CONTRARY JENKINS.

by Rebecca Caudill, James Ayars, Glen Rounds (Illustrator)

Relates the episodes in the life of Contrary Jenkins as he lived by the "law of contrary" in Tennessee and Arkansas.

Genres: Picture Books, Humor, Childrens

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

American's children writer, as well as teacher and editor, known for her Appalachian fiction. Caudill graduated from Wesleyan College and, in 1922, received her master's degree from Vanderbilt University. She taught English in high school and college, and worked briefly as an editor. She moved to Urbana, Illinois, when she married James Ayars in 1931.

Caudill's book, Tree of Freedom, was a Newbery Honor Book in 1950. A Pocketful of Cricket was a Caldecott Honor Book.

The schoolchildren of her adopted state of Illinois vote each year on their favorite book. The winning book is given the Rebecca Caudill Young Reader's Book Award (RCYRBA) named in honor of Caudill and her contributions to Appalachian literature.

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This folksy and rustic tall tale follows the meanderings of the contrariest man that ever was and is written with great vocabulary for advancing readers. The less familiar words like sprangle, kindle, plunder, pied, victuals, vittles, and punk lend a backwoods atmosphere, while the caricature style drawings add dimension and humor. A different read about a different sort of man; an interesting diversion to be sure.

[Shiloah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious!

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

A series of tall tales featuring Ebenezer Jenkins, who lived in the hills of Tennessee, and lived by the rule of contrary. He was so contrary that people forgot his name, and just called him Contrary Jenkins.

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great match of story and illustrations.