Synopsis
In order to win the hand of his love, indolent Prince Haig learns to weave beautiful golden cloth, a craft that later saves his life.
| Details | | Publication Date: | 1998-04-01 | | Illustrator: | Nonny Hogrogian, Nonny Horogian |
| Size | | Height: | 11.8 in | | Width: | 9.0 in | | Thickness: | 0.5 in | | Weight: | 12.0 oz |
Publisher's Note
Once upon a time, in ancient Armenia, there lived a handsome young prince named Haig. One afternoon while out riding with his best friends and servant, Vartan, Prince Haig came across Anahid, a beautiful young maiden. The prince decided that he would not miss his wandering days, if only she would accept his hand in marriage. And yet she refused the prince, telling him that the man she would marry must have a trade. The people in her village called such a skill a golden bracelet, for with it, one would never be needy. The prince immediately resolved to master a craft, and it was not long before the prince became a master weaver and won the hand of his beloved. At that time a wicked sorcerer named Zilnago was capturing many young men and making them into slaves. He imprisoned both Vartan and Haig. But Haig wove a beautiful cloth, which the evil Zilnago took to his queen. Anahid recognized her husband's work and read the message inscribed in a bracelet woven into he cloth. She threw the sorcerer in jail and rescued her beloved Haig and the other young men.
Industry Reviews
This rendition of an old Armenian tale about the necessity of having a vocation by husband-and-wife team Kherdian and Hogrogian (Toad and the Green Prince) lacks conviction. Prince Haig and his companion Vartan ride contentedly "across the countryside, laughing, singing, and harmlessly bantering," until Haig falls in love with Anahid, a beautiful peasant girl. She tells him they cannot marry until he learns a trade, a skill that people in her village call a "Golden Bracelet." Thus Haig becomes a master weaver of gold cloth and marries Anahid. When the sorcerer Zilnago later captures Haig, the nobleman communicates his whereabouts to his bride by weaving into a cloth the design of a Golden Bracelet, along with a map and message. While Hogrogian's appealing painting of the festive wedding celebration conveys energy, most of the illustrations, despite the intricate Armenian designs, are static. The artwork combined with the stilted language (e.g., "They rode home in procession, knowing they would rule wisely and well, with knowledge of their people, and with an undying devotion to one another, as well as for their sacred land") and meandering exposition of the plot are offputting. For a more compelling take on the tale, try Robert D. San Souci's A Weave of Words, illus. by Ra#l Col?n (Children's Forecasts, Jan. 26). Ages 7-10. (May)
Lopate
Gr 2-5 In true folklore fashion, love blossoms from a chance encounter when carefree young prince Haig meets the shepherd's daughter Anahid. She warns the prince that "everyone should have a skill, no matter who they are." She calls this skill a "Golden Bracelet" that stays with its possessor forever. To win the young woman's hand, Haig gives up his self-absorbed adventuring and becomes a master weaver. Anahid consents to marry him when she receives a beautiful golden cloth that he himself has woven. After many years of ruling happily as king and queen, the couple is separated when an evil sorcerer kidnaps Haig. The king must then use his weaving skills to trick the sorcerer and warn Anahid of his fate. She leads a battalion of soldiers to rescue him, following the directions he has woven into a tapestry. This story is based on an Armenian folktale, which, as the author notes, emphasizes the importance of craft and common sense in negotiating the pitfalls of life. Though told in a traditional style, the story presents an interesting twist in valuing Anahid's action over Haig's privilege. Hogrogrian's watercolors are done in a primitive folk-art style with brilliant use of warm colors and energetic figures that occasionally spill out over their frames. Though the text focuses on Haig's adventures, the illustrations show Anahid to be brave, beautiful, and intelligent. An entertaining tale of love and wisdom. Joan Zaleski, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY
Fredrickson
This rendition of an old Armenian tale about the necessity of having a vocation by husband-and-wife team Kherdian and Hogrogian (Toad and the Green Prince) lacks conviction. Prince Haig and his companion Vartan ride contentedly "across the countryside, laughing, singing, and harmlessly bantering," until Haig falls in love with Anahid, a beautiful peasant girl. She tells him they cannot marry until he learns a trade, a skill that people in her village call a "Golden Bracelet." Thus Haig becomes a master weaver of gold cloth and marries Anahid. When the sorcerer Zilnago later captures Haig, the nobleman communicates his whereabouts to his bride by weaving into a cloth the design of a Golden Bracelet, along with a map and message. While Hogrogian's appealing painting of the festive wedding celebration conveys energy, most of the illustrations, despite the intricate Armenian designs, are static. The artwork combined with the stilted language (e.g., "They rode home in procession, knowing they would rule wisely and well, with knowledge of their people, and with an undying devotion to one another, as well as for their sacred land") and meandering exposition of the plot are offputting. For a more compelling take on the tale, try Robert D. San Souci's A Weave of Words, illus. by Ra£l Col¢n (Children's Forecasts, Jan. 26). Ages 7-10. (May)
Publishers Weekly (05/26/1998)
This rendition of an old Armenian tale about the necessity of having a vocation by husband-and-wife team Kherdian and Hogrogian (Toad and the Green Prince) lacks conviction. Prince Haig and his companion Vartan ride contentedly "across the countryside, laughing, singing, and harmlessly bantering," until Haig falls in love with Anahid, a beautiful peasant girl. She tells him they cannot marry until he learns a trade, a skill that people in her village call a "Golden Bracelet." Thus Haig becomes a master weaver of gold cloth and marries Anahid. When the sorcerer Zilnago later captures Haig, the nobleman communicates his whereabouts to his bride by weaving into a cloth the design of a Golden Bracelet, along with a map and message. While Hogrogian's appealing painting of the festive wedding celebration conveys energy, most of the illustrations, despite the intricate Armenian designs, are static. The artwork combined with the stilted language (e.g., "They rode home in procession, knowing they would rule wisely and well, with knowledge of their people, and with an undying devotion to one another, as well as for their sacred land") and meandering exposition of the plot are offputting. For a more compelling take on the tale, try Robert D. San Souci's A Weave of Words, illus. by Ra?l Col?n (Children's Forecasts, Jan. 26). Ages 7-10. (May)
Publishers Weekly (05/26/1998)
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