The Castle Corona

by Sharon Creech Narrated by Jennifer Wiltsie

Overview

Long ago and far away . . .

There was a castle. But not just any castle. This was a castle that glittered and sparkled and rose majestically above the banks of the winding Winono River: the Castle Corona.

And in this castle lived a family. But not just any family. This was the family of King Guido: rich and royal and . . . spoiled. And King Guido was so spoiled that neither jewels nor gold nor splendid finery could please him, for what he longed for most was . . . a nap and a gown that didn't itch.

Far below this grand, glittering castle lived two peasants. But not just any peasants. These peasants, though poor and pitiful, were plucky and proud. And in possession of a stolen pouch. But not just any pouch. A pouch whose very contents had the power to unlock secrets and transform lives . . .

And oh, there is an author. But not just any author. Sharon Creech is a Newbery Medal-winning author whose tantalizing tale will not only dazzle and delight but also entertain and excite.

Editorial Reviews

Old King Guido is clearly unhappy. The spoiled occupant of Castle Corona spends his days moping, bemoaning the absence of the two things that he wants most in life: a nap and a gown that doesn't itch. Meanwhile, in a setting far less regal, two peasants have come into possession of a stolen pouch with most magical contents. Royal fun and adventure.

Publishers Weekly

Actress Wiltsie deftly narrates the Newbery Medalist's protracted fairy tale, which takes place in something like a medieval Italian kingdom. The story unfolds in short episodic chapters that follow two orphaned peasant children, Pia and Enzio, who discover a leather pouch marked with King Guido's seal. Before they can understand the meaning of the objects inside the pouch, they are whisked off to the Castle Corona to become "tasters" for the king, who is fearful of being poisoned. Wiltsie alternates effortlessly between narrator and the many different voices: outspoken Pia, arrogant Prince Vito, silly and spoiled Princess Fabrizia, aristocratic King Guido. The playful tone, the mystery of a thief's identity and the wide range of voices will give listeners several hours of enjoyment. Ages 8-12. Simultaneous release with the HarperCollins/Cotler hardcover (Reviews, Sept. 17, 2007). (Nov.)

Copyright 2007Reed Business Information

Kirkus Reviews

Long ago and far away a royal pouch was dropped in the woods; King Guido became afraid of thieves and poisoners; the peasant children Enzio and Pia became tasters for the king's family; and the contents of the pouch they found revealed their true identities. This lengthy original fairy tale is immensely satisfying both in its telling and its presentation. Each of the three sections begins with a full-page color illustration and each chapter with decorated initial letters and a miniature suggesting the subject. Heavy paper and relatively large, leaded type are two of many sumptuous details that continue throughout. Told in a comforting storyteller's voice (perhaps that of Pia, inspired by the royal family's Wordsmith), the tale unfolds leisurely, with considerable attention to the royal surroundings. Characters are clearly delineated, with the suggestion that all of them, the king and queen, the heir, the spare prince and the spoiled princess, as well as the peasant children, have grown and changed as a result of the events described. A treat for fans of the genre as well as a captivating introduction to it. (Fiction. 8-12)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940173455314
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	10/02/2007
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

Read an Excerpt

Castle Corona, The MOB

Chapter One

A Discovery

A young peasant girl and her brother kneeled in the smooth gray stones on the edge of the river, filling wooden buckets with water for their master.

"What if we built a raft," the girl asked, "and sailed down the river?"

"Ho!" the boy said. "What would we find?"

"That the river winds round and round..."

"And up and down..."

"...until it reaches the Castle Corona, it does!"

This was a familiar game for the pair, and they would have gone on longer, speculating about the white horses and the golden goblets and the jewels that they would find in the castle, but they were interrupted by a fierce pounding of the earth: horses coming fast along the path behind them.

Through the trees they saw a black horse, ridden by a black-cloaked rider. The rider's whip slapped with hard thwacks against the horse's side. A few minutes later, more horses followed, ridden by the King's Men, their golden medallions shimmering on their red cloaks. "Halt! Thief!" one rider shouted. "Halt, in the name of the King!"

"Ooh!" whispered the boy. "A thief?"

"A thief?"

"And if they catch him..."

"They will slice off his head..."

"...and chop him to bits!"

The pair snatched their buckets and hurried up the bank, crossing the path which the riders had taken. They had just entered the woods beyond when the girl said, "Look...in the leaves."

There, amid last autumn's brown leaves, was a leather pouch with the King's seal on it.

"Dare we?" whispered the boy.

"Here, back in here," the girl said, snatching the pouch andleading her brother into a thicket, where they paused and listened. All was quiet.

Castle Corona, The MOB. Copyright © by Sharon Creech. Reprinted by permission of HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Available now wherever books are sold.

Videos