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Rata-pata-scata-fata
illustrated by
Holly Meade
Star Bright
Books, 2005
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*Junior
Library Guild Selection
*30 Notable
Trade Books in the Language
Arts, 1995
*Booklist’s
Best Black History for Young
People, 1995
*Americas
Award (CLASP), 1994
*Jacket art
featured on a Peaceable
Kingdom greeting card
*Kaleidoscope,
National Council of English
Teachers, 1997
*Adventuring
with Books, National Council
of English Teachers, 1997
*Raising a
Reader selection
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| From
the book jacket: |
Little Junjun is a
dreamer. He likes to sit outside
his island home and watch the
lizards slither across the yard,
feel the warm sun on his face,
and savor the tasty tamarind jam
his mother makes. But there is
always a lot of work to do. Oh,
if only there were a way the
chores would get done all by
themselves! What if Junjun says
a magic word, like
rata-pata-fata-scata? Will that
make his wish come true?
Silly
phrases, pleasing repetition,
and a satisfying ending make
Phillis Gershator’s story an
ideal read-aloud. And Holly
Meade’s bright, distinctive
torn-paper collages bring to
life the beauty and spirit of
the Caribbean setting. Inspired
by an actual old West Indian
nonsense phrase,
Rata-pata-scata-fata is a spicy,
irresistible picture book.
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| A
little about the book: |
Megan
Tingley, Rata-pata-scata-fata’s
editor, was truly my collaborator in
writing this story about a boy who
believes in magic. It was my first
story set in the Caribbean, the
place where I’ve lived longer than
anyplace else. Rata-pata-scata-fata
was published by Little, Brown in
1994 and then went out of print for
a few years. But children still
liked repeating Junjun’s magic words
and hoping, like him, that something
magical would happen when they did,
so Star Bright, to my great joy,
re-published the book in 2005. Dave
Hall sings the rata-pata song on our
CD for kids called "This Is
the Day! Storysongs &
Singalongs"--so get ready to
repeat those magic words tunefully,
over and over!
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| From
the reviews: |
“...Meade’s torn paper collages are a
joyous accompaniment to this tall tale
from the Caribbean....Her luscious
palette, dynamic compositions and
expertly shifting perspectives beguile
the viewer.” Publishers Weekly
“A gentle and affectionate tale....
Delightful...an unobstrusive
introduction to the lush flora and
fauna of the Virgin Island.” Booklist,
boxed review.
“...a lively and well-paced story that
is sure to delight young listeners
with its sense of fun.” Horn
Book
“...light and lively sense of
language. Just as lighthearted...are
Meade’s illustrations...a happy
celebration of Caribbean childhood.” Bulletin
of the Center for Children’s Books
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