Seven at One Blow: A Tale from the Brothers Grimm [Hardcover]

Jacob W. Grimm (Author), Eric A. Kimmel (Author, Narrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1998 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Relates how a tailor who kills seven flies at one blow manages to become king.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This faithful retelling of the Grimms' tale about a confident tailor who becomes a king boasts many appealing garnishes. After a tailor kills seven flies with one swipe, he embroiders the words "Seven at One Blow" on his belt and sets out to advertise his prowess to the world. Time and again, the tailor's confidence and self-reliance get him out of trouble?whether he is facing giants, ogres, a ferocious unicorn, a wild boar or a conniving king and princess. Kimmel (Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins) keeps the language clear and simple yet leaves his mark on the classic tale with understated humor ("Who is this insect? We'll grind his bones!" growl two giants upon meeting the tailor) and whimsical flourishes (e.g., finding the giant's bed too hard, the tailor crawls into one of the giant's socks, "which made a fine sleeping bag"). Lloyd (Too Many Pumpkins) sounds just the right note with her expressive illustrations in watercolor and pen and ink; she keeps the tailor's cockiness comical and devoid of arrogance. Her monsters are never scary; readers can see that the tailor always has the upper hand. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 4-A thoroughly enjoyable retelling of a traditional tale. Seven at One Blow recounts the adventures of a cocky tailor who, emboldened by his ability to kill seven flies with a solitary whack, sets out to inform the world of his prowess. He encounters giants, ogres, a wild boar, and other menaces and bests them all simply by his fearlessness. Kimmel has made only minor deviations from the original Grimm story, and what few changes there are serve only to enhance the tale. Lloyd's watercolor illustrations are a treat for the eye and perfectly complement the rollicking humor of the tale. Sergei Goloshapov's The Brave Little Tailor (North-South, 1997) has a serviceable text, but the illustrations are dark and grotesque. Robert and Daniel San Souci's version (Dell, 1994) has lovely illustrations, but they are far more formal and have less child appeal than Lloyd's. Libraries owning the other two will still want to make space for this one.
Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Holiday House; 1st edition (September 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823413837
• ISBN-13: 978-0823413836
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #689,390 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)