The Best Candy in the Whole World and Other Stories by Bill Harley

K-Gr 4—Grammy award-winning Bill Harley presents five silly stories—two are original and three are his unique retellings of traditional folktales—using his incredible storytelling talents to infuse life, humor, and expression into each one. Each tale reveals how a little kindness can bring magic to everyday life. In "The Best Candy in the Whole World," a boy helps an elderly lady to her car with her groceries while he's waiting for his mom. The lady offers him a nickel, but he refuses to take it, then she gives him a piece of candy, which he takes and puts in his pocket. Later, he takes the candy out of his pocket and finds that another piece has taken its place, so that he has an unending supply. However, this becomes more of a burden than a blessing. "The Boy Who Hid in a Peanut" is based on a traditional African story. While a boy waits for his dad to take him fishing, he decides to hide in a peanut. The peanut is eaten by a hen, which is eaten by a fox, with successively larger animals devouring the previous animal until all end up inside a huge fish. The dad goes fishing by himself when he can't find his son. He catches a huge fish, cuts it open, and finds all the animals, the peanut, and finally his son. The other stories are "A Walk around the Block"; "Sillier Than You," based on the British folktale "The Three Sillies"; and "Jack and the Singing Leaves," based on a story by Scottish storyteller Duncan Williamson. Children will enjoy these comical, magical tales.—Beverly Wrigglesworth, San Antonio Public Library, TX