The Bremen Town Musicians [Hardcover]

Brothers Grimm (Author), Hsin-Shih Lai (Illustrator), Howard Kirk Besserman (Designer)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2007 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Here is the classic Grimm's tale of a run-away donkey, a down-and-out dog, a cast-off cat, and a rooster ... about to be cooked. They set off together to Bremen to become the town musicians.

This story, with its singularly satisfying happy ending, is made especially delightful by the enchanting illustrations of Hsin-Shih Lai and the inventive design of Howard Besserman. It will bring a smile to young and old alike.

(Ages 4-7)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The trademark lighthearted, somewhat cartoony watercolors by Wilhelm, himself a Bremen native, imbues this blithe retelling with a timeless, fairy-tale setting. A better choice for young readers than P. K. Page's version of the story (reviewed below), Wilhelm's ( Tyrone the Horrible ; I'll Always Love You ) book offers a shorter text, at once pithy and descriptive. The child-appealing prose is studded with such distinctive phrases as a depiction of the forlorn cat, whom the donkey and the dog find by the roadside, "looking as dismal as three wet days." When the feisty quartet interrupts a group of robbers in a thatched-roof cottage counting their money as they enjoy a feast, observant readers will notice that these bad guys look quite a bit like the animals' former owners. This is just one of the quixotic twists that make Wilhelm's spirited rendition so refreshing. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2-- An insouciant text and vibrant full-color illustrations make this retelling of the Grimm Brothers' classic a rollicking performance. Cat meets donkey in an unforgettable exchange: ``Now then, what is the matter with you, old Whiskerwiper?'' asks the donkey. ``Who can be cheerful when his life is in danger?'' replies the cat. Somehow this menagerie succeeds. Because of the simple language, heavy on dialogue, the book will interest even the most reticent audiences and early readers. Wilhelm's musicians are loopy and lovable. His thieves are greedy and dumb, and best of all, strangely resemble the musicians' former owners. All are irresistibly executed in bright, amusing watercolors, and the whole-page design adds energy to the tale. It's satisfying to the final double-page spread, which shows the animal friends snuggled peaceably by the cottage fire, books at hand. Compared to Josef Palacek's version (Picture Book Studio, 1988) for older audiences, this one is more satisfying, warm, and filled with good humor. --Carolyn Noah, Central Mass. Regional Library System, Worcester, MA
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --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
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Bell Pond Books (November 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0880105836
• ISBN-13: 978-0880105835
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 9.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #285,984 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Always a place in my heart, January 9, 2003

By 

"j_kane" (Brown University) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bremen Town Musicians, The (Hardcover)

Of all the stories my father read to me as a child, this was my favorite. Its endearing story of self-discovery is timeless, and not to mention quite humorous for a six year old boy. It reminds me of a time far less complicated and will thus always hold a special place of affection for me. This was the Catcher in the Rye of my Elementary years. I would highly recommend this to anyone with children looking for quite simply a flat out good story to read them that they will enjoy.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Tale, December 9, 2000

By 

Connie L. Reed "Oh Herd CR" (Huntington, WV, USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bremen Town Musicians, The (Hardcover)

The Breman Town Musicians is a simple story that involves setting goals and team work. It has two things that children love, music and animals. What a combination!

As a 17 year childcare veteran, I highly recommmend this book. Kids today can use all the inspiration they can get. A great way to learn is to read. I read this book to my daughter when she was a child. Now I am getting a new copy for my grand daughter.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Favorite Story Beautifully Illustrated, January 9, 2007

By 

Helen B. Lane (Arlington, VA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Bremen Town Musicians (Picture Yearling Book) (Paperback)

My children and grandchidren love this story. I bought the book to read to my youngest grandchild, who is 2 and a half. We love both the story and the pictures. We also have fun braying, barking, meowing and crowing like the heroic animals in the story. When her dad was her age we lived in Germany and visited Bremen and saw the statue of the animals.