The King's Golden Beard

This clever, biting little fable looks on as a vain ruler passes a series of laws to protect "his kingly self and his beautiful beard." Readers can't see the king; luxuriant, silvery-blond hair covers his body, a creepy red-lipped smile visible through the thicket. Soldiers with stick arms and legs rake the beard and carry it reverently. The king proclaims that ordinary subjects are not permitted beards--rule breakers will be "cut into a thousand pieces with a pinchy pair of nail scissors!" In dark, stylish before-and-after spreads, animate and inanimate subjects show the law's consequences: a broom loses its bristles, a pirate turns out to be naked behind a once-ample blue beard, and a cactus loses its spines. At last, the monarch's beard grows all the way around the world and returns to annoy the kingly presence, with terrible consequences (or just deserts, depending upon the reader's take). Verplancke skewers narcissism and willful ignorance, too, as the ruler's belief that the Earth is flat interferes with his understanding that the invading beard might, in fact, be his own. Ages 4-8. (Feb.)

Gr 1-3--A fanatical king grows his golden beard so long that it extends out of his window, down the pathway, and around the world. As he keeps a watchful eye on its growth, he becomes obsessed with it. He wants to be the only one in the land with a beard. So he drafts a rule that no one in the land may grow a single inch of hair on their face, or else risk paying a severe price. Everyone is required to shave immediately. One day, a palace guard spots a beard in the distance, and the king demands that the culprit pay the price for breaking his rule because "the law is the law." The palace guards follow their king's orders precisely, much to his detriment. Despite the violence of the command, the king's demise is rather benign on the page, making this a fun way to introduce readers to concepts such as self-indulgence and abuse of power. Using three main colors, the palette is consistent and engaging. Readers will be immersed in the fine details of the king's beard and the palace guards' efforts to carry out the punishment. VERDICT An enjoyable read, a worthy addition to any library, and a useful tool for teaching humility and respect.--Maegen Rose, Rye Country Day Sch., NY