Books by Aaron Shepard
The Princess Mouse : A Tale of Finland
TEACHERS AND LIBRARIANS -- A READER'S THEATER SCRIPT OF THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE IN AARON'S BOOK "FOLKTALES ON STAGE," OR FREE ON AARON'S WEB SITE.
PLEASE CLICK "SHOW MORE," BELOW, TO SEE HONORS, REVIEWS, SAMPLE TEXT, AND AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR INFO.
In Mikko's family, young men find their sweethearts by cutting down a tree and following where it points. As his father says, "That's how we've done it, and that's how we always will."
Though Mikko's brother makes his tree fall how he wants, Mikko's tree seems to have ideas of its own. So, what is Mikko to do when it sends him into the forest and all he finds there is a mouse? And what if the mouse offers gladly to be his sweetheart, and even passes the test that is set by Mikko's father?
This sweet tale from Finland shows that even a mouse can be special, and that trees may well fall true.
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Aaron Shepard is the award-winning author of "The Baker's Dozen," "The Sea King's Daughter," "The Adventures of Mouse Deer," and many more children's books. His stories have appeared often in Cricket magazine, while his Web site is known internationally as a prime resource for folktales, storytelling, and reader's theater.
Leonid Gore is the Russian-born illustrator of numerous acclaimed picture books.
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2003 New York Public Library's "100 Titles for Reading and Sharing"
"Magical events and a moral dilemma give this Finnish tale its staying power. Gore's distinctively angled figures deepen the folktale feel. The northern spring can almost be felt." -- Publishers Weekly, Dec. 9, 2002
"The language is bright and cheery throughout, with the kind of repetition children and storytellers love. . . . Prettily told, with sweet lessons about love and trust, no matter how odd the circumstances." -- Kirkus Reviews, Dec. 15, 2002
"Shepard's charmingly droll version combines classic elements with unexpected, witty details. . . . The jewel-toned art has beautiful luminescence; the elongated, somewhat blocky look of the characters reinforces the fantasy; and the mice are downright irresistible. . . . Quirky, enjoyable, and easily adapted for storytime." -- Shelle Rosenfeld, American Library Association Booklist, Feb. 1, 2003
"Shepard does his usual capable job of retelling this old tale in clear, simple, yet effective prose. . . . A pleasant, attractive addition to folklore shelves." -- Grace Oliff, School Library Journal, Feb. 2003
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SAMPLE
"All this way for nothing," he said sadly.
"Maybe not!" came a tiny voice.
Mikko looked around, but the only living thing in sight was a little mouse on a table. Standing on its hind legs, it gazed at him with large, bright eyes.
"Did you say something?" he asked it.
"Of course I did! Now, why don't you tell me your name and what you came for?"
Mikko had never talked with a mouse, but he felt it only polite to reply. "My name is Mikko, and I've come looking for a sweetheart."
The mouse squealed in delight. "Why, Mikko, I'll gladly be your sweetheart!"
"But you're only a mouse," said Mikko.
"That may be true," she said, "but I can still love you faithfully. Besides, even a mouse can be special! Come feel my fur."
With one finger, Mikko stroked the mouse's back. "Why, it feels like velvet! Just like the gown of a princess!"
"That's right, Mikko." And as he petted her, she sang to him prettily.
"Mikko's sweetheart will I be.
What a fine young man is he!
Gown of velvet I do wear,
Like a princess fine and rare."
Copies
No copies available.
The Maiden of Northland: A Hero Tale of Finland
Not so long ago, in the tiny, isolated villages of Finland, where prolonged summer days gave way to endless winter nights, people would pass the time by singing the many adventures of their favorite heroes: the mighty, magical men and women of ancient days.
They sang of old Vainamoinen, greatest of sages and magicians, who helped create the world but never could find a woman to wed him. They sang of his friend and ally Ilmarinen, first among craftsmen, the blacksmith who forged the dome of the heavens.
They sang of Louhi, the ancient lady of Northland, whose crafty wit and magical powers made her a worthy opponent for Vainamoinen himself. And they sang of Aila, Louhi's lovely daughter, who captured the hopes of the two old friends and drew them as rivals to the shores of Northland.
The songs endure, the heroes live, in this poetic retelling of Finland's national epic, the Kalevala.
TEACHERS AND LIBRARIANS -- A READER'S THEATER SCRIPT OF AN EXCERPT FROM THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE FREE ON AARON'S WEB SITE.
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Aaron Shepard is the award-winning author of "The Baker's Dozen," "The Sea King's Daughter," "The Adventures of Mouse Deer," and many more children's books. His stories have appeared often in Cricket magazine, while his Web site is known internationally as a prime resource for folktales, storytelling, and reader's theater.
Carol Schwartz is the award-winning illustrator of over 45 picture books.
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HONOR
1996 Aesop Accolade (American Folklore Society)
"Well written and valuable. . . . Shepard's use of free verse allows him more flexibility than the traditional poetic meter. [The text] retains a sense of majestic rhythm and is most effective when read aloud. Supporting information is detailed. Schwartz's illustrations are vivid and appealing, with jewel-like colors and crisp lines. An unusual and appealing addition." -- Donna L. Scanlon, School Library Journal, Apr. 1996
"Shepard's free verse telling has power and sparkle. . . . Grandly illustrated." -- Glenn Giffin, Denver Post, May 12, 1996
"The language of Shepard's story, the way [the characters'] magic is performed -- all is bigger than life, as the mythic tale should be. It is a book to read aloud -- to an older child, to an appreciative adult. . . . A most handsome book." -- Kate Frankel, Storyline, Winter 1997
"The [free] verse reads aloud particularly well. . . . This is an unusual and appealing book, particularly in light of the scarcity of books for children in this subject area. -- Notes from the Windowsill, Dec. 15, 1996
Copies
No copies available.
The Big Book of Graphic Classics: Five Graphic Novel Adaptations of Classic Stories (Graphic Revolve: Common Core Editions)
by Mark Twain, Robert Louis Stevenson, Jules Verne, Aaron Shepard, Carl Bowen, Pat Perrin, Wim Coleman, M C Hall, Anne L Watson
The world's best stories, retold in dynamic graphic novel form. These reinvisioned classics will hook reluctant readers and thrust them face to face with some of history's most famous tales. Stories included: Robin Hood, Mark Twain's The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island.
Copies
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$14.99