From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2-This greatly abridged retelling joins many versions in recent years, both single volumes and in collections of Andersen's work. It is told in simplified language and vocabulary, minimizing many of the darker elements of the tale. Unfortunately, it begins rather abruptly and some of the emotional content is lessened. Pinkney uses colored inks on clay board to illustrate the story with vibrant colors, large shapes, and sketch-type outlines. The artwork, while certainly bold and engaging, does not meld well with the delicate and fragile nature of the original story. Still, since it is so visually different from other retellings, comparison among them would be an interesting student activity. The book's format is large and would work well for group sharing.
Cris Riedel, Ellis B. Hyde Elementary School, Dansville, NYCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
PreS-Gr. 2. This retelling of the classic tale doesn't add new twists to Andersen's text; it just pares the story down to match the picture-book format. One does miss the narrative flair of the original (in which Thumbelina had a "rose-leaf for a counterpane"). The illustrations are a different matter. Pinkney's thumb-size, dark-skinned heroine is delicately lovely, and the question of her fate as she ricochets from one unsuitable romantic match to another (a toad, a bug, and an insufferable mole) is compelling. But the strong design sense and vibrant color contrasts of Pinkney's most striking works are missing here; the compositions seem less controlled, painted in loose lines and washes with sparing use of the artist's signature scratchboard cross-hatchings. Admirers of Pinkney's previous books will likely not find this adaptation up to the standard of his folktale collaborations with Robert San Souci. Even so, this version will be in demand not only for its window to a jewel-box world where a miniature maiden can hitch a ride aboard a swallow but also as a reminder of an artist's challenge to experiment with style and change.
Jennifer MattsonCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
