The Sticky Doll Trap

By Jessica Souhami

Online price: £11.99

Hardback, 32 pages
Published: 10th June 2010

Category: Picture story books
Interest age, years: From 3 To 6
Key Stage: ENG RDG KS 1&2

Hare is a cheeky rascal who prefers to have a nap while the other animals are scratching in the earth searching for water. Hare tricks Monkey and then Hyena into shutting their eyes tight while he fills his calabash with the newly-found water and scampers away. By now, the animals are angry, and decide to get their own back. They make a huge, gummy, sticky doll, set it up at the water's edge, and wait...Along comes Hare with his empty calabash, most annoyed to find someone else by the precious water. He hits out at the sticky doll and is trapped at last in front of all the animals. But even now wily Hare finds a way to get the better of the other animals and escape puinishment!

This traditional trickster tale dates back to the Uncle Remus story of Brer Rabbit and the Tar Baby, and can be found in different versions all over South and West Africa, North and South America - even in a Jataka tale from India. Jessica Souhami has turned a West African version into a comic, read-aloud story accompanied by stunning, brilliantly coloured collage to create a book bursting with fun for very young readers.

The Matisse-bright pictures and Souhami's faultless ear for storytelling will give pleasure to 3+. - Times

Souhami uses humour and brilliantly coloured collage illustrations to relate the story of Hare, who is too lazy to help the other animals search for water. - Nursery World

Small children will love the cheeky, lazy hare and his crafty ways. The illustrations are bright and bold, with a distinct, collage feel to them. They have an energy and an animated quality which reflect the author's background in shadow puppets. This is a wonderfully engaging book which adults will enjoy sharing with 3 to 7 year olds. - School Librarian

The whole is evocative of Africa and Souhami uses the rhythm and simplicity of the oral tradition in telling the tale. A spellbinder to stick with! - INIS

A wonderful re-telling of a much-loved story that appears across many cultures. Simple but vibrant coloured paper montage illustrations are a wonderful accompaniment to the story. - Carousel

Bright collages of flat or lightly mottled textiles are enhanced by simple but subtle strokes, conveying instantly recognisable expressions of greed, smugness, and anger; a tribute, perhaps, to Souhami’s creative skills as a puppeteer. This is an enjoyable new realisation of a reliably entertaining and instructional classic. - Books for Keeps

A visually enchanting and aurally engaging retelling of an old, old tale. - Kirkus Reviews

Colourful images inspired by African folk art help to engage the reader and make it easuy to visualise the setting, providing a great talking point. This is an enjoyable and funny book that children will find charming. - English 4-11

I'm going to tell you a story about that cheeky rascal, Hare, And this is how it goes...

One long, hot summer when it didn't rain for weeks, the sun dried up all the pools, all the lakes and even the wide river.

The animals were very, very thirsty.

The scrabbled and scatched at the dry, dusty earth, searching for water.

Well, everyone but that good-for-nothing Hare.

And where was he?

Hare was lying in the long grass!

"I'm not spoiling my pretty little paws by digging in the dirt," he said.

And he shut his eyes and went to sleep.

Publication Details:

Binding: Hardback, 32 pages
ISBN: 9781847800176
Format: 235mm x 278mm

BIC Code: YBCS, YFJ
BISAC Code: JUV012020
Imprint: Frances Lincoln Children's Books

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Jessica Souhami