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(4)
4-6
When Claire follows her sister Sophie up a ladder into a chimney, she emerges in the fantasy domain of Arden; there, a harp made of unicorn mane is missing, and Sophie is suspected of the theft--or is someone using the harp to resurrect the last unicorn? Despite derivative world-building and unclear stakes, Claire is an earnest heroine whose transformation by book's end is well earned.
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Henry Cole.
Humble Old Pat and boastful Young Tom travel to compete for the title of "Finest Harpist in Ireland." Along the way, Young Tom tries to sabotage Old Pat's chances to win, but Old Pat's kindness toward a leprechaun is rewarded and Young Tom gets what he deserves. The just ending is never in doubt in this story of kindness rewarded. The lively illustrations aptly convey the Irish setting.
32 pp.
| Holiday
| March, 2001
|
TradeISBN 0-8234-1523-6$$16.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Jill Weber.
Tom, a poor wandering minstrel, trades his worn but true-sounding harp for one of gold, thinking it will improve his fortune. He becomes harpist to the king but misses the freedom of his past life. Acrylic paintings rendered in a blue-green palette with flat tilty perspectives complement this bittersweet cautionary tale set in an Irish-looking countryside.