Eppie M. Says

by Olivier Dunrea

Life on the farm is never dull for Ben, who faithfully follows his big sister's advice in such things as swallowing a live minnow so he can swim like a fish or washing his face in raindrops so he will never grow old.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Since his debut in 1983, author and illustrator Olivier Dunrea has created a steady stream of picture books, including concept books, stories of family life—modern and ancient—and stories about artists. Many of Dunrea's picture books testify to his love of animals and his interest in archaeology and folklore of the British Isles, and several—including Ravena, The Trow-Wife's Treasure, and Bear Noel—take place in a similar land of Dunrea's own creation: the mythic island of Moel Eyris. "I don't write books or make pictures for children," Dunrea once told Something About the Author (SATA). "I make them for myself. It just so happens that children like what I do as much as I do!"

Olivier (Jean-Paul Dominique) Dunrea (1953-) Biography - Personal, Career, Member, Writings, Sidelights

Reviews

[Jesse Sprague · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is little I appreciate more in a picture book than pictures with more going on than initially meets the eye. The simple reason for this is that I end up reading the book a gratuitous amount of times and having those extras lets me maintain my interest and curiosity.

This book, a compilation of silly lies Eppie M has told her brother, has both an amusing storyline and some truly complex and giggle worth pictures.

There is a part at the end that talks about monsters under little boys beds. I was a bit worried this would scare my two year old who is in his ‘I’m afraid of everything’ stage. This piece did not end up bothering him but I did have to spend a good while explaining why no monsters could be under his bed.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun story about the wisdom imparted to a young boy by his older sister. He doesn't believe everything she tells him, although he does test out her assertions often.

The pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations are humorous and convey a sense of an older time.

interesting quotes:

"Eppie M. says that each and every raindrop has a tiny fairy trapped inside it.
That's why if you wash your face in the raindrops you'll never grow old.
It's true! I do it every time it rains, and I haven't grown old yet." (pp. 16-18 - unpaged)

"Eppie M. says babies fall from the sky on rainy days in September.
That's not true!
Everybody knows babies are found under rocks." (pp. 26-27 - unpaged)