The Fortune-Tellers

In a book where characters and location remain nameless, author Lloyd Alexander, and illustrator Trina Schart Hyman, join to create a memorable tale. In this story, a carpenter visits an unusually witty fortune-teller, who tells him he will be rich if he can "earn large sums of money," and famous, when he "become[s] well known," and have a wife, "if [he] find[s] her and she agrees." Later, the carpenter returns to the fortune teller's room, only to find it abandoned. However, an unknowing woman soon enters and mistakenly believes the carpenter to be the fortune teller. From that moment, the carpenter changes careers. We later learn of the true fortune teller's accidental departure. Newbery Medal-winner Alexander wrote a compelling story show more that leaves readers thinking. The book provides opportunity for discussion concerning the carpenter's choice, what the reader might do in that situation, and the fate of the original fortune teller. Also, the illustrations help readers recognize how much the carpenter's life changed, from his humble beginnings, to his very successful second career. Conveyed through ink, acrylic, and crayon artwork, a complementary story is told. (Revealed only in the book jacket flap), the story is set in Cameroon, and Hyman's beautiful artwork allows the reader to visit the African country, revealing the local architecture, plants, animals, and people. Readers are able to take in the brightly-patterned fabrics that people wear and sell. Readers' eyes are kept moving by the people in the streets, who carry uniquely-designed baskets on their heads, loads of wood on their backs, and babies in slings. We see children selling food and drinks, servants holding feather fans, and French words on signs. This story provides one occasion in which we don't need a passport to travel the world. show less

If you ever need a picture book to teach the concept of "self-fulfilling prophecy" this is it. The setting is Cameroon, but it could be anywhere; it has a folk tale feel. A carpenter goes to a fortune-teller to hear about his future. He's told he'll be wealthy WHEN he earns many gold coins. He'll be happy IF he can avoid being miserable. And with each question he asks, he gets an affirming answer. The events that follow can be chalked up to either his own belief in his abilities or destiny, but certainly not to the powers of the fortune-teller.

Trina Schart Hyman's finely detailed watercolors give us a view into the vibrant colorful culture of Cameroon and the beauty of its people.

This is a humorous and clever story set in Africa about a fortune teller. A carpenter goes to the fortune teller to ask if he will be rich, and the response is "Rich you will surely be, on one condition: that you earn large sums of money." All of the answers to his questions are similar, such as telling him once he's well known, he'll be famous. I enjoyed the play with language and the clever replies. My students also enjoyed the part that describes what happened to one of the characters; he suffered a series of unfortunate situations.

This original folktale set in Cameroon is full of adventure and sly humor. Lloyd Alexander's story of a young man visiting -- and then becoming -- the village fortune-teller is brought to vibrant life with some of Caldecott Medalist Trina Schart Hyman's most memorable artwork.

I would use this book in fourth or fifth grade, possibly even sixth. The illustrations are detailed and rich, and the story is filled with witty humor that students at that age would be starting to grasp better.

The humorous tale of a carpenter who wants a change and becomes a fortune teller by accident. Beautiful illustrations depicting traditional life in Cameroon.

This is a humorous tale about a carpenter who consults a local fortune-teller.