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Summary
Summary
Among the ruins of Angkor Wat, Tiger, Monkey, Water Buffalo, and Gecko argue over who would make the greatest king. An ancient elephant suggests a race to the top of the hill to prove each creature's speed, strength, and cunning. But along the way, their strengths and weaknesses are revealed. Will any of them be good enough to be king? Graeme Base's luscious illustrations of the Cambodian temple complex Angkor Wat--one of the most beautiful ruins in existence and known to people all over the world--are combined with a search-and-find feature in this exciting new tale! A brief history of the temple is included.
Praise for The Last King of Angkor Wat
"This simple morality tale is lifted to loveliness by Base's gorgeous digital illustrations, majestic and richly colored, filled with characteristic detail and intricately bordered. These pages beckon readers to return again and again to pore over the details."
-- Kirkus Reviews
Author Notes
Graeme Base received international acclaim for his runaway bestseller Animalia , which has sold more than two million copies. Among his many other beloved and bestselling books are Enigma , The Eleventh Hour , The Water Hole , and The Legend of the Golden Snail . He lives with his family in Melbourne, Australia.
Reviews (4)
Publisher's Weekly Review
In Base's (Little Elephants) fable, four boastful animals discover they are not as virtuous as they thought they were. The Angkor Wat setting, luxuriously drafted and colored, supplies a bower of evocative scenes-sunlight sifting through jungle trees, the massive blocks of the temple ruins, and an elephant king who manifests before the four animals as they bicker about who would make the finest ruler. The elephant sets them a challenge: Tiger, Gecko, Water Buffalo, and Gibbon must all run to a distant temple. Each meets a threatening snake on the way, and each is further delayed by an additional obstacle; Tiger, for example, is asked to help a wounded bird. When the four arrive at their destination, the elephant judges them all. "One among you is clearly the mightiest," he starts. "However, he ignored a call for help along the way. He lacks compassion." The other animals' performances are similarly weighed; none is worthy to reign. Whether readers learn to turn the same hard gaze upon themselves, Base's exceptional illustrative powers will absorb their attention. Ages 4-8. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Horn Book Review
In this original fable, four animals that all wish to become King meet Elephant, an enlivened statue from the ancient Cambodian temple of Angkor Wat. He invites them to race to demonstrate that they have the regal qualities of "strength, compassion, resilience, and courage." Intricate, handsome digital renderings depict the temple, animals, and lush countryside; a butterfly hides in each spread. (c) Copyright 2015. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
School Library Journal Review
Gr 2-4-Near the ruins of Angkor Wat, Tiger, Gibbon, Water Buffalo, and Gecko argue about who would make the best king. A resplendent Elephant challenges them to travel to the temple on a distant hill. Along the way, the animals encounter situations that reveal both strengths and weaknesses in their characters. After they all arrive at the destination, Elephant's comments about the journey help them to realize that none of them has all the attributes of a great ruler. Exploring the temple, they encounter fantastic carvings of the Elephant King, who possessed strength, compassion, resilience, and courage. Although the moral of the story is obvious, the book's attraction lies in its magnificent, detailed illustrations of the Cambodian jungle and the ancient temple ruins. Snake coils across spreads, interacting with each animal on its journey. Details from Angkor Wat's Elephant Terrace appear not only in the final, large illustrations but also in borders around scenes throughout the book. Base challenges sharp-eyed readers to find a butterfly in each scene. Undoubtedly, this tale will encourage some children to learn more about the history and excavation of Angkor Wat as well.-Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State Univ. Lib., Mankato (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Four boastful Asian animals learn a lesson in humility.Cambodia's Angkor Wat was once known as the "City of Temples." Gibbon, Tiger, Water Buffalo and Gecko laze near a temple ruin together. Each posits that he would be a superior king; this speculation turns into a challenge and, ultimately, a race to the top of their mountain. Tiger gets off to a quick start, neatly avoiding a menacing snake but ignoring a beautiful crane with a broken wing. Not far behind, Gibbon also encounters the snake, now tangled in branches, and helps to free him. When Gibbon tires, he hitches a ride on a slow-moving pangolin. When Water Buffalo comes upon the snake, he's filled with fear and decides to take the long way up, around the big swamp. Gecko has no trouble zigzagging past the serpent. When the four animals reach the top, they're surprised to find Elephant waiting for them. He recounts the exploits of each; none has the qualities that make a king, he says, citing their actions during the race. The quartet leaves together, pondering all that Elephant has said. This simple morality tale is lifted to loveliness by Base's gorgeous digital illustrations, majestic and richly colored, filled with characteristic detail and intricately bordered.These pages beckon readers to return again and again to pore over the details. (author's note) (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
