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Zeralda's Ogre
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From: Judith Gorog <jagged>
Date: Fri, 06 Aug 1999 15:42:38 -0500
Apologies to those of you who have already heard me speak about Zeralda's Ogre at one conference or another. I'll keep this short.
Ungerer begins by telling us about a truly terrifying ogre, the sort used by generations of European parents in attempts to keep children in line. Fear of this ogre causes the parents in the story to send their children, for safety, to all sorts of nasty, dark, cramped places---just the sort of solution growups think of when it comes to children. Also, fear of the ogre keeps the children out of school. (Very sly here, as it is probably safe to say most Europeans who finished gymnasium will tell you that they detested school all the way through. Many are amazed at our American attempt to make school fun.)
From the ogre, the story passes to a distant valley, to Zeralda. She looks like a little girl; but she is really and truly an ideal mommy. She is kind, capable, and thinks the best of everyone, including the ogre. Without hesitating, she prepares a simple al fresco feast for him using half the provisions from her market wagon. Of the ogre, we already know that he has never had a decent meal. Zeralda civilizes, not with lectures, nor with slaps, but with her good example.
(She does give the ogre a look, not exactly a little girl look, as she cooks. The mule, on the other hand, could be said to be staring in fright. The eyes throughout are to be watched.)
Zeralda's meals have everything, including menu in French, thoughtfully provided with English translation, a menu full of little jokes, with bottle of catsup on the table. All the ogres and ogresses abandon the eating of children for the joys of recipe swapping, preparation, presentation, and consumption of gourmet meals in elegant surroundings. Not one of us would trust the ogre as he hands out candy; but in the last picture, he has shaved off his beard, looks twenty years younger, and is a doting papa in a family portrait. Zeralda, however many times she may have given birth, has gone from being a tiny mommy to tall teenager. She looks, and is, vulnerable. We know it. Delicious book.
Judith Gorog Lancaster, PA
Received on Fri 06 Aug 1999 03:42:38 PM CDT
Date: Fri, 06 Aug 1999 15:42:38 -0500
Apologies to those of you who have already heard me speak about Zeralda's Ogre at one conference or another. I'll keep this short.
Ungerer begins by telling us about a truly terrifying ogre, the sort used by generations of European parents in attempts to keep children in line. Fear of this ogre causes the parents in the story to send their children, for safety, to all sorts of nasty, dark, cramped places---just the sort of solution growups think of when it comes to children. Also, fear of the ogre keeps the children out of school. (Very sly here, as it is probably safe to say most Europeans who finished gymnasium will tell you that they detested school all the way through. Many are amazed at our American attempt to make school fun.)
From the ogre, the story passes to a distant valley, to Zeralda. She looks like a little girl; but she is really and truly an ideal mommy. She is kind, capable, and thinks the best of everyone, including the ogre. Without hesitating, she prepares a simple al fresco feast for him using half the provisions from her market wagon. Of the ogre, we already know that he has never had a decent meal. Zeralda civilizes, not with lectures, nor with slaps, but with her good example.
(She does give the ogre a look, not exactly a little girl look, as she cooks. The mule, on the other hand, could be said to be staring in fright. The eyes throughout are to be watched.)
Zeralda's meals have everything, including menu in French, thoughtfully provided with English translation, a menu full of little jokes, with bottle of catsup on the table. All the ogres and ogresses abandon the eating of children for the joys of recipe swapping, preparation, presentation, and consumption of gourmet meals in elegant surroundings. Not one of us would trust the ogre as he hands out candy; but in the last picture, he has shaved off his beard, looks twenty years younger, and is a doting papa in a family portrait. Zeralda, however many times she may have given birth, has gone from being a tiny mommy to tall teenager. She looks, and is, vulnerable. We know it. Delicious book.
Judith Gorog Lancaster, PA
Received on Fri 06 Aug 1999 03:42:38 PM CDT
