A story of magic and adventure about a strange and fascinating old woman who with a whisk of her feather duster can load a table with all kinds of food or change a strong boy into a bear, and four brothers, only one of whom possesses the virtues of kindness and gentleness.
NY Times Book Review, 1958: Here is a fabulous folk tale of four little boys and a magic feather duster, in which kindness, of course, triumphs over force and greed.
"Once upon a time, in the time before clocks, four brothers lived in a cave." Eldest Brother ran like a greyhound, Second Brother ate voraciously, Third Brother's forte was force, and Youngest Brother was quiet and the only unselfish one. They all try to win the magic feather duster of an old woman, the three eldest in characteristically callous fashion. For their pains they are waved into a rabbit, a mouse and a bear. Only through Youngest Brother's kindness were they returned to normality, just a little bit worse for wear.
This book will certainly be looked at and read time and time again. Will's story is sensitively imaginative, and Nicolas' bright red, blue, and black pictures, though boldly quasi-realistic, have a power and mood that skillfully carry the young child into an exciting dream world.
Publisher - Harcourt, Brace & World
Year - 1958
Book Details - Hardcover 8.5 x 11 Lithographed Printing and Rare
