The Horn Book Guide

PICTURE BOOKS

Kasbarian, Lucine, Reteller

The Greedy Sparrow: An Armenian Tale

32 pp. | Cavendish | April, 2011 | Trade ISBN 978-0-7614-5821-2 $17.99

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Maria Zaikina. In an original story using Armenian folklore characters, the titular bird parlays the thorn a kind baker removes from its foot into items of increasing worth (bread, a sheep, a bride)--until the creature's satisfying comeuppance. In the well-defined illustrations, figures are outlined in black, then filled in with glowing textured color; each character vividly expresses his or her bemusement, guile, or resignation.

Reviewer: Joanna Rudge Long