The Emperor's New Clothes

Two rascals sell a vain emperor an invisible suit of clothes

PreSchool-Grade 2-- This classic tale is a favorite among children; now Levinson and Byrd present a version faithful to the spirit of Andersen's but with a slightly different twist. The retelling retains the tone of the original--spare, direct, and fluid. Byrd sets the tale in a world of anthropomorphized animals, and the results are very effective. The role assigned each beast makes perfect sense: the emperor is a lion, the rascals who trick him are foxes, the chamberlain is a goat, the royal minister is a bear, and the little child who dares to say what he really sees is a kitten. Words and pictures blend nicely, with just the right amount of text on each page for sharing aloud. Well-executed watercolor washes with pen-and-ink detailing make use of cool, vibrant colors--emerald green and fuchsia dominate. Drawn in a comic but realistic style, each animal possesses a distinct and consistent personality. The scenes are rich with detail but never crammed or confusing. All in all, a satisfying adaptation, suitable for using aloud in small group situations. --Denise Anton Wright, Library Book Selection Service, Inc., Bloomington, IL
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Taking full advantage of the intrinsic humor of Andersen's tale, Byrd has created busy, exuberant pictures featuring a menagerie of animals. The wonderfully foppish emperor is a stately lion, who wears a gold earring and sports costumes of dazzling colors and intricate patterns--until his final moment of vainglory, of course, when he parades through the town in his newly "woven" clothes. The scoundrel weavers are aptly depicted as ultimately sly foxes, also splendidly bedecked. The illustrator's crowning touch is the collection of amazed expressions on the faces of the townsfolk--animals all--lining the streets and hanging out of windows to gape at the emperor as he struts by "with head held high proudly." Levinson ( Watch the Stars Come Out ; I Go with My Family to Grandma's ) retells this classic story with fitting understatement, her dialogue and descriptions imbued with grace. Ages 4-7.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.