Thumbelina
  • Published:
    Jun-1990 (Hardcover)
  • Formats:
    Print
  • Main Genre:
    General Fiction
  • Age Level:
    04-08
  • Purchase:
  • Share:
Gr 2-5-- A credible translation of Andersen's Thumbelina. Although rather formal in tone, lacking the immediacy of Haugaard's colloquial language in Hans Christian Andersen: His Classic Fairy Tales (Doubleday, 1978), Riordan's smooth retelling presents the entire story without deviations or sweetening touches. In watercolors that have an unearthly glow, Thumbelina is portrayed as a fey creature, existing in a world of nature and fantasy. The illustrations tread this fine line well, contrasting the solid earthy browns of the fieldmouse and the mole with the translucent yellow-greens of the heroine. Fanciful touches, such as spiders in four-armed waistcoats who spin a tiny wedding dress, add to the fantastic aspect, while close-ups of natural plants and animals ground it in reality. Many editions of this story are in print, but most, such as Amy Ehrlich's (Dial, 1979; o.p.), abridge the tale, changing important plot elements in the process. An interesting version. --Karen K. Radtke, Milwaukee Public Library
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EDITIONS
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    • First Edition
    • Jun-1990
    • Arrow (UK)
    • Hardcover
    • ISBN: 0091740835
    • ISBN13: 9780091740832
    •  
    • Mar-1991
    • Putnam
    • Hardcover
    • ISBN: 0399217568
    • ISBN13: 9780399217562



View the Complete James Riordan Book List