The Elves and the Shoemaker (Classic Fairy Tale Collection) - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1402730675 ISBN 13: 9781402730672

Publisher: Union Square Kids, 2007

Synopsis

Adapted from the perennially popular folktale, first published by the Brothers’ Grimm in 1812, this engaging version of “The Elves and the Shoemaker” features uniquely compelling and otherworldly illustrations by Kirill Chelushkin. What will the poor cobbler and his wife do: they have just enough leather to make one last pair of shoes. Then, good fortune suddenly smiles upon them. While the shoemaker sleeps, someone fashions the most perfect pair of shoes imaginable—and a delighted customer  pays twice the asking price. Who could have done such marvelous work? And will the magic continue? A captivating story that children are sure to enjoy.

About this title

About the Author:

John Cech writes plays, poetry and fiction for both children and adults and is a Professor of English at the University of Florida in Gainesville. Kirill Chelushkin was born in Moscow, Russia, where he currently resides. His work has been displayed in exhibitions around the world.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 1–4—This strikingly illustrated and well-written retelling of the tale begins, "A long, long time ago, when shoes were still made by shoemakers and not by machines in factories, a shoemaker and his wife found themselves in very hard times." The shoemaker, whose deeply wrinkled face exudes tiredness and despair, retires for the night, leaving the pieces for one pair of shoes. He awakens the next day to find a "marvelous" pair of shoes, and each day, the number of finished shoes increases. One night the grateful couple watches the elves tiptoe out "like two whispers in the wind" and determine to reward them. Arresting paintings reveal multiple details: the shoemaker has a long pipe in his mouth, shoes and balloons float around in the air, the first customer dressed in an all-white suit, boots, and top hat arrives at the shop in a fancy jalopy with white walled wheels. The well-known Moscow artist plays with perspective and shadows to add layers of interest to the art. Some children may enjoy perusing these details; others may be put off by their slightly eerie look. This book deserves a place in larger folklore collections.—Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About this edition

• Publisher: Union Square Kids
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 1402730675
• ISBN 13: 9781402730672
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 24
• Illustrator: Chelushkin Kirill