About the Author:
Karen English is the author of Just Right Stew, among many other books for children. She lives in Los Angeles, California.
From School Library Journal:
Kindergarten-Grade 3?Just Right Stew is just right for a bedtime story?it will put anyone to sleep. It's Big Mama's birthday and her family decides to surprise her by making her favorite dish, oxtail stew. Unfortunately, no one knows all of the ingredients. The family members bicker about the recipe, each one adding a different spice. Finally, Big Mama arrives. Alone with her granddaughter in the kitchen, Big Mama whips out the secret ingredient, sugar. At dinner she proclaims, "My, my, that's the best oxtail stew I've ever tasted. I do believe this stew is better than my very own." The story is told by young Victoria, who is unable to get any of her aunts' attention to tell them exactly what's missing, for she has watched her grandmother make the stew. Rich's colorful, oil illustrations enhance the text. However, the story misses the mark for several reasons. The family is unflatteringly portrayed as petty and argumentative. The very slight plot gets bogged down in verbose dialogue, and the predictable characterizations leave readers hungry for a little more seasoning.?Malka Keck, The Temple Tifereth Israel, Beachwood, OH
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