Tricking the Tallyman (review)

Abstract

Reviewed by: Tricking the Tallyman Hope Morrison Davies, Jacqueline. Tricking the Tallyman; illus. by S. D. Schindler. Knopf, 2009 32p. Library ed. ISBN 978-0-375-93909-9 $20.99 Trade ed. ISBN 978-0-375-83909-2 $17.99 R 7–10 yrs In this playful tale set in 1790, the suspicious residents of a small Vermont village attempt to trick the man sent to collect data for the very first U.S. Census. When Phineas Bump first rides into town, the residents, led by the estimable Mrs. Pepper, fear that his count means higher taxes and more young men taken into the military, so they hide the population. Upon discovering that the census results are actually used for ensuring fair representation in the new government, Mrs. Pepper contests the count and inflates the new one by dressing the livestock in clothing. When Mrs. Pepper learns that the census numbers will be used for taxes and soldiers and representation, she comes up with a new plan, and so at last a fair census is recorded in the village of Tunbridge, population 487. Davies has brought high energy and humor to the seemingly dry topic of census-data collection; serious Phineas and spirited Mrs. Pepper are vivid and likable characters, and the dynamic between the two of them is credible and lively. Mrs. Pepper’s declarations are peppered, if you will, with delightfully elaborate exclamations (“Devils and deuces!” “Carp and cod!” “Cheese and chowder!”), whereas Phineas’ speeches are anchored by his personal and ever-so-serious motto, “Count them I must, and count them I will.” Schindler’s signature line-and-watercolor paintings are rich with hatch and crosshatch details and patterning. There is a colonial sensibility in his color choices, largely earthbound tones, and a profusion of period details adds further character to the compositions. Whether they’re reading on their own or getting the saga of Pepper vs. Pump read to them, youngsters are likely to laugh out loud as tricks on the tallyman are played, rescinded, and played again. An author’s note provides further information about the first national census. [End Page 439] Copyright © 2009 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois