THE BACKWARD BROTHERS SEE THE LIGHT: A TALE FROM ICELAND Peter Eyvindson Illustrated by Craig Terlson Red Deer (Alta.), Red Deer College Press, 1991. 34pp, paper, $14.95 ISBN 0-88995-068-7. Distributed by Raincoast Books. CIP Grades 1 to 3/Ages 6 to 8 Reviewed by Jane Robinson Volume 20 Number 3 1992 May Peter Eyvinson is a story-teller well known to Canadian school children. A "noodlehead" type of folk-tale, The Backward Brothers See the Light tells the story of three foolish, simpleton brothers who lived in Iceland a long time ago. They have decided to build a new house but can't decide whether it should have windows, a chimney or a door. Their real dilemma occurs when, after building their house with only a door, they try to bring in the sunlight from outside. The humour comes from the complete nonsense and absurdity of the three brothers and the situation in which they put them­selves. The illustrations are a variety of double-page spreads and full-page and smaller single drawings interspersed amongst the text. The Backward Brothers arc depicted as comical cartoon characters, and most pictures contain plenty of goofy details that help to "shed light" on the characters and their shortage of brain power. This book will have greater appeal when read or told by the author, and readings would likely generate interest for subsequent readings. It is not likely to fare as well for uninitiated independent or read-aloud reading. Overall, the traditional richness of the language found in folk-tales is missing and the structure is often awkward. Some children may even get impatient with the brothers' foolishness, but if the story were being told, most would likely enjoy their ridiculous behaviour. Jane Robinson, Winnipeg, Man.