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cherry_24's review
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Just like her previous illustrative book, The Magician of Cracow, Krystyna Turska’s The Woodcutter’s Duck is also filled with beautiful illustrations throughout the pages that depict Polish traditional costumes. As always, the story is light-hearted and the accompanying illustrations are what really gave a life to the story.
Bartek is a poor woodcutter who has compassion towards animals. He owned a pet duck that followed him around and about. One day, Bartek happened to meet a frog that begged for help and the kind Bartek agreed to help the frog. In turn, the frog granted Bartek the ability to summon storms. Though Bartek’s ability seems pointless, it turns out that he does need that kind of power. When a great hetman (Polish military leader) came marching with a whole thousand armed men, they came across Bartek’s hut and demanded Bartek’s beloved pet duck to be roasted and eaten. Bartek tries to plead with the great hetman but it falls on deaf ears and this is where Bartek summons storms to punish the great hetman and his army.
At the end of the story, the men elected Bartek to become the new hetman (and disposed of the old ones) because they saw Bartek’s compassion and steadfastness in protecting those he held dear. Interesting tale and the book is worth owning.
Bartek is a poor woodcutter who has compassion towards animals. He owned a pet duck that followed him around and about. One day, Bartek happened to meet a frog that begged for help and the kind Bartek agreed to help the frog. In turn, the frog granted Bartek the ability to summon storms. Though Bartek’s ability seems pointless, it turns out that he does need that kind of power. When a great hetman (Polish military leader) came marching with a whole thousand armed men, they came across Bartek’s hut and demanded Bartek’s beloved pet duck to be roasted and eaten. Bartek tries to plead with the great hetman but it falls on deaf ears and this is where Bartek summons storms to punish the great hetman and his army.
At the end of the story, the men elected Bartek to become the new hetman (and disposed of the old ones) because they saw Bartek’s compassion and steadfastness in protecting those he held dear. Interesting tale and the book is worth owning.
mat_tobin's review
3.0
A confusing message attached to the story (if you're kind to animals then you'll have an army at your command) yet I cannot get over the fact that Turska's illustrations of early Poland are pretty gorgeous. A retelling of a story from the mountains of Poland with all the ingredients of many fairy tales it is still, nevertheless, an enjoyable little read which children will enjoy exploring.
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