Nightingale, The (Hardcover)

~ H. Andersen (Author), L. Zwerger (Author) "Once long ago in China there lived an emperor..." (more)
Key Phrases: gold nightingale, real nightingale, kitchen maid

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Luminescent paintings accompany a faithful retelling of Andersen's popular story. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-6-- A successful and welcome version of Andersen's well-loved tale of the nightingale who charmed the Emperor of China, escaped to the forest when replaced by a mechanical bird, but returned to save the Emperor from Death with the gift of a song freely given. The text is essentially like that found in earlier versions of this tale, illustrated by Lisbeth Zwerger (Picture Book Studio, 1984) and by Nancy Elkholm Burkert (Harper, 1985). Although occasional words and phrases differ, the plot and resolution are identical, with this new version slightly abridged, dropping a sentence or a phrase in places without any loss in meaning. The illustrations depict various settings in the Chinese court and its environs in detailed watercolors that are full of movement and life, using a glorious palette of emeralds, jades, and amethysts contrasting with rich earth tones. While they may lack the artistic subtlety of Zwerger's pale, simple watercolors and Burkert's darker, rich paintings, Darke manages to incorporate the text into the illustrations in a way that neither of the previous illustrators has done. Where Zwerger's full-page illustrations each face a full page of text, and Burkert's double-page paintings alternate with two full pages of text, Darke fits sections of text into "windows" fully surrounded by illustration. In this way, the story becomes less intimidating to young readers, and more useful as read-aloud material, allowing listeners to "read" visually while hearing the story. --Susan L. Rogers, Chestnut Hill Academy, PA
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Michael Neugebauer (North South Books) (March 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0735811180
• ISBN-13: 978-0735811188
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 8.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,380,361 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A sweet storie., July 2, 2000

By	Åsa Högström (Haninge Sweden) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nightingale (Hardcover)

The emperor of China Has every thing, and his palace are so beatiful. But one day he hears of a little Nightingale that sings so beatiful. And he really want to have it... Read what happens with him in this book. You can't help it being touched of this sweet storie, I can say that I was it... Like I have said before I will say again, H C Andersen can really write good childrens books!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing illustration, May 14, 2005

By	Hana Bauer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nightingale, The (Hardcover)

This is a great story, but what makes this edition exceptional are the beautiful illustrations. The more you look at them, the more magical they seem. You will keep coming back.