The Mightiest

December 8, 2003
"This spry, if slight, story introduces three animals who come across a gold crown sitting on a rock that is chiseled with the words 'For the mightiest,' " wrote PW
. "Playful gouache paintings effectively reinforce the narrative's humor." Ages 2-6.

September 3, 2001
Kasza's (Dorothy & Mikey) spry, if slight, story introduces three animals—a lion, bear and elephant—who come across a gold crown sitting on a rock that is chiseled with the words "For the Mightiest." Since all three of them claim to be the most deserving of the crown, Lion suggests that whoever does the best job of scaring a tiny old woman who is walking through the woods will earn the title of the mightiest. One by one they jump out at her, roaring, growling or trumpeting as loudly as they can and each time the frightened woman cries, "Oh my!... You scared the daylights out of me!" Suddenly, an enormous giant appears and announces that the crown
should be his, since he is "the mightiest giant in the world." A surprising turn of events prompts the animal trio to crown the old woman the mightiest. But she humbly insists that her calico cap is all that she needs ("The mightiest didn't need a crown after all!"), bringing the tale to a tidy and resonant conclusion. Kasza's simple, playful gouache paintings effectively reinforce the narrative's humor. Ages 2-6.

November 1, 2001
PreS-Gr 1-When Bear, Lion, and Elephant discover a golden crown in the forest, they begin to argue over which of them is the mightiest. To prove their strength they decide to frighten a little old lady. Whoever scares her the most will win the crown. But events take an unexpected turn when a mighty giant appears, scoops up the animals, and claims the crown for himself. The little old lady returns and chastises the giant, who turns out to be her son. When the three animals admiringly present the crown to her, she modestly declines, stating that her little hat is quite enough. The theme is certainly a familiar one, but the warmhearted tale is told in an appealing, colloquial manner. Kasza's gouache illustrations are expressive and full of droll details that further enliven the telling.-Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY

Copyright 2001 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2001
Ages 6-8. Kasza packs a great deal of philosophy, as well as (uncredited) elements from several folktales, into this busy picture book. When Lion, Bear, and Elephant come upon a crown on a pedestal inscribed "For the Mightiest," they disagree about its proper owner. While they're arguing, a giant snatches them up and announces that he's throwing them off a cliff to prove that " he's" the" "mightiest. The giant is, in turn, stymied by an old woman, who turns out to be his mother and gives him a scolding--whereupon all four contenders for the crown decide that " she" deserves the prize. Politely responding that she doesn't need it, she places it back on its pedestal, ready for the next group of creatures to squabble over. Kids will enjoy chewing over the questions and themes in the clever tale, which is set in an appealing, generic, sunny glade. Pair it with Mirra Ginsburg's " Strongest One of All" (1977).(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2001, American Library Association.)