The monster that grew small: An Egyptian folktale [Hardcover]

Joan Marshall Grant (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1987 | Age Level: 5 and up

A retelling of an Egyptian folktale in which a timid boy finds courage by going after a monster that seems to shrink when confronted.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Miobi is known as the Frightened One within his village. He is ridiculed for his fear of snakes, crocodiles and spiders, and for his dread of the dark forest. One day he encounters a hare trapped in a thicket and, overcoming his urge to flee, rescues the helpless animal. "What would you like best in the world to have?" asks the enchanted hare. Miobi's one great wish is for courage, and so begins a mythical adventure rife with danger, in which he faces his greatest challenge and meets with a surprising victory. Stunning visuals filled with jewel-toned intricacies embellish the unusual tale, adapted from Egyptian sources. Ages 4-9.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3 Miobi fears the wild animals of the forest and river. When he frees a hare caught in some brambles and is asked what he wants for a reward, Miobi re quests courage. Armed with a dagger and instructions to look up to the hare-in-the- moon when his fears are strongest, Miobi sets out. Due to the hare's inspiration he outwits hungry crocodiles and a pair of serpents. Finally, while helping a village terrorized by a dragon, he makes an as tonishing discovery: the further away the monster, the larger it looms. By the time Miobi enters the creature's den, the monster has shrunk to the size of a frog, and Miobi takes him home as a pet. There's excellent psychology here: fear confronted gets cut down to size. As a story this retelling of an Egyptian folk talk fares less well. The narrative lacks dramatic tension; too many extraneous details make it unfocused and rambling. The role of the hare remains unclear, and the ending dwindles off with some limp comments. The illustrations, full color and mainly full page, lend an air of au thenticity with their formal, stylized look suggesting the art of ancient Egypt. A double-page spread of the monster and a scene with the two vipers stand out. Unfortunately, the pictures lack sur prise. They illustrate but do not extend the tale nor deepen readers' understand ing of it. Overall, a volume with many nice touches that don't add up to a satis factory whole. Ellen D. Warwick, Rob bins Junior Library, Arlington, Mass.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover
• Publisher: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard; 1st edition (1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688068081
• ISBN-13: 978-0688068080
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,499,881 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 For Kids and Adults Struggling with Avoidance and Anxieties, August 13, 1997

By 

susan in alaska "susan in alaska" (Alaskan Island) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The monster that grew small: An Egyptian folktale (Hardcover)

All the therapists out there plunking down $18 dollars for a "therapeutic book for children" should hold out for a copy of this book instead. It more beautifully and seductively illustrates a young child's triumph against a fearful monster than any other book in the professional field.

The illustrations are magickal. The text accessible to young children and adults alike. Remember ordering books purporting to be the top of the line in bibliotherapy -- and then when you got them in the mail they were black and white drawings with strained paragraphs about "coping skills" for kids? This book is a "corrective emotional experience" for those seeking a book that teaches without the use of a sledgehammer.

We need more books like these -- folklore as therapy, illustrated by non-Ph.D-ed artists!

5.0 out of 5 stars It's a great book., November 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The monster that grew small: An Egyptian folktale (Hardcover)

It is about a boy how is afraid of animais .One day he saw a rabbit in the torn bushes.He get the rabbit out and the rabbit gave him a wish to have courage to fight a dargon. And he is not afraid anymore. It was a nice book.And I like dargons that y I piked it .And the boy wont to be brave huter like his uncle.