Finster and his wife Holly Berry try to get rid of two birds who have built a nest on Finster's head.
Finster and his wife Holly Berry try to get rid of two birds who have built a nest on Finster's head.
Werner Zimmermann is a well-known illustrator whose works include the bestselling
A Porcupine in a Pine Tree, which won the 2010 CBA Libris Picture Book of the Year Award. He has been nominated twice for the Governor General's Award Including for
Brave Highland Heart. Werner lives in Guelph, Ontario. Visit his website at
www.wernerzimmermann.ca
View Biographical note
"The situation central to the story is delightfully quirky and the language is filled with odd but interesting expressions, such as, "Has someone broomed by brain?" "Jumpin' jivin' jelly-fish," "He was sad from China to Chile," and "he was about to do his yippie yawns and stretches." Though the richness of this language may confuse the very young, it will attract and arouse the curiosity of older children, offering possibilities for extension language activities. They will no doubt wish to play with words, creating unique combinations, just as Finster and his wife do.
"What complements this story and makes it truly noteworthy are the illustrations. H. Werner Zimmermann, already well known for his work on such books as Farmer Joe's Hot Day (North Winds Press, 1987) and Henny Penny, has created fanciful drawings, full of colour, movement and a great deal of humour. Many interesting details will make subsequent readings of the story just as interesting as the first. That, combined with the open ending, makes this a story that will be enjoyed over and over.
"Finster Frets is a picture-book in which the two main components, pictures and words, are equally important. Each complements and strengthens the other, together creating an imaginative story, quirky and irresistible in language, situation and illustration."
— CM Magazine
View Review text
