Andiamo, Weasel!

Publishers Weekly

In her debut picture book, Grant serves up a trickster tale with a Mediterranean twist. "Once, on the golden fields of Tuscany, there lived a weasel and a crow," the story begins, as Goodell (Zigazak! A Magical Hanukkah Night) portrays an itinerant weasel setting eyes on the industrious crow planting corn. "This is such a grande job for such a piccola crow," the weasel points out, adding that if they share the work, they can split the harvest. The crow agrees, but when it comes to the real chores weeding, harvesting and moving the corn into the barn the weasel always finds an excuse to, well, weasel out of his end of the bargain. The crow soon uncovers his scam ("Mamma mia! What a weaselly weasel!"). The ultimate blow occurs when the weasel splits with his half of the harvest: he takes all the corn and leaves the husks for the crow. The would-be trickster is in for a surprise, however, when the crow seeks her "vendetta!" (revenge), proving she "may be piccola in size, but... grande in spirit." Grant's jaunty, lighthearted narrative brims with gusto, and she seamlessly weaves in Italian words and phrases (she ends with a glossary). Goodell's sunny, pastoral paintings reflect the beauty of the setting as well as the humor and action of the story; the crow's eyes belie her intelligence, while the weasel's swagger betrays his intent. Ages 5-8. (Aug.) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

School Library Journal

K-Gr 3-Luscious endpapers featuring tall cypress trees, winding roads, and tile-roofed, stucco farmhouses amid hilly fields transport readers to Tuscany, home of crow and weasel, who are just reaching an agreement to share the planting and harvesting of a corn crop. After all, it is "such a grande job for such a piccola crow," that weasel is glad to lend a hand. But when it comes time to weed and then to gather the crop into the barn before a storm hits, he is conveniently indisposed, and the once-patient crow realizes that she's been had. Enlisting the aid of a wolf, she determines to get revenge, but in the end, it is her own resourcefulness that wins the day. The amusing text is peppered with Italian words, and although a glossary is appended, readers will readily glean their meanings in context. Goodell's large paintings move from the brilliance of a sunny Tuscan day to the menacing clouds that usher in a fierce storm. There are many humorous touches as well: a Mona Lisa look-alike picture in weasel's bedroom; crow's throwing up her wings as she catches weasel in a lie and sighs, "Mamma mia!"; and the expressive faces of the animals. While it is unfortunate that crow herself tricks and makes fun of innocent people to win the wolf's help, youngsters will relish the poetic justice and cheer for the piccola crow who outmaneuvers the much bigger weasel.-Marianne Saccardi, Norwalk Community College, CT Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

Readers learn a lesson about friendship, self-esteem, and the Italian language in Grant's noteworthy debut. Set in Tuscany, the story revolves around a crow and a weasel. "This is such a grande job for a piccolo crow," the weasel says when he sees Crow preparing to plant corn. "But if I help-presto!-the job will be done, and when harvest comes we can split the crop." Soon, the two sow seeds together. But when it comes time to tend the field, Weasel flakes out. First, he complains of a broken leg. When he adds a sore back to the list of ailments, Crow gets wise. Goodell's (Zigazak!: A Magical Hannukah Night, 2001, etc.) lush, naturalistic portraiture pictures Crow rushing to save the harvest from the oncoming storm. He collects the crop overnight, but when he wakes up the next morning, only husks are left. Tones of terra cotta brown and buttery yellow warm the double-paged spread as Crow confronts Weasel. "I divided our crop," explains Weasel, kicking back against a mountain of freshly shucked corn. "And you get the husks!" Infuriated, Crow enlists the services of a snarling wolf. But when they get to Weasel's den, Crow goes ballistic, driving Weasel away without the wolf's help, proving once and for all that size doesn't count when it comes to standing up for yourself. Young readers-especially those small in stature-will appreciate Grant's positive message about self-reliance and standing up for your rights. Italian words, easily understood in context, appear throughout; a glossary is also included. (Picture book. 5-8)