Hamlet and the Enormous Chinese Dragon Kite [Hardcover]

Brian Lies (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Series: Hamlet

Quince knows that his best friend, Hamlet, is going to get into trouble, the minute he sees the enormous red kite Hamlet has bought.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

With precocious critters drawn in a clean, hard-edged style similar to that of Berkeley Breathed (minus the airbrush), Lies (illustrator of the Flatfoot Fox books) offers a promising picture book, his solo debut. No brooding Danish prince, his Hamlet is an adventure-loving young pig. Against the advice of Quince, his play-it-safe porcupine friend, Hamlet decides to go fly a kite--a huge scarlet dragon of the type used in Chinese New Year's parades. It dwarfs Hamlet and, when it catches a breeze, lifts him into the sky. Quince urges Hamlet to drop back down, but "the farther up he went, the worse the idea of letting go seemed." Finally, a flock of eagles shreds the dragon and the porcine risk-taker plummets toward earth, landing safely in a tree. Kite-sailing readers familiar with the wind's strong tug will have no trouble imagining Hamlet's flight. Lies's most effective angle is a vertiginous close-up of the soaring eagles and kite, with Hamlet in the background and yellow fields far below. Only a few superfluities in the text keep this from being an all-out smash. Lies's rich autumnal palette, meticulously detailed images and ability to sustain narrative tension make him someone to watch. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2-When Hamlet, a small pig, decides to buy a huge kite, his friend Quince, a porcupine, is worried. Undeterred, Hamlet gets the "...beautiful Chinese dragon...with the fierce claws and a long, winding tail" that he has admired at the village store. Quince's worst fears are confirmed when the kite, flying high on a strong wind, sweeps the porker up and away. At first he enjoys being airborne, but in the end, he is happy to land in one piece. This simple adventure story, with its animal cast and a setting that suggests rural New England, celebrates the thrill of risk-taking and the warmth of friendship. Full-color illustrations reminiscent of Bill Peet's work add slapstick humor to the text and portray the dragon in all its red splendor. A diverting read-aloud.
Margaret A. Chang, North Adams State College, MA
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 1 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin (August 29, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395683912
• ISBN-13: 978-0395683910
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 8.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #937,629 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Brian Lies is the award-winning author/illustrator of the New York Times bestsellers Bats at the Beach and Bats at the Library. He has written and/or illustrated more than twenty books for children. Born in Princeton, New Jersey, Brian lives on the South Shore of Massachusetts with his wife and daughter. He has loved libraries and books since he was little, and when he travels, he rarely misses an opportunity to explore the local library.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just Spectacular, September 9, 2000

By 

patricia g. reed (salem, MA. USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hamlet and the Enormous Chinese Dragon Kite (Hardcover)

I found the story to be much more than friendship, the illustrations were just spectacular as my little nieces and I delighted in all the hidden objects in all the scenes. Brian Lies is masterful as he intertwines his story with his artwork. Brilliant!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The favorite book of my daughter's kindergarten, May 14, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Hamlet and the Enormous Chinese Dragon Kite (Hardcover)

This story of friendship speaks to all of us, child and parent alike. Here are two critters who are wonderful friends but opposite personalities. Hamlet, the pig, is the daredevil -- completely fearless and he doesn't seem to learn from experience. Then, there's Quince, the porcupine, who serves as both a friend and a very cautious parental type, who wants only for Hamlet to look for nice, quiet, safe activities. Of course, Quince is always there, ready to pick up the pieces and provide comfort after the inevitable disaster.

The illustrations are both intricate and delightful. It takes a kid to notice many of the details. The first time we read the book my daughter said, "Look, Mom, the shopkeeper has to stand on phone books to see over the counter."

5.0 out of 5 stars I don't know if kids like it but my mom does, September 22, 2010

By 

S. T. Callahan "the iguana" (hells half acre, FL USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Hamlet and the Enormous Chinese Dragon Kite (Hardcover)

I bought this as a present to go along with an actual Chinese dragon kite I gave to my mother. She collects children's books, and although she was not familiar with author or artist she enjoyed it very much, and has now started looking for his other books. It came quickly and in the stated condition, first edition signed. Excellent transaction overall. Would do business again with this company.