It could be argued that simplifying and softening these tales does neither the stories nor their audience any good, but for...
Fourteen familiar tales are retold in their simplest and most bloodless forms for reading aloud to very young children—an approach somewhat subverted by Hague’s powerful and somewhat surreal pictures.
It opens with “Beauty and the Beast,” and the Beast is genuinely terrifying. Cinderella’s sisters are forgiven so long as they “promise to be good.” Rumpelstiltskin does not tear himself in two but disappears in a huff. Snow White’s lips are “red as a rose,” and the evil queen’s fate is elided. The stories are kept quite short, and usually, as in “The Ugly Duckling” and “Jack and the Beanstalk,” the moral or lesson is writ large. Perhaps the least familiar tale is that of “The Seven Ravens,” in which a girl saves her seven brothers, who had been turned birds—an act that involves her cutting off her little finger. Hague’s illustrations are rich in saturated color and sinuous line, and they owe a debt to both the painter Gustav Klimt and the illustrator Arthur Rackham. Some of the motifs seem familiar from other images in Hague’s long career of illustrating fairy tales.
It could be argued that simplifying and softening these tales does neither the stories nor their audience any good, but for those who want short and sweet versions, they are here. (Fairy tales. 4-7)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-688-14010-6
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Sept. 13, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
Sweet, surreal, and contemplative.
A child’s vivid imagination transforms everyday activities into magical interactions.
This Japanese import emphasizes perspectives—especially those belonging to children who improvise and innovate on prosaic tasks and the minutiae of daily life. At the outset, Haneru Sato, a pale-skinned, black-haired lad, adopts both the identity and the likeness of a rabbit, thereby embracing alternate ways of experiencing the world. As he tends to the garden, a blue hose winds, looking rather like a stream, along a bucolic, tree-studded landscape with romping animals. It ultimately leads to an anthropomorphic pond that not only “blows water into the hose as hard as it can,” but also recedes “back to being its tiny, peaceful self at Sato’s playful signal that he’s done. Similarly charming artwork illustrates the interconnectedness among nature, children, and creativity in six other episodic expeditions featuring distinct themes: “A Sea of Grass”; “A Night of Stars”; “Watermelon” (used as a boat); “A Window to the Sky”; “Walnuts” (envisioned as coffee shop, bakery, and much more); and “Forest Ice” (evoking multicolored frozen treats in various flavors). Alongside Sato, readers travel through the seasons while sharing his myriad, surprising lenses on the universe. The journey culminates in a homecoming when Sato settles into bed, cozily “sipping stories late into the night.” The painterly illustrations suggest homage to Where the Wild Things Are, works by Eric Carle, and others.
Sweet, surreal, and contemplative. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Feb. 23, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-59270-318-0
Page Count: 68
Publisher: Enchanted Lion Books
Review Posted Online: Dec. 14, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An early-reader fantasy tale that portrays a strong friendship but lacks drama.
Pellico presents a birthday celebration with both familiar and magical elements in this children’s-book sequel.
Sabrina has planned a picture-perfect eighth birthday party for Anna, her new friend. As Sabrina’s other pals begin to arrive, they can hardly contain their excitement to meet the birthday girl, who’s a genuine, magic-wielding witch. Anna and her warlock brother, Drew, amaze the partygoers with a fantastic entrance; they have Anna’s color-changing cat with them, and Drew magically lights the birthday candles. Anna and her sibling are thrilled by the party piñata, the red velvet cake, and the pleasant celebration. When Sabrina and Anna part, they promise to meet again soon, so that Anna can teach her witch pal how to ride a bike and Anna can instruct her nonmagical friend on how to ride a broom. Pellico’s upbeat follow-up fantasy is longer and offers more detail than its predecessor. However, it lacks a strong plot, as the characters have no real problems to overcome. Readers also learn relatively little about Anna and her everyday life. The celebration itself offers a solid balance of fantasy and traditional elements, allowing readers to find joy in both. At times, the text feels cumbersome for an audience of early readers, but the blend of dialogue and narration maintains a good pace. Berry’s full-color illustrations are effective, particularly when depicting Anna’s and Drew’s magical-looking clothing. Once again, this series entry encourages readers to be open to other people’s differences, but its lack of conflict may strike some as unrealistic.
An early-reader fantasy tale that portrays a strong friendship but lacks drama.Pub Date: Nov. 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-73391-305-8
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Moonbow Publishing
Review Posted Online: Feb. 5, 2021
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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