Puss in Boots: A miller's youngest son inherits only a cat, but the clever animal helps him impress a king and marry a princess, plus three other captivating fairy tales. Each measuring 9 x 10", all full color. Includes: The Emperor's New Clothes, Elves and the Shoemaker, Ugly Ducking and of course, Puss 'n Boots.,

Ugly Duckling: From the Publisher For over one hundred years The Ugly Duckling has been a childhood favorite, and Jerry Pinkney's spectacular new adaptation brings it triumphantly to new generations of readers. With keen emotion and fresh vision, the acclaimed artist captures the essence of the tale's timeless appeal: The journey of the awkward little bird -- marching bravely through hecklers, hunters, and cruel seasons -- is an unforgettable survival story; this blooming into a graceful swan is a reminder of the patience often necessary to discover true happiness. Splendid watercolors set in the lush countryside bring drama to life. From The Critics Book Magazine An unusually beautiful version of an old favorite. Publishers Weekly Crossley-Holland (Storm) and So (The 20th Century Children's Poetry Treasury) bring out all the luster of Andersen's classic tale in this beguiling book. The familiar sequence of events unfolds in a courtly retelling shot through with flashes of humor ("That's a turkey's egg," says a duck elder authoritatively before the "duckling" hatches; "Waddle properly keep your legs well apart, like I do," the mother duck urges her strange child). Crossley-Holland's prose is as elegant as it is lyrical ("Sunlight settled on the shoulders of the ancient castle"; "A great skein of wild geese started up"; "Clouds sagged with snow and hail"). So's dexterous, impressionistic watercolors soar between blocks of text on the spreads for a highly dynamic presentation. The images are by turn droll, dreamlike and bittersweet, ranging from a dog splashing wildly through the marsh and the busy congress of a barnyard to the supple arch of a bird's neck against a winter sky. The equal of the striking prose, So's graceful brush strokes and expressive use of line issue an irresistible invitation to readers. Ages 5-8. (Sept.) Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information. The translation of Andersen's Danish text (copyright page states simply that this is adapted from W. Angeldorff's translation) may be dense and formal, but Italian artist Angaramo's full-bleed spreads are anything but. Novel visual angles, human expressions on the faces of the animals, and plenty of bright greenery and golden sun convey a feeling of optimism at odds with the sober tale. Angaramo's duckling is a tiny grayish fellow with huge feet and cheerful pinprick eyes. The text describes the trials he undergoes because of his odd appearance: "the poor ugly duckling was bitten, pushed, and sneered at both by the ducks and the hens." But though Angaramo's ugly duckling stands alone in the big barnyard (viewed from bird's-eye level, the barn and haystacks appear as high as mountains), the animals who encircle him talking excitedly, with shining eyes; they might be complimenting his nice gray plumage. Even in the worst of the cold ("Just thinking about winter was enough to make one feel frozen, and the poor duckling certainly had a very bad time of it"), Angaramo's duckling lifts his wings happily, a smile on his face. As an introduction to Andersen's traditional tales, this is as benign an entry as parents could hope to find. Ages 4-up. (Apr.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information. Children's Literature - Carole J. McCollough This picture book edition of one of Hans Christian Anderson's most memorable tales is perfectly suited to the older reader. The impressionist-like color paintings on marbleized backgrounds are exquisite. The soft lime green and yellow change to deep brown and gold as the seasons change from spring to fall, and then change again to the icy grays and blues of winter. The strength of this new translation is in the illustrations.

Title page of "THis Book Belongs to" may have a pencilled in name which can easily be erased. FOUR TOTAL TALES.  Turner Publishing, Incorporated 1-57036-007-3 / 9781570360077
Soft Cover Very Good Condition  

Price: 23.38 USD

 Western Publishing Company 0-307-30263-6 / 9780307302632
Hardcover Very Good Condition  Racine, Wis. 

Price: 15.75 USD