The Valiant Red Rooster: A Story from Hungary

Kimmel, Eric A.

ISBN 10: 0805027815 ISBN 13: 9780805027815

Publisher: Henry Holt & Co, 1995

Synopsis

When a greedy sultan steals a diamond button from a rooster, the brave rooster, determined to retrieve the button, uses his amazing gizzard and his amazing ingenuity to outsmart the sultan. By the author of Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins.

About this title

Reviews

Kindergarten-Grade 2?An elaborate retelling of the old tale of the rooster who finds a diamond button only to have it stolen by a Turkish sultan. Although Kimmel credits Kate Seredy's The Good Master (Puffin, 1986), he has embroidered and extended her tight, concise narrative considerably, adding colorful detail and language. However, he sometimes overstates the situation, which results in some dissipation of the tale's taut suspense, humor, anticipation, and satisfaction. The reteller has also changed the ending; the sultan is now repentant and the rooster merely reclaims his button, taking none of the royal treasure. The watercolor illustrations, overlaid with heavy black outlines, are typical of the artist's Baba Yaga and the Little Girl and Knock, Knock, Teremok! (both North-South, 1994). Exaggerated perspectives, grotesque features, and a florid palette render the rooster, the humans, and even the vegetables monstrous and tend to distract rather than enlighten readers. Most librarians and listeners will be better served by an oral presentation of Seredy's version.?Starr LaTronica, Berkeley Public Library, CA
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Ages 5^-8. This fresh, funny retelling of a traditional Hungarian yarn has a vitality that makes it a superb choice for reading aloud. After his diamond button is stolen by a greedy sultan, the clever red rooster vows to crow day and night until it is returned. Irritated, the sultan commands his three stooges, er . . . soldiers, to throw the rooster down the well and drown him. But then the rooster commands his gizzard to drink up all the water. This witty pattern of escape is repeated three times until justice is served up in hilarious fashion. Featuring a broad palette and distinctive black lines, the spaciously designed watercolors have the look of Eastern European woodcuts and an exuberance that matches the text's. Make space on folklore shelves for this one. Julie Corsaro

Edition details

• Publisher: Henry Holt & Co
• Publication date: 1995
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0805027815
• ISBN 13: 9780805027815
• Binding: Library Binding
• Illustrator: Arnold Katya
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32