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Catching the Wild Waiyuuzee

Name: Catching the Wild Waiyuuzee
Author: Rita Williams-Garcia
ISBN: 9781416961413

by Rita Williams-Garcia, Mike Reed

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Overview

The Wild Waiyuuzee is hiding because Shemama wants to SPLASH her with water, RUB nut-nut oil on her head, and comb her with a piney pig's tail. And after all that happens, the Wild Waiyuuzee knows she won't be a Wild Waiyuuzee anymore.

As she tries to escape her mother's efforts to "plait-a-plait" and "string-a-bead" her hair, a young girl imagines herself escaping into a jungle.

Synopsis

Children's Literature

This vibrant, rhythmic story takes us on a fastpaced safari to capture the wild Waiyuuzee. As the wild creature runs deep into the mango grove, sending surprised creatures fluttering, wild Waiyuuzee is pursued by Shemama, the Catcher. Jumbo water sprayer and nutnut oil in hand, Shemama tracks wild Waiyuuzee through tall grass and finds her riding on top of a tortoise shell. Too slow for the determined Shemama, Waiyuuzee finds herself being rubbed and patted with nutnut oil. She escapes once more, only to be tracked down again, then braided and beaded by the now "hopping hot foot" Shemama. Wild and mysterious, the story keeps all things hopping until we and the wild Waiyuuzee realize that braiding and beading your hair is actually quite fun! 2000, Simon & Schuster, Ages 3 to 6, $16.00. Reviewer: Leslie Julian

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Editorials

Children's Literature

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 4-An enormous feeling of playfulness and love comes through in this story of an African-American mother and child. The story begins on the cover, where the Wild Waiyuuzee's eyes peek out of a bush. On the first page, she sprints from her hiding place, trying to escape Shemama the Catcher. Readers receive clues to the Wild Waiyuuzee's identity through Reed's wildly graphic illustrations, rendered in Photoshop. As the child runs into a mango grove, "Tippi Tappi Tappi Tappi," a door appears among the deep green stalks. Later on, the yellow flowers of a plant blend into those found on wallpaper, while large ferns obscure an electric socket. Just when she thinks she is safe in an iguana cave (a table covered with an iguana-print tablecloth), Shemama catches her and rubs "nut-nut oil" onto her head. One quick escape later, the girl finally lets Shemama near enough to "plait-a-plait and string-a-bead" in her hair. Finally revealed, Mama and her little one gaze at "their look so selves" in a mirror, and even the Wild Waiyuuzee has to admit, "Ah, ko! Beautiful." Williams-Garcia's rhythmic, poetic language partners with Reed's dynamic illustrations to convey the boundless energy found in every Wild Waiyuuzee.-Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, Eldersburg, MD Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

A very gratifying first picture book from Williams-Garcia, one that plays with the willowiness of language while following the shenanigans of a young African-American girl trying to escape the bite of a comb wielded by her mother. As the mother approaches with the comb, the girl transforms into a "Wild Waiyuuzee" and takes flight. Actually, you can't see her at all, just the suggestion of her presence hiding here and there. "Trumpi. Trumpi. Shemama coming foot and foot after the Wild Waiyuuzee." But all that Wild Waiyuuzee wants to do is wiggle and giggle and run. Williams-Garcia adds lots of good sound effects, splashed across the pages in electric color by Reed: "Bang-O-Bok!" "Ah, Ko!" "Splee-Zash!" Her mother tracks after her, speaking of nut oil and plaits and beads. Finally Shemama corrals the girl. "No owie owie me?" "No owie owie." "Moka true?" "Moka true." Out of the fantasy wilds—a jungle of tall grasses, iguana caves, and the deep bush as dandied up by Reed in lush color and oversized detail—emerges the girl, back into her room, to gentling hands and painless braids. Lovely, all around. (Picture book. 3-6)