The Sorcerer's Apprentice

by Gerda Muller (Author)

The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade
When poor orphan boy Oliver becomes a sorcerer's apprentice, he enters an incredible new world. He learns wonderful magic spells, the secrets of nature, and how to make healing potions and oils from his kindly new master. One day the sorcerer goes on a journey. Bored with his endless chores, Oliver enchants some brooms to do the work for him. But when the spell gets out of control, how can Oliver stop the magic? This classic tale about the importance of hard work was the inspiration for Disney's Fantasia, and is presented here in a beautifully illustrated edition from renowned artist Gerda Muller, creator of USBBY-honored A Year in Our New Garden.
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Hardcover
$17.95

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Kirkus

A handsomely illustrated retelling of the classic cautionary tale, brooms and all. Muller fleshes out Goethe's sketchy ballad so that it follows the familiar course of Mickey Mouse's adventure in Disney's Fantasia but with a named and all-human cast... Dress and details in these finely detailed illustrations set the tale in a small, tidy, seemingly all-White Renaissance-era European village... A skeleton coat rack is just one of several humorous visual touches, and a climactic elevated view of villagers sloshing and playing in the muddy street has a festive Bruegel-esque air... Art that repays second looks.

Review quotes

'This fun book tells the story of a mischievous boy. The illustrations are beautifully sketched, and they show exactly how I would picture a sorcerer's home. I love the hidden animals in the book. The Sorcerer's Apprentice has a great lesson in it for all readers.'
- Liam, Aged 8, for Kid's Book Buzz

Praise for Gerda Muller:

'Unpredictable, stimulating and ultimately confidence-inducing ... Gerda Muller draws each activity and animal with great detail and attention.'
- The New York Times on A Year Around the Great Oak

'Realistic, delicate paintings use pattern, light and soft colors to track nature's transformation of the old oak tree during a single year in an innocent style reminiscent of Barbara Cooney. Simplified natural details of individual plants, birds and animals invite close inspection, while holistic scenes of the oak evoke an idyllic seasonal atmosphere. A charming celebration of the changing seasons.'
- Kirkus Reviews on A Year Around the Great Oak

'The beautifully detailed paintings invite close inspection as the seasons change.'
- School Library Journal on A Year In Our New Garden

'Gerda Muller's enchanting illustrations, filled with details, will keep little readers engaged.'
- San Francisco Book Review

'Exquisite in beauty and detail.'
- Youth Services Book Review

'Children will relish the myriad small details in the artwork ... While there are many versions of this story out there, here's one worth adding to collections.'
- Booklist Online on Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Gerda Muller
Gerda Muller was born in 1926 in Naarden, Holland. She attended the Fine Arts School of Amsterdam and Ecole Estienne of Paris. She has illustrated over 120 books for children and her books have been translated into many languages. She is the creator of the Seasons board books, How Does My Garden Grow?, How Does My Fruit Grow?, A Year Around the Great Oak, and A Year in Our New Garden, which was named a USBBY Outstanding International Book 2017.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781782506287
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Floris Books
Publication date
September 29, 2020
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV037000 - Juvenile Fiction | Fantasy & Magic
JUV039220 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Values & Virtues
JUV012030 - Juvenile Fiction | Fairy Tales & Folklore | General
Library of Congress categories
Picture books
Orphans
Wizards
Magicians
Laziness
Children's stories, French

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