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Summary
Summary
Poor Tom! The life of a wandering Irish minstrel is not as carefree as he had hoped. In fact, he can barely scrape by playing his harp for audiences who are enthusiastic but have little money to spare.Tom's future looks dreary indeed until Sean O'Dell mysteriously appears out of nowhere. The odd, little man offers Tom the deal of a lifetime. He'll trade Tom's old, chipped instrument for a glorious harp made of gold. How can Tom resist? And how wil he cope with the unexpected results of his choice?Winsom illustrations bring out the humor in this wry, cautionary tale that celebrates the musical instrument that has become a national symbol of Ireland.
Reviews (3)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 1-3-A satisfying and well-crafted story of dreams and desires, told in a folktale style. Tom has always dreamed of being a rich and successful minstrel, playing his music for the wealthy. Instead, he has an old harp and plays for folks who can only pay him with flour or apples. When Sean O'Dell, "a man of very short stature," appears, Tom agrees to swap his old harp for a beautiful golden one that has a "rather tinny, metallic sound." A lesson about true riches and heart's desires is then learned. The whimsical illustrations use plenty of Irish green with arches and rolling lines to harmonize with the text. Weber has included comical animal antics as illustrative details for children to enjoy. An especially fine contribution to St. Patrick's Day collections, this story will be enjoyed throughout the year, reminding children to follow their dreams and be careful what they wish for. A finely tuned tale.-Helen Foster James, University of California at San Diego (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
There's a wee bit o' Irish magic in this original tale about how people can become blinded by appearances. As a boy, Tom had always dreamed of being a minstrel. He achieved his goal of becoming a talented harp player but did not acquire the riches he had envisioned. While despairing over his lot, Tom receives a visit from a leprechaun who offers him a harp made of gold, and Tom gains entry to the finest homes. But while the golden harp lives up to its promise money-wise, its tinny, false sound bothers the music lover in Tom. And when the king so admires the harp that he imprisons Tom as his personal musician, the hero knows things have gone too far. Young readers will quickly pick up on the simple but resonant messages be true to one's self; the grass isn't always greener on the other side woven into Bateman's (Leprechaun Gold) pleasantly paced text. Weber's (The Christmas Tree) vibrant acrylic and watercolor compositions suggest a hint of Petra Mathers and Giselle Potter playful in tone, starring plucky animal figures and rubbery-limbed characters with expressive facial features. Children will enjoy a humorous leitmotif that plays throughout, too the golden harp is not music to the animals' ears. Ages 4-8. (Mar.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Booklist Review
Ages 4^-7. In this original tale, Tom is a wandering Irish minstrel who loves playing his old harp but can't seem to make a living at it. When leprechaun Sean O'Dell offers to trade a shiny new gold harp for Tom's broken-in, broken-down one, Tom agrees. Soon he realizes that although people come to look at his harp, its tone is tinny and its music isn't nearly as fine as the music his old one made. Tom can make more money with the replacement, however, and soon he is rich and famous. The story has a predictable ending and, in places, seems familiar without feeling authentic. This problem is softened by the acrylic and pastel pictures that show a lush, green countryside and present a varied cast of high-and low-class characters. Even though St. Patrick's Day isn't mentioned, this will be a suitable addition to the holiday shelves. --Ilene Cooper