This brilliant edition of a timeless story is sure to become the favorite of a generation. Readers young and old will be enchanted by the vision and mastery of Kinuko Y. Craft's luminous paintings, inspired by the lavish artwork of late seventeenth-century France and embellished with extraordinary borders and ornamentation. Rich with radiant color and astonishing detail, here is a dream come true for anyone who has ever believed in living happily ever after.
Cinderella
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
As lavish as Craft's (King Midas and the Golden Touch) previous works, this retold fairy tale abounds with ornamental detail. Inspired by the opulent styles of 17th- and 18th-century France, the paintings are confections of luxurious clothing, densely vegetated woods and regally appointed ballrooms. A number of the pictures are breathtaking: Craft's painting of Cinderella's ornate gold carriage flying through the sky is as romantic as any fairy-tale aficionado could wish for. Elaborate initials introduce the narrative on each spread, and the text almost always faces full-page illustrations. The story, adapted from Arthur Rackham's and Andrew Lang's versions, contains pleasing touches as well as a moral. For example, Cinderella and the prince first meet when Cinderella nurses a lame bluebird in the forest; this same bluebird later becomes the fairy godmother. When the glass slipper fits Cinderella, the prince says, "How I knew that day in the woods that you were indeed special, but I should have fully recognized that heart whether clothed in rags or regalia." While this is not the most childlike version of Cinderella, it may be among the most sumptuous. All ages. (Sept.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 4-Craft retains some of Perrault's formality and many of his story elements in this sumptuous rendition of the oft-told tale. An introductory note points to sources that include The Arthur Rackham Fairy Book, Andrew Lang's The Blue Fairy Book, and the Grimms' "Aschenputtel," in which a bird grants the wish. Craft incorporates the creature at key points throughout her tale. Early on, a bluebird's injury creates a reason for Cinderella to linger in the forest, whereupon she encounters the prince in her unadorned state. Later, it is transformed into a Maxfield Parrish-inspired fairy godmother. Finally, the prince compares his guest's sweet voice to the warbler that sings at his window. While pulling some visual details from the Art Nouveau tradition-most notably the symbolic gilt peacocks in the cover's border-the oil-over-watercolor scenes are mostly reminiscent of French 17th and 18th-century paintings. A consummate artist, Craft conveys the sheen of pearls, the delicacy of lace, the volume of period fashion. She controls the pace with one-page compositions (faced with bordered, illuminated text) interspersed with wordless double spreads at climactic moments. Groups or individuals will enjoy contrasting this offering to Brian Pinkney's artwork for Robert San Souci's Cendrillon (S & S, 1998) or Alan Schroeder's Smoky Mountain Rose (Puffin, 2000). Make room for this one.
Wendy Lukehart, Dauphin County Library, Harrisburg, PA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Wendy Lukehart, Dauphin County Library, Harrisburg, PA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
31 of 31 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Okay, I love fairy tales, but I bought this book because Kinuko Y Craft illustrated it. Craft's work is absolutely stunning, not to mention romantic and atmospheric. I buy any book which has a Craft cover (Patricia McKillip's are just wonderful).
But I have to say this, in all honesty, this book just took my breath away. The paintings are almost beyond words. Trust me. You have to see them to know Craft's genius, and as one reviewer wrote, never has Cinderella looked more beautiful, more enchanting, more magical. If I didn't know better, I would think Craft really is part fae. If you love fairy tales, this Cinderella is a must for your collection.
For adults, children, and all who love magic and fantasy.
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Another absolutely amazing book by K. Y. Craft. Here she brings us a "more genuine" retelling of the famous tale - far more rich in detail than the Disney production. The pictures are lush images from dreams, and the story is more detailed and enjoyable. If you are looking for an alternative to the Disney version (one in which the sisters are not physically violent with Cinderella) this is the one that will make a young girl's dreams soar. My 3 year old loved it when she got it for Christmas, and it is still a favorite. I also recommend "The Twelve Dancing Princesses" by K. Y. Craft as well, which is available in an affordable paperback that should not be missed.
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The dedication in this book reads: "For All Dreamers." The illustrations are ethereal and lush, very similar to the Cinderella I imagined when I first heard the story in my childhood. Craft takes her readers back to a traditional setting where the gowns are elaborate and the colors are vibrant. Little girls will especially enjoy the illustrations as they dream of their own "princess" dresses.
Fans of Kinuko Y. Craft will adore this new book. Some of you may know her for her illustrations of other children's books such as "The Twelve Dancing Princesses." Others may know her as the cover artist of many of Patricia McKillip's beautiful books. However you may know her work, you will enjoy this new edition of Cinderella.
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Craft adds quite a bit to Charles Perrault's original terse version of this tale, including a scene with a wounded bird being tended by Cinderella. The bird is reminiscent of the Grimm brothers version, however, and serves a nice touch at the end. It is not the story which is so outstanding about this book, though. I was introduced to Craft's work through my college's poster fair, but nothing prepared me for the exquisite nature of her work in "Cinderella." This version embodies all the fantastic and beautiful elements which we want to see in a fairy tale like "Cinderella," but so often illustrators take an avant-garde approach, or seek to focus on Perrault's prose and ignore the chance to fully realize the story visually. However, we all know the story - we want to SEE it. Craft obliges by bringing the story to life luxuriantly and without holding back. She deserves a hand of applause.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By R. Thompson
Format:Hardcover
What a magnificent depiction of this timeless tale. If it matters to you that your child know the beauty of words fitly put together and the loveliness of art then this is the Cinderella you want. The language is elegant and the paintings are exquisite. I couldn't stop looking at the paintings and relishing the detail and emotion. I am currently building my daughter's library and how glad I am that I didn't get Disney's Cinderella, for that is not the Cinderella I want her to know.
Kindness, humility and forgiveness constitutes a royal heart. Cinderella had the heart of a queen before she ever came into the presence of her king. That should make her a staple in any child's library.
Kindness, humility and forgiveness constitutes a royal heart. Cinderella had the heart of a queen before she ever came into the presence of her king. That should make her a staple in any child's library.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By T.M.E.M.R.
Format:Hardcover
I bought this book to read to my daughter until she is old enough to read on her own. I thought the story was intriguing, with multiple prince sightings and the illustrations were absolutely extraordinary. This book is a delight to look at, never mind read.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Given the popularity of Disney's cartoon Cinderella, there are surprisingly few excellent versions of the original fairy tale available, but if you can get your hands on this one you may have no desire to keep looking. Kinuko Craft's version surpasses other versions just as the resplendent Cinderella, in luscious gown and glass slippers, outshone the other women at the prince's ball. Craft's sumptuous paintings are similar to those of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century France, and fairy tale purists will be happy to note that her streamlined prose is adapted from Arthur Rackham's and Andrew Lang's versions of the classic story. In the story, a beautiful young woman is mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters, but she is magically transported to the prince's ball with the help of her kindly fairy godmother. There her natural beauty (accentuated by the finery lavished on her by the fairy godmother) wins the prince's heart, and he scours the kingdom to find her -- his only clue the glass slipper she left behind in her hurry to be out of sight before the magic spell was broken.
Astonishingly, this book has not been published widely, but is available in public libraries and on the used book market.
Astonishingly, this book has not been published widely, but is available in public libraries and on the used book market.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
If You Are Tired of Disney...
As much as we've tried to avoid it, it seems that everywhere we go, we are accosted by Disney princesses, with their vapid expressions and suggestive poses. Read more
Published 1 day ago by SKB
4.0 out of 5 stars
Gorgeous illustrations and a timeless tale.
Need I say more? KY Craft creates exquisite worlds in vibrant detail. Perfect gift for the princess in your life.
Published 23 days ago by RK Tolbert
3.0 out of 5 stars
Great Art! Story could be better.
As Always Craft has some of the most gorgeous art. Sadly the story was a bit wanting. I know it is a standard Cinderella story, but it didn't have any of the details. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Louise Conrad
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful Book!!!
This is a lovely book that I purchased simply for the art of K. Y Craft, her pictures are so beautiful. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Brigette
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
There is just no beating Marcia Brown's classic Cinderella, but this book is so beautiful and so well-told, you will want them both. Read more
Published on June 8, 2011 by M. Heiss
5.0 out of 5 stars
K.Y. CRAFT MAKES "CINDERELLA" A STUNNING WORK OF ART
I love fairy tales and have a large collection of fairy tale books and DVDS. "Cinderella" is, of course, the most famous fairy tale of all time. And K.Y. Read more
Published on April 13, 2011 by DEWEY M.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gorgeous Illustrations
The illustrations in this book are simply exquisite. A true delight for the eye! The beautiful paintings really do justice to the magic of the fairytale. Read more
Published on March 30, 2011 by mommak4
5.0 out of 5 stars
lovely
What a beautiful little book. The story is classic, but what sets this apart is the fabulous illustration. Who says children's books can't be works of art? Read more
Published on August 29, 2010 by Geri M. Bosley
5.0 out of 5 stars
beautifully written and illustrated!
This book is awesome. It has lovely pictures and the story is written well...I collect fairy tale books and this one is one of the most beautiful that I own...but then K.Y. Read more
Published on July 16, 2010 by Seckmea
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful inside and out
I feel like this book is ridiculously underrated. And by that I don't mean that it has low ratings, but rather that it has so few of them. Read more
Published on November 30, 2009 by Ana_y_lat
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