The Emperor's New clothes [Hardcover]

Marcus Sedgwick (Adapter), Alison Jay (Illustrator)

Book Description

Grade Level: P and up

Hans Christian Andersen's classic fable of vanity and pride is given a refreshing twist in this beautiful picture book illustrated by Alison Jay in her award-winning crackle-glaze style.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Sedgwick's (Floodland) jaunty rhymed couplets and Jay's (The Race) signature stylized artwork ably accentuate the wry humor of this Hans Christian Andersen tale. The author emphasizes the breezy cadence of the verse by sprinkling it with exclamation points and presenting some of the words in larger type sizes for emphasis. When the monarch contemplates checking up on the deceitful tailors' progress, for instance, he thinks, "Suppose, when I visit, I can't see a thing./ Then I'd look like a fool/ and I am the King!"; both "fool" and "king" appear in larger font sizes for aid in reading aloud. Jay's pictures, at once classic and edgy, bring into humorous focus this imperial household of cleverly cast animals: the vain emperor is a lion, his scurrying servants (sent to check up on the tailors in the lion's stead) are a hare and a tortoise, and weasels assume the role of the scheming tailors. The elaborate, often intricately patterned courtly garb worn by the characters—most importantly the foppish emperor—renders the ruler's unclothed persona all the more comical. And her intermittently elongated and foreshortened perspectives emphasize the tale's moral. As the weasels gloat over their success at convincing the emperor to hire them to fashion magical clothes for him, they say of their ruse: "The story's a good one, woven with care./ And one that was told with a/ great deal of flair!" An apt description of this buoyant collaboration as well. Ages 4-8.
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From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2–Hans Christian Andersen's classic tale of the vain emperor and silent subjects has been recast once again. Here the self-important leader is a lion, his advisors a tortoise and a hare. And the tricky tailors are none other than wily weasels, of course. Distinctive illustrations are reminiscent of medieval art. Broad perspectives and elongated figures appear in crackle-glazed paintings in full but subtle color. Some illustrations fill entire spreads while others clearly focus viewers' eyes by placing an image on white space. The art establishes movement and pace, less predictable but equally as satisfying as the rhyming text. Once a small frog announces the real status of the emperor's attire, the story ends: "After that, the secret was out,/and everyone started to point and shout./Laughter rang out. What a hullabaloo!/For the trick was EXPOSED,/and THE EMPEROR, TOO!" Unfortunately, the exit of the weasel tailors is not addressed; one assumes they are gleeful, however. If a fresh look and sound for an old tale are needed, this one will be useful.–Maria B. Salvadore, formerly at District of Columbia Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (August 5, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811845699
• ISBN-13: 978-0811845694
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 11.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,220,906 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vanity and Pride confounded..., August 17, 2005

By 

Luan Gaines "luansos" (Dana Point, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Emperor's New clothes (Hardcover)

With an animated twist on the Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale, this beautifully illustrated book offers a lesson in vanity and pride, couched in simple language, when an Emperor orders a new set of clothes from a pair of tailors, who, "for a bit more gold" will cast a spell that will make his clothes invisible to "all who dull or foolish be". The Emperor is more than willing to pay extra for such cleverness, delighted by the prospect of such unique clothing. Unfortunately, it is the Emperor who is deceived, prancing about his kingdom in nothing at all. The whimsical illustrations add personality to this rogue's gallery of weasels and servants, a variety of elegant tortoises and hares. Pages tinted in an old world gold lend a medieval patina that assumes all the splendor of any self-respecting fairy tale, the characters costumed in royal gowns, except, of course, the Emperor, who wanders about, unaware, in only his "birthday" suit: "As the procession set out, everyone stared and gawked, too frightened to say what they really thought". An intrepid frog declares "The Emperor's wearing nothing at all!"

Chronicle Books is an imprint much admired for its quality presentations and illustrations and The Emperor's New Clothes is no exception, the artwork exceptionally detailed and imaginative. This wonderful tale will engage any child with its much-loved parable, combined with the distinctive crackle-glaze art style of illustrator Alison Jay, a truly enchanting book. Luan Gaines/2005.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes, March 6, 2008

By 

M. Heiss (USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Emperor's New clothes (Hardcover)

This book has snort-laugh funny illustrations. The teeth on the smiling emperor kill me every time.

Any book Mommy enjoys this much is sure to be a big hit with the little ones. The text is easy to read, with rhymes (which I love). Sometimes the meter is a little forced, but if you want sonnets, buy Shakespeare. And how about this great idea: some words are printed LARGE so you know to emphasize them when you read aloud. This way, Gramma reads them the same as Mommy. Good thinking.

And the teeth reflected in that mirror -- oh, that just slays me every time. What a hoot! Get this one.

5.0 out of 5 stars My 3 year old loves this book, August 5, 2009

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A. Galvan - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Emperor's New clothes (Hardcover)

We got this when our kid was 2 1/2 years old. He loves it. It is a great lesson for those who wish to teach their kids critical thinking. The illustrations are awesome.