JUST PLAIN FANCY

Patricia Polacco writes a sweet story of Naomi and Ruth, Amish sisters, and the simple farm life they lead. They raise a chick, named Fancy, from a "fancy" egg they find. The story is good, but much of its enjoyment derives from Polacco's vibrant, energetic illustrations. The author narrates clearly and with a polished quality. Her interest in and introduction of cultural traditions and their unique words is nicely presented. However, hearing the story without seeing the book makes getting the visual pun (Fancy turns out to be a peacock) less effective. This cassette is dependent on the book for complete success. The sound quality is not as clear as it could be and the recording shows signs of hasty production. R.F.W. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: JAN 95]