The Impudent Rooster [Hardcover]

Sabina Rascol (Author), Holly Berry (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: P and up

When a greedy nobleman steals the purse a rooster intends for his poor master, the rooster crows out the truth: “Give back the pennies you stole!” But the nobleman hears only impudence, and he orders the rooster thrown down a well. But neither the well’s deep water, nor an oven’s heat, nor cattle’s hard hooves can stop this “impudent” rooster, whose amazing powers win back the purse and reverse the nobleman’s fortunes. Children will relish the energetic language and interplay of magic and justice in this read-aloud tale. Holly Berry’s stylized illustrations, inspired by Romanian folk-art designs and bursting with color and humor, give this book the dimensions of a classic.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4-This vibrantly illustrated adaptation of a traditional story describes how loyalty can triumph over adversity. A poor elderly man has only his beloved rooster for company. One day, however, he speaks harshly to him, and the bird leaves "not knowing or caring where he went." He finds a small purse of coins but a greedy nobleman steals it. The rooster runs after the rich man, who tries to drown, burn, starve, and trample the rooster, but the fowl keeps finding a way out of each situation, growing larger as he swallows his enemy's treasure and cattle. The rooster finally regains the coin purse. He returns to the old man, who greets him with joy, and the two live richly, and happily ever after. The fast-paced action and a repeated refrain ("Cucurigu, my great lord!/Give back the pennies you stole") will grab readers' attention. The language flows smoothly and reads aloud well. The large folk-art paintings, done in watercolors and colored pencils, depict brightly clothed characters, detailed backdrops, and a hero who grows in stature along with his deeds.-Janet M. Bair, Trumbull Library, CT
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 2. Adapting her tale from a Romanian story by Ion Creanga, Rascol tells about a small, brave rooster, driven from the farmyard, who grows powerful as he defeats an evil nobleman and brings riches back home to the poor farmer. The greedy nobleman tries everything to get rid of the pesky upstart. He throws the rooster down a well, but the rooster drinks all the water and flies out. He tosses the bird in a fiery oven, but the rooster spews out all the water he drank and puts out the flames. The rooster swallows coins, and he swallows the barnyard animals. Finally, he brings everything home to make the poor farmer rich. The standoffs, chases, and the refrain ("What could the rooster do?") are great for storytellers, and the clear, dramatic, very bright pictures in folk-art style, showing the small creature swelling up until he fills the double-page spread, can be used with a small group. Children will appreciate the farmyard farce about the small, noisy creature who refuses to be intimidated in a giant world. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (April 12, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525471790
• ISBN-13: 978-0525471790
• Product Dimensions: 12.3 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #671,337 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #72 in Books > Children's Books > Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths > European

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rich language and artwork, September 2, 2004

By 

P. Clement - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Impudent Rooster (Hardcover)

Beginning with the middle word in its title, The Impudent Rooster contains language that challenges, entertains, and doesn't talk down to children. The rooster's poor master is "humiliated" by his poverty; the scolded rooster "lurched" through the gate; he meets a nobleman who had "amassed" his wealth dishonestly. The rich words are matched by detailed folk art which perfectly captures the beauty and flavor of rural Romania, a country I lived in for nine years. The rooster even crows in Romanian-"Cucurigu!" This book is a great cultural experience and a wholesome, fun read, and that's why I'm buying copies as gifts for friends and family.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful story, exquisite illustrations, February 24, 2010

By 

BBC fan (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Impudent Rooster (Hardcover)

This is a great classic Romanian story, every child in Romania knows it as "Punguta cu doi bani" ( The two penny purse). It is a wonderful story of courage and determination.
This edition is astonishing, especially for the beautiful illustrations!
Every page in the book is so meticulously researched: authentic Romanian folk costumes,landscapes,houses, traditional designs of pottery! So many beautiful surprises! At the same time it is whimsical enough to attract the attention of little kids!
The text is enticing for 4-10 year olds and close to the original story, makes for a great gift!
Wonderful team, illustrator and storyteller,
can we have more?!

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely Folktale, June 29, 2008

By 

Justine "JCF" (NC, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Impudent Rooster (Hardcover)

This pleasingly- illustrated tale should be a staple for a kid's bookshelf. Nice break from Disney and Spongebob and a sweet, satisfying story.