cover image Scary Mary

Scary Mary

Paula Bowles. Tiger Tales, $12.95 (24p) ISBN 978-1-58925-110-6

Scary Mary's bark is definitely worse than her bite%E2%80%94after all, she doesn't have any teeth. Mary is an antisocial chicken who does everything she can to keep the other animals on the farm away from her. She puts up "Keep Out" signs, erects gates, holes up in a private fort, and hoards the sunflower seeds. But no matter how unpleasant her behavior, the farm's friendly dog, cow, sheep, goose, duck, and three chicks still want to make friends with her. British author Bowles, in her children's book debut, depicts Mary's unsuccessful attempts to look scary as she squawks at the other gentle animals (with scattered sunflower heads and red feathers flying, Mary's path of destruction almost resembles a crime scene). Finally, the other animals go scurrying, but Mary realizes that doing everything alone can get lonely. Bowles subtly hints at parallels between the barnyard and the playground, creating a sympathetic character in moody Mary, while commenting on the importance of give and take in friendships. Her loosely outlined watercolors are equally effective at portraying Mary's tantrums and the other animals' more placid emotions. Ages 3%E2%80%937. (Mar.)