The Grudge Keeper

February 3, 2014
Wheeler’s (Miss Maple’s Seeds) sure hand and lyrical pen-and-ink spreads are the source of this story’s charm. Long skirts billow, the fairy-tale cottage of Cornelius the Grudge Keeper leans sweetly to one side, and the white scraps of paper on which villagers have written their grudges billow and drift like sea foam. The story holds few surprises as the villagers discover that nursing grudges leads only to heartbreak, while forgiveness brings happiness. Rockliff’s (Me and Momma and Big John) rococo wordplay is an apt match for Wheeler’s artwork: “Ruffled feathers, petty suits, minor tiffs and major huffs, insults, umbrage, squabbles, dust-ups, and imbroglios—the Grudge Keeper received them all.” The clever prose is, at times, more likely to sail over the heads of younger readers and head for older members of the audience: “Low blows rested high up in the pile. High dudgeon had drifted down low.” In an effort to introduce a contemporary note into the traditional setting, Wheeler makes the romance between Big Otto and Lily Belle an interracial one. On the whole, it’s a sweet, fluffy diversion. Ages 4–8.

May 1, 2015

K-Gr 2-From squabbles to petty snits, Cornelius collected everyone's grudges and carefully kept them in his small cottage outside of town, far away from the townsfolk. When a fierce wind upends his house, all the grudges tumble out, causing quite a hubbub amongst the residents. Poor Cornelius is discovered at the bottom of the pile, and as everyone works together to rescue him they inevitably toss their grievances aside and renew their friendships. The accompanying CD includes two versions, one with sound effects for page turns and one without. John McDonough's melodious voice brings this tale to life, making this a pleasant and enjoyable listening experience. VERDICT This is an engaging tale that children will enjoy, but that will also appeal to teachers and parents looking for stories about forgiveness.-Amy Joslyn, Fairport Public Library, NY

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