The King of the Copper Mountains facts for kids
First edition (Dutch)
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| Author | Paul Biegel |
|---|---|
| Original title | Het Sleutelkruid |
| Translator | Paul Biegel |
| Illustrator | Gillian Hume, Babs Van Wely, Sally J. Collins |
| Country | The Netherlands |
| Language | Dutch |
| Genre | Children's literature, frame story |
| Publisher | J. M. Dent |
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Publication date
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1964 |
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Published in English
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1968 |
| ISBN | 978-1-905537-03-7 |
| OCLC | 220015422 |
The King of The Copper Mountains is a magical children's book written by Paul Biegel. It was first published in the Netherlands in 1964. This story is special because it's about an old king who needs exciting tales to stay alive! Animals visit him and tell him stories, one after another. The book won a big award in the Netherlands called the Gouden Griffel, which means "Golden Stylus," for being the best children's book of the year.
The book was translated into English by Paul Biegel himself. This English version, with pictures by Gilliam Hume, came out in 1968. Many different publishers have printed the book over the years. It has also been translated into other languages like German, Afrikaans, Danish, and Spanish.
About the Story
The story is told in a style similar to The Arabian Nights. This means it's a "frame story." A frame story is like a story that holds many other stories inside it. In this book, the main story is about the King. Inside that, the animals tell their own separate tales.
The main character is an old king who is very sick. His health is getting worse, and he is slowly fading away. To keep him alive, animals from all over the land come to his castle. Each animal tells him a different story. These stories are full of adventure, mystery, and sometimes a bit of magic. As long as the stories keep coming, the king stays alive.
Who Wrote This Book?
The author of The King of The Copper Mountains is Paul Biegel. He was a famous Dutch writer, especially known for his children's books. He wrote many beloved stories that have been enjoyed by kids and adults for years.
Awards and Praise
When The King of The Copper Mountains was first published in the Netherlands, it quickly became very popular. It won the Gouden Griffel award in 1965. This is one of the most important literary prizes for children's books in the Netherlands.
The book has been praised by many people around the world. It is now seen as a classic in children's literature. A writer named Amanda Craig even called it "one of the blazing jewels of children's literature" in 2008. This shows how much people love and value this special book.
Different Editions
The first Dutch edition of the book was called Het Sleutelkruid. The English translation came out a few years later. Over time, the book has been reprinted many times by different publishers.
In 2008, a new paperback version was released by Strident Publishing. This edition included brand new pictures. It also had a special introduction written by Paul Biegel's daughter, Leonie.
