“KING HUGO’S HUGE EGO,” by Chris Van Dusen, Candlewick Press, July 26, 2011, $16.99 (ages 4-8)
At only 3-foot-3, King Hugo is not very large in stature. He does, however, make up for his physical size with his enormous ego. “Hugo was a cocky king — as boastful as could be. To him, no other person was as wonderful as he.”
King Hugo’s huge ego wouldn’t be such a big deal except he expects his subjects to live up — or down — to it. Every time he passes by, subjects must bow low and every Friday morning they’re required to gather and listen to lengthy speeches about adoration.
One day, the mini monarch decides to take a ride in his golden coach. A young woman carrying a load of hay blocks his path, and he bumps the poor woman into the gutter. Sitting in the muddy mess, the maiden, who happens to be a sorceress, curses the cocky king,” Let’s see if all your arrogance can fit inside your head.”
From that day on, the king’s “big” head literally begins to swell, growing with his feelings of self-importance. It soon becomes so big it topples him off the top of the castle wall.
Only humility will shrink King Hugo’s head down to size, but at what cost?
Anyone who has ever had to deal with someone else’s overconfidence will get a kick out of Chris Van Dusen’s hilarious story. It’s a great lesson on being humble without being saccharine or preachy. Chris’ tale easily rolls off the tongue and his laugh-inducing illustrations are just what this tale needs.
