Compton, Joanne and Kenn. Sody Sallyratus. New York: Holiday House, 1995. Picture book. Davis, Aubrey. Sody Salleratus. Illus. Alan and Lea Daniel. Toronto: Kids Can Press, 1996. Davis’s dedication reads, “To Richard Chase, and to the students of the Metropolitan Toronto School Board, who taught me how to tell this tale” (Title page). Sloat, Teri (reteller and illus.). Sody Sallyratus. New York: Dutton Children's Books, 1997. In this traditional Appalachian tale one family member after another goes to the store for baking soda and never returns. Finally the pet squirrel rescues the people who have been swallowed by a bear, and gets biscuits as a reward. Sloat includes notes on sources, background on baking soda, and a recipe for "The Old Woman's Bakin' Soda Biscuits." She notes that the tale is "a favorite with storytellers" and "has a basic form that allows the author to create a rhythm and repetition as it is told. . . . With due respect for the intelligence and lifestyle of the big black bear, . . . I have given him a home in the berry patch, and have let him escape to a new life after giving up overeating" (Author's Note). Borders of tree branches are used in varied ways around text and illustrations as the action of the tale alternates between peaceful scenes and wild action. Page on this book at Teri Sloat: Author, Illustrator gives an illustration and explains that she heard the tale at a storytelling festival and linked it with scenes near her California mountain cabin. "Sody Sallyraytus." Chase, Richard. Grandfather Tales. Boston: Houghton, 1948, pp. 75-80. With one drawing of squirrel and bear by Berkeley Williams, Jr. When the squirrel tricks the bear into trying to climb a tree, the bear splits open and the people step out. One of the children in Chase's frame story recognizes the tale's similarity with "Billy Goats Gruff," which "didn't have no squirrel in it nor no bear." Chase, Richard. "Sody Sallyraytus." In Smith, Jimmy Neil, ed. Why the Possum's Tail is Bare and Other Classic Southern Stories. New York: Avon, 1993. Grouped with other "Tales of Wonder and Magic." Compare with: Salley, Coleen. Epossumondas Saves the Day. IIlus. Janet Stevens. New York: Harcourt, 2006. N. pag. A Louisiana tale that is a variant of "Sody Sallyraytus." A snapping turtle prevents Mama's guests from getting to the store to get some sallyraytus for Epossumondas's birthday biscuits. Epossumondas is a baby possum. A starred review (highly recommended) in School Library Journal 1 Dec. 2006. Last update: 04/14/2007 |
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