For the more sophisticated folk- and fairy-tale reader.
A satisfying retelling of eight Polish tales, paired with bold multicolor paper cuttings that employ traditional and modern motifs.
The reteller-illustrator team has worked together before, but this time, the stories are from Pienkowski’s own home country, and Walser has combined his own research with the illustrator’s memories of childhood storytellers and his informal translations of tale variants. The reteller has made some additions, and no written sources are listed. The stories are lively and accessible, but several have dark underpinnings. “The Fern Flower” shows the evil side of humanity as Bogdan seeks to keep his magically found wealth to himself, even though he loses his mother and his dog because of his greed. Other tales include elements of stories known across cultures. “The Frog Bride” resembles “The Frog Prince,” but it also introduces Baba Jaga, similar to the Russian witch. The prince is told to destroy the frog skin of his princess so that she cannot return to her animal state, just as in the Celtic selkie stories or the Japanese crane wife tales. Walser invents a grandson for “The Trumpeter of Kraków,” the national tale of salvation, and this interpolation works. The sometimes-whimsical illustrations use silhouettes and collage and exhibit a range of clothing styles. The animals, both real and mythical, are especially effective.
For the more sophisticated folk- and fairy-tale reader. (reteller’s foreword, illustrator’s note, glossary) (Folk tales. 8-11)Pub Date: Sept. 23, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-7636-7320-8
Page Count: 104
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: July 28, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2014
BOOK REVIEW
IN THE NEWS
A gorgeously unusual, emotionally redeeming parable with plenty of heart and just the right touch of magic.
Lee presents a modern retelling of a classic tale of misunderstood magic and small acts of redemption.
This myth-based story is set in England’s Crouch End, where a disillusioned, unnamed old woman, was once full of joy and promise. She wields magic, but after her heart was broken, her spellcasting turned harmful—she now freezes flowers, for instance, with a touch. Her fate becomes entangled with those of a girl named Daisy and her feline companion. As the people of the town grow scared, and then weary, of the cat’s unusual behavior and rapid growth, Daisy’s and the woman’s lives and stories intertwine. The woman has been bitter for so long that she’s almost forgotten the happy person she used to be, but Daisy’s quiet courage and the cat’s mysterious presence chip away at her defenses, revealing a core of kindness that she thought was lost forever. The townsfolk’s fear, fueled by rumor and whispers, is set against the account of the quiet but undeniable bond forming between these unlikely friends, which makes for an intriguing contrast. Retivoff’s expressive full-color and black-and-white illustrations help to bring the deliberately paced tale to life, and the narrative balances the tones of folklore with imaginative delight. Profound lessons reveal themselves softly as names carry secret powers, appearances deceive, and the release of pain brings unexpected beauty, renewal, and hope. The story allows the reader time to reflect on its meanings, especially toward the end, when Daisy breaks the symbolic spell at its center. The stylized prose and theme may appeal more to older readers than very young children, but its message is universal. Fans of poetic storytelling and gentle magical realism will particularly enjoy this tale.
A gorgeously unusual, emotionally redeeming parable with plenty of heart and just the right touch of magic.Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2025
ISBN: 9798218717797
Page Count: 80
Publisher: Lwl Books
Review Posted Online: Aug. 28, 2025
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
Borden (Good Luck, Mrs. K!, 1999, etc.) and Kroeger collaborate for the second time (Paperboy, 1996) in this easy biography of the first African-American to earn a pilot’s license. Bessie Coleman was born in 1892, and despite an impoverished childhood and limited education, she became determined to make her mark on the world by learning to fly. Remarkably, she saved enough money to travel to France, the only place where an African-American woman could study aviation, and she earned an international pilot’s license in 1921. She performed at air shows throughout the US, always urging young African-Americans to “fly high” and “be somebody.” Coleman was planning to open her own flight school when she died in a plane crash at the age of 34. Her story is told in a positive, forthright style that reflects Coleman’s lifelong self-education through reading and additional adult-education classes and her strong will to succeed, with an obvious but not preachy message that attitude plus aptitude equals altitude. Flavin’s bright gouache paintings help bring Bessie and her era to life, with carefully researched costumes, airplanes, and backgrounds adding to the authenticity of the story. Readers who can’t handle longer chapter-format biographies will fly right through this thoughtfully designed book, aided by lots of illustrations, short line length, and plentiful white space surrounding the interesting text. Most libraries will want to make room on the biography shelves for this one, which will be useful during Black History Month and for those inevitable biography book-reports. (author’s note) (Biography. 8-11)
Pub Date: Jan. 1, 2001
ISBN: 0-689-82457-2
Page Count: 40
Publisher: McElderry
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2001
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