ASHPET

The Comptons' ``Ashpet'' differs less from Richard Chase's version of this Cinderella variant than their Jack the Giant Chaser (1993) diverged from Chase's parallel tale; here, they simply change the ``witch-woman'' to an old neighbor called ``Granny'' and the king's son (a standard character in these mountain tales) to a doctor's son and omit Ashpet's further persecution and the punishment of the perpetrators, after her wedding. Their text reads smoothly, but the occasional touches of dialect aren't enough to give it the rich humor and verve of Chase's rendition. Storytellers will want to stick with Chase; however, young readers will enjoy this lively and accessible version, as well as Kenn Compton's big-nosed, comically exaggerated characters. Good source note. (Folklore/Picture book. 4-9)