Death in a Nut [Hardcover]

Eric Maddern (Author), Paul Hess (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

A feisty boy learns a powerful lesson about life and death in this beautifully illustrated story based on a Scottish folktale. When Jack meets Old Man Death coming toward his cottage, he stands firm. "You're not taking my mother!" he cries, and piles into Death with his fists. With each punch, Death gets smaller and smaller until Jack is able to squeeze him inside a hazelnut shell. He throws the nut far out to sea, and goes home. Suddenly trouble begins: eggs won't break, the cockerel's neck "unwrings" itself, and the butcher confesses that he can't slaughter any livestock. What has Jack done? Eric Maddern's droll text and Paul Hess's vivid watercolors enrich this traditional tale about learning one of life's basic truths.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Maddern's unsettling retelling of this traditional tale is complemented by Paul Hess's memorable illustrations Observer A thought-provoking story, lightly told and with striking illustrations by Paul Hess Guardian

About the Author

Eric Maddern studied sociology and psychology at Sheffield University, then spent 10 years travelling around the world. He now performs all over the country as a storyteller and folk singer, and he has built a roundhouse in the grounds of his home, where he holds storytelling events. He lives in Gwnyedd, Wales. Eric's books for Frances Lincoln are Death in a Nut, Nail Soup, Cow on the Roof, Earth Story and Life Story, Fire Children, The King with Horse's Ears, Spirit of the Forest, Rainbow Bird, The King and the Seed and Curious Clownfish. To visit Eric Maddern's website click here Paul Hess was born in Sydney, Australia, in 1961. He went to art college in Sydney and then worked as a graphic designer and Art Director for various companies both in Sydney and London from 1981 to 1991. He has worked as a freelance art director and illustrator since then. His books for Frances Lincoln are Death in a Nut, Nail Soup, Cow on the Roof, Dragon of Krakow, Hidden Tales from Eastern Europe, The King with Horse's Ears and The King and the Seed. He lives in Northumberland.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Books (January 10, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 184507081X
• ISBN-13: 978-1845070816
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.7 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,920,499 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Life needs death, November 3, 2009

By 

S. Brooks "Story Guy" (New Hampshire) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Death In a Nut (Paperback)

I have read this book over and over and have told this story and recommended this book to many. I love the illustrations by Paul Hess and love the way the story is told by Eric Maddern. i think it is so poignant these days that kids in particular learn about death. We hide death, we prolong death, we try to ignore death, but it is there and it is all around us. I remember growing up seeing geese and chickens and bits of pig hanging in the butchers windows. We knew these animals died to feed us. Nowadays everything comes prepackaged and death and respect is absent. Pets die and grandparents die yet we try to shelter all this from kids. We need to show that death is important, that life ends and begins; it is a circle. This book does a great job at that and entertaining at the same time.
Hats off to Eric and Paul.

3.0 out of 5 stars Clever and interesting, but possibly traumatic., June 10, 2006

By 

Karen K. Hart (Austin, MN United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Death in a Nut (Hardcover)

I think it's great that this story comes from a Scottish folktale and that the illustrations are so cool--the cottage is very inviting. Also, the important revelation that death is necessary for life is expressed quite clearly here, in a way young people will be able to understand. However, as I read the book, I couldn't help balking a little at some of the gory parts. Although the pictures don't display grotesque, bloody scenes (and the bloody details aren't spelled out in the text), I had to feel sorry for the animals everyone was trying to kill. The poor cockerel, for instance, not only had his neck wrung but also had his head cut off. Considering the fact that he lived, the experience had to be terrible beyond comprehension. So I wouldn't recommend this book for a very young audience, unless the audience members have already been exposed to the harsh realities of certain types of farm life.