The Rope - Hardcover

Kulka, Joe

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1589804872 ISBN 13: 9781589804876

Publisher: Pelican Publishing, 2008

Synopsis

When a rope bearing the sign "Pull for more" inexplicably appears hanging from the sky outside the house where Ma, Pa, and Junior live, no one really knows what to make of it. After Junior realizes that he can pull the rope for more of whatever he wants, it is not long before the family is pulling away, greedily asking for food, shoes, and money. Ma, Pa, and Junior each attempt to pull the rope for something they think they want, only to be unpleasantly surprised when they get exactly what they asked for.

About this title

From the Publisher

"Combining classic fable elements with just the right combination of the bizarre takes some doing. The Rope manages to mix the two together well by adding in some visual spins that are certainly out of the ordinary. A creative new take, this is a great look at older story elements."
--Elizabeth Bird, A Fuse #8 Production

Ma, Pa, and Junior live a very simple, ordinary life. While definitely not rich, they have more than enough to get by, and they can count on each other and on their routine. That is why it is such a surprise when a rope bearing the sign "Pull for more" inexplicably appears hanging from the sky outside the house where Ma, Pa, and Junior live. Unable to make heads or tails of the curious rope, the family decides to go inside their home and think about the mystery over supper.

During the meal, Pa empties his bowl, but he is just not satisfied. He wants more soup, but there is not any left in the pot. Suddenly, Junior has an idea. He runs outside to the rope, Ma hollers for soup, Pa pulls, and sure enough, more soup--much more soup--falls from the sky and covers the family. Ma, Pa, and Junior each attempt to pull the rope for something they think they want, only to be most unpleasantly surprised when they get exactly what they asked for.

In this innovative and enchanting fable, Joe Kulka pokes gentle fun at the trio of charming characters who find themselves caught up in the fantasy of getting something for nothing when really, they already have everything they need. Complemented by Kulka's signature lively illustrations, the lighthearted story rendered in playful language is certain to delight readers of all ages in its celebration of family, modesty, and gratitude.

From the Inside Flap

A mysterious rope with an equally mysterious sign appears above the cornfield where a humble farming family lives. Junior is the first one in his family to see it, but soon Ma and Pa join him in wondering what they can get by pulling on the rope.

Can the rope really grant their wishes? Or will their biggest wish end up being that the rope was never there? Award-winning author and illustrator Joe Kulka humorously exposes the perils of getting something for nothing as he reminds us to be careful what we wish for. Accompanied by charming and vivid illustrations, the fable of Ma, Pa, and Junior champions family as the only thing one really needs.

Joe Kulka has worked as an illustrator since 1987. Since graduating from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with a B.F.A. in illustration, Kulka has worked as an illustrator of medical textbooks, a video game developer, and a television animator. He is the author and illustrator of the award-winning children's book Wolf's Coming! chosen by School Library Journal as one of the best books of 2007 and the recipient of the 2007 Society of School Librarians International Honor Book award in the Language Arts Picture Book category. He also was the illustrator for Granny Gert and the Bunion Brothers published by Pelican. The father of three, Kulka lives with his wife in Quakertown, Pennsylvania.

About this edition

• Publisher: Pelican Publishing
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 1589804872
• ISBN 13: 9781589804876
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Kulka Joe