Lucy Cousins

Lucy Cousins - perhaps best known for her series of picture-books about Maisy the mouse, intended for the very young child - turns her attention to the world of fairy-tales in this outsized collection, which was chosen by The New York Times as one of the "Best Illustrated Children’s Books of 2009." Here the reader will find seven tales - from Little Red Riding Hood to The Musicians of Bremen - all pared down from the original, and presented in an easy-to-read format, with huge text (on a show more huge page), and eyepoppingly colorful illustrations - a Cousins trademark. The result is a picture-book anthology that will work very well, for the youngest children.

Unfortunately, I can't say it worked very well for me, as an adult fairy-tale lover. I read many, many fairy and folk-tale adaptations (sometimes multiple adaptations/retellings of the same tale), because I'm always interested in the way different authors and artists interpret the same story. Naturally, I have preferences, both as it concerns the text, and the illustrations. I tend to dislike abridged versions of these classic tales, as I think they lose so much, when shortened. I also, I confess, prefer a less cartoonish style of artwork. Needless to say, Yummy: Eight Favorite Fairy Tales just didn't do it for me.

That said, I think Cousins' book succeeds at what it sets out to do - the creation of a fairy-tale collection that will hold the attention of the youngest child - so my lack of enthusiasm is more of a commentary on who I am as a reader, than on the book's actual quality, and I would recommend it to anyone seeking such a volume, for their children. I did appreciate the fact that, despite the abbreviated versions presented, Cousins kept some of the disturbing elements (the Wolf gobbling down Granny, for instance), so my reaction wasn't all negative. In the end, I guess I'm just not the right audience for this one. show less

I've looked at a lot of craft books for preschoolers, but they're always directed towards adults. This is the first one - the first really excellent one - that speaks directly to small children and their delight in making things.

A brief note from Lucy Cousins reminds grown-ups to use safe materials and that it's ok to change the crafts a little and then the crafts begin. There are simple instructions to make a beaded butterfly, cardboard house, painted tree, seed collage, vegetable prints, show more pencil holder, painted rocks, mask, paper lanterns, tissue paper flowers, vegetable people, clay bowl, pasta necklace, crown, wax painting, collage tiger, and finally decorating cookies.

Each craft has a list of supplies and simple instructions in large, clear text. Brightly colored paintings and photography show the creations and Maisy's cheerful enthusiasm in creating them. A final spread has a picture of each craft. There aren't detailed pictures of how to create the projects, but these are so simple it's really not needed. It's easy to see from the picture and instructions how to do the project.

Verdict: This will be a favorite not only with preschoolers but also up to second grade, with children who want to do crafts all on their own. The projects are simple and easily duplicated and changed depending on the materials at hand and the child's imagination. Highly recommended, this will fill a gap in many collections.

ISBN: 9780763661229; Published 2012 by Candlewick; Borrowed from another library in my consortium; Added to my order wishlist show less

A little bit different than many of the other Maisy books, this one is about bedtime. Maisy comes in from playing with her friends, reads a bedtime story to Panda and sings Panda a song. It ends sweetly, "Silver moon and twinkling stars, shine your light on Maisy." Cousins is a little more adventurous with the art as well, though her sunset and long evening shadows are still pretty kid-like.

Maisy pulls a Tom Sawyer and gets Charley to help clean her house until the kitchen floor is dry and the cupcakes are within reach (at which point the two of them polish off a whole platter of cupcakes). It's nice to have a book about everyday tasks: Maisy and Charley pick up toys, vacuum, and wash the windows inside and outside.