From School Library Journal
Grade 1-3–Nutmeg is tired of her drab existence in her ramshackle house. Every day, she dines on unappetizing plates of cardboard, string, and sawdust with Uncle Nicodemus and Cousin Nesbit, and she longs for something different. While taking a walk, she stumbles upon an intriguing bottle at the edge of the creek and unleashes a Genie. He gives her a magic spoon, thus granting her three wishes–something different for breakfast, something different for lunch, and something different for supper. Not only does the spoon stir up a magnificent feast for Nutmeg and her relatives, but it also stirs up a world of change, transforming the house into a boat that splashes down onto a calm and peaceful sea. The family members unquestioningly take their posts aboard the ship and soon disembark on a pleasant green island, where they find a table set with a delectable breakfast. Back onboard, the girl reflects on what they might have for lunch. The stylized cartoon illustrations are a mix of spreads and separate panels. After the Genie appears, the palette changes from browns and grays to brighter blues, greens, and yellows. The turmoil that is portrayed as the spoon works its magic calls to mind the enchanted mops and buckets that run amok in Disney's Fantasia. Although this quirky adventure concludes rather abruptly, the art is eye-catching.–Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA
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Gr. 1-3. This quirky British import tells its story as much through its pictures as through the words. The sparkly cover and first spreads give children a clue: there's the heroine, Nutmeg, bouncing among a tumble of kitchen implements and stars, and here's a shoreline with a cobbled-together cottage and a yard full of junk. Nutmeg, her cousin Nesbit, and her uncle Nicodemus have cardboard for breakfast, string for lunch, and sawdust for supper, always. Then, Nutmeg rescues a genie from a washed-ashore bottle, and doesn't know what she wants for her three wishes. At last, though, she suggests something different for breakfast, lunch, and supper, and the genie presents her with a magic spoon. The spoon makes quite a luscious feast for dinner, but during the night, it whips up the house and land and sea in a jumble of intensely colored images. Breakfast finds their houseboat on soft pastel waves. After wondering about lunch, Nutmeg and the family become airborne, trailing stars. The pictures' crowd and clatter are almost audible, and Lucas does great things with shifting perspectives, multiple panels, and the shape-shifting cottage/boat/airship. Wry and imaginative. GraceAnne DeCandido
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
About the Author
David Lucas studied illustration at the Royal College of Art. His books have been translated into seven languages.
