The Fabulous Feud Of Gilbert And Sullivan [Hardcover]

Jonah Winter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 2009 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Caldecott Medalist Richard Egielski teams up with Jonah Winter for a story of friendship, fights, and musical comedy!

Welcome to Topsy-Turvydom, a magical kingdom (well, more like an opera stage) full of pirates, policemen, fairies, and fake mustaches! Mr. Gilbert and Mr. Sullivan have ruled this kingdom together in peace, but one day, Mr. Sullivan decides he's had enough. Every opera they write is the same silly old story, and he's ready for something different. Something serious!
Mr. Gilbert is stunned. He's lost his business partner and his best friend, and he needs a brilliant idea in order to get him back.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Setting the scene in Victorian times, “when jolly old England was not so jolly,” this picture book contrasts grim poverty on the streets with a fanciful world created on the stage by popular musical performances. For many years, Gilbert and Sullivan have collaborated on successful operas, but now Mr. Sullivan finds Mr. Gilbert’s stories silly and his plots repetitive. First they quarrel, then they feud. But after a space of time, Mr. Gilbert takes the criticism to heart and, inspired by Japanese artifacts and performers, writes The Mikado, which Mr. Sullivan sets to music. An author’s note provides biographical information on the principals and comments on their collaborative work, its importance, and its appeal. The clearly written story comes alive in a series of distinctive ink-and-watercolor illustrations that are full of intriguing details and show great skill in the use of color, shading, and composition. Many of the double-page spreads show street scenes that incorporate cutaway walls, creating proscenium arches to highlight settings and frame the action in a suitably theatrical way. If the artists’ quarrel seems an unlikely topic for a picture book, its resolution is a hopeful one for any audience. A show stopper. Grades K-3. --Carolyn Phelan

About the Author

JONAH WINTER has written three earlier picturebook biographies for Arthur A. Levine Books: Frida, Dizzy, and The Secret World of Hildegard, each the recipient of several starred reviews and citations. He lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books (April 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439930502
• ISBN-13: 978-0439930505
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 9.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #186,247 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #33 in Books > Children's Books > Arts, Crafts & Music > Performing Arts > Drama & Theater
  • #54 in Books > Children's Books > Biographies > Performing Arts

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great supplement for families already exploring Gilbert & Sullivan's work, October 21, 2009

By 

DJ Joe Sixpack (...in Middle America) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Fabulous Feud Of Gilbert And Sullivan (Hardcover)

"The Fabulous Feud Of Gilbert & Sullivan"

Written by Jonah Winter

Illustrated by Richard Egielski

(Arthur A. Levine Books, 2009)

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This historically-oriented picturebook would be a great supplement for anyone teaching younger kids about the works of opera composers W. S. Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan, creators of "HMS Pinafore," "The Mikado," "Pirates Of Penzance," and other great comedies. The artwork is beautiful and a delight from start to finish; the text, however seems to assume a lot of prior knowledge of Gilbert & Sullivan, and might not work as well as a free-standing story or a general introduction to their work. But if you are already getting into these operas, this book is simply wonderful. (ReadThatAgain children's book reviews)

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Even people who don't care for opera or musical comedy will chuckle at the feud between Gilbert & Sullivan!, July 15, 2009

By 

D. Fowler "Dragonfly77" (Vermont) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Fabulous Feud Of Gilbert And Sullivan (Hardcover)

In Victorian England had a dark and gloomy atmosphere, except of course in the "make-believe kingdom of Topsy-Turvydom." This was not a real kingdom so to speak, but rather an "opera stage where grown-ups acted silly." It was a fun place to go so people could forget their troubles for a while and have a good time. The actors would act and sing, the orchestra would play, the director would direct, but most of all the audience would have a good time. There were two kings in this kingdom (not really kings like King Albert) named Mr. Gilbert and Mr. Sullivan. Mr. Gilbert wrote the words to the operas and Mr. Sullivan wrote the music.

Mr. Gilbert's storyline always seemed to be the same and Mr. Sullivan was getting fed up and one day when his partner called up with a "new opera" (the same old stuff) he got really mad and "slammed down the phone." Of course "Mr. Gilbert was stunned" and very upset. He really didn't know what hit him at that point and had no idea why his friend hung up the phone. Very soon he found out that his friend thought his work was "ridiculous." Some time later Mr. Gilbert came across a "Japanese street fair" and a lightbulb went off in his head and he knew what his next opera would be. It would be in the town of Titipu and Ko-ko would trick "Nanki-poo into marrying Yum-yum," but would Mr. Sullivan be up to writing the music to this wild and crazy opera?

This is a fun story that will appeal to all opera and musical comedy lovers who want to impart a bit of their passion to the young ones in their family. The feud is almost comical, but is something almost all children and adults go through at one time or another, but this one had a productive end. This story imparts the wisdom that all people can disagree or fight, but that doesn't mean it is the end of a friendship. The art work is detailed, spritely, colorful and very appealing. In the back of the book is a brief biography of this feuding duo and a recommended website.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tells of a magical kingdom full of pirates and fairies ruled peacefully by the team of Gilbert and Sullivan, September 18, 2009

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Fabulous Feud Of Gilbert And Sullivan (Hardcover)

Jonah Winter and Richard Egielski's THE FABULOUS FEUD OF GILBERT & SULLIVAN tells of a magical kingdom full of pirates and fairies ruled peacefully by the team of Gilbert and Sullivan - until Mr. Sullivan is tired of his fantasy world and wants out. How can the friendship survive their changed interests? A fine story of Gilbert and Sullivan evolves.