Review by Booklist Review
Ages 5^-8.After trying to sell matches all day long, a bitterly cold and extremely hungry young girl attempts to warm herself by lighting some. In the flames of each match, she has visions of food, warmth, a Christmas tree, and her loving grandmother. Not wanting to return to her cold home and abusive father, the young girl falls asleep in the snow never to awaken again. This adequate but at times overly sentimental retelling of a famous nineteenth-century Andersen tale is beautifully illustrated in soft watercolor tones.--April Judge
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
With their swirling snowflakes and meticulous period details, Isadora's paintings capture the essence of Andersen's story of a forlorn heroine. Ages 4-8. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 1-4-An internationally renowned Czech artist brings her avant-garde perspective to Andersen's timeless fable. Pacovsk 's playful art is challenging and experimental, featuring childish scrawls, bright smudges of color along with silver inlays, and whimsically amorphous figures. One illustration depicts the girl's eyes, nose, and cupped hands scribbled across what appears to be a financial balance sheet. One spread consists of squares of color smudges facing a shiny silver page on which readers find their own reflection. The two pages are linked by a multicolored paintbrush/matchstick form. The image of the matchstick recurs throughout in all colors and shapes, singly or in groups, some leaning at angles, some resembling picket fences. Though the art challenges, it is appropriately childlike and whimsical, and opens this classic tale to new interpretations. Thoughtful students of folktale will welcome Pacovsk 's brilliantly innovative vision.-Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Hazy, overly sentimental illustrations extend a traditional retelling of Andersen's tale. This rendering, while adequate, offers nothing new for contemporary readers, many of whom will need a stronger offering to understand and appreciate a story of such profound sadness. From HORN BOOK 1995, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
