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Dad Diary

 












Jerry Pinkney likes to make flawed characters "sympathetic" -- where possible. The troll learns from his mistakes -- in "Billy Goats Gruff." The once-arrogant hare ("Tortoise and Hare") accepts defeat at the hands of the tortoise -- and the hare's actions even seem graceful.

But another part of Pinkney really enjoys a villain, a monster who cannot be redeemed. I'm ranking my three favorites from Pinkney's work:


(3) The cobra, Nag, from "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi": open mouth, flared hood, thick and whip-like tail.

(2) The wolf, "Little Red." I love that the wolf seems so lifelike; this makes the old-lady wardrobe seem even more jarring. Once again, a mouth wide open -- a sign of hunger, greed. A dripping tongue; yellow eyes behind eyeglasses. I also enjoy the side-eye shiftiness.

(1) Sea-Witch, "Little Mermaid." The witch steals the show. Part-Octopus, part-Medusa, part-alien, with fangs. Once again, we have an open mouth, a ravenous eater. I wonder if the editor wanted something less frightening here; if so, I'm glad that Pinkney stuck to his instincts.

I grew up with the stories Pinkney is now choosing to re-tell; it's a great treat to revisit these characters in my late thirties, and my son and I look forward to "Puss in Boots" (next) ......
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