Captain Snap and the Children of Vinegar Lane

ISBN 0531070387 - When I first picked up this book, the thing that looked most pleasing to me was the line that said "Manufactured in the United States of America". Turns out, we do make some things - and not every childrens' book I pick up is printed in another country! The cover illustration isn't especially alluring, so I didn't expect a lot from the contents. I'm perfectly happy to say the book beat my expectations and then some! Captain Snap lives at the end of Vinegar Lane. No one ever goes there because everyone is afraid of him. Except Sody. Sody is always the one who shouts "Come out, come out, Captain Snap!" whenever the children of Vinegar Lane sneak up near his house. One day, when Sody calls, there's no response at all from the captain's house and the children sneak closer to find out what's happening. They see Captain Snap lying on his bed, very sick. They return with stew and blankets but run off before they see the captain. When he is better and the kids visit again, Captain Snap and the children become friends. Captain Snap earns himself a new name, Captain Scrap, when he makes gifts from old junk for the children. Author Roni Schotter's story is simple but touching. Children all over have a grumpy neighbor that scares everyone! There's a message here, too, which is nice. This is a great book for reading aloud, with all the suspense of the scary house and the suddenness of the children's flight from Captain Snap. The illustrations, by Marcia Sewall, are all right, although nothing special and I don't like them at all. They're bright and fairly colorful but lack sharpness and detail. The story, however, is too good to miss. - AnnaLovesBooks

I found 'Captain Snap' to be an intriguing book for all ages, particularly when using it with a few children all gathered 'round so we could examine the marvellous illustrations in great detail. [...] it is a familiar story line, but for those of us who are either young, or young at heart, it can be made new again. The descriptive language draws you in, and the ever important balance between loneliness and belonging is put out there to contemplate. A child may be inspired to think that she CAN made a difference in brightening someone's life. Hurray! Hope you enjoy this as much as we have.