Swan Lake

Fonteyn, Margot; Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilich

ISBN 10: 0152006001 ISBN 13: 9780152006006

Publisher: Harcourt Childrens Books, 1989

Synopsis

A prince's love for a swan queen overcomes an evil sorcerer's spell in this fairy tale adaptation of the classic ballet.

About this title

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-6-- Fonteyn's affection for Swan Lake is clear, especially in the interesting performance notes at the end of the book which include a sharp reminder to today's performers that Odette is more woman than swan. Although written in narrative form, the story of the doomed lovers and the evil magician is told with an eye on stage. The settings are described, the characters' movements are motivated, and the plot unfolds to its inevitable tragic conclusion. Unfortunately, Fonteyn does not trust the impact of the story and ends it with one of the rescued swan maidens spelling out the moral that "the power of real love is greater than all the forces of evil added together." Hyman's lush illustrations heighten the romance in night scenes awash in soft blues that contrast with the reality of the daytime and indoor scenes which almost glare with shades of yellow with green and red highlights. The idealized characters float through the tale in their good and evil forms. Details such as jewelry worn by the women of the court, wall sconces, and the ominous cloud formations contribute to the fairy tale atmosphere. Still available are Donna Diamond's Swan Lake (Holiday, 1980), a well-written full version with very ethereal gray and white illustrations, and Anthea Bell's more terse Swan Lake (Picture Book Studio, 1986) with watercolor illustrations by Chihiro Iwasaki. Many versions of the ballet plot are available in collections. This new Swan Lake , with its sophisticated color and design, picture book format, and straightforward telling, will appeal to a wide age range. --Amy Kellman, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Publishers Weekly

The legend behind the ballet that has long captivated audiences is presented in storybook form. Siegfried is, of course, the headstrong prince who must choose a bride. Odette is the swan-maiden who appears to him on a moonlit night, captive of a cruel spell. The owl-magician who has her in thrall appears to make a mockery of their love, but the lovers, denied one another in life, plunge to the depths of the lake together--thus breaking the spell forever. In book form, as on the stage, this proves a magnificent story--an enchanted, romantic vision underlaid with powerful themes of good and evil, and of reality and illusion. Fonteyn's competent telling moves the plot along smoothly, but Hyman's illustrations--magical tableaux of mood and mystery, in which each detail and expression seem to have been perfectly attended to--make this extraordinary pas de deux soar. All ages.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Harcourt Childrens Books
• Publication date: 1989
• ISBN 10: 0152006001
• ISBN 13: 9780152006006
• Binding: Library Binding
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Hyman Trina Schart