School Library Journal Starred Review

Gr 1-4-- A young carpenter, tired of hammering and sawing, seeks out a fortune-teller to see what his future holds. The cagey old prophet promises him a rosy future--well, maybe. `Rich you will surely be,' '' says the fortune-teller, if you earn large sums of money.' '' Moreover, ``You shall wed your true love . . . if you find her and she agrees. And you shall be happy as any in the world if you can avoid being miserable.' '' Pleased with these promising, if ambiguous, predictions, the carpenter leaves, only to get halfway home and decide he has more questions to ask. But the fortune-teller has mysteriously vanished, leaving the carpenter in the quirky hand of fate where, in typical Alexander fashion, his life takes a surprising and humorous turn. The story's warm and witty tone is reinforced by Hyman's masterful illustrations. Expressive figures are dynamically placed against a West African landscape, in colors so rich and clear that they invite readers to touch the fabrics and breathe the air. Visual details--carved wooden stools, traditional cloth patterns, signs in French--add an authenticity to the story (which is actually set in Cameroon), while touches of humor in postures and expressions underscore Alexander's gentle wit. These illustrations are obviously a labor of love. Vibrant with life and good humor, this is a supremely satisfying creation. --Linda Boyles, Alachua County Library District, Gainesville, FL

Horn Book (Wed Apr 01 00:00:00 CST 1992)

An unhappy carpenter seeks the advice of a fortuneteller, from whom he hears only what he wants to hear. When he returns and is mistaken for the fortuneteller, he finds the new trade easier than his old and quickly becomes rich and famous. Hyman's rendering of scenes in the central-African country of Cameroon delights the eye. A book that pulses with life and good humor.

Kirkus Reviews

When the poor, hard-working young carpenter seeks comfort from a fortuneteller, the old man hoodwinks him with double talk: ``Rich you will surely be...[if] you earn large sums of money.'' But fate has a more benign trick in store. The cheating seer mysteriously vanishes; his cloth-merchant landlords, supposing that he has transformed himself into this fine young man, spread word of his predictive powers, and the youth is off to a prosperous new career. Meanwhile, the old man has been as unlucky as his successor is fortunate. Alexander narrates his original tale with folkloric verve and his own mellow brand of irony; Hyman realizes the African setting in broad double spreads rich with the lovely patterns and subtle, warm tones of the fabrics of Cameroon. There are also fine touches of humor in these splendid illustrations, and intriguing characterizations—especially of the carpenter, who enjoys his luck without being overearnest about it, and the beautifully individualized figures in the many crowd scenes. A winning tale, superlatively presented. (Picture book. 4-10)"

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Alexander's chipper text has a jaunty and infectious `just so' tone,"""" said PW in a starred review of this original folktale about a crooked fortune teller who predicts wealth and happiness for a carpenter. Ages 3-8. (Oct.)