Thumbelina

Thumbelina, illustrated by David Johnson.

Part of Rabbit Ears Entertainment's series of fairy-tell retellings, this adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's Thumbelina is mostly faithful to the original, with one or two minor changes obviously intended to make the heroine less passive. Thumbelina asks the fish to help her escape from the toads, for instance, rather than just weeping on her lily pad. David Johnson's ink and watercolor illustrations are hit or miss, some - like that depicting the Mole entering Mouse's home - felt murky and crowded; while others - such as the full spread depicting Thumbelina, as Sparrow departs for the south - had a lovely and expressive delicacy.

But although this retelling has definite merit, I found myself - just as with David Jorgensen's The Steadfast Tin Soldier - wishing that I had access to the accompanying CD, with its music by Mark Isham, and narration by actress Kelly McGillis. I wonder if I would feel this way if I didn't know there was a CD...? In any case, I found this a pretty but mostly unremarkable, adaptation of Thumbelina: the fairy-tale lover can do better. ( )

Thumbelina, illustrated by Adrienne Adams.

Given my fondness for the work of illustrator Adrienne Adams, whose artwork can be found in many of my favorite children's books by Rumer Godden, I was quite excited to discover that Adams had also illustrated a number of Hans Christian Andersen retellings, amongst them this lovely Thumbelina.

Fairy-tale purists will be pleased to know that this edition contains a full and faithful translation of the original Danish, done by R.P. Keigwin. I can't say the prose "sparkles" (it never does with Keigwin), but the narrative is engaging enough. Adams' artwork is the real draw here, with lovely color and (mostly) black and white spreads. The depiction of Thumbelina's mother, when she first sees her tiny daughter, is particularly fine. The sensibility here might be a little old-fashioned, but this is still a wonderful picture-book adaptation of a popular tale. ( )

Genre: Folktale

Review: I just love the story of Thumbelina so much! It shows a lot of good qualities that are relatable today for children and youth. This story is a folktale because it is retold by the author Deborah Hautzig and has been retold for many generations with different emphasis' on different parts of the story. The emphasis for this particular Thumbelina is two part; caring for others, but also doing what is right for yourself and the best thing for you. Luckily, she finds a way out of difficult situations because of the relationship she made with a bird, of whom she cared for and nursed back to health.

Character: Thumbelina is a round character because she learns from her experiences. We don't know much about her from the story, other than the fact that she is a very small person. I characterized her has round because, like I said before, she learns from her experiences and finally stands up for herself in the end to do what is best for her. Most of the story she does what pleases others and just deals with it, but when a friend comes back for her and encourages her to be herself and do what's best for her, she takes it and begins to live the life she wanted.

Media: Watercolor ( )

Genre: Fairytale

Review: This story is a fairytale, because the not only do the animals in this story talk, but the main character, Thumbelina, is the size of a mouse and eventually becomes a fairy. The events that go on in this story could never really happen, therefore, this story is fictional.

Characterization: Thumbelina is the flat protagonist, because in this particular story she doesn't really learn much and as readers we don't learn much about herself as a main character.

Media: acrylic gouache and watercolor ( )

In addition to re-reading all the Hardy Boys mysteries, I am reading with rapidity through the piles of accumulated library books stacked about my shelves. Here's a collection of fairy tales and myths I've been saving up to read and review.

This new version of Persephone, retold by Sally Pomme Clayton and illustrated by Virginia Lee has gorgeous illustrations but the text felt a little thin to me. It's a fairly simplified version of the myth with no reconstructions or additions. There's a short epilogue about how the myth - and pomegranates - figure in Greek society today.

Persephone retold by Sally Pomme Clayton, illustrated by Virginia Lee
ISBN: 978-0802853493; Published January 2009 by Eerdmans; Borrowed from the library

I scooped up this version of Thumbelina retold by Brian Alderson and illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline because I enjoyed the illustrations in Lowry's Crow Call. The retelling is excellent, keeping the flavor of Andersen's original story while using updated and accessible language, but I was disappointed by the illustrations. Thumbelina, for some reason, made me think continously of Alice in Wonderland. Lisbeth Zwerger's illustrations remain my favorite.

Thumbelina retold by Brian Alderson, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
ISBN: 978-0763620790; Published October 2009 by Candlewick; Borrowed from the library

I've been looking for the "right" version of Three Billy Goats Gruff, the story I remember from when I was a child, and I'm pretty sure I've found it! It's the original story, complete with gory threats and troll-destruction at the end and full of Marcia Brown's colorful and vivid illustrations.

Sensitive parents may be horrified by the terrifying troll and his even more terrible fate, but if you choose to tell this story instead of reading it, you can soften the ending, depending on your audience. There's a reason this is a classic folk tale; it has a wonderful cadence and this is a great retelling.

The Three Billy Goats Gruff, retold and illustrated by Marcia Brown
ISBN: 978-0156901505; This edition published February 1991 by Sandpiper; Borrowed from the library; Added to my personal wishlist

I don't remember where I heard about this new version of Snow White but it's a lovely one. I love North South publisher's works (except for Pfister, but that's a whole 'nother issue) and this lovely fairy tale is no exception. Greban's illustration are lively and warm, perfectly complementing the original tale. Which, I am pleased to say, is included in its entirety, from Snow White's begging the huntsman for her life to the wicked queen's gruesome end.

I realized we had almost nothing on Snow White, so I'm looking forward to adding this deliciously weird tale (come on, if you really think about Snow White, it's seriously WEIRD)

Snow White by the Brothers Grimm, illustrated by Quentin Greban
ISBN: 978-0735822573; Published October 2009 by NorthSouth; Borrowed from the library; Purchased for the library

Finally, I have an old tale illustrated by Bernadette Watts. The Snow Queen was gorgeous; I am putting this on my wishlist of books I want for myself. Some parts of the story have been changed; I missed the full explanation of Kay's challenge with the ice blocks and felt that most of the flavor and personality of the little robber girl had been smoothed away, but the splendid beauty of the illustrations more than makes up for any minor deficiencies in the text. For those not familiar with the Snow Queen, it's a long and somewhat complicated quest tale, similar to East of the Sun, but full of Andersen's characteristic storytelling genius.

The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen, retold and illustrated by Bernadette Watts
ISBN: 978-1558587793; Published September 1997 by NorthSouth (out of print); Borrowed from the library; Added to my personal wishlist