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The Great Quillow
This contemporary fairy tale by one of America’s best-loved authors brings style and humor to the familiar folk theme of overcoming brute strength with intelligence and courage. “The artwork captures the bustle and the bickering of the story as well as the terror and the wonder. A fine choice to read aloud, even to children who could read it to themselves.”-Booklist
44 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1944
About the author
James Thurber
367 books615 followersThurber was born in Columbus, Ohio to Charles L. Thurber and Mary Agnes (Mame) Fisher Thurber. Both of his parents greatly influenced his work. His father, a sporadically employed clerk and minor politician who dreamed of being a lawyer or an actor, is said to have been the inspiration for the small, timid protagonist typical of many of his stories. Thurber described his mother as a "born comedienne" and "one of the finest comic talents I think I have ever known." She was a practical joker, on one occasion pretending to be crippled and attending a faith healer revival, only to jump up and proclaim herself healed.
Thurber had two brothers, William and Robert. Once, while playing a game of William Tell, his brother William shot James in the eye with an arrow. Because of the lack of medical technology, Thurber lost his eye. This injury would later cause him to be almost entirely blind. During his childhood he was unable to participate in sports and activities because of his injury, and instead developed a creative imagination, which he shared in his writings.
From 1913 to 1918, Thurber attended The Ohio State University, where he was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity. He never graduated from the University because his poor eyesight prevented him from taking a mandatory ROTC course. In 1995 he was posthumously awarded a degree.
From 1918 to 1920, at the close of World War I, Thurber worked as a code clerk for the Department of State, first in Washington, D.C. and then at the American Embassy in Paris, France. After this Thurber returned to Columbus, where he began his writing career as a reporter for the Columbus Dispatch from 1921 to 1924. During part of this time, he reviewed current books, films, and plays in a weekly column called "Credos and Curios," a title that later would be given to a posthumous collection of his work. Thurber also returned to Paris in this period, where he wrote for the Chicago Tribune and other newspapers.
In 1925, he moved to Greenwich Village in New York City, getting a job as a reporter for the New York Evening Post. He joined the staff of The New Yorker in 1927 as an editor with the help of his friend and fellow New Yorker contributor, E.B. White. His career as a cartoonist began in 1930 when White found some of Thurber's drawings in a trash can and submitted them for publication. Thurber would contribute both his writings and his drawings to The New Yorker until the 1950s.
Thurber was married twice. In 1922, Thurber married Althea Adams. The marriage was troubled and ended in divorce in May 1935. Adams gave Thurber his only child, his daughter Rosemary. Thurber remarried in June, 1935 to Helen Wismer. His second marriage lasted until he died in 1961, at the age of 66, due to complications from pneumonia, which followed upon a stroke suffered at his home. His last words, aside from the repeated word "God," were "God bless... God damn," according to Helen Thurber.
Thurber had two brothers, William and Robert. Once, while playing a game of William Tell, his brother William shot James in the eye with an arrow. Because of the lack of medical technology, Thurber lost his eye. This injury would later cause him to be almost entirely blind. During his childhood he was unable to participate in sports and activities because of his injury, and instead developed a creative imagination, which he shared in his writings.
From 1913 to 1918, Thurber attended The Ohio State University, where he was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity. He never graduated from the University because his poor eyesight prevented him from taking a mandatory ROTC course. In 1995 he was posthumously awarded a degree.
From 1918 to 1920, at the close of World War I, Thurber worked as a code clerk for the Department of State, first in Washington, D.C. and then at the American Embassy in Paris, France. After this Thurber returned to Columbus, where he began his writing career as a reporter for the Columbus Dispatch from 1921 to 1924. During part of this time, he reviewed current books, films, and plays in a weekly column called "Credos and Curios," a title that later would be given to a posthumous collection of his work. Thurber also returned to Paris in this period, where he wrote for the Chicago Tribune and other newspapers.
In 1925, he moved to Greenwich Village in New York City, getting a job as a reporter for the New York Evening Post. He joined the staff of The New Yorker in 1927 as an editor with the help of his friend and fellow New Yorker contributor, E.B. White. His career as a cartoonist began in 1930 when White found some of Thurber's drawings in a trash can and submitted them for publication. Thurber would contribute both his writings and his drawings to The New Yorker until the 1950s.
Thurber was married twice. In 1922, Thurber married Althea Adams. The marriage was troubled and ended in divorce in May 1935. Adams gave Thurber his only child, his daughter Rosemary. Thurber remarried in June, 1935 to Helen Wismer. His second marriage lasted until he died in 1961, at the age of 66, due to complications from pneumonia, which followed upon a stroke suffered at his home. His last words, aside from the repeated word "God," were "God bless... God damn," according to Helen Thurber.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 16, 2018
James Thurber can do no wrong.Years ago I had the good fortune to meet a friend who introduced me to the wonders of Borges,Lovecraft,and Thurber.This is a lovely little book which followed on the heels of an awful book.Cleansing.After I read it, I reread it,paying attention to the artwork.Good idea.I wil buy this for my grandkids.
September 3, 2008
This is a definite favorite. It's got a giant in it though so be prepared if you have any kids who might be afraid of an ugly giant. Also, there are three editions of this. The best, best, best, illustrated one is by Steven Kellogg--another family favorite. His illustrations are amazing! 5-12 Oh! it's about a toymaker who outwits a giant to save the village. it's really cute.
April 1, 2010
Funny how ideas are formed in childhood. I reached adulthood with a very clear picture of what went on in the meetings of boards of directors, based solely on The Great Quillow and Little Women. Turned out to be surprisingly accurate, at that.
An entrancing fable about not underestimating people, or undervaluing talents.
An entrancing fable about not underestimating people, or undervaluing talents.
September 26, 2013
فوق العاده بود...
مرا به شدّت به یاد «هانی کوتوله و آقاغوله» ی محبوبم انداخت...
مرا به شدّت به یاد «هانی کوتوله و آقاغوله» ی محبوبم انداخت...
June 2, 2015
Enchanting children's story. Amazed and a little saddened I've never been exposed to Thurber before now.
September 30, 2013
با مزّه بود و طورِ احمقانه یِ دوست داشتنی ای.
April 18, 2019
Doesn't have the magic Thurber touch, imo. No wordplay or poetic turns of phrase or poking of fun at human foibles... anyone could have written it. Don't get me wrong; it's a delightful story and I'm glad that the newer edition, at least, can be found in libraries. I do recommend it. But it's no Many Moons or The 13 Clocks. Kellogg's art is apt and enriching, perhaps even better than the original.
July 1, 2022
Such a fun fairy tale! Very clever indeed.
Our library had the version illustrated by Stephen Kellogg. While for the most part I enjoy his pictures (they bring to mind stories I enjoyed as a kid such as The Day the Goose Got Loose, Johnny Appleseed, Mike Fink, etc), I don't like the ugly giant! 😂 Blech. He did a good job making it look gross; it's unpleasant and wrinkly and probably exactly how a bad giant should look. I would really like to see the original illustrations for "The Great Quillow," though. I will try to hunt down a Doris Lee copy. It might be enough to bump my four stars to five. I really do like the story!
Note: Quillow and the villagers use trickery to outsmart the giant and they tell him things that are untrue - a classic case of small prey using wits and falsehoods to escape from a large predator. It's similar to "The Gruffalo" in that way. I know the fibs/lies/tricks theme can be iffy for some parents (I struggle with it myself; I value honesty so much that I don't always know what to do with stories like this).
Our library had the version illustrated by Stephen Kellogg. While for the most part I enjoy his pictures (they bring to mind stories I enjoyed as a kid such as The Day the Goose Got Loose, Johnny Appleseed, Mike Fink, etc), I don't like the ugly giant! 😂 Blech. He did a good job making it look gross; it's unpleasant and wrinkly and probably exactly how a bad giant should look. I would really like to see the original illustrations for "The Great Quillow," though. I will try to hunt down a Doris Lee copy. It might be enough to bump my four stars to five. I really do like the story!
Note: Quillow and the villagers use trickery to outsmart the giant and they tell him things that are untrue - a classic case of small prey using wits and falsehoods to escape from a large predator. It's similar to "The Gruffalo" in that way. I know the fibs/lies/tricks theme can be iffy for some parents (I struggle with it myself; I value honesty so much that I don't always know what to do with stories like this).
September 18, 2019
Fun, clever story.
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January 27, 2020I loved Thurber as a child, and wondered if I would still enjoy him. This is such a fun story, and I like its theme on the value of play and creativity.
February 19, 2021
This is charming, but as at least one other reviewer noted, it lacks that trademark special whimsy that is usually found in a work by Thurber. It is enjoyable, but not memorable,
March 5, 2021
Not your big friendly giant at all, but the smallest comes up with an amazing thought
July 2, 2021
Long for a picture book, but great illustrations and a fun tale.
November 28, 2018
Yet another little gem from Mr. Thurber. I'm not sure I've encountered another contemporary writer (well, semi-contemporary, anyway) who is capable of producing a perfectly convincing and totally original fairy tale. What a wildly versatile, eternally astounding talent.
May 13, 2013
So, I am now on a Thurber kick, loving his word play in the Thirteen Clocks, the Wonderful O and the White Deer. Now I move to his stuff for younger children and it is equally delightful, a story of how a toymaker helps safe his town from the ravages of a giant.
Just wish the illustrations in the used edition I had bought online were nicer. This would be a wonderful book to read to nephews and nieces -- or sons and daughters. . .
Just wish the illustrations in the used edition I had bought online were nicer. This would be a wonderful book to read to nephews and nieces -- or sons and daughters. . .
January 17, 2014
This book is really fun. It is a great story of how brains can overcome brawn. I also liked that a member of society who is a bit of an outcast or at least less valued shows that every skill has its merits. As my kids listened to the story they had fun as they started to guess what would happen next.
March 6, 2014
Need a salve after Christopher Marlowe's Edward II....
Narrator: Peter Ustinov
Music: Ed Summerlin
Publication:
Book copyright 1944, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich
Album copyright 1972, Caedmon Records (TC1411)
Narrator: Peter Ustinov
Music: Ed Summerlin
Publication:
Book copyright 1944, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich
Album copyright 1972, Caedmon Records (TC1411)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2021
This is a cute book. Rather long, it tells the story of toy maker Quillow who outwits a mean giant, Hunder. I'm not a huge fan of children's stories that involve characters lying, so be aware that that is a big part of the outwitting. The illustrations are fun and Quillow is endearing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2008
Here's the one with Steven Kellogg's illustrations!
January 20, 2013
an excellent children's book, with excellent illustrations, which are far superior to any other illustrator's attempts for this Thurber fairy tale
September 25, 2013
شايد كه خيلى خيلى خوب نيود.... ولى بسيار دوست داشتنى بود و آدم وقتى فكر ميكند كه شايد بهتر باشه كه بهش چهار بدم.. ميبينه كه نه! همون پنج بهتره براش :) :) :>
May 5, 2015
My children & I love this book about a little man who is more than meets the eye!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews