Cold Feet

This is a most wonderous take on a traditional Scottish folk tale. This story begs to be read aloud and works wonderfully in storytelling sessions. Willie McPhee gets more than he bargins for when he takes the boots off a man he finds frozen in the woods. The story has a nice "gross-out" element that will appeal greatly to kids. DeFelice tells the story with excellent pacing that sets the reader up for the payoff at the end. Robert Andrew Parker's sketchy ink and watercolor gives the story movement and allows the reader to fill in with their own imagination.

We found this book at the library and my seven year old son loved it! We read it during the day and as soon as my husband came home from work my son insisted he sit down and read it with him. A week later my son asked to take the book over to his friends house because he had told him the story and his friend wanted to see the book also. How great! My five year old daughter also was fascinated with the story and refered back to it several times in a positive manner. I had worried also that it might be too scary for the kids but instead it is a story that has intrigued them and definitely one they will remember.

Cold Feet was awarded the Boston Globe's Horn book award for this year. The book is a droll, macabre tale with just the right mix of humor and gore to delight kids. Bob Parker's paintings keep it vigoruos and fun.