The Pied Piper of Hamelin

The Pied Piper of Hamelin is "the first in a series of miniature books that focus on original folklore classics" and the latest edition from Lorin Morgan-Richards' A Raven Above Press. The wonderful thing about Morgan-Richards' books is that they are all handmade originals. He creates each book individually, so each is unique in its own way. Quite frankly, as far as I'm concerned, his books are miniature works of art.

Lorin Morgan-Richards art reminds me of a modern day Charles Addams or Edward Gorey. He dabbles in the unusual and strange, yet there's just enough of the familiar in his artwork to keep it grounded. His artwork is perfectly matched to the tone of The Pied Piper of Hamelin, the familiar folklore tale of the strange Piper who comes to Hamelin to rid them of the rats that are infesting their town, and who then takes the children of Hamelin away with his magical, musical pipe after the townsfolk deny paying for his service.

The book itself is rather tiny, measuring at just 4 inches tall and 3 inches wide, which really adds to its charm. I so thoroughly enjoy the books from A Raven Above Press, and I'm looking forward to future editions in the Folklore Mini-Series. ( )

The Pied Piper comes to the village and pipes away the rats. The Pied Piper asks to be paid, but the villagers would not pay him. Find out what interesting thing the Pied Piper takes because he was not paid by the villagers by reading the book to your child. Find out how excited your child will be to read this book by all of the interesting questions and thoughts they present to you. ( )

Blake, who usually groans at poetry, loved this poem. Even without illustrations. ( )

I'm not sure I love the illustrations in this book, but the poem is as classic as you get! ( )

Brightly colored illustrations provide commentary on Browning's poem about the Pied Piper of Hamelin; e.g., at the end, there is a path of flowers popping up from the cobblestones of the town covered with snow and icicles. Pictures are a little muddy for my taste. ( )