Puss in Boots (Paperback)

~ (Author), Alain Vaes (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In a starred review, PW said that "sumptuous, painterly illustrations" and "dramatic prose" give the classic story a new lift. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4-- This retelling of Perrault's classic reveals a talent for dramatic, well-paced storytelling and some of the flair that has made Kirstein's name a legend in the world of ballet. His slight changes--a magic feather, a compression of incident, alliterative read-aloud prose--enhance the tale, but the text's real strength is that it's a perfect match for the drop-dead illustrations. In contrast to Marcellino's interpretation (Farrar, 1990), which features mellow northern neo-classicism, Vaes evokes a world of high baroque splendor and rococo exuberance. Balletically posed figures and snapshot-vivid faces compete for readers' attention with stunningly defined settings, every detail picked out by light of theatrical intensity. Art-history in-jokes abound; identifiable gems of 17th-century architecture (Vaux-le-Vicomte, the Chateau de Chaument) are peopled by figures from El Greco, Valasquez, Watteau et al--while the king wears W. C. Fields's face. Museum-piece props and sumptuous costumes set off deliberately exaggerated proportions and unexpected perspectives. Puss himself is a triumph: utterly feline, regally poised. Original, witty, gorgeous, allusive, this is a book to pore over and purr over. --Patricia Dooley, University of Washington, Seattle
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Little Brown & Co (Juv Pap) (September 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316895016
• ISBN-13: 978-0316895019
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 9.6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #764,108 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Puss and Boots is a collectors item, beautiful!, October 19, 1998

By A Customer

Lincoln Kirstein's imaginative retelling of the traditional tale, Puss and Boots, is a magnificent book for both adults and children. Illustrator Alain Vaes, is a set designer for the Bolshoi Ballet, the New York City Ballet, the Royal Danish Ballet, the Boston Ballet and other companies throughout the world. In Puss and Boots, Vaes used members of the Boston Ballet as his models for many of the delicious characters. Even Puss himself was modeled from a real kitty, who could be considered a balletomine, for 'she' was the beloved pet of a ballerina. The lush elegance of the illustrations and flowing brightness of the words exhibit the grace, fantasy and wonder of the ballet. Lincoln Kirstein's magical additions to the tale, heighten the intrique and present a richer conclusion. This is a book to be read, to be displayed proudly, and above all, treasured, and passed on to your children and grandchildren for their delight and enrichment.