The Black Bull of Norroway: A Scottish Tale (Hardcover)

~ Charlotte Huck (Author), Anita Lobel (Illustrator) "Long ago in Norway there lived a widow with three daughters..." (more)
Key Phrases: black bull, Peggy Ann, Duke of Norroway

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Following Princess Furball and Toads and Diamonds, Huck and Lobel now reshape another traditional story, a labyrinthine Scottish tale set in Norway. A widow's youngest daughter announces that the man she marries need not be titled nor wealthy: "I only want him to be kind and good and to love me. I'd even be content with the Black Bull of Norroway." That very creature, "known to be a monster," appears at her door when she, Peggy Ann, leaves home to seek her fortune. The bull brings the girl to three different castles on successive nights, announcing that each is the residence of one of his brothers, who are humans. After Peggy Ann removes a thorn from the bull's foot, breaking a spell and thereby restoring him to a handsome duke, the two become separated and years pass and several plot gyrations occur before the couple reconnects. In a concluding note, Huck refers to her heroine's "long and arduous search for her lost love," but their reunion is roundly satisfying. The text is inventively set into Lobel's watercolor and black pen illustrations. An appealing folk-art quality gives the tale a suitably timeless look, while the thoughtful visual interpretations capture its emotional nuances. Ages 6-up.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-5-A complex Scottish folktale set in Norway. Three sisters set out to marry, the first two seeking riches and status, but the third, Peggy Ann, only wanting a mate "to be kind and good and to love me. I'd even be content with the Black Bull of Norroway." And, indeed, that's who comes to carry her off on the journey to seek her fortune. Along the way, the bull's kindness and solicitude ease her initial fears. Days into their trip, Peggy Ann notices that the creature is limping and removes a large thorn in his foot. Instantly he transforms into a handsome young man, the Duke of Norroway. The girl's kindness has partially broken a cruel enchantment but the Duke must conquer the Guardian of the Glen to break it forever. Peggy Ann and the Duke face a series of obstacles and a separation of seven years before they are at last reunited. Huck's fine prose makes accessible this tale that appeared in dialect in Andrew Lang's Blue Fairy Book (Dover, 1965). An author's note provides background on the origins of the story and other sources in which its variants appear. Richly colored watercolor-and-black-pen paintings done in Lobel's signature painterly style provide a dynamic visual presentation. Glossy cream-colored borders set off the pictures to perfection and the smaller vignettes interspersed throughout add variety. A superb addition to all folktale collections.
Marie Orlando, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books (March 20, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688169007
• ISBN-13: 978-0688169008
• Product Dimensions: 12.3 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,690,935 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars marvellous tale of Scottish Lore, December 16, 2003

By	Deborah MacGillivray "Author," (US & UK) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Black Bull of Norroway: A Scottish Tale (Library Binding)

The Scottish tale the Black Bull of Norroway, is a wonderful tale the Cinderella fashion. A mother has three beautiful daughters, and each go out to find their fortune. The first two ask a fortuneteller about their future, asking for a rich husband, and she tells them to look out their back door. The first one saw, she sees a fine coach, so she runs out and climbs in. The second daughter does the same and a coach comes for her. The third one is a modest last and she tells the old crone, she just wants a husband that loves her. When she looks out the back door and sees a black bull. The witch tells her to go climb upon the bull and go seek her fortune.

And so begins her grand adventure. This books captures the Old Scots' tale with wonderful drawings. A wonderful gift for those who love Scottish lore.