Classic Fairy Tales [Hardcover]

Scott Gustafson (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

This exquisitely illustrated, large format gift book features ten of the most enduring fairy tales of all time. The stories, chosen and edited by the artist, are a balance of 'princess' classics and frolicking adventure tales.

Artist Scott Gustafson spent more than four years creating the seventy-five rich oil paintings, reproduced here in full color. His style is reminiscent of N.C. Wyeth and Wyeth;s gifted student Jessie Wilcox Smith (plus a touch of Arthur Rackham in the fairies). The rounded-face, glowing children and charming interiors contribute to Gustafson?s unique and contemporary style, which will capture the hearts of even the most hard-boiled media-savvy child.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 6-Gustafson has selected 10 of the best-known tales to retell and illustrate: "Goldilocks," "Puss in Boots," "Hansel and Gretel," "Snow White," and the like. His luminous paintings-from spot art to full spreads-are carefully composed and rendered. The facial expressions and postures of humans and animals alike are full of life. The language of the retellings is adequate, but not inspired. All in all, this handsome, oversized volume is a good addition to libraries that need to replace or supplement their fairy-tale collections.
Miriam Lang Budin, Chappaqua Public Library, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 3-5. Gustafson uses 10 familiar folktales as vehicles for more than 70 elaborately detailed paintings that he acknowledges owe much to N.C. Wyeth, Arthur Rackham, and Normal Rockwell. The tales in the oversize volume are presented in toned down, nonviolent versions; the princess kisses the frog prince rather than throwing him against a wall, for instance, and "Cinderella" ends amicably. "The Three Pigs" is the most altered; as neither of the first two pigs dies, and some of the dialogue is rhymed ("'Ha, ha, old wolf, for a fool you've been taken. That butter churn was full of bacon!'"). The illustrations, ranging from thumb-size vignettes to full-spread scenes, feature nearly photo-realistic figures clad in sumptuous court dress and posed with broadly emotive body language. Gustafson's art doesn't measure up to that of Paul Zelinsky or K. Y. Craft for intensity of feeling, but it does lack Michael Hague's occasionally overwrought sentimentality, and there's plenty to see in the easy-on-the-eyes views. John Peters
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: The Greenwich Workshop Press (October 15, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 086713089X
• ISBN-13: 978-0867130898
• Product Dimensions: 12.2 x 10.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #39,179 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #33 in Books > Children's Books > Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths > Anthologies

More About the Author

Scott Gustafson is an artist who attended the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts. He originally had ambitions of becoming an animator, but has worked primarily as an illustrator for the past thirty years. He has illustrated a number of children's books including The Night Before Christmas, Peter Pan, and Nutcracker. Other titles include Animal Orchestra, Alphabet Soup, Classic Fairy Tales and Favorite Nursery Rhymes from Mother Goose, published by The Greenwich Workshop Press. Recently he has also tried his hand at writing, and his new book, Eddie: The Lost Youth of Edgar Allan Poe is his first illustrated novel published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. In addition, he has worked on film projects for DreamWorks and PDI and has created character designs for the animated TV show, Chugginton. His illustrations also appear in limited-edition prints and on collector plates, greeting cards, and gift wrap. Scott has been awarded a Chelsea award by the Association of Science Fiction and Fantasy Artists for Classic Fairy Tales and an Independent Publisher Book Award for Best Children's Picture Book.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Illustrations Amazing but Text Stilted, August 26, 2004

By 

D. M. Pollack (San Jose, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Classic Fairy Tales (Hardcover)

I totally agree with other reviewers that the illustrations are totally awesome. But the text attempts too hard to stay true to the earliest versions of these tales so as to make it difficult to read out loud to small children. In some cases, things only made sense when we referred back to some of the European language versions from my wife's childhood. I'm not suggesting references to wicked step-mothers trying to have their step-children offed be removed. And maybe the writers are reacting to the overly PC/Disney-sanitized for your protection trend. I am referring more to story flow. Just as much of the magic of the story can be conveyed through sounds and rhythms as much as the illustrations and accuracy. At the end of the day, I would still highly recommend to others: Just make sure you read it to yourself first and transliterate with spirit when reading out loud to eager young ears.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Will Go Down in History, December 4, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Classic Fairy Tales (Hardcover)

The artist is not only superlative, the tales are clearly researched back to their origins, making this book wonderful for adults who remember their own fairy tales of youth. The artwork is perfectly entrancing, with detail that keep both young and old spellbound. Destined for greatness in a field glutted with medocrity in both art and story. A Classic for Every Library.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Very Nice book, but not meant for 4 year olds..., November 4, 2010

By 

BOB, - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Classic Fairy Tales (Hardcover)

I really like this book. The stories are classic though changed a bit on a few of them. The illistrations are beautiful....my son loves looking at the pictures. BUT..... the wording is to complicated for a 4 year old. My son was getting bored because he wasn't understanding alot of it. So I started reading the book and changing the wording so he could understand it. Not exactly my idea of fun reading. It's still a good book, just for older kids.