Children’s Book Review: Jack, the King of Ashes
Open the cover of Jack, the King of Ashes and hang on–you’re about to go on a slip-sliding, uproarious, exhilarating, and ultimately magical adventure through the mad world of the iconic Newfoundland hero. Andy Jones has created another gem in his award-winning series of Jack tales, with delightfully wacky illustrations by Darka Erdelji.
The story, like the three others in the series, has its sources in traditional Newfoundland tales. Jack’s mother calls him the King of Ashes, because he lives his life in a coal box. She finally lures him out by giving him a dog “to get him on the go,” and soon Jack and the faithful Kevin-Phonse (a dog who occasionally speaks English) are setting out on a quest to free the kidnapped princess, Frederica Marie Corella Van Vee Van Vettum. The rest of the story has Jack, the princess, and the dog running up and down through a series of breathless adventures, with robbers, helpful ghosts, an evil ship captain, a magic rope, an impressive display of embroidery, and a denouement brought about by a Hamlet-esque puppet show about a chicken.
Erdelji’s expressive illustrations dance alongside the text, illuminating the story and providing fascinating little digressions. My favourites are her ghostly fishermen, who manage to be funny and spooky at the same time.
The book is zany and touching, and, like any really good fairy tale, has an underpinning of the classic themes of sacrifice, love, and healing. A completely satisfying story, told by a master.
Charis Cotter is a freelance writer who lives in Newfoundland. Her children’s novel, The Swallow: A Ghost Story, was published by Tundra Books in 2014.
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