The Flying Ship - Hardcover

A simpleton sets out to win the hand of a princess in this classic Russian fairy tale. When the king promises to wed his daughter to "whoever should build a ship that could fly," a dim fellow tries his luck and, after his kindness to a little old man, he stumbles upon just such a vehicle. He meets a handful of travelers en route to the king's court, and invites them aboard; their extraordinary skills and possessions later help him fulfill the seemingly impossible tasks the king demands of the would-be groom. Although the captivating painting on the cover raises expectations for McDermott's (Oom Razoom) work, the art as a whole is wan compared with Christopher Denise's stately The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship (1994) or Uri Shulevitz's sprightly 1968 Caldecott-winning rendition. McDermott's large-scale illustrations incorporate some whimsical touches and a palette that glows gently, but they often take on an overly precious quality?particularly in the depiction of the hero and his soon-to-be bride, neither of whom appears to be any older than 10. Ages 7-up.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Kindergarten-Grade 3?This Russian folktale recounts the offbeat adventures of a kindhearted simpleton and his attempts to win the hand of a beautiful princess. He soars in a magical flying ship, gathering a crew of eccentric characters along the way. All of them eventually use their unique and often comical talents to help their peculiar, yet determined, captain claim his royal bride. The text is taken from Andrew Lang's The Yellow Fairy Book (Dover, 1966), and includes a few minor spelling changes. Unfortunately, the watercolor-and-pencil illustrations do not reflect the earthy humor of the tale. Many of the page-and-a-half spreads are static, and the rosy-cheeked, round-eyed men, women, and children resemble cartoon figures. Overall, the soft colors and romanticized landscapes create a saccharine quality that is incompatible with the spirit of the story. Those in need of "The Flying Ship" should turn to The Yellow Fairy Book.?Heide Piehler, Shorewood Public Library, WI
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.