"The Grudge Keeper" by Mara Rockliff and illustrated by Eliza Wheeler (Review and Giveaway)

ISBN13: 9781561457298
Peachtree Publishers

About the book:  No one in the town of Bonnyripple ever kept a grudge. No one, that is, except old Cornelius, the Grudge Keeper.

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.

When a fierce wind blows through Bonnyripple, the residents are forced to rescue Cornelius and deal with their various disputes

My thoughts: The illustrations by Eliza Wheeler immediately capture one’s attention when they first see The Grudge Keeper. They are evocative of older books from years ago using simple line drawings beautifully painted with the gentle flush of water colors.  The little community is softly awash in color but the greys intrude when the story darkens for the storm. The expressions and actions illustrated are well done to suit the characters. The reader will love Cornelius, the grudge keeper, who is inundated with scrolled and rolled up grudges from the townspeople. His cottage is simply overrun with them.

The author, Mara Rockliff, has given the story a lively, frolicking feel that compels the reader to read it aloud to either himself or to whatever audience he or she can garner. The use of rhyming words, though the story is not in rhyme, and of alliteration is beautifully executed and delightful to twist around one’s tongue. 

“Ruffled feathers, petty snits, minor tiffs and major huffs, insults, umbrage, squabbles, dust-ups, and imbroglios . . . .”

“Night fell, but no candle would stay lit. The people huddled with their grudges in the darkness, listening to the hissing, howling, creaking, crashing, moaning, groaning, whistling wind.”

“At last, the wind sputtered, slowed, and stopped.”

“The squabbles were scrambled with quibbles. Low blows rested high up in the pile. High dudgeon had drifted down low. And the left-handed compliments had landed on the right-hand side.”

I thoroughly endorse this delightful book because it is beautifully done both from the story line and illustrations. They are a perfect match and truly make it easy for the reader to learn that keeping a grudge is simply not a good thing to do.

GIVEAWAY: The good folks at Peachtree Publishers have reserved a copy for one of Chat With Vera’s readers. Now all you have to do to try to win a copy is use the Rafflecopter form below. Begins April 2 & ENDS April 25 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT. Open to USA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of The Grudge Keeper from Peachtree Publisher in exchange for my honest review. Opinions expressed are solely my own and I received no compensation for this review.