Review by Booklist Review
Gr. 4^-6. On the heels of his Wizard King and Other Spellbinding Tales (1998), Matthews retells nine more stories from as many traditions: two feature friendly ghosts, the monstrous Australian Bunyip puts in an appearance to rescue her pup from fishermen, and the rest involve giants or goblins up to no good. The author writes in a direct, unornamented way that never turns wooden, and although he sometimes leaves out crucial details--such as how a game called Hide the Plum Pit, which figures prominently in a Cheyenne tale is played--he doesn't skimp on hair-raising chases, clever twists, or plucky heroes and heroines. Artwork by Giovanni Manna brightens nearly every page with bottom borders and framed vignettes, mixing decorative and pictorial elements (characters are dressed in generic ceremonial clothing) to evoke each story's origin. Equally suited to reading aloud or alone, this will appeal to young fans of Ann Rockwell's folktale collections. --John Peters
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 2-5-A lively collection of nine folktales in which the protagonists face larger-than-life challengers. They include "The Giant with No Heart in His Body" (Norway), "The Bunyip" (Australia), and a demon called Korendo in "Little Oonyani" (Siberia). Some selections, such as "Oona and the Giant" (Ireland) are delightfully funny. Another strong heroine can be found in "The Lass Who Couldn't Be Frightened" (Scotland). In some of the tales, the humans are not particularly admirable, such as the boastful "A-Man-Among-Men" (West Africa) and, in some cases, their opponents are likable, such as the wistful "Ghost with Two Faces" (Cheyenne). Matthews's writing is clear and fluid, making these stories especially suited for reading aloud. Manna's stylized watercolor illustrations capture the different moods of the tales. The vibrant colors, varied format, and attractive design make this a visually appealing addition.-Robin L. Gibson, Muskingum County Library System, Zanesville, OH (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
This mild collection is even-tempered in the tellings despite the various spooks of the title. From the plucky princess who aids her prince in the Norwegian ``Giant with No Heart in His Body,'' to the strong-minded Scottish ``Lass Who Couldn't be Frightened'' (who bests a goblin but is undone by a mouse'and love), the nine tales cover many cultures and sensibilities. The Cheyenne ``Ghost with Two Faces'' is heartsick and lovelorn, and the Chinese ``Drinking Companions'' honor the dead and the living. Matthews pays particular attention to oral rhythms, so the stories move well, but without the bite some ghoulish readers have come to expect. The illustrations include elegant decorations and borders in a mannered, attenuated style. (sources) (Folklore. 6-10)
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