Synopsis
Although her neighbors are reluctant to listen to her play the fiddle, Nana persists and her hog steals the show.
Susan Hepler - Children's Literature
This "Rookie Reader," Level C, is aimed at fluent readers and features short punchy sentences telling the story of what happens when an older woman plays her fiddle. No one in this farm community can stand Nana's fiddle playing except her granddaughter, who loves to drum along on a handy barrel. But gradually, the animals gather to watch when Nana's blanketed hog dances and steals the show. Cartoonish illustrations show that Nana is depicted as a net-stocking, high-heel-booted, country hipster, who is full of energy and pep. The farm animals decorate the pages, react to Nana's playing and participate in the granddaughter's exuberance, finally succumbing to the charms of the ol' gal's music. Pleasing fat black type invites readers but the slow story just doesn't dance along. 2002, Children's Press,