Dear as Salt

Kelly L. Green is co-author of The Ethical Shopper’s Guide to Canadian
Supermarket Products and associate editor of the Canadian Book Review
Annual.

Dear as Salt is remarkable primarily because of the beautifully wrought
paintings of Vladyana Krykorka. Krykorka’s work complements perfectly
the story of a king who tries to determine the depth of love each of his
three daughters holds for him, and the youngest daughter’s adventures
after her answer displeases him. The story itself is interesting,
satisfying, and complete in traditional folk-tale details, but takes
into account the sensibilities of a modern audience. Zizola, the
king’s third daughter, is saved first by her wise mother (who cleverly
hides her in a large candlestick, equipped for all her needs), and then
by herself, with a little help from her new mother-in-law, who also
happens to be a queen. The fact that Zizola marries a prince plays only
a minor role in this story.

Unfortunately, Rafe Martin is a storyteller who has written the story
in exactly the same language he would use if he were telling it to an
audience. This rather pedestrian language, with abrupt sentences and
anachronistic devices (the prince’s cooks prepare pizza with
everything on it), is jarring. Nevertheless, the story and illustrations
work beautifully together, and children will appreciate both.
Recommended with reservations.