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The Four Gallant Sisters
Four orphaned sisters disguise themselves as men so as to go out into the world and learn a trade. Once each sister has become highly skilled, they join the household of a young king where they rescue a princess and her brothers from the clutches of a dragon. After they've proven that they are not only skilled but courageous, intelligent, insightful, and wise, they have to face one more challenge. Will they continue to convince the king that they're men? And having met four young princes, do the four sisters want to?
Eric A. Kimmel has combined and reformulated two Grimm Brothers stories to give us a view of girls who are active and powerful and good-who do the rescuing themselves and end up living happily ever after. The story takes place in a richly textured court filled with traditional splendor, which Tatyana Uditskaya modeled after sixteenth-century Flemish and Spanish paintings.
Eric A. Kimmel has combined and reformulated two Grimm Brothers stories to give us a view of girls who are active and powerful and good-who do the rescuing themselves and end up living happily ever after. The story takes place in a richly textured court filled with traditional splendor, which Tatyana Uditskaya modeled after sixteenth-century Flemish and Spanish paintings.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published May 15, 1992
67 people want to read
About the author
Eric A. Kimmel
145 books112 followersEric A. Kimmel is an American author of more than 150 children's books. His works include Caldecott Honor Book Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins (illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman), Sydney Taylor Book Award winners The Chanukkah Guest and Gershon's Monster, and Simon and the Bear: A Hanukkah Tale.
Kimmel was born in Brooklyn, New York and earned a bachelor's degree in English literature from Lafayette College in 1967, a master's degree from New York University, and a PhD in Education from the University of Illinois in 1973. He taught at Indiana University at South Bend, and at Portland State University, where he is Professor Emeritus of Education.
Kimmel lives with his wife, Doris, in Portland, Oregon.
Kimmel was born in Brooklyn, New York and earned a bachelor's degree in English literature from Lafayette College in 1967, a master's degree from New York University, and a PhD in Education from the University of Illinois in 1973. He taught at Indiana University at South Bend, and at Portland State University, where he is Professor Emeritus of Education.
Kimmel lives with his wife, Doris, in Portland, Oregon.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 16, 2020
When their mothers dies and they are left orphaned, four sisters cut off their hair, dress themselves in men's clothing, and set out into the world to make their fortunes. The eldest becomes a master tailor, the next a great hunter, the third a finger artist (a master of sleight of hand), and the fourth and youngest a stargazer. Meeting up after seven years, the sisters present themselves at the new king's court, asking to be taken into service. They perform great deeds for their new ruler, and evade the traps of his clever mother, who suspects they are women. When the king's intended bride and her four brothers are kidnapped by a dragon, the four sisters set out to rescue them, winning something very precious in the end...
Although the front dust-jacket blurb mentions that The Four Gallant Sisters is based upon two different tales from the Brothers Grimm, combined by author Eric A. Kimmel in this telling, no note is included to explain which tales they were, and how they were altered and combined by the storyteller. This was a real disappointment, as I am unfamiliar with this tale, and was quite curious. Leaving that aside, I found the story here engaging, and thought the artwork was lovely. I had never encountered illustrator Tatyana Yuditskaya before, but the rear dust-jacket blurb states that she was Russian-born and emigrated to the USA in 1989. I will look for more of her work. Recommended to all young folk and fairy-tale lovers, particularly those seeking stories of strong girls and women.
Although the front dust-jacket blurb mentions that The Four Gallant Sisters is based upon two different tales from the Brothers Grimm, combined by author Eric A. Kimmel in this telling, no note is included to explain which tales they were, and how they were altered and combined by the storyteller. This was a real disappointment, as I am unfamiliar with this tale, and was quite curious. Leaving that aside, I found the story here engaging, and thought the artwork was lovely. I had never encountered illustrator Tatyana Yuditskaya before, but the rear dust-jacket blurb states that she was Russian-born and emigrated to the USA in 1989. I will look for more of her work. Recommended to all young folk and fairy-tale lovers, particularly those seeking stories of strong girls and women.
November 23, 2021
Regretfully the author did not site which two Grimm stories inspired this enjoyable, modern retelling. Based on the themes of the story I suspect that the author’s inspiration was derived from a combination of the Grimm Brother’s “Four Skillful Brothers” and “The Twelve Huntsmen”. Highly recommended for those who like strong female characters and for folklore and fairy tale enthusiasts.
February 13, 2014
This book is a folk tale unlike the others that I read for this assignment and many others that I have read previously. This book would be best suited for older elementary students I believe, as there are many twists and turns as well as higher levels of vocabulary most likely not suitable for younger elementary students. In this story four sisters, after the death of their mother, decide to dress themselves as boys for 7 years in hopes of finding prosperous jobs before they meet one another again. After 7 years pass they leave their respective careers and meet together once again at their former kings castle. After meeting, and hiring, the sisters for work, the King and his mother disagree as to the gender of the four siblings, so the mother puts them unknowingly through a series of gender-stereo-typical tests that she is positive will reveal their true genders. In the end, as most folk stories and fairy tales go, everyone lives happily ever after!
March 31, 2010
This has been a family favorite for a couple of years. We originally got it for a Book Club Party featuring Jeanne Birdsall's The Penderwicks. (We got it used from a library, I'm not even sure it is still in print.)
Four orphaned sisters dress as boys, become apprentices and then use their talents to rescue a princess, during the adventure they become best friends with the brothers of the princess, and eventually reveal they are women and marry their princely friends.
My four girls have spend hours debating over which sister they would be (by age, by talent, by actions of the book characters). I liked it when I first read it, but it has really lasted the test of time. Just this morning (March 2010) Coco said, "The Four Gallant Sisters is my favorite book. I think it deserves its own book club party." That's high praise.
Four orphaned sisters dress as boys, become apprentices and then use their talents to rescue a princess, during the adventure they become best friends with the brothers of the princess, and eventually reveal they are women and marry their princely friends.
My four girls have spend hours debating over which sister they would be (by age, by talent, by actions of the book characters). I liked it when I first read it, but it has really lasted the test of time. Just this morning (March 2010) Coco said, "The Four Gallant Sisters is my favorite book. I think it deserves its own book club party." That's high praise.
June 17, 2009
Yet another wonderful fairy tale adaptation by Eric Kimmel, this story tells of four sisters, who, upon their mothers' death, decide to dress as men in order to learn trades and not be forced into a life of dependency. The oldest sister becomes a tailor, the second learns hunting, the third develops sleight of hand, and the fourth becomes a stargazer. When a fearful dragon kidnaps a princess and her four brothers, the sisters get a chance to prove their skills, but find it difficult to maintain their disguises! Although the dragon looks a little scary, children over 5 should be able to handle it, and the story makes a good read-aloud for ages 5-8.
December 27, 2014
I felt a bit ambivalent concerning some of the gender stereotypes, but enjoyed the grrl power. I wish they hadn't to all get married as the "happily ever after" but I suppose that would be asking too much.
January 29, 2018
I really liked this cobbled together folktale--Kimmel states that he adapted 2 different Grimm Brothers' stories into this one story.
April 10, 2018
The illustrations are gorgeous and you know I have a thing for medieval artwork but I didn't care too much for the story other than the happy ending. Women may have had a hard time in those days but trading one's gender for a role is not something that I'd do.
One sister became a tailor and who told her that she couldn't do tailoring and seaming as a woman?
The other sister became a huntsmen and who told her that women did not hunt? Even noble ladies went on the hunt. And many peasant female children learned the forest better than Robin Hood and his merry men in Sherwood forest.
Another sister became a finger artist and I haven't an idea of what that was till I read the story but I'm sure that women would have also done this much like there were female acrobats, actresses and musicians in that time.
Another one became a stargazer and many women of old were astrologers without trading their sex. Pretty much you were what you married or what your parents were.
One sister became a tailor and who told her that she couldn't do tailoring and seaming as a woman?
The other sister became a huntsmen and who told her that women did not hunt? Even noble ladies went on the hunt. And many peasant female children learned the forest better than Robin Hood and his merry men in Sherwood forest.
Another sister became a finger artist and I haven't an idea of what that was till I read the story but I'm sure that women would have also done this much like there were female acrobats, actresses and musicians in that time.
Another one became a stargazer and many women of old were astrologers without trading their sex. Pretty much you were what you married or what your parents were.
April 13, 2022
Pictures were meh, but the story was great. The ending with the mother happiest of all was hilarious. 👏👏
November 5, 2015
The Fours Gallant Sisters, is a story about ho four sisters make a life for themselves in a man’s world. They each learn a different trade, job. This story would be good to read hen learning about fantasy or how society treats men and women differently. Students can write down what was expected of the sisters and what they if instead and compare it to societies thoughts on what omen should do today and what the children want to grow up to be.
December 1, 2010
This book has a really great message about girls and women. Recommended for all girls!!
November 30, 2010
Picture Book: I loved this story, girl power! I wasn't as much of a fan of the illustrations...but the story was fantastic! I would definitely use this in my classroom.
May 30, 2012
One of my ALL TIME FAVORITES. I used to have the whole book memorized and would recite it to my younger family friends. Absolutely awesome. My favorite was always the Finger Artist!
July 10, 2017
The babyish almost comic-book style of the art in this picture book ruined this already somewhat predictable retelling of a less-known Grimm's fairytale. Not one of Kimmel's best adaptations.
March 13, 2015
Wonderful telling. Pictures (especially faces) could be better.
April 21, 2015
Funny story, good illustrations.
January 30, 2016
I love this book. The illustrations and the story. Decades later I tracked it down again to buy.
April 15, 2017
I'm having a gorgeous picture book streak! This is because I have an enabler at work, who brings me the titles she thinks I'll like (hyper-realism, lots of details, cute things, Russian/Japanese authors and illustrators, NOT COLLAGE unless it's really good and not weird (sorry Ehlert))
So this one has this wood-cut like thing going on, with beautiful colors and details, and a funny story. You must read this whole thing and get to the final page - it had me laughing my head off as people looked on with more concern than disapproval. And I like to thing a bit of envy.
It's a fun retelling of a Grimm story, with some fun jabs at the classic. If you love fairy tales (especially the ones that build on themselves), and a little bit of a laugh at the expense of the story, pick this one up.
So this one has this wood-cut like thing going on, with beautiful colors and details, and a funny story. You must read this whole thing and get to the final page - it had me laughing my head off as people looked on with more concern than disapproval. And I like to thing a bit of envy.
It's a fun retelling of a Grimm story, with some fun jabs at the classic. If you love fairy tales (especially the ones that build on themselves), and a little bit of a laugh at the expense of the story, pick this one up.
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May 1, 2017Title: The Four Gallant Sisters
Author: Eric Kimmel
Illustrator: Tatyana Yuditskaya
Genre: European Folktale, fairytale
Theme(s): Sisters, orphans
Opening line/Sentence: “Once upon a time, four sisters lived with their mother”
Brief Book Summary: This book is about four orphaned sisters that disguise themselves as men so they can learn a trade. Each sister becomes highly skilled and has to face a decision if they want to continue pretending to be men.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Children’s Literature- Jan Lieberman “Kimmel has combined two Grimm's tales and fashioned them into this new one. Disguised as boys, the orphaned sisters set out to learn trades. They meet after 7 years to pool their talents and are employed by the new king. Only his mother suspects they are women. Their biggest challenge comes when the king's bride-to-be and her four brothers are captured by a dragon and they are sent to rescue them. In a complex but satisfying tale the women save the day.”
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Kirkus Reviews (1992) “Freely adapting and combining two of the Grimms' tales (unidentified, but "The Four Accomplished Brothers" has a similar scenario) in a long new story sparkling with incident, Kimmel creates a lively saga of four self-reliant sisters who disguise themselves as men and earn skills that are then used to rescue the king's fianc e from a dragon. In some delightful byplay, the old queen tries to prove by the heroes' inherent generosity and tidiness that they are women, but it's the rescued princess who clinches it: "Who but women would undertake such trials without demanding a reward?" Yuditskaya, a recent Russian emigr , depicts this good-humored update in an opulent Renaissance setting with glowing theatrical backgrounds and figures detailed in vigorously telling line.”
Response to Two Professional Reviews: Both of these reviews hit on the same aspects of the book. They both discuss the main dilemma which is the old queen suspecting they are women. The first review is more of summary while the second review is more opinionated in discussing the illustrations. Both reviews, however, seem to be positively written about this book.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: This book consists of colorful double spread paintings that are decorative and romantic in period style. It also has a comical tone throughout as it mimics the variation of two tales from the Brothers Grimm.
Consideration of Instructional Application: Out of the four sisters, the oldest becomes a tailor, another learns hunting, the third develops slight of hand and the fourth becomes a stargazer. In the classroom, students can brainstorm what trades they would want to learn and why. This book would best be suited for older students with higher levels of vocabulary.
Author: Eric Kimmel
Illustrator: Tatyana Yuditskaya
Genre: European Folktale, fairytale
Theme(s): Sisters, orphans
Opening line/Sentence: “Once upon a time, four sisters lived with their mother”
Brief Book Summary: This book is about four orphaned sisters that disguise themselves as men so they can learn a trade. Each sister becomes highly skilled and has to face a decision if they want to continue pretending to be men.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Children’s Literature- Jan Lieberman “Kimmel has combined two Grimm's tales and fashioned them into this new one. Disguised as boys, the orphaned sisters set out to learn trades. They meet after 7 years to pool their talents and are employed by the new king. Only his mother suspects they are women. Their biggest challenge comes when the king's bride-to-be and her four brothers are captured by a dragon and they are sent to rescue them. In a complex but satisfying tale the women save the day.”
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Kirkus Reviews (1992) “Freely adapting and combining two of the Grimms' tales (unidentified, but "The Four Accomplished Brothers" has a similar scenario) in a long new story sparkling with incident, Kimmel creates a lively saga of four self-reliant sisters who disguise themselves as men and earn skills that are then used to rescue the king's fianc e from a dragon. In some delightful byplay, the old queen tries to prove by the heroes' inherent generosity and tidiness that they are women, but it's the rescued princess who clinches it: "Who but women would undertake such trials without demanding a reward?" Yuditskaya, a recent Russian emigr , depicts this good-humored update in an opulent Renaissance setting with glowing theatrical backgrounds and figures detailed in vigorously telling line.”
Response to Two Professional Reviews: Both of these reviews hit on the same aspects of the book. They both discuss the main dilemma which is the old queen suspecting they are women. The first review is more of summary while the second review is more opinionated in discussing the illustrations. Both reviews, however, seem to be positively written about this book.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: This book consists of colorful double spread paintings that are decorative and romantic in period style. It also has a comical tone throughout as it mimics the variation of two tales from the Brothers Grimm.
Consideration of Instructional Application: Out of the four sisters, the oldest becomes a tailor, another learns hunting, the third develops slight of hand and the fourth becomes a stargazer. In the classroom, students can brainstorm what trades they would want to learn and why. This book would best be suited for older students with higher levels of vocabulary.
Read
March 30, 2019I thought this book was hilarious. Four sisters are left alone in the world when their mother dies and have to make their own way. They decide to separate for 7 years to learn a trade and then they will meet back up. After 7 years, they do reunite and seek employment with the new king and have a grand adventure to rescue his betrothed and her brothers. I laughed at the trials the queen devised for them and their ingenious solutions to confuse her and then the queen's satisfaction at the end of the book.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews