The King's Fountain

by Lloyd Alexander, Ezra Jack Keats (Illustrator)

A humble man searches for a means to convince the king of his folly in desiring to build a fountain that will cut off a city's water supply

Genres: Picture Books, Fantasy, Childrens, Fiction, Juvenile

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

About the author

Lloyd Chudley Alexander was an influential American author of more than forty books, mostly fantasy novels for children and adolescents, as well as several adult books. His most famous contribution to the field of children's literature is the fantasy series The Chronicles of Prydain. The concluding book of the series, The High King , was awarded the Newbery Medal in 1969. Alexander's other books have also won the National Book Award and the American Book Award. He was also one of the creators of Cricket Magazine.

Reviews

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

The King’s Fountain by Lloyd Alexander Illustrator Ezra Jack Keats- Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Book- The book narrates the story of a King and a Common man. While the King plans to build a beautiful fountain in the middle of the kingdom. He is not bothered by the fact when all the water for daily use of his subjects will be directed towards the fountain, there will be no water left for the citizens even to drink. A poor man tries to encourage scholars, merchants and brave men to go and inform the king to change his plan. He returns home sad. His daughter enquires about his problem and on knowing it, she suggests him to try to meet the king himself and explain the situation. He walks to the palace. The king listens to him and thinks for a minutes. King realizes that his subject is providing fearless helpful advice. He refrains from building the fountain. Pictures are acrylics on canvas and have a near eastern flavor. The minor characters are shown roughly. The major characters are in detail. Darkish colors, but really beautiful and good depictions. Illustrations help the reader in relating to the script. I have read the Hindi language translation of this book.

[Sarah Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a picture book by Lloyd Alexander and Ezra Jack Keats, the illustrator. Alexander is a British writer who does mostly aged 8-11 Puffin childrens' books, what we would call YA, and Keats you are probably familiar with if you are a parent. The story is a fable. I gave it a long time ago to a friend who had realized he would never have a music career, although he is quite good.
A king wanted to build a fountain which would divert all his peoples' drinking water. No one had to courage to remonstrate with him until a little girl asked her father, and he went, trembling, and said if you do this all of us will die of thirst. And the king said, you are the most courageous man I have ever met.
So, OK, it is more poetic. Alexander is a fantastic writer. But I am keeping this picture book and not giving it to my little nephew, as I do most picture books which show up in my collection.

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

The king wants to build a beautiful fountain, but if he does, the subjects in the city below would have not water. A poor man tries to get scholars, merchants, and brave men to go, but none will, so he finally does. The king listens to him and doesn't build the fountain.

Pictures are acrylics on canvas and have a near eastern flavor. The minor characters are shown roughly. The major characters are in detail. Darkish colors, but really beautiful and good depictions.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

The king wants to build a fountain in the middle of the kingdom. A poor man realizes that it will create a water shortage in the land. He goes to a scholar, a merchant and a metalsmith and asks them to approach the king with their wisdom, smooth words and strength respectively, but they will not. So, the poor man goes himself to plead his case.

[Hannah Dull · Rating 3 out of 5]

Genre: Traditional
Grade Level: 1-2

This was a pretty good book. It might take a little more concentration to make it more intriguing for those reading it. It did have a good message behind it, it just takes a little more concentration to get to it. I really liked the illustrations in it as well. It was well done.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

The tale of a king on a hill who planned to build a fountain for his garden and not taking into consideration the plight of the city and its inhabitants below in the valley. It takes the insight and individual responsibility of one man to speak to the king, and convince him to change his plans.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two masters of creating amazing works for children apparently actually knew each other. Hence this important and gorgeous collaboration. The king's decision seemed a little too facile to me, but I certainly would have loved this a child and perhaps felt empowered by it.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collaboration born from a discussion of the need for the individual to act when life demands action. Thankfully the protagonist here doesn't struggle from Hamlet's dithering. Delightfully simple, yet clearly provoking.

[Kaila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the art. It felt and looked like a children's story meant for adults and even used some large-ish words. Simple story about a simple man trying to save his people.

[Congetta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the illustrations and like the simple story about making a difference. It is a good reminder that you don't have to be the best at something to make a difference or to even try.

[Audrey's Picture Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the pictures in this book. They're not at all the style I associate with Ezra Jack Keats, but they're truly wonderful. In my opinion, the concept of the story is better than the execution. I really wanted to like the book, because I like the idea of it so much. But the story itself felt stilted to me. If I found it for a dollar at a yard sale, I'd buy it, but I wouldn't go out of my way for it.

[Andrea Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the flashiest book, and may not appeal to everyone--but written and illustrated by two classics of children's literature which makes it worth looking at. The moral of the story was actually really meaningful to me. The pictures are painted in earth tones and expressive characters.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of Lloyd Alexander's shortest books, it still finds time to teach you something valuable about life.

[AE Michels · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairly standard children's story with a moral attached, nothing special. The one note of interest is that the illustrations hint at a Jewish family in a Muslim city of the past.

[LeAnne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A family favorite with beautiful paintings and an inspiring story. I read it aloud to South African youth to say, "You can make a difference."

[Elisabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an excellent book! And no wonder with this author and illustrator. A message for our times, for sure! I wish Penguin would reprint it!