Book Description

There was a little man who traded everything he could, until he ended up with everything he started with.

Beatrice Schenk de Regniers and Irene Haas have recorded the antics of this funny little hero with rhythm, rhyme, and humor in this delightful picture book based on a folk song. First published in 1957 and completely reillustrated by the original artist, Was It a Good Trade? is a book to read, sing, chant, and rhyme along with. Readers can even trade it!Was it a good trade?
Was it a bad trade?
Was it a good trade -- hey?
... Read more

Reviews (1)

Lots of Trading Fun.....
Author, Beatrice Schenk de Regniers and illustrator, Irene Haas are back with a reworking of their 1957 timeless treasure, and Was It A Good Trade? is as fresh and entertaining today as it was forty-five years ago. Based on an old folk song, Ms de Regniers lilting text is full of rhyme, rhythm, and fun, and preschoolers will enjoy singing the repetitive refrain along with you, "Was it a good trade?/Was it a bad trade?/Was it a good trade-/hey?" Ms Haas' charming, bright and colorful artwork captures and highlights the text beautifully, and is rich in expressive detail, humor, and vibrant eye-catching patterns. With a delightfully silly twist at the end to tickle your funny bone, Was It A Good Trade? is an engaging classic to share with friends and family now, and future generations in the years to come. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Vibrant!
Very (I mean, extremely) vibrant illustrations and simple text depict a young girl's exploratory meanderings though a barnyard. Along the way she sees farm animals making sounds, and meets a friend. A map on the front and back covers charts her course. I was not particularly crazy about this book, but my toddler (bedazzled by the bright illustrations, perhaps?) absolutely adored it. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

class assignment
This is a new version of the story we all know. It tells about how Jack got the magic beans. When Jack comes home with the "magic" beans, his mother is disappionted. She ends up throwing them out the window. Jack awakes the next day to find the beanstalk. What happens next? Read this outstanding book to find out.

I found this book to be very good. From that boring old tale we all know, it turned into interesting rhymes. The full color illustrations add to this thrilling tale. If you and your child are looking for an adventurous story, this is it! ... Read more

Amazon.com

In this unique version of the age-old story "Red Riding Hood," Caldecott medalist Beatrice Schenk de Regniers retells the tale in eccentric verse. Although de Regniers maintains the traditional storyline, the combination of her mastery and the skill of legendary illustrator Edward Gorey make the fable feel completely new.

De Regniers's verse, while it does rhyme, is by no means sing-song and is at times even delightfully puzzling. Phrases and exclamations dangle from the beginnings and ends of couplets--at first glance slightly misplaced, but also somehow appropriate and enriching. (All the better to amuse you with, my dear.) The illustrations are, in typical Gorey fashion, simultaneously spare and expressive. Though the drawings are primarily black and white, specific and random items are colored scarlet: the wolf's tongue, the grandmother's slippers, the feather in the woodsman's cap, and of course, the titular riding hood. (All the better to entrance you with, my dear.) Even if your kids know the story of "Red Riding Hood" by heart, this edition, with its unusual verse and priceless illustrations, will win their special and undivided attention. (Ages 4 to 8) ... Read more

Reviews (1)

old fashioned tale done Gorey-style
Author De Regniers and Illustrator Gorey tackle the old Little Red Riding Hood. It's marvelous.

Gorey's illustrations are much like his illustrations in everything else: sly, clever, menacing with a quiet gloom, and quietly humorous.

De Regnier's verse is comical and a bit offcenter.

"And the wicked wolf, Without more ado, Ate Red Riding Hood, And the little cake, too."

Gorey's facing illustration for this bit of verse shows our friend Mr. wolf, greedily poised to gobble up a cake, leaning with a very satisfied look against the footboard of grandma's bed, holding the red hood with his left forepaw. Flowers are strewn on the floor, the gathering-basket upset near his feet. Not a trace of the girl is to be seen.

Hopefully you can pick up a copy of this second-hand, or booksellers will again sell new copies someday. As of now (April 2001), it seems to be out of print. ... Read more