The Tale of the Unicorn [Hardcover]

Otfried Preussler (Author), Gennady Spirin (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 31, 1989 | Age Level: 7 and up

This original fable is enriched with illustrations by soviet painter Gennady Spirin. Three brothers set out to find a unicorn for its horn, golden hooves, and diamond star. What they find is far different. 30 full-color illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-6-- Three brothers set off to catch a unicorn. Along the way, the first brother marries an innkeeper's daughter and stays behind. After more wanderings, the second brother finds a lump of gold and stays behind to spend it. The third brother, Hans , continues on alone. At last he sees the unicorn but is so entranced by its beauty that he is unable to shoot it. Hans returns home with his story and "everyone rejoiced that Hans had not pulled the trigger." This simple story is lovely but is told with such quiet restraint that it lacks excitement and suspense--two key ingredients for such an adventure. Rather than telling readers in detail of Hans' adventures, Preussler writes, "onward he went, through fire and water, through deepest night and coldest ice." The illustrations fare a bit better than the text. Done in a High Renaissance style with warm greens, golds, and browns, the colored ink wash illustrations evoke a romantic view of the world. Story and illustrations are perfectly integrated, and the book remains visually rewarding. A story for an older picture book audience or with intermediate readers. --Denise A. Anton, Library Book Selection Service, Inc., Bloomington, Ill.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Language Notes

Text: English, German (translation)

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 26 pages
• Publisher: Dial; 1st edition (March 31, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803705832
• ISBN-13: 978-0803705838
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 9.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,310,085 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely story with beautiful, period illustrations, February 4, 2003

By 

Ingrid "ingrid_in_nc" (NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Tale of the Unicorn (Hardcover)

This is a lovely story that my 8 yo boy, 5 yo girl, and I all enjoyed. It's a sweet fairy tale (it was originally titled "Maerchen" (fairy tale) of the Unicorn in German). The illustrations look like paintings by Pieter Bruegel the Elder and really evoke the atmosphere of the early Renaissance. Very enjoyable and educational too.