Tom Thumb [Paperback]

Richard Jesse Watson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 27, 1993 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: K and up

With courage, wit, and the help of animal friends, Tom shows that despite his size, he is a hero. Richard Jesse Watson’s extraordinary full-color illustrations highlight his retelling of this old English tale.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The story of Tom Thumb is well-known: a poor, childless farmer and his wife feed a raggedy beggar (who is really Merlin), and he rewards them with a son the size of the husband's thumb. The farmer and his wife name their son Tom Thumb, and try to protect him from the perils of the world. Tom Thumb, however, gets into many dangerous situations--he is baked in a cake, eaten by a cow, stolen by a crow, swallowed by a giant and eventually imprisoned in a mouse trap. But with the help of the castle mice, Tom escapes and saves the kingdom from destruction. As a reward, King Arthur gives Tom all the gold he wants, to take back to his parents, and makes Tom the smallest Knight of the Round Table. Watson, who last illustrated James Dickey's Bronwen, the Traw, and the Shape Shifter , has woven--with occasional stiffness--several of Tom's familiar adventures into a single telling. That minor failing is compensated for by Watson's full-color, realistic artwork; in startling perspectives and several striking close-ups, he transports the reader fully into Tom's thumb-sized world. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4-- Although it is not stated, this is a loose adaptation of an English variant of the tale. All of the beginning plot elements--Merlin's granting the farmer's wife's wish for a "babe" even if it's no bigger than her husband's thumb, Tom Thumb being baked into a cake, carried off by a raven, swallowed by a giant, spit into the sea, and swallowed by a fish, which is cut open by the king's cook, who brings Tom to King Arthur--are also related in L. Leonard Brooke's version of "Tom Thumb" found in The Golden Goose Book (Warne, 1977; o.p.). However, Watson's heroic ending, in which Tom Thumb replaces the giant's beloved broken shell, is not mentioned in other variants available. The writing borders on the flowery, but is quite readable. The realistic, microscopically detailed tempera and watercolor illustrations are particularily suitable for this tale. The tiny Tom Thumb would see every hair on a cow's head, and the mobile made of an acorn, a jay's feather, twigs, and leaves hanging over a tiny wooden cradle is an enchanting reminder of just how small Tom really is. The illustrations' perspectives are generally successful and interesting. The subject and these illustrations will ensure this book's popularity with young readers and their parents. Felix Hoffman's Tom Thumb (Atheneum, 1973; o.p.) is based on the Brothers Grimm version. --Karen K. Radtke, Milwaukee Public Library
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (August 27, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152892818
• ISBN-13: 978-0152892814
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 9.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #927,375 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #99 in Books > Children's Books > Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths > European

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thumbs Up for Tom!, August 10, 2002

By 

Mark A. Smiddy (Benton, Kentucky United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tom Thumb (Paperback)

"Tom Thumb" as retold and beautifully illustrated by Richard Jesse Watson is a wonderful new spin on an old fairy tale. The story accompanied by the bright, realistic illustrations will make a wonderful bedtime story and the perfect book to help a child learn to read. Every child will relate to Tom Thumb and his small adventures, Watson has crafted the perfect bedtime storybook!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A tie-in to the Arthur legend, April 8, 2011

By 

M. Heiss (USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tom Thumb (Paperback)

The close-up illustrations in this story are imaginative and exciting. In this version, the giant (Grumbong) becomes enraged when he drops his seashell charm. Tom Thumb and the woodland creatures have to bring him another in order to save Camelot.

Action packed, perfect for boys. This is rather long for littler children, but the illustrations may help them sit still for longer. Extremely well done.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Little Adventures of Little Tom Thumb, May 3, 2010

By 

Darien Summers "Author of The Mischievous Har... (San Francisco, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tom Thumb (Paperback)

Thom Thumb is a classic fairy tale about a boy that is about the size of his father's thumb; with historic figures such as King Arthur and Merlin, Watson tells this classic story with beautiful illustrations that I believe your child will love as well as the story itself. My daughter liked the book; it's great for bedtime readings.

Due to his parents' sorrow over failing to have a child, Tom Thumb is created with the help of the sympathetic Merlin and some fairies. Tom's size causes him to get into many hazardous predicaments, and enables him to cause much mischief. During the course of his ventures he runs into King Arthur who knights Tom, and helps out Tom's poor parents.

The story is very entertaining, and I hope you give it a try.

Darien Summers, author of The Mischievous Hare, a children's book.