Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks - Hardcover

Janisch, Heinz

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0887081509 ISBN 13: 9780887081507

Publisher: Simon & Schuster, 1990

Synopsis

Unfolds the life of the merry prankster Till, from his rowdy infancy to his final joke at his own funeral

About this title

Reviews

Grade 1-6-- In 11 single-page vignettes, Till Eulenspiegel captures the imaginations of another generation of children. Recounted are his three baptisms, Till on the tightrope, baking owls and monkeys, and other lesser-known prankster tales. Bell's elegant translations are full of meaning, and can be read aloud to young listeners with enjoyment, while older children will howl at the double entendres that characterize these traditional stories. Missing, however, is any folkloric background, and only intrepid hunters will discover from the CIP that Till is of German origin. Zwerger's illustrations relay impish human expressions wonderfully, but overall her delicate, wispy pictures fail to snatch the vivacious energy of the practical joker. Handsome individual borders emphasize the contained quality of the watercolors, but are a visual treat in themselves. While these tellings may be the only ones available for this audience, older readers will also enjoy Jay Williams's The Wicked Tricks of Tyl Uilenspiegel (Four Winds, 1978; o.p.), which sports more dynamic art by Friso Henstra. --Carolyn Noah, Worcester Public Library, MA
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Hans Christian Andersen Medalist Zwerger cunningly illustrates 11 folktales about the famous German prankster--from Till's triple dunking at his baptism, to his funeral, at which he leaves a last trick for his mourners. Both art and text are distinctly quaint and European. Although the stories are told colloquially, as if by a villager who knew Eulenspiegel well, there is a forced merriment to the narrator's intrusions: " 'What a crazy fellow!' " folks say when they hear of Till's merry pranks." he too frequently tells the reader. However, Zwerger's bright paintings, bordered by gaily patterned, thin ribbons, are tightly designed and populated by a rich panoply of German peasants and kings, who laugh with Eulenspiegel even as they are being duped. Ages 5-up.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Publication date: 1990
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0887081509
• ISBN 13: 9780887081507
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Zwerger Lisbeth
• Number of pages: 22