THE BEST OF THE BARGAIN

by Janina--Adapt. & Illus. Domanska ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 19, 1977

The fox plays the fool's role in this old tale from Poland in which the hedgehog gives him his choice as they plan their joint garden--the share above ground or the share below--and then plants potatoes or wheat accordingly, so that the harvest will be all his own. When the fox complains, a judge proposes a race, and the hedgehog wins that by the old trick of stationing his cousins for laps along the way. Domanska herself offers a bargain of sorts, combining two common folklore motifs in one story and picturing the whole contest as an elegant, hat-tipping ballet performed in theatrical colors--with sinuous lilac and turquoise furrows for a backdrop. But jaunty as they are, it's hard to believe that either her sleek, streamlined magenta fox or her stylized rosy hedgehog ever saw a hoe.

Pub Date: Sept. 19, 1977

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Greenwillow

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1977

Categories: CHILDREN'S