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A Tale of Two Brothers
Once, two brothers lived in a valley. Both brothers were physically deformed with humps on their backs. One brother was good and kind, helpful and friendly, and the other was the opposite. It was time to repair the old hut up in the mountains, but even though it was the lazy brother's turn, he didn't want to go. So the good brother went and did the job instead. On his way through the forest, he saw the beauty in everything he passed, from a sparkling stream to poisonous, iridescent mushrooms to a warty old toad. In the night, magical beings visited him. What happened that night changed both brothers' lives forever. This lyrical folktale reinforces the power of positive thinking.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1992
About the author
Eveline Hasler
82 books15 followersEveline Hasler wurde in Glarus geboren, studierte Psychologie und Geschichte in Fribourg und Paris und war einige Zeit als Lehrerin tätig. Heute lebt sie im Tessin. Sie schreibt vor allem historische Romane, aber auch Lyrik, Kinderbücher, Kolumnen, Reportagen sowie Radio- und Zeitschriftenbeiträge. Ihr Werk wurde vielfach ausgezeichnet, unter anderem mit dem Schubart-Literaturpreis, dem Meersburger Droste-Preis für Dichterinnen und dem Justinus-Kerner-Preis. 1990/91 war sie Guest Lecturer am German Department der City University in New York. Ihre Bücher wurden bisher in zwölf Sprachen übersetzt.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
March 23, 2022
A lovely fable that delivers exactly what it promises. Originally written in Swiss and published in 2006, this edition is the English translation.
This goes pretty much like good old parables did. Two brothers, one good and one bad, live in a remote place. When the good brother sets out to do a task and is kind to forest creatures on his way, they return the favour by gifting him something special. The bad brother ventures on the same journey, but because of his attitude, he ends up with only a lesson learnt.
This is not a level one picture book. The text content takes up about a quarter of the page (in small font) and the rest of the page contains the illustration. There are a few words that might be difficult for beginner readers. However, if this is to be chosen as a read-aloud, it would be a wonderful choice. The language in the book is beautiful and creates such a nice imagery of the forest and its denizens.
The illustrations in my copy were alternately B&W and coloured, quite possibly because it was an ARC. But I still enjoyed the beauty of them. They reminded me of my childhood storybooks, what with their intricate detailing, especially of the forest creatures. The sketches match the content and the mood of the story beautifully.
Heartily recommended.
4.5 stars from me.
My thanks to North South Books Inc. and NetGalley for the DRC of “A Tale of Two Brothers”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
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Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
This goes pretty much like good old parables did. Two brothers, one good and one bad, live in a remote place. When the good brother sets out to do a task and is kind to forest creatures on his way, they return the favour by gifting him something special. The bad brother ventures on the same journey, but because of his attitude, he ends up with only a lesson learnt.
This is not a level one picture book. The text content takes up about a quarter of the page (in small font) and the rest of the page contains the illustration. There are a few words that might be difficult for beginner readers. However, if this is to be chosen as a read-aloud, it would be a wonderful choice. The language in the book is beautiful and creates such a nice imagery of the forest and its denizens.
The illustrations in my copy were alternately B&W and coloured, quite possibly because it was an ARC. But I still enjoyed the beauty of them. They reminded me of my childhood storybooks, what with their intricate detailing, especially of the forest creatures. The sketches match the content and the mood of the story beautifully.
Heartily recommended.
4.5 stars from me.
My thanks to North South Books Inc. and NetGalley for the DRC of “A Tale of Two Brothers”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
March 30, 2022
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
A Tale of Two Brothers is a lovely folk tale story about two brothers who both have hunched backs and are very different from each other. One is caring and thoughtful and treats nature and the things around him with care, grace, and respect. The other brother is grumpy, lazy, disrespectful, and neglectful of nature and the things around him. One day they discover a hole in their roof and so the kind brother goes up the mountain to fix the roof while the other brother stays at home. When he comes back he is a changed man. Jealous and greedily the other brother follows in his brothers footsteps to go exactly where he went and stopped where he stopped. But the way he treats things goes against him and he returns even more deformed than when he left.
This is a really good folk tale for children. The illustrations were hard to see on the netgalley widget but I'm sure in paperback they look amazing.
A Tale of Two Brothers is a lovely folk tale story about two brothers who both have hunched backs and are very different from each other. One is caring and thoughtful and treats nature and the things around him with care, grace, and respect. The other brother is grumpy, lazy, disrespectful, and neglectful of nature and the things around him. One day they discover a hole in their roof and so the kind brother goes up the mountain to fix the roof while the other brother stays at home. When he comes back he is a changed man. Jealous and greedily the other brother follows in his brothers footsteps to go exactly where he went and stopped where he stopped. But the way he treats things goes against him and he returns even more deformed than when he left.
This is a really good folk tale for children. The illustrations were hard to see on the netgalley widget but I'm sure in paperback they look amazing.
March 27, 2022
4.5 Stars
A Tale of Two Brothers is a Swiss fable with a beautiful message about kindness and good intentions. Morris and Boris are two brothers with humps on their backs. While Morris is loving, kind, and friendly, Boris is the exact opposite.
It’s Boris’ turn to fix the roof of the hut on the mountain, but when he grumbles, Morris decides to do it himself. He marvels at the beauty of nature and enjoys the journey despite the hardships. When he falls asleep at night, the hidden creatures and the forest witch give him a gift he’ll never forget.
Boris is surprised to see the hump gone from Morris’ back and decides to follow in his footsteps (only physically). His rude behavior annoys the creatures who gift him a larger hump. It’s only when Boris reaches home that he realizes his mistake and plans to become a better person.
The picture book is for slightly older kids who don’t mind a substantial amount of text on each page. The language is simple, though it has a few difficult words. The illustrations are vivid and blend with the context perfectly.
The pages have color and B&W illustrations alternatively. This creates a magical and old-world charm while also managing to create a slightly creepy effect. I’m not sure if this is because mine is an electronic ARC, or if it has been intended that way. The detailing and color scheme reminds me of an old and well-loved fairytale book.
To sum up, A Tale of Two Brothers is a beautiful book for little ones and not-so-little ones.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and NorthSouth Books and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#ATaleofTwoBrothers #NetGalley
A Tale of Two Brothers is a Swiss fable with a beautiful message about kindness and good intentions. Morris and Boris are two brothers with humps on their backs. While Morris is loving, kind, and friendly, Boris is the exact opposite.
It’s Boris’ turn to fix the roof of the hut on the mountain, but when he grumbles, Morris decides to do it himself. He marvels at the beauty of nature and enjoys the journey despite the hardships. When he falls asleep at night, the hidden creatures and the forest witch give him a gift he’ll never forget.
Boris is surprised to see the hump gone from Morris’ back and decides to follow in his footsteps (only physically). His rude behavior annoys the creatures who gift him a larger hump. It’s only when Boris reaches home that he realizes his mistake and plans to become a better person.
The picture book is for slightly older kids who don’t mind a substantial amount of text on each page. The language is simple, though it has a few difficult words. The illustrations are vivid and blend with the context perfectly.
The pages have color and B&W illustrations alternatively. This creates a magical and old-world charm while also managing to create a slightly creepy effect. I’m not sure if this is because mine is an electronic ARC, or if it has been intended that way. The detailing and color scheme reminds me of an old and well-loved fairytale book.
To sum up, A Tale of Two Brothers is a beautiful book for little ones and not-so-little ones.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and NorthSouth Books and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#ATaleofTwoBrothers #NetGalley
April 14, 2022
This gorgeously illustrated fable about two brothers who resemble each other so much people think they’re twins. But that’s where the similarity ends. One is kind and thinks of others, the other is self-centred and hurts others around him.
It’s a tale of what goes around, comes around. Morris is rewarded for his many kindnesses on a journey, while Boris is also rewarded, though not in a positive way for his impatience and cruelty while on the same journey.
I’m not sure children should be told that if they’re mean to others they’ll be deformed, but teaching children about how kindness to others usually results in kindness back is not a bad message for them to learn.
Thank you to Netgalley and to North South Books Inc. for this ARC in exchange for my review.
It’s a tale of what goes around, comes around. Morris is rewarded for his many kindnesses on a journey, while Boris is also rewarded, though not in a positive way for his impatience and cruelty while on the same journey.
I’m not sure children should be told that if they’re mean to others they’ll be deformed, but teaching children about how kindness to others usually results in kindness back is not a bad message for them to learn.
Thank you to Netgalley and to North South Books Inc. for this ARC in exchange for my review.
March 18, 2022
Beautifully illustrated picture book that tells the tale of two hunchbacked brothers. One who is kind to nature, and the other that steps all over it.
So, when the kind one treats nature well, the spirits of the forest take away his hump. But when the mean brother goes to the forest, he is given a double hump.
Like most stories of this kind, they are trying to tell people to be better. This is the first that wanted the characters to be better to the earth, so that is a neat twist.
The pictures are those that when you look at it a certain way, you see trees, and another way, you see a face. quite lovely.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
So, when the kind one treats nature well, the spirits of the forest take away his hump. But when the mean brother goes to the forest, he is given a double hump.
Like most stories of this kind, they are trying to tell people to be better. This is the first that wanted the characters to be better to the earth, so that is a neat twist.
The pictures are those that when you look at it a certain way, you see trees, and another way, you see a face. quite lovely.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
May 3, 2013
A tale of karma and two brothers. Seemed like parts were missing.
March 30, 2022
This fairytale about kindness demonstrates the importance of looking within ourselves to find the answers or change we search for. The story is about two brothers, Morris and Boris who both have humps on their backs, Morris is kind while Boris is impatient and not very nice to others. Morris goes on a quest in the forest and is very respectful to the animals and plants around him, when he returns home he finds that his hump is going. Boris sees this and decides it is his turn to lose this hump and goes on a similar journey but with much less patience and care to the world around him. When he returns home and still has his hump he learns that it is on him to make the changes needed to have the hump disappear. I like the moral of this story and think that it is an important one for young people to understand. As a grade 3 teacher I could see having this book in my classroom library. Sometimes it is nice to have less common fairy tales or folk tales available for students because at some point cinderella and jack and the beanstalk become a little too over done. I could see using this as a new story for my students at the beginning of a fairy tale unit to show that not all fairy tales are disney movies! My only criticism is I would have liked for the story to include a bit more about how Boris learns the lesson and perhaps giving him the opportunity to change his ways and try again. I felt that he came to the conclusion of the lesson quite quickly and that there wasn't a lot of closure at the end. I would recommend this book to parents and teachers of children in the 5-10 age range. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book!
April 3, 2022
This review based on an ARC made available through NetGalley & North South Books Inc.
The illustrations for this book are STUNNING. The details *swoons* They really draw you in & invite you to look closer, to find where rocks, or vines, or other parts of nature look like faces.
The story is about two characters, the one who understands you should live together with nature, and the other who believes you should take from nature. I enjoyed that the second character grows and learns from his mistakes.
I did have a thought as I was reading, as I've read similar stories like this before. Having the characters hunchbacked & either healed/not healed based on moral integrity is a bit ableist. Not intentional, at all, but it is based on a very long tradition of those who are disabled are cursed by the god/s or nature and the only way to be healed is through moral integrity. As someone who is now mildly disabled I have been thinking more about how disabilities are portrayed in literature.
Even if the story fell a little flat for me, I would still consider purchasing this book because Those Illustrations. *swoons again*
The illustrations for this book are STUNNING. The details *swoons* They really draw you in & invite you to look closer, to find where rocks, or vines, or other parts of nature look like faces.
The story is about two characters, the one who understands you should live together with nature, and the other who believes you should take from nature. I enjoyed that the second character grows and learns from his mistakes.
I did have a thought as I was reading, as I've read similar stories like this before. Having the characters hunchbacked & either healed/not healed based on moral integrity is a bit ableist. Not intentional, at all, but it is based on a very long tradition of those who are disabled are cursed by the god/s or nature and the only way to be healed is through moral integrity. As someone who is now mildly disabled I have been thinking more about how disabilities are portrayed in literature.
Even if the story fell a little flat for me, I would still consider purchasing this book because Those Illustrations. *swoons again*
March 30, 2022
This book is best suited for children between 7-10 years old. The classic illustrations are beautiful and there is something new to be found every time you look at them.
The lesson is clear and given in a beautiful way that children will grasp and understand.
Kindness is free and easy to give. What you will get in return is priceless and something so good you could never imagine it.
Spitefulness and self centeredness will return to you as well. The consequences will be something that you won’t want to pay.
I feel older kids should all read this with an adult to explain at the end that if we are nice to all people and creatures we ourselves may not see the rewards but we will feel the benefits. And others will notice the changes we have made to others and ourselves.
The ending is a bit lack luster and curt. I think it is truthful but we could have had a little more explanation from the “bad” brother on what he figured out. It would help children easily see the message.
The lesson is clear and given in a beautiful way that children will grasp and understand.
Kindness is free and easy to give. What you will get in return is priceless and something so good you could never imagine it.
Spitefulness and self centeredness will return to you as well. The consequences will be something that you won’t want to pay.
I feel older kids should all read this with an adult to explain at the end that if we are nice to all people and creatures we ourselves may not see the rewards but we will feel the benefits. And others will notice the changes we have made to others and ourselves.
The ending is a bit lack luster and curt. I think it is truthful but we could have had a little more explanation from the “bad” brother on what he figured out. It would help children easily see the message.
March 30, 2022
This is a lovely story about two brothers, one is always kind and giving to everyone around him, and the other is consistently angry and mean-spirited to everyone he meets. When the kind one goes off through the forest to reach their cabin on the mountain, his kindness is rewarded with an amazing gift. On his return, his brother notices this gift right away and wants the same for himself. So off he goes on his own trek, however, the difference in their behavior and attitudes are glaringly obvious to all the creatures he passes along the way. Like his brother, he is also given a gift, only his gift is exactly like and reflects the brother's personality, they're complete opposites, much to his displeasure.
I found this to be a 4 1/2 star read, with a good message, and the illustrations are truly remarkable! I highly recommend this book for both teachers and families personnel libraries, as it is a great book to be read to and by children 5 yrs and up.
Thank you to Netgalley and North South Books for this Arc.
The review and opinions are solely my own.
Happy Reading!
I found this to be a 4 1/2 star read, with a good message, and the illustrations are truly remarkable! I highly recommend this book for both teachers and families personnel libraries, as it is a great book to be read to and by children 5 yrs and up.
Thank you to Netgalley and North South Books for this Arc.
The review and opinions are solely my own.
Happy Reading!
March 25, 2022
It's up to two hunchbacked farmer twins to go and mend their mountain shack for the winter, but one of them goes on the trip with his heart full of positivity, kindness and joy, and comes back transformed. The other one then goes with bitterness, ego, self-centeredness and more, and comes back having learnt a lesson. This old fairytale, from Ticino and the Italian parts of Switzerland, has a bit that is obvious, but still some freshness about it – we'll like as not have witnessed this exact version before, anyway (even if this did get a 2022 reprint). The art is fine for the detail and engaging aspects like that, but I was crying out for some uniformity at the end – only a minority of it is in colour, and some is a double-page spread while elsewhere four images are crammed into view at once. The random nature kind of added to a feel this was inessential, as caring enough about it didn't seem to have been too important. Three and a half stars for all that.
April 25, 2022
A Tale of Two Brothers is a folktale about attitude, intention, and self awareness.
The story follows two brothers, each with a hump on his back. One brother is kind and hard working, the other lazy and somewhat mean.
The first brother goes on a journey through the woods and comes out successful, with his hump disappearing along the way. The other did not have such a fortunate ending, though does seem to be more aware of his-self toward the end.
This was a lovely story, the art was beautiful and I do think it had a good message. There may be something that should be said about the hump bit, whether it was truly a flaw or not (disability discussions are quite at the forefront of some of society at the moment), but other than that the book had a good message. Having a good heart is the better and more enjoyable way to be.
*I was given a copy of this title via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
The story follows two brothers, each with a hump on his back. One brother is kind and hard working, the other lazy and somewhat mean.
The first brother goes on a journey through the woods and comes out successful, with his hump disappearing along the way. The other did not have such a fortunate ending, though does seem to be more aware of his-self toward the end.
This was a lovely story, the art was beautiful and I do think it had a good message. There may be something that should be said about the hump bit, whether it was truly a flaw or not (disability discussions are quite at the forefront of some of society at the moment), but other than that the book had a good message. Having a good heart is the better and more enjoyable way to be.
*I was given a copy of this title via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
April 25, 2022
This is a delightful story about two brothers and what happens when they both take a journey with very different results and what we can learn from that.
Littles and adults both will love this story and its gorgeous illustrations AND the important lessons taught here. A wonderful way to continue teaching kindness and how we need to take care of the earth and those who live within it, both human and animal. So well done.
Thank you to NetGalley, Eveline Hasler, Kathi Bhend - Illustrator, Marianne Martens - Translator and NorthSouth Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Littles and adults both will love this story and its gorgeous illustrations AND the important lessons taught here. A wonderful way to continue teaching kindness and how we need to take care of the earth and those who live within it, both human and animal. So well done.
Thank you to NetGalley, Eveline Hasler, Kathi Bhend - Illustrator, Marianne Martens - Translator and NorthSouth Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 2, 2022
Thank you to the author, NorthSouth Books and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Eveline Hasler has long been one of my favorite authors, although I have only ever read her novels for adults. This fable is a children's book, but the message is one that will resonate with both young and older readers.
Basically, it's the old, old story of "what goes around, comes around", and the importance of kindness. The story revolves around two very different brothers and what happens when they both take a journey, with very different results. The illustrations are absolutely stunning, and give the story depth and vibrancy.
Eveline Hasler has long been one of my favorite authors, although I have only ever read her novels for adults. This fable is a children's book, but the message is one that will resonate with both young and older readers.
Basically, it's the old, old story of "what goes around, comes around", and the importance of kindness. The story revolves around two very different brothers and what happens when they both take a journey, with very different results. The illustrations are absolutely stunning, and give the story depth and vibrancy.
March 26, 2022
I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The two brothers couldn't be more different. One is kind and thoughtful and the other is mean and quick to see the negative. The illustrations help guide the story as they both take turns on a journey that results in different results for each of them. The illustrations also remind me of the older, grand fairy tale books I read as a kid. Mostly black and white but with lots of detail, I enjoyed looking at them. The story is a good reminder that we can find good in everything and that what we put out in the universe will come back to us.
The two brothers couldn't be more different. One is kind and thoughtful and the other is mean and quick to see the negative. The illustrations help guide the story as they both take turns on a journey that results in different results for each of them. The illustrations also remind me of the older, grand fairy tale books I read as a kid. Mostly black and white but with lots of detail, I enjoyed looking at them. The story is a good reminder that we can find good in everything and that what we put out in the universe will come back to us.
April 13, 2022
This is about two hunch back twin brothers who are very different. While one is kind to plants and animals the other isn’t. The story is about the kindness you give comes often back. It really reminded me of the tale of „ Frau Holle“. The illustrations gave it the feeling of a classical tale.
Thank you to NetGalley for the book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley for the book in exchange for an honest review.
April 18, 2022
I read this to my niece and nephew as a bedtime story and they thoroughly enjoyed it, as well as the accompanying art. Great message to be kind to nature, or nature will surely get you back in return.
August 18, 2026
The kids thought the pictures in this one were just the right amount of scary, and we spent minutes absorbing each illustration - there are secrets to find all over that enhance the story. A good one!
August 25, 2022
the classic "you reap what you sow" kind of story for children. the illustrations are aunique though they're not my favorite from children books. but overall it was fine.
October 31, 2024
Stunning illustrations.
July 15, 2025
so pretty
Want to Read
March 8, 2022Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
December 21, 2011
Absolutely gorgeous! The version I have is illustrated by Kathi Bhend and the illustrations are captivating. There are so many details you could almost loose your place in the story just gazing at the illustrations.
It says on a cover page: "This Swiss-Italian story is almost 150 years old and comes from Canton Ticino in southern Switzerland. Originally preserved orally, the author found it in a book of local folklore from the region."
It says on a cover page: "This Swiss-Italian story is almost 150 years old and comes from Canton Ticino in southern Switzerland. Originally preserved orally, the author found it in a book of local folklore from the region."
March 25, 2022
A beautifully illustrated story modeled after the tale of "Frau Holle". Have fun finding all the hidden faces in the book as brothers Boris and Morris encounter various facets of the forests in the landscape between their home and mountain cabin. Great story to open up discussion about character and being a good citizen.
May 11, 2015
En plus d'être un joli conte sur les répercussions du regard qu'on porte sur le monde, l'histoire est accompagnée de fantastiques illustrations qui révèlent les esprits de la forêt (Käthi Bhend). Un livre trouvé au hasard d'une brocante, un vrai coup de coeur!
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October 19, 2009this is a very good story about respecting the nature with outstanding illustrations! ages 5 and 6
September 22, 2014
A nice tale with lovely illustrations that alternate between full color and black/white drawings. A subtle lesson is woven throughout that being kind carries you farther than being mean and selfish.
June 1, 2015
A nice tale about differences of siblings and a story how to take care about nature, being thankful, being sorry and making up for the wrongdoings.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews