The Happy Prince and Other Tales: Leather Bound [Leather Bound]

Oscar Wilde (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 19, 1990

"Swallow, Swallow, little Swallow," said the Prince, "will you not stay with me one night longer?" "It is winter," answered the swallow, "and the chill snow will soon be here. In Egypt the sun is warm" From his high vantage point, the glittering statue of the Happy Prince is the pride of city officials. But the Prince’s sapphire eyes are filled with tears because of the suffering he sees below. Stuck fast on his pedestal, there is nothing the gem-encrusted statue can do to help relieve the poor, until a little swallow stops to rest at his feet. The Prince persuades the bird to be his messenger, and to pluck out and carry one precious jewel after another to those in need. In order to survive the winter, the swallow must fly to a warmer place, but his love for the now-shabby Prince compels him to stay despite the consequences. Time after time, the brave little bird does all that is asked, until both he and the Happy Prince have nothing left to give. Oscar Wilde’s classic fairy tale of compassion and selflessness is given new life by Robin Muller’s exquisite illustrations in this special edition.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-5-A statue of a privileged prince develops a social conscience and a swallow intends to pause just a moment to assist him. Together they conspire to bring a modicum of contentment, financial security, and compassion to the beleaguered poor of a nameless city in northern Europe and both receive their rewards in a heavenly paradise. In this morality tale originally intended for the childlike rather than the child, Wilde addresses issues of social injustice, the loss of innocence, and the redemptive power of love. The otherwise verbatim retelling of the original contains two omissions: reference to Jewish merchants in the ghetto and part of a descriptive passage of life on the Nile that included pygmies and strange religious practices. The watercolor illustrations, varying in size and irregular in shape, are literal extensions of the text. A brief biography of Wilde is appended. Though the winsome swallow and wistful prince have appeal, buy only where literary fairy tales have a ready audience. A more evocative interpretation can be found in Ed Young's version (S & S, 1992).
Carol Ann Wilson, Westfield Memorial Library, NJ
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

'The Puffin Classics series is a perfect marriage of the old and the new. Enjoy some of the best books from the past and find out why and how they inspired some of the best writers of the present. - Julia Ecclesshare, Lovereading4kids' - Julia Eccleshare, Lovereading4kids --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Leather Bound
• Publisher: Michael O'Mara Books Ltd (November 19, 1990)
• ISBN-10: 1854790676
• ISBN-13: 978-1854790675
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,156,882 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent beyond compare!!!!, January 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Happy Prince and Other Stories (Books of Wonder) (Hardcover)

As a child I didn't have the books of Oscar Wilde but rather the records. My imagination soared with his descriptions of life, and my eyes overflowed with tears at each story. The record of the Happy Prince was read by Bing Crosby and Orson Wells and each year at Christmas we still play that old scratched thing, just to hear it's wonderous love story and that of The Selfish Giant. Now I have to get the book so my nieces and nephews will share in my treasures of love!!!! What is this world if it isn't all about Love?

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Timeless Tales of Great Worth, October 28, 2002

By 

Claudius (Boston (Roslindale), Massachusetts USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Happy Prince & Other Stories (Wordsworth Children's Classics) (Wordsworth Classics) (Paperback)

When I was quite small (I'm now 64) the 33 1/3 records were introduced. One of the first that we got was a recording of "The Happy Prince". It featured Bing Crosby. I listened to it over and over until I went off to college. Years later I was in England, and I discovered that there was a whole book of stories. Over the years I have re-read this book so much that it is now in tatters. Each story is a gem unto itself. Each story will become another jewel in your treasure chest of lenses, which help you to see the world more clearly. Now that I have discovered that this book is still in print, I expect to buy multiple copies to give as Christmas Gifts this year. Do yourself a favor and don't miss these delightful additions to your life. (Psst : I like this book !)

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderfully fanciful, May 19, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Happy Prince and Other Stories (Books of Wonder) (Hardcover)

I remember this book from my childhood. I had my parents read each story to me over and over. When I learned how to read I read this book until the pages fell out. In short it is a great book that encourages youthful imaginations. And, it makes for great bedtime stories. A real classic. I bought it for my children.