Puss in Boots [Paperback]

Lincoln Kirstein (Author), Alain Vaes (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1994

A retelling of the French fairy tale in which a clever cat wins his master a fortune and the hand of a princess.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In a starred review, PW said that "sumptuous, painterly illustrations" and "dramatic prose" give the classic story a new lift. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4-- This retelling of Perrault's classic reveals a talent for dramatic, well-paced storytelling and some of the flair that has made Kirstein's name a legend in the world of ballet. His slight changes--a magic feather, a compression of incident, alliterative read-aloud prose--enhance the tale, but the text's real strength is that it's a perfect match for the drop-dead illustrations. In contrast to Marcellino's interpretation (Farrar, 1990), which features mellow northern neo-classicism, Vaes evokes a world of high baroque splendor and rococo exuberance. Balletically posed figures and snapshot-vivid faces compete for readers' attention with stunningly defined settings, every detail picked out by light of theatrical intensity. Art-history in-jokes abound; identifiable gems of 17th-century architecture (Vaux-le-Vicomte, the Chateau de Chaument) are peopled by figures from El Greco, Valasquez, Watteau et al--while the king wears W. C. Fields's face. Museum-piece props and sumptuous costumes set off deliberately exaggerated proportions and unexpected perspectives. Puss himself is a triumph: utterly feline, regally poised. Original, witty, gorgeous, allusive, this is a book to pore over and purr over. --Patricia Dooley, University of Washington, Seattle
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Little Brown & Co (Juv Pap) (September 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316895016
• ISBN-13: 978-0316895019
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 9.6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,810,761 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Puss and Boots is a collectors item, beautiful!, October 19, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Puss in Boots (Paperback)

Lincoln Kirstein's imaginative retelling of the traditional tale, Puss and Boots, is a magnificent book for both adults and children. Illustrator Alain Vaes, is a set designer for the Bolshoi Ballet, the New York City Ballet, the Royal Danish Ballet, the Boston Ballet and other companies throughout the world. In Puss and Boots, Vaes used members of the Boston Ballet as his models for many of the delicious characters. Even Puss himself was modeled from a real kitty, who could be considered a balletomine, for 'she' was the beloved pet of a ballerina. The lush elegance of the illustrations and flowing brightness of the words exhibit the grace, fantasy and wonder of the ballet. Lincoln Kirstein's magical additions to the tale, heighten the intrique and present a richer conclusion. This is a book to be read, to be displayed proudly, and above all, treasured, and passed on to your children and grandchildren for their delight and enrichment.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sumptuous illustrations make this a collector's delight, May 28, 2010

By 

Z Hayes (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Puss in Boots (Paperback)

I am an avid fan of fairy tales and collect various editions, mainly for the beautiful illustrations and unique re-tellings. This is one such gem - "Puss in Boots", retold by Lincoln Kirstein and vividly illustrated by Alain Vaes. Kirstein has exercised economy in this retelling, wisely letting the illustrations "speak" to the readers instead. The book itself is in an over-sized format and the illustrations are depicted in huge panels, dazzling in the detail put into each panel. I could not help poring over each illustration and appreciating the effort put into them (e.g. the intricate carriage of the king, the details in a rug in the King's palace, etc.) - the artist, Vaes has truly created a masterpiece. My 5-year-old who loves fairy tales with all the enthusiasm of an imaginative young child, loved this book too! A wonderful addition to any fairy tale collector's library.