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When Apples Grew Noses And White Horses Flew: Tales Of Ti-Jean (2011)

by Jan Andrews(Favorite Author)

3.83 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

0888999526 (ISBN13: 9780888999528)

languge

English

genre

Middle Grade & Children's

publisher

Groundwood Books

review 1: Oh dear, if only this author had not taken one of my very favourite fairy tales to adapt I might have had a different reaction. I first discovered "The Princess of Tomboso" while listening to C'est la vie on CBC radio one afternoon several years ago. The woman who told this story obviously loved it and told it with much feeling and great glee. I was captivated. After that I scoured libraries and bookstores, finally finding it in Marius Barbeau's delightful collection : The Golden Phoenix and other French-Canadian fairy tales (1958). Eventually I found a copy for myself at a local used bookstore. Now I would like to get another copy to give to a niece who is expecting in the fall. Imagine my delight when I discovered this book by Jan Andrews, with an adapted version of this... more wonderful tale. But then I started to read it and could not believe my disappointment. Why she adapted it at all I cannot fathom. The original is old-fashioned but lively, and shows the three brothers in all their faults and foibles. No reason to sugar-coat their true natures! That is part of the charm and indeed, the point of the story. Most fairy tales have a moral or lesson of some kind--if you take away the character flaws, there is no longer a reason for the lesson. I must confess I did not read the other two stories as I did not have the heart to. I'm giving this two stars only because I hope this book inspires readers to look for other Canadian fairy tales and to try to find the original of The Princess of Tomboso. It is worth the hunt.
review 2: This collection of three tales represents the traditional telling of stories of the wise fool Ti-Jean from early French Canada. Ti-Jean must outthink the Princess of Tomboso, Bonnet Rouge and the Siegneur's daughter in order to succeed and survive.In a true Canadian storytelling tradition these authentic tales offer history and the magic of the story to readers as Ti-Jean solves the predicaments he foolishly lands in. Recommended: 8-12 yearsSubject/Theme: folklore, New France, storytelling, wise-foolCurriculum: New France, oral traditionAwards: OLA Silver Birch Express (non-fiction)2012 less

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