From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 4-Folkloric motifs abound and Baba Yaga and Vasilisa make cameo appearances in this original folktale. When a king spares the life of a talking eagle, he sets in motion a series of events-the bird gives him a gift that he opens before he should, the sea king rescues the gift but demands his price, and finally the king's son must return to the sea king's crystal palace and accomplish three tasks. Students of folk literature will find a literal treasure hunt as they search for the numerous elements that enrich the story. While youngsters may enjoy the puzzlelike aspects of the tale, stilted dialogue ("Give me that which you do not know is in your house") and lifeless characters that function almost as archetypes make it difficult for readers to become fully engaged. Czernecki's masterfully stylized illustrations do little to offset the flat characterization. The bold graphics tantalize the eye, but the round-headed protagonists have about as much personality as old Fisher-Price play people. One tidbit of wisdom is worth noting-after the king spends years avoiding the sea in the hope that the sea king will forget, the authors assert, "Years passed. But promises do not."-Jeanne Clancy Watkins, Chester County Library, Exton, PA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.
Book Description
The Sea King lives deep under the sea in an exquisite crystal palace. He rarely leaves his halls, except to search out a human victim. One day, the Sea King does a very big favour for a king from the land above. In return, however, he extracts a promise. And without realizing it, the king of the land has promised the Sea King his newborn son....
About the Author
Jane Yolen is the author of over 200 books for children, young adults, and adults, and has been called "America's Hans Christian Andersen." Her books, including Owl Moon and How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?, have won many awards. She lives in Massachusetts and St. Andrews, Scotland.
Among Shulamith Oppenheim's many books for children and adults are two fantasies, The Selchie's Seed and The World Invisible. Her retelling of the Islamic version of the fall from Eden, Iblis, was an ALA Notable Book. Oppenheim lives in Massachusetts.
Stefan Czernecki lives in Vancouver, BC. He is the illustrator of many books, including Mama God Papa God and The Cricket's Cage, which won the Aesop Accolade of the Children's Folklore Section of the American Folklore Society.
Among Shulamith Oppenheim's many books for children and adults are two fantasies, The Selchie's Seed and The World Invisible. Her retelling of the Islamic version of the fall from Eden, Iblis, was an ALA Notable Book. Oppenheim lives in Massachusetts.
Stefan Czernecki lives in Vancouver, BC. He is the illustrator of many books, including Mama God Papa God and The Cricket's Cage, which won the Aesop Accolade of the Children's Folklore Section of the American Folklore Society.
