Who Took My Hairy Toe?

Any parent, teacher, librarian, or storyteller can use Crum's delightfully scary story and hold children in K-Gr 3 and up spellbound. A folk tale with a spooky character, a halloween-like setting, and a what-will-happen-next? situation has youngsters' rapt attention. Of course, the story must be read aloud with the appropriate annimation. Crum, a dedicated storyteller and children's librarian, fashions a new tale from one she probably heard first as a child. In the tradition of spinning yarns, Crum -with Krenina's sparkling illustrations - breathes life into Old Tar Pockets a fascinating character who swipes a monster's hairy toe. I've heard the spontaneous reactions of children 2-5; this tale draws them in and they remember it. Buy it, give it as a gift, but most important share it by reading it to youngsters, and they, in turn, will pass it along to friends. Crum is a talented writer with more children's books in production. I look forward to her next story.

Greedy old Tarpockets tries to steal his neighbor's sweet potatoes, but digs up a hairy toe in the process! Because he's a greedy ol' cuss, he keeps it, of course. That night, the toe's owner comes a lookin'..."Who..took...my...hairy...toe?"Kids will love this mildly spooky, just right for storytime book, written by newcomer, Shutta Crum. She deftly uses a storytellers voice to creat this original version of an old Appalachian tale. Katya Krenina's vivedly eerie artwork is the perfect accompaniment to this haunting Halloween tale...Woooooo.