The Bedtime Book: A Collection of Fairy Tales

An illustrated collection of eleven folk and fairy tales including "The Three Billy Goats Gruff," "Rapunzel," and "The Sorcerer's Apprentice."

Kindergarten-Grade 4 A brightly illustrated collection of 11 folk and fairy tales shortened for bedtime reading. The collection includes popular titles, such as "The Three Billy Goats Gruff" and "The Elves and the Shoemaker." The tellings follow standard texts with the exception of "The Three Bears" in which an old woman, not Goldilocks, visits the bears' house. The version of "Rapunzel," in which the heroine has twins without marrying the prince, is also found in Best-Loved Folktales of the World (Doubleday, 1982). The tales often lack the verve and humor of fairy tales retold for the young, especially "The Three Little Pigs," in which the third pig tricks the wolf only once. The illustrations, however, are stunning, with charming details. They are full-page paintings, either realistic or humorous, that convey the folk spirit of the stories. The Baby's Story Book (Dutton, 1985) by Kay Chorao is for very young children; The Random House Book of Fairy Tales (Random, 1985) by Amy Ehrlich has more complete stories. This one should be considered only for its striking, full-color illustrations. Margaret C. Howell, Capitol Hill Day School Library, Washington, D.C.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.