Fables and Fairy Tales Books

My name is Sydney and I am 4 years old. I love to go to the library and I love to read books. This Sleeping Beauty book is one of my favorite books. I have already checked it out three times. One of my favorite things to do is practice the sign language. Is is lots of fun! Now I my Mommy is buying this book so that I can have it all the time.

Well-drawn illustrations. The story is sweet. I bought the book because of the drawings of the corgi, but enjoyed the moral of the book too. Would like to see this author & illustrator work together again.

When I was a little girl, my aunt was my best friend. She would read Smile for Auntie to me with the silliest voice and make me laugh and laugh. For years now I haven't even thought of that book, but now my daughter and my aunt have become fast friends. It is time to dust off this book and give it new life.

This was such a funny book, I love the humor, the names the story line and the Hippity Hops! I just have one question, although I should probally ask Howard Fine the illustrator this question... on the "Pie" page what kind of Pie is the "Tiger and the speed boat" I think I guessed all the other pie types and laughed but that one eluded us. And not really a question but a statement, we're not sure we really believe you Bruce that your wife doesn't snore...

This is a sweet retelling of an old tale,but what makes it prticularly good are the charming illustrations by Julia Zanes. Both my six year old and 10 year old daughters love it and we've given several copies as presents this winter.

This is an English version of the book designed by Ivan Malkovych and illustrated by Vladislav Erko (one of the best illustrators ever).
There are 11 fantastic pictures in it. I have framed some of them.
This book become the Best Children's Book of the Year in 2000.

I bought this book after a teacher of mine told us it was her favorite book as a child. She was captivated by Gerda running off to save Kay, and delightfully frightened by the strong Robber girl. I fell in love with the story and the drawings are beautiful, they pull you in just as strongly as the story itself. I bought a copy of this book for her and sent it so she can feel reading it again the same way she did as a girl. If you are looking for a beautiful copy of The Snow Queen, I'm sure you'll love this one.

I highly recommend Ms. Ljungkvist's version of Snow White, perfectly adapted to a young audience with succinct text and creative, modern, memorable illustrations. It is the story reduced to its essence, and I thoroughly enjoy its beauty.

Perfect old timey story for the kids. Brought back wonderful memories for my husband. Illustrations are beautiful. Beats Disney's version my a long mile!!!!!!

A long, long time ago the birds and animals made an agreement to live peacefully together by dividing the forest. The birds would live in the trees and the rest of the creatures would live on the ground. This worked well until the morning came, an which point all of the animals that were grateful for the sunrise and wanted to praise the day started screeching, squawking, growling, and bellowing. At the next meeting it was decided that while a song to give thanks for the day was a good idea the sound of their collective voices was not. So they decided to have a contest to see which animal had the song best suited for this great honor.

The title of this Iroquois legend, retold by Gloria Dominic with illustrations by Charles Reasoner, gives away to young readers which animal is going to come up with the sweetest sounding song. But how the Hermit Thrush comes up with the song and when he sings it will come as a surprise. One of the interesting things about ancient myths and legends is how they explain aspects of nature, such as the sweet song of the Hermit Thrush. As the quotation at the beginning of the book points out: "It may be thought that the memory of things may be lost with us. We nevertheless have methods of transmitting from father to son an account of all these things." Young students have a tendency to ask "why" a lot and this book will answer that question, even though they have never asked this specific variation on that constant theme.

As is the case with all of the books in this series the back of the volume looks at the history of the Iroquois. A map lays out the Iroquois homeland across what is now New York State as this section describes the culture and daily life of these Native Americans. There are photographs and drawings that show the food and clothing of the Iroquois, as well as a look at where the Iroquois live today. This is followed by a Glossary of terms from "buckskin" to "wampum," and a list of Important Dates from Columbus landing in the Americans in 1492 up to 1988-89 when the sacred wampum belts of the Six Nations were returned to them from a couple of museums. There is also a photography of a Hermit Thrush in the back so that you can judge how well of a job Reasoner did. One of his fortes as an artist is the authentic detail he provides for the people in these stories, but except for the grandmother who tells this story to her grandchildren as the framing device for "Song of the Hermit Thrush." But in this one the best watercolor paintings are ones where does the elk or any animal with lots of brown, because the variant shadings are quite compelling.

I have some concerns regarding the historical details provided in the back of these books, but they are only intended as an introduction to these cultures. A bibliography is provided specific to the Iroquois, so there are plenty of opportunities for young students and their teachers (or parents) to find out more. For more examples of Native American Lore & Legend you can check out these other books by Dominic and Reasoner: "First Woman and the Strawberry: A Cherokee Legend," "Coyote and the Grasshoppers: A Pomo Legend," "Brave Bear and the Ghosts: A Sioux Legend," "Sunflower's Promise: A Zuni Legend," and "Red Hawk and the Sky Sisters: A Shawnee Legend."