THE BOY AND THE DEVIL

by Erica--Adapt. & Illuss. Magnus ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 18, 1986

A simplified retelling of a Norwegian folk tale about a boy who captures the devil by tricking him into becoming tiny and crawling into the wormhole in a nut. The conclusion is startling and may provoke laughter: the boy takes the nut to a blacksmith to crush; with the third blow, the nut crashes through the roof, demolishing the building and causing the blacksmith to comment"" 'that the devil himself was in that nut!' 'Yes,' said the boy, 'he was'""--and what became of the devil thereafter is in no way suggested. Unfortunately, this odd surprise is the book's best feature. Although lively and bright with the sunny colors of an autumn day, the illustrations' effect is garish, the forms drawn clumsily, their relationships confusing. Retold in an undistinguished textbook style, the tale will be accessible to primer-level readers, but lacks the merry humor that often makes Scandinavian tales a delight.

Pub Date: Nov. 18, 1986

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Carolrhoda

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 1986

Categories: CHILDREN'S