King Of The Birds, The

King Of The Birds, The

When all the birds gather to choose a king, they cannot decide if the king should be the bird with the biggest beak or the one with the most colorful feathers, until a small wren outsmarts them all.From School Library JournalKindergarten-Grade 4?This poetic retelling of a traditional tale is a feast for both the eye and the ear. Long ago, a grand gathering of all birds was called in order to choose a ruler. After much discussion and dissension, it was agreed that the bird that could fly the highest should be king. Without a moment's hesitation, the competitors burst forth into the sky, with the eagle soaring above them all. Just as the mighty bird reached its zenith, a tiny wren crept from beneath its feathers and rose even higher. Thus, the king was not only the highest flier but also the most clever among them. The tiny wren is a champion of choice for all children who hope to outwit their larger siblings and friends. Ward's brief and lyrical retelling works hand in hand with her glowing artwork to charm readers. The pen-and-ink illustrations colored with watercolors and gouache take full advantage of the spectacle and beauty of the avian world. Each vibrantly colored competitor sets forth from a clean white page and often breaks through the fine-lined borders and margins. An informative appendix lists all of the birds that appear, forming a veritable "Guinness Book of Avian Records." This version of the story is brighter, bolder, and briefer than the one by Shirley Climo and Ruth Heller (HarperCollins, 1991). Storytelling purists will quibble over the lack of source notes, but libraries won't want to pass on this gem.?Jeanne Clancy Watkins, Upper Merion Township Library, King of Prussia, PACopyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.