Skull

A Tyrolean Folktale

English language

Published Sept. 16, 2023 by Candlewick Press.

ISBN:
9781536232158

View on OpenLibrary

4 stars (1 review)

Jon Klassen's signature wry humor takes a turn for the ghostly in this thrilling retelling of a traditional Tyrolean folktale. In a big abandoned house, on a barren hill, lives a skull. A brave girl named Otilla has escaped from terrible danger and run away, and when she finds herself lost in the dark forest, the lonely house beckons. Her host, the skull, is afraid of something too, something that comes every night. Can brave Otilla save them both? Steeped in shadows and threaded with subtle wit—with rich, monochromatic artwork and an illuminating author’s note—The Skull is as empowering as it is mysterious and foreboding.

3 editions

Quite Unexpected from The Hat Guy

4 stars

Intriguing short story adapted from Austrian folktale, accompanied by some beautiful art.

The tale is simplistic, but melancholy, and is easy enough to follow for someone young, though I was left a bit puzzled by the motivations of the characters.

I think I would like to read the original tale Klassen adapted this from.