HONEST TULIO

A story with threads borrowed from various folktales turns into a cumulative tale run to excess. Young Tulio is a homeless boy who lives in a crate near the open-air market; his dream is to own a stall there. He is known for his honesty, often remarked upon by the villagers. One day he sees a man drop a coin and has trouble catching up with him. He pursues him out of town, hitchhiking on a cart; the cart's owner gives Tulio a gift for his honesty. Along the way, he witnesses elephant-abuse and complains, earning himself the animal as well as a monkey. When he finally reaches the elusive man, he is encumbered by the many gifts given in honor of his honesty—a marching band, 5 giants, guardsmen, 17 chickens, etc. But he has lost the coin. The ending finds Tulio with his own booth, selling square chicken eggs. The story is absurd and artless, while the frenetic, cartoonish clutter of the illustrations lacks wit. (Picture book. 3-6)