The Emperor and the Nightingale: Troubadour Edition (Bloomsbury Children's Classics) [Paperback]

Fiona Waters (Author), Paul Birkbeck (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2002 | Series: Bloomsbury Children's Classics

The classic Andersen story of the rich Emperor who is entranced by the drab Nightingale's beautiful song is told with verve and elan by Fiona Waters, and illustrated in exquisite detail. The Bloomsbury Children's Classics Series: The Brave Sister, retold by Fiona Waters, illustrated by Danuta Mayer The Selfish Giant, retold by Fiona Waters, illustrated by Fabian Negrin The Emperor and the Nightingale, retold by Fiona Waters, illustrated by Paul Birkbeck Bisky Bats and Pussy Cats, animal nonsense poems by Edward Lear, illustrated by Matilda Harrison The Nonsense Verse of Lewis Carroll, illustrated by Lorna Hussey

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Much of the elegance and subtlety of Andersen's classic tale have been squeezed out of this greatly abridged retelling. Retaining only the skeleton of the original plot, the story stumbles over choppy, prosaic phrasing: "One day a new toy arrived for the Emperor. It was a mechanical nightingale. It sang the same songs as the real bird--very beautifully--and it was prettier, too." In contrast to the lackluster text, So demonstrates a fondness for exuberant color, filling the pages to overflowing with vibrant, cluttered paintings. However, the busily patterned backgrounds, unusual perspectives and outsize proportions lend an air of humor to the tale, far different from the tender message of simple beauty which traditional versions espouse. In addition, while the kaleidoscopic illustrations are visually engaging, youngsters may have difficulty discerning just what's going on in some spreads amid the jumble of images. The obviously gifted artist's work is ill-matched to this timeless tale. Ages 3-7.
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 6-- Andersen's story has here been picked to its bare bones, textually. The Emperor falls ill, but Death and the faces in the bed curtains do not put in an appearance, nor do the courtiers and servants desert their sovereign. The resultant streamlining is, however, quite effective. This tauter version lends immediacy to the well-known tale and reads aloud well. A veritable flock of nightingales has come on the scene in recent years, none equaling the spirit and style of Nancy Ekholm Burkert's pictures for Eve Le Gallienne's translation (HarperCollins, 1965). So's version provides a dashing new rival. Burkert's much admired pictures were largely cribbed from classical Chinese painting; So's are brilliantly original but no less authentic. Stylistically, her watercolor and ink pictures stand somewhere between Ludwig Bemelmans and Qi Bai-shi, the Chinese Picasso. The swashbuckling use of color takes one's breath away and ingeniously offsets the black-and-white mechanical bird, lending it an anemic coldness that adds immeasurably to its function in the story. So has set the illustrations in mid-19th century China, i.e., contemporaneous with Andersen himself. This happy and authentic choice has allowed her to splash down the splendor and decadence of the Qing Court in minute detail from Manchu headdresses to spittoons to the rose madder walls of the Forbidden City. Interesting perspectives are another plus. The artwork in its kaleidoscopic reworking of cultural detail and inspired use of color is nothing short of genius.
- John Philbrook, San Francisco Public Library
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

• Paperback: 25 pages
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing (NY) (March 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0747547017
• ISBN-13: 978-0747547013
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 9.4 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,353,146 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent retelling, November 4, 2010

By 

M. Heiss (USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Emperor and the Nightingale (Hardcover)

This is an excellent retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale.

Set in a porcelain palace in China, the illustrations show the coldness of the emperor's court and the cheerful warmth all around the nightingale. The illustrations are overly busy and complex, but they are well done. The best image is of the emperor lying in bed, pale and weak. My kids like the one where the mechanical nightingale bursts apart.