The King's Equal

Katherine Paterson

ISBN 10: 0780762053 ISBN 13: 9780780762053

Publisher: Perfection Learning, 1996

Synopsis

Prince Raphael is as rich and as handsome as a prince should be. He is also arrogant, greedy, and selfish. Knowing Raphael to be an unfit ruler, the dying king decrees that his son shall not wear his crown until he marries a woman who equals him in appearance, intelligence, and wealth. Then a magic wolf brings Rosamund, the daughter of a poor farmer, to the castle. The prince and his advisors - amazed by Rosamund's cleverness and beauty - joyfully pronounce her the king's equal. But the story is not as simple as that. For not only must Rosamund be Raphael's equal - Raphael must be hers.

About this title

About the Author:

Katherine Paterson is one of the world’s most celebrated and beloved authors. Among her many awards are two Newberys and two National Book Awards, and she was recently named a "Living Legend” by the Library of Congress. She has been published in more than 22 languages in a variety of formats, from picture books to historical novels.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 2-6-- Finding a princess who is the ``king's equal'' in comeliness, intelligence, and wealth is an order that confounds the wisest, most loyal councilors in this distant realm. Finding a book equal in quality and brilliance to this one is an even more formidable task. Paterson weaves her story within the structure of familiar fairy tales; she includes romance, repetition of language, the number three, and a moral of goodness and love triumphing over selfishness and greed. Her careful attention to the beauty and variety of descriptive language is evident on every page. The story gains dimension with the inclusion of ``the Wolf.'' At first glimpse, he seems a menacing, negative force, but he is revealed ultimately to be the purveyor of magic, and even the perfect matchmaker. He never intrudes upon court life in the capital city, but remains in his remote mountain lair, an enigmatic character to ponder at the story's end. Vagin's illustrations are exquisite, luminous in color, clarity, and precision. Readers are drawn into the courtly world of a wealthy kingdom through details of costume, architecture, furniture, and decorations. Because there are six chapters, the book is a lengthy read-aloud. This is, however, no drawback; young listeners will be a spellbound and appreciative audience, and should want to return to the book again and again. --Martha Rosen, Edgewood School, Scarsdale, NY
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Perfection Learning
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0780762053
• ISBN 13: 9780780762053
• Binding: Library Binding