Peter and the Wolf (Hardcover)

by Michele LeMieux (Author) "PETER AND THE WOLF is a folk tale..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
European comics artist Miguelanxo Prado describes his two life passions as "listening to and inventing stores, as well as painting." In this adaptation of the classic folk tale by Sergei Prokofiev, Prado combines these passions into a glorious work of art. The soft, shadowy colors give this redition of Peter and the Wolf the look of something from another time and place. The book begins with two full-page paintings. The first is Peter, the duck, the cat, and the bird staring into the dark woods; the point of view is from behind them, with the reader staring into the woods with them. Turn the page and you'll see the same scene from the opposite point of view, from within the woods, looking out at them. The depiction is powerfully stirring, and as Prado himself says in his introduction: "While folk tales are usually meant for children, they nonetheless possess a fascinating, evocative power for adults." Whether Peter and the Wolf is for you or your child, Prado's version is a great addition to your bookshelf. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly
Since its debut in the '30s, Prokofiev's now-classic orchestral fairy tale of a boy who captures a wolf with the aid of some animal friends has been hugely popular. Here, with a nod to its musical origins (an introductory illustration showing each of the characters with his corresponding instrument), Lemieux ( A Gift from St. Francis ; Voices on the Wind ) delivers a straightforward, tightly written version of the tale. She takes some liberties--the hunters cart the wolf off to the zoo in the end, for example, instead of slitting him open to free the duck he's consumed--and purists may lament the separation of the story from its musical score, but children will still thrill to the bravery of Peter, who ignores his grandfather's warnings and catches a wolf by the tail. Dark, highly stylized oil paintings resound with suitably Russian elements--Grandfather looks like Tolstoy, the hunters are dressed as Cossacks--and create a fittingly atmospheric backdrop to this beloved story. All ages.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover
• Publisher: Smithmark Publishers (June 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0831708441
• ISBN-13: 978-0831708443
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,881,644 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutly beautiful!!!!, August 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Peter and the Wolf (Paperback)

I grew up on this illustration and it has been very difficult to find but it was worth all the trouble for my son to be able to grow up with THIS version! Illustration does not get better than this, it is both classic and easy for a child to relate with without being "cartoony". Magnificent!

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for little people who love music!, March 19, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Peter and the Wolf (Library Binding)

Our children, 3 year old twins, love the music of Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf. In searching for an age appropriate book to show them the musical instruments that play each of the characters, we found this one illustrated by Ian Beck. Not only are the illustrations lovely, the colors and clothing of Peter, the hunters and the grandfather are interesting to a child. Also, each page shows the instrument played for that part of the story (find it in the box around the text), and in the back a page illustrates each instrument. We cannot recommend this lovely book enough to parents of young children discovering the beauty of music!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Peter and the Wolf connects!, August 17, 2005

By	Amber's mom (Ann Arbor, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Peter And The Wolf (Hardcover)

A spectacular visual accompaniment to the music and narration! Beautiful pictures. My 2-year-old daughter asks for the music by name and sits down looking at the book while she listens to the instruments, pointing out the different animals/characters when she hears the different instruments appear. I never imagined she'd be learning words for "oboe" and "clarinet" at this point, never mind their sounds, but she is entranced and easily goes back and forth between the music, the story, and the different instruments and characters.