SNOW WHITE
adapted by Josephine Poole & illustrated by Angela Barrett
A graceful, somewhat extended version of the original Grimm, with a gentler ending: instead of being forced to dance to her death in red-hot shoes, the wicked stepmother dies of ``her own poison'' in the form of a rose she intends for the happy bride. Barrett's elegant illustrations, which occupy three-quarters of this large-sized book, are somber and introspective: romantic vistas with snowy crags, a darkly mysterious forest, the lovely, pensive child, a brooding, neurotic stepmother, and the dwarfs depicted as slim, fine-featured little men. Especially intriguing as a contrast to Nancy Ekholm Burkert's illustrations (Caldecott Honor, 1973), which are as elegant but much lighter in mood. (Folklore/Picture book. 5-10)