The Song of the Golden Hare
Gr 3–6—Not many hear the song of the golden hare, for it only happens when the males sing to win the heart of the new Golden Queen of the Hares. But the boy and his sister are patient. They see the hares moving and they follow to watch the new queen choose the one with the most beautiful voice. A huntsman and his two hounds are watching, too. Can the children protect the old queen until she makes it safely to her new home on the Island of Golden Hares? Set in a timeless countryside, this original tale touches on themes of natural wonders and the role of human protection. The rich, musical text evokes an old-fashioned fairy-tale style. Unfortunately, the small black words set against dark or busy backgrounds are sometimes difficult to read, and the sentence breaks are sometimes awkward. Using detailed line work and luminescent earth-tone washes, Morris's painterly watercolor illustrations are at their best depicting animals. The composition often focuses on elements not mentioned in the text, revealing a different perspective. Regrettably, the lack of visual context makes the narrative confusing. The foreshadowing is sometimes too subtle, but observant readers will find visual hints in the background. This quiet story might be better appreciated by adults than children.—Amy Seto Musser, Denver Public Library