After Hamelin - Softcover

Richardson, Bill

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1550376284 ISBN 13: 9781550376289

Publisher: Annick Press, 2000

Synopsis

Implicit in many folk and fairy tales is the question, 'Then what?'

After Hamelin picks up the story where the Robert Browning poem -- or other tellings of The Pied Piper of Hamelin -- leaves off. In a quest that is both contemporary and timeless, Richardson creates a magical world through inventive wordplay, uninhibited imagination and a facility with rhyme. Here is a raconteur who spins a narrative tale that takes readers into strange lands inhabited by unusual characters, both good and evil, where adventure abounds and unlikely saviors emerge.

Penelope is 101 years old, but she can remember the story like it happened yesterday. On the morning of her eleventh birthday, she wakes to discover she can no longer hear. It is on this same day that the Piper returns to Hamelin to spirit the children away in an evil act of revenge upon the townspeople. Spared because she is deaf to the Piper's bewitching tune, Penelope is left to grieve the loss of her friends and beloved sister Sophy until Cuthbert, the wise man of the village, reveals that Penelope possesses the unusual gift of deep dreaming. Armed only with a charm from Cuthbert and her own courage, Penelope enters the land of sleep on a treacherous quest to rescue the stolen children.

There is suspense, humor and high excitement (wrapped in dark undercurrents) as Penelope and the companions she meets along the way -- Scally, her trusted cat; Alloway, the blind harpist; Ulysses, a three-legged dog; and Quentin, a dragon who loves skipping -- journey to the Piper's mountain fortress. Their combined wits and talents see them through strange landscapes and close calls. In a thrilling climax played out in a mysterious place between dreaming and waking, they triumph over the Piper and set the children of Hamelin free.

About this title

About the Author

Bill Richardson lives in Vancouver, where he works as a writer and well-known broadcaster. He is the author of several humorous books for adults, including the popular Bachelor Brothers' Bed and Breakfast titles (Douglas & McIntyre/St. Martin's Press). A talented storyteller and former children's librarian, this is his first book for children.

Review

Finely realized characters ... Blending aspects of classical myth and literary fantasy, the tale builds to a fine resolution and casts a hypnotic spell. (Anne O'Malley Booklist 2001-02-15)

[Features] a wild and unpredictable dreamscape ... Penelope's [the protagonist] wise, sometimes bitter voice remains fresh and provocative. (Publishers Weekly 2000-11-20)

Delightful and thoughtful ... This intriguing tale invents a complete and believable alternative world. (Napra Review 2001-01-01)

Not only is After Hamelin a page-turning adventure story that children will love, it is also a teacher's dream. Read this story aloud to a class and savour the amazing characters, the images, the rhymes, the songs, and the play of Richardson's language. Enter a dream world of adventure, populated by talking cats, three-legged dogs and skipping dragons... Bill Richardson is a magician who spins magic with his words. A gifted storyteller, a writer, a broadcaster, as well as a former children's librarian, he has written several humorous books for adults, including Bachelor Brothers' Bed & Breakfast. After Hamelin is his first children's novel.... [The book] has excellent curriculum ties in the areas of storytelling, friendship, travel, courage, magic, fantasy, relationships, deafness, sexism, Middle Ages, imagery, character development, voice and language. This fantasy novel is a tribute to the skill and vision of an amazing writer! Highly Recommended. (Susan Fonseca Canadian Materials 2001-06-08)

About this edition

• Publisher: Annick Press
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 1550376284
• ISBN 13: 9781550376289
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 144