157B: Traveling companions who help each other

This story is one of many characters, and is beautifully illustrated. I recall one character as very tall, lanky man, dressed in oranges, reds, and browns, almost as if a medieval or early renaissance peasant. His hair is a very red-hued brown, spiky, and seems to have its own agenda. His face is freckled, ruddy, and very long. He has no facial hair, from what I recall. His ears are pointed, almost as if elven, and his neck is quite thin. Layers of these dark red and burnt-orange-colored and brown tunics fall over spindly legs covered in what looks like tights of the same colors. His shoes are pointed and seem to have no soles. He is also shrouded in fire, and at one point in the story, he cooks a feast of meats and vegetables for the group, as there were no ovens or other ways to cook. Another character is a large, green-hued man with a very round face, and maybe no neck. He is smiling and dressed in greens. His tunic is flowing and I believe his tights are brown. In the story, he grows tall, as a leafy tree, and protects the group of travelers from wind and rain. There are other characters, but I cannot remember many details. In the story, they are all traveling to meet a Czar, for what reason I do not know. The czar has a pointy beard. I also recall a character who resembles a bee, short, with a pointy nose, and wearing a yellow and black striped tunic. At one point, he turns into a swarm of bees to fight of an intruder. The illustrations are many, and greatly detailed. I know it is not a lot to go on….

 

3 thoughts on “157B: Traveling companions who help each other

  1. Uri Cohen

    You’re in luck! I read this book not long ago. It’s The King With Six Friends, written by Jay Williams and illustrated by Imero Gobbato (1968). The characters all have fitting names. main character is a king named Zar. The friend who can transform into a swarm of bees is named Dumble. The one who can become a tree is named Furze. The one who transforms into fire is named Kindle. You can see a plot summary at http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/31636582?book_show_action=true

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  2. chanda

    This sounds like ‘The King With Six Friends’ by Jay Williams, illustrated by Imero Gobbato. Young king Zar, who has lost his kingdom, sets out on a journey. Along the way he helps various animals and things, who then transform into six men who accompany him. One of his friends (Kindle) is a fire spirit, and another (Bumble) is bee-like. His other friends are Edge (an axe), Furze (a tree), Agus (an elephant), and Eryx (a snake). With their help, he is able to pass a number of trials and win the hand of the princess of another kingdom.

    http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1662815.The_King_with_Six_Friends

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