Ashley Ramsden, author
Ed Young, illustrator
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press; First Edition (April 12, 2011)
ISBN-13: 978-1596435445
In the midst of a fearsome blizzard, a weary traveler seeks refuge from the cold.
“Good evening, Father, I’m so glad I found you. Would you, by any chance, have a room where I could spend the night?”
“Oh,” said the old man. “I’m not the father of the house, You’ll have to ask my father. He’s around back, in the kitchen.”
And so the traveler is sent on a journey within his journey, arriving at a surprising destination.
Ashley Ramsden’s eloquent retelling of a Norwegian folktale is handsomely complemented by Caldecott Medalist Ed Young’s masterful cut paper collages in this unusual and haunting book, Seven Fathers.
Stunning in its execution, the artwork elevates this graceful tale to new heights, delivering an original, thought-provoking addition to folktale collections. —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
The story brims with eccentric charms, whether in the dashes of suspense and levity that lace Ramsden’s prose or in Young’s collages, which combine unexpected photo elements with freely outlined figures…It’s Scandinavian magical realism, handsomely realized. —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Like the words, the images combine straightforward representations with more enigmatic symbolism, such as a musical horn crafted from a bird’s-eye photo of suburban development. This story works on multiple levels, creating an appealing package that combines subtle mysteries with a well-spun tale. —Booklist
Striking collage art accompanies a fluid retelling of a lesser-known Norwegian folktale originally collected by Asbøjrnsen and Moe… This visually stunning retelling will be best appreciated by older readers who can appreciate the spiritual underpinnings of the tale. —School Library Journal