The King's Equal [Hardcover]

Katherine Paterson (Author), Vladimir Vasilevich Vagin (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1992 | Age Level: 7 and up

Long ago, in a country far away, a dying king makes his son, the selfish Prince Raphael, ruler of the kingdom. But there is one condition: Raphael cannot wear the crown until he marries a woman who is his equal in beauty, intelligence, and wealth. Through the powers of a magical wolf, Raphael finds his equal, but he must struggle to be hers as well. Full color.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Endowing her picture book cum chapter book with both humor and mystery, Paterson ( Lyddie ) inventively rejuvenates one of folklore's familiar themes--the triumph of common sense and earthy sensibility. A selfish, conceited prince is tormented by the dying words of his wise father, the benevolent king: "You will not wear my crown until the day you marry a woman who is your equal in beauty, intelligence and wealth." Raphael's vanity prevents him from finding such a bride until an unknown maiden appears at the palace. Sent by a mysterious talking wolf, Rosamund dazzles Raphael with her beauty, her intelligence (she is the first to recognizes his loneliness) and her wealth ("There is nothing I desire that I do not already possess"). However, she refuses his proposal of marriage, pointing out that, by his own admission, she is more than equal to him; his task is to earn her love. Illuminating the six chapters are Vagin's elegantly detailed paintings, each featuring a smaller bordered scene laid atop a full-page illustration: the opulent scarlet and golds of the royal interiors are strikingly juxtaposed with the smoky blues and greens of the lush countryside; pewter-toned borders surround the text itself. The richness of both word and image renders an entertaining and enchanting story. Ages 7-10.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-6-- Finding a princess who is the ``king's equal'' in comeliness, intelligence, and wealth is an order that confounds the wisest, most loyal councilors in this distant realm. Finding a book equal in quality and brilliance to this one is an even more formidable task. Paterson weaves her story within the structure of familiar fairy tales; she includes romance, repetition of language, the number three, and a moral of goodness and love triumphing over selfishness and greed. Her careful attention to the beauty and variety of descriptive language is evident on every page. The story gains dimension with the inclusion of ``the Wolf.'' At first glimpse, he seems a menacing, negative force, but he is revealed ultimately to be the purveyor of magic, and even the perfect matchmaker. He never intrudes upon court life in the capital city, but remains in his remote mountain lair, an enigmatic character to ponder at the story's end. Vagin's illustrations are exquisite, luminous in color, clarity, and precision. Readers are drawn into the courtly world of a wealthy kingdom through details of costume, architecture, furniture, and decorations. Because there are six chapters, the book is a lengthy read-aloud. This is, however, no drawback; young listeners will be a spellbound and appreciative audience, and should want to return to the book again and again. --Martha Rosen, Edgewood School, Scarsdale, NY
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Harpercollins Childrens Books; 1st edition (September 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060224967
• ISBN-13: 978-0060224967
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,088,165 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Katherine Paterson has twice won both the Newbery Medal and the National Book Award. She received the 1998 Hans Christian Andersen Medal as well as the 2006 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award for the body of her work. An active promoter of reading and literacy, she lives with her husband, John, in Barre, Vermont. They have four children and seven grandchildren. Visit Katherine Paterson on her web site at www.terabithia.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Review Of The King's Equal, January 9, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The King's Equal (Trophy Chapter Books) (Paperback)

I liked the book The King's Equal. I liked the book because Rosamund shows the prince how not to be selfish. I think people and kids should read this book because it shows how you should act and talk to people. Prince Raphael's father died and Raphael's father gave him a blessing. His blessing was,"You should be married to your own equal but if you're not then you will not wear my crown." Then Raphael searches for a wife. Up in the mountains there was a girl named Rosamund and she meets a wolf that talks then the wolf said that he was a good friend of her mother. And then he told her "Your mother gave you a blessing that you will be with your own equal". Then when Rosamund heard from the people that the prince was so selfish and took everything from the people and when she heard she felt very bad and the wolf made her a magic gold necklace. The prince saw Rosamund and said she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen and when Raphael asked Rosamund to marry him she said,"If you want to marry me then you have to go to the mountains and take care of four goats and return after one year." Then a year goes by and when he returns he brings all of the goats back and when Rosamund saw him she said, "I will marry you." I learned from this book how not to be selfish in life.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars There is definitely a lesson to be learned in this book, October 27, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The King's Equal (Hardcover)

I read this book to my 6th grade class and my students loved it. They just couldn't believe Raphael's arrogance. They believe his father made that demand on purpose because as arrogant as he was they knew for sure that Prince Raphael would never find anyone his equal. His father feared his son getting his crown because he knew his people would suffer. My students really enjoyed how Rosamund turned things around and how Prince Raphael now wasn't Rosamund's equal. Prince Raphael really learned a lesson and that is that wealth, wisdom, and beauty are no substitute for loneliness and friendships. He learned that he must be kind and sensitive to others feelings and in turn people will be kind to him and he will gain friends for life.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars My Review of The King's Equal, January 4, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The King's Equal (Trophy Chapter Books) (Paperback)

I like this book. It was fun because in the kingdom the prince looks stupid. In the beginning of the book I don't like this book but as I keep reading it was fun and exciting. Rosamund told him "I am rich and intelligent and beatiful." I wonder how come she is intelligent, rich and beautiful .Raphael was very very very very very bad because Raphael closed the schools and took gold and money and some really important things. And then Rosamund told him, "You must go to the mountain and live with goats for 1 year." He came back to the castle and married with Rosamund and lived a good life. I learned your mind has to be open not closed.