Words by Stephen Cowan
Ed young, illustrator
Publisher: Philomel Books
Publication Date: March 31, 2020
ISBN-13: 978-0763697617
Once upon the sky, there were three powers–the Wind, the Rain, and the Sun–each claiming to be the mightier than the others. One day, the powers came upon a shepherd girl fast asleep upon a hill, so they made a bet to see who could make her take her cap off. Who will be the strongest of them all?
Rendered in exquisite mixed-media collage, Caldecott Medalist Ed Young’s gorgeous and deeply poignant retelling of the well-known Aesop’s fable The Wind and the Sun, proves that sometimes gentle persuasion and kindness are the best virtues of all.
*”Young’s atmospheric, textured artwork conjures the natural forces vying to mess with a mortal’s cap in this loose retelling of an old Aesop’s fable….Awe-inspiring artwork as powerful as any force of nature.”
–Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Lyrical and profound . . . Elementary school classrooms seeking another approach to Earth Day will appreciate the mysterious beauty within the pages of this book.”
–School Library Journal
“Large spreads and economical text make this a good classroom readaloud—a parable that leads to a discussion about the advantages of warmth over force.”
-Publishers Weekly
“In a prefatory note, Young explains that, in troubled times, “our endangered,vulnerable planet must be sustained by respect.” This beautiful book honors that imperative.”
–Booklist
“Unsurprisingly, it’s the art that really makes an impact here; torn handmade paper and magazine images (with occasional linework) combine in stunning collages that vividly dramatize the impact of the elements . . . . It’s a strongly artistic interpretation that emphasizes the mythic monumentality of the tale, and it may inspire young viewers to take up the scissors for their own projects.
–The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“Full-bleed double-page spreads invitereaders to linger on the panoramic scenes and dive deeply into the details of the illustrations. The language is lyrical, full ofrhythm and rhyme, and the text is beautifully integrated into the illustrations.”
-The Horn Book