Bettina is swimming and eating banana splits in the heat at Camp Oogie Waa Waa while her Aunt Tallulah is in Antarctica knitting sweaters. That's some contrast. I happily dove right into the book because contrast is always good in any kind of story. It's interesting and it helps us think things through.

Thank you, Aunt Tallulah! plays out in a series of letters between Bettina and Aunt Tallulah. They exchange gifts and thank you notes. Through these care packages and letters readers can see what's happening in two places on the earth at the same time. But there is more going on than just the contrast in weather. There are a couple of subtle lessons being taught, I think. The first is about giving gifts that people can actually use--caring enough to figure out what people need. Following that is a lesson about graciously giving thanks to the giver even when the gift is not exactly what we would have chosen for ourselves.

These little lessons come tied up in such a funny package that young readers will not even know they learned anything. They'll think they were just having fun.

The illustrations for Thank You, Aunt Tallulah! are perfect. MacPherson picks up on the author's humor and wrings a little extra out of each letter between Bettina and her aunt. The cover is also wonderful with it's embossed string and shiny stamps.

In short, I love everything about this clever little book.

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Copyright © 2005 Sally Apokedak