The Grudge Keeper
In the town of Bonnyripple, no one keeps a grudge except Cornelius, the man whose job it is to do just that. “Ruffled feathers, petty snits, minor tiffs and major huffs, insults, umbrage, squabbles, dust-ups, and imbroglios—the Grudge Keeper received them all, large and small, tucking each one carefully away in his ramshackle cottage.” But when a fierce wind blows through, all the slips of papers bearing grudges get mixed up. Worse than that, they pile up, burying Cornelius beneath them. The townspeople are momentarily at a loss, and at odds with one another what with all those grudges lying about, but soon they’re working together, grudges old and new forgotten in the effort to free Cornelius. Mara Rockliff’s fresh and spirited original tale is a wonderfully paced, language-rich narrative full of delight. Eliza Wheeler’s watercolor and ink illustrations reflect the folkloric feel of the story, offering an old-fashioned European sensibility to the characters’ dress and setting while showing a cast of characters that are racially diverse. The playful lines and charming details of Wheeler’s art perfectly echoes Rockliff’s sense of whimsy. ©2014 Cooperative Children’s Book Center
Illustrated by Eliza Wheeler
Wisconsin illustrator
Eliza Wheeler was born in Duluth, grew up in Solon Springs, Wisconsin, and graduated from UW-Stout. She now lives near Minneapolis.
CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 5-8
Age Range:
PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7)
Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Format:
Picture book
Subjects:
Arguments/Conflict
Community
Cooperation
Fantasy
Humor
Wordplay
Diversity subject:
Multicultural General
Publisher:
Peachtree
Publish Year: 2014
Pages: 32
ISBN: 9781561457298
CCBC Location: Picture Book, Rockliff