Julienne Peterson

This story is a delightful retelling of a Tuscan folktale. After Caterina’s wit and charm catches the attention of the king, she quickly turns from farmer’s daughter to queen. However, the king doesn’t appreciate her contradicting his decisions and orders her to leave the palace with only what she holds dear. Caterina’s cleverness ultimately outwits her husband as she helps create an equal partnership.
I had never heard of this folktale before but thought it was so charming and compelling. The illustrations seamlessly align with the story as it portrays old-world Tuscan charm.
I love how Caterina is such a strong, witty protagonist with her own thoughts and ideas. She could stand as a great model for young girls to see a smart and capable woman. This was a refreshing and charming folktale about not having to compromise who you are for the sake of someone else.… (meer)

When her father finds a golden mortar in his field, in this traditional Tuscan tale, and decides to give it to the king, clever Caterina warns him that their somewhat irascible ruler will only demand a golden pestle as well. Sure enough, her prediction is fulfilled, and a contest of wills soon develops between the unreasonable royal, and his quick-witted peasant subject, ending in (what else?) a marriage between them. But when Caterina intervenes - against his express orders - in one of her husband's decisions, she is banished from the palace. Will this prove the end of their union, or will Caterina once again find a way to outwit her husband...?

I enjoyed this tale of a clever woman who manages - at last! - to convince the king to accept her wise counsel, proving that she is a clever and loving wife in the process, immensely! I know that one variant of it can be found in Italo Calvino's Italian Folktales, where it appears as Catherine, Sly Country Lass, but Julienne Peterson's telling is taken from a local Tuscan source, Gherardo Nerucci's Sessanta Novelle Popolari Montalesi. The appealing ink, watercolor, and colored pencil illustrations by Enzo Gianinni add to the sense of fun! All in all, a wonderful tale, recommended to all young readers with an interest in folklore, particularly if they're looking for stories of strong girls!… (meer)