FEATHERTOP
Based on the Tale by Nathaniel Hawthorne
by Robert D. San Souci
Illustrated by Daniel San Souci
Boyds Mills Press, 2006
[AGES 7 and up], paperback
ISBN: 1-59078-382-4
Full color illustrations
11 x 9-11/16 inches
32 pages
$10.95

Long ago in New England, a powerful witch made a scarecrow from a collection of old scraps. The witch was so pleased with her creation that she decided to bring it to life. With a puff of magic smoke, the scarecrow was transformed into a handsome young man and christened Feathertop. The mischievous witch then sent Feathertop off to woo the beautiful Polly Gookin, and soon Feathertop and Polly were deeply in love. But Feathertop was, after all, merely a patchwork of sticks and witchcraft. Only the magic of love could make him truly human.

"The smoothly flowing oral quality of Robert San Souci's text is matched by the interpretation in brilliant colors and lively action of Daniel San Souci's pictures, making Feathertop a highly effective picture book for any season of the year." -- School Library Journal

"Brisk pacing . . . a surprising amount of drama . . . . Daniel San Souci's handsome watercolors effectively capture the garb and architectural details of mid-eighteen century New England; more than that, they imbue the story's small cast with the child appeal of a solid folktale." -- Publishers Weekly

#1 Children's Bestseller, San Francisco Chronicle, November 1992

"Set in a vibrant New England autumn of long ago, this story tells of old Mother Rigby who uses powerful magic to create and bring to life her fanciful scarecrow, feathertop. But things don't go quite as planned and the old witch finds her sorcery is no match for the power of love. Hawthorne would no doubt approve of this excellent presentation of his story by the award-wining brothers San Souci." -- American Bookseller, Fall '92 "PICK OF THE LISTS"