The Elves and the Shoemaker by Lucy M George and Rachel Swirles
| The Elves and the Shoemaker by Lucy M George and Rachel Swirles | |
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| Category: For Sharing | |
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Reviewer: Keith Dudhnath
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| Summary: The classic Grimm fairytale is presented in all its glory. You know exactly what you're getting, but it lives up to all expectations. If you don't have a version of it already, add it to your bookshelf. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 32 | Date: May 2009 |
| Publisher: Meadowside Children's Books | |
| External links: Author's website | |
| ISBN: 978-1845394134 | |
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The shoemaker grows older and older. Where he once made the finest shoes in town, he's now struggling to make ends meet. With only enough money for the leather for one pair of shoes, he's on his last legs. He leaves the leather on the table, ready to assemble the next morning, but when he comes down, the elves have made the most beautiful shoes ever.
This retelling of the classic Brothers Grimm fairytale is wonderfully familiar. It's an ideal choice, either for rediscovering an old favourite, or to discover it for the first time. The magical tale has struck a chord with millions over the years, and you can see why. It mixes everyday life with the fantastic idea of a secret world of unexpected night-time goings-on. It extols the virtue of helping others, and one good turn deserving an other. Rewriting a much-loved classic could be risky, but Lucy M George has stayed perfectly true to the story, and more than does it justice.
Rachel Swirles' illustrations are great too. They have a traditional air, with rosy-cheeked people, which suits the story well. There's a timeless quality to everything, with the shoe-shop feeling like... well, like it's out of a fairytale. Every page is a joy to pore over, and helps feel you with the warm glow you'd expect from such a sweet tale.
With so many wonderful new books coming out every month, it can be easy to forget the old classics. Every young child should be familiar with the Grimm fairytales, and if they don't have a version of The Elves and the Shoemaker already, this is a fine choice to add to their bookshelves. Recommended.
My thanks to the publishers for sending it to Bookbag.
The Twelve Dancing Princesses by Rachel Isadora is another retelling of a Grimm fairytale. Magical Princess Stories by Margaret Mayo, Geraldine McCaughrean, Rose Impey, Andrew Matthews, Jane Ray, Ian Beck, Angela Barrett, Emma Chichester Clark and Alan Snow is a must. Slightly older readers will love Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi and Sara Fanelli. For a funny twist on an old favourite, check out Tortoise vs. Hare - The Rematch! by Preston Rutt and Ben Redlich.
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You can read more book reviews or buy The Elves and the Shoemaker by Lucy M George and Rachel Swirles at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy The Elves and the Shoemaker by Lucy M George and Rachel Swirles at Amazon.com.
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