JO - JO The MELON DONKEY. - Hardcover

Michael Morpurgo has written more than 40 books and won the Whitbread Award, the Smarties Award, the Circle of Gold Award, and the Children's Book Award, and has been short-listed for the Carnegie Medal four times. His books include An Elephant in the Garden, Kensuke's Kingdom, Private Peaceful, and War Horse. Helen Stephens is a children's author and illustrator. Her other picture books include Archie's Animal Friends, Blue Horse, Clara's Counting Tea Party, Fleabag, Glittery Garden, Shiny Seaside, and many others.

Gr3-5 Jo-Jo, a donkey in 16th-Cen tury Venice, is bullied by a cruel mas ter and belittled by the elegant people who laugh at him as he stands beneath handsome golden horses. It is only when the Doge's daughter takes one of his melons and pats his head that the snobbish people will buy. The story combines aspects of The Ugly Duck ling, Cinderella, and The Little Hero of Haarlem. First the little donkey, who so wishes for more than his hum ble station in life, is championed by the daughter of the Doge, and then he saves the people of Venice by braying loudly enough to warn them that the sea is coming in. The writing style fol lows that of the literary fairy tale, be ing at once simple and elegant. The il lustrations fit the story perfectly. Vivid colors (mostly watercolors) fol low the rich palette of Venetian paint ers of the era, with bright golds, reds, and greens that seem to reflect the strong light of the Mediterranean. The impressionistic style suggests an opera or ballet set. A pleasant addition to picture book collections for older chil dren. Amy Spaulding, Pratt Institute, Brooklyn
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