Grampa and the Four Brothers

Deborah Dowson is a children’s librarian who has recently relocated to
North Wales, Pennsylvania.

Don Sawyer has adapted a “traditional Salish story” and embellished
it with modern details to create a folktale with a contemporary twist.
Many characteristics of the traditional folktale are in evidence. There
are four brothers; the fourth and youngest is as wise as his older
brothers are foolish. Sent on a quest, the brothers meet up with a
shape-shifting coyote (their grampa) who has a lesson to teach them. As
expected, only the wise brother passes the test, fulfils the quest, and
earns the reward.

This chapter book has a cartoonlike quality that is evident in the
style of the illustrations and in the slapstick interactions between the
three foolish brothers. This knockabout style, the use of untamed slang,
and the references to such things as videos, Nintendo, Oreos, and Pepsi
will perhaps hook some kids into reading the book before they realize
that they are being “taught” a lesson. The contemporary details
contrast vividly with the mystery and the magic of the quest in the
forest.

The mixture of old and new does seem a little bizarre, but perhaps this
type of book will attract young readers who find traditional stories too
tame or boring. Recommended with reservations.