“Instead of rubbish tips I want to see parks where all the
children can play, and schools where all the children can learn. I want to see
fairness and kindness. I want to see the happiness that only fairness and
kindness can bring. Only when I know that Hamelin is a fit place for children to
grow up, can the children go home again.”
Do you recognise this from The Pied Piper of Hamlin? As an added bonus this retelling is by master
story teller Michael Morpurgo with joyous illustrations by Emma Chichester
Clark. I have adored Emma Chichester
Clark ever since I met her work in the Blue Kangaroo series so when I spied
this new book at the IBBY Congress I knew it had to join my growing pile of purchases.
To quote from one reviewer :
(This versions is) a nuanced and substantial retelling of the
well-known morality tale; young readers can identify with the resourceful
narrator, and adults may find relevance, given current economic woes.
If you are new to this timeless story or if you just need to
update your own worn copy this new version would be the perfect choice. We have a number of interesting versions of
the Pied Piper in our school library including
a simple reader style retelling from the Leapfrog series, a fun version
by Tony Ross, a spoof called The fried Piper of Hamstring and as a contrast a
version illustrated by Drahos Zak.
I had forgotten the ending which is so satisfying. Stories like this are an important part of our western culture. Look for this version in your library.
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