A retelling of the classic fairy tale features illustrations that evoke the tale's seventeenth-century origins and are inspired by the Loire Valley, where Charles Perrault originally set the story of Sleeping Beauty.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Exquisite illustrations shot through with gold accompany this latest retelling of Charles Perrault's well-loved tale. Highly detailed borders, intricate as lace, frame each page. The story unfolds, scene by scene, almost like a series of theater sets on which the curtain falls when the page is turned. In her artwork Early combines a lush fullness with a filigree-like delicacy to produce ephemeral, magical illustrations imbued with opulence. The effect is only slightly undercut by too-thin paper through which pictures and type bleed. The text, meanwhile, is pedestrian, despite a few attempts at humor (says Beauty when she is wakened: "Is it you, my Prince? You have been a long time coming"; the prince takes care "not to tell her that she was dressed just like his great-grandmother"). Luckily the story's romance remains, and the splendid artwork carries the day. Ages 5-up.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 4-The setting for Perrault's Sleeping Beauty is thought to be the Chateau d' Usse in the Loire Valley of France. Early has used this castle as the background for the lavish oil paintings that adorn her retelling. With text true to the original in almost every way, the full-page illustrations add a new dimension of authenticity to the classic tale. With designs, dress, and mannerisms borrowed from works of art, the artist provides readers with dazzling details faithful to 17th-century France. Deep, rich hues graced with gold accents create eye-pleasing beauty, and intricate Romanesque borders embellish every page. More regal than Trina Schart Hyman's darker version (Little, 1983) or Warwick Hutton's simpler edition (Atheneum, 1979; o.p.), this version is stunning and deserves a place on library shelves.
Dot Minzer, North Barrington School, Barrington, IL
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Dot Minzer, North Barrington School, Barrington, IL
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Delightful little gem!,
This review is from: Sleeping Beauty (Hardcover)
I was pleasantly surprised by this edition of Sleeping Beauty. I am tempted to give this five stars, but it's more personal that I've only given it four, and that's simply because the illustrations aren't quite my taste. The illustrations are, however, done very well, and the incorporation of gold colors, which looks as though it's leaping off the page, is a unique and intriguing aspect. (plus, the way cute sleeping puppy earns major points!)
Another great aspect, is the history of Sleeping Beauty given in the back of the book, as well as Early's attempt to recreate the Chateau d'Usse (apparently the location Perrault had in mind for Sleeping Beauty). I thoroughly enjoyed Early's rendition of this tale, and found it the most tame and "fairly-tale-ish" of all the editions I've read. In this tale the King and Queen do not purposefully slight the evil fairy, instead the fairy has lived alone in a tower for 50 years and had been forgotten (I mean, still, do'h! but, you know). However, I did find it an interesting choice for the king and queen to each have a golden table setting, because, then, why wouldn't they have given one of their own up to the evil fairy? I was pleased that the prince is "determined to rescue" Aurora and "he decided there and then to fight his way through the thicket." Of course, he's easily let through the thicket, but still, at least he appeared fairly valiant and selfless. I thought Early's writing was easy to read and well paced and overall I found this book a very pleasant little surprise.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Lovely, Well-Researched Edition of Sleeping Beauty,
By O. Marie "Stargoddess7" (Seattle) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Sleeping Beauty (Hardcover)
There is nothing ugly about this book - no issues with trolls or step-mothers who eat the princely son's children.
Instead, you will get a rendition fairly based on the stories of Perrault and Brother's Grimm, only enhanced in a lovely, romantic and dramatic style of fairy story telling. The author researched the countrysides of France in order to create the beautiful, full and rich illustrations on every single page, as well. The book is illuminated with gold, and makes a glamorous gift for that princess in your life.
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