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Tricking the Tallyman

Book Resume

for Tricking the Tallyman by Jacqueline Davies and S.D. Schindler

Professional book information and credentials for Tricking the Tallyman.

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“When Phineas Bump rode into the town of Tunbridge, he was heartsick, saddle-sore, ...read more

  • School Library Journal:
  • Grades 1 - 4
  • Booklist:
  • Grades 1 - 3
  • TeachingBooks:*
  • Grades 1-6
  • Word Count:
  • 2,109
  • Lexile Level:
  • 660L
  • ATOS Reading Level:
  • 3.7
  • Genre:
  • Humor
  • Year Published:
  • 2009

The following unabridged reviews are made available under license from their respective rights holders and publishers. Reviews may be used for educational purposes consistent with the fair use doctrine in your jurisdiction, and may not be reproduced or repurposed without permission from the rights holders.

Note: This section may include reviews for related titles (e.g., same author, series, or related edition).

From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)

“When Phineas Bump rode into the town of Tunbridge, he was heartsick, saddle-sore, and down on his luck.” The year is 1790, and Phineas is a tallyman working for the U.S. government’s first national census, counting every individual in the country. But the folks in Tunbridge don’t want to be counted, as they know it will mean taxes and conscription, so they trick Phineas into recording a population of one. When the tricksters discover that the count will determine the number of men allowed to represent them in government, they ask for a recount. This time they try to inflate the number of residents with farm animals wearing bonnets and cloaks. Finally, when they understand that the census will determine taxes, conscription, AND representation in national government, Phineas Bump (who it turns out is not easily fooled) gets an accurate figure and Tunbridge is included in the census “fair and true.” A fascinating author’s note gives further details about the census of 1790, including the way in which people were not counted equally at that time, with each slave recorded as three-fifths of a free person and Native Americans not counted at all. (Ages 6–10)

CCBC Choices 2010 © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 2010. Used with permission.

From Horn Book

July 1, 2009
"Tallyman" Phineas Bump's arrival in 1790 Tunbridge, Vermont, causes consternation. Afraid that a higher count will mean higher taxes, Mrs. Pepper claims herself as the sole inhabitant. Upon learning that the number will also determine representation in Congress, she demands a re-count. In Schindler's detailed illustrations showing meticulous renditions of early settlements, historical features coexist comfortably with tall-tale humor.

(Copyright 2009 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

From Horn Book

May 1, 2009
Phineas Bump's unexpected arrival in the hamlet of Tunbridge, Vermont, causes consternation: the "tallyman" is one of 650 marshals trying to count the inhabitants of the new United States, but what will be the local repercussions of this 1790 census? Afraid that a higher count will mean higher taxes, Mrs. Pepper hides her children and claims herself as the sole inhabitant of Tunbridge. Courteous but suspicious, Phineas sticks around. Sure enough, once young Boston Pepper hears that the count will determine representation in Congress, mother and son contrive to get a re-count for which everyone in town shows up, including not only numerous Peppers but a slew of clothed and bonneted animals, for a grand total of 1,726. News that taxes, too, will hinge on census results finally gets Phineas an accurate tally. Schindler's energetic characterizations and detailed illustrations resemble Peter Spier's meticulous renditions of early settlements, their historical features coexisting comfortably with the tall-tale humor. The narrative is long but lively, its entertaining dialogue enriched by information (extended in an endnote) on that first census. It's odd that Davies places events in Vermont, which didn't become the fourteenth state until 1791, when its first census was actually taken; still, that's a small flaw in an engaging story.

(Copyright 2009 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

From School Library Journal

Starred review from March 1, 2009
Gr 1-4-This lively, engaging picture book is an outstanding introduction to the concept of census taking and its role in the implementation of the new United States Constitution. One day in 1790, Phineus Bump rides into Tunbridge, VT. He is an honorable man who takes his duties seriously, yet he wishes to return home to his loved ones, whom he hasn't seen in three months. His job is to count every man, woman, and child in town and report back to the government. But folks are skeptical: Will the numbers be used to establish taxation or conscription, or, as rumors are saying, representation in the new government? They aren't taking any chances and set out to trick the Tallyman, going from one extreme to the other and delaying his completion of the task. Finally, a real understanding of the man's mission allows them to be counted "fair and true." Schindler's exceptional illustrations, mainly in earth tones, depict indoor and outdoor scenes that are full of activity. Children will delight in finding hidden treasures in the pages. Especially noticeable is a look of consternation on a turkey whose feathers have recently been turned into writing quills. Charming and humorous, this book is certain to appeal to childrenand to educators.C. J. Connor, Campbell County Public Library, Cold Spring, KY

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

From Booklist

February 15, 2009
Grades 1-3 The audience for this title will not know the term tallyman, but this story cleverly sums it up. Who will outsmart whomPhineas Bump, the 1790 U.S. census taker who rides into Tunbridge, Vermont, heartsick, saddle-sore, and down on his luck but determined to count the people for his job, or the townsfolk who dont want to be counted because they think theyll have to pay more taxes? When young rascal Boston Pepper gets an idea, it switches their thinking: more people would mean more government representation and more votes to get things done! Overnight, Phineas goes from knocking on doors of empty houses to being welcomed by Mrs. Pepper, whose family has suddenly multiplied (thanks to numerous animals dressed as humans), and its a win-win situation. The detailed illustrations underscore the humor while the colloquial dialogue adds flavor; Cheese and chowder! exclaimed Mrs. Pepper. Count on teachers zeroing in on this nifty number.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)

Tricking the Tallyman was recognized by committees of professional librarians and educators for the following book awards and distinctions.

Tricking the Tallyman was selected by educational and library professionals to be included on the following state/provincial reading lists.

United States Lists (2)

Rhode Island

  • 2011 Rhode Island Children's Book Award

South Dakota

  • 2011-12 Prairie Pasque Award

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This Book Resume for Tricking the Tallyman is compiled from TeachingBooks, a library of professional resources about children's and young adult books. This page may be shared for educational purposes and must include copyright information. Reviews are made available under license from their respective rights holders and publishers.

*Grade levels are determined by certified librarians utilizing editorial reviews and additional materials. Relevant age ranges vary depending on the learner, the setting, and the intended purpose of a book.

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