Illustrated by Jocelyn Sawyer

A charming children’s story about a young snake named Slinky Slithertail, “Slinky Slithertail and the Talent Show” is a tale of bravery and the ways in which one can surprise oneself into action when it really matters.

The action begins on the day of the First Annual Talent Show, an event put together by the animal neighborhood to showcase the various abilities of the members of the community. Slinky Slithertail, the herpetological hero of the story, is one of the prime organizers of the event and has himself chosen to perform a daring high-wire act. He’s a little nervous about this and is worried about whether he will be able to pull it off, and also whether he will be brave enough to hang upside down by his tail from the middle of the wire, like Willy Squirrel, who is also going to be walking the high wire. Slinky is also a little disappointed, as he’s learned that his father will not be attending the show; as a lesson in selflessness and caring for others, we find out that he will be busy helping a neighbor prepare his home for winter. In the meantime, however, there’s an entire day to get through before the show: Slinky’s mother gives him the task of looking after his little brother, Sliver, an adorable but naughty scamp with a tendency to wander off, usually upwards, as he clambers up trees and tall plants.

There’s a nod back to Margaret Brownell Lorenzen’s previous Slinky fable, “Slinky Slithertail”, when the little snake hears the sound of chickens “bawk-bawking” in the distance and is tempted to go over to the henhouse and see whether there are any nice, fresh eggs to steal and eat, but he remembers how awful he felt when he swallowed a fake, decoy egg by mistake. He reminds himself that he promised never to steal again, in a very nice reinforcement of ideas previously expressed to earlier readers. He passes the lesson on to his younger brother.

Throughout the course of the day we’re introduced to some of the other members of Slinky’s world – butterflies, dragonflies, mice, beavers, raccoons, rabbits. It’s a sleepy, contented, happy world, marred by only one thing: the farmer’s cat. Frisky Mouse has a run-in with the ginger feline and escapes unscathed, but the cat’s shadow hangs over the rest of the story thereafter, and we are made aware that not all is perfect in this little microcosm of the human world.

Finally it’s show time. The description of the show itself is a visual and aural feast: one can practically see and hear the dancing and singing; taste the pies which the animals feast on during intermission. In fact, a stage play of the story is being developed as well, so look out for it on a stage near you in the future. Ms Brownell Lorenzen has written about the show wonderfully well, with sweet, unique touches, such as a butterfly landing mischievously on a ponderous turtle’s nose; a hummingbird giving a flower to a blushing wren; and a family of bees spelling out the word “Intermission”.

The story climaxes with Slinky’s high-wire act, where not only does he find the courage to perform admirably, but he also carries out another act of selflessness and bravery without even thinking about it: at a critical moment of extreme danger he has more courage than he ever thought possible.

Margaret Brownell Lorenzen writes with wit and sensitivity about some of the issues we all face as we grow up in this world, which is filled with danger and the need to make effective choices. The characters face disappointment and fear, but they experience joy as well; they accomplish their goals; they grow and learn and develop as they begin to believe in themselves.

About the Author
Margaret Brownell Lorenzen lives in upstate New York with her husband in a beautiful log home. She loves to tend her many lovely gardens. Friends and family are able to share her beautiful flowers with her because she often brings bouquets of fresh garden flowers when she comes to visit. Her current interests include genealogy and her family is anxiously waiting for Margaret to write the family history. She and her husband enjoy dancing. There are many people of all ages who call Margaret Brownell Lorenzen their friend and who are delighted that she has written Slinky Slithertail and Slinky Slithertail and the Talent Show. She has three grown children and eight grandchildren and loves tending her family and her beautiful gardens. Slinky Slithertail and the Talent Show is her second children’s book.