Nightingale, The [Hardcover]

North-South Staff (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1945 | Age Level: 5 and up

Despite being neglected by the emperor for a jewel-studded bird, the little nightingale revives the dying ruler with its beautiful song.

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

Kindergarten-Grade 4-- Lewis' translation of Andersen's familiar story is well written and easily understood, and the delicate, jeweled-toned watercolors are among the best available to invoke the mood of the story. This book joins nine other picture-book editions of the story currently in print, but is a worthy purchase because of the quality of the illustrations. Also, Lewis has elected a simple version which, while maintaining the flavor of the original, presents the story in a style easily understood by children of today. To do this, she has eliminated some delightful passages that might be appreciated by older children. Thus, while this version is a delight for younger audiences, a second one with a more complete translation should also be available. --Constance A. Mellon, Department of Library & Information Studies, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 36 pages
• Publisher: North-South (July 1, 1945)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558580905
• ISBN-13: 978-1558580909
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,069,026 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.