Book Description

Using the four finger puppets that are included with this book, children can act out their favorite fairy tales on a colorful puppet stage! Read the story, practice the voices, and put on a great show for family and friends ­ FINGER PUPPET THEATER: JACK AND THE BEANSTALK is the perfect starting point for preschool performers. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Highly Creative, But Which One Is the Giant?
This is a simply wonderful book for stimulating young minds. Not only are the illustrations large and friendly (the giant looks more stupid than scary), but the "pages" are tough, easy-to-clean boards, ensuring a long-lasting favorite without torn pages.

The puppets are tailor-made (excuse the pun) for little fingers, and can lead to hours of fun as toddlers can act out the story, make up their own dialogue, and of course use the puppets for other creative play. The only criticism I have (and it's admittedly from an adult point of view) is that all the puppets are the same size, and none looks like the giant in the book. Is this good or bad? I don't know for sure. Highly creative children will decide for themselves and probably never give it a thought. Less creative children (or very precise ones, like my son was as a young toddler) may take issue with the fact that there isn't a readily visible giant. Also, on my copy of the book, two of the puppets have faces that look mean due to the positioning of the thread that makes their mouths. I don't know, again, whether it's only my copy, or whether it's on purpose.

On the whole, however, I find this concept and the book itself absolutely perfect for stimulating creative play. AND...there are four puppets, so two children can play without arguing (very important in my house, let me tell you!)

Jack and the Beanstalk
My mom bought the book 2 years ago at a bookfair for my little brother. He loves it. First I read it to him and played the puppets, but now he is 7 and a good reader himself. He loves reading this book to us and use the puppets. He even changes the voices for the characters. We have lots of fun with it. It makes reading fun!!!! I hope my review could help. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Beautiful!
Ms. Gili adapts the classic fairy tale by creating an exquisite book filled with doors to open, windows to peek through, and forests to hack through. The story is very short-which is great for my preschoolers but every page is a treat to explore. The strength of this book is its "very special" appearance. The illustrations are just so beautiful, very classic, very Dresden. We keep this book put on a high shelf to keep little fingers from exploring without parental supervision. It's an heirloom! Any little princess would treasure it. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

Book Description

Retold in both Spanish and English, the universally loved story of The Sleeping Beauty will delight a new generation of readers. The striking illustrations give a new look to this classic tale, and the bilingual text makes it perfect for both home and classroom libraries. ... Read more

Book Description

Retold in both Spanish and English, the universally loved story Puss in Boots will delight early readers and older learners alike. The striking illustrations give a new look to this classic tale, and the bilingual text makes it perfect for both home and classroom libraries. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A Real Charmer!
Everyone knows the story of the Frog Prince, and the idea of "kissing a frog to make a prince" is a well-loved verse around the world. But did you ever think that the spoilt Princess, who first broke her promise to the frog who rescued her ball and then threw him across the room in disgust before he changed into a prince was a little undeserving of her happily ever after? (Some versions of the story have the princess kissing the frog to change him back, but the throwing against the wall is the original and correct tale).

Alix Berenzy thought so, and resolved to retell and reillustrate the traditional tale from the frog's point of view. Sure enough, it starts on familiar territory: the Princess drops her golden ball into the pond and the frog retrieves it for her, on the condition that the Princess let him go with her into her palace and remain her companion. The ball is fetched, but the Princess regrets her decision to have the frog as a house guest, and only goes through with her promise on the instruction of her father.

But here is where the tale changes - hearing a riddle from the singing moon, the frog decides to go on a quest to find a *true* princess - one that will love him for his inner beauty. The king obliges, shamed by his daughter's ingratitude, and grants him royal clothes and a white pony. Following the sun by day and the moon by night, the frog begins his quest, traversing dangerous trolls, wicked witches, tangled woods and misty oceans to reach the End of the World and the Princess that awaits. Alix Berenzy creates a great twist in the tale by describing the beauty of the Princess in the castle, but making the reader turn the page to see her appearence on the following page - and that appearence is not what you'd expect!

The story is a lovely retelling of the traditional tale, undated somewhat for today's standards of teaching kids to look beyond a person's appearence to the soul within. This sentiment is the theme of the entire book, but with side plots of escapes and quests, Alix Berenzy thankfully does not jam it down our throats, and it is shared without overly dramatising it. The illustrations are of course stunning. As a children's illustrator Alix Berenzy is right up there with the masters: K. Y. Craft, Ruth Sanderson and Alan Lee - her paintings especially have a brightness and vividness to them that make them seem to leap out of the pages. She is a master at creating light - whether it be the light filtering through the woods, creating a path way of light, or the beautiful orange colours of the setting sun on the ocean as the frog prince crosses it on the back of a turtle. This is definitely a must have children's book, especially if you're a fan of the frog prince tale (try the Canon Movietale "The Frog Prince" starring Helen Hunt and Aileen Quinn) or moralistic stories of finding love below the surface (there are lots of similiarities here to the movie "Shrek" - even the colour green!) Highly recommended.

"Little green frog alone at night,
Beauty is in the beholder's sight.
Follow the sun, then follow me,
To lands beyond, across the sea.
In another kingdom you shall find,
A true princess, of a different mind."

Oh Mommy, Read it Again!
Is what our daughter exclaimed after we read her this book for the first time. The illustrations are Chris Van Allsburg (SP?) quality, the pace is just right for an attentive 3 to 4 year old. The frog keeps a steady moral high ground in both thought and deed while searching for the princess who is right for him. The end is quite a surprize, if only because of our preconceptions of the standard frog prince tale. ... Read more

Book Description

What was with that bizarre fairy tale Rumpelstiltskin?Why would a miller claim that his daughter can spin straw into gold?Why would the king believe him?And why would a odd little man that can spin straw into gold do so in exchange for a tiny gold ring?The story is just silly. In an attempt to make sense of it all, Vivian Vande Velde retells this wayward fairy tale, providing six alternative takes on the classic account.All six are woven into rich chronicles - all of which are far more intriguing and revealing than the original tale. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Funny and original
Lately I have been enjoying a bunch of those fairy tale retellings where an author takes a classic tale, such as Beauty and the Beast or Rapunzel, and makes it funny or modern or feminist. The Rumpelstiltskin Problem by Vivian Vande Velde takes the old story of Rumpelstiltskin and offers it up in six different ways. The book begins with a hilarious author's note where Vande Velde explains that the story of Rumpelstiltskin makes no sense. Why did the miller start talking to the king in the first place? Why would the troll named Rumpelstiltskin want a baby? Why did he want the poor girl's gold rings if he could spin a whole room of straw into gold? As Vande Velde asks, "What do you think your teacher would say if you handed in a story like this?" So Vande Velde decided to write six different versions of the story- some funny, some scary, and all unique. In one of them, Rumpelstiltskin is the one who comes out on top!
If you think you are too old for fairy tales, you are so wrong. Fairy tales were originally written for adults, and this book of Rumpelstiltskin tales is perfect for anyone looking for an interesting read.

Retell the Rumpelstiltskin story from everl point of view.
Did you ever try to imagine what it would be like to be a character in a fairy tale? These six imaginative versions of the Rumpelstiltskin story are told from wildly different points of view. There are versions with mean and friendly trolls. In one story there is a haughty king and in another King Gregory has to work hard to evade a rather inept social climbing miller's daughter. One boastful father with an understanding daughter, tries to correct his mistake. In another version, a curious neighbor named Rumpelstiltskin gets involved with a conniving miller's daughter.

Teachers often have students write a different end to a story. In this case you can show students how to write an entirely new version telling the story from the differing viewpoints of each character. Vivian Vande Velde has used the holes in the original story to tell an old favorite tale in a range of short stories that go from gruesome to hilarious. Cleverly done.

Read Me!
This book started out hilarious. I luaghed histerically when I read the authors note. then as I read on this book became less and less amusing. It was no longer funny and it soon became boring. I would say that if someone wanted to read this they should read the author's note then put it back on the shelf.

Repetitive nature almost trumps thematic ties
In this novel, The Rumpelstiltskin Problem by Vivian Vande Velde, there is an intense usage of universal theme throughout the book. Because of the way that the book is composed (many stories with slight alterations to fit different cultures that they were told in) it gives the possibility of a theme that is presented through one "myth" to be seen in another just in different circumstances and perhaps different characterizations, etc., yet giving the same overall presentation of that thematic statement. The theme that was quite apparent throughout all of Velde's stories of Rumpelstiltskin is the constant mischievous deception by the girl of the story to the king about being able to sew gold from plain straw, and because of that, every time a creature, whether it be Elf or Ogre, names Rumpelstiltskin must come along and hitch the girl out of the lie she and/or her father has set herself into. Even though the setting does change throughout the telling, as do the character names and the exact happenings of how the theme appears and plays out there is always that theme of lies get you not what you want in life and in the person to get you out of those lies will be the one you least expect and may not one to begin with. Overall, The Rumpelstiltskin Problem is a fantastic compilation of stories that are tied together by their themes, but the repetitiveness of the book because of its stories being told over and over with minor alterations gives it a kind of dullness and lameness that a young adult novel should not possess.

boring but creative
The beginning of this book is very interesting and entertaining. The voice of the author in his note is very amusing and makes a clear point. His ability to come up with such different and full versions of the classic story, Rumpelstiltskin, is extremely creative and enjoyable, but gets very dull as the book holds six different versions of the same story that we already know of. The questions that the author throws at the reader is what kept me reading the first half of the book, but had to force myself to read to the end. For the most part, I didn¡¯t enjoy the book, but some parts were amusing. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Caldecott Medalist Trina Schart Hyman's Rapunzel hearkens to a time of dark forests, forbidden gardens, and secrets locked away in a tower. Rapunzel is an innocent, barefooted beauty with "long blonde hair, as thick and glowing as sunlight or beaten gold." This version of Rapunzel is retold by Barbara Rogasky, who also collaborated with Hyman on The Golem, The Water of Life, and an illustrated collection of poetry for children, Winter Poems. Rogasky's version of this fairy tale flows along in the best of old-fashioned, once-upon-a-time cadences, such as when the prince hears "Rapunzel's sweet, lonely voice singing a song that pierced his heart." As for the witch, Mother Gothel, "she was so feared that even people who had never seen her had nightmares about her." A not-to-be-missed fairy tale for eager readers and listeners who have a soft spot for enchanting adventure stories with happy endings. (Ages 5 to 9) ... Read more

Reviews (27)

A visually beautiful rendition of a timeless tale
"When I was a young girl, I had long braids, and always wanted to be Rapunzel," confided a colleague at a recent meeting. Paul Zelinsky's Caldecott award-winning retelling of this age-old tale of a mother-to-be's craving for the forbidden rapunzel, a possessive sorceress, a beautiful girl with an unending cascade of silky hair shut away in a remote tower, and a handsome prince just might reawaken those desires. In his informative "Note About Rapunzel ," Zelinsky relates how he drew on elements from the early French and Italian sources as well as from the better known Grimm version of this tale to create his own compelling version. Thus, some details of the story are less familiar. Rapunzel naively reveals that she has had a visitor in the tower when she asks the sorceress to help her with her dress for, "It is growing so tight around my waist, it doesn't want to fit me anymore." Other elements, retold in their familiar spare rhythm, such as "Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair!" retain ther original power. Zelinsky uses the formal beauty of Renaissance art to evoke both the physical beauty of the characters and the Italian landscape. His large oil paintings overflow with softly muted colors, billowing folds of finely detailed period costumes, ornate architecture, and majestic landscapes. His masterful use of glinting and filtering light illuminates every page. Zelinsky's Rapunzel is a book to be treasured by anyone who appreciates a timeless tale and delights in an object of visual beauty.

Beautiful illustrations and a traditional retelling
Paul O. Zelinsky's "Rapunzel" is a delight of renaissance-like oil paintings depicting a delicately beautiful girl, a frightening witch, and a handsome prince. The illustrations are truly superb, and each page features a beautifully rendered painting rich with color and detail.

Zelinsky's retelling of the story is traditional yet satisfying, but the illustrations really steal the show. Children will get caught up in the fairytale landscapes and the magical locales. Readers will also appreciate the additional information provided by Zelinsky about his retelling of the story and his study of Italian Renaissance art. It's always nice to know why artists choose to illustrate stories in a certain way.

This book won the Caldecott Medal for its fantastic illustrations.

Provacative story line with beautiful illustrations.
"Rapunzel" retold and illustrated Paul O. Zelisky is a version of the fairytale more closely relating to its original form dating back to 1635 called "Petrosinella". The story of "Rapunzel" has been found all over the world and has transcended time and culture, with few minor changes in the detail of the story for instance Rapunzel's hair color. The most distinctive difference between Zelisky's version and more modern interpretations, beginning with the Brother's Grimm is whether or not Rapunzel's pregnancy is mentioned. I think the story is for a more mature audience but children are not likely to catch the fact that Rapunzel is pregnant because they will be enchanted with the illustrations. The illustrations are reminiscent of the Italian Renaissance and will transport any reader into the fantasy world. Having researched several versions of Rapunzel, I have found that Zelisky's version is the most real to life because it does raise issues of sex, the inability for some parents to take care of their children, stealing, and cruelty to others. This book is provocative and will make readers of all ages asked questions; I would recommend this book for both children and adults. I think that both age groups could learn from each other by reading this book together, just be ready to answer your child's questions honestly.

The rare non-Disneyfied fairy tale
The winner of the Caldecott Medal, "Rapunzel" is one of the most lush and beautiful stories ever created for children. Carrying many of the distinctive Zelinsky elements (staggered perspectives, reoccurring background characters, gorgeous lighting, etc.) the book is a joy to look at. Each picture evokes the spirit of the Renaissance, from the first tableau (the husband and wife feeling her pregnant stomach in contentment) to the last (the loving family poses with the cherubim-like children). The text is a little more racy than your average children's picture book. Zelinsky doesn't shy away from the fact that Rapunzel is pregnant when the witch learns of her illicit relations, though he does legitimize the girl's newfound glow with a hasty "marriage" of the prince to Rapunzel in her tower. Sans priest, no less. The book is also remarkable for the dramatic shift that occurs in the character of the witch. A scowling ghoul in one picture, she transforms into an almost nunlike character when receiving the little Rapunzel baby. One might well ask what happens to the witch after she casts Rapunzel and her prince into the desert, but Zelinsky doesn't feel this is worth discussing. A perfect book for storytelling, as the pictures are colorful and easy to see from a distance. Would pair well with his other oil painted fairy tale "Rumplestiltskin".

Gorgeous book
This book has a great story, but above all: the illustrations are AMAZING. They are like oil paintings, full of colour and detail. Very young and older child both will really enjoy this book. This book is essential to any home or school library.
Slight warning- Rapunzel gets pregnant with twins after 'letting down her hair' for the prince.....i was asked 'how did that happen?' :) Some parents might not want their kids to read that part. ... Read more

Book Description

Matching folio to the Disney animated feature. Includes 13 pages of beautiful full-color photos from the movie and 8 songs, featuring the Oscar -winning "Under the Sea." Also: Kiss the Girl * Daughters of Triton * Part of Your World * more! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The Little Mermaid (Disney/Book and Cassette)
This the Disney story about Arial, the little mermaid & all her odd assortment of friends that live with her in the sea. My grand-daughter Britanie, is 4 years old & just loves this book/ tape so much that she wore it out. I love the idea that the cassettes follow the words in the book so the children following the words read aloud, start to recognize words that they hear. I am in the process of trying to purchase her another set. This is only thing she asked me to get again her for Christmas.

not so bad
I thought that this book would be great for children. It has many good fantasy adventures for little kids and I think that you should read it to your kids or just read it on your own time. ... Read more

Book Description

When Beauty (a dreamy-looking bloodhound) is 17 she finds a shaggy dog crone spinning and pricks her paw, setting off a curse. The whole palace falls asleep until a brave collie prince comes along to give Beauty that magic awakening sniff, lick, and at last a kiss. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (5)

LOVE THAT ARTWORK!
I PICKED UP "PUSS IN COWBOY BOOTS" QUITE BY ACCIDENT ONE DAY WHILE BROWSING IN THE CHILDREN'S SECTION OF MY LOCAL LIBRARY (LEWISTOWN, PA). I JUST LOVED THAT ARTWORK! HOW DID PHIL HULING GET THOSE REDS SO VIVID? EVERYTIME I DID THAT WITH WATERCOLORS, THE REDS ALWAYS FADED QUICKLY ON ME! ALSO LOVED THE UPDATING OF THE ORIGINAL PUSS IN BOOTS FAIRY TALE. I WAS JUST GLAD THAT THE BUSH FAMILY DIDN'T SHOW UP ANYWHERE IN THE MODERN TALE! (STILL, I WONDERED IF THAT OILMAN DIDN'T HAVE A CONNECTION THERE, SOMEWHERE!) ANYWAY, I LOVED THE STORY, AND EVEN THOUGH I DON'T HAVE ANY CHILDREN, IF I DID, THIS BOOK WOULD BE ON THEIR BOOKSHELF, YOU CAN COUNT ON THAT! A GREAT BOOK, AND ONE I RECOMMEND TO ANY PARENT.

New flare to old story
This book gives the old "Puss N Boots" a hot kick up. The story is modernized just enough to let the kids get a feel for the charactures in the story, while still having fun with the original tale. Beautifully illustrated it will bring enjoyment to all ages

Will make children of all ages whoop & holler !
This clever book will be a favorite in my house for many years to come. The eye catching colorful illustrations are perfect for keeping young children interested. And older children just find it a fun simple read. As a mother of two boys,1st and 3rd graders, I am always looking for fun books that will make them WANT to read. This is a book to get the readers reading!!

Wonderful illustrations!
I especially loved the watercolor illustrations of this fine children's book. They are creative, detailed clever and properly tied to the storyline.
I highly recommend this book to anyone with or without children who love fine watercolor.

Puss in Cowboy Boots
Delightfully funny, my kids laughed right to the end. ... Read more

Book Description

A prince in search of a princess, a domineering baroness and her two daughters, and an orphaned servant girl who sleeps in the ashes by the fireplace....

By the time Danielle is eight years old, her mother and father have died and she has been left in the care of her new stepmother, the Baroness Rodmilla of Ghent.Twelve years later, the baroness and her two daughters have made Danielle their servant, giving her the nickname Cindersoot and ordering her every day to chop firewood, tend the grounds, and clean the manor house.

When Prince Henry of France begins a search for a wife, the baroness intends to make sure her beautiful daughter Marguerite becomes his bride.But when Danielle and the prince meet by chance one day, sparks fly.The baroness will do everything within her power to keep her servant from becoming the Queen of France.

Based on the classic story of Cinderella by Charles Perrault, Ever After is a historical romance that is certain to charm and delight modern readers.

... Read more

Reviews (37)

A novel that Dosen't put the movie to shame
Usually when I read books based on movies I am deeply dissapointed becasue A. they usually leave out important scenes, and/or B They treat the book like a screen play and barely put in any description. This book did not to that. I found Danielle's Cinderella like Story to be just as good in a novel as in a movie. If you liked the movie and you love fairy tales with strong Female charecters then you should definatly read this book!

A Cinderella Story Without Magic.
The book does follows the movie; however, there are some variations... I can recommend the book for anyone age ten or over. However, it is so short that it would belonge in the children's section of a library. The book is probably ideal for ages 11 through 14.

The story is what makes the book good. However, for the mid to upper teens and adults, the book should be at least three times as long. It is way too short to satisfy your craving for detail.

awesum, even better than the movie, which was terrific!
I had seen the movie dozens of times before I read the book, which I spoted my teacher had on her classroom shelf. I borrowed it which only took me a couple of hours to read. It is way better than the movie because it can tell you the actual feelings the characters are feeling, thinking, & expirencing. Other than that, the storyline is, is,well, it was so good I can't even discribe it in words! It is romantic, sweet, witty, yet also very clever. Even though set in the early 1600's, it is even better in that time, which such poetry, & feeling that a woman could not discuss in those times.

An enjoyable read
I thought that this book was a good read, especailly as I also enjoyed the movie. The book is not entirely faithful to the movie, I must admit, but it was still an enjoyable read and I thought the cover was excellent.

Decent book
Well, I saw the movie first, and I LOVED it. So I went to buy the book to see if it was just as good. Unfortunetly, I was highly disapointed. Though the story-line is good, I think Wendy Loggia could've made it a bit more creative. There were few parts in the book that the movie didn't have, but most of the lines out of the book were exactly the same as in the movie. So If i were you, I'd just rent the movie ~*Michele*~ ... Read more