Tricking the Tallyman

Reviews
School Library Journal — Starred Review
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 children—and to educators.

Booklist
The audience for this title will not know the term tallyman, but this story cleverly sums it up. Who will outsmart whom—Phineas 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 don’t want to be counted because they think they’ll 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 it’s 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.

The Bulletin for the Center of Children's Books
In this playful tale set in 1790, the suspicious residents of a small Vermont village attempt to trick the man sent to collect data for the very first U.S. Census. When Phineas Bump first rides into town, the residents, led by the estimable Mrs. Pepper, fear that his count means higher taxes and more young men taken into the military, so they hide the population. Upon discovering that the census results are actually used for ensuring fair representation in the new government, Mrs. Pepper contests the count and inflates the new one by dressing the livestock in clothing. When Mrs. Pepper learns that the census numbers will be used for taxes and soldiers and representation, she comes up with a new plan, and so at last a fair census is recorded in the village of Tunbridge, population 487. Davies has brought high energy and humor to the seemingly dry topic of census-data collection; serious Phineas and spirited Mrs. Pepper are vivid and likable characters, and the dynamic between the two of them is credible and lively. Mrs. Pepper’s declarations are peppered, if you will, with delightfully elaborate exclamations (“Devils and deuces!” “Carp and cod!” “Cheese and chowder!”), whereas Phineas’ speeches are anchored by his personal and ever-so-serious motto, “Count them I must, and count them I will.” Schindler’s signature line-and-watercolor paintings are rich with hatch and cross-hatch details and patterning. There is a colonial sensibility in his color choices, largely earthbound tones, and a profusion of period details adds further character to the compositions. Whether they’re reading on their own or getting the saga of Pepper vs. Bump read to them, youngsters are likely to laugh out loud as tricks on the tallyman are played, rescinded, and played again. An author’s note provides further information about the first national census.

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