Born of a miniscule grain of millet and a mother’s wish, tiny, dark-skinned and beautiful Thumbelina is kidnapped by an unpleasant iguana that sees her as a prospective daughter-in-law. Horrified, Thumbelina refuses. Still a baby, she knows only one word, so when other animals scramble for her hand, she says “fish,” and gets a ride from one who brings her downriver. As she grows and meets animals—primarily native to South America, though the setting is never fully defined—she learns to be wary, but when she revives a bird of paradise, he becomes a true friend. Eventually offered the chance to become a spirit of the flowers, Thumbelina departs on dragonfly wings, unsure of and excited by her future. True to the Andersen tale, though more open-ended, Picouly’s retelling captures the mystery and lovely oddness of the original, although the otherwise lyrical story is occasionally disjointed and pedantic. Striking illustrations show the lushness of the forest and river and inventively present the world through Thumbelina’s perspective. A note includes information on animals that appear in the story. (Fairy tale. 6-10)
Pub Date: Oct. 15, 2007
ISBN: 978-1-59270-069-1
Page Count: 36
Publisher: Enchanted Lion Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2007
Well, it could have happened this way. When the demand for his carved toys outstrips both his ability to make them (even with the enthusiastic if inexpert help of elves) and his storage space, old Claus the forester packs up and moves north, building a big house, enlisting the aid of local reindeer to get the gifts delivered, and even, with the help of his wife, Eva, inventing the Christmas tree. Paxton's is a leisurely tale, using plain language and formal- sounding dialogue. Dooling's oils are rougher, less polished than usual, though still rich in realistic detail: Claus is a kindly figure in red flannels and the elves are really laughing children wearing green hose and curly-toed slippers. The story's matter-of- fact telling and the way characters appear to make eye contact with readers give this a subtle, comfortably tongue-in-cheek tone. (Picture book. 6-10)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1995
ISBN: 0-688-11364-8
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Morrow/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1995
More than two dozen poems—some cute, some throwaways, most written in the past ten years—all united by an attractive common denominator: the pig. Although some of these poems would never pass muster in any other context, the overall effect is enjoyable. More significantly, the collection contains several gems, from a Walter de la Mare poem to the book's indisputable masterpiece, ``The Pig- Tale,'' rescued from Lewis Carroll's seldom-read Sylvie and Bruno (1889). Kellogg's illustrations—ink, pencil, and watercolor washes—depict delicately drawn figures in delicate poses, which, apart from certain details, would have felt at home in a book published a hundred years ago. Readers who like pigs will probably like these poems, and those who read these poems will certainly like pigs. (Picture book/poetry. 6-10)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1995
ISBN: 0-8037-1597-8
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Dial Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1995
BOOK REVIEW
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
