The New King [Hardcover]

Doreen Rappaport (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1995

When young Prince Rakoto is told of his father's death, he cannot accept it. The new king gives his first orders to his royal advisors: "Bring my father back to life!" When they are unable to do so, Rakoto then goes to the Wise Woman--who tells him an enthralling Malagasy tale that helps him begin to accept what has happened. Watercolor illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A thoughtful folktale from Madagascar and spare, painterly watercolors affectingly cohere in this compassionate book about a boy's encounter with death. When his father the king is killed on a hunt, the crown prince-the "new king"-commands assorted court potentates to revive him. When they are unable to help, the vexed child consults the Wise Woman, who teaches him about death and immortality with a parable about "the first human couple," who were given a choice between renewal ("dying like the moon") or enabling a new generation ("dying like the banana tree"). Rappaport's (The Journey of Meng) seemingly straightforward narrative is infused with strong emotional currents. (She notes, in fact, that the prince's passage through grief is based upon the writings of Elisabeth Kubler-Ross). Lewis's (Fire on the Mountain) unadorned illustrations, featuring strong, emotive faces and striking native garb, focus the attention squarely on the characters. Ages 5-up.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 5^-9. A well-known Malagasy tale from Madagascar is the center of a universal story of grief and renewal. "Father is dead. Now you are king," the small prince, Rakoto, is told. But he can't accept the sudden death of his beloved father. As he goes through the stages of denial, anger, and guilt, a Wise Woman tells him a story that helps him finally to accept his loss. Rakoto sees he must rule and pass on his father's lessons of love and justice. As in Lewis' illustrations for Mollel's Big Boy , the light-filled watercolors show the spacious African landscape and also the intense feelings of individual people. The emotions are strong, and the understated paintings of the boy trying to get answers from his community and the natural world express his sorrow and connection. Hazel Rochman

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dial; 1st edition (May 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803714602
• ISBN-13: 978-0803714601
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,165,595 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Doreen Rappaport is known for her ground-breaking approach to multicultural history and stories for young readers. In her many award-winning books, she brings attention to not-yet-celebrated Americans, along with well-known figures.

A former teacher of music and reading, Doreen knows how to capture children's attention. Her dynamic formats engage even the most reluctant readers.

Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is an Orbis Pictus Honor Book, Coretta Scott King Honor Book, Caldecott Honor Book for Illustration, ALA Notable Book, and is on the Blue Ribbon list of the Bulletin Center for Children's Books.

We Are The Many: A Picture Book of American Indians, introduces the accomplishments of sixteen distinguished American Indians.

Her classic Escape From Slavery presents the history of the Underground Railroad through adventure stories.

The Boston Coffee Party introduces children to a neglected event in history books and shows the active roles played by women during the Revolutionary War.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book Should Be Labeled A Classic, June 16, 2000

By 

Paul Martin (Waukesha, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The New King (Hardcover)

Author Rappaport and Illustrator Lewis have done a marvelous job in their treatment of an issue that children are curious of--death. It is not depressing, but it is more of a learning experience for children readers that is easily understood as they're able to empathize with a troubled little boy whose father has died.

The illustrations are keen and exhibit people dressed in exotic nineteenth-century Madagascar clothing.

I read the story to my four and six-year-olds, and they, as I, loved it!