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Singing to the Sun: A Fairy Tale
Thorfinn s father is obsessed with power while his mother cares only for wealth.
When it is time to choose a bride, Thorfinn decides he must listen to his own heart instead. He seeks the wisdom and experience of his friends, the court jester and the old tabby cat. In which direction will they lead him? Will he chose the princess who promises him wealth, the princess who promises power, or the princess who is full of love and happiness? And, just as important, will that princess chose Thorfinn in return?
When it is time to choose a bride, Thorfinn decides he must listen to his own heart instead. He seeks the wisdom and experience of his friends, the court jester and the old tabby cat. In which direction will they lead him? Will he chose the princess who promises him wealth, the princess who promises power, or the princess who is full of love and happiness? And, just as important, will that princess chose Thorfinn in return?
40 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2001
About the author
Vivian French
568 books144 followersVivian June Isoult French MBE was born in 1945 and educated at Exeter University.
Vivian French was best known in school for being extremely skinny and for talking a lot. At school she developed an attachment to words and later became an actor, then a storyteller, and finally a writer of children's books. She is the author of more than two hundred books. Ms. French lives in Edinburgh, Scotland, and has four grown daughters.
Vivian French was best known in school for being extremely skinny and for talking a lot. At school she developed an attachment to words and later became an actor, then a storyteller, and finally a writer of children's books. She is the author of more than two hundred books. Ms. French lives in Edinburgh, Scotland, and has four grown daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 14, 2014
Loved this book. A friend of mine wanted a specific kind of book to read for our Library's Dial-a-Story line--strong female being chief among them. As I flipped through books to find something suitable, I came across this one that I was not familiar with. As I began reading, I thought--cat. strong female character. check. Then I flipped to the end to make sure it was suitable, and I hit pay dirt. Loved the ending. It caught me by surprise.
I handed the book to my friend with three others so she'd have choices. I hesitated. I'd sure like to read this one, I thought. Maybe she'll find it too long. She did say short. These others are pretty good. Maybe . . . But alas, she snagged it.
So two strong females character. And two lovely strong male characters to boot. For those of you who need a bit of conflict and a nasty character or two, do not despair. There are wolves and a loathsome king and queen as well.
The artwork is beautiful. Stylized watercolor with colors that made me smile.
I handed the book to my friend with three others so she'd have choices. I hesitated. I'd sure like to read this one, I thought. Maybe she'll find it too long. She did say short. These others are pretty good. Maybe . . . But alas, she snagged it.
So two strong females character. And two lovely strong male characters to boot. For those of you who need a bit of conflict and a nasty character or two, do not despair. There are wolves and a loathsome king and queen as well.
The artwork is beautiful. Stylized watercolor with colors that made me smile.
August 14, 2008
I love this book and the story is amazing. The ending has such a unique and modern twist that it will leave readers of all ages smiling and wanting to share it with every young boy and girl. This is a powerful story of empowerment and wisdom.
September 23, 2009
Wow! The ending of this book really surprised me!
January 19, 2018
French, Vivian Singing to the Sun, illustrated by Jackie Morris. PICTURE BOOK. Kane/Miller, 2008; first published in Great Britain in 2001.
A lord who does not believe in love marries a woman who only believes in gold and they have a son and make him study books and spells. After his 18th birthday they send him off to win the hand of one of three princesses, one whom brings wealth, one lands and the third love and happiness. The parents send him off with the court jester, still arguing over the value of land vs wealth. But the princess may have ideas of her own and being born a prince doesn’t bring wisdom.
While there seems to be a trend in rewriting fairy tales to make the girl be stronger, this trend also seems to make the boy look foolish or useless at the same time. This is a rare tale that lets the princess be strong, while showing the prince a path to actual happiness. This short book makes a powerful statement to counteract a movement that seems to have gone too far in the opposite directions. Teachers in elementary can use this as just a great stiry with beautiful illustrations, while middle and high school Language Arts teachers should make this a part of any unit about fairy tales. Even a Teen Living teacher could use this as a great opener to a discussion about gender roles in fairy tales and the modern world and the effect they have on our self-esteem or world view.
EL, MS, HS - ESSENTIAL
A lord who does not believe in love marries a woman who only believes in gold and they have a son and make him study books and spells. After his 18th birthday they send him off to win the hand of one of three princesses, one whom brings wealth, one lands and the third love and happiness. The parents send him off with the court jester, still arguing over the value of land vs wealth. But the princess may have ideas of her own and being born a prince doesn’t bring wisdom.
While there seems to be a trend in rewriting fairy tales to make the girl be stronger, this trend also seems to make the boy look foolish or useless at the same time. This is a rare tale that lets the princess be strong, while showing the prince a path to actual happiness. This short book makes a powerful statement to counteract a movement that seems to have gone too far in the opposite directions. Teachers in elementary can use this as just a great stiry with beautiful illustrations, while middle and high school Language Arts teachers should make this a part of any unit about fairy tales. Even a Teen Living teacher could use this as a great opener to a discussion about gender roles in fairy tales and the modern world and the effect they have on our self-esteem or world view.
EL, MS, HS - ESSENTIAL
January 26, 2018
A fairy tale where both the king and queen are in love with power and wealth. The jester helps raise the prince to seek more in life. He goes to choose his bride with the required peril involved and succeeds with the guidance of the jester.
Surprising twist when the princess chooses the jester instead of the prince. The prince opts to explore and learn about the world.
Surprising twist when the princess chooses the jester instead of the prince. The prince opts to explore and learn about the world.
July 23, 2017
I'm not a fan of the illustrations (just not a style I like) but the twist at the end of the story is fantastic and hilarious - I did not expect it at all.
January 30, 2018
Een wijze parabel, een tijdloos sprookje, een nogal duidelijke (maar ook nogal belangrijke) moraal. De tekeningen zijn niet echt mijn stijl, maar het geheel past heel mooi samen.
July 27, 2020
An unusual Fairy tale. Beautifully illustrated. LFL donation.
February 25, 2021
This fairy tale has a twist at the end! It also lends itself to discussions of what is truly important (I.e. wealth, gold, love, wisdom, etc. )
September 19, 2024
Hmm. Not sure of the title. Or the way the princesses are drawn. But I do love the rest of the art, the theme, and the ending! (Don't miss the endpapers.)
May 6, 2011
A beautifully illustrated fairy tale, with a different ending.
September 28, 2015
Gorgeous pictures by Jackie Morris, nice story with a change from the predictable fairy tale type ending.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews