From School Library Journal
Grade 4 Up. These tales are truly marvels?in both their meaningful content and in the teller's lyrical mastery of language. "The Harp of Dagda" is representative of the selections: it has a plot laced with adventure, a larger-than-life hero, a touch of magic, and an underlying message (here, about the power of art, the "web of captured dreams"). World culture has been ransacked for these valuables, mostly unknown (like the Hawaiian pig-faced god who courts the fire goddess, Pele, by slanging her in an insult contest), but even the known are so artfully retold that Rip Van Winkle and Sir Patrick Spens are given a new lease on life. The pictures are lively, amusing vignettes that do not compete with the superior text. A lapse in the source notes for a King Arthur story moves the Saxons back a thousand years, from A.D. 500 to 500 B.C. However, this criticism is an insignificant speck of tarnish on a truly gleaming collection.?Patricia Lothrop Green, St. George's School, Newport, RI
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
High praise for this collection of fables and legends. Perhaps some of the stories are more familiar to British audiences, but many of them will be delightfully new to Americans. The international flavor of Russian, Bolivian, Japanese and Inuit legends is fascinating. Nigel Lambert treats each story to an individualized performance. His thoughtful characterizations, exaggerated or respectful as appropriate, combine with astute timing and his obvious interest in the literature. Combining the storyteller's approach with careful treatment of the history and the legends, Lambert provides entertainment for listeners of many ages. This program should be collected and cherished for the silver and gold of many happy listenings. R.F.W. Winner of AUDIOFILE's Earphones Award (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine
--This text refers to the
Audio Cassette
edition.
