Klassen, Jon. Skull, The: A Tyrolean Folktale. Jon Klassen, Illus. Candlewick, 07/2023. 105pp. Folklore. Trade $19.99. 978-1-5362-2336-1. GRADES 2–5. OUTSTANDING.
Otilla is lost in the dark, snowy forest when she comes upon a mansion and hears a voice. It turns out to be a skull who needs Otilla’s help to get away from a vengeful skeleton who chases the skull each night. Told in five brief chapters, using a large typeface with abundant white space, this works as a beginning chapter book for those moving up from early readers. The graphite-and-ink illustrations on each spread use just a few colors—black, white, bluish green, and brownish red—and give the story a haunted feeling. This slightly scary story is told in a way that will assist those moving into chapter books, and would also make a great readaloud. The book ends with an author’s note on how he adapted the story and lists the original source, demonstrating a reliable source note for this folktale.
Penny Peck—SJSU iSchool