Synopses & Reviews
A long time ago, there lived a prince who was looking for someone very special to marry. One of Hans Christian Andersenandrsquo;s most beloved stories gets a breathtaking showcase, with lavish art and an elegant retelling by acclaimed writer, professor, and radio host John Cech. Itandrsquo;s the second exquisite entry in the
Classic Fairy Tale Collection series.
and#160;
Although the handsome prince meets ladies blessed with beauty, wealth, and brains, he knows in his heart that none is the true princess he longs for. Then, one stormy night, a wet, disheveled, and very weary young woman knocks at the castle door. Could she be his queen? One tiny pea buried underneath 20 soft mattresses might reveal the truthandhellip;
and#160;
Bernhard Oberdieckandrsquo;s stunning images, with their soft color and unusual perspectives, capture all the fantasy and romance of Andersenandrsquo;s appealing tale.
Review
"Because the bones of this classic tale are right, Cechand#8217;s enhancements feel right, too."and#151; School Library Journal
Review
Praise for Jack and the Beanstalk:
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andquot;Because the bones of this classic tale are right, Cechand#39;s enhancements feel right, too. . . . Mackenzieand#39;s watercolor illustrations are done in a folk style using a green and gold palette with touches of red. The giant, with his very small head and bleary eyes, contrasts nicely with the rosy cheerfulness of Jack and his mother. Perspective is used to advantage, showing the beanstalk disappearing in the clouds and then the insubstantial base when seen from the top.andquot; andmdash;School Library Journal
and#160;
andquot; . . . knits fresh strands into the Jack-and-the-beanstalk story. This smoothly paced version, which begins with some humorous wordplay, runs close to traditional tellings until the end . . . and#160;Mackenzie ably ramps up the drama in the pencil-and-paint scenes of apple-cheeked Jack eluding the bulbous-nosed, ham-handed giant. The extensive final note, connecting the storyandrsquo;s motifs to archetypal tales throughout history, adds another reason for purchase, even in libraries where multiple versions of the story exist.andquot; andmdash;Booklist
Review
Praise for The Princess and the Pea Cechandrsquo;s fluid text sparkles in this well-crafted retelling . . . The illustrations, created with colored pencils, pastels, and acrylics, glow . . . Children will enjoy this delightful rendition of an old favorite.andrdquo;andmdash;School Library Journal
Synopsis
Jack and his marvelous beanstalk made their first appearance in England in 1734andmdash;and for nearly three centuries the tale has continued to enchant children. After all, what could be more reassuring to a small child than the idea that even a little boy can outwit a scary giant?
John Cech retells this popular story with humor and warmth, adding plenty of entertaining details and bringing in some less familiar elements, too. (For example, when Jack escapes for the last time, the giantandrsquo;s wife comes along with him, and becomes his motherandrsquo;s good friend.)and#160; And Robert Mackenzieandrsquo;s art captures all the magic of the huge beanstalk and the giantandrsquo;s oversized world up in the clouds.
Synopsis
Jack and his marvelous beanstalk made their first appearance in England in 1734andmdash;and for nearly three centuries, the tale has continued to enchant children. John Cech retells this popular story with humor and warmth, adding plenty of entertaining details and bringing in some less familiar elements, too. Robert Mackenzieandrsquo;s art captures all the magic of the huge beanstalk and the giantandrsquo;s oversized world.
Synopsis
Hans Christian Andersenandrsquo;s beloved story of a prince in search of a true princess to marry gets a breathtaking showcase, with lavish art and an elegant retelling by acclaimed writer, professor, and radio host John Cech. Bernhard Oberdieckandrsquo;s sumptuous imagesandmdash;filled with soft color and unusual perspectivesandmdash;capture all the fantasy and romance of this unforgettable tale.
About the Author
John Cech is a professor of English at the University of Florida where he is the Director of the Center for Childrenand#39;s Literature and Culture. He was the creator, producer, and host of the daily public radio program andldquo;Recess!andrdquo; about the cultures of childhood. He has served as the President of the Childrenand#39;s Literature Association and received the Anne Devereaux Jordan Award for his contributions to childrenand#39;s literature. John has written seven books in the Classic Fairy Tale Collection for Sterling, in addition to retellings of
Aesopand#39;s Fables, illustrated by Martin Jarrie, and
The Nutcracker, illustrated by Eric Puybaret. John lives in Gainesville, FL, with his wife, Eve.
Robert Mackenzie graduated from San Jose State University with a degree in illustration and animation. He has worked as a concept and visual development artist at Lucasfilm, PDI Dreamworks, and Blue Sky Studios. Harry Potter and the Sorcererandrsquo;s Stone, The Hulk, Shrek 2, Ice