*Heckedy Peg by Audrey Wood

Heckedy Peg is a picture book about a brave mother who loves her children and cleverly wins them back from evil clutches.

*Heckedy Peg by Audrey Wood, illustrated by Don Wood. Clarion, 1992. 32 pages.

• Reading Level: Picture books, ages 4-8
• Recommended For: Ages 4-8

In a story reminiscent of fairy tale echoes and motifs, a loving mother cares for her seven children in a snug cottage full of cheerful warm hues. In the opening scene, the sleepy children rouse and their mother tenderly looks in the face of her youngest, feeding him breakfast. 

The children, who are named after the seven days of the week, cheerfully begin the day helping with the chores and on this particular day their mother promises to bring them something from the market. Some of the children’s requests seem strange, but after leaving them with two stern admonitions (“Don’t talk to strangers, and don’t touch fire”), she goes on her way. (Note the change of hue in this illustrations, the intimate position of the children, and the framing of the mother in the arched doorway, reminiscent of a Madonna in art.)

Before long, a witch named Heckedy Peg stops by the cottage. (Note the similarity of the composition and hue with the illustration of the children listening to their mother, contrasted with the difference in the children’s stance and the close square of the window around the witch’s face.) Heckedy Peg first asks them to let her in, then to bring her a light for her pipe from the fire. Both requests would mean disobeying their mother, so the children refuse…until the witch tempts them with gold.

That is enough to make them forget their promise, and the consequences are dire: Heckedy Peg transforms the children into food and takes them back to her hut with evil intent.

The heartbroken mother returns to an empty house and learns what had happened from a blackbird (birds are often helpers in fairy tales). Bravely she sets out to defeat the witch and cleverly wins her children back. 

The illustrations are vivid compositions of light and hue. As we observe in our chapter on picture books, the scenes are dynamic and the characters (especially the heroic mother) show genuine emotion. This is an excellent example of Truth and Story in a picture book.

*indicates a Redeemed Reader starred review, an outstanding example in its field.

Considerations: Heckedy Peg is a witch with evil designs and her appearance may disturb sensitive children. Also, when the witch says the mother’s feet are dirty, the mother declares she will cut them off to gain access to her children, but instead she hides them.

Bottom Line: If you love fairy tales, try Heckedy Peg for a fresh approach with a new heroine.

Recommended Reading at Redeemed Reader

• Book Review: New House, New Home is a fun new picture book by one of the RR team!
• Book Review: That Book Woman is a sweet picture book that illustrates the power of reading.
• Book Review: And for another “retro read,” check out Dr. Seuss’s The Sneetches.

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