The Princess and the Lord of Night [Library Binding]

Emma Bull (Author), Susan Gaber (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up

An unconventional fairy tale presents a princess who must get everything she wants, or her parents will die and their kingdom be destroyed, but the princess reaches the point where she must work to get what she really wants.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Between its once-upon-a-time beginning and its happily-ever-after ending, this picture storybook brings to life a spunky and intelligent heroine who, through acts of kindness, wisdom and goodness, manages to outwit the evil Lord of the Night. Without compromising the originality of her own voice, Bull ( Falcon ; Bone Dance ) makes use of traditional fairy-tale devices--a journey, a magic cloak, animals with special powers--so that the tale seems at once old and new. The princess has a crow "as black as the inside of an inkwell who could recite every poem ever written" and "a walnut-brown dog who understood anything she said," but she willingly sacrifices her treasures to help others and, by journey's end, breaks the curse visited upon her at her birth. Gaber's ( The Woman Who Flummoxed the Fairies ) elegant illustrations contain a Renaissance luminosity and precision reminiscent of the work of Susan Jeffers, but she also includes fantasy images--gray mists, delicate apple blossoms, jagged yellow smoke--that spill out from the confines of the paintings' white borders. Stylish and visually intriguing, this lyrical fairy tale is enchanting. Ages 4-10.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-An original fairy tale with an intriguing premise: "...the Lord of Night...put a curse on the princess when she was born, that if ever she wanted something she couldn't have, the kingdom would fall into ruin and the king and queen would die." When the princess awakens on her 13th birthday, she knows she wants something- she doesn't know what, but is determined to find it. On her journey, she gives away her beloved animal companions to people in need, and finally meets a very small old man who gives her a magical ring. When she returns home, the Lord of Night tells her he knows she wants something she doesn't have. She tells him that she wants to be free of his curse, and uses the ring to get her wish. With its classic fairy-tale theme of triumph over misfortune, this is a cleverly plotted story with an interesting mix of folkloric elements. The formal language is elegant and vivid. The romantic watercolor-and-colored-pencil illustrations are lush yet delicate, with clear, rich colors and lovely, flowing lines. A beautiful princess and a fearsome Lord of Night are dramatically placed in a Renaissance setting. Most children will love this long picture book; it would make a great classroom read aloud.
Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Library Binding
• Publisher: Harcourt Childrens Books (J); 1st edition (March 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152635432
• ISBN-13: 978-0152635435
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,195,484 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I write science fiction and fantasy, both novels and... Well, I'd say short stories, but they often wind up as novelettes. Or novellas. Usually novellas. My parents observed early on that I was a yakky kid.

I was born in Torrance, California. After that, my family moved to Houston, Texas; Beloit, Wisconsin; South Plainfield, New Jersey; and Rockton, Illinois. Since I was still short a few states at that point, I moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota after graduating from Beloit College. From there, I moved to Los Angeles, California; Bisbee, Arizona; and Tucson, Arizona.

Hmm. Still short a few states.

I'm married to author Will Shetterly. I have two cats: Toby, the best cat in the world; and Barnabas, the worst cat in the world.

I'd list my published work, but hey, this is Amazon.com! If there isn't already a link to everything somewhere around here, just search for me!

In addition to my solo writing, I'm the Executive Producer of Shadow Unit, the best science fiction thriller TV show in prose form ever. So far, at least. My Co-Producer is Elizabeth Bear. Writing staff includes Will Shetterly, Sarah Monette, Amanda Downum, Leah Bobet, Chelsea Polk, and Holly Black. We're in our third season as I write this. Check it out at www.shadowunit.org.

As my Amazon Wish List shows, I'm a Man from Uncle and Wild, Wild West fan. I crochet. I sew. I like cowboy reenacting and Victorian dress-up and dancing. I also play guitar and sing, and was proud to be a member of Minneapolis band Cats Laughing and goth-folk duo the Flash Girls.

I'm just a little bit obsessed with coffee.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Princess and the Lord of the Night, June 3, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Princess and the Lord of Night (Library Binding)

This is a wonderful new fairy tale, great for all ages especially anyone who loves fairy tales, but wants them to have a modern flair. This story really makes us all wonder what is it that we truly desire? What would it take for us to get it? Is it as far away a goal as it may first seem, or is it really quite simple? This is a great book for all ages.