The Bear and the Bird King

Published by Dutton Children's Books, 1994

From the Publishers Weekly:

Verve and humor infuse a retelling of a little-known tale from the Brothers Grimm, then are reflected in wonderfully detailed artwork. When Bear insults the king of the birds' fledglings, (You look like plain old nasty children to me), a full-scale war erupts between beasts and birds.The illustration and book design yield treasure. Animals and birds alike are bedecked in finery, dapper in top hats, frock coats and bustled gowns, while delicate cross-hatching and melodious compositions offset the artifice of the theme. Spreads vary in layout, some with double-page pictures populated by a veritable Waldo size cast of two and four-legged creatures, others with text and art interspersed. Luminescent hues endow each page with a spring-rain freshness, while an underlying wit adds edge.

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© 2008 Robert Byrd. All rights reserved.