The Fisherman and His Wife [Hardcover]

Rosemary Wells (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1998

Have you heard the story about the fisherman and his wife and the magic fish--the one that was told by the Brothers Grimm? Well, this is the real version, as only Rosemary Wells could tell it! With cats in the starring roles and a setting in the fjords of Norway, this hilarious retelling puts a new spin on the well-known tale about a fisherman's wife whose greed knows no bounds. Fans of cats, folklore, Scandinavia, and the incomparable Rosemary Wells all have reason to rejoice in this fractured feline fairy tale.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Wells refashions the Brothers Grimm tale, retaining the moral but casting a sunny glow over the proceedings. Most of the action is familiar?a fisherman spares the life of a talking fish and has his wishes (and those of his increasingly dissatisfied wife) granted in return?but there are numerous fun embellishments. The setting is Norway and a pair of cats, Ragnar and Ulla, are the main characters. A peddler delivers the fruits of Ulla's wishes, everything from a larger kettle to the keys to a mansion ("Already paid for" is his refrain). When the fish turns down Ulla's grandest request?to be queen of Norway?the couple is not punished (as in Grimm), but learns a lesson about true contentment. Too, there's an upbeat ending, as the peddler makes a final visit bearing just the thing the couple does need?their very own kitten (which, neatly, has a few distinguishing characteristics in common with the talking fish). As always, Wells distills the essence of her story in precise, descriptive language: "They were happy with no more than the taste of homemade bread and the smell of the west wind." In debut artist Hubbard's gouache, watercolor and pencil illustrations, cozy touches abound, from the traditional Scandinavian-patterned wool socks and sweaters to the dried flowers hanging from cottage rafters. However, her color choices occasionally clash and her draftsmanship is uneven; the cover illustration, for example, is far bolder and more decisive than most of the art within. But it's still a pleasant outing, and certainly one of the livelier versions of this tale. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3?A retelling of the Grimms' tale of a talking fish and of good fortune gone awry. This version is set in Norway, and all the characters, except the fish, are cats. Ragnar, a humble but content fisherman, hooks a fish with "scales like sapphires, eyes green as emeralds, and ruby red lips." In exchange for sparing its life, it promises to grant its captor any wish. Ragnar starts off modestly by asking for some lobsters at his wife's behest, but soon nothing will satisfy her greed short of being made queen of the country. When the fish refuses this outlandish request, the fisherman suggests a turn by their old abode on the Torva Fjord, and the couple soon rediscovers the simple pleasure of their earlier domestic life. The story ends somewhat facilely with the appearance of a stray kitten with emerald eyes and ruby red lips who bears a striking resemblance to the fish. The attractive, detailed illustrations, many full page, combine gouache, watercolor, and colored-pencil mediums. This book will be enjoyed by both listeners and independent readers. Although not a necessary purchase, this rendition of the familiar story is fun and appealing.?Rosalyn Pierini, San Luis Obispo City-County Library, CA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dial; 1st edition (July 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803718500
• ISBN-13: 978-0803718500
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,771,190 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born in New York City, Rosemary Wells grew up in a house "filled with books, dogs, and nineteenth-century music." Her childhood years were spent between her parents' home near Red Bank, New Jersey, and her grandmother's rambling stucco house on the Jersey Shore. Most of her sentimental memories, both good and bad, stem from that place and time. Her mother was a dancer in the Russian Ballet, and her father a playwright and actor. Mrs. Wells says, "Both my parents flooded me with books and stories. My grandmother took me on special trips to the theater and museums in New York. "Rosemary Wells's career as an author and illustrator spans more than 30 years and 60 books. She has won numerous awards, and has given readers such unforgettable characters as Max and Ruby, Noisy Nora, and Yoko. She has also given Mother Goose new life in two enormous, definitive editions, published by Candlewick. Wells wrote and illustrated Unfortunately Harriet, her first book with Dial, in 1972. One year later she wrote the popular Noisy Nora. "The children and our home life have inspired, in part, many of my books. Our West Highland white terrier, Angus, had the shape and expressions to become Benjamin and Tulip, Timothy, and all the other animals I have made up for my stories." Her daughters Victoria and Beezoo were constant inspirations, especially for the now famous "Max" board book series. "Simple incidents from childhood are universal," Wells says. "The dynamics between older and younger siblings are common to all families."But not all of Wells' ideas come from within the family circle. Many times when speaking, Mrs. Wells is asked where her ideas come from. She usually answers, "It's a writer's job to have ideas." Sometimes an idea comes from something she reads or hears about, as in the case of her recent book, Mary on Horseback, a story based on the life of Mary Breckenridge, who founded the Frontier Nursing Service. Timothy Goes to School was based on an incident in which her daughter was teased for wearing the wrong clothes to a Christmas concert. Her dogs, west highland terriers, Lucy and Snowy, work their way into her drawings in expression and body position. She admits, "I put into my books all of the things I remember. I am an accomplished eavesdropper in restaurants, trains, and gatherings of any kind. These remembrances are jumbled up and changed because fiction is always more palatable than truth. Memories become more true as they are honed and whittled into characters and stories."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent reading for childern of all ages., July 6, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Fisherman and His Wife (Hardcover)

A well written book. It reminds you what is important in life. The drawings are vivid and full of life. I especially liked the drawings of the brown tiger striped cat, Ragnar. He reminds me of my own cat. Excellent reading for childen of all ages.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful illustrations and a delightful story for all!, July 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Fisherman and His Wife (Hardcover)

My whole family loved this very special and heartwarming version of A Fisherman and His Wife. The illustrations are a joy to look at again and again. They are filled with color, humor, spendid detail, and are literally spilling out of the pages. We especially Love the rainbow lobsters and, of course, the cats, as the main characters. A book full of energy, wisedom and integrity-one of my all time favorite picture books!

1.0 out of 5 stars A great tale Disneyfied, February 26, 2008

By 

Osgood Conklin (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Fisherman and His Wife (Hardcover)

Rosemary Wells is normally an original and charming writer, but this book is a sacrilege. The Grimm Brothers' version of "The Fisherman and His Wife" is a brilliant allegory about human greed, and I was looking forward to sharing it with my children, but this re-telling substitutes a sweet, illogical ending for truth. The cover of the book is also misleading. I thought the illustrations were by Jan Brett, but one look inside made my heart sink. Most of the pictures are pale, vague, and unsatisfying.