A not all that timely collection of fairy tales from editor Zipes (Victorian Fairy Tales, 1987, etc.), written between 1951 and 1992, the bulk of which are unsuccessful Thurber-like attempts. Written in the '70s, they are often didactic feminist reversals of traditional tales. It is, however, the stories that are neither ironic nor mocking that are the most effective. Richard Kennedy's ``The Dark Princess'' examines true love in the tragic account of a blindingly beautiful and blind princess who demands that her suitors prove their love by giving up their own sight. Although they all declare their love for her, not one is willing to pass her test. Only the court fool, who cannot even gain the princess's hand by his act, gazes at the princess without his protective colored glass. Jane Yolen's ``The Seal Maid'' is the sad story of a selchie, a seal woman, who leaves the water to marry. Although she loves her human husband, she must eventually return with their seven sons to the sea. A.S. Byatt, in the metafictional ``The Story of the Eldest Princess,'' looks at the fairy tale itself and asks if predetermined plots can be ignored. A few worthwhile contributions in a generally worthless book. (Book-of-the-Month Club/Quality Paperback Book Club alternate selections) (Stories/Fiction. All ages)
Pub Date: Nov. 15, 1994
ISBN: 0-553-09699-0
Page Count: 256
Publisher: Bantam
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 1994
A sweet, soft conversation starter and a charming gift.
A paean to teachers and their surrogates everywhere.
This gentle ode to a teacher’s skill at inspiring, encouraging, and being a role model is spoken, presumably, from a child’s viewpoint. However, the voice could equally be that of an adult, because who can’t look back upon teachers or other early mentors who gave of themselves and offered their pupils so much? Indeed, some of the self-aware, self-assured expressions herein seem perhaps more realistic as uttered from one who’s already grown. Alternatively, readers won’t fail to note that this small book, illustrated with gentle soy-ink drawings and featuring an adult-child bear duo engaged in various sedentary and lively pursuits, could just as easily be about human parent- (or grandparent-) child pairs: some of the softly colored illustrations depict scenarios that are more likely to occur within a home and/or other family-oriented setting. Makes sense: aren’t parents and other close family members children’s first teachers? This duality suggests that the book might be best shared one-on-one between a nostalgic adult and a child who’s developed some self-confidence, having learned a thing or two from a parent, grandparent, older relative, or classroom instructor.
A sweet, soft conversation starter and a charming gift. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 1, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-943200-08-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Compendium
Review Posted Online: Dec. 13, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2017
Broccoli: No way is James going to eat broccoli. “It’s disgusting,” says James. Well then, James, says his father, let’s consider the alternatives: some wormy dirt, perhaps, some stinky socks, some pre-chewed gum? James reconsiders the broccoli, but—milk? “Blech,” says James. Right, says his father, who needs strong bones? You’ll be great at hide-and-seek, though not so great at baseball and kickball and even tickling the dog’s belly. James takes a mouthful. So it goes through lumpy oatmeal, mushroom lasagna and slimy eggs, with James’ father parrying his son’s every picky thrust. And it is fun, because the father’s retorts are so outlandish: the lasagna-making troll in the basement who will be sent back to the rat circus, there to endure the rodent’s vicious bites; the uneaten oatmeal that will grow and grow and probably devour the dog that the boy won’t be able to tickle any longer since his bones are so rubbery. Schneider’s watercolors catch the mood of gentle ribbing, the looks of bewilderment and surrender and the deadpanned malarkey. It all makes James’ father’s last urging—“I was just going to say that you might like them if you tried them”—wholly fresh and unexpected advice. (Early reader. 5-9)
Pub Date: May 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-547-14956-1
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Clarion Books
Review Posted Online: April 4, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2011
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