From Publishers Weekly
Made less satirical than Mark Twain's classic and simplified for younger readers, this retelling is still a lively romp. A beggar and a prince look so alike that they change places but then cannot immediately switch back. Mayer's (The Unicorn and the Lake) adaptation is serviceable if not sparkling; she retains all the key scenes of the story but flattens Twain's archaisms. While some of the original's sophisticated humor gets lost in the translation, much of it remains. For example, when Edward, the prince, tries telling pauper Tom's parents that he is really the Prince of Wales, Tom's mother responds, "Oh, poor Tom, it's all those books you read that's done this to you." And in court, when Tom is given a finger bowl, he drinks from it, announcing, "This is a very flavorless soup." Lippincott (Bruce Coville's Magic Shop series) vibrantly renders the ragged features of the paupers, and his tableaux are full of life. His palace scenes are ornate, light-filled watercolors of splendor in which the boys' homely, toothy faces seem like the only real and honest things. For readers not yet ready for Twain, this version, like its model, will make them think about their places in the world. Ages 7-up. (Oct.) Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From School Library Journal
Grade 4-6?Carl Reiner narrates this abridged version of The Prince and the Pauper. It captures the main plot points of the book and retains the rollicking humor of Twain's writing. The story concerns Tom Canty, a poor boy, who bears a striking resemblance to Prince Edward, heir to the throne of England. Through a series of mishaps, the boys change places, and those around them do not believe them when they each claim to be the other boy. Eventually, all ends well, with Edward restored to the throne and Tom retaining a place in his court. Reiner's narration is, at first, a big jarring, since an American accent telling a very British story is unexpected. However, once the story develops, listeners will quickly become engrossed. Various sound effects, such as trumpet fanfares, give the story some color. Overall, this is an entertaining choice for most public libraries.Melissa Hudak, Roscoe Branch Library, Loves Park, ILCopyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
Grade 1-3-Condensing a 400-page novel into a picture book is a monumental task. The Prince and the Pauper is a long moralistic tale with difficult dialogue written in the archaic pattern of the 16th century. It is also a rollicking adventure of drama and narrow escapes. Though more understated than many of Mark Twain's novels, it is also filled with his sly wit and humor. Mayer does manage to convey the basics of the story in readable prose but the nuances of the novel are necessarily lost. For example, the name of Tom's home, Offal Court, which does as much as any description to place the boy's station in life, is not mentioned. Also, some vital connections are not made. The hiding of the Great Seal and Tom's accidental knowledge of its location, which is the key to Edward's eventual recognition as king, is not delineated. The build up of humor in such events as the first royal dinner, where after a series of mistakes and gaffs, Tom is afraid to scratch his violently itching nose, can not be contained in the shortened version. The illustrations, done in realistic watercolors, though often relying too heavily on gaping mouths to portray emotion, pick up the dramatic moments of the story. Ultimately, though, even a skillful picture-book retelling can be no more than a brief summary of the original, and not a substitute for it.Karen James, Louisville Free Public Library, KY Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From AudioFile
Mark Twain's 1881 tale recounts the switched identities of young beggar Tom Canty and Edward, Prince of Wales. The fable resonates with today's youngsters who dream of the lives of pop stars, athletes, and even royalty. Kenneth Jay does a fine job of portraying characters who step from the streets and court of Tudor London. His voice is clear and distinct with the accents of the different social classes. His Cockney sounds real enough for American ears without being so thick it's hard to understand. As usual, the Naxos music selections add a nice tone. Here's a fine rendition of one of Twain's best-loved stories. R.F.W. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine


From Booklist
Young London beggar Tom Canty encounters Prince Edward VI, and curious about each other's lives, they switch clothes. They have barely noted their uncanny resemblance to each other when a palace guard seizes the prince in beggar's clothing and throws him into the street. Each follows the other's destiny for a time, unable to right matters until the prince appears at the coronation, and things are straightened out. Mayer boils down Mark Twain's The Prince and the Pauper to its essence, retelling the story in a picture-book edition with a sense of drama as well as the occasional, inevitable sense of summarized plot. A better choice for retelling than most classic novels, The Prince and the Pauper has an exciting plot, features children as protagonists, and is seldom read by young people today. Gary Lippincott's dramatic watercolor paintings, impressive for their characterization, composition, and subtle, muted colors, will draw readers to this large-format book. A lively new edition of the old tale. Carolyn Phelan

ANNOTATION

When young Edward VI of England and a poor boy who resembles him exchange places, each learns something about the other's very different station in life.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Set in sixteenth-century England, Mark Twain's classic "tale for young people of all ages" features two identical-looking boys - a prince and a pauper - who trade clothes and step into each other's lives. While the urchin, Tom Canty, discovers luxury and power, Prince Edward, dressed in rags, roams his kingdom and experiences the cruelties inflicted on the poor by the Tudor monarchy.

SYNOPSIS