THE BLACKSMITH AND THE DEVILS

The author of On the Pampas (1991), which was based on her childhood experiences, retells an Argentine version of the Appalachian tale that Richard Chase called ``Wicked John and the Devil,'' which also occurs in African-American folklore. Juan Pobreza isn't particularly wicked, but he does sell his soul to the devil, then forces him to renew the bargain with the help of the magical gifts St. Peter gives him in the beginning. The conclusion—neither heaven nor hell will accept the feisty old man after he dies—is almost identical to other versions. The winning story is as good as ever in this new setting, humorously realized in Brusca's lively, satirical illustrations; her angular figures with toothy grins recall Dirk Zimmer's art, but are lighter in tone. Also available in Spanish as El Herrero y el Diablo. (Folklore/Picture book. 6-10)