The Turnip [Hardcover]

Walter De LA Mare (Author), Kevin Hawkes (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up

Walter de la Mare's retelling of THE TURNIP, originally a tale from the brothers Grimm, is here brought back to life with the playful and luminescent illustrations of artist Kevin Hawkes. Children will never tire of this classic fable - a cautionary tale in which a humble turnip triumphs over a priceless ruby - and Kevin Hawkes's images fully convey the essence of the author's prose.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The lowly turnip proves far more valuable than jewels in this Grimm fairy tale, elegantly refashioned by poet de la Mare in 1927. As repayment for providing a modest meal to a traveler, a poor, kindly farmer discovers in his garden a giant turnip--"of a size and magnitude the likes of which had never been seen in the world before, not even in the island where people are all giants." He presents the remarkable vegetable to the king, who rewards the farmer's loyalty with vast riches. News of the farmer's good fortune reaches his wealthy, selfish half-brother, who determines to best his sibling; the brother sells his worldly goods to buy the king a magnificent ruby. Fully aware of the brother's motives, the king sees that he gets his just deserts. With bold, expressive paintings, Hawkes ( Lady Bugatti ) magnificently captures the parody and irony of de la Mare's unusually lyrical prose. Light-drenched artwork with themed borders cleverly accentuates the tale's good and evil elements--the brothers' stylized faces demonstrate, in equal exaggeration, wide-eyed innocence and furrowed-brow avarice. Though the story may prove overlong for the indicated audience, this is clearly a blue-ribbon vegetable. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3--The Turnip is rooted in a favorite folktale theme: a good and generous man acts kindly to a stranger, is rewarded and prospers, whereupon his grasping, greedy half-brother tries to duplicate that result by calculation and conniving--but gets his comeuppance. Besides this ``morally correct'' plot, the book offers two additional delights. The first is de la Mare's elegant and witty prose, which nevertheless keeps the robust liveliness of the vernacular (as in a neighbor's description of the turnip as ``beyond all boiling, buttering, mashing, ingogitating and consummeration''). It's a joy to read, silently or aloud. Equally appetizing are Hawkes's amusing, colorful, and stylish pictures. Blues, greens, and reds are intense and luminous; characters' faces are gently caricatured; the borders are clever and bright. This delicious Turnip is not only a savory but also a nourishing treat for young readers with taste. --Patricia Dooley, Univ . of Washington, Seattle
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: David R Godine Pub (June 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879239344
• ISBN-13: 978-0879239343
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,650,213 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great story - great illustrations!, September 6, 2007

By 

Natalie Norris "mainecoast mama" (Maine) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Turnip (Hardcover)

The story of The Turnip , or Giant Turnip, is a fun, classic fairytale.

This version, as told by the poet Walter De la Mare, has an entertaining use of language. The story is about two brothers, one a "mean and merciless greedyguts" the other "as different from this as chalk from cheese." The two brothers, each in their own way, present a gift to the king. What shall be the outcome?

Kevin Hawkes illustrations are humorous and cheerfully colorful. The the expressions on the faces of the brothers capture their personalites completely. The text is also interspersed with small pen and ink drawings.

This book deserves a place in the library of every children's book reader and collector.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended!, August 21, 2009

By 

J. Grambo "Teacher" (Indiana, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Turnip (Godine Storyteller) (Hardcover)

How many adults like Grimm brothers fairy tales? I got great enjoyment out of this retelling of an old favorite. This is the story of two brothers, one greedy and sneaky, and the other kind and penniless. As always in fairy tales, good triumphs over evil. Ages 8 and up.