September 2013, Boxer Books, 176 pages, Hardback, Review copy
Themes: morals,
royalty, religion, rich and poor, happiness and sorrow, generosity, helping
others, greed,selfishness,
envy, over-protection, magic, fate/destiny, over-confidence, beauty, joy, song,
Summary from Boxer Books
This is the first extraordinary volume of tales collected, retold and
illustrated by Jane Ray, one of the world’s leading artists of stunning
picture books. This volume, The Emperor’s Nightingale and Other Feathery
Tales, includes many favourites such as The Happy Prince, The Owl and
The Pussy Cat, and lesser known, but equally enjoyable stories such as
Jorinda and Joringel.
Nayuleska's thoughts
I loved
the unique style of illustrations that added an extra mystical element to the
stories in this book, and I'm excited that Jane used the scratchboard technique
in this and the other books which are forthcoming from 2014. The stories
themselves deserve a mention:
The Happy
Prince:
I remember watching a cartoon of this when I was little, and it always
made me sad so I was apprehensive about reading it. However, this time I
understood the generosity of the swallow and felt it's sacrifice was noble - I
was less anxious about the swallow's family missing it.
Mulumgu
Paints The Birds:
I'd never heard this African myth of how birds got their
colouring and it was a sweet and funny tale.
The Owl
and the Pussycat:
My feelings on this poem hasn't changed since I was little -
it's a bit too
bizarre
and reminds me of Lewis Caroll's weird work (including Alice in Wonderland).
Noah's
Ark:
I belive in giving honest reviews and in truth when I first came across
this I was really
annoyed
it was in here as I firmly believe that Noah and the flood happened - it didn't
seem right that it was in among fictional stories. However, after a minute or
two of fuming I reread Jane's introduction to the story (each story started
with her thoughts on it) and calming down I changed my mind. This is a vital
part of Islam, Christianity and Judaism. It is an honour that it is presented
for the reader to learn about, which may spark more interest in religious
history. I love the depiction of the dove looking so pure.
Hope Is
The Thing With Feathers:
I have little experience of Emily Dickenson's work and
found this poem utterly charming!
Jorinda
and Joringal:
A new story to me but one where good triumphs over evil
eventually.
Heron and
the Hummingbird:
Think tortoise and the hare and you have the main theme of
this story.
The
Emperor's Nightingale:
This is the second retelling that I've read this month
of this tale and I love
Jane's
version except for the death illusration - too scary! Thankfully it was small
rather than a full page
The
Jackdaw of Rheims:
I felt ashamed of people's thoughts towards the jackdaw as
well as being sorry for the bird's misfortune.
The
Firebird:
A wonderful tale - the tower scene illustration made me think of
Rapunzel and Sleeping
Beauty
fairytales.
Magpie
Song:
A rhyme which I knew most of the lines from when I was little.
Minus the
points already touched upon I thoroughly enjoyed this book full of tales
accompanied with exquisite illustration, as both a reader and a bird owner.
You can
find out more about this new series on Jane's website.
Suggested
read
For more
fairytales including a retelling of the Emperor's Nightingale check out Royal Fairy Tales for Bedtime retold by Mairi Mackinnon & illustrated by Lorena Alvarez (Children's, 7 years +, 10E/10E)
1 comment:
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