The Snow Queen : A Retelling of the Fairy Tale

The Snow Queen : A Retelling of the Fairy Tale

Hans Christian Andersen's The Snow Queen , the classic tale of friendship, love, and bravery, is beautifully retold with lavish illustrations by master artist Bagram Ibatoulline. Best friends Kai and Gerda would do anything for each other. When Kai starts to behave cruelly and disappears, Gerda sets out on an epic quest to save Kai from the evil Snow Queen. But can Gerda break the Snow Queen's enchantment and complete the final task? Full of magic and wonder, this new picture book will delight fans of beloved classics like "Thumbelina," "The Princess and the Pea," and "The Little Mermaid." Gr 3-5–Andersen's tale has been considerably abridged to fit into a picture-book format, and the most obvious references to Christianity have been removed. The retelling still emphasizes the struggle between good and evil, as it relates Gerda's quest to rescue her friend Kai from the clutches of the Snow Queen. Ibatoulline's sumptuous paintings perfectly capture the tale's high drama. Appropriately, the first glimpse of the two friends is from the snowy rooftops of their town, though they're snug and warm indoors. Then a splinter from the evil troll's mirror enters the room on a gust of wind, and Kai's heart is pierced. The dramatic moment is seen from above as a whirl of white invades the room. The next scene finds Kai, scared yet stubbornly clinging to his sled as the Snow Queen's sleigh whisks him away into the night. As Kai falls under her enchantment, the story turns to Gerda and her efforts to bring him back. The gentle, wistful child's strength lies in her certitude and innocent love, and she wins over everyone she meets. Whether it's in his meticulously crafted landscapes or in the emotive faces of his characters, Ibatoulline's paintings are eye-catching and memorable. Another outstanding version of a classic story.–Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CAα(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. In this abridged version of Andersen’s original fairy tale, young Gerda and Kai have long been best friends, but Kai becomes cruel when tiny slivers of a cursed mirror pierce his eye and his heart. Soon the Snow Queen takes him away to her home, and Gerda sets out on a quest to save him. She endures many trials as she travels to the Snow Queen’s palace, where she finds Kai and frees him. No source is given for the translation or abridgment. Lacking the religious content woven through Andersen’s tale, this edition is more accessible to contemporary children. While the telling is considerably shorter than the original, it is somewhat longer than most picture-book texts. The episodic story moves along well, though, and its length gives viewers plenty of time to linger over the detailed illustrations. Skillfully rendered and beautifully composed, the acrylic gouache paintings create a series of impressive images that many readers will enjoy. Grades 1-3. --Carolyn Phelan An enchanting tale of friendship and bravery Kai and Gerda are best friends who would do anything for each other. So when Kai begins to act cruelly, Gerda knows that something has gone terribly wrong—and when he disappears, she knows she is the only one who can find him. Gerda sets off on an epic journey, facing three great trials before finally discovering Kai at the palace of the evil Snow Queen. But can Gerda break the Snow Queen's enchantment and pass the final test? This Hans Christian Andersen favorite is a timeless story of love and friendship. Readers young and old will once again fall under the spell of this magical fairy tale with lavish new illustrations by master artist Bagram Ibatoulline. Hans Christian Andersen was a Danish author and poet best remembered for his fairy tales, both original and retold, including the beloved classics "Thumbelina," "The Emperor's New Clothes," "The Fir Tree," "The Steadfast Tin Soldier," "The Princess and the Pea," "The Red Shoes," "The Ugly Duckling," and "The Snow Queen."