Rose Red and the Bear Prince [Library Binding]

Brothers Grimm (Author), Dan Andreasen (Illustrator, Narrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2000 | Age Level: 5 and up

One dark winter evening there came a loud thumping on the cottage door. Rose Red sprang up....When she unbolted the door, a great brown bear thrust his head in.

Most girls would be frightened if a bear showed up on their doorstep, but not Rose Red. She loves all animals, and invites the bear into her home. This good deed leads to another, and eventually she rescues her new friend from an evil enchantment.

With rich and beautifully stylized art that transports us into a magical landscape, and a fresh spin on a familiar Grimm fairy tale, Dan Andreasan has created a unique, high-spirited heroine who deserves to take her place along Cinderella and Snow White.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4-This retelling of "Snow White and Rose Red" is significantly different from the original and from other recent picture-book versions. Andreasen omits Rose's sister entirely, setting the stage for his heroine's feminist traits. Rose acts independently, is fearless when a bear (actually a prince under the spell of an evil dwarf) comes calling, and is noted for her intelligence. While the sisters in the original tale assist the wicked dwarf in good-Samaritan style, Andreasen's character is more of an opportunist. At each encounter, she spies the treasure that has been stolen from the bear and extracts the promise of an exchange for her assistance in freeing him. Thus, there is no need for the "bear prince" to use force on the dwarf in the final scene (as in the original). Rose has already reclaimed the prince's treasures and inadvertently rendered the little man helpless by cutting off his hair-the source of his power. The spell over the prince is broken, and he emerges for his "happily ever after." The stylized scenes capture the warm interior light of the cottage and provide interest through shifting perspectives. The gilt endpapers and Nouveau-inspired borders lend an appropriate richness to the story. Those who prefer the original with its altruistic bent, more colorful language, and dramatic climax will want to stick with Gennady Spirin's Snow White and Rose Red (Paperstar, 1997) or the one by Ruth Sanderson (Little, Brown, 1997). An additional purchase.
Wendy Lukehart, Dauphin County Library, Harrisburg, PA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Snow White is nowhere to be seen in this adaptation of the Brothers Grimm's "Snow White and Rose Red." Perhaps in an effort to simplify the story (or to avoid confusion with that better-known Snow White), Andreasen elevates Rose Red to the heroine. She gives comfort to a wandering bear and breaks his enchantment by immobilizing the evil troll who has turned him from prince into animal. Both story and art are pleasantly rendered. Andreasen uses familiar fairy-tale conventions (Rose Red has three encounters with the troll, for instance) in a retelling that has simple appeal. The artwork is not distinguished, but touched by a golden glow, the pictures will be agreeably greeted by young ones. Ilene Cooper --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Library Binding: 40 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers (February 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060279672
• ISBN-13: 978-0060279677
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,154,917 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Golden and Magical, April 22, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Rose Red and the Bear Prince (Hardcover)

This is a Brothers Grimm tale, retold and illustrated to shine with goodness of heart. The story reinforces the idea that doing good and right things are rewarded in happy, joyful ways. Worth reading and sharing!

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for Princess-loving 4 year olds, September 10, 2010

By 

Lindsay M. Clark "Linguist Extrodinaire" (Colorado) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rose Red and the Bear Prince (Hardcover)

My step-daughter loves princesses and everything Disney. However, she also loved this book which is more in the line with a free-spirited girl. I like the values this book teaching while not emphasizing too much on the submissive role of women as a lot of Disney does. Also the art and language are both beautiful.

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful illustrations + great role model = perfect for my daughter, April 11, 2010

By 

D. Pearce - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rose Red and the Bear Prince (Hardcover)

My 3 year old picked this out at the library, and we both love it so much I will be buying our own copy. The story is well told, and the illustrations are simply lovely - an immensely enjoyable read for both of us. Rose Red is a fiesty, intelligent heroine with all the qualities you'd want in a role model for your daughter. My toddler is into all things princess right now - and it's really nice to have a fairy tale where the girl saves the prince.

If you're not interested in a book that sets a good example for your child, you'll still enjoy this thoroughly - it's very well done. But for me, the positive qualities of Rose Red made it even more appealing.