Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Mary Smith

 


Title: Mary Smith
Author/illustrator: A. U'Ren 
Age: K-9 

Mary Smith is a "knocker up." In England, before alarm clocks were invented, townspeople paid people like Mary a few pence a week to wake them up each morning. She walks through the streets stopping outside the homes of those who've hired her for her services. She aims her peashooter at their bedroom windows, launching peas, "Tock! Plik! Plak!" until the bakers, fishmongers, and laundry maids show their faces and prove they're out of bed. The robust tale ends with a humorous twist. The artwork is simple but expressive and complements the story. A historical note at the back of the book tells about the real Mary Smith, and there is even a picture of her with her trusty peashooter.

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