THE SLEEPING BEAUTY

Warren Chappell retells the perennial favorite in a simpler, more succinct, version than the original, along with graceful illustrations in rich color. The unusual aspect of this book is the inclusion of many excerpts from Tschaikovsky's score, preceding the highlights of the story. These are hardly useful to children reading the book independently, or to younger children listening, for the musical adaptations though simplified are not commensurate with the interest level of those for whom the book is intended. A skilled teacher or parent with a flair for the dramatic might incorporate them into the reading for an effective story hour.