Nana, in the endearing way of grandmothers, tells Sara of the importance of rice for their family and explains why her pa has to work so long and hard. Sara, reluctant at first, slowly begins to listen to the story and actually to participate in telling it. Together, they make a delicious, sweet rice pie, and, soon, the two are singing a song that spans the generations of their family. Now anyone can make sweet rice pie by following the recipe included in this book. The vivid artwork captures not only the story but the mood behind the story in its warm simplicity of style. Yet, each page utilizes an innovative story-telling mechanism. Atop of each page is a small band of illustration, with a gingham-framed picture at each end. While the main illustrations depict the action of the story, the top treatment serves to illustrate what the characters are thinking and talking about. The effect is to convey a wordless narrative that is woven seamlessly throughout the book, which raises the story to a completely different level. Laurie Lazzaro Knowlton is also the author of Why Cowboys Sleep with Their Boots On and Why Cowboys Need a Brand, both published by Pelican. She currently resides in Medina, Ohio. Joyce Haynes, a resident of Pineville, Missouri, has won numerous local, state, and national awards for her illustrations. Her illustrated books include Eyr the Hunter, When the Great Canoes Came, and A Good Soup Attracts Chairs, all published by Pelican

Mode of access: World Wide Web