Review by Booklist Review
In this wry retelling, the focus flips to the most deserving player in the classic wish-fulfillment tale. The poor fisherman makes the peculiar choice of Death to be his baby's godfather; it's this same hapless, conflict-avoidant dad who goes on to make even more dubious choices and who by tale's end must live with the distressing consequences. Award winner Nicholls brilliantly enlivens her charmingly fable-like narration with punchy, contemporary dialogue: A priest responds "blimey" in response to a ponderous statement by Death; later, the ill-fated fisherman nervously compliments Death's cave of the candles of living souls as having "lovely, er, light features . . . ."Using a limited palette of flat colors reinforced by black outlines and silhouettes, the distinctive art utilizes a mélange of traditional styles to create a world familiar yet utterly inventive. Though composed with an air of decorative formality, scenes spill over with energetic, near-slapstick action; even though presented with the emblematic conventions of court playing cards, people's paper-white faces bloom or blaze with emotion. Talisman-like vignettes, symbols, and borders embellish pages with iconic detail. Beyond its satisfying ironic twist, this inventive version of the classic cautionary tale offers a distinctive voice, relatable humor, and compelling art to thrill lovers of the folktale canon, ensuring its place as an enduring classic.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Nicholls (The Button Book) pens a prickly, haunting story about a poor fisherman searching for an honest man to serve as godfather of his newborn son. Who should the fisherman meet first but Father God? An ideal godfather, surely! But when Father God says he treats "all men and all women fairly," the fisherman balks. "Some people live in great big palaces...! Others live in horrible cold, wet houses...! How is that fair?" Though the fisherman's "baby son was cold, and his family was hungry," an offer of boundless riches from the Devil produces similar contempt ("No. Thank. You"). Then the fisherman encounters scythe-toting skeleton Death--"the only honest man in all the world"--who brings an end to all. In fear and trembling, the fisherman accepts Death's proposal. But when Death provides the fisherman a tempting chance to prosper, the man's downfall begins. Throughout, gracefully stylized vignettes and elaborate borders in autumn hues by Sardà (Moving the Millers' Minnie Moore Mine Mansion) present a distinctive concoction of humor and anxiety. It echoes suspenseful, folkloric prose that grapples with truth and human frailty. Human characters' skin tones reflect the white of the page. Ages 4--8. (Aug.)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A lesser-known Brothers Grimm tale finds new life. Upon the birth of his son, a poor fisherman sets out to find an appropriate godfather. First, he approaches God but doesn't care for God's sense of fairness--God claims to treat all the same, but the fisherman points out that some people live charmed lives, while others experience only hardship. Next, he considers the Devil but rejects him for his wickedness. Finally, he encounters Death and, upon realizing that Death is always fair and honest (he takes everyone, rich or poor), makes him his son's godfather. Soon thereafter, Death grants the fisherman information that will make him a rich doctor. If Death stands at the foot of a patient's bed, the patient can be cured. If Death stands at the head of the bed, nothing can be done. All goes well, until the day the fisherman foolishly decides to trick Death himself. Nicholls proves unafraid to attach an appropriately bleak ending to this straightforward morality tale, doing so with such flair that many (though not all) will forgive her. Along the way, she tweaks the original tale, turning it into something palatable to contemporary readers. Meanwhile, Sardà's limited orange, green, and red palette and distinctive style evoke the colored lithographs of artists such as Walter Crane. Characters have paper-white skin. Deft writing and entrancing art prove once more why the old stories are worth retelling. (Picture book/folktale. 7-10) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
