Status
Available
Collection
Publication
Holiday House (1996), Edition: 1st, 32 pages
Description
A washerwoman's clever oldest daughter finds a way to rescue her two foolish sisters from the cruel Count Silvernose.
Local notes
School Library Journal, 02/29/1996
Gr 1-4 A Bluebeard variant from Italy. The two younger daughters of an old washerwoman are lovely, foolish, and useless, while the oldest is homely, clever, and strong. She is also fiercely protective of her sisters, and when each is carried off by the mysterious Count Silvernose and later reported dead, Assunta resolves to discover the truth. She finds her sisters alive, tormented by imps and demons in a fiery pit. She rescues them and outwits the wicked Count, who ends up in the pit himself. Kimmel's smooth, richly detailed narrative differs significantly from the source cited, building on its basic framework and adding original interpretation and characterization. Assunta is a memorable and powerful heroine and more than a match for the shallow, smooth-talking Count. Rayyan's impressive watercolors resemble a Renaissance sketchbook. Many of the double-page spreads lead the eye from sepia-washed sketches to a central, vibrantly colored, and sometimes scary painting. The centerpiece is a magnificent spread of Assunta walloping the imps and demons. Rayyan's command of color, line, and movement is exceptional, and the illustrations and narrative balance one another beautifully. A striking offering. Donna L. Scanlon, Lancaster County Library, PA
Gr 1-4 A Bluebeard variant from Italy. The two younger daughters of an old washerwoman are lovely, foolish, and useless, while the oldest is homely, clever, and strong. She is also fiercely protective of her sisters, and when each is carried off by the mysterious Count Silvernose and later reported dead, Assunta resolves to discover the truth. She finds her sisters alive, tormented by imps and demons in a fiery pit. She rescues them and outwits the wicked Count, who ends up in the pit himself. Kimmel's smooth, richly detailed narrative differs significantly from the source cited, building on its basic framework and adding original interpretation and characterization. Assunta is a memorable and powerful heroine and more than a match for the shallow, smooth-talking Count. Rayyan's impressive watercolors resemble a Renaissance sketchbook. Many of the double-page spreads lead the eye from sepia-washed sketches to a central, vibrantly colored, and sometimes scary painting. The centerpiece is a magnificent spread of Assunta walloping the imps and demons. Rayyan's command of color, line, and movement is exceptional, and the illustrations and narrative balance one another beautifully. A striking offering. Donna L. Scanlon, Lancaster County Library, PA