Eric Carle's Treasury of Classic Stories for Children by Aesop, Hans Christian Andersen, and the Brothers Grimm

Eric Carle is known around the world for his many highly original and beautiful picture books, including THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR and ERIC CARLE'S TREASURY OF CLASSIC STORIES FOR CHILDREN. For more information, please go to www.eric-carle.com.

PreSchool-Grade 4 A handsome compilation of 22 stories selected from the previ ously published Twelve Tales From Aesop (Philomel, 1980; o.p.), Seven Stories from Hans Christian Andersen (Watts, 1978; o.p.), and Eric Carle's Storybook: Seven Stories from the Brothers Grimm (Watts, 1976; o.p.). The result is a varied selection ranging from familiar tales such as Tom Thumb and The Rabbit and the Turtle to more obscure stories including The Seven Swabians and The Winners. Ar rangement is well balanced, with the short fables interspersed among the longer stories of Andersen and Grimm. Stories appear virtually verba tim from the first editions with con cise, spirited language in keeping with the nature of the tales. Carle has pared down the original versions, sometimes at the expense of the irony and humor; this is most notably absent in the selections from Andersen. He has also invented some plot twists to make the tales more logical in their shortened form. The 11 fables from Aesop are presented with no ultimate ly stated morals but retain their teach ing spirit, although the message of The Grasshopper and the Ants has been completely reversed. Carle's distinc tive style of bright watercolor and col lage illustration provides an excellent complement to the lively text. Most of the art from the original volumes has been reproduced, supplemented with some new illustrations. The reproduc tions have been toned down slightly from the more garish originals, result ing in improved color and clarity. An adequate choice for those mid-range readers who are too old for nursery story collections yet too young for the original full-length tales. Starr La Tronica, North Berkeley Library, Calif.
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