The Grudge Keeper
K-Gr 2—No one in the picturesque village of Bonnyripple ever holds a grudge. Instead, they write down their tiffs and snits, umbrage and squabbles and give them to Cornelius, the Grudge Keeper. Cornelius files the grudges within his rambling house until the rolls of paper fill his rooms and flow down the front steps. When a mighty wind scatters the grudges into an unruly pile, Cornelius is buried underneath. As the villagers work together to dig him out, they forget their grudges and renew their friendships. This is an especially attractive picture book, with pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations dominated by warm shades of yellow, brown, and gold. Wheeler's eye-catching cartoon drawings are busy with activity and whimsical detail that adds fullness to this simple, pleasant tale, and Rockliff's telling is sprightly. This book will resonate most with teachers and adults looking to share stories about the value of forgiveness.—Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA