The Little French Whistle - Hardcover

Carole Lexa Schaefer is the author of The Squiggle and Snow Pumpkin. Emilie Chollat is the illustrator of Ackamarackus by Julius Lester.

When spoiled young Louie clamps his stubborn lips around a whistle his Grand-pire brought from Paris ("WHOUI! WHOUI! WHOUI!") the results are both clamorous and comical. Louie says, "I don't like sweet" and "I don't like soft" and thus antagonizes the birds in the birdbath, the French poodle, Fonfon, and even Grand-pire himself (when the boy plays dissonant notes into the fellow's bath water). Josette, the narrator and Louie's ever-patient cousin, longs for a turn with the instrument. Chollat's (Ackamarackus) renderings of the characters with no necks, blushed, round faces and beady, wide-set eyes adds to the levity of this onomatopoeic tale with French accents. Louie's expressions, as he sends creatures and people alike fleeing, keep the humor running high. Sheba the cat finally puts an end to the mischievous music-making. With a swat and a hiss, as a colorfully lettered "Fuh-whap!" arcs through the scene, the feline sends the whistle flying, and Louie retreats home without his toy. Josette then atones for her cousin's transgressions ("I blew it sweet for the birds: whoui tee whoui.... I whistled it soft for Fonfon"). However, she can't help blowing it like Louie just once, "important, and snappy, and grand!" Chollat's paintings with whistle noises painted boldly across the pages, round out Schaefer's (The Squiggle) attention-grabbing tale. Ages 4-8.

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