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The Horned Toad Prince by Jackie Mims Hopkins |
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CHILDREN'S FICTION | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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In this retelling of 'The Frog Prince,' a spunky cowgirl loses her new sombrero and is helped by a horned toad on the understanding that she will do three small favors for him. This breezy update of the fairy tale is set in the Southwest & features a frog who demands that the heroine feed him chili. When Reba Jo finds herself in a mess of trouble, she's forced to strike a deal with a horned toad. Every day, Reba Jo prowls the dusty prairie, roping critters and twanging her guitar. When the spunky cowgirl finds herself in a mess of trouble, only a pesky horned toad can save her hide. But first she has to grant the little varmint three unpleasant favors.... A spirited, contemporary retelling of the classic fairy tale featuring a hilarious, Southwestern spin REBA JO LOVES riding all over the wild prairie and roping any critter unlucky enough to cross her path. But when the spunky cowgirl finds herself in a mess of trouble, she's forced to strike a deal with a horned toad--he'll save her hide, but only if she grants him three wishes. Reba Jo tries her darnedest to weasel out of her part of the bargain, but the clever horned toad won't let her off the hook. In the end, she learns an important lesson that a promise is a promise and that words once spoken are not easily taken back. Author Jackie Mims Hopkins's sizzling Southwestern retelling of the classic fairy tale, 'The Frog Prince,' is enhanced by the Spanish vocabulary sprinkled throughout the text, and is complemented by Michael Austin's vibrant, distinctive illustrations, which colorfully transport young readers to the untamed, dusty prairie. 'The unusual perspectives and broad humor of Austin's over-the-top airbrush illustrations in shades of violet and gold capture Reba Jo's comical disgust as she tries to wiggle out of her unpalatable bargain as well as the ugly toad's insouciant charm as he connives his way free from his curse. Is marriage in store for our plucky heroine and the handsome caballero she frees with her kiss? The deliciously surprising double-twist ending leaves readers free to decide for themselves.' - Publishers Weekly 'An entertaining version of 'The Frog Prince' with a Texas twist.... Airbrushed luminous artwork is reminiscent of the work of Berkeley Breathed in its exaggeration and energy; the perspective, with various slants and angles, makes each illustration a treat. The characters, bursting from their confinement within the frames, will evoke smiles.' -School Library Journal 'The story of the frog prince gets a sassy update and a brand new southwestern setting.... This is fun and thorough. Hopkins' telling sizzles with southwestern panache, complete with Spanish words interspersed in the text. Austin... uses an exaggerated styles that will make kids grimace and giggle at the same time. Fractured fun at its best.' -Booklist 'Hopkins' retelling has a fast pace and colloquial style that will pull in both listeners and readers.... There is a sly cleverness to the toad that adds both humor and tension to the plot, and Reba Jo is a spunky antidote to the passive princess stereotype.... Readers-aloud and listeners who have a hankering for the Wild West are going to bust their britches when they get a look at Reba Jo and her heroic toad.' -The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books * Willa Award, Women Writing the West* 2 x 2 Reading List, Children's Round Table, Texas Library Association * Nominee, 1999-2000 Mockingbird Award, given by the Abilene, TX Public Library * Selected for inclusion in the 2000 Annual Exhibition of the Society of Illustrators* Storytelling World Awards 2001: Stories for Young Listeners? Masterlist, 2002-2003 Land of Enchantment Award, New Mexico Library Association? Nominee, 2003 Show Me Readers Award, Missouri Association of School Librarians? Nominee, 2001-2002 Virginia Young Readers Program? Nominee, 2002-2003 Georgia Picture Storybook Award |
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