The Most Wonderful Thing in the World by Vivian French - Illustrated by Angela Barrett

While browsing the bookstore recently, the cover of The Most Wonderful Thing in the World really intrigued me with its circus-like image and its title. Some might say not to judge a book by its cover but I almost always do! For picture books it's a key factor in deciding whether I like the style of illustration and how interesting the contents may be. This book by Vivian French and illustrated by Angela Barrett came home with me.

A king and queen searches for a suitable husband for their daughter Princess Lucia. Only the young man who can show them the most wonderful thing in the world will be the right choice. But what can be shown or given to someone who has everything? Not pyramids, airships or even a piece of frozen sky will do.

This is one of the more romantic fairy tales that show love blossoming over time throughout the book and doesn't just happen at first sight. The many scenes of Lucia touring the kingdom is very picturesque. The watercolour illustrations are elegant, intricate and dreamy; set possibly in the jazz age are enhanced by a dynamic layout. The clever retelling of this fairy tale makes for more engaging characters and interesting story. Recommended for ages 5+.

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Candlewick Press 2015
Hardcover 32p
11.1" x 9.3"

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"

Edmund Dulac's Exquisite Illustrations for Cinderella or The Little Glass Slipper

Edmund Dulac (1882-1953) is one of the foremost artists during the Golden Age of Illustration. Born in Toulouse, France, he moved to London, England in 1905 to illustrate the collected works of the Brontë sisters; his first commission. He studied Law at the University of Toulouse but his real passion was painting. He won several art competitions at the École des Beaux Arts. Some of his finest works were for Hodder & Stoughton and Leicester Galleries; these illustrations were published in deluxe children’s books. One of those titles is The Sleeping Beauty and Other Fairy Tales from the Old French retold by Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch published in 1910. It also contains three other stories: Cinderella, Bluebeard, and Beauty & the Beast. Reproductions of this book can be found through the links below. The illustrations here are more abundant and vibrant than those from The Little Mermaid. Enjoy our version of Cinderella adapted from Andrew Lang’s The Blue Fairy Book based on Cendrillon by Charles Perrault.

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