The Gothamites

March 25, 2019
Famed Estonian children’s writer Raud first published his retelling of these traditional folktales decades ago; this edition offers new illustrations by his countryman, cartoonist Pärn. The first of the 11 stories, all serviceably translated by Cullen, explains that the men of Gotham, originally wise, were always away advising foreign rulers. They then vow to become foolish so they can stay at home. In the stories that follow, they try trapping heat from a stove with a rabbit snare, condemn a crayfish to death by drowning, and many other equally idiotic endeavors. Slapstick-style dialogue runs heavily to random shouts and epithets: “Fire and faraday!... Oh, you scamps and vagabonds!” Readers may find laughs in Pärn’s manic, outsider-art-style spreads, but it’s dark laughter. Multitudes of tiny, lumpy Gothamites dance, gesticulate, and simply stand gaping, like Where’s Waldo? crowds that have lost the power of reason. The same characters appear again and again: one parachutes off roofs with an open umbrella; another battles an overcoat as if it were a living thing. An unusual take on traditional tales. Ages 5–8.

April 15, 2019
Wise men become fools to escape excessive demands in this Estonian import. The male Gothamites of Turkeyland, renowned for their wisdom, travel extensively, advising foreign heads of state--while their homeland, run by the womenfolk, falls into chaos. The desperate women plead for them to return, and upon doing so, the men decide that they must behave stupidly so their services will no longer be desired outside of Turkeyland. Ten short stories follow in the best noodlehead folklore tradition: A group of fools with tangled legs cannot get up because they don't know which feet are theirs; another one attempts to catch light in a sack. The richly colored, Brueghel-like illustrations feature intricate, comical scenes of the Gothamites in all their splendid incompetence (and cheekily tuck in a hammer and sickle). In keeping with the sexism of the text, the big-bosomed and -bottomed women are clad in slip dresses even in the dead of winter; the men are modestly attired. Turkeyland seems to be Northern European, and all characters appear white apart from one black boy wearing a sweatsuit. The lengthy text and small-scale illustrations make this suitable for independent reading or one-on-one sharing. It may appeal to readers who enjoy the absurd and the slapstick, although many stories feel too long, diluting the impact of the humor--the printing of page numbers upside down underscores the loopiness. Noodlehead stories are perennially entertaining, but better collections exist. (Picture book. 6-10)

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June 14, 2019

Gr 3 Up-The Gothamites are a people so smart that other foreign advisors seek their counsel. This forces them to leave their own lives behind. When they return, their town is in ruins. One old wise Gothamite declares that in order to keep their own best interests in mind, they must start doing stupid deeds. This way, the foreign advisors will stop bothering them. They start by building a new chamber house with only three walls made out of logs. Then, while trying to get light, they decide to take the shingles off the roof. This proves good until the seasons change. The King of Utopia decides to come to visit Gotham to see if the Gothamites have lost all their wits. He finds that they are clumsy and can't solve decent riddles. Each part of the narrative carries over to the finale, which sends the Gothamites or "fools" into other parts of the world. The illustrations are one of a kind, with a lot of activity in the pictures reminiscent of Richard Scarry's books. There is some content like drinking discussed that could present a problem for some libraries or classrooms. VERDICT A goofy collection of stories that may be useful in curriculums focused on folktales; a secondary purchase for most.-Amy Lukich, Tinley Park Public Library, IL

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