KIDS' BOOKS

For Sure! For Sure!

by Hans Christian Andersen, Stefan Czernecki, illus.

Age group: 5 -8

How does one loose feather become five dead chickens? Denmark’s most famous storyteller answers that question with a story of henhouse gossip run amuck. A silly remark by a respectable hen is overheard and passed along the chicken coop grapevine. With each retelling, the innocent comment morphs into an increasingly scandalous tale that concludes with a newspaper report of five self-plucked, love-struck hens pecking each other to death in a shameful battle. Sound grim? It really isn’t.

Translator Mus White manages to retain all of the wry humour from the original Danish text, making Andersen’s playful, tongue-in-cheek approach completely comprehensible. This faithful retelling makes an excellent, dramatic read-aloud, especially for early elementary students who will most appreciate its exaggerated silliness.

Vancouver illustrator Stefan Czernecki gives the Andersen tale (first published in 1852) a bold, contemporary look. Previously translated into picture book form by author/illustrator Janet Stevens as It’s Perfectly True, this version takes a less traditional visual route, thanks to Czernecki’s comic book style: simple lines, panels, and eye-popping colours that are completely in tune with Andersen’s over-the-top plot.

Czernecki’s uncluttered illustrations add new dimension and expression to the story, from his scandalized cartoon fowl down to the smallest touches, like the chicken-scratch newspaper font, or the way he tips his hat to Andersen’s roots by flying the Danish flag in a rooftop scene.

This lesser-known Andersen tale makes its appearance in advance of the worldwide H.C. Andersen Bicentenary celebrations in 2005. Is it good timing? For sure!

Reviewed by Carol L. MacKay (from the September 2004 issue)

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