The Bedtime Book — Daniel San Souci

K-Gr 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.