The Love for Three Oranges (Musical Stories series) [Hardcover]

Sergei Prokofiev (Author), Elzbieta Gaudasinska (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 28, 2006 | Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up | Series: Musical Stories series (Book 1)

The magical surrealism of the famous opera The Love for Three Oranges is vividly depicted in this pictorial adaptation, designed to create an awareness of classical music among young children. Combining humor, sorrow, fantasy, and a bit of the grotesque, this fanciful story tells the tale of a prince whose melancholy can only be cured by a hearty laugh. In order to break through his gloom, the king plans a splendid feast and orders the court jester, Truffaldino, to appear and cheer up his son. When the prince finally lets out a guffaw, he incurs the wrath of Fata Morgana, a malicious witch who curses him with an undeniable passion for three oranges—oranges that he must chase to the ends of the earth.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-5–This unusual story of a melancholy prince, cursed to fall in love with three oranges, will be unfamiliar to most children, though it is Prokofiev's most-often-performed opera. It opens and closes with remarks to the audience by Pantaloon, a clownish figure dressed in the style of Italian commedia dell'arte. In between readers meet a sick, then lovesick prince; a worried king; a merry court jester; a helpful wizard; a vicious witch with evil assistants; a giant cook; and, of course, a beautiful princess. The strange tale is matched by Gaudasinska's modern, somewhat surreal illustrations. The muted palette of salmony pink, burnt orange, and limey green is distinctive. The long-nosed, round-eyed characters are lively and appealing. The first volume in the series, this book will be especially useful for music teachers introducing opera to young audiences.–Robin L. Gibson, Granville Parent Cooperative Preschool, OH
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From Booklist

Based on the libretto for Sergei Prokofiev's opera, which was based on Carlo Gozzi's play, which was based on an Italian fairy tale, this large-format picture book tells the story of a sad young prince who laughs at a witch's pratfall. As punishment, she casts a spell: the prince will fall in love with three oranges. The prince and his court jester locate those oranges in a faraway castle, steal them, and escape to the nearby desert. In a series of mishaps, the prince finds, loses, and regains his true love, Princess Ninetta. Set within the framework of a commedia dell'arte performance, the fairy tale is gracefully told, but the elegant illustrations by Polish artist Gaudasinska steal the show. Fine lines, elongated forms, and a subtle, delicate palette create artwork that is sophisticated yet comical and appealing. Sweeping gestures give a suitably operatic look to the characters. From the Musical Stories series, this offers an appealing introduction to the opera. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Pumpkin House, Ltd. (September 28, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0964601036
• ISBN-13: 978-0964601031
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 9.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #841,143 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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