The Brave Little Taylor [Paperback]

Robert D. San Souci (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1994 | Age Level: 4 and up

A spirited retelling of the favorite tale from the Brothers Grimm, lavishly illustrated. A little tailor who kills seven flies at one blow is so impressed with his own bravery that he ventures out to tell the world. Armed only with his wits, he must conquer a gruesome giant, two terrible ogres, and a ferocious unicorn before he can win the hand of a beautiful princess.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4-- Children will be charmed by Bell's translation of the tale about the tailor who advertised his prowess by embroidering a sash proclaiming "Seven at a Blow." The narrative respects the original story; the text is not diluted, and it is lengthy. Vocabulary such as courtiers, contemptuously, and desperate adds to the vitality of the story. The settings and clothing in Tharlet's detailed and appropriate soft-toned watercolor washes suggest the Middle Ages. Beginning with the book jacket and the title page, there is much to examine at close range: flies on the jam pot, a bell on the giant's cap, the soldiers' battered boots, and the ragged edge of the tailor's well-used scissors are just a few examples. Most unusual is Tharlet's use of perspective. Often the scene is viewed from the corner of the ceiling or from the height of a tree branch. The wide-lens view gives the audience a feeling of "looking in" and sharing the tailor's secret. The fearless, bright-eyed little adventurer is a contrast in size and wits to the expansive and dull-appearing giants with whom he clashes. The style and texture of Tharlet's illustrations are very different from San Souci's vibrant version (Doubleday, 1982; o.p.), but these two books, used together, would provide many opportunities to look at how two artists view the same tale. --Miriam Hansen, formerly at Eau Claire Schools, WI
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews

One of the Grimms' more eccentric tales receives the outlandish attention of Goloshapov (The Six Servants, 1996, etc.), whose ominous illustrations give the story its due. The tailor of the title starts to entertain visions of his heroism after he swats seven flies dead in a single swipe. So smitten by this act is he that he sews a belt to commemorate the event, stitched with the words ``Seven at a blow!'' The tailor sets out to seek his fortune, conquering one brutish character after another--giant louts, vicious animals, conniving royalty--through cleverness and luck. When he is made king, it seems only natural. The tailor's goofy countenance belies his instinct for survival; the giants are massive dimwits with lantern jaws--ideal as foes. The rest of the artwork is equally full of character: a unicorn with a devilish horn, a bewhiskered boar. The atmosphere is perfect, but Goloshapov finds so many sinister landscapes and backdrops for the tailor's successes that the type--running across veins of blood-red or along dark, scumbled textures--is occasionally difficult to read, making the text more of an afterthought than an essential component of the page. (Picture book/folklore. 5-8) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Yearling (October 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440408946
• ISBN-13: 978-0440408949
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,836,289 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Brave Little Tailor, April 26, 2004

By 

Brittny (Pensacola, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brave Little Tailor (Hardcover)

This is the most famous version of "The Brave Little Tailor." Although there are many countries around the world that have their own little tailor, his role stays the same. He is a cultural hero. For example, here in the states, he lived the American dream.

In the story, the little tailor, let's name him Bob, killed seven flies at once. He embroidered his great defeat on his girdle and people made assumptions that it was seven men, not flies. Throughout the story, Bob used his intellect and great use of trickery to receive half of unknown land and the always beautiful princess.

This is an awesome book for children to read. It could teach them that they don't have to be poor all of their lives. Yes, kids won't get the chance to trick a unicorn, a wild boar, and 3 dumb giants to get rich, but this story explains that using the ole noggin can get you places, just like Bob.