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.
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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
28 of 28 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.
21 of 21 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.
22 of 23 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.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
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 11 months ago by M. Heiss
A feast for the eyes
Every once in a while, a book comes along that is so beautifully illustrated; it literally becomes a feast for the eyes. This is one of those books. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Cheryl A. Bowman
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 13 months ago by DEWEY M.
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 13 months ago by mommak4
A Gorgeous Rendition of a Traditional Fairy Tale
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... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Shanna A. Gonzalez
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 20 months ago by Geri M. Bosley
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 22 months ago by Seckmea
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
Lovely retelling
I'll admit that there are so many versions of Cinderella that it must be difficult to devise a new and extra-special retelling. Read more
Published on November 20, 2009 by A. Williams
Once again, a masterpiece publication.
Again, as with their other books, the publisher has hit a homerun. And arguably, this is the best story ever written for little girls.
Buy it -- it's worth every cent.
Buy it -- it's worth every cent.
Published on June 27, 2008 by Paul Maynard
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