Little Salt Lick and the Sun King [Hardcover]

Jennifer Armstrong (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 26, 1994

Illus. in full color by Jon Goodell. Little Salt Lick, the Second Assistant Rotisserie Turner in the Department of Roasted Meats at the court of King Louis XIV, is fed up. Every day the dogs of Versailles lie in wait for him until he finishes work, when they chase him through the palace trying to lick the salt from his sweaty arms. "Shoo!" he scolds--to no avail. Then, after a banquet, King Louis's precious poodle is missing. Everyone searches, but it is Little Salt Lick who finds Chou-Chou, resulting in a promotion.  

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4-Little Salt Lick is the Second Assistant Rotisserie Turner in the Department of Roasted Meats in the kitchen at Versailles during the reign of Louis XIV. His real name, Paul, has given way to the nickname because, covered with sweat from the kitchen heat and the long hours of turning the spit, the small boy is fair game for all the palace dogs, who chase him to lick at his salty arms. When he can escape, he hides in the cool, dog-free recesses of the haylofts. When he finds the King's missing pet poodle in the loft, he becomes an accidental hero and is promoted to a new position. Armstrong can tell a story with strength and wit and masterful language. She even salts the text sparingly with French words. Although this is Goodell's first picture book, he is a first-class illustrator. The humorous, detailed paintings reflect and augment the story, showing readers a meticulously rendered palace, a lusty master chef, a popinjay King Louis, and a snub-nosed young Paul with the happy pack of chiens in pursuit. This is a sunny view of history in which even the lowliest kitchen lad is round-limbed and well treated. Another winner from Armstrong.
Sally Margolis, Deerfield Public Library, IL
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Ages 5-8. Paul, the Second Assistant Rotisserie Turner in the Department of Roasted Meats at Louis XIV's palace in Versailles, is known as Little Salt Lick because all the dogs constantly lick the salt from his sweaty arms. When he flees to the barn to escape the kitchen heat and pesky hounds, he discovers Chou-Chou, the Sun King's missing miniature poodle, who has run away to avoid the overpowering adults that surround him. The two become fast friends (Paul is delighted not to be licked on his arms; Chou-Chou is pleased to find a small person), and King Louis rewards the boy with a new title--First Assistant Bearer of the King's Dog. Goodell's richly textured paintings display an elegance suited to the opulent setting; the many details of seventeenth-century chateau life will intrigue young readers. The artwork also captures Armstrong's droll sense of humor (mostly in facial expressions) and helps to keep the story within the interest range of the intended audience. Kay Weisman --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (April 26, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0517596210
• ISBN-13: 978-0517596210
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,995,067 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)