The Dinosaur's New Clothes: A Retelling of the Hans Christian Andersen Tale (Hardcover)

by Diane Goode (Author) "ONCE UPON A TIME, THERE LIVED AN EMPEROR WHO WAS SO FOND OF NEW CLOTHES that he spent all his money on them..." (more)
Key Phrases: old minister

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
A traditional tale with a twist--and, thanks to Caldecott Honor artist Diane Goode's lavish illustrations, a wonderful new book. In this umpteenth retelling of the Hans Christian Andersen story about an emperor with a fashion passion and the weavers who dupe him, the costumes (except, of course, the invisible "new" clothes) are spectacularly Louis XIV. And, all the characters wearing this ornate plumage are dinosaurs. Gloriously complicated outfits include fish-ridden trousers, brocade jackets splashed with mermaids, pink lace cravats, and powdered wigs. Think Marie Antoinette. Think stegosaurus. It's a great combination. Predictably, the emperor (a Tyrannosaurus rex) winds up leading the procession, naked but for a hat and a blush. As traditional fairy tales go, this is one of the least gruesome, and, especially in this fanciful setting, a good one for introducing children to the moral language of Hans Christian Andersen. (Click to see a sample spread. Copyright 1999 by Diane Goode. Used by permission of Scholastic Inc.) (Ages 2 to 8) --Richard Farr

From Publishers Weekly
What is perhaps the most famous swindle in children's books receives a prehistoric makeover in this visually wry retelling. Using the palace of Versailles as a backdrop, Goode (Mama's Perfect Present) whips up an ensemble of pompadoured and powdered dinosaurs to portray the characters in the Hans Christian Andersen classic, with a Tyrannosaurus rex cast as the clothes-crazy emperor. The artist has a field day with the setting. Pilasters and ceilings in the Hall of Mirrors sport dino motifs and carvings; dino cherubs wing their way across elegant paintings; and the royal "Rex" insignia takes on a whole new meaning when intersected with a giant "T." Best of all are the emperor's many outfits, which have images from well-known children's stories woven into their designs. It's all good silly fun, a light parody of Andersen's send-up of gullibility and greed. Ages 3-up. (Sept.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic; Library Edition edition (September 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590383604
• ISBN-13: 978-0590383608
• Product Dimensions: 12.3 x 9.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,007,543 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A new twist on an old favorite, May 11, 2000

By	Nicole Cooke (NJ) - See all my reviews

You wouldn't think that dinosaurs would have any place in the classic Andersen tale, but indeed, this retelling of The Emperor's New Clothes is wonderful. By just reading the text, there is no indication that this version features dinousaurs - this speaks to the creativity of the illustrator, Diane Goode. What pictures! They really make the story come alive. A fun book for those new to the story, and for those who enjoy fresh perspectives.