The Merry Pranks of Till Eulenspiegel [Hardcover]

Heinz Janisch (Author), Lisbeth Zwerger (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up

Hans Christian Andersen Medalist Lisbeth Zwerger cunningly illustrates 11 folktales about Till Eulenspiegel, the famous sixteenth-century German folk hero, popular in legend as a shrewd trickster. In this handsome reissue, she chronicles Till's pranks from his triple dunking at his baptism, to his funeral, at which he leaves a last trick for his mourners. Zwerger's celebrated wit and insouciant style are the perfect complements to the antics of this notorious merrymaker.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Hans Christian Andersen Medalist Zwerger cunningly illustrates 11 folktales about the famous German prankster--from Till's triple dunking at his baptism, to his funeral, at which he leaves a last trick for his mourners. Both art and text are distinctly quaint and European. Although the stories are told colloquially, as if by a villager who knew Eulenspiegel well, there is a forced merriment to the narrator's intrusions: " 'What a crazy fellow!' " folks say when they hear of Till's merry pranks." he too frequently tells the reader. However, Zwerger's bright paintings, bordered by gaily patterned, thin ribbons, are tightly designed and populated by a rich panoply of German peasants and kings, who laugh with Eulenspiegel even as they are being duped. Ages 5-up.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-6-- In 11 single-page vignettes, Till Eulenspiegel captures the imaginations of another generation of children. Recounted are his three baptisms, Till on the tightrope, baking owls and monkeys, and other lesser-known prankster tales. Bell's elegant translations are full of meaning, and can be read aloud to young listeners with enjoyment, while older children will howl at the double entendres that characterize these traditional stories. Missing, however, is any folkloric background, and only intrepid hunters will discover from the CIP that Till is of German origin. Zwerger's illustrations relay impish human expressions wonderfully, but overall her delicate, wispy pictures fail to snatch the vivacious energy of the practical joker. Handsome individual borders emphasize the contained quality of the watercolors, but are a visual treat in themselves. While these tellings may be the only ones available for this audience, older readers will also enjoy Jay Williams's The Wicked Tricks of Tyl Uilenspiegel (Four Winds, 1978; o.p.), which sports more dynamic art by Friso Henstra. --Carolyn Noah, Worcester Public Library, MA
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: North-South Books (November 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 155858806X
• ISBN-13: 978-1558588066
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 8.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,763,991 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice!, January 9, 2006

By 

Antony Witheyman (Classified) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Merry Pranks of Till Eulenspiegel (Hardcover)

Ideal for people who are amused by merry pranks or people who are amused by the name Till Eulenspiegel.