Sleeping Beauty

by Margaret Early and Margaret Early

Book Overview

Illustrator Margaret Early has created exquisitely detailed period-style pictures and glorious decorative borders for this new retelling of the beloved tale.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0810938359
• ISBN13: 9780810938359
• Release Date: October 1993
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 10.3" x 11.5"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Grades 8 to 3

Customer Reviews

Delightful little gem!

I was pleasantly surprised by this edition of Sleeping Beauty. I am tempted to give this five stars, but it's more personal that I've only given it four, and that's simply because the illustrations aren't quite my taste. The illustrations are, however, done very well, and the incorporation of gold colors, which looks as though it's leaping off the page, is a unique and intriguing aspect. (plus, the way cute sleeping puppy earns major points!) Another great aspect, is the history of Sleeping Beauty given in the back of the book, as well as Early's attempt to recreate the Chateau d'Usse (apparently the location Perrault had in mind for Sleeping Beauty). I thoroughly enjoyed Early's rendition of this tale, and found it the most tame and "fairly-tale-ish" of all the editions I've read. In this tale the King and Queen do not purposefully slight the evil fairy, instead the fairy has lived alone in a tower for 50 years and had been forgotten (I mean, still, do'h! but, you know). However, I did find it an interesting choice for the king and queen to each have a golden table setting, because, then, why wouldn't they have given one of their own up to the evil fairy? I was pleased that the prince is "determined to rescue" Aurora and "he decided there and then to fight his way through the thicket." Of course, he's easily let through the thicket, but still, at least he appeared fairly valiant and selfless. I thought Early's writing was easy to read and well paced and overall I found this book a very pleasant little surprise.

A Lovely, Well-Researched Edition of Sleeping Beauty

There is nothing ugly about this book - no issues with trolls or step-mothers who eat the princely son's children. Instead, you will get a rendition fairly based on the stories of Perrault and Brother's Grimm, only enhanced in a lovely, romantic and dramatic style of fairy story telling. The author researched the countrysides of France in order to create the beautiful, full and rich illustrations on every single page, as well. The book is illuminated with gold, and makes a glamorous gift for that princess in your life.