Leonce and Lena - Hardcover

Amann, Jurg

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0735841411 ISBN 13: 9780735841413

Publisher: NorthSouth, 2014

Synopsis

Germany’s critically acclaimed Georg Buchner’s beloved play about love, humor, and humanity adapted by one of Switzerland’s most honored writers brings this tremendous piece of literature to young audiences as never before.   In a comedy of errors, two young people, Leonce of Popo and Princess Lena of Pipi, are destined to make their peace in an arranged marriage. Horrified at the thought of not knowing their betrothed, they flee, but upon a chance meeting they are love struck. Overwhelmed with emotion, Lena departs leaving Leonce distraught. But the King insists that a wedding take place—royals or no royals—for the people who have waited tirelessly to see a ceremony. Cloaked in masks two young people are brought to the altar—introduced as world famous robots—an effigy of a royal wedding. But when the masks are removed Leonce and Lena are euphoric to see each other’s identities. It’s a joyful affair and the King retires, passing the reigning power to Leonce. Leonce turns the kingdom into a theatre and bans all clocks and calendars. 

   
   

About this title

From the Author:

Karl Georg Büchner (1813 –1837) was a German dramatist and writer. Büchner's work is tremendously respected in Germany. His potential for greatness has been compared to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Friedrich Schiller.   Jürg Amann (1947-2013) is one of Switzerland’s most honored writers. He started his writing career with a study of Franz Kafka’s works, and has also worked as a journalist and a dramaturge at the main theater of Zürich.    Lisbeth Zwerger was born in Vienna, where she later studied at the Academy of Art. Internationally renowned as one of the finest contemporary illustrators of children's literature, Zwerger chose "The Gift of the Magi" as the first American story she illustrated.

From School Library Journal:

Gr 3–6—It is rare that a theatrical tale comes to life for children quite like it does in this beautiful retelling of a German classic. Though they've never met, Leonce, Prince of Popo, and Lena, Princess of Pipi, are predestined to be united in an arranged marriage. Overwhelmed by their lack of personal freedom in their decision of whom to marry, Leonce and Lena escape separately to Italy before the wedding takes place, but in a chance encounter and a case of mistaken identity, they meet and fall in love anyway. Meanwhile, the kingdom mourns their disappearances The King demands a wedding nevertheless, and suddenly two young people are presented at the altar wearing masks. When their identities are finally revealed, Leonce and Lena are pleased to find each other at the altar after all, and the entire kingdom rejoices at this happy event of fate and coincidence. Written in a clear, concise, and easy-to-follow script form, this wonderful book serves as an introduction to theater for elementary students. The intricate, colorful artwork enhances the transitions from scene to scene, and a helpful history of the original play is given in the final pages of the book. This exceptional adaptation for children and its underlying messages about freedom, choice, and power would serve as an introduction to social themes.—Natalie Braham, Denver Public Library

About this edition

• Publisher: NorthSouth
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 0735841411
• ISBN 13: 9780735841413
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 64
• Illustrator: Zwerger Lisbeth