Time for Bed Miyuki by Roxane Marie Galliez - Illustrated by Seng Soun Ratanavanh

As the sun begins to set, it is time for bed. Grandfather gently urges Miyuki to go to sleep but she is too busy doing everything else. A canopy must be made for the dragonfly queen, the vegetables have to be watered and the snails must be lead home. Follow along with Miyuki in this tender bedtime story celebrating family and nature as she attempts to evade sleep.

The illustrations created with watercolour and coloured pencil are a striking mix of textured patterns, bold colours and clean composition. The kimono, bento box, lucky cat (maneki-neko) and other Japanese cultural references and designs are showcased throughout.

The dialogue between grandfather and granddaughter is one of patience and simple enjoyment in each others company. A warm and calming read for little ones at bedtime with pictures that will create wonder leading to dreamland. First published in French as Au lit Miyuki by De La Martinière Groupe, Paris 2017. Recommended for ages 4+.

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Princeton Architectural Press 2018
Hardcover 26p
8.9" x 11.9"

Sleeping Beauty by Mahlon F. Craft - Illustrated by Kinuko Y. Craft

Kinuko Y. Craft's picture book for Sleeping Beauty remains my top choice for this fairy tale based on Charles Perrault's La Belle au Bois Dormant in 1696. Retold by Mahlon F. Craft, this edition covers the first of two parts from Perrault's tale. The story is fast paced and a quick read, the action begins at the christening of Aurora where the uninvited fairy curses the baby princess to die on her 16th birthday. This curse is softened by one of the good fairies; instead of death, Aurora will sleep for one hundred years.

The illustrations are done in mixed media with Kinuko Y. Craft's signature style of extravagant costumes, luxuriously curly haired heroines, intricate details, and effective use of light and shadows. Just like her other illustrated books, the text is adorned with lovely floral patterned borders and drop caps that are all unique. If you like Beauty and the Beast, you'll like this too. Recommended for ages 5+.

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Chronicle Books 2002
Hardcover 32p
9.2" x 11.2"

The Crane Girl by Curtis Manley - Illustrated by Lin Wang

While passing by the library, this little book caught my attention, The Crane Girl. It’s based on a very popular Japanese folk tale, adapted by Curtis Manley and illustrated by Lin Wang. The story is of a crane, who after being freed from a trap, decides to repay her saviour’s kindness. There are many variations to this tale but in this book there is a love story and a happy ending. This picture book also has haiku written from the perspective of the characters alongside the story. The haiku added much more emotion to an already heartwarming tale.

Lin Wang’s delicate watercolour illustrations are the perfect companion to this story. Her portrayals of the Japanese people and costumes are beautiful. Gone are the stereotypical depictions of East Asian people with exaggerated slant eyes. The illustrations of the faces are detailed and expressive in a melancholy way. This is the first time I’ve seen Lin Wang’s artwork and I love it; the fact that it’s not overly stylized makes it more attractive. I will definitely look out for her other works. This book about love and magic will appeal to fairy tale enthusiasts.

Published by Shen’s Books, an imprint of Lee & Low Books Inc. (February 1, 2017). The hardcover has no dust jacket. More Japanese fairy tales can be found here: Green Willow and Other Japanese Fairy Tales.

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Shen's Books 2017
Hardcover 32p
10.5" x 8.8"

Beauty and the Beast by Mahlon F. Craft - Illustrated by Kinuko Y. Craft

Having been a longtime fan of Kinuko Y. Craft’s amazing artwork, I’m very pleased to show you her latest picture book Beauty and the Beast. Loosely based on Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont’s version published in 1756, it is adapted by Mahlon F. Craft who also designed the book. How refreshing it is to read this story without the inclusions of enchanted talking objects but rather a storyline that is closer to the originals. In this adaptation, Beauty has two older sisters who are similar to Cinderella’s wicked step-sisters. There is also a fairy that appears throughout the story.

This book took ten years in the making and has sixteen stunning illustrations painted in oil with miniature sable brushes on gesso panels. Ms. Craft's paintings are so intricate, hidden images appear the longer you look at it. There are fairies and sprites woven into each tapestry-like painting. Her style is a combination of romanticism with a hint of orientalism. The figures are draped in gowns much like 18th century fashion. The beast looks like a mix of bear and leopard. Flourished capitals begin each new page and there is a good amount of text to read here; it should take about fifteen minutes to finish. There are three double page spreads that would have been better as fold-outs. This book is so lavishly illustrated, I like it even more than her previous picture books. The illustrations here also appear in the 2017 calendar. Recommended for ages 5+.

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HarperCollins 2017

Hardcover  32p /dust jacket

9.25" x 11.25"

Warwick Goble Illustrates Green Willow and Other Japanese Fairy Tales: The Cold Lady, The Ghost of Oyuki

Author Grace Edith Marion James (1882-1965) was an English writer of children’s books and a Japanese folklorist. Born in Japan, she spent part of her childhood years there. Green Willow and Other Japanese Fairy Tales was first published in 1910 by Macmillan and later reissued as Japanese Fairy Tales and as Moon Maiden and Other Japanese Fairy Tales. Grace James is also known for writing the John and Mary children’s series.

English artist Warwick Goble (1862-1943) trained at the City of London School and the Westminster School of Art. He illustrated many books for MacMillan publishers, most notably Green Willow and Other Japanese Fairy Tales, The Complete Poetical Works of Geoffrey Chaucer, Stories from the Pentamerone, Folk Tales of Bengal, The Water Babies, and The Fairy Books by Andrew Lang. His medium of choice is watercolour and he is a prominent artist during the Golden Age of illustration.

The Cold Lady is a fairy tale for older children and adults. It is one of thirty-eight short stories within this book which includes forty coloured illustrations.

Part 1-3
Amazon | Original/Rare Book