Nelly May Nimble lives in a tiny cottage with her twelve siblings until she gets a job as a housekeeper and cook for Lord Ignasius Pinkwinkle. She moves in to learn that Lord Pinkwinkle has special names for just about everything, and he expects her to use his names for things. He himself is "Most Excellent of All Masters," while his bed is his "restful slumberific," his boots are his "stompinwhackers," his dog is his fur-faced fluffenbarker," his dog's tail a "wigger-wagger." It's exhausting, and she must decide whether it's worth it to continue working as his fuzzy-dust-and-fooder.
Based on Joseph Jacobs's "Master of All Masters," DeFelice's version maintains the folktale quality, but with updated, significantly more complicated (and funnier) names for things. The word-play is a lot of fun. Cole's colorful illustrations bring movement and humor to the pages. All the special names build to a humorous climax. This is a lot of fun, and kids will love it. (though it may not be something you'd want read over and over, because it is a mouthful.)
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