From School Library Journal
Grade 3-6-The team that brought readers The Golden Hoard (1996), The Silver Treasure (1997), and The Bronze Cauldron (1998, all McElderry) once again delights story lovers' fancy. A variety of cultures are represented as McCaughrean travels far and wide to pull from her story hat tales of a helpful mermaid, a poor man's alchemy, strange transformations, beavers and porcupines, and mothers digging in the earth for babies. Also included is one of the best retellings of "The Pied Piper" to come along in recent years. Fun to read aloud or to one's self, the stories are written in a clear and spirited fashion. Without resorting to slang or common dialogue, McCaughrean deftly incorporates modern language and terms into these ancient tales, rendering them accessible to today's youth. Willey once again plants her bright watercolors in conspicuous spots, using decorative motifs that depict portions of the narratives. A fine introduction to world story, and a perfect complement to the other titles in this series.
Angela J. Reynolds, West Slope Community Library, Portland, OR Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
McCaughrean meets the high standard set by
The Golden Hoard (1996),
The Silver Treasure (1997), and
The Bronze Cauldron (1998) with this gathering of retold tales from around the world, a mix of creation myths, flood stories, and trickster exploits. Although she draws from traditional sources--acknowledged, if not specifically cited, in the endnotes--she gives the stories a refreshingly unforced modern flavor, naming two nosy brothers "Spy" and "Pry" in the Melanesian title tale, and opening a Sumerian creation myth about the gods going on strike with "`Enough!' said Enki, throwing down his spade. `For a thousand years we've dug out rivers and piled up hills. There has to be more to life than this!'" She also skillfully varies the mood, from dramatic tales of worlds made and destroyed and a spooky rendition of the legend of the Flying Dutchman to clever antics of familiar tricksters interspersed with poignant accounts of the death of Balder, the love of Isis and Osiris, and the Pied Piper's revenge. Bee Willey's stylized paintings seem lit from within, intensifying the sense of mystery that underlies even the jocular tales. Unsurpassed for range, language, and presentation, McCaughrean's collections are essential additions to any library collection; children will be enthralled whether the stories are read silently or aloud.
John Peters
