Nightingale, The [Paperback]

H. Andersen (Author), L. Zwerger (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up

Though the emperor banishes the nightingale in preference for a jeweled mechanical imitation, the little bird remains faithful and returns years later when the emperor is near death and no one else can help him.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Luminescent paintings accompany a faithful retelling of Andersen's popular story. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1988 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-- A successful and welcome version of Andersen's well-loved tale of the nightingale who charmed the Emperor of China, escaped to the forest when replaced by a mechanical bird, but returned to save the Emperor from Death with the gift of a song freely given. The text is essentially like that found in earlier versions of this tale, illustrated by Lisbeth Zwerger (Picture Book Studio, 1984) and by Nancy Elkholm Burkert (Harper, 1985). Although occasional words and phrases differ, the plot and resolution are identical, with this new version slightly abridged, dropping a sentence or a phrase in places without any loss in meaning. The illustrations depict various settings in the Chinese court and its environs in detailed watercolors that are full of movement and life, using a glorious palette of emeralds, jades, and amethysts contrasting with rich earth tones. While they may lack the artistic subtlety of Zwerger's pale, simple watercolors and Burkert's darker, rich paintings, Darke manages to incorporate the text into the illustrations in a way that neither of the previous illustrators has done. Where Zwerger's full-page illustrations each face a full page of text, and Burkert's double-page paintings alternate with two full pages of text, Darke fits sections of text into "windows" fully surrounded by illustration. In this way, the story becomes less intimidating to young readers, and more useful as read-aloud material, allowing listeners to "read" visually while hearing the story. --Susan L. Rogers, Chestnut Hill Academy, PA
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Michael Neugebauer (North South Books) (March 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0735811202
• ISBN-13: 978-0735811201
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 8.3 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,262,908 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A sweet storie., July 2, 2000

By 

Åsa Högström - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nightingale (Hardcover)

The emperor of China Has every thing, and his palace are so beatiful. But one day he hears of a little Nightingale that sings so beatiful. And he really want to have it... Read what happens with him in this book. You can't help it being touched of this sweet storie, I can say that I was it... Like I have said before I will say again, H C Andersen can really write good childrens books!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing illustration, May 14, 2005

By 

Hana Bauer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nightingale, The (Hardcover)

This is a great story, but what makes this edition exceptional are the beautiful illustrations. The more you look at them, the more magical they seem. You will keep coming back.

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful rendition of a classic fable, March 27, 2011

By 

Zack Davisson "japanreviewed" (Seattle, WA, USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (2008 HOLIDAY TEAM)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: NIGHTINGALE CL (Hardcover)

It is odd to see Michael Bedard listed as the author for "The Nightingale," because as we all know this charming fable comes from Hans Christian Andersen. In fact, Christian Andersen's name appears nowhere in this version that I can find, and if it is there it is in the very fine print.

But even though Bedard may have arranged the text, this is still the same charming story of love, loss and appreciation that I have known since I was a child. Thanks to a kitchen girl, the Emperor of China discovers the beautiful song of a nightingale in his garden. But disappointed with its bland, grey appearance, he replaces it with a mechanical bird resplendent in jewels and gold, beautiful both outside and in. But the mechanical bird is just a toy, and cannot vary its perpetual clockwork tune. And the end the Emperor comes to appreciate the simplicity and innate beauty of nature and the nightingale.

There are so many versions of this story available - for free even, seeing as how Christian Andersen's works are public domain - so it is really the illustrations that are going to be the reason to chose this particular edition. And for that, illustrator Regolo Ricci is a fantastic choice. His paintings are delicate and beautiful, realistic enough to be engaging and impressionistic enough not to be bland. I was impressed with the detail Ricci went into portraying China. Even though "The Nightingale" is not actually a Chinese myth - Christian Andersen wrote the story in Copenhagen, Denmark, and knew nothing more about China than his decorative dinner plates - Ricci has invigorated the illustrations with symbolism and meaning authentic to China. There is a section of notes in the back explaining why the kitchen girl wears red, why the bats in the evening sky are a good omen for the Emperor, and the importance of certain flowers placed in pictures and their meaning.