The Glass Mountain Tales from Poland

Reviewed by: Phyllis Fuchs - Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: December 10, 2014

Review

This is a highly attractive collection of Polish folktales, having as it does, brilliantly colored drawings in the famed illustrator's distinctive style, an appealing size, and an eye-catching title. It is the fourth book of folktales from other countries by a pair of friends, the author and the illustrator, who visited each country first before creating the retellings and the vibrant drawings. The tales from Poland, Pienkowski's birthplace, offer both mythical and magical explanations for Polish history. The eight stories are preceded by a foreword by Walser who says that he had the pleasure of hearing Pienkowski remembering some of the stories from his childhood followed by a brief essay on the artist's Polish childhood, and finally, most helpful, a short glossary with a pronunciation guide . The book is a winning collection for school and public libraries and for all ages of about eight years and up. It is recommended for consideration as a Cream of the Crop selection.

Overall Book Score: excellent