Download Description

In the bosom of one of those spacious coves which indent the eastern shore of the Hudson, at that broad expansion of the river denominated by the ancient Dutch navigators the Tappan Zee, and where they always prudently shortened sail and implored the protection of St. Nicholas when they crossed, there lies a small market town or rural port, which by some is called Greensburgh, but which is more generally and properly known by the name of Tarry Town. This name was given, we are told, in former days, by the good housewives of the adjacent country, from the inveterate propensity of their husbands to linger about the village tavern on market days. Be that as it may, I do not vouch for the fact, but merely advert to it, for the sake of being precise and authentic. Not far from this village, perhaps about two miles, there is a little valley or rather lap of land among high hills, which is one of the quietest places in the whole world. A small brook glides through it, with just murmur enough to lull one to repose; and the occasional whistle of a quail or tapping of a woodpecker is almost the only sound that ever breaks in upon the uniform tranquillity. ... Read more

Book Description

In this exuberant companion volume to ABC POP!, which reviewers called "dazzling" and "one of the sassiest, most fun alphabet books ever"(Copley News Service), Rachel Isadora once again combines an amusing homage to pop art masters such as Lichtenstein, Warhol, and Oldenburg with a sure knowledge of the images children find appealing. From one man on the moon to ten lizards to a million stars Rachel Isadora ingeniously reinterprets numbers in a pop style for the millennium.

"Satisfying, visually stimulating and fun."--Kirkus Reviews on ABC POP!

"Baby boomers will find this artistic homage a nostalgic hoot, while their offspring will appreciate its verve."--Publishers Weekly on ABC POP! ... Read more

Book Description

The little mermaid grows up longing to visit the world above the waves. When she is finally old enough to travel to the surface of the sea, her life is changed forever. She rescues a young prince from a shipwreck and, out of love, risks all she has for the chance to win his heart. Rachel Isadora's glowing watercolors and rhythmic text breathe new life into this classic story from Hans Christian Andersen.

"A fey, powerfully moving tale, exquisitely illustrated."--Publishers Weekly

Awards:
( A Child Study Children's Book Committee Best
( Children's Book of the Year ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Most reviews here are NOT about this book!
Sulamith Wulfing's art is gorgeous! Unfortunately, most of the reviews I see here are NOT for her book! They are reviews of the version Rachel Isadora illustrated (see the "nipples" and violence comments); or even for Disney's Little Golden Book adapted from the cartoon. I don't understand why reviews for other versions are displayed here; it's very misleading! If you like Sulamith Wulfing's art, you'll probably like this book.

Not for Children
We don't need to see the Little Mermaid's nipples.
(I can never understand why the people who cry out that the nudity is "JUST art!" don't notice that it is never underdressed males, but little girls that we have to look at.)

Amazon.com rates this book for ages 4 - 8, but the text is difficult and violent, and the admittedly lovely art is appropriate for graphic novels in the _Sandman_ vein, not for kids.

Yes, it is a lovely story, yes, it was dark to begin with, and no it is not a children's book.

Good translation, pretty (aside from the gratuitousness) illustrations earn 2 stars.

The best rendering of this story I have ever seen
The Little Mermaid. Illustrated by Sulamith Wulfing; text by Hans Christian Andersen. Translated from the German by Petra Michel.

Sulamith Wulfing is a fantastic artist whose work has been sold as books of plates, calendars, and even decks of cards. This book is special because it is one of the few times that her works illustrate a story. Each page has black and white line drawings and there are ten full page color plates. The color plates are the type of work for which the artist is most known and the ten in this book have been reprinted in her calendars and other collected works. The color is vibrant and the themes of each are sublime. The cover illustration is also the last illustration in the text and shows the mermaid transformed into The Immortal Soul.

An epilog called "The Sacrifice" written by the artist's son, Otto Schulze, states that a new translation of Andersen's story was used and that "parts of the story have been summarized." While staying true to Andersen's original plot, incidents and characters have been left out and parts of the story have been changed. These changes raise the story above being a children's fairy tale and highlight its allegorical theme about the role of love in the quest for immortality. The modified text and the mystical art go together excellently to make this the best rendering of this story I have ever seen. Originally published in German in 1953, this work is as vibrant today as when it was first conceived 50 years ago.

At the end of the book is a brief one page biography of the author with an early photograph of her and a self portrait painted in 1953.

The Last Great Little Golden Book
When I was growing up the first books that I can remember owning were the Little Golden Books especially the Walt Disney titles. The first title that I can fondly remember was "Darby O'Gill and the Little People" that my parents bought me. What I remember most and what really interested me were the illustrations. I had seen the film in the theatre and I was really interested in having this book to go along with the movie. I spent many hours over the coarse of my childhood looking at those pictures and savoring all the enjoyment they gave me helping me relive my experience of seeing that film. "The Little Mermaid" was the first new Disney film that my daughter had ever seen in the theatre. "The Little Mermaid" was also the first Little Golden Book I purchased for her. I hadn't really looked at any of these books in years but it was almost by instinct when I picked up "The Little Mermaid" in the bookstore and brought it home for her. How knew the style of the illustrations looked, not quite the same as "Darby O'Gill and the Little People" as I remember. However, life does comes full-circle I suppose. This was always my daughter's favorite Little Golden Book. I used to read the book to her as she looked at the pictures at bedtime. None of the subsequent Little Golden Books seemed to hold the same magic that "The Little Mermaid" did for her. I just found her copy of this book in the cellar the other day. I picked it up and looked through it. I suppose this was the first time that I really looked at the illustrations, I mean really looked at them. They didn't look quite that new any more. They were beginning to show their age. I just didn't realize how many years had passed since I had purchased it. Life continues on with another circle. I am so glad that I still have this book and am able to clutch it in my hands and just remember.

Dreamy Mermaid
I loved this book. I was raised on Disney's Little Mermaid and now that I am older, 20, and have a child of my own I am so happy to be able to show them an even more beautiful version. This book has some of the most wonderful pictures I have ever seen in a book before. I am a librarian in the elementary school in in our city and all of the students love this book. We have had many sessions where we have explored the differences in the Disney version and Ms. Isadora's, which have been very exciting. The children have drawn their own pictures and all were very influenced by Ms. Isadora's. I just wanted to say how very much all of us love this very gorgeous edition. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Ibbotson is an unkown delight
I discovered Ibbotson two years ago when I read her latest book, A Song For Summer. Magic Flutes is not her best book, but it definitely holds it's own. She mixes great characters, settings and opera to create a story that can be read over and over. The heroine, an impoverished princess, is enchanting. But I think my favorite characters are the opera crew. Who can help but love Boris and his yogurt culture he named the Mother. Ibbotson's books are hard to find, but well worth the search.

A poignant, lovely story!
Ibbotson has a marvelous understanding of music, art, medicine, history, and science. I constantly want to look things up in the encyclopedia to see if she has her information correct - and she does! This is a cinderella story with a multitude of moments that touch the heart. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

sweet story with great illustrations
I was disappointed to read the review listed with the book. My 4 year old daughter brought this home from the school library and we both loved it so much I tried to buy it, but it is out of print. The illustrations are adorable and it's a great book to lead up to Christmas. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Kipper the cute little doggie!
In this cute kipper book, Kipper and Tiger try to out-do the other with silly little tricks they can do. Poor pig, he can't do any of those things...BUT he can do one thing well, he can do what Kipper and Tiger could NOT do..."he could stand on his head for ages and ages". This cute little book shows that everyone has some kind of talent and everyone is special. Cute, simple and a hit for little ones. Kipper is a star in this home!!

SWING
What a wonderful surprise to see the type of swing that Kipper and Tiger will use. It is simple and lends itself to all the amazing things they will do. It is written in a very creative manner teaching us that whatever we do is special because we are special. The children in my Pre K class loved this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Kipper shares his toys with a most particular guest.
... Read more

Reviews (1)

Kipper wins again!
My 2 1/2 year old daughter loves any Kipper book.But I especially like this one since sharing is a problem.Like the colors and pictures too. ... Read more