Pinky and Rex and the mean old witch

Gr. 2-3. Pinky and his best gal-pal, Rex, star in the third and fourth books of this beginning chapter book series. In Mean Old Witch, Pinky and Rex meet up with the neighborhood "witch," Mrs. Morgan. Rex wants to get even with her for her meanness, but Pinky, with a little help from his dad, comes to the conclusion that a kindness may be what the old woman needs. In Spelling Bee, Pinky must contend with a new boy for the title of best speller in the second grade. He wins the spelling bee, but loses face when, in his excitement, he wets his pants. The Pinky and Rex series has lots going for it: the chapter book format, broken up by top-notch color artwork, will look inviting to the age group; the stories are solidly written; and perhaps best of all, they make you think. It's not easy to incorporate so much into 38 pages, but these books pull it off. ~--Ilene Cooper

K-Gr 3-- A remarkably sensitive boy, Pinky; his little sister, Amanda; and Rex, a forthright girl who collects dinosaurs, learn to cope with a nasty old woman. After a particularly unpleasant encounter with ``the mean old witch,'' Pinky and Rex plan revenge. Pinky comes to realize, however, that the elderly woman may just be lonely, and he comes up with a better way to cope with her. This is not a fairy tale, so the woman does not turn into a good elf; however, the subtle transformation from cantankerous to just grumpy is very satisfying. Although Pinky and Rex spark faint memories of Dick and Jane, they are far more intriguing. This fourth book about the two friends stands alone, but confusion about who is Pinky and who is Rex can be avoided by reading the first book that explains Pinky's love for pink. Sweet's vibrant illustrations, crisp with color, show how effective a simple line can be within the simplicity of representative cartoon art--watch the eyebrows. All this and a cookie-baking father make a delightful read aloud or a satisfying book for all young readers who encounter people who may have ``forgotten how . . . to love.'' --Jody McCoy, Casady School, Oklahoma City (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

The children's encounter with their mean old neighbor leads to plans for revenge, but, instead, Pinky is moved by Mrs. Morgan's lonely lifestyle. With a gift of homemade cookies he cracks her crusty demeanor - a crack that promises to widen in time. Sweet's watercolors depict the characters with liveliness and humor, and there is a clear emphasis on nonsexist roles. From HORN BOOK 1991, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

K-Gr 3-- A remarkably sensitive boy, Pinky; his little sister, Amanda; and Rex, a forthright girl who collects dinosaurs, learn to cope with a nasty old woman. After a particularly unpleasant encounter with ``the mean old witch,'' Pinky and Rex plan revenge. Pinky comes to realize, however, that the elderly woman may just be lonely, and he comes up with a better way to cope with her. This is not a fairy tale, so the woman does not turn into a good elf; however, the subtle transformation from cantankerous to just grumpy is very satisfying. Although Pinky and Rex spark faint memories of Dick and Jane, they are far more intriguing. This fourth book about the two friends stands alone, but confusion about who is Pinky and who is Rex can be avoided by reading the first book that explains Pinky's love for pink. Sweet's vibrant illustrations, crisp with color, show how effective a simple line can be within the simplicity of representative cartoon art--watch the eyebrows. All this and a cookie-baking father make a delightful read aloud or a satisfying book for all young readers who encounter people who may have ``forgotten how . . . to love.'' --Jody McCoy, Casady School, Oklahoma City Copyright 1991 Cahners Business Information.