Giant Peach Yodel
Peck gives a Russian folktale an American tall-tale twist in this humorous picture book. Tall Papa Tom and his family set off in their jalopy to attend the Peach Pickin’ Festival. Along the way, Little Buddy Earl yodels continuously. When they reach the peach orchard owned by Cranky Uncle Frankie and his family, they are all sorely disappointed to see that the peaches are scrawny. At this point, the family learns what the observant reader already knows: Little Buddy Earl’s yodeling can make fruit grow. He yodels—“One little peach, / How do you do? / I love cobbler / And yodel-ay-dee-hoo!”—and the peach becomes massive. Eventually, the whole family gets the peach off the tree and heads off triumphantly to the festival. The text is full of alliterations and keeps a consistent rhythm throughout, which makes it ideal for reading aloud. The fact that a child saves the day has obvious appeal as well. The warm illustrations, full of orange and yellow and light, combine with the text to create a feeling of homespun charm. Grades K-3. --Kara Dean