cover image Greedyanna

Greedyanna

Frank Remkiewicz. Lothrop, Lee and Shepard Books, $14 (1pp) ISBN 978-0-688-10294-4

In this farcical look at the perils of greed Anna carries possessiveness to new--and absurd--heights. No matter what her parents or her older brother have, Anna wants it, and she wants it all. Her acquisitive tendencies get out of hand, however, as her family goes to ridiculous lengths to appease her. They move into the garage when Anna wants total run of the house, push the car to the beach when she claims every seat and even, on a camping trip, sleep under the car when ``Anna took the whole tent for herself.'' Anna soon discovers that one of the by-products of having everything to herself is loneliness, and copacetic relationships are restored. Narrated by Anna's put-upon sibling, Remkiewicz's story seems to reinforce negative behavior, as a child takes complete control of her household. (Why, youngsters may well wonder, do her parents put up with their daughter's errant brattiness--behavior for which they themselves would be scolded?) Though the creator of The Last Time I Saw Harris peppers his text and illustrations--bold swatches of color crisply outlined--with characteristically comic touches, this exploration of a common developmental phase disappoints. Ages 4-up. (Apr.)