AUNT MINNIE AND THE TWISTER

In this sequel to Aunt Minnie McGranahan, the tidy Kansas spinster takes on a tornado and its effects the same way she earlier took in nine orphaned nieces and nephews—with humor, determination, love and top-notch organizational skills. Enlivened by Lewin's characteristically witty, invigorated pen-and-watercolor art, the story affords an enlightening and entertaining look at 1920s Midwestern farm life. Prigger details the family's well-structured and chore-filled life (interesting in itself) and sets the stage for the whirlwind storm that arrives one spring day. Lewin does the twister full justice, picturing it moving through a lemon-colored sky, the wind almost palpable as the children, trying to hold on to each other, struggle toward the root cellar. After the family emerges safely, they find their small home unscathed but turned around: "The front was facing the johnny house, and the back was in the front!" Her can-do disposition intact, Minnie simply decides to make a new front to the house and add another room onto the back for her growing charges, "and Aunt Minnie's kids knew they had a home for as long as they wanted." This heroine and her brood prove once again that they can weather any storm. Ages 4-8. (Apr.)