Kimbo's Marble - Hardcover

Herrick, Amy

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0060203730 ISBN 13: 9780060203733

Publisher: Harpercollins Childrens Books, 1993

Synopsis

When her brother Willy is stolen by the troll Grimpoke, Princess Kimbo follows them across the Tiger Bridge on a daring rescue mission

About this title

From Kirkus Reviews:

In a kingdom where the palace looks like a sculpture of candy and pink ice cream, Princess Kimbo learns to value her little brother by saving him from a froglike troll. Kimbo, who has understood animals' language since swallowing a magic marble as a baby, isn't fond of Willy, who is mysteriously silent; still, when Grimpoke kidnaps him, she braves the wilderness and cleverly tricks tigers guarding the way, as well as Grimpoke himself. With the help of more magic, conveniently introduced as the story progresses, Willy begins to speak for the first time and the two make their way home. Aside from the sibling rapprochement, the story doesn't resonate with meaning, but it's well paced. Young readers should enjoy the fantasy--especially as visualized in Gazsi's imaginative art: the realistically portrayed children roam a fanciful landscape where cozily grotesque faces peer from every rock and tree. An old-fashioned Disney-style confection. (Young reader/Picture book. 6-9) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 1-3-When Princess Kimbo is born, she is given a magic marble; when she swallows it, she can converse with animals. When her little brother Willy is born, he is given a pair of squeaky red boots, but never speaks to anyone. He is stolen by the troll Grimpoke, who takes him to his castle. After various adventures, Kimbo rescues Willy and gives up her marble so that he can speak, but receives his boots in exchange. The plot in this lengthy and disjointed picture book is basically the same as that of Outside Over There (HarperCollins, 1981), without Maurice Sendak's book's charm or economical story line. The busy, crowded illustrations are a mix of styles, from almost photographic likenesses of the children, to visual references to the work of Sendak and Maxfield Parrish. There are so many other good fantasy stories available that they need not be listed; this misguided effort should not be included among the ranks.
JoAnn Rees, Sunnyvale Public Library, CA
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Harpercollins Childrens Books
• Publication date: 1993
• ISBN 10: 0060203730
• ISBN 13: 9780060203733
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 48
• Illustrator: Gazsi Edward S.