Synopses & Reviews
Ever wonder what those fairy-tale characters were really thinking? Poets Jane Yolen and Rebecca Kai Dotlich twist fifteen favorite fairy tales into “poem pairs” that feature wildly different voices and unexpected perspectives. The Gingerbread Boy sees the world as “one mouth,” while his parents wonder if he’d have been happier as a sugar cookie; the Princess claims those mattresses kept her awake (not a silly pea), while the Pea complains that the Princess snores. Yolen and Dotlich’s poems are astonishing and creative, filled with humor and magic, while Matt Mahurin’s artwork is stunning and packed with surprises as well. This lavish volume includes end notes, briefly describing the stories and their history, and an introduction, inviting readers to imagine their own poems from unusual perspectives and “make a little magic.”
Review
"Yolen and Dotlich refashion 15 classic fairy tales into incisive poems told from dual perspectives. . . Mahurin's inky illustrations make theatrical use of dimension, light, and shadow as the characters bound from their expected roles." -- Publishers Weekly
Synopsis
What were all those fairy-tale characters thinking? Jane Yolen and Rebecca Kai Dotlich answer this question in paired poems, with sometimes startling results. The Princess claims all those mattresses kept her awakenot a silly peawhile the poor pea complains that the princess snores. One Snow White begs the witch to settle by the bay and throw that mirror away. Another boldly tells the mirror she wont be guided by a glass thats so one-sided.” Grumbles from the Forest is a bewitching brew of voicesgrumbling, pleading, bragging, reminiscing, confidingthat bubbles with magic and wonder. The spectacular paintings that tie the poems together are full of surprise and intrigue. This stunning collection includes end notes that briefly describe the tales and their history and an introduction that invites readers to imagine their own poems from unusual perspectives.
About the Author
Jane Yolen has received numerous awards for her writing, including the Golden Kite Award, two Christopher Medals, and both the Kerlan Award from the University of Minnesota and the Regina Medal for her body of work. She has four other books scheduled for Spring 2013: a middle grade novel, a graphic novel, a nonfiction picture book, and a poetry book for the very young. She lives in Hatfield, Massachusetts, and St. Andrews, Scotland.
Rebecca Kai Dotlich is the author of more than a dozen poetry and picture books, including When Riddles Come Rumbling and Lemonade Sun. She gives presentations and poetry workshops to students, teachers, librarians, and writers across the country. She lives near Indianapolis, Indiana.
Matt Mahurin is the illustrator of My Beautiful Child by Lisa Desimini. He is also a photographer, whose work is in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and a filmmaker, who has made over 100 music videos and three feature films. He lives in Northport, NY.