The Search for Delicious - Hardcover

Babbitt, Natalie

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0374365342 ISBN 13: 9780374365349

Publisher: Farrar Straus & Giroux, 1969

Synopsis

"This engaging story begins with a brief glimpse into the past when dwarfs, woldwellers (forest dwarfs) , mermaids, and winds of the air openly inhabited the earth. The actual story unfolds much further in the future, when these amazing creatures, mostly forgotten, live in secret places. DeCree, the Prime Minister, inadvertently provokes an upheaval of the townspeople with his attempt to define the word 'delicious' for the official dictionary. Although other of his definitions have been well recieved ... he cannot secure approval for 'Delicious is fried fish,' because each government official has his own personal food preference. To alleviate the situation, DeCree's 12-year-old special assistant and adopted son, Gaylen, polls all the citizens fortheir choices. The villian of the story, the Queen's brother Hemlock, convinces the townspeople that the King will, upon outcome of the poll, prohibit the eating of certain foods; he futher instigates revolt by dammign up the water supply, but Gaylen with the help fo a mermaid foils this and a definition fo delicous is finally agreed upon . . . The definition of this well-constructed-story, combining fine imagery, humor, strong characterizations, legend, and an unobtrusive theme of good versus evil, is: a good book for children hungry for light entertainment." --Starred, School Library Journal

About this title

Review

"Because of disagreement in the castle over a definition for the word 'delicious' for the new dictionary, the Prime Minister's young assistant is sent out to poll the entire citizenry. How the kingdom is saved and the definition found climaxes an imaginative, winning story." --Starred, "Booklist" "A subtly teasing fantasy-adventure that's as fresh and sparkling as spring water. It's truly delicious." --"The New York Times Book Review"
"A wholly delightful story. The writing is distinguished by an immediate clarity and true poetry." --"The Horn Book"
"This engaging story begins with a brief glimpse into the past when dwarfs, woldwellers (forest dwarfs), mermaids, and winds of the air openly inhabited the earth. The actual story unfolds much further in the future, when these amazing creatures, mostly forgotten, live in secret places. DeCree, the Prime Minister, inadvertently provokes an upheaval of the townspeople with his attempt to define the word 'delicious' for the official dictionary. Although other of his definitions have been well recieved ... he cannot secure approval for 'Delicious is fried fish, ' because each government official has his own personal food preference. To alleviate the situation, DeCree's 12-year-old special assistant and adopted son, Gaylen, polls all the citizens fortheir choices. The villian of the story, the Queen's brother Hemlock, convinces the townspeople that the King will, upon outcome of the poll, prohibit the eating of certain foods; he futher instigates revolt by dammign up the water supply, but Gaylen with the help fo a mermaid foils this and a definition fo delicous is finally agreed upon . . . The definition of this well-constructed-story, combining fine imagery, humor, strong characterizations, legend, and an unobtrusive theme of good versus evil, is: a good book for children hungry for light entertainment." --Starred, "School Libarary Journal"

.,."the perfect time to stock your shelves with these elegantly designed editions."--SLJ Extra Helping (e-newsletter) on Square Fish's Babbitt reissues

“Spirited and humorous, sensitive without ever being sad.”—"The New York Times Book Review"
“Fantasy-adventure that’s as fresh and sparkling as spring water. It’s truly delicious.”—"The New York Times"
“The writing is distinguished by an immediate clarity and true poetry. . . . A wholly delightful story.”—"The Horn Book Magazine"
“The definition of this well-constructed story, combining fine imagery, humor, strong characterizations, legend, and an unobtrusive theme of good versus evil is: a good book for children hungry for light entertainment.”—"School Library Journal," Starred Review
“Here is a beguiling tale, here is a story perfectly suited for reading in the still of an endless summer twilight.”—"Publishers Weekly"
“Fresh and imaginative, this play on words and on human foibles is a welcome and happy book.”—"Cleveland Plain Dealer"
“A made

"Spirited and humorous, sensitive without ever being sad."--"The New York Times Book Review"
"Fantasy-adventure that's as fresh and sparkling as spring water. It's truly delicious."--"The New York Times"
"The writing is distinguished by an immediate clarity and true poetry. . . . A wholly delightful story."--"The Horn Book Magazine"
"The definition of this well-constructed story, combining fine imagery, humor, strong characterizations, legend, and an unobtrusive theme of good versus evil is: a good book for children hungry for light entertainment."--"School Library Journal," Starred Review
"Here is a beguiling tale, here is a story perfectly suited for reading in the still of an endless summer twilight."--"Publishers Weekly"
"Fresh and imaginative, this play on words and on human foibles is a welcome and happy book."--"Cleveland Plain Dealer"
"A made-up fairy tale that works. . . . This one is for kids who thrive on the discovery of new words."--"McCall's"

About the Author

A gifted artist and writer, Natalie Babbitt is the award-winning author of the modern classic Tuck Everlasting, The Eyes of the Amaryllis, Kneeknock Rise and many other brilliantly original books for young people. She began her career in 1966 as the illustrator of The Forty-ninth Magician, a collaboration with her husband. When her husband became a college president and no longer had time to collaborate, Babbitt tried her hand at writing. The Search for Delicious was her first novel and established her gift for writing magical tales with profound meaning. Kneeknock Rise earned her a Newbery Honor Medal, and in 2002, Tuck Everlasting was adapted into a major motion picture. Natalie Babbitt lives in Providence, Rhode Island, and is a grandmother of three.

About this edition

• Publisher: Farrar Straus & Giroux
• Publication date: 1969
• ISBN 10: 0374365342
• ISBN 13: 9780374365349
• Binding: Hardcover