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mdevlin923's review against another edition
3.0
A little princess isn't feeling well, so her father promises to get her anything in the world. The princess asks for the moon. The king turns to wise people in his court, but nobody can figure out a way to get the moon...finally, the court jester provides a wonderfully simple plan, and the princess gets her moon.
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
Illustrated by Marc Simont
The Princess Lenore isn’t feeling well, and she asks for just one thing – the moon. She is certain this is the only thing that will make her well again. Her father, the King, summons his most trusted advisors, and tasks them with securing the moon for the Princess. But to a man, they declare this impossible. Until the Jester arrives and looks at the problem from a different angle.
I love Thurber’s story-telling. I’ve previously read another of his fables for children, and I’m equally delighted with this one. Marc Simont’s illustrations are whimsical and perfectly fit Thurber’s text. I found myself poring over them, trying to find all the references in the text … “blood from a turnip,” “a rabbit out of a hat, and a hat out of a rabbit” et al. The fact that the Princess holds the key to the great puzzle no adult can solve will especially delight children, but adults can learn an important lesson as well.
The book was originally published with illustrations by Louis Slobodkin; it remains in print along with this newer version which I read. I’ll have to try to find that original edition to see Slobodkin’s Caldecott-Award-winning work.
The Princess Lenore isn’t feeling well, and she asks for just one thing – the moon. She is certain this is the only thing that will make her well again. Her father, the King, summons his most trusted advisors, and tasks them with securing the moon for the Princess. But to a man, they declare this impossible. Until the Jester arrives and looks at the problem from a different angle.
I love Thurber’s story-telling. I’ve previously read another of his fables for children, and I’m equally delighted with this one. Marc Simont’s illustrations are whimsical and perfectly fit Thurber’s text. I found myself poring over them, trying to find all the references in the text … “blood from a turnip,” “a rabbit out of a hat, and a hat out of a rabbit” et al. The fact that the Princess holds the key to the great puzzle no adult can solve will especially delight children, but adults can learn an important lesson as well.
The book was originally published with illustrations by Louis Slobodkin; it remains in print along with this newer version which I read. I’ll have to try to find that original edition to see Slobodkin’s Caldecott-Award-winning work.
alboyer6's review against another edition
4.0
For as appealing as the story is, I would think this title would be in the collective memory more. When other Caldecott books from the 1940s are still around this one seems to have fallen to the way side. Yes, the color palett is muted and the style is generally more sketchy but the story is timeless and endearing.
sducharme's review against another edition
4.0
Perfectly charming modern fairy tale with expressive watercolors. Themes: the wisdom of the child, Perception is reality.
In the Slobodkin illustrated version, I find the pictures too sketchy and busy. I like the Simont version better.
In the Slobodkin illustrated version, I find the pictures too sketchy and busy. I like the Simont version better.
cstoeger's review against another edition
I love the dream-like qualities of these pictures. The faces are almost blurry, allowing the reader to imagine their own character's features in place of the ones in the book. Even the colors are reminiscent of dreams, with the featured pastel colors.
beths0103's review against another edition
4.0
I'm curious why, if this book won the Caldecott medal, someone felt the need to repackage and re-illustrate it. I will have to try to get my hands on an older copy to note the reasons for the new edition.
crystal_reading's review against another edition
3.0
1944 Caldecott winner
The jester is fabulous. He is an out of the box problem solver. Great for encouraging open thinking and looking for other solutions.
Not keen on the blackface troubador or whatever he was in one of the early illustrations. Illustrator added that because it isn't in the text.
The jester is fabulous. He is an out of the box problem solver. Great for encouraging open thinking and looking for other solutions.
Not keen on the blackface troubador or whatever he was in one of the early illustrations. Illustrator added that because it isn't in the text.
ama_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Like the story a lot. Love the newer illustrations (not Slobodkin). They are much more appealing than the original.