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About the Author
DAVID DAVIS's picture books include Texas Zeke and the Longhorn, Librarian's Night Before Christmas, and A Southern Child's Garden of Verses. His Jazz Cats, and Ten Redneck Babies were both named to the Children's Choice Top 100 list. An active presenter at schools, conferences, and libraries, David lives in FORT WORTH, TEXAS. Learn more about him at www.davidrdavis.com.
About the illustrator
BEN GALBRAITH is author and illustrator of The Three Fishing Brothers Gruff, praised by PW: “Working very much in the vein of Lane Smith, Galbraith produces a book both visually hip and handsome.” Ben lives in NEW ZEALAND. Find out more at www.bengalbraith.co.nz.
In this flavorful Wild West version of the classic "Stone Soup" tale, penniless Slim and his grandson, Luis, ride into the town of Skinflint, where, in the face of tremendous odds, they manage to rustle up a delicious stew with only one bean, inveigle in participation with his repetition of, "Chili's good, so is barbecue, but nothing's FINER than FANDANGO STEW!" The toe-tapping refrain repeats in two- to 47-part harmony, as the sheriff who wants to run them out of town, the scoffing mayor and the shopkeeper become curious enough to let the two loco hombres make stew for the whole town with just one fandango bean. As the curious townspeople, including the teacher and schoolchildren and the Skinflint Culture Club ladies, gather around, each volunteers ingredients, and each joins in what becomes a fandango stew fiesta and "the best dang stew shindig" ever seen. The chorus of voices repeating the refrain begs to be read aloud with audience participation, and Slim's parting advice that "Any bean makes a fine fandango stew. Just add generosity and kindness," hits the spot. Galbraith's mixed-media illustrations brim with humor, and design elements such as old-timey poster display type and colorful bandana endpapers provide just the right accompaniment to the folksy tale. (Picture book. 3-10)
Anonymous
Posted October 24, 2012
My girls (3 & 5) loved this book!! Soo great! I would highly recommend!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 23, 2011
David Davis has hit a grand slam with this book! You must check it out!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.JanPeck
Posted February 23, 2011
David Davis' book says, "Chile's good, so is barbecue, but nothing's finer than FANDANGO STEW!"
Youngsters and adults will enjoy this rip-roaring fun book based on a Western retelling of "Stone Soup". The timeless message of generosity and kindness will resonate with parents, teachers, librarians and kids. I highly recommend this for your home and school libraries. A great read-aloud with lots of humor and excitement with a Tex-Mex multicultural flavor, too. The detailed and fantastic illustrations are right-on for this child-pleasing book.
Anonymous
Posted October 7, 2013
No text was provided for this review.
Overview
No money? No problem! In this sunny, funny western-style take on the famous folktale “Stone Soup,” two penniless but wily vaqueros (cowboys) trick a whole town into cooking a giant pot of stew for everyone to share.
David Davis's deliciously colorful language and Ben ...