Ayano Imai(Minedition) When a gifted shoemaker finds himself out of work, his trusted companion the cat takes upon himself to save his master’s business. So the shoemaker does what the cat requests by making him the most beautiful pair of red boots before he takes to the road. Because the cat has a plan, and it …
traditional tales
HANSEL & GRETEL WEEK (4): Hansel and Gretel
Anthony Browne(Walker Books) If the other versions of Hansel and Gretel I have presented so far very much had a sense of place, this adaptation by previous Children’s Laureate Anthony Browne conveys a very strong sense of time. First published in 1981, this book depicts rather bleak elements of society at the time: the unemployment, the poverty, possibly …
Wolf Won’t Bite
Emily Gravett(Macmillan Children’s Books) The three little pigs seem to have reversed the situation and captured the wolf! They take full advantage of the situation by showing him off in a circus! They make him do all sorts of tricks and seem to enjoy slightly humiliating him too; after all, whatever you do to him, “Wolf …
Rapunzel Week (5): The Fairytale Hairdresser
Abie Longstaff (text) & Lauren Beard (illustrations)(Random House Children’s Books) Meet Kitty Lacey, hairdresser extraordinaire with an array of famous clients: from Little Red to Thumbelina, and from the Beast to Father Christmas, they all come to visit when their hair needs a trim. But when she is called to a rather threatening-looking tower, she …
Rapunzel Week (4): Happy Ever-After: Rapunzel Cuts Loose
Tony Bradman (text) & Sarah Warburton (illustrations)(Orchard Books) It is Saturday morning at the palace and Rapunzel, who has married her prince, is feeling very blue. Saturday is wash-hair day. Prince Dynamo loves her long blonde locks (it reminds him of when they first met) but it takes 12 servants just to hold it, and …
Rapunzel Week (3): Falling for Rapunzel
Leah Wilcox (text) & Lydia Monks (illustrations)(Puffin) Once upon a bad hair day, a prince rode up Rapunzel’s way.“Rapunzel, Rapunzel, throw down your hair!”She thought he said, “Your underwear” If you are looking for a humorous take on the traditional fairy-tale, this one is definitely the one for you. Hard-of-hearing Rapunzel becomes increasingly confused when …
Rapunzel Week (2): Rapunzel
Retold by Susanna Davidson, illustrated by Desideria Guicciardini(Usborne) This adaptation for newly-confident readers includes bold and simply text with lively comical and brightly-coloured illustrations. I really liked the 18th century feel to the story, specifically in the costumes. I know it is not unusual, but for some reason it really stood out for me!The strength …
Rapunzel Week (1): Rapunzel
Sarah Gibb(Harpercollins Children’s Books) This very book is what inspired me to do a Rapunzel week, alongside The Fairytale Hairdresser, which I will review later in the week. I bought this for my daughter as part as her Christmas Eve book bundle, having discovered Sarah Gibb via The Princess Who Had No Kingdom (to be …
Tortoise vs Hare: The Rematch
Preston Rutt (text) & Ben Redlich (illustrations)(Meadowside Children’s Books) Harry ‘The Hurricane’ Hare has never quite gotten over his defeat to ‘Steady’ Eddie Tortoise in that race. But he is hoping for revenge, as it’s time for a rematch!!!! This book is very, very clever, and absolutely hilarious! Preston Rutt takes the well-known traditional tale, gives it a …