Solomon the Rusty Nail (Michael Di Capua Books) [Paperback]

William Steig (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Series: Michael Di Capua Books

Here, in the great tradition of Sylvester and the Magic Pebble and Caleb and Kate, is another
tale of magical transformation from William Steig. Its hero, young Solomon, is an ordinary
rabbit--well, ordinary in every respect but one. Whenever he scratches his nose and wiggles
his toes at exactly the same time, he turns into a rusty nail. To turn back into a rabbit, all he has
to do is thing: "I'm no nail, I'm a rabbit!"
This unusual talent enables Solomon to play some gratifying practical jokes, but it also leads to serious trouble when he's waylaid by a one-eyed cat who plans to turn him into Hasenpfeffer. Solomon promptly becomes a rusty nail and steadfastly refuses to change back, even after Ambrose, the cat, and his wife, Clorinda, lock him up in a cage in their guest room. Sooner or later, they figure, they'll be dining no bunny stew. How can Solomon possibly find a way out of this dilemma?

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A rabbit who can turn into a nail and back again is captured by a cat in Steig's tale of transformation and enchantment. Ages 3-up.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2 Solomon is an ordinary rabbit with one extraordinary exception: whenever he scratches his nose and wiggles his toes at exactly the same time, he turns into a rusty nail. Incarcerated by a one-eyed cat, he is soon nailed to the wall in a fit of feline pique. As with other Steig heroes and heroines, a combination of pluck and luck lead him back to the bosom of his worried family. Steig's watercolors are, as always, uniquely expressive, ranging from wryly witty to luminescently lovely. However, there is more than a hint of d ej a vu to the story line: echoes of Sylvester and the Magic Pebble (Windmill, 1969) mix with overtones of The Amazing Bone (Farrar, 1976) conjuring up earlierand betterfantasies. In the process of pasting together elements from other fantasies, Steig has created a world leaking at its logical seams. If Solomon can "still hear though he had no ears, and see though he had no eyes," why can he not also talk, though he has no mouth, and thus save himself at once? Furthermore, Solomon discovers his magical power while sitting on a green, flower-sprinkled lawn, then proceeds to mystify his friends, "starting the next day," as they all frolic with sleds on a snow-covered hillside. Now really! Quibbles, perhaps, but ones that glare like errors in this less-than-masterful performance by a master storyteller. Kristi Thomas Beavin, Arlington County Library, Va.
Copyright 1986 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: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) (September 1, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374469032
• ISBN-13: 978-0374469030
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 8.3 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,054,453 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

William Steig (1907-2003) published his first children's book, Roland the Minstrel Pig, in 1968, and received the Caldecott Medal for Sylvester and the Magic Pebble (978-1416902065) in 1970. His works also include The Amazing Bone, a Caldecott Honor Book, and Abel's Island and Doctor De Soto, both Newbery Honor Books. His most recent books published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux are Shrek! (released by DreamWorks as a major motion picture) and Wizzil, illustrated by Quentin Blake. School Library Journal named Shrek! a Best Book of 1990 and said of it, "Steig's inimitable wit and artistic dash have never been sharper or more expertly blended."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Imaginative, funny, quirky book my kids adored, August 13, 2010

By 

Le Petit Poulet "Pouletbird" (New York City, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Solomon: The rusty nail (Paperback)

This is a great book for kids. Mine loved this book along with all of Steig's books. He is (was) one of the last few authors who actually gave kids the credit they deserved for being strong, interesting, imaginative beings. This story is quirky and hilarious--a nail? A rusty nail? that's what you can turn into? I mean, why not? This is no pandering, "talk down to kiddies" book. By all means read this one and all of Steig's books (as well as Roald Dahl's) to your children. You will love their odd humor and fresh voice too.

1 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Terrifying story; inappropriate for young children, August 24, 2007

By 

Quickhappy "quickhappy" (Big city, big country) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Solomon the Rusty Nail (Michael Di Capua Books) (Paperback)

Yes, it all turns out okay in the end, as frightening stories so often do, but this well-illustrated book is too scary for your little ones. Solomon, the bunny, can turn himself into a rusty nail. It's a nice enough idea, but alas the author has Solomon chased by an evil cat with a long knife, who wants to eat Solomon for dinner. Solomon turns into a nail, but is picked up and imprisoned by the vicious cat. Poor Solomon is held in captivity for weeks, as the cat and his wife long to devour him. Finally, the cat pounds the nail--Solomon--into the wall of his house. Only when the cat's home burns to the ground is Solomon free to return to his distraught family. I suppose it's a happy ending of sorts, but this isn't the kind of story I want to tell my preschooler.

2 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Beginning Reading Story, July 11, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Solomon the Rusty Nail (Michael Di Capua Books) (Paperback)

This is a good rabbit story. It's easy to read, and our children love it.