Fairy Tales & Folklore - General & Miscellaneous, Fiction - Clothes & Fashion, Fiction - General & Miscellaneous, Fiction - Occupations
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Overview
Here is the untold story of Henry, a simple farmer who stumbles upon some extraordinary finery and a whole new attitude. Who would have guessed that a change of attire would bring out his truly regal nature? Yet Henry's transformation may cause trouble in the barnyard.. . .Kathryn Lasky and David Catrow weave a new wrinkle into an old tale-with royally hilarious results! 81/2 X 11. Full-color illustrationsA continuation of "The Emperor's New Clothes" in which a simple farmer finds the emperor's old clothes on his way home from the market and decides to put them on.
Editorials
Publishers Weekly -
For graduates of "The Emperor's New Clothes," this genial spin on the classic story takes the perspective of a simple farmer, who dons the regal clothing that fell off the emperor's wagon. After the farmer tries on the royal garb, he takes a quick trip to town, scoffs at the naked, strutting emperor and returns home, where his fancy clothes not only impede his chores but make him the laughing stock of the barnyard. Lasky (previously paired with Catrow for She's Wearing a Dead Bird on Her Head!) spins a good yarn and portrays the farmer's newfound vanity with gentle humor: "How grand he felt, and how much better the view was from his new height. My animals back at the farm will hardly recognize me, Henry thought." Catrow's caricatured watercolor illustrations exploit the contrast between the ornate finery and the distorted form of the farmer (his ears stick out at a 90-degree angle and his rear end is bulbous). With broad humor, author and artist make a strong case for the simple life. Ages 4-8. (Mar.)Publishers Weekly
THE EMPEROR'S OLD CLOTHES Kathryn Lasky, illus. by David Catrow. "This genial spin on the classic story takes the perspective of a simple farmer who dons the regal clothing that fell off the emperor's wagon," wrote PW. Ages 3-7. (Apr) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.Children's Literature -
Henry the farmer is delighted with his comfortable life and loving animals. He has no pretensions-until walking home from market one day he stumbles upon castoffs from the Emperor's wardrobe. It is irresistible to try on these clothes, and irresistible to show off for his barnyard friends. When he is greeted with hoots and squawks, Henry realizes that new clothes on him are as ridiculous as the Emperor himself parading with no clothes. Lasky's cheerful rewrite of the classic tale is complimented by Catrow's suitably silly illustrations.School Library Journal
K-Gr 4-Henry is a simple farmer, content with his life among his farm animals. One day, on his way back from market, he is nearly run over by the emperor's carriage as it races by, leaving behind some strange items that turn out to be silk stockings. As Henry continues home, he discovers pieces of an elegant ensemble of clothing, which he can't resist trying on. Feeling grand, he decides to stop by the emperor's parade to see the ruler's much-vaunted new outfit, which, of course, turns out to be no outfit at all. Henry continues home where he finds that his new clothes are wholly unsuited to farm work, dresses in his old garb, and settles blissfully into his quiet life. Much of the tale is taken up with Henry's discovery of the articles of clothing and how foreign they seem to him. It is an amusing story well told, although it helps if children are familiar with the original tale. Catrow's loopy, lush watercolors capture the silly mood perfectly, and readers will marvel at how the bucolic Henry is transformed into an elegant gentleman of the court and back again. A good pick for any library.-Donna L. Scanlon, Lancaster County Library, PA Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.Book Details
Published
April 1, 2002
Publisher
Voyager Paperbacks
Pages
32
Format
Paperback
ISBN
9780152163488