Snow White and the 77 Dwarfs

You know how they often analyze and discuss Snow White (sometimes a child, sometimes an adult) having to cook and clean and care for the seven dwarfs in exchange for food, shelter and protection from the Evil Queen?

Well Davide Cali takes that viewpoint up a (hilarious) notch by making it 77 dwarfs - all in one house, all begging and nagging for Snow White's assistance. I laughed out loud when she was required to help with beard maintenance and had to read a bedtime story to every dwarf, one at a time. Instead of the dwarfs being grown men, in Cali's version, they definitely came across as needy children.

While I enjoyed this silly version of Snow White and even laughed out loud at the ending, I felt the real star of this book was the show more illustrations. Bright colors filled every page; tiny details grabbed my attention and had me scouring every page to see what I could discover with closer examination.

My favorite detail? The "Dwarf Vader" poster, obviously.

4 stars

Note: After all the laughter has subsided, I wonder if the ending would require an explanation for the younger kids? Do you just let them laugh the whole story off as absurd fun? I would want them to understand that 1) she's not killing herself and 2) there are better ways to cope with stress and overwhelming situations. Maybe I'm overthinking this one... show less

Poor Snow White is feeling a little flustered caring for 77 demanding dwarfs. From preparing their lunches, (don't forget the juice boxes) to remembering their unique names. So overwhelmed by life, she opts to choose her initial fate and eagerly accepts the poisoned apple from the witch.

I love a good fairy tale retelling, but this wasn't quite what I had expected. I'll admit I laughed out loud when I reached the page featuring Snow in her deep sleep accompanied by a sign instructing not to wake her. As the mom of five demanding children, I can totally sympathize. Unfortunately, I'm not sure this is a great message for the littles. Maybe an older kiddo who can appreciate the dark humor (and understands that it is simply meant to be show more funny). This probably won't go over well with any of the little princess lovers in your house who want Snow White to end up with the prince, but I thought it was hilarious. After 12 years of marriage I admit I might be a little jaded ;)

Illustrations are top notch featuring amazing colors and details. Love the frazzled looking, complete with bags under her eyes, Snow the most. show less

This is a "fractured folktale" retelling of the Snow White story, but in this case, Snow has moved in with 77 dwarfs, not just seven. This leads to a number of problems, from learning their (hilarious!) names, to trying to keep up with the chores, from beard maintenance to breakfast coffee. French-Canadian artist Raphaëlle Barbanègre's colorful, whimsical illustrations add a lot to the story - especially Snow's facial expressions!

Swiss-born Italian Davide Cali has written a slightly feminist take on the traditional tale with a twist at the end that might be over the heads of (or possibly upsetting to) the 3- to 7-year-olds this book is supposedly designed for. However, I could definitely see using this book in a second grade show more classroom in my state, where students are supposed to "compare different versions of the same story in traditional and contemporary folktales with respect to their characters, settings, and plot." show less

Five Stars for the art. The story was a little dodgy though. Snow White basically kills herself to get away from a life of forced labor. I mean, okay, if the rest of the story was more gritty and you could read it as an 'adult' kid's book, that would be kind of cool. I appreciated it as an adult , but I don't think I'd read it to my kids.

I was SO excited to get this book as it is my first early reviewer book. I immediately called my kids down for an impromptu reading of our new book. My 5 and 4 year old rushed down at the words "new book". When I told them the title, they were intrigued. "77 dwarfs! That's a lot!" The pictures are great. The names of the dwarfs were funny. The story was cute. As a mother of 5 littles (ages 5 and under) I could some what relate to Snow White's exhaustion after a day of taking care of the dwarfs. Sometimes 5 kids FEELS like 77! lol. I have mixed feelings about the ending, but I know there are moments that I would rather "sleep forever" than think about another day of laundry, cooking, dishes, etc...

In this version of Snow White we meet Snow as she escapes the evil witch and settles down with 77 dwarfs. With 11 times the dwarfs, there is 11 times the chores, and after a day of laundry, bedtime stories, cooking and cleaning, Snow has had enough. She seeks out the witch, takes TWO apples, and gets some rest!

This book is a quick read, with lively, bold, colorful illustrations. It is definitely a unique fractured fairy-tale version of Snow White, and would provide a jumping off point to have students choose one aspect of a traditional fairy-tale to change and re-write a familiar story.

Reviewed from an ARC from LibraryThing.
Upon fleeing from the wicked witch Snow White is offered safety with the 77 dwarfs in return for caring for their creature comforts. 77 to cook for, wash for, clean up after. As you can imagine this refuge would get old fast and very tiresome. So tiresome in fact, that the offer of sleep in the form of that poisoned apple, looks pretty good.
A twisted fairy tale to add to the others in a library collection or a teacher's lesson plans.
Short easy text except for those 77 names! Great illustrations, vibrant with color and full of action. My 5 year old granddaughter loved the illustration of the harried Snow White, hair in a mess, trying to pour the breakfast beverage into 77 out stretched cups.