Thumbelina

Rating:
Summary: Superb illustrations radiate beauty and grace
Review: Artist Arlene Graston has created for THUMBELINA breathtakingly beautiful illustrations full of gentle elegance and poignant sensitivity. The first illustration depicting the birth of Thumbelina within the petals of a flower, positively glows with radiance. Each succeeding painting makes the venerable fairy tale come alive with a new freshness and beauty. Graston's exquisite detail and gorgeous use of color, coupled with her magical vision, majestically complements the text. This book is a favorite of my youngest child. We have read and reread it many times, happily carried away by its charm and magic. I whole- heartedly recomend this lovely book for everyone, for your children and for the child within us all. I am grateful to Ms. Graston for creating a work which connects us with the healing and transporting joy of beauty.

Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful Little Tale
Review: Hans Christian Andersen's story of Thumbeline is so endearing that it's no wonder that so many authors have written their own versions of it and so many illustrators have had a go at making tiny Thumbeline come to life. This version, translated by Anthea Bell and illustrated by Lisbeth Zwerger is brimming with charm, rustic folk sensibilities, kindness and compassion spiked with just the right amount of perilous adventure to make it interesting, and a lovely magical feel. The story is well told in satisfyingly descriptive language. The illustrations are superb! Zwerger does a wonderful job with all of the animal characters that Thumbeline encounters and manages to infuse them with emotion and intelligence as well as country charm. Little red-haired Thumbeline is delicate and sweet in several lovely costumes with a peasant feel to them. You know the tale...a woman tells a witch that she wants a "tiny child" and the magic gives her exactly what she wishes for, a tiny child no bigger than her thumb. Thumbeline is born from the heart of a tulip. She's so beautiful and sweet that every small suitor in the neighborhood wants her hand in marriage, including a toad, a mole and a June beetle. They are not interested in the fact that she does not want to marry them! She gets help from other wee folk in the woodland community and makes a good friend when she saves the life of a swallow. The story ends happily for Thumbeline. It may be desirable to point out to your young ones that not every unattached female needs to find a husband, especially very young ones like Thumbeline, and that kidnapping and force are not true ways to get a girl to marry you! Children are smart enough to know that but it's still a good idea to talk over the odd concepts that a child may be thinking about after you read this story. I love this old-fashioned story and this re-telling adds beautifully to its charm and therefore justifies its conception.

Rating:
Summary: One of the most beautiful children's books I've seen
Review: I had to write this after reading the bizarre review from Kirkus that Amazon posted. I bought the book after it got a starred review in Publisher's Week and was absolutely bowled over. Arlene Graston paints with the kind of enchantment, mastery, and love as the great turn-of-the-century illustrators. Every parent should consider buying this book for their children to show them what beauty is all about.

Rating:
Summary: A Little Gem
Review: The familiar Hans Christian Andersen story of Thumbelina has received the royal treatment from Susan Jeffers. Her large, lovely pictures make this seem like you are stepping into the story for the first time. Thumbelina is so dainty and sweet that it's no wonder the toad wishes to marry her but poor Thumbelina has a harrowing time escaping from her warty suitor. Share a trumpet vine blossom with Thumbelina, a pair of hummingbirds and a fat bumble bee or take a ride with her on the back of a gallant swallow. This whole story is enchanting from start to finish and the pictures are a delight!

Rating:
Summary: A book about a small person doing extrodinary things.
Review: Thumbelina is not normal girl she is about the size of your thumb, but don't let her height mistake you she can do alot of things other people can't do. Like she can fit into small spaces that you can't. So if you like books that are about people doing extremely different things that you don't think that can do then this is the book right for you to read. This book will amaze your eyes with the colorful pictures inside, and with the amazing things Thumbelina can do.