Description:
A traditional tale with a twist--and, thanks to Caldecott Honor artist Diane Goode's lavish illustrations, a wonderful new book. In this umpteenth retelling of the Hans Christian Andersen story about an emperor with a fashion passion and the weavers who dupe him, the costumes (except, of course, the invisible "new" clothes) are spectacularly Louis XIV. And, all the characters wearing this ornate plumage are dinosaurs. Gloriously complicated outfits include fish-ridden trousers, brocade jackets splashed with mermaids, pink lace cravats, and powdered wigs. Think Marie Antoinette. Think stegosaurus. It's a great combination. Predictably, the emperor (a Tyrannosaurus rex) winds up leading the procession, naked but for a hat and a blush. As traditional fairy tales go, this is one of the least gruesome, and, especially in this fanciful setting, a good one for introducing children to the moral language of Hans Christian Andersen. (Click to see a sample spread. Copyright 1999 by Diane Goode. Used by permission of Scholastic Inc.) (Ages 2 to 8) --Richard Farr
|
