Elementary

Rude Mule
by Pamela Duncan Edwards and Barbara Nascimbeni (Illustrator)

Pamela Duncan Edwards and Barbara Nascimbeni have perfected the formula for seizing the fascination of their young audience. As if the vibrantly colored cover of Rude Mule isn’t enough to captivate, an ill-mannered, rosy-cheeked mule is thrusting his tongue toward his friend. Food spattered about the jacket cover tops off the delightfully chaotic scene. What child could resist?

Mule comes over for lunch and has forgotten to bring along his manners! The young boy his host must politely remind him that rudeness will not get him very far. The little boy maintains his patience throughout as the mule’s behavior grows progressively worse. Finally with the boy’s perseverance and guidance the mule realizes that they can have a lot more fun if they are polite to one another.

Rude Mule is vibrant and fast-paced managing to bring the young audience right into the thick of the action with direct questions making this a delightfully interactive exercise. But beware, the pictures are so engaging, after the children are finished helping the boy correct the mule they will need to stay to take in the sights. A lemon yellow house with a red and green door, lime green grass speckled with colorful flowers and a violet road dusted with orange leaves…with these color combinations sharing one scene you know something fun is going to happen.

The motto of this story may be politeness but it manages to avoid that all too familiar preachy finger pointing and allows the child to reign supreme. Learning manners has never been so gratifying.

-Kim Simonovitch