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FAT & BONES

Name: FAT & BONES
Author: Larissa Theule
ISBN: 978-1-4677-0825-8

AND OTHER STORIES

by Larissa Theule ; illustrated by Adam S. Doyle ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 2014

Strange and strangely compelling, this is one of those books that needs the right reader—who will eat it up.

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Short, peculiar, inexplicable: This won’t be for everyone.

When Bald the farmer dies, his miserable son, Bones, is determined to get rid of Fat the fairy, who lives on the farm, once and for all. Their rivalry sets off a series of interconnected tales, each one dark and surreal and imbued with a kind of meaning, although the meaning is not always immediately apparent—and there’s little to no morality on display, although there are glimmers of a very dark sense of absurdity. While there are occasional moments of kindness (a vindictive, nearly footless pig tries to ensure the prettiest pig’s trotter ends up in a stew but sacrifices herself instead at the last moment; a misfit spider finds love), most of the tales are dark indeed. A lovelorn mouse sets up his rival for defeat by cat; a tulip becomes an assassin of smaller flowers; and Fat and Bones both come to nasty ends. The tales link together across the space of a single day, at the end of which peace reigns on the farm. Tonally these read a bit like folk or fairy tales, but the edges are sharp; the dark, ink-blotted design and pen-and-ink art make this an object to admire as well as read.

Strange and strangely compelling, this is one of those books that needs the right reader—who will eat it up. (Short stories. 14 & up)

Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2014

ISBN: 978-1-4677-0825-8

Page Count: 112

Publisher: Carolrhoda

Review Posted Online: July 31, 2014

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2014

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY | CHILDREN'S PARANORMAL & SUPERNATURAL

- BOOK REVIEW
MOUSEBOAT
by Larissa Theule ; illustrated by Abigail Halpin

- BOOK REVIEW
CONCRETE
by Larissa Theule ; illustrated by Steve Light

- BOOK REVIEW
KAFKA AND THE DOLL
by Larissa Theule ; illustrated by Rebecca Green

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EARTHLINGS INSIDE AND OUT

by Valerie Wyatt ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 1999

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Wyatt (The Science Book for Girls, 1997, etc.) adopts an alien’s-eye-view of earthlings, comparing the human body with that of a friendly lifeform from outer space. A cartoon anatomical outline charts the alien Danoid’s first encounter with Pete. Danoid labels hands as primary manipulatives, feet as planet connectors, and knees, multidirectional movement facilitators. Earthling skin, hair, brains, bones, muscles, and organs are measured by these compare-and-contrast standards, delivering information along the way. Sifting through a flurry of text, readers will stumble upon headings marked “Science Fair Ideas,” consisting of simple, at-home experiments such as tracking one’s pulse with a dab of modeling clay or smelling foods that have strong odors. While the concept is attention-getting, and often humorous, the actual information is often overwhelmed by distracting asides, experiments, and reports filed to Danoid’s commander; this compendium may be more worthwhile for browsers than researchers. (diagrams, index) (Nonfiction. 8-11)