THE BOY WHO HELD BACK THE SEA

by Lenny--Adapt. Hort ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 1987

In his paintings, Locker turns to homage of such 17th-century Dutch masters as Vermeer and Hobbema to illustrate the familiar story of the boy who staved off disaster with a finger in the dike. Familiar to American children at least since it was incorporated in Hans Brinker, this tale has long needed a felicitous retelling; unfortunately, though this one is acceptably straightforward, it is ploddingly unimaginative in spite of several embellishments: Jan, who has a reputation as a mischief, making truant, is at first not believed, a problem made all the worse when his first rescuer, a local ne'er-do-well, is impounded by the Night Watch for his pains. And Jan's sudden reformation at the end seems unmotivated. Locker's paintings are, as usual, skillful but static; in this instance, his style seems well adapted to the story. As it happens, Gardam's Through the Dolls' House Door (see above) contains a more creatively inspired embroidery on this old favorite. But, until the perfect picture-book edition comes along, this Locker/Hort rendition should serve well. And since the illustrations will appeal to all ages, it will be useful for older readers in need of easy texts.

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1987

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Dial

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1987

Categories: CHILDREN'S