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Old Misery
Poor Old Misery. She and her old cat, Rutterkin, ?ain't got two pennies to rub together.? And the one thing of value she does have ---a tree, filled with good eating apples --- is regularly ransacked by humans and animals of all kinds who make off with armloads of apples! So, one day, when a surprise visitor grants her a wish, Old Misery tells him, ?There's but one wish for me, mister, and it's this here: whoever I catch stealing apples off my tree will get stuck to it until I decide to let them go!? At first, it seems like her wish was a terrific idea, as she catches all the apple thieves and sends them on their way for good. But then Old Misery decides to use her new power on another surprise visitor. And she learns what may be the most miserable lesson of all: be careful what you wish for!
Author James Sage has created a playful allegory about why misery exists in the world, and always will. Award-winning Russell Ayto's two-color, pen-and-ink illustrations do a superb job of evoking the eccentric and slightly macabre feel of the book, perfectly complementing the original voice of the storytelling. The dark humor and a vintage feel will make this picture book a hit with fans of Edward Gorey and Lemony Snicket.
Author James Sage has created a playful allegory about why misery exists in the world, and always will. Award-winning Russell Ayto's two-color, pen-and-ink illustrations do a superb job of evoking the eccentric and slightly macabre feel of the book, perfectly complementing the original voice of the storytelling. The dark humor and a vintage feel will make this picture book a hit with fans of Edward Gorey and Lemony Snicket.
40 pages, Hardcover
Published May 1, 2018
36 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
November 18, 2017
It was an amusing story - and the art was good.
But why did I keep thinking to myself - I've heard this story before?
Well, it's basically an old folk tale told in Portugal, Spain, France, and other countries.
Check out this version.
While I enjoyed it, I was disappointed that nowhere could I find that the author let us know he didn't completely make up the story. I guess he has no legal requirement to do so - and Disney has that precedent. But that just seems icky. Especially when this story is copyrighted. Can I be sued if I print the folktale, which mirrors this one in so many ways?
I would have given this 4 stars if I could find somewhere that the author gives credit to someone else, but because I couldn't, it makes it much harder to recommend this book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for a copy in return for an honest review.
But why did I keep thinking to myself - I've heard this story before?
Well, it's basically an old folk tale told in Portugal, Spain, France, and other countries.
Check out this version.
While I enjoyed it, I was disappointed that nowhere could I find that the author let us know he didn't completely make up the story. I guess he has no legal requirement to do so - and Disney has that precedent. But that just seems icky. Especially when this story is copyrighted. Can I be sued if I print the folktale, which mirrors this one in so many ways?
I would have given this 4 stars if I could find somewhere that the author gives credit to someone else, but because I couldn't, it makes it much harder to recommend this book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for a copy in return for an honest review.
May 10, 2018
Old Misery by James Sage is a fable about an old woman, her cat, an apple tree, and Death.
WHO WOULD ENJOY READING IT?
Children around 7 to 12 would appreciate the tale. Adults can read it as well and there are elements of allegory embedded in it.
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT
Like most picture books, Old Misery is straightforward in its narration. Also, the language style used, though old-fashioned, suited the whole story.
WHAT I DO NOT LIKE
The ending was not well-executed. In a bid to avoid moralising, I think the author ended the book abruptly.
.......
Old Misery by James Sage hits stores in May 2018, available in all major online bookstores.
Many thanks to Kids Can Press for review copy.
WHO WOULD ENJOY READING IT?
Children around 7 to 12 would appreciate the tale. Adults can read it as well and there are elements of allegory embedded in it.
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT
Like most picture books, Old Misery is straightforward in its narration. Also, the language style used, though old-fashioned, suited the whole story.
WHAT I DO NOT LIKE
The ending was not well-executed. In a bid to avoid moralising, I think the author ended the book abruptly.
.......
Old Misery by James Sage hits stores in May 2018, available in all major online bookstores.
Many thanks to Kids Can Press for review copy.
November 12, 2017
Review to be added to Amazon on 1st May 2018
Sadly I wasn't a huge fan of this book, the images were very basic as I expected and that was fine, but the story wasn't one that kept attention, it was ok, just nothing great - 2 stars
Sadly I wasn't a huge fan of this book, the images were very basic as I expected and that was fine, but the story wasn't one that kept attention, it was ok, just nothing great - 2 stars
February 20, 2018
Quite an odd allegory with a unique voice and a hilarious twist that you see coming just as it's about to happen. I was delighted. The ending felt a bit anticlimactic, but it was a good read.
May 3, 2019
Very odd. Simple illustrations and a unique voice are the strengths. This story went over the head of my students and the ending is disappointing.
November 6, 2017
Description
Poor Old Misery. She and her old cat, Rutterkin, “ain’t got two pennies to rub together.” And the one thing of value she does have —a tree, filled with good eating apples — is regularly ransacked by humans and animals of all kinds who make off with armloads of apples! So, one day, when a surprise visitor grants her a wish, Old Misery tells him, “There’s but one wish for me, mister, and it’s this here: whoever I catch stealing apples off my tree will get stuck to it until I decide to let them go!” At first, it seems like her wish was a terrific idea, as she catches all the apple thieves and sends them on their way for good. But then Old Misery decides to use her new power on another surprise visitor. And she learns what may be the most miserable lesson of all: be careful what you wish for!
Author James Sage has created a playful allegory about why misery exists in the world, and always will. Award-winning Russell Ayto’s two-color, pen-and-ink illustrations do a superb job of evoking the eccentric and slightly macabre feel of the book, perfectly complementing the original voice of the storytelling. The dark humor and a vintage feel will make this picture book a hit with fans of Edward Gorey and Lemony Snicket.
Available Editions
EDITION: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781771388238
PRICE: $18.99 (CAD)
Thanks to Netgalley and Kids Can Press Ltd. for providing this ARC for me to read and provide my honest review.
MY BOOK REVIEW:
The description echoes a lot of my own conclusions but I would also like to add that James Sage’s creative and interesting take on why misery exists in the world is done in such a way, children will completely have no issues grasping the concept. His ability to write for children is shown clearly in all his work, and reaffirmed by all the awards he’s been nominated for or received.
I loved the premise, and the choice of partnering him up with Russell Ayto was bang on. Ayto’s style enhances the melodramatic context, his illustrations defining the nature of the book in a simplistic, yet entertaining manner for children. The cover art is sweet and should attract a lot of curious readers.
This book is a classic in the making.
Poor Old Misery. She and her old cat, Rutterkin, “ain’t got two pennies to rub together.” And the one thing of value she does have —a tree, filled with good eating apples — is regularly ransacked by humans and animals of all kinds who make off with armloads of apples! So, one day, when a surprise visitor grants her a wish, Old Misery tells him, “There’s but one wish for me, mister, and it’s this here: whoever I catch stealing apples off my tree will get stuck to it until I decide to let them go!” At first, it seems like her wish was a terrific idea, as she catches all the apple thieves and sends them on their way for good. But then Old Misery decides to use her new power on another surprise visitor. And she learns what may be the most miserable lesson of all: be careful what you wish for!
Author James Sage has created a playful allegory about why misery exists in the world, and always will. Award-winning Russell Ayto’s two-color, pen-and-ink illustrations do a superb job of evoking the eccentric and slightly macabre feel of the book, perfectly complementing the original voice of the storytelling. The dark humor and a vintage feel will make this picture book a hit with fans of Edward Gorey and Lemony Snicket.
Available Editions
EDITION: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781771388238
PRICE: $18.99 (CAD)
Thanks to Netgalley and Kids Can Press Ltd. for providing this ARC for me to read and provide my honest review.
MY BOOK REVIEW:
The description echoes a lot of my own conclusions but I would also like to add that James Sage’s creative and interesting take on why misery exists in the world is done in such a way, children will completely have no issues grasping the concept. His ability to write for children is shown clearly in all his work, and reaffirmed by all the awards he’s been nominated for or received.
I loved the premise, and the choice of partnering him up with Russell Ayto was bang on. Ayto’s style enhances the melodramatic context, his illustrations defining the nature of the book in a simplistic, yet entertaining manner for children. The cover art is sweet and should attract a lot of curious readers.
This book is a classic in the making.
January 3, 2018
This story is told by an old lady named Misery who has a cat named Rutterkin. She is very poor but has an apple tree that she loves. However, people keep stealing apples and she’s too old to do much about it. But one day a man stops by who is very hungry. He is asking for something to eat. Even though she is poor and doesn't have much she gives him some potato pie and the last of her rhubarb wine. Before he leaves he says he will grant her one wish. But will her wish make things better or worse for her?
Cons: I wasn’t sure about the dialect used in this story. While I thought it was cute, I’m not sure how children will like it. Example: “Ain’t got two pennies to rub together. Ain’t got nothing except old Rutterkin here, and she’s about as worthless as a dog with fleas.”
My other concern is that this is about as close to the folktale Aunty Misery as a story can come, with only minor changes. I think if it was mentioned somewhere in this book, that this story is based on a folktale that it might be helpful to teachers.
Pros: There are lots of teaching aids for this story (or those close to it) offered on the internet. I think it would be a good folktale teaching story for upper elementary grades. While the illustrations (black pencil and digital), are not something I would typically choose for a picture book, they feel perfect for this book.
Cons: I wasn’t sure about the dialect used in this story. While I thought it was cute, I’m not sure how children will like it. Example: “Ain’t got two pennies to rub together. Ain’t got nothing except old Rutterkin here, and she’s about as worthless as a dog with fleas.”
My other concern is that this is about as close to the folktale Aunty Misery as a story can come, with only minor changes. I think if it was mentioned somewhere in this book, that this story is based on a folktale that it might be helpful to teachers.
Pros: There are lots of teaching aids for this story (or those close to it) offered on the internet. I think it would be a good folktale teaching story for upper elementary grades. While the illustrations (black pencil and digital), are not something I would typically choose for a picture book, they feel perfect for this book.
December 20, 2017
This is a book full of humor. It reminds me of some old-folk tales, but vaguely. The story is about a miserable old lady with her cat, they have nothing but an apple tree. While apples continue missing from the tree, and the lady somehow helped a stranger and get to make wish. So she made a wish about that apple tree. I am gonna stop here not to spoil the story.
The story has two folds of meanings, to kind to people, and you will get rewards eventually. Be careful for what you wish for, because you could also get something in return. While I am a big believer of probability theory and chaos of the universe, I personally don't think it is a good idea to tell kids about karma. Sometimes, and often times, in real life, bad people never gets punished, and that is a reality. Providing children which ideas like karma will restraint them. Because even a bad thing could benefit someone else. For kids, it is important that they develop a systematic approach of analyzing, instead of thinking of karma everytime something good or bad happens.
The story has two folds of meanings, to kind to people, and you will get rewards eventually. Be careful for what you wish for, because you could also get something in return. While I am a big believer of probability theory and chaos of the universe, I personally don't think it is a good idea to tell kids about karma. Sometimes, and often times, in real life, bad people never gets punished, and that is a reality. Providing children which ideas like karma will restraint them. Because even a bad thing could benefit someone else. For kids, it is important that they develop a systematic approach of analyzing, instead of thinking of karma everytime something good or bad happens.
November 13, 2017
This is quite an odd little book. The illustrations are basic but entertaining and should be interesting enough for young readers. The language used and style of writing is what make this book one I would use in education. The actual writing is all very non-standard and this makes it a good jumping off point for children to write their own non-standard works and to play with the language a little. It would be a nice challenge to set children the task of turning some of the phrases in to a more standard formal style. Where this book falls down slightly, is that the narrative is not very strong and this makes it less ideal to use as inspiration for anything like a story map/talk for writing kind of text.
I would use this in class, but I do not think it I would say it is a book everyone would love.
I would use this in class, but I do not think it I would say it is a book everyone would love.
May 6, 2018
'Old Misery' by James Sage with illustrations by Russell Ayto is a retelling of an old story. Unfortunately, this very short story didn't hold my interest.
Old Misery lives with her cat, Rutterkin. She's not very well off, but she has an apple tree. The problem is that other people keep taking her apples. When a visitor helps her stop the apple thieves, the trick comes in handier than Old Misery hopes. Unfortunately, it leads to an unusual ending for Old Misery.
I was first attracted to this book because I'd hoped it would be similar to an Edward Gorey story. The art was simple and didn't really work for me. The story had odd sentences and pacing. It is dark and strange, and I don't think children would enjoy it.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Kids Can Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
Old Misery lives with her cat, Rutterkin. She's not very well off, but she has an apple tree. The problem is that other people keep taking her apples. When a visitor helps her stop the apple thieves, the trick comes in handier than Old Misery hopes. Unfortunately, it leads to an unusual ending for Old Misery.
I was first attracted to this book because I'd hoped it would be similar to an Edward Gorey story. The art was simple and didn't really work for me. The story had odd sentences and pacing. It is dark and strange, and I don't think children would enjoy it.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Kids Can Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
December 8, 2017
I admit it. The drawings are what drew me to Old Misery, along with the title. The blurb above gives a good summary, but I will say I found it amusing who all managed to get stuck in her tree. The illustrations are perfect for the story, simple and amusing but grim too.
But we all know that wishes can often be double-edged swords. The “surprise visitor” who really probably wasn’t much of a surprise to the old woman, ends up stuck in the tree and Old Misery learns why you have to be so careful with your wished.
It’s a cute re-telling of the Auntie Misery folktale. It’s dark and a reminder that there will always be Misery and Death in the world, but I’m pretty sure there are certain kids, some of whom may or may not be in my family, who will love it.
But we all know that wishes can often be double-edged swords. The “surprise visitor” who really probably wasn’t much of a surprise to the old woman, ends up stuck in the tree and Old Misery learns why you have to be so careful with your wished.
It’s a cute re-telling of the Auntie Misery folktale. It’s dark and a reminder that there will always be Misery and Death in the world, but I’m pretty sure there are certain kids, some of whom may or may not be in my family, who will love it.
March 26, 2018
Old Misery might now have much to share, but she has her apple tree which is always being harvested by others. One day she shares what little she has to eat with a stranger, so he gives her one wish. She wishes that those who pick from the tree are stuck to it, until she releases them. One day Death comes to take her. She tricks him into picking apples for her; in order to release him, she makes Death promise to let her and her cat live forever. Once released from the tree, Death places a curse on her so she is always itchy...and miserable.
A short, dark-humored original tale by Sage, with equally dark Edward Gorey-like illustrations by Russell Ayto. A fun story to read on a dark and stormy night...
For ages PreSchool-grade 3.
A short, dark-humored original tale by Sage, with equally dark Edward Gorey-like illustrations by Russell Ayto. A fun story to read on a dark and stormy night...
For ages PreSchool-grade 3.
November 17, 2017
A fun book for those young readers who don't mind a predominance of pictures and little writing, or for those coming the other way - building up to archly humorous little escapades involving crabby old women and their cats, thieving vicars, and Death. I certainly enjoyed it, even if the story didn't quite end as I'd have expected - the title character is well worth a few minutes' company. It's a clever little piece, nicely designed, and I'd recommend it.
November 9, 2017
This is one of those head scratchers. I liked the book, but it’s hard to say why. In a way it is like a Just So Story by Kipling that tells you how elephant got its truck. In this case it is why Misery exists in the world. It's a dark tale, but you don’t realize it’s a dark tale until the end. Overall I give it an interesting.
November 11, 2017
Great illustrations. Funny story line. A little lacking in purpose and plot for something that I would be drawn to when reading to children. This author is funny and while I enjoy his books as an adult, they just don't feel as meaningful as some others that can be enjoyable but also spread a good message for children. Also, some of the humor is definitely more geared towards adults.
November 29, 2017
Old Misery is a humorous quick read. It tells the story of a little old lady and her apple tree. I found the story to be entertaining and unexpected. That's a large feat for such a short story.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Author: James Sage
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Expected Publication Date: 01 May 2018
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Author: James Sage
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Expected Publication Date: 01 May 2018
February 24, 2018
The illustrations in this story are black, white and red. I like the way that works with the miserable story line. This is for upper elementary children. It is the story of Misery and explains why we will always find Misery in the world. This book is good for having children try to predict and is good for teaching main idea also.
December 10, 2018
A somewhat interesting take on the theme of "be careful what you wish for". I usually like when a character is wily and able to outsmart fate, but in this instance Old Misery is not so smart after all. She overreaches and dooms herself and her cat to a life of ....(wait for it)...misery.
This has the feel of a bare bones fable but something is missing, particularly in the ending.
This has the feel of a bare bones fable but something is missing, particularly in the ending.
February 22, 2019
A tale of an old woman, her cat, a hungry 'wizard, and death. Somewhat entertaining and interesting sketching, it has a lot of colloquial words and spellings in it. The ending could have been better. Overall, it was fine.
May 24, 2018
3.5 This is an odd little book. I feel like it's trying to evoke the Gorey books, but it's not getting there, quite.
October 14, 2018
Weird and hilarious, loved it.
December 19, 2018
Trying to trick death? It never works...
March 10, 2018
I don't really get this book. A miserable old lady helps a hungry visitor who grants her a wish. She wishes for anyone who steals from her apple tree to stick to it. And stick they do. A second visitor, who represents Death also gets stuck in the tree and to escape he must agree to let her live forever. However he in turn gives her an itch she can never scratch. What will kids get from this book? Don't makes wishes you may regret? There are better ways to get across this story.
February 20, 2021
I found this book to be awful. It’s a ripoff of Tia Miseria fables without attribution, but also, in the story she mentions “whoever I catch stealing apples”, then she invited Death to pick apples from the tree. Anyone whom you invite to take something is not then stealing that thing when they take it. No other comments that I read (though I didn’t read them all) seemed to notice this, but it bothered me, as someone who tries to use stories to teach lessons to children...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2018
Odd but amusing with Edward Gorey-inspired art.
May 1, 2018
Weird, but oddly comical.
May 21, 2018
Had the feel of an old tale.
May 30, 2018
I was hoping for a "Grandy Thaxter cheating death" story, but it's more of a "be mean and vindictive, cheat death, and then get what you deserve" story.
May 31, 2018
Strange in an old fashioned way. An original folktale about tricking death.
June 4, 2018
A fun, dark spin on the "be careful what you wish for" tale. Give this to your future fans of Emily Carroll and Edward Gorey.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews