Thumbelina — James Riordan

Gr 2-5-- A credible translation of Andersen's Thumbelina. Although rather formal in tone, lacking the immediacy of Haugaard's colloquial language in Hans Christian Andersen: His Classic Fairy Tales (Doubleday, 1978), Riordan's smooth retelling presents the entire story without deviations or sweetening touches. In watercolors that have an unearthly glow, Thumbelina is portrayed as a fey creature, existing in a world of nature and fantasy. The illustrations tread this fine line well, contrasting the solid earthy browns of the fieldmouse and the mole with the translucent yellow-greens of the heroine. Fanciful touches, such as spiders in four-armed waistcoats who spin a tiny wedding dress, add to the fantastic aspect, while close-ups of natural plants and animals ground it in reality. Many editions of this story are in print, but most, such as Amy Ehrlich's (Dial, 1979; o.p.), abridge the tale, changing important plot elements in the process. An interesting version. --Karen K. Radtke, Milwaukee Public Library