Swan Lake

With gorgeous illustrations by the inimitable Chris Van Allsburg, this book by Mark Helprin is probably a bit beyond younger kids, but a deeply satisfying treat to read as a parent. ( )

Two of my favorite artists collaborate on a retelling of the ballet "Swan Lake," inventing their own alchemical story of consecutive sets of royal parents murdered and infant daughters raised anonymously upon wooded mountainsides.

Writing, as only Helprin can do it -- describing a royal ball: "Thousands and thousands of overdressed people packed the glider hall. So much perfume was in the air that the palace bees, imprisoned in a far wing, broke loose from their confinements and came through the ventilation system to crisscross ecstatically above the dancers, reflecting the bright gas lamps as if they were golden confetti." (57)

I agree with this review taken from the Amazon site: From School Library Journal-- Visually this book is stunning ,.... The emperor lying with his head propped on his dog and his pen between his toes, the rider standing on a galloping horse, and the two great swans with wings raised .... The retelling and adaptation of the well-known story is more problematic. ... The writing is skillful, with verbal images so strong that the illustrations almost seem unnecessary, but the plot is overloaded with philosophical musing about the quality of life and ironic descriptions of life at a decadent court. It is much too dense and sophisticated for children, and at the same time thin fare on which to pin so much for adults. ... --Amy Kellman, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

It's about a little girl and her gaurdian and nurse maid helper person...haven't read it in a while.Also see a city in winter and the veil of snows by the same author. ( )