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Overview
When he was alive, Mr. Wilkerson was an ill-tempered, disagreeable, sour, and impatient old man. Once he died, he got better.
But not much.
Now he is back and very, very hungry.
When Jack and his grandma move into the old Wilkerson house, they find out just how hungry, and why.
At least they think they know. It has something to do with pie.
A perfect pie.
Mr. Wilkerson, lover of pie, returns as a ghost on Halloween to demand some good pie from Jack and his grandmother.
Synopsis
When he was alive, Mr. Wilkerson was an ill-tempered, disagreeable, sour, and impatient old man. Once he died, he got better.
But not much.
Now he is back and very, very hungry.
When Jack and his grandma move into the old Wilkerson house, they find out just how hungry, and why.
At least they think they know. It has something to do with pie.
Publishers Weekly
Mrs. Wilkerson prepares the perfect pie for her husband, reminding him "After we pass on,... there will be no more pie." With that, he shouts, "Then I ain't goin'!" and promptly expires. The widow buries him in the yard and moves on; in move Jack and his grandmother, who bakes a pumpkin pie. Swirling pen-and-inks, watercolor wash and a splattering of black paint show the ghost rising to sample the results, "Pumpkins, pumpkins,/ pumpkin pie!/ I must have one/ before I die." He rejects the first, but three's the charm, and the fellow goes back underground-until an apple pie scent wafts his way. Playful type and a mix of full-spread compositions and silhouette sequences keep a brisk pace. Youngsters will happily join in the ghost's refrain. Ages 3-6. (Oct.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
Editorials
Publishers Weekly
Mrs. Wilkerson prepares the perfect pie for her husband, reminding him "After we pass on,... there will be no more pie." With that, he shouts, "Then I ain't goin'!" and promptly expires. The widow buries him in the yard and moves on; in move Jack and his grandmother, who bakes a pumpkin pie. Swirling pen-and-inks, watercolor wash and a splattering of black paint show the ghost rising to sample the results, "Pumpkins, pumpkins,/ pumpkin pie!/ I must have one/ before I die." He rejects the first, but three's the charm, and the fellow goes back underground-until an apple pie scent wafts his way. Playful type and a mix of full-spread compositions and silhouette sequences keep a brisk pace. Youngsters will happily join in the ghost's refrain. Ages 3-6. (Oct.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.Children's Literature
A pie eating ghost is the centerpiece of this rambunctious spooky tale. This story of crochety old Mr. Wilkerson and his quest for the perfect pie is full of the kind of goofy, silly details that appeal to the same youngsters who loved the tale of The Little Old Woman Who Was Not Afraid of Anything when they were in preschool. Meant for a more sophisticated listener the story follows the Jack and his grandmother as they encounter the ghost of Mr. Wilkerson who chants "it must be perfect, or a ghost I'll stay, and haunt this house and never, ever, go awaaaaaaaay!" Fortunately for Jack his grandmother has dealt with temper tantrums before and she tells the ghost to "stop all that moaning . . . sit down and have some pie." The pie does not meet Mr. W's standards and he starts roaring again but Jack and Grandma just bake another pie. This one does not have enough cinnamon to please grouch ol' ghostly Mr. W. and even Grandma agrees that this is true so yet another pie is baked. After tasting at the gourmet level Mr. W. announces this one "perrrrfect." Jack and Grandma head off to bed confident that the ghost was finally laid to rest "OR WAS HE?" In a typical urban legend twist the pumpkin pie was just the beginning . . . now he's on to APPLE. "Grandma looked at Jack. Jack looked at Grandma. I'll set another plate, said Jack." Younger listeners may find the pictures a little too scary but for those for whom it is intended it is delightfully spooky and completely satisfying to join in the ghostly chant "it must be round and brown as toast, or I'll haunt this house a hungry ghost." Hope my own recipe would measure up to Mr. W.'s tastes! 2005, Atheneum/Simon & Schuster, $ Ages 5 to 9.—Sheilah Egan