Originally published in 1958, this book contains a selection of 28 traditional stories from the French, German, Danish, Russian and Japanese traditions. Includes The Sleeping Beauty, The Frog Prince, Puss in Boots, Thumbelina, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, and Beauty and the Beast.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
179 of 181 people found the following review helpful
By Ed N
Format:Hardcover
Okay, I'm not exaggerating when I say this is the BEST book of fairy tales you will ever find in the English language. Certainly, there are books out there with more tales or more happily-ever-after endings, but this is the best. Period. I received it as a gift when I was a child and I absolutely adored it. The illustrations are truly gorgeous - most have a pseudo-Renaissance appearance to them and ALL have really amazing detail. They are also quite enormous, taking up an entire page and sometimes 2 entire pages! You can tell a real painter, not a typical kids' book animator, created these works of art. The artwork adds an extra element of classical style to these 28 stories, which have been gathered from all around the world. Some of the stories are familiar, some are not, but all have been translated with great care and love; this is immediately evident when you read even the familiar ones like Sleeping Beauty and realize that the details are a little different from the typical sanguine, Disneyfied versions you commonly see. These tales are probably very much like their original versions; in other words, they are not always happy, and sometimes they are actually quite sad. I remember as a child loving the stories yet fearing to read a few of them too because they were so sad. But this very trait is what makes them so dear to me beyond any other versions of the same tales that you might read ...
One last word - this is quite an oversized book - 11' X 20' or so. So if you buy it, be sure you have a large enough bookshelf for it, because this is a book you will keep forever! Five stars all the way!
86 of 88 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
My mother began reading this book to us when we were small, and it was read so much that it literally fell apart. My siblings and I have fought over the pieces for years, so much so, that a few years ago we all received xerox copies for Christmas. Because of the reprinting we all received a new copy for Christmas this year! It contains some of the loveliest illustrations I have ever seen and the stories are so unique! As an Elementary school librarian I have yet to see it's equal in fairy tale books. It is an absolute favorite at our house!
66 of 69 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I am so excited to see this book back in print. I bought this book for myself when I was 10 yrs old. My best friend "Ellen" had the book and when I spent the night at her house her mother would read us stories from the Golden Book Of Fairy Tales. Some of my favorite stories are Donkeyskin,Greensnake,and Bluecrest. The pictures are incredible. These are not your average well known fairy tales. I still have my copy and have read it to both my daughters over the years. They are now 17 and 23. My oldest daughter told me about 1 month ago that she saw this book was back in print. I was so happy. I have purchased 5 copies since, and am thrilled. I have taken a copy to work to show my friends and almost everyone has ordered one as it is truely a beautiful and unique book. I have one copy now for each of my daughters,in fact my 17 yr old asked me to read to her again out of it. I hope they will share it with their children and enjoy the stories as much as I did when I was a little girl. Buy this book, I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
a childhood memory!
I remember seeing this book in my 1st or 2nd grade classroom back in the 1960's. A classmate had brought it in and I was fascinated by the imagery. Read more
Published 3 days ago by Diane Hays
5.0 out of 5 stars
Some of the tales are obscure...
but this is a lovely rendition. My comparable childhood book is _The Snow Queen and Other Tales_--same publisher, still out of print though. Read more
Published 20 days ago by Professor Fox
5.0 out of 5 stars
Reliving the past
I haven't read it yet, but it will be here for my grandchildren. It is beautiful and I will treasure it. It makes a lovely book for keeping.
Published 1 month ago by Joanne Zielinski
4.0 out of 5 stars
Hans Christian and the rest of the best
Hans and the rest deliver the stories we grew up with and want to pass to our grandchildren. Timeless tales and beautiful illustrations fill the pages. Read more
Published 1 month ago by CHARLES
5.0 out of 5 stars
BEYOND LOVING IT
THIS IS THE SAME FAIRY TALE BOOK I RECEIVED WHEN I WAS SEVEN...WANTED TO PASS ON THE LEGACY TO MY GRAND-NEICE....OVERJOYED TO FIND THIS!!!
Published 2 months ago by Mary Ann Salomone
5.0 out of 5 stars
top book
a must read for all children and adults alike at bedtime. brings classic tales into your childrens lives. lighting up there little faces
Published 2 months ago by kevin lowther
5.0 out of 5 stars
Read a million times over the years
I received this book from my great-grandmother when I was 8. I read it so many time, even as an adult, the binding was loose. Unfortunately, I lost it to mold last year. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Rebecca
5.0 out of 5 stars
A blast from the past
This was my absolute favorite fairy tale books as a child. My original copy is so well worn it is falling apart. Exquisite illustrations tthat go along with lesser known tales. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Rene Rhees
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love it!
GORGEOUS illustrations. I was so excited to find this book as it has great nostalgic value for me -- I had this book as a young child in the 1960's.
Published 3 months ago by Dianne Ryan
5.0 out of 5 stars
loving this book
the illustrations are fantastic and so far- so good on the stories. My daughter (four years old) and I are reading one a night. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Amy B. Porta
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