Tatsinda

by Elizabeth Enright, Katie Thamer Treherne (Illustrator)

Tatsinda is considered an outsider by the people of the Tatrajanni kingdom. Her talent as a weaver has ensured that she can support herself--and perhaps win the love of the handsome Prince. But when an evil giant takes Tatsinda prisoner and plans to destroy the kingdom, it will take all the magic, skill, and love that Tatsinda and the Prince can muster to foil the giant and restore peace and beauty to the mountain. “This timeless story will make an absorbing read-aloud.”-- School Library Journal

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Picture Books, Fairy Tales, Fiction, Romance, Adventure

64 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1963

About the author

Elizabeth Wright Enright Gillham was an American writer of children's books, an illustrator, writer of short stories for adults, literary critic and teacher of creative writing. Perhaps best known as the Newbery Medal-winning author of Thimble Summer (1938) and the Newbery runner-up Gone-Away Lake (1957), she also wrote the popular Melendy quartet (1941 to 1951). A Newbery Medal laureate and a multiple winner of the O. Henry Award, her short stories and articles for adults appeared in many popular magazines and have been reprinted in anthologies and textbooks.
In 2012 Gone-Away Lake was ranked number 42 among all-time children's novels in a survey published by School Library Journal, a monthly with primarily U.S. audience. The first two Melendy books also made the Top 100, The Saturdays and The Four-Story Mistake.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the isolated mountain kingdom of Tatrajan, cut off from the rest of the world by a seemingly impenetrable mist, the people lived in peace and harmony, wanting for nothing. With their glittering white hair and cool greenish blue eyes, all the Tatrajanni were similar in appearance - all, that is, except Tatsinda, whose deep golden hair and brown eyes bespoke her "foreign" birth. Deeply in love with handsome, bold Prince Tackatan, Tatsinda worried that the kingdom's most popular prince would never look at such an unusual girl... But then the terrible giant Johrgong invaded the kingdom, and carried Tatsinda off...

Originally published in 1963, and illustrated by Irene Haas, Tatsinda was reissued in this edition in 1991, with new illustrations by Katie Thamer Treherne. A wonderful, involving fantasy for the chapter-book set, Enright's story of a magical kingdom, a beautiful heroine, and an evil giant, will appeal to any young reader with a sense of enchantment. The author's world-building is admirable, and I imagine that, had I read this as a girl, I would have longed to ride a timtik, or drink the milk of a tiptod.

[Desertisland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much prefer 1960's illustrations. Readers of Enright's Melendy family books may recall that Randy (Miranda) "the artist" starts telling her brother Oliver the story of TATSINDA (I think to distract him after he accidently falls down a well out on a picnic in the country--so maybe it happens in AND THEN THERE WERE FIVE, or THE FOUR-STORY MISTAKE.

[Tessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was absolutely charming. I loved it.

[CLM · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lesser known favorite by the author of The Saturdays. I loved this book so much I named our Siamese cat after the heroine.

[Heidi Burkhart · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read and read Enright’s books over and over again. This had little or none of her style in it. I cannot help but think that she didn’t write it. Her flair in creating delightful settings, three dimensional characters and immeasurably clever stories simply weren’t there. Written a flat, two dimensional style I found it very disappointing.


I feel mean to say it but I had Grade 6 students who wrote better fairy tales.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, creative, and original fairy tale storytelling at it's best. My kids wanted to read this is one sitting. Enright's writing is beautiful and descriptive.

[Sasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer - the version I read was illustrated by the incomparable Irene Haas of "Maggie B." fame. I read this 80 page treasure in an hour and loved it with all my heart. Such whimsy! Picture the best of Dahl, Seuss, Ingalls Wilder, and Alexander all rolled into one. Whether you are admiring the many T-named critters or the heroine's fortitude and Arachne-like weaving skills, this forgotten classic was like the cantaloupe tea I drank from Publix the other day - a novelty that became beloved within a second's slow sipping. I can't wait to read this to my own children. What a nice escape during the Coronavirus pandemic.

[Lark · Rating 5 out of 5]

but it has to be the older copy, because the pictures are so enchanting.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful children's book, one I loved as a child, and one my daughter loved equally.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful fairy tale :)

[Kaijsa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A darling fairytale with really beautiful artwork!

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting and wonderfully written fantasy fairy tale about a kingdom high in a mountainous region where an orphan child was raised in a peaceful world. When a greedy giant comes and disrupts the kingdom, the orphan, now a young maiden, is taken by the giant, the Prince declares to the kingdom that he will rescue her, and return her safely.

[Sonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I checked the original of this book out from the library when I was in elementary school. I really loved it then, so much that I named one of my pets after it. I think what I really loved the most was the pictures. I vaguely remember the story after listening to a copy from the library. Sadly, though, the library no longer has the hardcover picture book and only this audio recording.

[Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

The whole family enjoyed this interesting fantasy/fairy tale from one of our favorite classic children's book authors. We listened to the audio version on Hoopla, so may have missed out on the beautiful illustrations in some editions that I see other reviewers have mentioned.

[Liz Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my most treasured books from childhood.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book to pieces as a child ❤️

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was a lovely original fairy tale/fantasy. The illustrations were a great enhancement to the text.

[Caleb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming old fairy tale. Reads very much like what it is, an antique picture book.

[Petie · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS WAS SO GOOD. What a treasure. Every mama should read this to their children.

[Megan Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a light fantasy with the feel of a fairy tale. I picked it up after seeing it mentioned on the blog Collecting Children's Books, mostly because I have an abiding affection for Irene Haas' illustrations. It's a slim story with plenty of illustrations - some black and white and some in Haas' usual gorgeous colors. I imagine that if it were published now, the text would be spread out over more pages and it might have full-color illustrations, more like The Night Fairy. And I think it would appeal to a similar audience - a little bit of fantasy, some strange creatures, a little adventure and a tidy ending.

I found the whole naming structure distracting, and it made it hard to keep all the animals and people straight. The ugly = evil and beautiful = good themes felt a little heavy-handed, although this could be a result of reading too many stories where this happens. Overall, the story was mostly sweet but not particularly memorable (although I could see it making a bigger impression on a younger reader new to fantasy).

[Vivian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine being dropped as an infant into an isolated mountain valley where each person is granted one wish, but before your wish is granted a terrible invasion threatens destruction.

Here it is, my absolute favorite of all the books I read as a child. I confess to sifting through library book sales in search of cast off copies to give to my sisters and my children.

There is so much in Tatsinda's story that is applicable to my own life. How I wished to fit in, to look like everyone else, to attract the love of that special someone. How I wished I could have a wish, as Tatsinda did. And then, like Tatsinda, I discovered that the answers to all are within us and not dependent on magic (as the wish-giver always knew), and that there are wells of strength in us unknown until needed.

This slim book really packs a punch. I'm glad Disney has not discovered this remarkable heroine. She deserves better treatment.

[Maia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This long picture book is enjoyable but very strange. The overall story is of a young girl in a mountain kingdom who loves the youngest prince, asks a witch for help winning his love, is kidnapped by a giant and eventually has a happy ending. But the author, Elizabeth Enright (1906-1968) made the interesting decision to invent new names for the flora and fauna of the kingdom all of which begin with the letter T. So we have timtiks, tiptods, timbertocks and timaroons wandering about between characters all named Tagador, Tataspan, Tamin, Taskin and Tackatan. It's hard to keep them all straight, but the bright and luminous illustrations kept me reading to the end.

[Meegan · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be honest, I became really bored with this book really fast. There are so many words! The story could have been shorter and the beauty of the fairytale would have still been there. The illustrations are beautiful, well of course the antagonists are the most hideous thing you have ever seen, but the colors are rich. I have no idea who I would recommend this book to. Maybe someone who is very patient and loves fairytales.

[Leah Coffin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved this book when I was a kid, but its message of tolerance, although well-intentioned, doesn't hold up as well today. Three stars for the memories and for trying to teach the acceptance of differences.

[Bethj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elizabeth Enright's voice: warm, wise, witty and wonderful. Her noted children's books may be from another era, but worth seeking out for your children!

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The names of people and animals were tough to get through, but overall a pleasant read and interesting world.

[Melanie Gaum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nearly everything had a name that started with ta or ti so that made it difficult to keep track of who/what things were. But overall this was a cute and creative story, if just a little too long.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another childhood favourite. I lucked out and got two copies from a library sale. Yay me.

[Kaiye · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my most favorite books of all time ^_^