The Munschworks Grand Treasury. Robert N. Munsch. Illustrated by Michael Kusugak, Michael Martchenko, Hélène Desputeaux & Vladyana Krykorka. Toronto, ON: Annick Press, 2001. 386 pp., hardcover, $45.00. ISBN 978-1-55037-685-2. Preschool-grade 3 / Ages 2-8. Review by Dave Jenkinson. **** /4

Contents:
The Paperbag Princess.
See review at Vol. XII, No. 2, September 16, 2005.

The Fire Station.
See review at CM Archive, Vol. 11, No. 4, July, 1983.

I Have to Go!
See review at CM Archive, Vol. 15 No. 4, July, 1987.

David's Father.
See review at CM Archive, Vol. 12, No. 1, January, 1984.

Thomas' Snowsuit.
See review at CM Archive, Vol. 14, No. 1, January, 1986.

Pigs.
See review at CM Archive, Vol. 17, No. 4, July, 1989.

Mortimer.
See review at CM Archive, Vol. 11, No. 4, July, 1983.

Purple, Green and Yellow.
See review at CM Archive, Vol. 21, No. 1, January, 1993.

Murmel, Murmel, Murmel.
See review at CM Archive, Vol. 11, No. 1, January, 1983.

Something Good.
See review at CM Archive, Vol.18, No. 4, July, 1990.

Stephanie`s Ponytail.
No review

Angela's Airplane.
See review at CM Archive, Vol. 11, No. 4, July, 1983.

Jonathan Cleaned Up – Then He Heard a Sound.
No review

Show and Tell.
See review at CM Archive, Vol. 19, No. 6, November, 1991.

A Promise is a Promise.
See review at CM Archive, Vol. 16, No. 6, November, 1988.

     The Munschworks Grand Treasury is a collection of collections in that all of the 15 Munsch titles it contains were originally found in one of three earlier compilations: Munschworks: The First Munsch Collection (Vol. V, No.14, March 12, 1999), Munschworks 2: The Second Munsch Treasury (Vol. VII, No. 4, October 20, 2000) and Munschworks 3: The Third Munsch Treasury (Vol. VII, No. 17, April 27, 2001). The earliest title represented in the Grand Treasury collection is the classic The Paper Bag Princess (1980) while the most recent is Stephanie's Ponytail that was published in 1996. The only two that CM somehow missed reviewing when they first appeared were Jonathan Cleaned up – Then He Heard a Sound (1981) and the aforementioned Stephanie's Ponytail, with both being illustrated by the artist most frequently connected with Munsch' s books, Michael Martchenko. Those familiar with Munsch's corpus will recall that Jonathan had to solve the problem of his family`s apartment suddenly and surprisingly becoming a subway station. Stephanie, on the other hand, had to figure out how she could cease to be the unintended hair styling trendsetter for the girls in her school.

      As was noted in the reviews of the three earlier collections, the larger size of the Grand Treasury will make its illustrations more readily visible if the book is being used in a read-aloud setting with a group of children. However, that advantage may be somewhat offset by the Grand Treasury's increased weight. Though the volume's price may initially appear to be somewhat steep, when divided by the number of separate books it contains, The Munschworks Grand Treasury is actually a steal. Whether a library or a home purchase, The Munschworks Grand Treasury is an excellent buy!

Highly Recommended.

Dave Jenkinson, CM's editor, lives in Winnipeg, MB.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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