The Gold Miner's Daughter

The Gold Miner’s Daughter: A Melodramatic Fairy Tale
Jackie Mims Hopkins & Jon Goodell (illustrator)
Peachtree Publishers, 2006

This book is entirely too cute. You have probably figured out by now I’m a sucker for fairy tales, but did you also know I love tall tales? (Random trivia: I even wrote my English senior thesis on what makes tall tales ‘American’). The Gold Miner’s Daughter takes both of those wonderful story types and combines them in a whirlwind tale that will have you and your little reading buddies laughing out loud.

The Gold Miner’s Daughter is presented as if it’s a movie being shown in an old-fashioned movie theatre out West – with Gracie Pearl trying to come up with a way to save her father’s claim without having to marry the evil Mr. Bigglebottom. Along the way, she encounters many familiar characters – but finds no solution. Or so it appears. As is the case with fairy tales and tall tales alike – the end answer has been before your eyes most of the story, without you ever realizing it.

A fun, zany read, The Gold Miner’s Daughter is written in a way that begs for interactive storytime: Throughout the text, there are symbols introduced at the very beginning, which encourage ‘audience participation’. For instance, whenever the mustache is drawn, you ‘Boo’ and ‘Hiss’. It’s a lot of fun, and a book kids and parents/teachers/librarians alike will enjoy. Also, the illustrations are as much fun as the text, with quirky animals and lots of details.

Book provided by publisher for review.