My thoughts: The author, Jane Yolen and illustrator, Brooke Boynton-Hughes, magically opens the story of the sad life of the master storyteller, Hans Christian Andersen, with a simple statement and explosive and dream-like spray of beautiful illustrations. Simply put, his mother couldn't read but was a grand teller of stories and his life was stressed with poverty and disappointment.
Neal Porter Books Holiday House Publishing ISBN: 9780823451036 Hardcover $18.99 US
He finally began his schooling with the little ones but he was a gangly teen. His life was sad, so sad. The illustrations are extraordinarily appealing and beautiful capturing the pure essence of Andersen's life in a mind filled with stories just waiting to come out.
His stories became legendary as did the man himself long after he died. Such is often the plight of an artist. Andersen's life was so very sad but his mind and his stories brought such joy to the world. This retelling for young children is excellent.
About the book: The storyteller becomes the story in this illuminating biographical picture book of Hans Christian Andersen, father of the modern fairy tale.
A century and a half have passed since Hans Christan Andersen’s death, but his stories are more alive than ever. Across languages, borders, and disciplines, his timeless creations have left a footprint beyond measuring. Now, come along back to the beginning and meet the human that came before the legend.
He was a boy
who lived with a mother
who could not read,
but remembered every fairy tale
she’d been told…
Appropriately penned by Jane Yolen, who Newsweek has called “the Hans Christian Andersen of America,” His Fairytale Life is as immersive and transporting as all good fairy tales should be. Each page sings with Brooke Boynton-Hughes’s dazzlingly intricate illustrations. Classics lovers and Disney fanatics alike will cherish this dreamy tome.
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.
The Rock Maiden: A Chinese Tale of Love and Loyalty by Natasha Yim and illustrated by Pirkko Vainio
My thoughts: The author has retold a Chinese legend giving it an ending and embellishments she likes. The story is sweet and tells of love, faithfulness, loss, and gain. The illustrations are lovely and evocative using beautiful soft coloration.
The perils of fishing in the open seas in a small junket as was done through the centuries is at the heart of this story as is the faithfulness of the young wife and mother whose husband does not return from the sea.
Please be aware that is story, as with many legends, involves the people praying to a goddess and that goddess interacting with their desires and changing the outcome of things.
The lovely tale is intended for children ages four and up and can be used as an opportunity for teaching a young child that some worship differently from the way they do.
About the book: When her fisherman husband fails to come home after a storm at sea, the beautiful maiden Ling Yee is heartbroken. Every morning, she puts her baby on her back and clambers to the top of a cliff looking for any signs of his return. But day after day, she is disappointed. The villagers try to convince her to give up her vigil. “No,” she would say, “He will come home soon.” Tin Hau, the Goddess of the Heavens, takes pity on her grief and turns Ling Yee and her child into stone so that they would mourn no more. The fisherman eventually finds his way home―only to discover that his wife has been transformed into the Rock Maiden. Will the family forever be kept apart? Or will devotion and faithfulness ultimately be rewarded? Find out in this re-envisioning of an old Hong Kong legend by award-winning author Natasha Yim, featuring stunning illustrations by renowned Finnish artist Pirkko Vainio.
Princess Rosie's Rainbows by Bette Killion and illustrated by Kim Jacobs
My thoughts: The author has penned a "new" fairy tale that will capture the heart of little girls who dream of princesses. Little Rosie is sweet child but she is sad and doesn't smile. She loves rainbows and they bring joy and laughter to her.
Desiring his little Rosie to have her heart's desire, the king offers a bag of gold to anyone who can bring Rosie a permanent rainbow. Of course, you know and I know that isn't possible but this is, after all, a fairy tale.
After many tries, a little old lady solves the problem but it is not as Rosie or her father envision.
The "take away" of this story is look inward to the joy and love in our own hearts for the happiness we seek.
The illustrations are simply lovely and just brimming over with richness as one should find in a lovely fairy tale.
About the book: What is it that makes you happy? For little Princess Rosie, it was rainbows. Being a Princess, she could have anything she wanted. Toys, games, books. But she didn't want any of those things. Possessions didn't matter to her. Only rainbows could make her smile. "I wish I could have a rainbow all the time," Princess Rosie often sighed. Her parents, the King and Queen, tried everything they could think of to give Princess Rosie a rainbow, but with no success. Would the young Princess ever be happy? Maybe Becca, the wise old woman from the farthest village, could hold the secret to making Rosie smile?
Princess Rosie's Rainbows is a stunningly illustrated new fairytale that offers young readers the precious lesson that true happiness doesn't come from outward possessions, but from deep within us.
DISCLOSURE: I received complimentary copies of these two book from Wisdom Tales Publishing to facilitate a review. Opinions are my own and are freely given. Winner's prizes are provided by and shipped directly to the winner by the publisher.
Talk about the new movie Beauty and the Beast just releasing is seemingly on all fronts. Adults, teens, and kiddies alike are talking. So here we go on Chat With Vera - a bit of fairy tale wonder for the small ones. Board books designed with push, pull, and slide features to engage the young hands and mind and traipse a bit into the different world that is "the fairy tale."
ISBN: 9781626868977
First Stories: Beauty and the Beast by Dan Taylor (Illustrations)
"Do you love me, Beauty? Will you marry me?" First Stories: Beauty and the Beast is a perfect introduction to this classic fairytale. Push, pull, and turn mechanisms bring the story to life and introduce all the main characters: Beauty, her father, and of course the Beast! This well-loved fairytale is beautifully imagined for a new generation by children's illustrator Dan Taylor.
My thoughts: Now I don't know, but I think I would be a bit fearful if I was taken by my father to a huge house (think castle) and left with a beast. A big, furry, scary beast! But not young Beauty. She relished the fancy feast and saw his kindness. Beast fell in love with Beauty because of her happiness and laughter. Then the magical kiss that changed him from Beast to Handsome Prince.
A real fairy tale ending of happy-ever-after. An unrealistic story - but then most fairy tales are. I absolutely love the push, pull, slide, turn features. The books is bright and very sturdy. Silver Dolphin Books and artist Dan Taylor have done a grand job with this little book.
ISBN: 9781626868984
First Stories: Cinderella by Dan Taylor (Illustrations)
"Cinderella, you shall go to the ball!" First Stories: Cinderella is a perfect introduction to this classic fairytale. Push, pull, and turn mechanisms bring the story to life and introduce all the main characters: Cinderella, her stepsisters, the handsome prince, and of course the fairy godmother. This well-loved fairytale is beautifully imagined for a new generation by children's illustrator Dan Taylor.
My thoughts: Ah, we all know the sweet story of Cinderella and how she was rescued from her laborious life of drudgery by the magical abilities of the Fairy Godmother and the Prince who fell in love with her. All little girls want to be beautifully dressed for the magical ball and so they can relate to Cinderella.
Beautifully done in bright, energetic colors and illustrations, this little board book will entice once again young readers into the world that was Cinderella's.
Another fairy tale well done by Silver Dolphin Books and Dan Taylor and just right for little hands.
ISBN: 9781626869004
First Stories: Rapunzel by Dan Taylor (Illustrations)
"Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your golden hair!" First Stories: Rapunzel is the perfect introduction for young children to this classic fairytale. Push, pull, and turn mechanisms bring the story to life and introduce all the main characters: Rapunzel, the handsome prince, and of course the wicked witch! This well-loved fairytale is beautifully imagined for a new generation by children's illustrator Dan Taylor.
My thoughts: This board book is beautifully executed with engaging push, pull, slide tabs that reveal additional action and images. The size is a seven inch square just right for young hands. Colors are bright. Illustrations detailed and lively. The story is told in a sort of rhyme and is a retelling of an old fairy tale.
Being an old fairy tale, it begins with a harshness that I find unsuitable for the youth for which this board book is intended. Hence, particular care should be exercised in reading it to young children. My reasoning?
A baby named Rapunzel, with hair so fair and bright, Was taken by a wicked witch, one dark and stormy night. (pictured are the parents looking on as the witch snatches the baby from the crib).
Now I realize that fairy tales involve witches, bad things happening, and happy-ever-after. But I am troubled (hmmmm... a troubled tale troubles me) that a young child be worried about their own safety and the ability of their parents to protect and care for him or her.
Otherwise, an adorable book and I truly love the push, pull, slide features.
For nearly 20 years, Silver Dolphin Books has published award-winning activity, novelty, and educational nonfiction books for preschoolers to 12-year-olds. Our focus is to create books that engage and inspire children to learn more about the world around them while fostering a love of reading, exploration, and creative expression. From adorably-illustrated board books for toddlers, to interactive play and building sets, to sound books made for story time, we develop innovative books that both enlighten and entertain.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of each of these books from the publicist on behalf of author and publisher, Silver Dolphin Books, to facilitate a review. Opinions are my own. I was not compensated.
