K-Gr. 2. With the grand feel of a folktale, this lively story speaks to choosing right in a world full of temptation and peril. Precious isn’t feeling well, so when her family leaves, she stays home. Before they go, Mama reminds her not to let anyone in, and Brother tells her to watch for the Boo Hag, “who tries to make you disobey yo’ mama!” Precious thinks Brother is kidding--until Hag swoops down from an angry sky, demanding entry. Fearful yet fierce, Precious isn’t intimidated; nor is she fooled when Hag returns in clever disguise. Kids will be as excited as Precious after she bests the crone, and her catchy song of triumph is contagious. Expressive and fluid, Brooker’s mixed-media art, comical yet scary, too, pops from the pages, and her window sill-like picture borders add intimacy to the story of feisty Precious--strong, smart, and oh so pleased with herself. Adults will want to discuss the surprising, slightly unsettling end----which points to more adventures coming Precious’ way. -- Stephanie Zvirin (BookList, 02-01-2005, p978)
/* Starred Review */ K-Gr 3 –When Precious's bellyache keeps her from helping in the fields, she is left at home alone, with Mama's strict instructions to let no one inside the house for any reason, no matter what. This admonition is reinforced by Brother's warning that if she is not careful, Pruella the Boo Hag might sneak in. Frightening Boo Hags tell lies and are rude, and try to get children to disobey their mamas. Worst of all, they change shapes, so they are hard to recognize. Temptation comes in many forms and Precious is surely baited. But she is a plucky girl who confronts her fears and, in the end, clings to what she knows is right. The spirited language and vivid images will draw out the performer in every reader. The authors have produced an enchanting tale that is a pinch scary but a peck of fun. Brooker's oil-and-collage illustrations enhance the excitement while providing a glimpse of a modest home with peeling paint, braided rugs, and homemade jam. These images evoke real warmth and comfort, fortifying Precious–and readers–to meet her challenges. Find a comfy chair, gather an audience, and enjoy this wonderful book.–Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME --Mary Hazelton (Reviewed March 1, 2005) (School Library Journal, vol 51, issue 3, p185)
/* Starred Review */ Newbery Honor author McKissack (The Dark-Thirty ) teams up with storyteller Moss to relay—with flair and humor—the tale of a girl with a stomachache who stays at home while her mother and brother go off to the fields to plant corn. Mama leaves Precious with a warning ("Don't let nothing and nobody in this house") and Brother slyly adds that if Precious does let someone in the house, it may well turn out to be Pruella the Boo Hag ("She's tricky and she's scary, and she tries to make you disobey yo' mama"). Though the girl tries to reassure herself that there's no such thing as the Boo Hag, suddenly the honeysuckle wilts on the vine and "the sunny day took on a dark and dreary disposition." The creature, with "eyes of burning cinder and hair that shot out like lightning," appears "riding on the back of a storm," demanding that Precious let her inside with a voice "that rumbled like rolling thunder." Precious bravely sings a chant announcing her refusal to let the hag in and the creature disappears—only to return three more times in various guises, including that of a shiny penny. Brooker (Nothing Ever Happens on 90th Street ) conveys the rowdy, larger-than-life goings-on in playfully exaggerated, stylized collage art which features a range of textures. The story's lively language, pleasing cadence and effective repetition of Precious's chant make this a buoyant read-aloud. Ages 4-8. (Jan.) --Staff (Reviewed January 3, 2005) (Publishers Weekly, vol 252, issue 1, p54)
/* Starred Review */ A quick-witted child confronts a scary character (here somewhat toned down) from Gullah folklore in this largely original tale. Left alone to nurse a stomachache while the rest of her family works the fields, young Precious isn't sure whether to take seriously her brother's warning about letting the evil, shapeshifting Boo Hag into the house—until the creature herself shows up, flashing "eyes of burning cinder and hair that shot out like lightning." Brooker underscores the story's rustic flavor by surrounding most of her terrific paint and collage scenes with a peeling board frame and gives pigtailed Precious a winningly scared but resolute look. After repeatedly seeing through a series of flawed disguises (the Boo Hag being powerful, but none too bright), Precious drifts off to sleep in triumph, supposing—wrongly, as a nape-prickling final scene reveals—that the Hag has given up. Fine fare for Halloween, or general under-the-covers reading. (Picture book. 6-8) (Kirkus Reviews, December 15, 2004)

Cataloging source

DLC

Dewey number

[Fic]

Illustrations

illustrations

Intended audience

Ages 4-8

LC call number

PZ7.M478693

LC item number

Lk 2005

Literary form

fiction

http://library.link/vocab/ext/novelist/minGradeLevel

0
3

Target audience

primary

Context

Work of