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Reviewed by Hazel Booth
Title:The Bearskinner: A Tale of the Brothers Grimm
Written by: Laura Amy Schlitz
Illustrated by: Max Grafe
Hardback: 30 pages
Ages: 8 and up
Publisher: Candlewick Press
ISBN: 978-0-7636-2730-0
Publication: October 2007
Bearskinner is the tale of the bargain that a poverty-stricken, wayfaring soldier accepts with the devil. He must travel the world for seven years in a rotting, bug-ridden bear carcass without washing, cutting his hair, trimming his beard, or filing his nails. He must not commit suicide. He must tell no one of the bargain and he must not pray to God. In exchange, he will be a man of infinite wealth, drawn at will from a pouch within the bearskin.
“You must follow my rules,” the devil cautions. “If you break them, your soul is mine. Otherwise, you will be rich your whole life long—and your soul will remain your own.”
Determined not to become the devil’s slave and burn in hell, the Bearskinner travels the world, first as a wealthy man in a bearskin, but all too soon as a social outcast. Reeking and repulsive, in a heavy, rotting carcass full of maggots, he dreams each night of drowning himself in the river. In his third year as the Bearskinner, he finds renewed hope of defeating the devil: He uses the devil’s wealth to feed the poor people he meets and they, in turn, protect and bless him with their prayers.
Through his heroic strength, his generosity, and compassion, the Bearskinner finds love and fortune to last a lifetime. Max Grafe’s dark, muted illustrations are a perfect counterpoint for Shiltz’s hopeful retelling of this Brothers Grimm tale, a vivid and compelling story of the power of good over evil. Recommended for ages 8 and up.
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Hazel Booth is a freelance writer and a student at the Institute for Children’s Literature. She reviews picture books for the National Writing for Children Center and is currently working on nonfiction articles for kids.