The Girl Who Loved the Wind

by Jane Yolen, Ed Young (Illustrator)

A lonely girl whose father has protected her from the sadness and pain of the world by confining her to a magnificent palace, learns about reality from the wind

Genres: Picture Books, Fiction, Childrens, Fairy Tales

31 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 1972

About the author

Jane Yolen is a novelist, poet, fantasist, journalist, songwriter, storyteller, folklorist, and children’s book author who has written more than three hundred books. Her accolades include the Caldecott Medal, two Nebula Awards, the World Fantasy Award, three Mythopoeic Awards, the Kerlan Award, two Christopher Awards, and six honorary doctorate degrees from colleges and universities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Born and raised in New York City, the mother of three and the grandmother of six, Yolen lives in Massachusetts and St. Andrews, Scotland.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would rate this 5 stars, my boys 3, so we are settling. Admittedly, some of this disagreement is based on the story being slightly too advanced for my 4 year-old, but even he enjoyed the tale. The entire book has a very romantic and sad feel to it. My boys did not have a clue what the tale was trying to say, the moral of the story and all of that such stuff, but I explained and my oldest's enjoyment of the book increased quite a bit. The story is about a young girl who is so sheltered that she does not experience life, neither the good nor the bad, and of how the wind helps her to escape her stagnat existence. The loved the pictures, Persian type setting, and the open ending.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Determined to protect his beloved only child, a wealthy merchant named Danina builds a splendid palace for her by the sea. Here she is protected from all danger, surrounded by beauty, and tended by servants who are always pleasant. But one day, the wind - who is "not always kind" - finds Danina, and sings to her of the wide world beyond the palace walls, where the days are sometimes happy, sometimes sad, but always different...

An original fairy-tale from Jane Yolen, a prolific children's book editor and author, The Girl Who Loved the Wind is a cautionary tale for those parents who would seek to shelter their children from all of life's blows, as well as a meditation on the ability of adversity to give meaning to life. Ed Young's watercolor and collage illustrations - inspired by Persian miniature painting - give Yolen's narrative an appropriately buoyant quality.

[QNPoohBear · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a longer picture book for readers who can sit through it or read independently. It's presented as a Middle Eastern folk tale about an overprotective father who tries to keep his only daughter locked up behind the palace walls where everyone and everything is happy. Then comes the wind with his tempting song sharing a world beyond the walls with the princess.

This is a nice story, a cautionary tale and a tale about life. It shows that life is mixed with happiness and sadness, anger and emotions but that's what living is all about.

The illustrator, Ed Young, chose to set the story in Persia even though Jane Yolen didn't specify where "east" was. (She said east of her is Boston).

The richly colored illustrations are gorgeous and drew my eye right away. However, I found the human figures too small and the background too open. I think this was to show how small and insignificant the humans are compared to the wind but it makes them hard to see.

[Lara's · Rating 5 out of 5]

Synopsis : In an effort to protect his child, Danina is encased in a beautiful, gilded castle where she is protected from everything. Everything, but the wind.
Review : This is a beautiful tale of a deep fatherly love and the all too human impulse to overprotect your child. Danina is very happy in her castle, she wants for nothing and the servants are always lovely and gentle. Nothing disturbs Danina and she is raised treasured and adored. However, for all of her wealthy fathers attempts to protect her from the outside world, the wind blows freely in and speaks to Danina, "I call myself the wind. I slap at ships and sparrows. I sough through broken windows. I shepherd snow and sandstorms. I am not always kind." What sheltered girl can logically resist the temptations of the outside world and all that it promises, good and evil? How can you keep your child away from it? This is a bittersweet love story about the inevitability of growing up and moving forward into the next grand adventure. Wonderfully, richly illustrated and ready to capture the imaginations of young readers. On a side note: It was very surprising to me that this was the same author that wrote "Commander Toad in Space".
Critical Reviews :A reader offered this review "This is not a perfect modern fairy tale as the wind on the beach rescuing her is a bit contrived but it is an excellent story. The illustrations enhance the Persian flavor of the tale. I definitely recommend the book".

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely picture book with sublime words and illustrations. A rich and loving father wishes to protect his only child from all sadness and difficulty, but in doing so he leaves her with a life that is pleasant, but bland. Along comes the wind who whispers of a word with both joy and sadness, always changing. And, of course, the girl chooses that. Wistful, but hopeful with an open-ended finish and much to ponder.

[Debby · Rating 2 out of 5]

Story of a girl whose father wants to protect her from the world, so as an infant, he builds a very secluded house where she is raised not knowing anything bad or unhappy. The wind comes to visit her and eventually carries her away.

Story is good, but weak ending . Illustrations are a mixture of watercolors and collage.

[Dorthe Svendsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

En bok full av håp. Ganske klart fra en annen kulturell bakgrunn enn min egen. Veldig nydelig histori uten veldig klar enselse. Den kan være gøy å lese for en barneskoleklasse, og oa de få drømme seg i historien videre i tid. God moral fremmes også, det liker jeg godt!

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Danina is a girl whose father kept isolated in a remote place, away from the real world. he did not want her to ever feel pain, so he made sure all servants were always cheerful and she was always happy. One day the wind sings to her to tell her the world is not always a kind place. A concept she has no understanding or reference for.

Eventually the wind continues singing for her and she realizes what an empty life she has. Finally changing her life forever.

The moral is that we need change and challenges in our lives to thrive.

[Erma Talamante · Rating 5 out of 5]

A father tries to protect his daughter, and will do anything to keep her happy and safe.

Not your everyday princess story, The Girl Who Loved the Wind tells how the world comes, in it's own way, to everyone. The princess does not wait for someone to free her, but rather discovers that she has always been free, and had the power in herself all along.

A lovely daddy-daughter story with beautiful images.

[Mary Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beloved, beloved book of my childhood. Danina's father is afraid of her coming to any harm, so he locks her up in a tower... until she finally escapes on the back of the wind. The illustrations by Ed Young are sublime.

[Zoraida Rivera Morales]

This is a long picture book with lovely illustrations. It's a book for kids and for parents about the beauty of emotions and living in reality. It's a book to be read together, not only to enjoy the lyrical language, but to talk about life.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is a bit sad and winsome. The illustrations have a middle eastern feel to them, highly detailed with muted colors.

[Amy]

We read this the other night. The boys enjoyed it. There are a lot of great discussion points here.