Paul Bunyan's Sweetheart

September 1, 2007
Gr 1-4-Lorbiecki and Graef bring their talents to the not-so-small task of creating an original story about Bunyanhis courtship of Lucette Diana Kensack of Hackensack, MN, a woman strong, brave, and clever enough for any tall-tale hero. The prose is just right for the genre: "When summer heat hung down like boiling syrup, the townsfolk would ask Lucette to shake out her rugs. If she'd do it gentle like, her breezes would cool the sweat off their bodies so quick they'd have to hold on to their clothes to keep them on." The paintings extend the story's humorous images, while firmly placing the action in a mythical time. This picture book has the verve of Audrey Wood's "The Bunyans" (Scholastic, 1996) and a modern ecological message. Pair it with Anne Isaacs's "Pancakes for Supper" (Scholastic, 2006) for a delicious celebration of new treatments of old favorites."Kathleen Whalin, York Public Library, ME"

Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2007
Orphaned by smallpox and raised by bears, Lucette Diana Kensack, the part-Ojibwe star of this clever, original folktale, rivals the legendary Paul Bunyan in size. But when Bunyan comes a-courtin, Lucette demurs: Dont I look like Ive been taking care of myself just fine? Tall-tale spectacle ensues as the hapless, lovesick Bunyan flubs three challenges, all meant toconvince the lumberjack to mend his forest-injuring ways. It seems a little unfair that Lucette stacks the odds by couching the tasks as puzzles, which require fairly loose interpretation to successfully accomplish. Even so, children will relish the irreverent portrayal of a celebrated folk hero and applaud the storys ecological message. Rounded, sculptural paintings by Graef, who clothes Lucette in dresses that combine Native American and pioneer styles, make hay with the storys many scale juxtapositions: Lucettes wedding bouquetyes, it does all end happilyis a live, full-grown tree, roots packed in burlap for ready planting.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)