Review - Songs of the Fog Maiden

Songs of the Fog Maiden
by Tomie dePaola
Date: 1979
Publisher: Holiday House
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

With colorful illustrations and songs written by Tomie dePaola, the world of the Fog Maiden is filled with magic

As she drifts through her Day Garden, the Fog Maiden passes flowing crystal fountains, rows of dancing statues, and secret, shadowy places where she can stop and rest. In each place, she sings a special song. At twilight, her cat Token joins her. They take a Night Garden walk as Star-Flowers and Moon-Flowers tumble from the sky. Then it is time to leave for their enchanting night journey.

Token and the Fog Maiden first made their appearance in dePaola’s book When Everyone Was Fast Asleep. As in the previous book, the gifted author/artist has created beautiful, dreamlike landscapes in magnificent full-color paintings. The words and pictures capture the experience of childhood imaginations.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

What a weird choice of illustration for the cover! The pictures on the inside of the Fog Maiden and her gardens are far more interesting.

This book is sort of a prose/verse hybrid. The simple prose story introduces the Fog Maiden, her castle, and her gardens. She sings lots of songs in rhyme; some are to the gardens, some are to statues, another is to her cat. The rhythm and meter of these actually isn't too bad. However, the story seems a little thin overall.

The pictures are just okay for me. When I look at picture books, I'm kind of hoping for an emotional reaction. These illustrations, while pretty, don't really evoke much emotion in me at all. They're not that memorable, in any case.

This book may have been one I read as a child, but I don't remember it. I know Tomie dePaola was a popular author/illustrator during my childhood, so I'm surprised this one didn't make more of an impression on me. Then again, maybe it's not surprising at all, given that it didn't wow me today.

It's an innocuous picture book that might be nice to read aloud at bedtime. That's about it, really. Definitely a middle-of-the-road read.

Premise: 2/5
Meter: 4/5
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3 out of 5