Translator David Walser and illustrator Jan Pie n ´ kowski introduce these four tales—“Sleeping Beauty,” “Snow White,” “Hansel and Gretel,” and “Cinderella”—by detailing their personal fascination with folk literature, fol lowed by a brief history of Perrault and the Brothers Grimm. The first three are from an early, i.e., “grizzly” (vi) version by the Brothers Grimm (red-hot shoes and all), but “Cinderella” is drawn from Perrault’s less vindictive ver sion. What will mesmerize readers is the combination of Walser’s language, in which he “preserve[s] the peculiar qualities of the original phrasing” (ix), and Pie n ´ kowski’s lacy silhouettes, delicate yet perfectly detailed with multihued marbled backgrounds. Everything else is a bonus. 2007 USBBY Outstanding International Books List. lmp

Originally published in this form by Puffin Great Britain, in 2005; “Sleeping Beauty,” “Snow White,” “Hansel and Gretel,” and “Cinderella” first published by William Heine mann and Gallery Five Great Britain, in 1977. Translated by David Walser.

With bewitching silhouettes and glowing, marbleized backgrounds, Pienkowski's exquisitely detailed illustrations decorate every page of this stunning collection. Each fairy tale has been translated and retold to reflect the original dark magic of the earliest versions of these works. Full color.