Mr. and Mrs. Muddle

Kindergarten-Grade 2 Mr. and Mrs. Muddle are a cheerful horse couple who agree on most things but have a basic conflict about transportation: Mrs. Muddle likes cars and Mr. Muddle hates them. Mr. Muddle won't drive anywhere and Mrs. Muddle refuses to walk, so they stay home. Their friend Elmer (a turtle) suggests that the answer lies somewhere in the middle, so they agree on a canoe. Some children will note that the couple still has not resolved the original conflict, and the canoe will take them neither to the store nor to Aunt Bessie's. The somewhat didactic tone of the book is lightened by cheery illustrations which show the couple living happily in the clutter of their home. O'Neill uses lively fine line drawings and luminous watercolor wash, and adds plenty of the humorous details that children love (Mrs. Muddle optimistically takes her car keys and lavender handbag everywhere, and a trio of busy ducks participate in every event). Mrs. Muddle is shown to be vigorous and active and Mr. Muddle to be sedentary. This is a fine example of the illustrator adding character definition and charm to an unexceptional text. Eleanor K. MacDonald, Beverly Hills Public Library
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Without an ounce of sermonizing, this clever picture book in three chapters is a primer on compromise. Mr. and Mrs. Muddle, compatible in every other way, do not agree on cars. "Mrs. Muddle liked cars. Mr. Muddle hated them. . . . It was a problem." They both have good reasons for their positions, and in an attempt to settle their differences, they buy a canoe. There is much good humor as the Muddles paddle in a puddle in the middle of their muddle, but eventually, over the capsized canoe, they learn that answers to problems can sometimes be found "somewhere in the middle." With clever details, O'Neill's drawings happily expand the broad comedy of the droll text, which is full of puns and pratfalls children will appreciate. Ages 5-9.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.