THE BACHELOR AND THE BEAN

Fowles illustrates her first picture book, a magic-pot variant, with luminous watercolors that simply glow on the page like stained glass. In a straightforward narrative, she tells of a very grumpy bachelor who complains about a missing bean long enough that an imp gives him a magic pot—a pot that produces unlimited quantities of a tasty stew with almonds and raisins. As in many other magic-pot stories, the pot is stolen. A second pot that produces beautiful glasses and vases is stolen as well. A third pot is filled with water that reflects the image of the thief—a jealous old woman. The bachelor goes to demand the return of his pots, but he finds the old lady so disagreeable, ill-tempered, and with such awful manners that he decides they would make a great couple. He proposes marriage and she agrees. From that day forward, their quarrels are heard all over town. Fowles retells this Jewish-Moroccan tale with a twist of humor, enormous splashes of color, and a finale that has the couple marrying under a huppah. End pages are a color riot of blocks filled with images from the interior of the book. Beautiful vases and bowls grace a lavish wedding table. A much-used theme with a clever twist that will bring smiles during each reading. (Picture book/folktale. 4-10)