The Adventures of Tom Thumb

When Tall Tim of the Mountains and his good wife Kate long for a child, Merlin the sorcerer grants their wish, and a son no bigger than a thumb is born to them. Blessed by the Fairy Queen, this miniature boy has many extraordinary adventures, escaping from the mouth of a cow and the claws of a raven. Tumbling into the castle of Gembo the giant, Tom eventually succeeds in driving this scourge of the countryside away, finding himself knighted by King Arthur for his deeds. Eventually he returns home, where his parents (and the fairy folk) welcome him with open arms...

First published in 1621, The History of Tom Thumb was the first fairy-tale ever printed in English, and is a story believed to have been abroad in the culture far earlier than show more that. According to Marianna Mayer's informative afterword, there are parallels between the story of Tom Thumb and that of both Cinderella and Jack the Giant Killer. Although she does not mention how close of an adaptation her text is, Mayer does state that in her research she used the only known surviving copy of the 1621 The History of Tom Thumb, the Little, for his small stature surnamed, King Arthur's Dwarfe: Whose Life and adventures containe many strange and wonderful accidents, published for the delight of merry Time-spenders, held at the Morgan Library in New York City. I enjoyed her retelling, so much so that now I long to visit the Morgan myself, and read the original! The artwork from master illustrator Kinuko Craft is simply gorgeous, as always, and captures the enchantment and excitement of the story perfectly. I loved her depiction of Merlin, of the Fairy Queen, and of King Arthur, Queen Guinevere and the Knights. Recommended to all fairy-tale lovers, and to anyone who appreciate beautiful picture-book art. show less

Mayer's animated retelling of Tom Thumb's adventures and Craft's affectionate portrayal of the cherubic yet impish hero make for an enjoyable read. In the time of King Arthur, Merlin uses his magic to grant Tim and Kate a son no bigger than Tim's thumb. In spite of the boy's protection by his fairy godmother, Tom Thumb endures a number of mishaps because of his size (he is swallowed three times) but survives to vanquish the fierce giant Gembo from the land. For this King Arthur knights him: "Sir Tom Thumb evermore the smallest and the boldest of the crown's protectors." Craft's renderings of architecture, dress and border art, inspired by 12th-century manuscripts and illustrations, capture both the grand and comic elements of the story. show more Scenes of a humiliated knight returning to the Round Table with the giant's bites taken out of his sword and shield or of Tom escaping down Gembo's mountainous shoulder will tickle the funny bones of many readers, while the diminutive fellow's reunion with his parents ends the volume on a note of happy recognition show less

I've loved other versions of this very old folk tale so much more. The storytelling is ok, the author's note is interesting. Some of the illustrations are fun, because the people look real... note, for example, the several injured knights at Arthur's Round Table. But other pictures are stereo-typically pretty and vague, and, imo, don't succeed.

I can't find the Japanese version that I read to my sons when they were little, but this one looks good: [book:The Inch Boy|4952590].

Merlin grants two childless parents their wish and by magic produces little Tom. Tom undergoes a series of miss-fortunate events, first he is swallowed by a cow! Then he is snatched by a raven! Later he finds himself trapped in the house of a GIANT who later EATS him! If that is not enough THEN he is eaten by a salmon that is caught to be fed to King Arthur! Eventually after all of his adventures Tom begins to miss his parents… The illustrations in this book are wonderful and the story is a classic that all ages will enjoy.

I really enjoyed the retelling of this traditional fantasy and could see how it would really spark the imaginations of young and old alike. The illustrations in the book are tailored to the story in a very pleasing show more way and seem to carry things along nicely. I like the idea that adventures are great and can be exciting but it is also nice to be home with the ones who truly love you, I felt that these experiences must have mirrored the way that the REAL Tom Thumb may have felt when he was traveling with Barnum.

Some extension ideas for using this book with emergent readers (ages 4-10) would be sharing the true history of Tom Thumb (see my summery below) and having the children imagine and illustrate what the Real Tom Thumb may have been like and what his own personal qualities may have been. Then after the children were finished I would assign homework for each child to find one interest sting FACT about Tom Thumb to bring to school the next day and paste onto their drawings.
The Real Tom Thumb, 1838–83, American entertainer, whose original name was Charles Sherwood Stratton, b. Bridgeport, Conn. His career as General Tom Thumb began in 1842, when the showman P. T. Barnum gave him the title and arranged with the child's parents for his exhibition as a midget. His height then was less than 2 ft (61 cm), and at no time did it exceed 33 in. (84 cm). Barnum aroused the intense curiosity of people throughout the world by consummately skillful publicity and profitably displayed the general in many countries, bringing Tom Thumb wealth and fame. At the age of 10 the general had already been the guest of President Polk, Queen Victoria, Isabella of Spain, and King Louis Philippe of France. His courtship of Lavinia Warren, a dwarf, led to a fashionable wedding in New York's Grace Church in 1863. In the course of their wedding trip President Lincoln received them at the White House. Thumb and his wife continued to entertain audiences in the United States and abroad until their retirement in 1882. He died at the age of 45, and Mrs. Tom Thumb died at 77 show less

The illustrations in this book are great for children, and are very engaging. I especially like the message in this tale about defying all odds. I think this would be a very appealing topic for kids, as I believe they feel pretty small at times, and wonder if they can make the hurdle. Fantastic children's book for the classroom.

Tom is little hero who comes to life as result of a wish granted by Merlin to a childless farm couple. Tom is swallowed by a cow and tickles his way out, and is snatched by a raven that drops him down the chimney of none other than the giant who has been plaguing the countryside. Tom offers his services around the house, but eventually the huge man's evil nature overtakes him and he eats Tom. He gives Gembo such a case of intestinal distress that the giant coughs him into the moat, where he is eaten by an enormous salmon, which a fisherman catches and takes to King Arthur. Since Gembo has left the country in shame, Tom is knighted and feted by the court, and when he begins to miss his parents, he returns to their farm with a bag of gold show more coins I loved the illustrations. show less

The Adventures of Tom Thumb tells the story of the son of Tall Tim and Kate. The two wished for a son and Tall Tim said he would have a son even as small as his thumb. Merlin, King Arthur's wizard, grants the couple their wish and Tom Thumb is born. Tom Thumb is blessed by the little people's queen and he granted a sword that he can use throughout his life. The book goes on to tell the wild adventures Tom Thumb goes on. Most of these adventures start with Tom Thumb inside of an animal. This story is driven by the oral story tradition. The lively illustrations help enhance the story. The theme is no matter how different you are from others, you can still live a happy life. Tom Thumb is smaller than a thumb, but he lives an exciting life. show more He is able to do anything others can do. Another theme is to be determined and never give up. Tom Thumb gets himself in some sticky situations, but he never gives up and preserves until he finds a way out of his situation. show less