Snow White [Hardcover]

Melinda Copper (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 22, 2005 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Stunningly beautiful, this lavish rendition of the beloved Snow White is embellished with an appealing and innovative twist. Inspired by the work of master painters throughout history, scenic designer Melinda Copper has infused the timeless fairy tale with a charming animal cast. Classic storytelling coupled with painterly perfection make Snow White perfect for holiday gift-giving and treasuring all year round.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4–This is a rather conventional retelling of the Grimms' story except that Copper has recast the tale with animals in human dress. Snow White, her father, and Prince Charming are rabbits; the evil Queen is a cat; the huntsman a dog; and the seven dwarves are mice. The lush paintings feature deep, rich colors with romantic dress and details, set against velvety dark backgrounds. The illustrations lend a dramatic tone to the retelling, but the conceit of using animals in the human roles undercuts the effect and does little to further readers' understanding of or relation to the tale. In their fancy clothing, the creatures appear ungainly, awkwardly poised on two legs. Dav Pilkey's Dogzilla (2003) and Kat Kong (1993, both Harcourt) use animals to broaden comic effect, but Copper's effort will leave youngsters uninvolved. There are a number of better versions available, including Randall Jarrell's translation of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Farrar, 1987), which features distinguished art by Nancy Ekholm Burkert.–Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

K-Gr. 2. A familiar tale gets a decidedly different look here, with artwork that is as handsome as it is unsettling. Copper uses the unexpurgated version of the Brothers Grimm story in which the wicked queen, disguised as a peddler, visits Snow White in the forest three times. (Even little ones might wonder why, after two near-death experiences--with a too-tight corset and a poison comb--Snow White thinks it's a good idea to buy her apple.) The draw here is primarily the artwork--majestic oil paintings in which all the characters are animals. These are no sweet little four-legged creatures, though. The queen, a green-eyed cat, is both beautiful and loathsome as the story progresses; the seven dwarfs are mice dressed in jerkins and leather britches, their rodent characteristics evident despite their clothes; and Snow White, a pure white rabbit, is imbued with a simplicity that almost causes her death. Drawing on the realism of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century portraiture, the pictures cut a bold swath. Children may not warm to this, but they'll be fascinated. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (September 22, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525474749
• ISBN-13: 978-0525474746
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,456,746 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A truly amazing book, October 5, 2005

By 

John W. Davis "Thrilled Grandfather" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Snow White (Hardcover)

I have four grandchildren ages, 2, 3, 4 and six. They (and their parents) all enjoyed the book, especially the illustrations. It was wonderful to revisit the Brothers Grimm version of the story as well as to experience the beautiful full page illustrations. This will be a book that will stay in the family for generations. Melinda Copper is to be congratulated on a wonderful book!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enchanting book appeals to children of all ages, October 3, 2005

By 

clara sawinski "chris" (tx) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Snow White (Hardcover)

I read this book to the K-1 and 4-5th graders at my daughters school. The children were so captivated by the beautiful illustrations that I had to promise to leave the book in the classroom for the day so they could look more closely at it. Once the children got used to the idea that there is more than one version of this classic, they were excited by the antics of the evil step mother cat! The older children loved the detail of the illustrations and the fact that they could see the texture of the canvas in the pictures. The younger ones were delighted by the hamsters and mice. This book raises the standard of children's book illustrations. It will make a wonderful gift for a child of any age!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GLORIOUS FULL PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS, September 29, 2005

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Snow White (Hardcover)

Artist Melinda Copper has a unique gift - drawing upon the works of master artists she creates paintings in their style but with her own imprimatur - animals. Her paintings of cats, dogs, rabbits are treasures in themselves, sought after by collectors and art aficionados. Thus, her "Snow White" is a marvel for us to cherish.

Words cannot possibly do justice to the beauty of Copper's paintings - precious, irresistible, heart warming come to mind but they aren't enough to describe the attention to detail and luminosity found in Copper's work.

Of course, the story of Snow White is known to all, but it becomes new again with these meticulously drawn images and glorious full page illustrations.

Highly recommended.

- Gail Cooke