Review by Booklist Review
Ages 6-8. Kasza packs a great deal of philosophy, as well as (uncredited) elements from several folktales, into this busy picture book. When Lion, Bear, and Elephant come upon a crown on a pedestal inscribed "For the Mightiest," they disagree about its proper owner. While they're arguing, a giant snatches them up and announces that he's throwing them off a cliff to prove that he's the mightiest. The giant is, in turn, stymied by an old woman, who turns out to be his mother and gives him a scolding--whereupon all four contenders for the crown decide that she deserves the prize. Politely responding that she doesn't need it, she places it back on its pedestal, ready for the next group of creatures to squabble over. Kids will enjoy chewing over the questions and themes in the clever tale, which is set in an appealing, generic, sunny glade. Pair it with Mirra Ginsburg's Strongest One of All (1977). John Peters
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
"This spry, if slight, story introduces three animals who come across a gold crown sitting on a rock that is chiseled with the words `For the mightiest,' " wrote PW. "Playful gouache paintings effectively reinforce the narrative's humor." Ages 2-6. (Nov.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-When Bear, Lion, and Elephant discover a golden crown in the forest, they begin to argue over which of them is the mightiest. To prove their strength they decide to frighten a little old lady. Whoever scares her the most will win the crown. But events take an unexpected turn when a mighty giant appears, scoops up the animals, and claims the crown for himself. The little old lady returns and chastises the giant, who turns out to be her son. When the three animals admiringly present the crown to her, she modestly declines, stating that her little hat is quite enough. The theme is certainly a familiar one, but the warmhearted tale is told in an appealing, colloquial manner. Kasza's gouache illustrations are expressive and full of droll details that further enliven the telling.-Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY (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 Horn Book Review
A lion, an elephant, and a bear compete to see who is the mightiest by trying to frighten a tiny old woman. But when she fearlessly scolds her giant son for trying, in turn, to frighten the three animals, they decide that it is she who is the mightiest. The story entertains as it imparts its lesson on competition, lightened by Kasza's characteristic humor and cheerful, buoyant illustrations. From HORN BOOK Spring 2002, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
No need to strut when you have the stuff, as a little old lady demonstrates to a bunch of would-be kings of the forest. A lion, a bear, and an elephant stumble across a golden crown perched on a rock. Inscribed on the rock are the words "For the Mightiest," and of course, all three think that makes it theirs. To prove it, they decide to see who can scare that little old lady as she walks through the woods. Each manages to scare the daylights out of her, to about the same degree, and they start squabbling all over again until a great ogre falls upon them, swoops them in his arms, and says, "I think I'll drop you off a cliff." That has the three shaking in their respective paws and feet until a voice booms over the hubbub: "George!" It's that little old lady. George the giant jumps and drops his quarry. Once it is clear who is the mightiest, the lady declines the crown-"How flattering. But, I really don't need this"-in a refreshing turn of the tables. Kasza's drawings are plain and effective, none more so than that last page in which a new crew comes upon the crown and starts the endless bickering about power and prestige all over again. A new lesson from the mistress of gentle teaching. (Picture book. 2-5)
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
