Review

32 Pages
Hard Cover
8 1/2 ” X 11 ”
Ages: 4 and up
ISBN 0-9744307-1-4
Spring 2005

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King Bartholomew likes to play games rather than tend to his kingdom and his subjects. His court jester provides the daily riddles, puzzles and word games. Even when the jester points out to him that his kingdom is in disorder he still demands a riddle, “to keep my mind off of my royal duties.” While the jester does not try to manipulate the king to change his ways, the riddle she creates is unwittingly the cause of his transformation.   She asks, “What belongs only to you, King Bartholomew, but is used most often by those around you.” Thinking that his “precious possessions” are unsafe, the king banishes his subjects from his palace.   Alone for weeks, playing games to his heart's content, he eventually realizes he's lonely and misses the townspeople and especially his friend, the court jester.   At the carnival that night he promises to mend his selfish ways and in doing so solves the riddle. Readers will be able to identify with this fun loving king who is humanized by his own childishness. The book's message, while direct, is cloaked in the tale's medieval attributes. Parents of petulant and messy children will certainly appreciate the book's sentiment that one must tend to one's kingdom before play. At the heart of this tale is the relationship between the king and his jester. While traditionally a male fills the jester's position, here the jester is female which adds an intriguing modern twist. The visual shock of the jester at home in civilian clothes is startlingly invigorating. The jester's role is seen to be a responsibility but also just a job! The polished illustrations use a smooth application of color to give a sense of lush royalty while at the same time toys strewn across each scene amplify the book's theme. The royal red of the squat king is in contrast to the lithe figure of the jester who's dressed in vivid patterns of purple and green. And, while the jester's jolly cap flops about at all angles as compared to the majesty of the king's crown, readers may wonder just who rules over whom.

Review by Martha Topol for: School Library Journal; ForeWord: Monthly News & Reviews for the Independent Publishing & Bookselling Industry; and Independent Publisher.

King Bartholomew and the Jester’s Riddle by Pina Mastromonaco is a wonderful, fun book with a humor level perfect for children aged four to eight. Entertaining riddles entice readers to try to guess the answer while enjoying the tale.

Childlike King Bartholomew is obsessed with toys and solving riddles. The chubby, balding King learns to balance play and work time so that he can take responsible care of his land and citizens, yet still enjoy a playful life. The moral-of-the-story is not laid on thick – it is lightly applied so it will be easily accepted by young children. Teachers, librarians and caretakers will enjoy reading this pleasant book to children who like to play rather than accomplish chores or school assignments.

The illustrator, David Martin, is extremely accomplished and very gifted. Each page is filled with incredible detail that reveals more the longer one gazes at them. Many illustrations some form of nature included from the fantastically sculpted bushes, an array of birds and a maze of hedges with a big ‘B’ in the center (B – for King Bartholomew). Richly colored clothes and hilarious costumes for the jester and the King’s servants prove to add an interesting twist to this fun-loving book.

Review by Lillian Brummet - Book Reviewer, Ezine@rticles

King Bartholomew loves to work puzzles, figure out riddles, and play games. He does not like to work on grownup things like running his kingdom or putting his things away. He has the largest collection of toys in the land, but he does not like to share. His court jester is always thinking of new riddles for her king and one night she comes up with one that is sure to stump him.

The next morning she tells him the riddle and rather than think it through and enjoy the twist of words he takes them literally and panics at the idea his jester has presented. He banishes all of the kingdom from the palace grounds and wallows in his sorrow. He is lonely, and very much alone. Days later, invited to the carnival, the king realizes how silly he has been. When he finally understands the challenging riddle he finds he has learned a valuable lesson.

Children will delight in the riddles in the story and in trying to guess what the answer is to the biggest one of all. The illustrations are vibrant and rich and create a perfect setting for the tale. King Bartholomew is sure to be a treasured book that children aged four and up will want to share again and again.

Review by Heather Froeschl - Bookideas.com

King Bartholomew was very selfish and child-like in his castle. His board games were spread throughout every room and he never did any ruling in his kingdom. King Bartholomew wanted his jester to keep him entertained with jokes and riddles morning, noon, and night until one day she told him a riddle that even the King couldn't solve.

For weeks the King thought about the riddle and what the answer could be. Finally, when he realized how invaluable his kingdom was and all of the people in it could he then solve the riddle and be happy again.

With a great team of author and illustrator to create this book, it's no wonder that kids will love it. How will King Bartholomew solve his riddle? Little kids, even older ones, will get a kick out of trying to figure out the jester's riddle. Will King Bartholomew finally become more of a ruler in his kingdom or just play every game he has in the castle? Find out in this delightful read.

Review by LISA - Book Review Cafe

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