Tag Archives: Classics

The Tortoise And The Hare

As the animals are having a picnic in a meadow, the Tortoise says to the Hare, “I bet I can beat you in a running race!” Despite everyone’s laughter, the Hare accepts the challenge. This favorite classic about how “slow and steady wins the race” is retold in this book’s wondrous artwork. The illustrations of the woodland creatures and stunning landscape were created using ink drawings with soft watercolor washes. Intricately detailed illustrations make this book excellent for one-on-one reading. ema

Title: The Tortoise And The Hare
Author: Aesop (620-560 BC), retold by Bernadette Watts
Illustrator: Bernadette Watts
Publisher: North-South Books
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: German
Translator: North-South Books
Original Title: Der Hase und die Schildkröte
Original Publisher: North-South Books
Original Copyright: 2015
ISBN: 978-0-7358-4207-6
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book, Fable
Author’s ethnicity: Aesop: Greek, Watts: English
Author’s residence: Watts: England
Illustrator’s ethnicity: English
Illustrator’s residence: England
Subjects: Fairytales, Folklore, Folktales, Races, Running, Retellings

Tales From Rumi: Mathnawi Selections For Young Readers

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This collection of 32 anecdotes, fables, and tales of everyday life from the Mathnawi is adapted for younger audiences. The Mathnawi is a compilation of more than 24,000 verses by Rumi (1207-1273) and is considered by many to be one of the greatest works of mystical poetry. The stories, such as The Rabbit and The Lion, The Merchant and The Parrot, and The Teacher’s Fear, have interesting, action-packed plots that illustrate a point and morals at the end that reinforce the message. Amusing black-and–white drawings and a ribbon bookmark add to this lively and insightful introduction to world literature for young readers. mjw

Title: Tales from Rumi: Mathnawi Selections For Young Readers
Author: Mawlana Jalaladdin Rumi (1207-1273)
Edited by: A. Fuat Bilkan
Illustrator: Erdinc Semen
Publisher: Tughra Books, New Jersey
Copyright: 2014
Original Language: Persian, also Turkish, Arabic, Greek
Translator: Jeannette Squires Okur
Original Title: Mathnawi
Original Publisher: Rumi dictated the verses
Original Copyright: 1258-1273
ISBN: 978-1-59784-124-5
Hardcover pages: 128
Age range: 12 up
Genre: Fiction, Fables, Folklore
Author’s ethnicity: Persian
Subjects: Fables, Folk tales, Iran, Islam, Poetry, Religion, Storytelling

The Bernadette Watts Collection: Stories And Fairy Tales

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Watts’s works “display warm and pleasing colors that bathe each image in an almost theatre-like setting” -Eric Carle.

Bernadette Watts is an iconic English children’s book author and illustrator who has illustrated several fairy tales and fables. This huge collection of fairy tales features some stories written by world renowned storytellers and Watts herself. The gorgeous impressionistic illustrations of animals, creatures, people, and nature complement the wondrous stories. This collection is excellent for introducing readers to popular tales, such as Cinderella, Rapunzel, The Ugly Duckling, Sleeping Beauty, and The Snow Queen, as well as some unfamiliar works. ema

Title: The Bernadette Watts Collection: Stories And Fairy Tales
Author: Short stories by Bernadette Watts, Jacob (1785-1863) and Wilhelm Grimm (1786-1859), Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875), Aesop (620-560 BC), Gerda Marie Scheidl (1913-2005), Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910), and more
Illustrator: Bernadette Watts
Publisher: North-South
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: German
Translator: North-South Books
Original Title: Bernadette
Original Publisher: NordSüd
Original Copyright: 2014
ISBN: 978-0-7358-4242-0
Hardcover pages: 317
Age range: 4 up
Genre: Fables, Fairy Tales, Picture Books
Author’s ethnicity: Watts: English, Grimm Brothers: German, Andersen: Danish, Aesop: Greek, Scheidl: German, Tolstoy: Russian
Author’s residence: Watts: England
Illustrator’s ethnicity: English
Illustrator’s residence: England
Subjects: Fables, Fairy tales, Fairy tale reimaginings/ retellings, Folktales, Illustrated children’s books, Short stories

The Velveteen Rabbit

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Margery Williams wrote this classic in 1922 about a young boy and his soft stuffed rabbit. The oldest and wisest toy in the nursery, the Skin Horse, assures the rabbit that toys are made real by children’s love. The rabbit becomes the boy’s most beloved companion. When the boy falls ill, the rabbit stays by his side. As the boy recovers, the doctor advises the boy’s mother to burn all of his belongings, even the shabby rabbit because they may have become infected. In the magical ending, the beautiful nursery fairy transforms the rabbit into a “real to everyone” rabbit. Sakai’s text is simpler than the original, allowing the richly textured, gorgeous and luminous acrylic and oil pencil paintings to tell the gentle story. mjw

Title: The Velveteen Rabbit
Author: Komako Sakai, based on the story by Margery Williams (1881-1944)
Illustrator: Komako Sakai
Publisher: Enchanted Lion Books, New York
Copyright: 2012
Original Language: Japanese
Translator: Yuki Kaneko
Original Title: Biroudo no Usagi
Original Publisher: Bronze Publishing Inc,, Tokyo
Original Copyright: 2007. 1922, Margery Williams for the original text, published as The Velveteen Rabbit: Or How Toys Become Real
ISBN: 978-1-59270-128-5
Hardcover pages: 40
Age range: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity: Japanese. Margery Williams – English
Author’s residence: Japan
Translator’s ethnicity: Japanese
Translator’s residence: Brooklyn, U.S.
Subjects: Friendship, Imagination, Rabbits, Toys

Pinocchio By Pinocchio

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This reworking of the classic story by the author of War Horse (the West End and Broadway play and blockbuster film) tells the full story of Pinocchio from Pinocchio’s point of view. He starts out as a tiny cherry pip, which grows into a cherry tree, eventually becomes the wooden puppet, and finally, the boy. His curious spirit leads him into many exciting adventures. The captivating full-color illustrations make this famous and much-loved puppet come alive. The original story, The Adventures of Pinocchio, was written by the Italian author, Carlo Collodi, in 1883, and made into the fantastic film by Walt Disney in 1940. mjw

Title: Pinocchio By Pinocchio
Author: Michael Morpurgo
Illustrator: Emma Chichester Clark
Publisher: Harper Collins Children’s Books
Copyright: 2013
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-0-00-733962-4
Paperback pages: 272
Age range: 6-11
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy
Book setting: Italy
Author’s ethnicity: English
Author’s residence: England
Illustrator’s ethnicity: English
Illustrator’s residence: London
Awards: Author is a former Children’s Laureate – Britain
Subjects: Fairytales, Marionettes, Puppets

John Diamond

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Twelve-year-old William Jones cannot stop hearing his father’s footsteps and sighs at night. When William learns that his father is troubled because he swindled his old business partner, Mr. Diamond, he promises to himself that he will travel to London to rectify his father’s wrongs. He quickly realizes that London is an eerie city full of danger, death, and betrayal. The author’s gothic writing is reminiscent of Charles Dickens’s works. Middle-grade readers who are fans of Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events will devour this mystery novel. ema

Title: John Diamond
Author: Leon Garfield (1921-1996)
Illustrator: Isobel Lundie
Publisher: Random House
Copyright: 2014
Original Language: English
Original Title: John Diamond
Original Publisher: Kestrel Books
Original Copyright: 1980
ISBN:978-0099583271
Paperback pages: 256
Age range: 9-11
Genre: Historical Fiction
Book setting: Victorian London
Author’s ethnicity: English
Illustrator’s ethnicity: English
Illustrator’s residence: London
Awards:1980 Whitbread Prize for Children’s Novel
Subjects: Creepy, Death, Detective stories, Mystery, Scary stories

The Letter For The King

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As he waits in a chapel on the eve of his knighting ceremony, sixteen-year-old Tiuri is asked to deliver a secret letter to the king of the neighboring kingdom, Unauwen. Though leaving the chapel could cost him his knighthood, he goes on a lengthy journey to deliver a message which could change the destiny of the kingdoms of Unauwen and Dragonaut. This epic tale of heroism, bravery, and true friendship will intrigue readers who are fans of fantasy, mystery, and medieval literature. Dragt’s sequel, The Secrets Of The Wildwood, has also been translated into English. ema

Title: The Letter For The King
Author: Tonke Dragt
Illustrator: Tonke Dragt
Publisher: Pushkin Children’s
Copyright: 2014
Original Language: Dutch
Translator: Laura Watkinson
Original Title: De brief voor de koning
Original Publisher: Uitgeverij Leopold
Original Copyright: 1962
ISBN: 978-1-782690-10-8
Hardcover pages: 460
Age range: 12 up
Genre: Fiction, Novel
Author’s ethnicity: Born in Indonesia
Author’s residence: The Netherlands
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Born in Indonesia
Illustrator’s residence: The Netherlands
Awards: 2004 Gouden Griffel Winner, 1976 State Prize for Youth Literature, 1963 Children’s Book of the Year Award for the Netherlands
Subjects: Action, Kings, Knights, Journeys, Medieval setting, Quests

Aladdin

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When Aladdin is tricked by his greedy magician uncle, he becomes trapped in a cave with a lighted lamp. As Aladdin plans what to do next, he accidentally rubs the lamp and a genie appears who promises to serve any of his requests! His wishes come true, but he has to learn how to fix things when his uncle acquires the lamp. This marvelous abbreviated retelling of Aladdin was created using gorgeous brown, blue, and black cut paper illustrations laid on lavishly gem colored background paper. ema

Title: Aladdin
Author: from the Arabian Nights; retold by Sheri Safran
Illustrator: Agnese Baruzzi
Publisher: Tango Books
Copyright: 2014
Original Language: English
ISBN:978-1857078732
Hardcover pages: 14
Age range: 5-7
Genre: Cut Paper Picture Book
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Italian
Illustrator’s residence: Bologna
Subjects: Arabian Nights, Arabian, Fairytales, Folklore

Peter Pan

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James Matthew Barrie’s classic tale of Peter Pan, a mischievous boy who can fly, and his adventures in Neverland with Wendy, Michael, and Peter Darling, is reimagined in this stunning unabridged volume. All new full-color illustrations and interactive 3-D inserts, such as a foldout map of Neverland, Peter’s shadow, Tinkerbell’s fairy wing, and a crocodile clock that tells time, bring to life the story of the boy who never grows up. The artwork is astounding. MinaLima is the London-based, award-winning graphic design studio best known for its involvement in the Harry Potter film franchise. mjw

Title: Peter Pan
Author: J. M. Barrie (1860-1937)
Illustrator: Mina Lima Design – Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima
Publisher: Harper Design, New York
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: English
Original Title: Peter Pan, Or The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up
Original Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton
Original Copyright: 1904
ISBN: 978-0-06-236222-3
Hardcover pages: 256
Age range: 12-18
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy
Book setting: London, England
Author’s ethnicity: Scottish
Illustrator’s residence: London, England
Subjects: Brothers and sisters, Captain Hook, Coming of age, Dogs, Imaginary places, Motherhood, Pirates

Slovenly Peter: Freely Translated Into English By Mark Twain

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Struwwelpeter (translated as “slovenly” or “shock-headed” Peter) is one of the most popular and influential children’s books ever written. It is the most widely published German book. It has been translated into over 35 languages. Rhyming couplets and grotesque pictures portray the often gruesome consequences that befall children who misbehave. A boy who doesn’t groom himself is unpopular. A girl plays with matches and burns to death. A child, who won’t stop sucking his thumb, has both thumbs cut off. A boy, who refuses to eat his soup, wastes away and dies. Today’s children will distinguish these tales from reality and will probably even giggle. Also included are a Foreword by Mark Twain’s daughter (1934), an Introduction with information on how the book came to be written, and a note by Mark Twain (1891). Maurice Sendak said that Struwwelpeter is “graphically one of the most beautiful books in the world.” And Slovenly Peter’s influence is evident in Tim Burton’s Edward Scissorhands. mjw

Title: Slovenly Peter: Freely Translated Into English By Mark Twain
Author: Heinrich Hoffmann (1809-1894)
Illustrator: Fritz Kredel (1900-1973)
Publisher: Calla Editions, an imprint of Dover Publications, Inc. Mineola, New York
Copyright: 2013
Original Language: German
Translator: Mark Twain (1835-1910)
Original Title: Der Struwwelpeter (or Shockheaded Peter)
Original Publisher: Marchbanks Press, New York
Original Copyright: 1935, 1845
ISBN: 978-1-60660-048-1
Hardcover pages: 34
Age range: 8-14
Genre: Poetry, Rhymed stories
Author’s ethnicity: German
Translator’s ethnicity: U.S.
Illustrator’s ethnicity: German
Subjects: Boys, Conduct of life, Exaggeration, Girls, Misbehavior, Morality tales, Morals, Nursery rhymes

The God Beneath The Sea

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The ancient Greek gods and goddesses are brilliantly reimagined in this novel which combines classic Greek myths together to create one continuous story. The story begins when a hideous shrieking baby, later known as Hephaestus, falls into the sea and is raised by sea goddesses Thetis and Eurynome. From then on readers discover the origins of gods and man. This classic of English children’s literature with macabre illustrations effectively introduces young readers to Greek Mythology. ema

Title: The God Beneath The Sea
Author: Leon Garfield (1921-1996) and Edward Blishen (1920-1996)
Illustrator: Charles Keeping (1924- 1988)
Publisher: Doubleday
Copyright: 2014
Original Language: English
Original Title: The God Beneath The Sea
Original Publisher: Pantheon Books
Original Copyright: 1970
ISBN: 978-0-875-53311-1
Paperback pages: 215
Age range: 12 up
Genre: Greek Mythology, Fiction
Book setting: Ancient Greece
Author’s ethnicity: Both English
Illustrator’s ethnicity: English
Awards: 1970 Carnegie Medal
Subjects: Greek gods and goddesses, Mythology, Reimaginings, Retellings

Tales From Nasreddin Hodja

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Nasreddin Hodja is Turkey’s best-known trickster. These 43 witty and silly short tales are based on the works of Nasreddin, who was born in the village of Horto in south-central Turkey in 1208. Hodja is a title meaning teacher or scholar. Hodja is a hard-working, honest, and beloved character whose advice is solicited by the local villagers. Absurd questions, practical jokes, and witty one-liners characterize the humorous anecdotes. Watercolor and ink drawings add to the fun. mjw

Title: Tales From Nasreddin Hodja
Author: Cengiz Demir
Illustrator: Oznur Kalender – Erdogan Ogultekin
Publisher: Tughra Books
Copyright: 2013
Original Language: Turkish
Translator: Serdar Aslar
Original Title: Nasrettin Hoca Serisi
Original Copyright: 2010
ISBN: 978-1-59784-285-3
Paperback pages: 143
Age range: 7-9
Genre: Fiction, Folktales
Book setting: Turkey
Author’s ethnicity: Turkish
Author’s residence: Istanbul, Turkey
Subjects: Central Asia, Folklore, Humor, Middle East, Tales, Wisdom