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The Fortune-Tellers (Hardcover)

by Lloyd Alexander (Author) "A young carpenter was unhappy in his trade..." (more)
Key Phrases: cloth merchant
4.6 out of 5 stars  (16 customer reviews)


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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
The hands of fate deftly propel this original folktale. A seedy fortune-teller profits from gullible and sometimes desperate villagers who seek predictions for a rosier future. One unhappy carpenter takes to heart the seer's hardly helpful advice--"Rich you will surely be, on one condition: that you earn large sums of money"--and looks forward to a prosperous life. Most surprising to the craftsman, he ends up in the right place at the right time and the prediction comes true. Alexander's chipper text has a jaunty and infectious "just so" tone. Amazing coincidences fuse the plot elements, but the story's logic remains intact, successfully suspending the reader's disbelief. Hyman's acrylic, ink and crayon illustrations capture the landscape and people of West Africa in vivid detail. Indigenous plants and animals--including comically placed lizards--dot each scene, and the villagers' lushly textured apparel is spectacular. Especially opulent are spreads featuring the fortune-teller's cluttered quarters and the market stalls with their baskets and pottery. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Grade 1-4-- A young carpenter, tired of hammering and sawing, seeks out a fortune-teller to see what his future holds. The cagey old prophet promises him a rosy future--well, maybe. `` `Rich you will surely be,' '' says the fortune-teller, if `` `you earn large sums of money.' '' Moreover, `` `You shall wed your true love . . . if you find her and she agrees. And you shall be happy as any in the world if you can avoid being miserable.' '' Pleased with these promising, if ambiguous, predictions, the carpenter leaves, only to get halfway home and decide he has more questions to ask. But the fortune-teller has mysteriously vanished, leaving the carpenter in the quirky hand of fate where, in typical Alexander fashion, his life takes a surprising and humorous turn. The story's warm and witty tone is reinforced by Hyman's masterful illustrations. Expressive figures are dynamically placed against a West African landscape, in colors so rich and clear that they invite readers to touch the fabrics and breathe the air. Visual details--carved wooden stools, traditional cloth patterns, signs in French--add an authenticity to the story (which is actually set in Cameroon), while touches of humor in postures and expressions underscore Alexander's gentle wit. These illustrations are obviously a labor of love. Vibrant with life and good humor, this is a supremely satisfying creation. --Linda Boyles, Alachua County Library District, Gainesville, FL
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details
  • Reading level: Ages 4-8
  • Hardcover: 32 pages
  • Publisher: Dutton Juvenile; Library Binding edition (September 30, 1992)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0525448497
  • ISBN-13: 978-0525448495
  • Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 9.1 x 0.4 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  (16 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,069,147 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  • Also Available in: Paperback  |  Turtleback (Import) |  All Editions


Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
A young carpenter was unhappy in his trade.