Colorful pictures portray the classic story. Ages 4-8. (July)
Gr 2 Up‘Lewis always seems to find just the right tone and turn of phrase to translate Andersen's stories. This retelling is similar to but not as succinct as the version she included in Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales (Puffin, 1996). Also, she puts a slightly different spin on the ending here: the father does not comprehend that what his daughter is saying is true. He only wants to hush her and avoid embarrassment. Lewis's awareness of such subtleties as the likely reaction of a startled parent to an importunate child is the kind of detail that brings life to her retellings. Barrett has set the story in a small European country in 1913, an innocent time nostalgically evoked. The double-spread watercolors have elegant forms and imaginative compositions and are beautifully painted. A richness is achieved through the combination of delicate colors with vivid, darker accents and the pictures are full of clever touches. The vain monarch is shown on stamps, coins, and currency. In one picture he is portrayed as a paper doll next to a row of costumes with tabs on them. Busy dogs appear everywhere. In the final scene, the king is seen naked from behind with suntan marks showing the contours of his evidently modest bathing costume. The sense of order in this beautiful and civilized little world gives a sort of jolly tone to the whole undertaking. This enchanting and witty interpretation of an old favorite belongs in every collection.‘Marilyn Iarusso, New York Public Library
Ask a Question About this Product More... |