Seven Fathers - Hardcover

Ramsden, Ashley

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1596435445 ISBN 13: 9781596435445

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press, 2011

Synopsis

In the midst of a fearsome blizzard, a weary traveler seeks refuge from the cold.

"Good evening, Father, I'm so glad I found you. Would you, by any chance, have a room where I could spend the night?"
"Oh," said the old man. "I'm not the father of the house, You'll have to ask my father. He's around back, in the kitchen."

And so the travler is sent on a journey within his journey, arriving at a surprising destination.

Ashley Ramsden's eloquent retelling of a Norwegian folktale is handsomely complemented by Caldecott Medalist Ed Young's masterful cut paper collages in this unusual and haunting book, Seven Fathers.

About this title

About the Author:

Ashley Ramsden is the founding director of the School of Storytelling in Sussex England, and co-author with Nancy Mellon of the award-winning book Body Eloquence: The Power of Myth and Story to Awaken the Body's Energies. Ashley travels the world with his acclaimed performances and workshops.

A Caldecott Medalist and two-time Caldecott Honor Book artist, Ed Young has also been twice nominated for the Hans Christian Andersen Award. He most recently wrote and illustrated Hook, about which Kirkus, in a starred review, said, "arresting and absorbing, this tale soars." Born in Tientsin, China, and brought up in Shanghai, he now lives with his family in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York.

Review:

“Stunning in its execution, the artwork elevates this graceful tale to new heights, delivering an original, thought-provoking addition to folktale collections.” ―Starred review, Kirkus Reviews

“The story brims with eccentric charms, whether in the dashes of suspense and levity that lace Ramsden's prose or in Young's collages, which combine unexpected photo elements with freely outlined figures...It's Scandinavian magical realism, handsomely realized.” ―Starred review, Publishers Weekly

“Like the words, the images combine straightforward representations with more enigmatic symbolism, such as a musical horn crafted from a bird's-eye photo of suburban development. This story works on multiple levels, creating an appealing package that combines subtle mysteries with a well-spun tale.” ―Booklist

“Striking collage art accompanies a fluid retelling of a lesser-known Norwegian folktale originally collected by Asbøjrnsen and Moe... This visually stunning retelling will be best appreciated by older readers who can appreciate the spiritual underpinnings of the tale.” ―School Library Journal

About this edition

• Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 1596435445
• ISBN 13: 9781596435445
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Young Ed