The Ballad of Valentine

Publishers Weekly

In a starred review of this adaptation of the folk song "Clementine," PW wrote, "This inspired treatment of an age-old tale communicates plenty about love." Ages 5-up. (Dec.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal

K-Gr 3-A story told in the rhythm of the folk song "My Darling, Clementine." A bashful gentleman sends love messages to his sweetheart, but his proclamations of love never arrive. A homing pigeon flies to Madagascar instead of to Valentine's door with a letter; smoke signals are lost in a cyclone; and a mail car derails, "leaving letters strewn behind." The pages alternate in perspective, portraying the prolific, poetic fellow as well as the plucky lass who goes about her chores and even has time to bake a pie for a special someone. At the end of the book, even though she never receives his messages, Valentine travels from her home across a canyon to deliver her luscious-looking treat to him. Jackson has created a lovesick fellow who, despite his best intentions and for reasons out of his control, just can't seem to do anything right. Valentine is a strong character and readers will feel that her darling will be safe as long as she's with him. Tusa's quirky watercolor illustrations portray a simpler time, when folks communicated by Morse code, an airplane was a modest machine, and a homemade apple pie signified true love and devotion. Without ever being treacly or melodramatic, this fun book is ideal for Valentine's Day programs.-Shawn Brommer, South Central Library System, Madison, WI Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

Clever interplay of text and art makes this ballad more than a simple love story. The text (which can be sung to the tune of "Clementine") tells the tale of a heartsick man who is hilariously stymied in his repeated efforts to declare his love to his neighbor Valentine: the postman can’t find her address, the homing pigeon gets lost in Madagascar, a cyclone blows away smoke signals, and so on. Illustrations of her besotted admirer’s attempts to get his message across are interspersed with images of Valentine going about her business. They reveal that canny Valentine may have figured out what’s going on; in a hint of things to come, she’s shown on the cover carrying a basket of apples, internal illustrations show her milking, mixing ingredients, baking a pie, and climbing over hill and dale to deliver the sweet, freshly baked treat to her frustrated, exhausted suitor, making for a happy ending. Comical depictions of the smitten man’s attempts to get his message across are suitably exaggerated; Valentine herself sports a beatific smile and huge upswept hairdo along with her traditional apron and flowered dress as she does her chores and bakes for her sweetie. Just right for Valentine’s Day, this is funny and satisfying without being too sugary. (Picture book. 4-8)