The Boy and the North Wind

November 1, 2013

K-Gr 2-These folktales have a large font and lots white space, which will appeal to reluctant readers. The Boy and the North Wind stresses perseverance and a respect for nature. Using his wits and a magic tablecloth, a child ensures that he and his mother will never go hungry. Lush, full-color, bordered illustrations enhance the text and provide additional details. The Brave Servant highlights the importance of keeping the peace. Jun, servant to Lord Luchow, proves his bravery and allegiance using his intelligence and a magic sword. The colorful and detailed illustrations often bleed to page edge. Readers will enjoy the dramatic expressions on the human faces and those on the little white dog that appears in most of the pictures. The Wounded Lion tells of a hard-working young woman who benefits from living a compassionate life. Her kind devotion is rewarded with marriage to a prince. The plot is somewhat intriguing, but the flat, cartoon illustrations are lifeless. Each volume provides questions for discussion and extension and information about the author, illustrators, and the countries of origin. Additional purchases for most libraries.-Sara-Jo Lupo Sites, George F. Johnson Memorial Library, Endicott, NY

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