________________ CM . . . . Volume VI Number 16 . . . . April 14, 2000

cover Jillian Jiggs and the Secret Surprise.

Phoebe Gilman.
Markham, ON: Northwinds Press/Scholastic Canada Ltd., 1999.
32 pp., cloth, $15.99.
ISBN 0590-51578-0.

Subject Headings:
Birthdays-Juvenile fiction.
Children's plays-Juvenile fiction.
Surprise-Juvenile fiction.

Preschool-grade 3 / Ages 3-8.
Review by Joan Payzant.

**** /4

excerpt:

Jillian said, "What a tough situation.
I'll need more parts than my first calculation."

Peter just shrugged and said,"Jillian Jiggs,
All this play needs is a chorus of pigs!"

image Phoebe Gilman, a Vicky Metcalf Award winner, has written a series of "Jillian Jiggs" books, loved by many children who will enjoy this new adventure. The illustrations on every page are vibrant and humorous showing Jillian's solution to the problem of a birthday gift for her sister Rebecca. She produces a play! The story is written in verse with a rollicking rhythm. Jillian's friends are given roles and costumes thanks to Jillian's ingenuity and her ability to overcome every obstacle. As a bonus, the play itself, "The Chicken Princess," is included at the end of the book. On reading it over, I felt it would be a little too difficult for readers of the first part of the book, and adult help would definitely be required. But perhaps I am under estimating the ability of Jillian Jiggs' fans.

Highly Recommended.

Joan Payzant is a former teacher-librarian of Dartmouth, N.S.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by
The Manitoba Library Association
ISSN 1201-9364

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - April 14, 2000.

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