From Publishers Weekly
Gavin's assured, velvety voice is a good match for this adaptation of an anthology first published in 1917. The genre's most venerable authors Hans Christian Andersen, the Brothers Grimm, Charles Perrault are all represented as Jack climbs the bean stalk, Cinderella finds her prince and Little Red Riding Hood faces the big bad wolf. Other favorites in this vast collection include "Hansel and Grethel" and "Puss in Boots." Perhaps less well-known but just as entertaining are "The Story of Chicken-Licken" and "The Three Spinners." Kingston's phrasing occasionally sounds a bit formal (consistent with the era of the book's publication), especially because so many of these tales have been retold for children over the years. But listeners who get whisked away by the magical elements of these stories won't mind. Gavin's consistent, even-keeled delivery make this a good choice for bedtime and quiet time, for listeners both young and older. Ages 6-up
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.From School Library Journal
Preschool-Grade 4--This collection adapted by Rosemary Kingsdon contains well-known Eurocentric fairy tales by Hans Christian Anderson, Charles Perrault, the Brothers Grimm and Antoine Galland. Marguerite Gavin reads the entire collection, and her pleasant, articulate voice is welcome story after story. Familiar tales, such as "Jack and the Beanstalk," "The Three Bears," and "Hansel and Grethel" (sic) are included, as well as some stories with which contemporary listeners may be unfamiliar: "The Flying Trunk," "Clever Alice," "The Wild Swans." The only drawback to this wonderfully extensive collection of fairy tales is its lack of indexing. Other than the playlist on the back cover, there is no indication of where to find the stories on the recordings. Still, the title will make an excellent resource for both storytellers and listeners, particularly for literature studies.
Kirsten Martindale, Buford Academy, GA
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.
