Poor Hans marries the mayor's daughter after promising that in seven years he will go off with an evil dwarf unless he is able to pose a question the dwarf cannot answer.
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Grade 1-5-Striking a bargain with a stranger, a poor young man is able to win the hand of the mayor's daughter; seven years later, Gretchen's cleverness allows her and her husband to best the odd little man. Familiar to many readers as the title tale in Alison Lurie's Clever Gretchen and Other Forgotten Folktales (Crowell, 1980; o.p.), this picture-book version is retold with gentle humor and original phrases. Hans is described as "content to let life go by as it would" rather than "simple." The stranger who magically transforms him into the world's best huntsman is no longer a tall "Evil One," but a round little man "scarcely three feet tall," of whom Gretchen says mildly, "Dwarfs are full of magic, and not all of it is good." Some of the appealing watercolors are full double-page spreads, while others fill one page with an additional small detail spilling over onto the white background of the facing page of text. Hans and Gretchen's country village is portrayed as a place filled with wonderfully sympathetic animals. Hans's dog brings additional emotional depth to the story through his entertaining facial expressions, covering his eyes with his paws when he can't bear to see if Hans will successfully shoot the buttons off the steward's suspenders or looking smugly satisfied as Gretchen outwits the stranger. This is a delightful, captivating story, whether read aloud or individually.
Ginny Gustin, Sonoma County Library System, Santa Rosa, CA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Ages 5-8. Gretchen and young Hans have set their hearts on each other, but her father stands between, declaring that only the world's finest hunter will marry his daughter. Up pops a little, goat-footed man who offers Hans preternatural abilities with a bow and arrow in exchange for signing a promise to do his bidding after seven years. Hans will be released from his devil's bargain only if he can ask a question the little gent can't answer--which turns out to be easy once he enlists the aid of his savvy wife. Wittmann, in her debut as an illustrator, places fresh-faced folk into spacious country scenes, creating such an air of good humor that even the diminutive trickster, with his fair, open features, doesn't seem too put out when he loses his battle of wits. Hans obviously isn't the brightest crayon in the box, but Stewig's shortened version of Howard Pyle's "Skillful Huntsman" is more about a couple making a happy, loving family together than who's clever and who's foolish. John Peters
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Seller: SecondSale, Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Wittmann, Patricia (illustrator). Good condition ex-library book with usual library markings and stickers. Seller Inventory # 00031767286
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Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Condition: Very Good. Wittmann, Patricia (illustrator). Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # 2462076-6
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Seller: ThriftBooks-Dallas, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Wittmann, Patricia (illustrator). Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 0.89. Seller Inventory # G0761450661I3N00
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Seller: Half Price Books Inc., Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
hardcover. Condition: USED_VERYGOOD. Wittmann, Patricia (illustrator). Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_387767144
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Seller: SecondSale, Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Wittmann, Patricia (illustrator). Item in very good condition! Textbooks may not include supplemental items i.e. CDs, access codes etc. Seller Inventory # 00073128235
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Seller: Irish Booksellers, Portland, ME, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Wittmann, Patricia (illustrator). SHIPS FROM USA. Used books have different signs of use and do not include supplemental materials such as CDs, Dvds, Access Codes, charts or any other extra material. All used books might have various degrees of writing, highliting and wear and tear and possibly be an ex-library with the usual stickers and stamps. Dust Jackets are not guaranteed and when still present, they will have various degrees of tear and damage. All images are Stock Photos, not of the actual item. book. Seller Inventory # 25-0761450661-G
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Seller: Elaine Woodford, Bookseller, Durham, NC, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: USED_FINE. Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine. Wittman, Patricia (illustrator). 1st Ed, 1st Prt. Scarce in 1st in dustjacket. Poor Hans marries the mayor's daughter after promising that in seven years he will pose a question to an evil dwarf which the creature cannot answer. Clever Gretchen saves the day. DJ has tiny closed tear on front top edge, otherwise "as new". small tear/wrinkle on rear bottom panel, otherwise fine. Seller Inventory # 003995
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Seller: The Book Spot, Sioux Falls, SD, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: New. Wittmann, Patricia (illustrator). Seller Inventory # Abebooks128825
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Seller: BennettBooksLtd, North Las Vegas, NV, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: New. Wittmann, Patricia (illustrator). In shrink wrap! Looks like an interesting title!. Seller Inventory # Q-0761450661
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