Customer Reviews

The Man Who Kept His Heart in a Bucket (Picture Puffins)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Not many stories deal with "feelings" or"emotions". Some stories may evoke strong feelings--and thisis no exception--but very few consider "if our hearts are in the right place." In this enchanting, beautifully told tale, a man keeps his heart tucked safely in a bucket until a smart and pretty girl "steals" it away. She tells him that she will keep it for him until he can answer a riddle. Solving this intriguing riddle requires that the man visit a series of people in his village--a baker, a musician and a poor farmer's wife and child. In each case, the man and the people he encounters became richer for the experience and find the magic of giving, sharing and loving. At the end of the story, the man finds that his heart has been in the "right place" all along and that he no longer needs to hide it in a bucket. Not only does he find his heart but is able to easily give it to the girl who stole it from him at the beginning of his "journey". A charming, heart-warming and memorable tale that is bound to be a classic! A lovely story that speaks to the heart. The illustrations are beautifully wrought and evoke a "once a upon a time"less quality. A true story treasure!

A young man named Jack keeps his heart in a bucket and carries it around with him. His heart was broken once and he doesn't want it to happen again. Jack seems unable to experience the real joys in life: the sweet taste of bread, a musical melody to dance to, and the soft touch of a baby's hand. Then one day a maiden steals Jack's heart. She tells him a riddle that he must answer before she will return his heart. This is a very touching story the illustrates that in order to truly love another person, we must first learn to love and enjoy life. The illustrations that accompany the text are beautiful and give the story a touch of rustic flavor. Children will probably enjoy this story, but it's really a fairy tale for grown-ups because they are the only ones who can fully appreciate all the nuances of the tale.

This one reads like a fairy tale in the style of H. C. Anderson. Jack keeps his heart in a bucket to keep it safe, but that means he has no... enjoyment of things. When he eats a heavenly dish he feels full. When he hears beautiful music he feels that it is loud. When he sees a squirming baby he wants it far, far away from him.

His heart gets stolen again anyway, all for the purpose of teaching him a lesson and hooking him up with the moralistic fish-woman. Well, it works.

Love the shot of a babywearing mama on one page :)

This one is a bit long for the younger set, but then, they probably wouldn't really begin to "get it" yet anyway.