Trina Schart Hyman (1939–2004)

Fairy-tale illustrator par excellence Trina Schart Hyman retells that Brothers Grimm classic, Little Red Riding Hood, in this lovely, Caldecott Honor-winning picture book. Her narrative follows Elizabeth, nicknamed Red Riding Hood because of her fondness for the red hood made for her by her grandmother, as she is sent with a basket to visit that elderly relative. The meeting with the wolf on the path through the forest, our heroine's delay to pick flowers, and the wolf's devouring of the show more grandmother are all covered, as is the iconic exchange between the lupine villain and the little girl. The role of the hunter in rescuing grandmother and granddaughter, and Little Red Riding Hood's walk home close out the book...

Although a long-time fan of Hyman, I have never happened to read her Little Red Riding Hood before. I am glad that this omission has now been rectified, as I found this a wonderful retelling of a classic fairy-tale. The narrative is engaging, feeling somehow both modern and classic. I never love seeing the wolf as the villain, which is probably why this isn't a personal favorite of mine, when it comes to folk and fairy-tales. That said, I can't deny that there is something compelling about this story of a little girl who finds danger in the woods. Moreover, I appreciated some of the humorous little details in Hyman's telling, like Elizabeth's happiness in the end at having been polite, even if she failed to follow her mother's instructions in other ways. The artwork, which won Hyman a 1984 Caldecott Honor, is every bit as gorgeous as I expected it to be. The beautiful color palette, enchanting scenes, expressive characters, even the decorative borders—everything was wonderful! Recommended to fairy-tale lovers, readers looking for excellent picture book retellings of this tale, and to fellow fans of the marvelous Trina Schart Hyman. show less

A little girl who had never heard of Christmas, until a wise old woman told her of it, decides that she must find out more about this mysterious holiday in this small picture-book, setting out into the Great Snow Forest of the North to look for it. On her journey she is joined first by a cat who is curious as to what a Christmas feels like, and then by a hound who wants to know what it smells like, a hawk who wishes to know what it looks like, a fox that would like to know what it tastes show more like, and a mockingbird who wants to know what it sounds like. When the companions find an old glass bottle in the snow, they think that they have found a "Christmas," and curiosity satisfied, they all head home. It is only when the girl gets home, fills the bottle with greenery, and sees it lit by starlight, that she truly discovers what Christmas is...

Originally published in 1969, and then reprinted in this 1991 edition, How Six Found Christmas is an engaging little holiday tale, one which has little to do with Christmas as a religious holiday, and everything to do with its observance as a winter festival. The format is reminiscent of a folktale, as the little girl picks up a coterie of followers along the way, each one with a different question to be answered. Picked up largely because I enjoy Trina Schart Hyman's artwork, this is a book that probably won't be going on to my list of favorite Christmas stories, but I did enjoy it as an exploration of the idea that the journey is as important as the end. Recommended to fellow fans of Hyman's, with the further recommendation that they pick up Louise Moeri's Star Mother's Youngest Child: A Classic Christmas Story, which Hyman also illustrated. show less

Trina Schart Hyman's fairy tale illustrations are as enchanting as the stories themselves, and this is one of her best. Every detail, from fabric to flowers to the wings of the fairies, is rendered in her lovely pen and watercolor signature style. Her willow-waisted heriones always have glorious hair, and Briar Rose is no exception; although instead of the sterotypical blond of the usual fairy tale princess, this Briar Rose is a merry-eyed red-head. A delightful version of this classic tale.

A magical fable that's working on my subconscious. This is the second time I've read it. Definitely original; no easy tropes, nothing turns out as expected... but there's just *something* that makes this a treasure for the right readers. (Though I can see how it would be boring for those who don't feel a connection with it.)

TSH is one of my favorite artists: here she uses a freer, gentler touch, with less intricacy in most images... it's fascinating to see the different styles she mastered show more over the course of her career. show less