Grimm'sTales.
The artwork is simple but effective, and the rhyming repetition of the fisherman's requests give a wave-like rocking motion to the recitation.

Long ago, I got both of the Miss Baba books when my kids were little, but I was definitely the one who was most into them. I've read them both at least twice, and they have remained on my shelf of best-loved kids' books ever since. I was first attracted by the illustrations, but also by the stories, being a lover of adventure and travelogues. I highly recommend the books, if you can find them... They're short reads full of delightful illustrations and amusing capers. Oh, did I mention most show more of the characters are dogs...

I remember looking high and low once in a while for more books in the series, but never found any.

(Sorry about nearly identical reviews on both books.) show less

Long ago, I got both of the Miss Baba books when my kids were little, but I was definitely the one who was most into them. I've read them both at least twice, and they have remained on my shelf of best-loved kids' books ever since. I was first attracted by the illustrations, but also by the stories, being a lover of adventure and travelogues. I highly recommend the books, if you can find them... They're short reads full of delightful illustrations and amusing capers. Oh, did I mention most show more of the characters are dogs...

I remember looking high and low once in a while for more books in the series, but never found any.

Of the two books, this was my favorite, partly because of the exotic Mongolian locale.

(Sorry about nearly identical reviews on both books.) show less

I love this book for so many reasons. The language used is simple, but Winsley Pinney Pels’ illustrations are really what draw the reader in. They are bright, whimsical, and also funny. For example, when the fish greets the fisherman, the look drawn on both characters faces are that of surprise. Also, the reader can vividly see that the fisherman’s wife is in charge. The fish claims to be magic, and grants them several wishes to fulfill their lives. After wishes for a new house and money show more are granted, the fisherman’s wife keeps pressing her luck with the fish, and the magic fish gets frustrated with the gluttony. The big idea of the story is to not be greedy. show less