Irish Piper, The - Hardcover

Latimer, Jim

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 068419130X ISBN 13: 9780684191300

Publisher: Atheneum, 1991

Synopsis

In this version of the traditional tale, the Pied Piper plays upon Irish pipes and travels from County Clare in Ireland to the village of Hamelin to rid it of its rats. An author's note discusses the Piper's music and provides examples of what he may have played.In this version of the traditional tale, the Pied Piper plays upon Irish pipes and travels from County Clare in Ireland to the village of Hamelin to rid it of its rats

About this title

From School Library Journal:

Grade 3-4-- Another incarnation of the medieval legend. Departing from Browning's literary tradition, Latimer's piper is Irish and plays bagpipes, flute, and tin whistles. His broad repertoire includes tunes that can make his listeners feel sad or strong, or even make them believe they can fly. The "cheese-and-bacon" and "balloon-and-butterfly" music he plays comes in handy for charming Hamelin's rats and for luring away the children of the town. O'Brien's illustrations combine soft watercolors and pen-and-ink crosshatching and shading to produce a pleasing antique look. Muted backgrounds and bright focal points suit the spirit of the setting. The piper is portrayed as a benign young man with little of the aura of mystery that has surrounded his predecessors. The sometimes lengthy blocks of type overshadow the illustrations and make this version a less likely read-aloud choice. Barbara Bartos-Hoppner's retelling of The Pied Piper of Hamelin (HarperCollins, 1987) is a stronger entry in this category. Latimer has a chatty style that, at best, establishes a bond with readers and, at worst, rambles like storytellers whose embellishments have taken over theirstory. He has also inserted some distracting anachronisms into his essentially traditional telling. Gum-chewing rats respond to the piper's overtures with a trendy, "No way," and later declare, "We're out of here," as he pipes them out of town. An enlightening note traces the origin and development of the legend and explains the author's intriguing speculation about the piper's County Clare background. --Carey Ayres, Port Washington Public Library, NY
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews:

In a humorously laconic voice, Latimer puts a fresh spin on the ancient story of the Pied Piper. Opining that only an Irishman could have produced such spellbinding music, he updates the tale with delightfully mischievous anachronisms in the spirit of Lester's Brer Rabbit stories. Hamelin's mayor is now a woman; and although the aldermen know the old tale, they rather doubt its details and are sure they'll be able to cheat the Piper; as for the children, the council would be glad to be rid of the majority they consider brats. Latimer provides an alderman's musical daughter to go off with the Piper; fairly enough, they leave the few real brats and take the other children back to Ireland. The author's colorful language and pungent dialogue make this long picture book perfect for reading aloud, though it may take more than one sitting. O'Brien's detailed pen drawings, touched with subdued color, strike just the right note with their cozy medieval setting and subtle caricatures (including the rats, clothed like little burghers); they suit the story far better than more pretentious art like Le Cain's (1989). A fine author's note on the original story and his own speculations is appended. (Folklore/Picture book. 6-10) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

About this edition

• Publisher: Atheneum
• Publication date: 1991
• ISBN 10: 068419130X
• ISBN 13: 9780684191300
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: O'brien John