Heckedy Peg facts for kids
 |
|
| Author | Audrey Wood |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Don Wood |
| Country | USA |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's picture book, fairy tale |
| Published | 1987 (Harcourt Brace Jovanovich) |
| Media type | Print (hardback) |
| Pages | 32 (unpaginated) |
| ISBN | 9780152336783 |
| OCLC | 15107874 |
Heckedy Peg is a popular children's picture book written by Audrey Wood and illustrated by Don Wood. It was first published in 1987. This imaginative story tells the tale of a mother and her seven children, who face a magical challenge when a witch transforms the children. The book explores themes of a mother's love and cleverness in overcoming difficulties.
Contents
The Story of Heckedy Peg
Heckedy Peg tells the exciting story of a loving mother and her seven children. Each child is named after a day of the week: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. One day, the mother leaves her children at home to go to the market. She warns them to be careful and not to let strangers in.
The Witch's Trick
While the mother is away, a wicked witch named Heckedy Peg visits the children's home. She pretends to be a kind old woman and offers the children delicious treats. The children, forgetting their mother's warning, let her in. Once inside, the witch uses her magic to turn each child into a different object. For example, one child becomes a loaf of bread, another a broom, and so on.
The Mother's Cleverness
When the mother returns, she finds her home empty and her children gone. She quickly realizes that the witch has taken them. The mother remembers a special rhyme that the witch uses for her spells. This rhyme helps her understand how to find her children. She bravely sets off to the witch's house to rescue them.
At the witch's house, the mother finds her children transformed into various household items. The witch challenges her to identify each child by their original name. Using her sharp memory and the witch's rhyme, the mother cleverly names each object, revealing her children one by one. Her love and quick thinking break the witch's spell, and all seven children return to their normal selves. The family is happily reunited, safe from the witch's magic.
About the Creators
Heckedy Peg was created by the talented husband-and-wife team, Audrey Wood and Don Wood.
Audrey Wood: The Author
Audrey Wood is a well-known American author of children's books. She has written many popular stories that are loved by young readers. Her books often feature imaginative plots and memorable characters. Audrey Wood is known for her ability to create engaging tales that teach valuable lessons.
Don Wood: The Illustrator
Don Wood is an American illustrator and author, and he is Audrey Wood's husband. He is famous for his detailed and vibrant artwork that brings stories to life. In Heckedy Peg, Don Wood's illustrations perfectly capture the magical and sometimes spooky atmosphere of the story. His pictures help readers imagine the witch's house and the transformed children. Together, Audrey and Don Wood have created many beloved picture books.
Awards and Recognition
Heckedy Peg has received several awards and honors since its publication. These awards show that the book is highly regarded by educators and readers.
- 1987 Irma Simonton Black Book Award - winner
- 1989 Colorado Children's Book Award - runner-up
- 1990 Nevada Young Readers' Award - winner
- 1992 Young Hoosier Award - winner
These awards highlight the book's quality in storytelling, illustration, and its appeal to young readers. Winning such awards means that Heckedy Peg is considered an excellent example of children's literature.
