Precious is a real heroine, being brave and clever and - thankfully - sensible. She doesn't let anybody into the house, which is just the way it should be. I could read this book again and again with my nieces.

It *is* a little scary - if you have a sensitive child, read this book before buying it. Also, the characters do not speak Standard American English but use a nonstandard dialect - "Boo Hags aine too smart", for example. This does not concern me - I think it's better to expose children to a wide variety of speech patterns - but if it is an issue for you, again, read before you buy. ( )

This such a cute and funny story! Precious the main character is warned about the Boo Hag before being left home alone while her family member run errands. The Boo Hag is referred to as a strange creature. Precious mother and brother gives her many rules such as don't let anyone in the house and stay indoors pressure is still pressure to disobey the commands. This is a great read aloud and teaches morals and safety rules in a fun way.

A young girl named Precious has a stomachache, and spends the day alone at home. Her older brother warns her, before he and their mother leave the house to work in the fields, not to let a Boo Hag into the house. A Boo Hag, according to the brother, is a strange and scary creature. At one point, a woman comes to the window, but Precious does not let her in. Then, Precious' friend Addie comes to the window. Precious, however, sensed that this was a Boo Hag in disguise, and did not let her in. At the end of the day, Precious goes to sleep, pleased that she out-smarted the Boo Hag. However, we see that a Boo Hag might be lurking outside...Onawumi Jean Moss and Patricia McKissack co-wrote this story, and I think it has the capability of frightening young readers. Hopefully, though, readers at the right age will be delighted by the bravery and spunk of Precious. The story almost has a fairy-tale ring to it, and is uniquely illustrated by Kyrsten Brooker, with a combination of collage and oil paints. I love this combination, in which we see a real teddy bear, apron, and lace curtains, intermixed with oil paintings. The illustrations help reader see the wide range of emotions that Precious experiences that day, as well. She first appears very sick, then scared by her brother, then thrilled to be home alone, but scared again by the Boo Hag. My favorite of all of her expressions, is the satisfaction she exudes, after failing to be tricked by the Boo Hag, and sending her away. ( )

Would not use this book in a SDA school but it was an interesting story of how listing to your mother can keep you safe. ( )