I originally received a gift of this book nearly thirty years ago. I love illustrations in children's books. This was a retelling of the classic tale of the Devil and Black Smith John.But the protagonist is someone too mean to die: a baker woman who was so mean that if she gave someone the time, she would take it back and take more of it back leaving him a squalling babe. In the end, not even Hell will have her. The story is narrated with wit and verve and accompanies by memorable illustrations. I am so glad to have this book again. My first copy was begged off me.
This was one of my daughter's and my favorite books. I've only kept two books from when she was little. This one and Junk Day on Juniper Street. We loved how Mother Crump's naughtiness and how she outsmarted the devil and his imps. We read it many, many times.
This was a library book my daughter read for my granddaughter who is just turning 4. They both enjoyed it so much that it was requested to be one of her Christmas books.