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The Bears' Famous Invasion of Sicily (New York Review Children's Collection)
by
Dino Buzzati
Dino Buzzati's classic tale chronicles the terrible winter that sent the starving bears down into the valley in search of food, as well as their struggles with an army of wild boars, a wily professor who may or may not be a magician, snarling Marmoset the Cat, and, worse still, treachery within their own ranks. Over all this, the bears triumph with bravery, ingenuity, humi...more
Hardcover, 152 pages
Published
December 31st 2003
by NYR Children's Collection
(first published 1945)
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This is a rather adorable book following the adventure of the bear king Leander. Perhaps a little too old world conservative in that the moral of the story is that it is better to starve to death rather than be prideful or debaucherous, but the journey of the bears is endearing and the illustrations are gorgeous. I'm tempted to buy a second book just to tear it apart and frame the plates.
I do have some issues with this edition. It seems that the illustrations aren't placed very we...more
I do have some issues with this edition. It seems that the illustrations aren't placed very we...more
The history of Sicily is full of invasions and occupations by foreign powers- but what of the most ancient and amazing invasion of them all? Now, finally, we can read of that military victory so full of brilliant strategy and individual heroism. Under the sage leadership of King Leander and assisted by the inspired inventions of The Bear Marzipan and the heroic courage of The Bear Merlin, the Bears must face many bizzare and terrible foes. Even more interesting than the invasion is the story of ...more
Otro bonito cuento de Buzzati, dirigido a público de todas las edades. Se lo regalé a mi hijo hace tiempo, no lo leyó, y lo ataqué antes que él.
Mezcla poemas, con prosa y dibujos del autor (imprescindibles). El motivo de la narración es la invasión por parte de los osos sicilianos, que vivían en las montañas, de la ciudad habitada por los hombres. De como corrompen sus costumbres, y junto con la ingenuidad que traían de sus bosques, van acumulando los vicios propios de nuestra natura...more
Mezcla poemas, con prosa y dibujos del autor (imprescindibles). El motivo de la narración es la invasión por parte de los osos sicilianos, que vivían en las montañas, de la ciudad habitada por los hombres. De como corrompen sus costumbres, y junto con la ingenuidad que traían de sus bosques, van acumulando los vicios propios de nuestra natura...more
This was a lot of fun. Imaginative, whimsical and often very funny, although like many older stories for children there is more of a rough edge to it in that death and violence are more prominent. But that isn't central to the story, and I wouldn't expect it to be upsetting to young readers (but what do I know?). The story is unique, but it reminds me of the "Uncle" stories and Tolkien's "Father Christmas Letters" (especially the illustrations).
It's part of the wo...more
It's part of the wo...more
This is what every children's book should strive to be. A fun handling of adult themes that is not dumbed down for kids. Materialism and exitensialism in a fantastic world with funny and detailed artwork.
An excerpt of the book (where the bears must face a giant sea serpent):
Men: Monster of the deep/ From the world outside/ What do you betide, Joy or tears to weep?
The Serpent: No, my fatal hiss/ Speaks of tenebrose/ Mysteries none knows/ From the black abyss. ...more
An excerpt of the book (where the bears must face a giant sea serpent):
Men: Monster of the deep/ From the world outside/ What do you betide, Joy or tears to weep?
The Serpent: No, my fatal hiss/ Speaks of tenebrose/ Mysteries none knows/ From the black abyss. ...more
I first stumbled across Dino Buzzati with one of his short stories ("Seven Floors") that I found very well written and extremely intriguing. So I searched out a book of his that I could read and I came across The Bears' Famous Invasion of Sicily. On the surface the two stories could hardly be different: one is an adult story about a man going to a hospital, which has a somewhat dark undertone; the other is a children's story about talking bears from long ago with lots of silly asides, ...more
I really enjoy the philosophy behind this book. It's beautiful how he explains heavy concepts like death and ghosts to a child audience. The logic is so fresh and comforting. Certain moments brought me to tears. This is a good book for children who are asking questions about their place in society and the world. I feel like the concerns of the bears are very meaningful and sometimes mirror Animal Farm. Some of the language is a little obscure, but it only adds to the charm. I will sugge...more
Read to my nephew a few months back (he loved it). Brilliantly illustrated. A seamless mix of prose, poetry and song about war, mystery, magic and familial love. Awesome characters and the layout of the book was a bit different (showing upcoming scenes before they happened in rich color illustrations and introducing bios of all the strange characters. Really enjoyable read.
A illustrated classic, reminiscent of Tolkien's younger works. Though it may seem by description only a moral tale, it has more than its fair share of sheer adventure. A simply marvelous read, by yourself, or shared aloud with others. Snicket's reading guide in the back is very amusing, if entirely unnecessary.
Political fable/nature of man v. beast/kid's story with sea serpents? All of the above. But with more than a smattering of heavy-duty gun battles . . . back to Moomintroll tomorrow, given the boy's propensity for intense emotional reactions to violent stories these days.
Summary:
The kidnapping of a bear cub eventually leads to a war between man and bear. The bears eventually are victorious, but their human-like society they build for themselves soon begins to destruct because of greed and corruption.
Strengths:
The hysterical introduction and reader's companion by Lemony Snicket turn this bizarre tale into a children's lit version of Mystery Science Theater 3000 and almost make the actual story worth reading. Almost.
Weaknesses:
...more
The kidnapping of a bear cub eventually leads to a war between man and bear. The bears eventually are victorious, but their human-like society they build for themselves soon begins to destruct because of greed and corruption.
Strengths:
The hysterical introduction and reader's companion by Lemony Snicket turn this bizarre tale into a children's lit version of Mystery Science Theater 3000 and almost make the actual story worth reading. Almost.
Weaknesses:
...more
Not going to lie, I read this because of Daniel Handler, and his reader's companion was the best part of the book. But I also really enjoyed the story and the illustrations, and I can see how the book influenced Handler's writing style and themes.
This book has a lot of fun, and a lot of violence too. You won't find better illustrations than the ones within these pages. They are charming and detailed and colorful. Don't skip the list of characters at the beginning (playful descriptions and menacing silhouettes). Don't skip the afterword/Reading Guide by Lemony Snicket either, where he gives the reader creative activities like the following:
...more
Practice the art of flattery by trying the following exercise:
When a teacher s
Plotted on a graph charting theme and style in children's literature, this would end up somewhere between Babar and Moomintroll. The bits in verse here and there seem to have lost something in translation, but I still enjoyed this quite a lot. I'll be reading it to my son now.
"The Bears' Famous Invasion of Sicily is one of the noblest books I know." -Lemony Snicket
I find so much comfort in reading this. Really cute illustrations of the bears.
I find so much comfort in reading this. Really cute illustrations of the bears.
I was intrigued when I read that Lemony Snicket loved this book, and it didn't disappoint. The bears live in the mountains until one cold winter when the food runs low. They decide to go to the city where the humans live. The bears take over Sicily, but the king soon learns that wealth has a corrupting influence on his beloved bears.
An interesting book with a lot of thoughts to discuss. My 8 year old kind of enjoyed it, or I should say he didn't mind reading it too bad.
Pros:
* Fun to read.
* Loved the illustrations.
Cons:
Other:
* I am Sicilian, so I bought this book for my kids.
* Fun to read.
* Loved the illustrations.
Cons:
Other:
* I am Sicilian, so I bought this book for my kids.
Un récit truculent ! Les Ours renversent le roi de Sicile ! Excellent roman pour jeunes et moins jeunes.
Unique and charming fantasy story, translated from Italian. Introduction by Lemony Snicket.
Interesting story, excellent illustrations
Five stars for the illustrations alone.
Probably best read in the original Italian, so....most of you can ignore this review. Definitely a book that I can see myself reading as a child numerous times. The Goodreads summary for the book does it no justice, so don't bother reading it. Not that my review does any better, but I like Dino Buzzati for his subtle wit and occasional silliness. I didn't find the book sad, as many other reviewers said, but simply enjoyable and a quick read.
It took me a while to get in to this story of vaguely antropomorphic bears, and I didn't find nearly as much humor in it until I read "Lemony Snicket's" reader's guide at the end. The guide is more memorable than the text itself, though it occasionally takes a cue from epic poetry and is filled with fun illustrations. The overall feel is a cross between a neoclassical epic with a touch of morality and a history textbook of sorts.
Daniel Handler (a.k.a. Lemony Snicket) spoke of this book during a lecture he gave here a few weeks ago. He pointed out that as a child he would read this book over and over again and as an adult (and writer) he has borrowed the narrative style for his "Series of Unfortunate Events" books. It is a good read, written back when children's books where not all flowery and sweet. He has brought it back into print and it is well worth the read.
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Beth Ann
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review of another edition
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review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Fans of Lemony Snicket
Recommended to Beth Ann by:
Lemony Snicket
This should be considered a classic. I read it because it was connected to Lemony Snicket and understandably so. I think it is brilliant... but like the Series of Unfortunate Events, some parents won't like it. There is death, sadness, violence... and I would let most 8+ old kids read it (or hear it aloud) in a heartbeat.
This was an odd little book. Exactly what I was wanting, but just not quite odd in the way I was hoping. It makes for a nice, melancholy little tale, and the "extras" by Lemony Snickett are rather amusing. Plus, the artwork is grand. Not exactly sure what or who this book is for, so I can only say that I enjoyed it enough but have no idea whether or not you will, too.
An account for children of the events surrounding the ancient Ursine invasion of certain Mediterranian islands.
This reminded me a little of Babar, and a little of The Princess Bride. The illustrations are great. It's a good mix of silliness and violence.
Lemony Snicket's additions at the end are also amusing.
This reminded me a little of Babar, and a little of The Princess Bride. The illustrations are great. It's a good mix of silliness and violence.
Lemony Snicket's additions at the end are also amusing.
What a relief from the books I have been reading. It is easy to see why Handler, loved this book as a child. It is different from anything I've read. It has adventure and conflict wrapped in the unbelivable (talking bears) yet realistic journey of one King and his people.
Man, this is a travesty: "Lemony Snicket" didn't write this book, Dino Buzzati did. Anyway, it's a great book. It's an illustrated children's book, but it's profoundly sad. A fine introduction to the strange world of one of postwar Italy's most overlooked geniuses.
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Dino Buzzati Traverso was an Italian novelist, short story writer, painter and poet, as well as a journalist for Corriere della Sera. His worldwide fame is mostly due to his novel Il deserto dei Tartari, translated into English as The Tartar Steppe.
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“Is it fair for the bears to come down to where humans live, looking for food? Is it fair for the Duke's soldiers to shoot at them? Is it fair for the bears to crush them with giant snowballs?
Often, if you point out something that isn't fair, someone will reply, "Life isn't fair." What is to be done with such people?”
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Often, if you point out something that isn't fair, someone will reply, "Life isn't fair." What is to be done with such people?”
