Aunt Isabel Tells a Good One

by Kate Duke

What goes into a really good story? Only the best ingredients—a heroine, a hero, excitement, a little romance, and even a villain or two. They are all here, as Aunt Isabel and her niece concoct a delightful story within a story. Fun to read aloud, this book is a lively yarn, a visual treat, and a charming introduction—all in one.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Fantasy, Family

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Duke was born in New York City on August 1, 1956. She had said that reading was a favorite pastime all through childhood, and in an interview for Something About the Author noted that Louise Fitzhugh’s Harriet the Spy was a fictional character she modeled, right down to keeping tabs on the people in her neighborhood. “I think I owe Harriet my first conscious awareness of the act of writing as important and meaningful work,” she said.

She attended Duke University in the mid 1970s and also took art classes in New York City, which helped solidify her growing ambition to create picture books. Her first book, The Guinea Pig ABC (Dutton) was published in 1983 and received warm accolades for its humor and inventiveness. She followed up her debut with Guinea Pigs Far and Near (Dutton, 1984) and several other titles starring the popular critters. Duke went on to craft more than 20 picture books, writing and illustrating her own work, as well as providing illustrations for other authors including Joanna Cole and William Hooks. Duke married cartoonist Sidney Harris in 1985.

Reviews

[Kyra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book at a garage sale when I was 5 years old for a quarter. Since then, it has been my favorite picture book. The review here somewhat disappoint me though, as no one has really adequately communicated that this book is truly fantastic. It's not fantastic because it tells what goes into a great story (although it does), it is fantastic because it is itself a great story. I'm sure it's good for teaching, but independent of that it is such an endearing and captivating tale. It is much more clever than any other picture book I've read, and the amount of foreshadowing done in this smaller work is incredible. Every little detail can come back and twist the plot around. It contains such wonderful elements aside from teaching children how to write a story, because that is only a side benefit of this book. This is a wonderful story, a complete adventure, and clever beyond its years. It's the kind of story that you can pick up when you're five years old at a garage sale and still adore years and years later. This is the kind of story that I could only describe as timeless, and I absolutely adore it.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story about Aunt Isabel and her niece making up a story. The story is just fun! This would be a good read aloud to an older group (K+). Illustrations are beautiful, too. It reminded me a bit of Munsch's Paper Bag Princess.

[Tym · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun story with multiple layers as Aunt Isabel tells a story to Penelope and tells her what ingredients make a good story. The illustrations are charming with Isabel and Penelope skirting about the art of the story. Definitely a good one to read aloud to your own little ones.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a good book for discovering the elements of a well-written story.

[Sam VanLoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book about an aunt and a girl who put their brains together to create an imaginative bedtime story.

Trait: Voice
Lex: AD390L
ATOS: 3.3

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent meta book for introducing the parts of a story.

[Abril · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lexile: AD610L
AR Level: 0.5 pts

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story checks many boxes that I like to see addressed in stories I read to my nearly 3 year old daughter, but in checking so many boxes, it ends up feeling like a todo list. I will continue reading her stories such as this, but I hope to find some that feel like they exist because they are inspired, and not because the boxes needed to be checked.

Courageous, clever heroine? Check. Intelligent, nurturing, adult female character? Check. Bechdel Test? Check. Character for self-identification for young, listening child? Check. Good picture to word ratio for pre-readers that are becoming interested in stories beyond the complexity of most board books? Check. Scratch the scary monster itch without causing nightmares? Check (your mileage may vary).

[Candice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was recommended by www.amightygirl.com and I'm always looking for books that will have a positive influence on Sophie and Annabelle's lives. I can't wait to read this one to Sophie! It's a story within a story as Penelope's Aunt Isabel not only tells a good one, but explains every step of her story-creating process. The heroine of Aunt Isabel's story, Lady Nell, is also a terrific heroine - smart as a whip and fearless. And finally, the illustrations are super - colorful, whimsical, and charming. A perfect book to read aloud to kids and grandkids.

[JD Waggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great book, every time I read it. For all of the people looking for wonderfully complimentary illustrations, they're here. For everyone looking for a basic understanding of how to build a story, it's here. For those searching for a great leading heroine, here she is. And for everyone else that just wants a great story to read to yourself or the kids around you that want to be entertained, read this. It's absolutely worth it.

[Shoshana G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aunt Isabel tells her niece, Penelope, a bedtime story. While they make up the story together, the reader is introduced to some basic concepts of storytelling: you need a Who and a Where and some sort of Problem. Villains and Danger can make a story more interesting. And after a story is finished, you can still keep going because you can always add more!

It's a little long - probably better for 4+.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Instead of just telling a story, Aunt Isabel sets out to explain HOW she tells a story, as she does it. And she does, fairly competently (and without sounding too didactic, something which always turns me off a book), but the result is that this is a fairly wordy book, save it for the older end of the 4 - 8 age range.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book about 25 years ago. It is such a sweet story. I've used it in my creative writing class to show what a child's story should be. The ingredients according to this book are: a when and a where, but not too scary, with something cheerful, a who, and a problem. The illustrations are delightful and I love that there is a strong female lead.

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting plot device - an aunt and her niece work together to come up with a story. Through the tale, we're drawn back to the fact that it's being made up by these two. I like how the aunt outlines the things a good story needs: Who, Where, Romance, a Problem, a little Danger.

Cute illustrations.

[Randall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another example of metafiction—a picture book about some aspect of picture books—that gives a very basic lesson on narrative structure, especially on the need for struggle so that the happy ending feels emotionally satisfying for a reader/listener.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. Penelope and her grandmother are charming. The illustrations are delightful. Grandmother builds a lovely adventure story with Penelope's help. Works nicely as a writing prompt or key to how stories work.

[Cordellya Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very creative. I love the way it is structured so that the child who is being told the story is an active participant in creating it. I can see teachers in primary school using this story in the classroom to teach children about the structure of narratives.

[Maryanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

introduces setting, characters, problem, building suspense/danger,s solution--all with a strong female protagonist.

[Arlene Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another picture book I couldn't let go of when Sara got "too old" for picture books. Great story, fiesty heroine.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aunt Isabel Tells a Good One
Duke, Kate
a little girls aunt tells a story to r as she is getting ready to bed

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book for teaching writing.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this when I was younger. It has all the makings of a great story. :)

[Joshua Altmanshofer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming little book. All the right ingredients. Great for teaching the storytelling side of the writing process.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so clever and creative. I bought it to read to my future niece/nephew and gave it to my sister for her book themed baby shower.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cute. Strong female character and teaches "the ingredients" to making a good story.

[Sarah Stumphf · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to my two year old son last night. I don't know about him, but I really enjoyed this little story! Cute, imaginative, one Aunt makes up a story with the help of her young niece.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for teaching writing process to kids.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

My niece and I really enjoyed this story and the illustrations were very nice. It's a rather simple story but she enjoyed it all the same.