Oy, Feh, So?

Oy, Feh, So?

Written by: Fagan, Cary
Illustrated by: Clement, Gary
ages 4 to 8 / grades P to 2

In this hilariously written and illustrated story, three children turn their family's weekly Sunday visit from Aunt Essy, Aunt Chanah and Uncle Sam on its head. And in the end, they all have a ball.

Every Sunday Aunt Essy, Aunt Chanah and Uncle Sam drive up in the old Lincoln for the afternoon. They plop themselves down in the living room, and no matter what anyone says their response is always the same — "Oy," "Feh," "So?"

One afternoon the three children try to provoke a different reaction. They fake a robbery, produce a terrifying child-eating dragon and pretend to be kidnapped by space invaders, but their aunts and uncle remain unimpressed. In exasperation the children take to mocking them, with red wool for hair like Aunt Essy's, a big pillow for a belly like Uncle Sam's and a pair of toy glasses like Aunt Chanah's…and soon they are all laughing so hard they're practically crying.

Cary Fagan's characteristically dry humor and Gary Clement's wonderfully witty illustrations perfectly depict a family with loveable quirks in this story that is sure to become a favorite.

In this hilariously written and illustrated story, three children turn their family's weekly Sunday visit from Aunt Essy, Aunt Chanah and Uncle Sam on its head. And in the end, they all have a ball.

Every Sunday Aunt Essy, Aunt Chanah and Uncle Sam drive up in the old Lincoln for the afternoon. They plop themselves down in the living room, and no matter what anyone says their response is always the same — "Oy," "Feh," "So?"

One afternoon the three children try to provoke a different reaction. They fake a robbery, produce a terrifying child-eating dragon and pretend to be kidnapped by space invaders, but their aunts and uncle remain unimpressed. In exasperation the children take to mocking them, with red wool for hair like Aunt Essy's, a big pillow for a belly like Uncle Sam's and a pair of toy glasses like Aunt Chanah's…and soon they are all laughing so hard they're practically crying.

Cary Fagan's characteristically dry humor and Gary Clement's wonderfully witty illustrations perfectly depict a family with loveable quirks in this story that is sure to become a favorite.

Published By Groundwood Books Ltd — Apr 1, 2013
Specifications 40 pages | 10 in x 8 in
Written By

CARY FAGAN writes books for children and adults. He has won the Vicky Metcalf Award for Children’s Literature, the Jewish Book Award, the IODE Jean Throop Book Award and the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award, among others. His picture books include A Cage Went in Search of a Bird, illustrated by Banafsheh Erfanian, and Son of Happy, illustrated by Milan Pavlović, which was named one of the Best Canadian Picture Books of 2020 by CBC Books. Cary lives with his family in Toronto.

Illustrated by

GARY CLEMENT is an award-winning author and illustrator. He has won the Governor General’s Award (Illustration) for The Great Poochini and was a finalist for the Governor General’s Award (Illustration) for Just Stay Put, and Oy, Feh, So by Cary Fagan. He has also illustrated A Coyote Solstice Tale by Thomas King and Stories from Adam and Eve to Ezekiel by Celia Barker Lottridge. He is the editorial cartoonist for the National Post, and his work has appeared in the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. Gary lives in Toronto where he regularly exhibits his drawings and paintings.

Written By

CARY FAGAN writes books for children and adults. He has won the Vicky Metcalf Award for Children’s Literature, the Jewish Book Award, the IODE Jean Throop Book Award and the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award, among others. His picture books include A Cage Went in Search of a Bird, illustrated by Banafsheh Erfanian, and Son of Happy, illustrated by Milan Pavlović, which was named one of the Best Canadian Picture Books of 2020 by CBC Books. Cary lives with his family in Toronto.

Illustrated by

GARY CLEMENT is an award-winning author and illustrator. He has won the Governor General’s Award (Illustration) for The Great Poochini and was a finalist for the Governor General’s Award (Illustration) for Just Stay Put, and Oy, Feh, So by Cary Fagan. He has also illustrated A Coyote Solstice Tale by Thomas King and Stories from Adam and Eve to Ezekiel by Celia Barker Lottridge. He is the editorial cartoonist for the National Post, and his work has appeared in the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. Gary lives in Toronto where he regularly exhibits his drawings and paintings.

Audience ages 4 to 8 / grades P to 2
Reading Levels Lexile AD460L

Short-listed, The Governor General's Literary Awards- Children-s Literature- Illustrations, 2013

“... very funny ...” —Publishers Weekly

“... [an] amusing scenario ... [today's kids] will appreciate the overall sentiment.” —Kirkus Reviews

“… a charming read for young children… Fagan has made this a great book for reading aloud.” —CM Magazine

“Cary Fagan clearly knows how to laugh…and you’ll be only too happy to join in…[Gary Clement] is Fagan’s perfectly matched energetic partner –your family’s oldsters never looked, or sounded this good…” —BookDragon, Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center