Book Review: Bartholomew and the Oobleck
Rating: 
A wonderful story about an arrogant king, introduced in The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins, who decides that he wants to rule the sky as well as the land, and brings down horror on his kingdom when his magicians cook up a dangerous, sticky new kind of precipitation. The story ends with Bartholomew, his page-boy, courageously speaking the truth to his foolish king, and the king’s repentance brings about freedom for the land.
There are echoes of King David’s deadly hubris (2 Samuel 24) in this story of divine retribution. Additionally, Bartholomew’s example of speaking truth to power is an excellent one, and for those who wish their children to grow into thoughtful, conscientious citizens, this isn’t a bad place to begin.
Categories: 5 Stars, Age 04-08, Books Children Love, Caldecott Honor, World Books That Show
Tags: Courage, Duty, Fantasies, Humility, Humor, Kings, Leadership, Persistence, Pride, Problem Solving, Respect, Responsibility, Standing for Right, Wisdom
Posted on May 2, 2009
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A good story will not make [a child] good, but it should help him understand goodness a little better and make doing good a little easier by making it feel more normal. It will teach him that the world is this kind of place and not that kind.
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