The Horn Book Guide

PICTURE BOOKS

Edwards, Pamela Duncan

Rude Mule

32 pp. | Holt | August, 2002 | Trade ISBN 0-8050-7007-9 $$15.95

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Barbara Nascimbeni. What if a rude mule came to your house for lunch? Why, you'd invite him in and teach him to behave politely, of course. This manners primer told in the second person puts a young boy in the role of etiquette expert ("What if he brayed a rude mule hee-haw? You'd ignore him until he stopped, wouldn't you?"). With its bold, whimsical illustrations and its prim tone offset by the silly scenario, this book will amuse young readers.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley