The Princess and the Pea (Classic Fairy Tale Collection) [Hardcover]

John Cech (Adapter), Bernhard Oberdieck (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Classic Fairy Tale Collection

A long time ago, there lived a prince who was looking for someone very special to marry… One of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved stories gets a breathtaking showcase, with lavish art and an elegant retelling by acclaimed writer, professor, and radio host John Cech. It’s the second exquisite entry in the Classic Fairy Tale Collection series.
Although the handsome prince meets ladies blessed with beauty, wealth, and brains, he knows in his heart that none is the true princess he longs for. Then, one stormy night, a wet, disheveled, and very weary young woman knocks at the castle door. Could she be his queen? One tiny pea buried underneath twenty soft mattresses might reveal the truth…
Bernhard Oberdieck’s stunning images, with their soft color and unusual perspectives, capture all the fantasy and romance of Andersen’s appealing tale.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4—Cech's fluid text sparkles in this well-crafted retelling. He fleshes out the character of the prince with a refreshing addition in which the young man tells the Queen, "I didn't need a pea to tell me she is a real princess. I could see it in the gentleness of her eyes, hear it in the softness of her voice, and feel it in the kindness of her heart." The illustrations, created with colored pencils, pastels, and acrylics, glow with lustrous yellow-gold, blue, and green tones. The court clothing is portrayed in splendid detail, and bold foregrounds dominate the pictures. In one lovely spread, the prince, dressed in blue knee breeches and a doublet trimmed with green ribbon, is lying on a couch; the Queen, wearing a lace-decorated yellow gown, is gazing at him from the background; behind her are the muted figures of dancing couples. An interesting historical note informs readers that similar story elements have appeared in tales from Sweden, Italy, and Kashmir. Children will enjoy this delightful rendition of an old favorite. For readers who prefer a more playful and humorous approach, suggest Lauren Child's fabulous version (Hyperion, 2006).—Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA
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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 24 pages
• Publisher: Sterling (September 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402730659
• ISBN-13: 978-1402730658
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,906 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enchanting Tale Fit for My Princess, June 21, 2008

By 

J. C. Raeburn (Orlando, Florida, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Princess and the Pea (Classic Fairy Tale Collection) (Hardcover)

My four-year-old daughter is captivated by this book. So am I. The story is timeless. It is extremely well written with delightful language and a warm and friendly writing style. The illustrations are gorgeous. I always dreamed of being an author of children's books. This is the type of book I would love to write.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely Keepsake Book, February 22, 2010

By 

Molly E. Smith (Sioux Falls, SD) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Princess and the Pea (Classic Fairy Tale Collection) (Hardcover)

This is a beautiful version of the traditional tale. The writing is accessible and the illustrations are exceptional. A copy worth keeping for the next generation. Probably a bit old for anyone younger than 3 or 4, however.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book!, April 13, 2010

By 

Kate "mother, wife, English teacher and anima... (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Princess and the Pea (Classic Fairy Tale Collection) (Hardcover)

"The Princess and the Pea" was always one of my favorite stories as a child, so when my 2 year old showed an interest in everything "princess", I hunted down this book and bought it for her. She wasn't too interested in it at first -- it is a longer story -- but recently (she's now 2 1/2) she has been demanding that my husband and I read it to her each night.

The illustrations are soft, and beautiful, and the story is the same as I remember it. The author does seem to add in a bit at the end about how the prince knew she was a princess without his mother's test (or, at least I don't remember this part of the story). The prince says, "...I didn't need a pea to tell me she is a real princess. I could see it in the gentleness of her eyes, hear it in the softness of her voice, and feel it in the kindness of her heart."

I like this because it allows the princess in the story to be more than just an attractive damsel in distress. She's more than a title to the prince, more than just a pretty face he's going to marry. I hope my daughter pick up on this as well.

As for those who said the book is too much for younger kids, perhaps it may be for those who don't show a keen interest in books (or princesses). But, my daughter loves it and seems to grasp the story. Then again, we've been reading to her since before she was born, and she's a bookworm already.