Fool And the Flying Ship (Rabbit Ears Set 4)

Metaxas, Eric

ISBN 10: 1599613085 ISBN 13: 9781599613086

Publisher: Spotlight, 2006

Synopsis

Long ago in Russia, a proclamation went out through all the land that whosoever could build a flying ship would win the hand of the Tsar's daughter. But when a country bumpkin and his oddball crew of extraordinary friends show up to claim her, the dumbfounded Tsar quickly has second thoughts. This hilarious retelling of a fantastical Russian folktale will be a delightful treat for your family.

About this title

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4-- Collage endpapers--a kaleidescope of postage stamps, paper bits, and line-and-watercolor figures cut out from the book--suggest the frenetic verbal and visual voyage awaiting readers within this version of the classic Russian folktale. The text is witty, the illustrations weird; author and illustrator obviously had one hilariously good time creating this. The fool sails off in a birdlike ship (Are those chicken legs?), collecting an odd assortment of fantastic creatures to go to the wedding of the Tsar's daughter. A flying ship is not enough to claim her hand; the fool and his friends must first perform several other feats, culminating in putting not an army of soldiers around the palace, but instead hundreds of penguins at the South Pole. The bizarre cartoon illustrations, done in Drescher's familiar bold-to-garish colors, are grotesque and very busy. If the book appeals, it will be to an older audience than for Arthur Ransome's traditional retelling (Farrar, 1968). Robin Williams, backed up by the Klezmer Conservatory Band on the accompanying audio-cassette, gives a spirited reading, with many ad libs, even more adult in tone.
- Diane S. Marton, Arlington County Library, VA
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Spotlight
• Publication date: 2006
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1599613085
• ISBN 13: 9781599613086
• Binding: Library Binding
• Illustrator: Drescher Henrik
• Number of pages: 32