Don't Let Auntie Mabel Bless the Table by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

I agree with the age range recommendation of 4-8. I enjoyed her rhyming text and her art that captures the expressions in everyone’s faces throughout the duration of Mabel’s lengthy prayer. Vanessa Brantley-Newton is both the author and illustrator.

You’ve got a lot to be thankful for but the food has long been cold and your guests are ready to eat.ĭon’t Let Auntie Mabel Bless the Table will tickle your funny bone and I’ll bet you already have someone in mind that she reminds you of. We know my Daddy can be long-winded and he knows it too so he’s been keeping our blessing of the food brief these days. Our grandfather is a preacher and Papa Jones can talk. Cousins playing, singing, making up dance moves, and performing for family.

Don’t Let Auntie Mabel Bless the Table made me think about family gatherings when I lived in Long Island. It can be a time filled with love and laughter, family stories and the sharing of traditions from one generation to another. I don’t know too many families who get to have Sunday dinners with family and friends anymore but it is something worth making the time for. 'About this title' may belong to another edition of this title.Don’t Let Auntie Mabel Bless the Table by Vanessa Brantley-Newton Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. Christian educators may find the story useful as a humorous introduction to the topic of prayer, and it may tickle the funny bones of families who have an Auntie Mabel of their own.-Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL (c) Copyright 2010. Energetic lines, a mix of full scenes and close-ups, and a hip 1960s sensibility keep the story moving despite the drag in the text. An exuberant multiracial, multigenerational gathering is depicted, each unnamed individual bursting with personality. The weaknesses in the text are compensated for by the thoroughly engaging illustrations. Additionally, the rhythm is a little awkward, and the text is a bit dull, is as perhaps inevitable in a story about someone who is being boring. They tolerate one another out of love, but their relationships do not deepen. There is no growth or change: Auntie Mabel does not learn the value of brevity, nor does her family learn to appreciate her kind heart. The book is based on the author/illustrator's own family dinners and is told with affectionate humor, but the story line itself is thin. Poppa finally interrupts, they reheat the food, and peace is restored. When they pause to say grace, Auntie Mabel begins a long, rambling blessing that annoys her guests and puts them to sleep. PreS-Gr 2-A large group of family and friends happily gathers for Sunday dinner.

Don't Let Auntie Mabel Bless the Table by Vanessa Brantley-Newton