In a little-known Brothers Grimm tale, when a grouchy bear sparks a feud between air and land animals, he must apologize for his mischief.
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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
In a little-known story from the Brothers Grimm, retold and illustrated by Robert Byrd, a great war is about to begin. The nestlings of the bird king are insulted when the bear climbs to the top of the tree and proclaims, "Why, this doesn't look like a royal palace ... and you don't look like royal children, either. You look like plain old nasty children to me." This is more than a royal family can bear, so they gather all the creatures of the sky, including bees, gnats, and other flying insects, to fight the bear and all the four-legged creatures that he's summoned for battle. Fortunately, the bird king is more clever than the opposition and comes up with a plan to foil his enemy and therefore avoid an all-out war. The illustrations are delightful, with birds attired in royal splendor and all the creatures donning plumed hats and fanciful clothes from days long gone.
From Publishers Weekly
Verve and humor infuse a retelling of a little-known tale from the Brothers Grimm, then are reflected and multiplied in wonderfully detailed artwork. When Bear insults the king of the birds' fledglings ("You look like plain old nasty children to me"), a full-scale war erupts between beasts and birds. Even after defeat, Bear will not apologize, but a steady dose of birds' squawking and chirping and beating their wings against the door of his den soon brings him to his knees. While the plot is unremarkable (except as a comment on the illogic of war), the illustration and book design yield treasure. Animals and birds alike are bedecked in finery, dapper in top hats, frock coats and bustled gowns, while delicate cross-hatching and melodious compositions offset the artifice of the theme. Spreads vary in layout, some with double-page pictures populated by a veritable Waldo -size cast of two- and four-legged creatures, others with text and art interspersed. Luminescent hues endow each page with a spring-rain freshness, while an underlying wit adds edge. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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