THUMBELINA
by Hans Christian Andersen & translated by Erik Haugaard & illustrated by Arlene Graston
Thumbelina (32 pp.; $16.95; Oct.; 0-385-32251-8): Graston brings new illustrations to Haugaard's 1974 translation, but neither new art nor old text holds up to contemporary scrutiny. The tribulations of Thumbelina comes across as quite small; all she can do is weep, leaving the dirty work to others. Thumbelina's one claim to fame is her beauty, which readers are never allowed to forget, and Graston's illustrations, technically impressive, fail to give the tale even a breath of fresh air. (Picture book/folklore. 4-8)