Two-Thumbs Up for Ferradiddledumday

Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Ferradiddledumday is a lovely adaption of the time-worn classic Rumpelstiltskin.

Author, Becky Mushko, a retired teacher, has put a different spin (pardon the pun) on the Grimm’s Fairytale. Accompanying Mrs.Mushko’s story are quaint ink drawings illustrated by Bruce Rae, which gave me a special kinship to the story.

In Ferradiddledumday, Gillie, a talented wool spinner, and her pa, a farmer, face a bleak future if they cannot raise money to pay their property taxes. All looked well, as Gillie’s pa was certain their modest tobacco crop, they sold for cash would sufficiently pay the debt. But, when a horrible storm wipes out their cash crop and a gloomy cloud of uncertainty settles over them, then as in all fairy tales a little magic is needed to save the day.

Like, the tale of Rumpelstiltskin, Ferradiddledumday’s recount is very similar. However, this charming, turn-of-the-century rural life fable in the Appalachian utters nothing of a father making himself look more favorable at his daughter’s expense or any threat of harm to befall the charming girl. These two missing ingredients make for a more inviting story-time than its predecessor and one you will feel good about sharing with your children. I give Ferradiddledumday a two-thumbs up and I invite you to check out Ferradiddledumday for yourself today!

I give this quaint little story…

Two-Thumbs Up for Ferradiddledumday!

A special note for home-educators: Mrs. Mushko has included a unit study for Ferradiddledumday in her book, along with some interesting facts on how Ferradiddledumday originated.

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