From Publishers Weekly
Pinkney (The Ugly Duckling) sets this retelling of Andersen's classic tale in Morocco instead of the original China, inspiring a score of lush illustrations and a fresh, piquant narrative. The tale of a king who learns humility from a kitchen girl and a "little, plain, simple" bird unfolds with familiar grace. Pinkney incorporates such atmospheric details as traditional Moroccan fare (mint tea and "pastries made with honey and almond milk") into his smooth prose. He also makes a few concessions to younger readers: when the nightingale's mechanical rival breaks, the emperor eventually turns to "the Great Fixer-of-All-Things" (instead of Andersen's watchmaker), and when the king slips into a decline, he introduces Death as "Old Man Death." He fills his watercolors, rendered in lines as loose and fluid as his characters' beautiful garments, with such exotic touches as palm trees, camels and a pet monkey, and evokes the country's gorgeously ornate architecture and ethnically diverse inhabitants. The sumptuous treatment will easily please Pinkney's many admirers. Ages 5-up.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 3-Pinkney has once again applied his considerable talents to the retelling of a traditional tale. He offers a unique presentation without compromising or straying from the original story of the nightingale's power. Like her song, the narration is smooth and flowing. Frequent dialogue adds to the drama and makes the story accessible to contemporary children. While the book will be an effective read-aloud, it is the illustrations that bring the tale to life. Pinkney has moved the story from its traditional Chinese setting to Morocco, and the paintings are a celebration of its cultural richness and ethnic diversity. Single pages and spreads are filled with the lush landscapes; grand architecture; and ornate textiles, silver, and pottery of the region. Traditional designs are also used to frame the text. Liberal use of color, ranging from earth tones to jewel hues, underscores the theme of natural versus manmade beauty. Young readers will enjoy looking for the playful monkey who appears in many of the scenes. A delightful melding of narration and illustration, this book will introduce a new generation to one of Andersen's tales.
Heide Piehler, Shorewood Public Library, WICopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
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