Dom DeLuise's The Nightingale (Board book)

~ Dom Deluise (Author), Christopher Santoro (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Basing his latest effort on the Hans Christian Andersen tale, DeLuise manages to despoil the original work of its mystery and turn it into a platform for ham-handed moralizing (the lessons: the best things in life are free, and feeling happy inside is what really counts). The author spends virtually the first third of the book spinning out an elaborate premise of how a king and his kingdom go from rags to riches; while this provides plenty of fodder for Santoro's exuberant comic talents, there's no reason why this story couldn't have started with everyone already rich. As overstuffed as the book feels, however, it's also missing something?namely, the funny, smart-alecky narrative winks and asides that have given other DeLuise and Santoro collaborations (notably King Bob's New Clothes) a junior version of sophistication. But Santoro's exaggerated characterizations are replete with honkable noses and eyes that might roll as easily as marbles, and few artists can orchestrate the kind of visual wit that brims in his depictions of excess. Two recipes cap the book, and the endpapers offer music, by Shelley Tenzer, for the nightingale's song. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2?In this reworking of Andersen's fairy tale, the fortunes of an isolated kingdom are changed when gold is discovered. Soon the people have built two roads (to Hither and Yon) and a big resort called the "Golden Rainbow." King Lucky should be happy, since he "got richer and richer, and real famous, like Big Time!" But of course, "inside, you know, where it really counts" he isn't happy at all. Only the song of a nightingale can improve his spirits, but the captured bird refuses to sing and its mechanical replacement wears out. Times are tough for the king until the little bird returns and he understands her need to be free. The conversational tone and the crass modernizations detract from the original tale. Santoro's antic watercolors have cartoon charm, but are undistinguished. Two recipes (Bird in a Cage of Bread and Court Jester Cookies) and a version of the nightingale's song can't save this flat offering.?Anne Connor, Los Angeles Public Library
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Board book: 40 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing; 1st edition (September 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689817495
• ISBN-13: 978-0689817496
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 9.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,203,085 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't miss this book !, February 12, 2001

By	Prissz "prissz" (Connecticut) - See all my reviews

I love all of Dom Deloise's books, but this one is my favorite. It is such a sweet story that has a "message". Don't you just love children's stories that have a message. The illustrations in this book are beautiful and captivates my 4 yr old daughter.