Tales of a Gambling Grandma

It's hard to know just what to make of this Grandmashe must be the least conventional grandparent in all of children's books. Her granddaughter narrates the tale of how Grandma left Russia and came to Brooklyn, where she married a man who was Dutch Schultz's plumber. That didn't bring in enough money, so Grandma took up poker. ""She was very goodsharp-eyed and quick with her hand. She could mark a card with her fingernail, and hide aces in her sleeve.'' There's no mention, of course, that in some circles this is called cheating, and strangely, the reader doesn't mind too much. Khalsa's paintings are splendidprimitive folk art meets Coney Island. The childlike point-of-view is right on the mark (or the money; Grandma never loses a game). Subject matter aside, this is a wonderfully odd book. Perhaps parents who read this will find a way to modify Grandma's dubious dealings. (All ages)