The Secret Room [Paperback]

Uri Shulevitz (Illustrator, Narrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

While traveling in the countryside, a king asks a gray-haired man why his beard is black. "Because my head is older than my beard," he replies. The king is so impressed with the man's clever answer that he soon names him treasurer of the kingdom. But the chief minister is jealous of the influence this outsider has over the king and accuses him of stealing. In order to prove his innocence, the new treasurer must be wise as well as clever.
With jewel-tone watercolors, this simple but rich story by the Caldecott Medalist is sure to become a folktale favorite.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"Stained-glass-bright watercolors and crazy-quilt graphics," said PW, enliven the desert-kingdom setting of this "fresh" folktale. All ages.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 3 Up-A picture book of riddles, wordplay, and royal intrigue. When the king rewards a wise man's cleverness by appointing him treasurer, a villainous counselor accuses him of stealing gold and hiding it in his house. A mysterious secret room turns out to be where the treasurer goes to reflect on his good fortune and not get "too full of" himself. The writing is economical and concrete. Unfortunately, the gentle message about tempering gratitude with humility doesn't seem to fit with the rest of the tale and isn't one that will be comprehensible (or of interest) to youngsters. Shulevitz's artwork is superb. Bright, angular, stylized figures move in a timeless, dreamlike atmosphere and his use of light, shadow, and color to convey mood is extraordinary. Since this effort is unquestionably an artistic and literary success, many libraries will want to buy it. But is it a book children will like? Probably not.
Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: A Sunburst Book – Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) (September 27, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374465967
• ISBN-13: 978-0374465964
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 9.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #893,754 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars How can your head be gray and your beard black?, February 7, 2005

By 

Misael Ro - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Secret Room (Paperback)

This story has an interesting character because his head is gray and his beard is black. This old man teaches kids to be wise and to trust others. I want to one day be like him.

5.0 out of 5 stars beautiful, simple, timeless wisdom, March 4, 2011

By 

HappyLily - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Secret Room (Paperback)

This simple book is great for a quiet time read. Thought-provoking enough to resonate with adults and simple enough for children to enjoy. Not too short, not too long. I never mind reading this book. Reminiscent of Daniel in the Old Testament of the Bible.

5.0 out of 5 stars The Old Man, February 7, 2005

By 

Alfafa Mili - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Secret Room (Paperback)

I love this book so much, I would like to one day buy it for my collection because it teaches people how to respect each other. My favorite character is the Old Man.