The Golden Goose [Paperback]

J. & W. Grimm (Author), D. Duntze (Author), Dorothée Duntze (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1999 | Age Level: 5 and up

Here is a classic, comic tale from Grimm about a kind-hearted young man called Simpleton whose generosity is rewarded in strange and wonderful ways.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

From the lighter side of the Brothers Grimm, this happy tale of luck and folly receives wonderfully puckish treatment from Shulevitz (who manages to reprise the hilarious contraption he created for The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship). After sharing a crust of bread with an odd old man, a simpleton receives a token of good luck in the form of a golden goose. From then on, each person the simpleton encounters falls under a spell and becomes attached to the goose, forming a human chain. In a sublime stroke of luck, the unlikely parade-three maidens, a parson, a sexton, a peasant and his wife-amuses a princess so serious that the king has promised her hand to whoever can make her laugh. Shulevitz's stylish artwork conjures up an old world brimming with quirky charm, from the angular, colorful jumble of buildings to the villagers with their bright red noses and oversized shoes, and the unassuming hero with his blue-rimmed eyes and tilting, too-tall hat. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4-In this familiar plot, a third and simple son shares his food and drink with a little old man who holds the secret to the tree where the golden goose hides. As the son trots along holding the goose, each person who touches it becomes stuck. When the silly parade of seven reaches the King's palace, the princess, promised in marriage to whomever makes her laugh, does so at the foolish sight. The story line holds true to the original except for eliminating the three trials the King sets for the hero to keep him from marrying his daughter. Here, the story ends with the hero making the princess laugh and marrying her. Characters have been personalized with names and traits, language revised, and details added. The old man is a troll, beer becomes cider, and the goose is in the area because of a magic spell. Even so, the text is brief and lacks a measure of enchantment. The dominating acrylic-and-pencil illustrations appear as if a yellowish (or golden?) film has been imposed on them, paling the colors for a muted effect. McDermott's effort at an old-fashioned style results in prettified scenes and faces of children far too young to be married. The rendition of the tale by Uri Shulevitz (Farrar, 1995) relies on angular shapes, peasant features, and a "stuck-on" rhyme to exaggerate the humor.
Julie Cummins, New York Public Library
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: North-South (September 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0735811989
• ISBN-13: 978-0735811980
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,411,059 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Delightful Retelling, December 1, 2000

By 

Casual Mom "Alexa S." (Rochelle Park, NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Golden Goose (Hardcover)

A perfect story to read aloud to young children! With beautiful illustrations and a wonderful moral, The Golden Goose has the ability to captivate a young audience. Would recommend it to any storyteller!