The Hero of Bremen - Hardcover

Hodges, Margaret

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0823409341 ISBN 13: 9780823409341

Publisher: Holiday House, 1993

Synopsis

A retelling of a German folktale follows poor Hans, a cripple, as he becomes a pawn in the political machinations of the rich countess Emma and her nefarious nephew.

About this title

About the Author

Charles Mikolaycak (pronounced 'Mike-o-lay-chak') was a book illustrators for over twenty years. His work is some of the most romantic and emotionally appealing ever seen. His award-winning books include I Am Joseph, an ALA Notable Book; Peter and the Wolf, which received a Society of Illustrators citation; and Babushka, a New York Times Best Illustrated Book. His work has been selected for excellence by the American Institute of Graphic Arts. Mikolaycak lived in New York and was a guest instructor in book illustration at Syracuse University. He was married to writer Carole Kismaric on October 1st, 1970. Charles Mikolaycak passed away on June 25th, 1993.

From Booklist

Gr. 3-6. This moving legend within a legend tells of Hans the Cobbler, a disabled shoemaker who loves to share stories about Roland, the famous knight who saved the walled city of Bremen during the Dark Ages and who, according to Hans, will come again in time of need. The citizens of the overcrowded city need more land and hope to buy some from a wealthy countess whose nephew offers to sell them "all the land that a man can walk around in a day." But then he picks Hans to be that man. With the help of the hero Roland, who appears to Hans and stops time, the humble shoemaker is able to complete his journey, crawling on "knuckles and knee." As usual, Mikolaycak's realistic watercolor and colored pencil drawings have powerful lines, sculptural forms, and a strong narrative quality. Inspired by the varnished sixteenth-century paintings of Hans Holbein, the architectural and costume details establish the Renaissance setting. This eloquent retelling of a gentle, little-known tale honoring the chivalric virtues of service and sacrifice is all the more beautiful for its understated quality; the documentation is detailed and scholarly. A treat for reading aloud, this may lead middle-graders to stories about Roland, such as Jay Williams' prose version, The Horn of Roland (1968). Julie Corsaro

Edition details

• Publisher: Holiday House
• Publication date: 1993
• ISBN 10: 0823409341
• ISBN 13: 9780823409341
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Mikolaycak Charles