The Star Child

PreS-Gr 1—Poor in worldly goods but possessing "a loving and courageous heart," orphaned Mathilde spends a day giving away her meager possessions and reaps a splendid return. The original tale is often known as "The Shower of Gold," but apart from the title change and naming the girl, this sunny version faithfully recounts the story and its lesson. Watts's simply drawn and warmly colored figures encounter one another in appealing rural scenes. Mathilde's generosity rather begs belief as she gives away first her bit of bread and then each item of her clothing to folks who have even less than she does. Yet several elements of the spare story will appeal to young listeners, for whom the child's shedding of her hat, coat, and dress are likely to make good sense, though the quaint term "shift" for her undergarment may need a bit of explanation. Watts incorporates many small appealing animals in the countryside and forest scenes, and nature is very kind to Mathilde. The falling stars that become a shower of golden coins and the mist and star-woven garments rewarding her are surely a satisfying conclusion to this lesser-known tale from the famous collectors.—Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston