Green Beans

March 30, 1992
Thomas's good-natured, pleasantly traditional tale introduces Gramma, who, wearing a wide-brimmed straw hat and spectacles perched on her nose, is, inarguably, ``correct.'' In fact, most people--and things--don't dare argue with this strong-willed woman: not Dorothea, when told not to snatch grapes ``willy nilly'' but to use the silver grape-snips instead; and not the plants in Gramma's garden, who are instructed in growing properly rather than ``lollygagging.'' At least most of the plants obey orders--all but the green beans. But when Gramma goes off on a trip, leaving Dorothea and her father in charge, the beans begin to grow with abandon, an occurrence which even Gramma finds cause for celebration on her return. Redenbaugh's pastel-hued drawings shed a soft, affectionate light on Gramma--and her near-perfectly ordered universe. An admirable first effort for both author and illustrator. Ages 3-8.

January 1, 1993
K-Gr 3- Dorothea's strict, demanding grandmother insists on doing things in the "correct" way. She has countless little fetishes and, as running a tight ship is important to her, she becomes irate when her beans do not grow to her satisfaction. When she returns from a week long trip, she discovers that the vegetables, as if to spite her, have flourished in her absence. This stubborn, controlling woman could make more than beans wither; she's neither endearing nor even particularly interesting. Dorothea and her father are poorly developed, and readers won't relate to them. The plot is thin-a bit of a doodle with no clear direction. Illustrations depict cozy indoor and outdoor settings rendered with pencils in soft colors on textured paper. The people don't come off as individuals so it is difficult to warm up to them. The drawings illustrate the story's action, but do little to add to or expand it. -Alexandra Marris, Rochester Public Library, NY