Master Maid: A Tale of Norway [Hardcover]

Aaron Shepard (Author), Pauline Ellison (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up

In this clever retelling of a favorite folktale, handsome and stubborn Leif goes to work for the ugly troll. Soon he ventures into the troll's forbidden kitchen and discovers the delightful Master Maid. As they fall in love, Master Maid helps Leif to fulfill the troll's impossible commands--and to avoid the stewpot as well. Full color.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-5?An engaging but little-known Norwegian folktale, expertly told and nicely illustrated. Shepard streamlines the original text collected by folklorists Peter Asbjornsen and Jorgen Moe in the 19th century, but remains true to the spirit of that version. Leif, a headstrong young man, leaves home to work for a demanding troll and soon discovers that the tasks assigned to him are impossible. For example, when cleaning out the stable every pitchfork of dung that Leif throws out is multiplied tenfold and flies right back into his face. It is only with the help of the Master Maid, a beautiful young woman who cooks for the troll, that Leif is able to complete his tasks. When the irate troll decides to put him into a stew, the two escape. The troll pursues them and it is the Master Maid who saves the day. At the book's end, the couple get married. When the minister asks the young woman if she will love, honor, and obey her husband, Leif says, "Never mind that! It's best if I obey her." The narrator slyly adds, "And he did?which is why they lived happily ever after." Shepard's concise story line and evocative language make this an ideal choice for telling or reading aloud. Ellison's realistic watercolors, done in a bright and cheery palette, are highly detailed and for the most part appealing. However, the artist has a little trouble depicting humans; the troll is the most successfully executed character and he ends up being more amusing than threatening.?Denise Anton Wright, Illinois State University, Normal
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 5-8. This picture book presents a shortened version of a Norwegian folktale originally collected by nineteenth-century folklorists Peter Asbjornsen and Jorgen Moe. A young man named Leif goes to work for a troll, who sets him to work at three difficult tasks. With the help of a clever maid, whom he comes to love, Leif accomplishes all three. When Leif and his beloved are fleeing the angry troll, she magically throws obstacles behind them on the path. They escape and marry. At the ceremony, Leif declares that, rather than his wife vowing to obey him, "it's better if I obey her." This modern touch seems a little out of key, but in general the story reads well, considering that it's adapted for a young audience. Each page of text faces a large, bordered, soft-focus watercolor painting. Ellison captures the adventure and magic in a way that should appeal to young children. Not an essential purchase, but a nice addition to folklore collections. Carolyn Phelan

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dial; 1st edition (June 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803718217
• ISBN-13: 978-0803718210
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,657,121 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quality figures and a good story with a moral, January 6, 2005

By 

Charles Ashbacher (Marion, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Master Maid: A Tale of Norway (Hardcover)

This Norwegian folk tale is about a giant troll who keeps a lovely maid as a prisoner. Leif, a headstrong young boy, goes to work for the troll against his father's wishes. His first day on the job, he is told not to go in the house, and he is threatened with death if he does. Of course, once the troll has left, he enters the house and talks to the maid. She tells him the magical way to solve his task of the day, for otherwise it is impossible.
At first he does not believe her and soon discovers that she was right. For several days, after the troll gives him his daily job and then leaves, Leif goes and visits the maid, who tells him the magical way to do the task. But, being Leif, he has to try to do it his way and fail before doing it as the maid suggested. On the last day, Leif is to be chopped up into pieces for a stew, but he and the maid saddle horses and run away. The troll follows, but the maid uses some spells to stop him and they eventually escape and are married. When the minister asks the maid if she will love, honor and obey Leif, he emphatically states that he should obey her.
Folk tales generally have a purpose and for this one, it is, "pay attention to those who know things." Leif is unwilling to take the advice of people who know better and it creates problems for him. Finally, at the end, he has learned his lesson and vows to obey the maid. The illustrations are excellent, so the combination of quality figures and a good story with a happy ending combine to make this an excellent book for children.

5.0 out of 5 stars I was delighted, March 31, 2009

By 

JIMMEY JAMES (MINNEAPPLE) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Master Maid: A Tale of Norway (Hardcover)

This was a fun story to read,with nice Illistrations to my grand daughter! She is Korean and on my side Norwegian! I wanted to read her tale from both cultures to honor her heritage! The book came on time and in good condition!