From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 4-- Queen Pernickety, who demands the best of everything, is pleased with an enchanted flute created for her daughter's birthday by a mysterious old goldsmith. It plays only what each listener loves to hear most--for the queen, an endless stream of flattery and (mostly insincere) compliments. The flute makes people so happy that the goldsmith, who is really a magician, creates a dozen more. The jealous ruler orders them destroyed, whereupon the wily man turns the tables by changing the original enchantment--now the princess's flute will play only what each listener fears most, and for Queen Pernickety it exposes the truth about how her subjects feel about her and her constant demands. The queen manages to change her ways, and all ends well. This original fairy tale is humorously told, but the underlying themes of envy, kindness, and consideration for others will not escape young listeners. The text is descriptive and often lyrically phrased--fun to listen to and read aloud. Equally enjoyable are the large, cartoonlike illustrations that are full of action and fancifully decorated in a comical, pseudo-Renaissance style. Whimsically ornate borders feature frolicking objects appropriate to each page; more can be found on the end papers. There is lots of fun here for the older picture-book audience, with a gentle moral included. --Susan L. Rogers, Chestnut Hill Academy, PA
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
