The Magic Kerchief - Hardcover

Larson, Kirby

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0823414736 ISBN 13: 9780823414734

Publisher: Holiday House, 2000

Synopsis

When Griselda gives shelter for the night to a poor old woman, the grateful visitor offers her a magic kerchief in thanks, and Griselda accepts the gift not knowing it might be enchanted.

About this title

About the Authors

Kirby Larson is the author of two chapter books about Quinn Kelley: "Second-Grade Pig Pals" and "Cody and Quinn, Sitting in a Tree", which was nominated for the Show Me Readers Award. She lives in Kenmore, Washington, with her family.

Rosanne Litzinger has illustrated many fine picture books for children, including "Leprechaun Gold" by Teresa Bateman, "Song Bird" by Tololwa M. Mollel, and "Sing, Sophie!" by Dayle Ann Dodds. She lives in the Los Angeles metropolitan area.

Reviews

PreSchool-Grade 2-Griselda has a razor-sharp tongue that she doesn't hesitate to use. She even insults the Lord Mayor by stating, "Paah-A donkey on two legs is still a donkey." As a result, the woman has few friends and is very lonely. One evening, a stranger appears at her door begging for a place to stay the night. Griselda gives her shelter and is rewarded with a magic handkerchief that softens her tongue and soon she is complimenting all of the villagers. As a result, she makes many new friends. The tale is charming and the illustrations match the mood perfectly. The art dominates the pages and is painted in soft, muted pastels. Each page is awash with a different background color, which serves to attract readers' attention. The village people are drawn in a cartoon style and their sizes are exaggerated. Pair this story with Tomie dePaola's Strega Nona (S & S, 1975), Paul Galdone's The Magic Porridge Pot (Clarion, 1979), or Nina Jaffe's The Way Meat Loves Salt (Holt, 1998) for an excellent storytime.
Sheilah Kosco, Rapides Parish Library, Alexandria, LA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Youngsters will likely be hard pressed not to laugh at the way a kerchief works its magic on tart-tongued Griselda. The crotchety old woman has alienated herself from her fellow villagers, but occasionally feels "the weight of her loneliness." One evening a traveler appears begging shelter, and Griselda, grumbling all the while, accommodates her. The visitor rewards her grudging kindness with a beautiful kerchief: "While you wear [it], you will find great riches." "Paah," answers Griselda, but sure enough, the first time she wears it her tongue suddenly seems to have a mind of its own; where once it found insults, now it finds compliments. As surprised as anyone at her unexpected burst of good will, an indignant Griselda returns home and soon receives great riches indeed, as her kind acts are rewarded by a host of new friends. Larson's (the Quinn Kelley books) droll and buoyant original folktale bristles with lively description (e.g., Griselda's lips clamped "as tight as a beggar's fist around a gold coin"), while Litzinger's (Sing, Sophie!) piquant pastels drape it with cheer. Her simple lines and geometric patterns contribute to illustrations seasoned with merry folk-art touchesAfrom hearts and flowers to the rounded shapes of Griselda and her neighbors, all of them as plump as pincushions. Ages 4-8. (Sept.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Grumpy Griselda can't hold her tongue, and her bluntness has alienated the other villagers: even the "priest has left her out of his prayers." Still, she has a soft heart. When an old woman appears one night seeking shelter, Griselda reluctantly takes her in, accepting as thanks a "magic kerchief," supposed to bring her riches. When she wears the kerchief the next day, surprising things do happen: Griselda can only say nice things. Ultimately, she learns that kindess and respect beget the same, and that friends are the real riches. The fairy-tale message is well conveyed in simple, humorous prose, and the whimsical illustrations, in rainbow pastel shades, mix bold patterns with delightful details. As both listeners and Griselda discover, it's never too late to change behavior or experience the joys of both offering and receiving friendship. Shelle Rosenfeld
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Holiday House
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0823414736
• ISBN 13: 9780823414734
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Litzinger Rosanne
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32