Rapunzel

K-Gr. 3. This volume in a fine series of bilingual fairy tales offers some enjoyable twists to a familiar story. The pleasing square format feels fresh, as do the cartoonlike watercolor-and-ink illustrations. Joma works with a carefully chosen palette (blue is often used for Rapunzel; strong red for the witch) and surrounds her scenes with plenty of white space. Despite a rather curious juxtaposition of visual elements (a witch who looks like a schoolmarm, elements of a contemporary street scene, and a prince cantering by on his horse), this still works. The English and Spanish are independently strong, with an occasional, enjoyable twist in the translation that will be evident to anyone who reads both languages: in English, Rapunzel and the prince lived happily ever after ; in Spanish, Y vivieron felices y comieron perdices el resto de sus dias (And they lived happily and ate partridges for the rest of their days ). A traditional story enriched by its bilingual format and colloquial Spanish. --Julie Kline Copyright 2006 Booklist

K-Gr 2-These titles are beautifully rendered with attractive illustrations and fluid text in English and in Spanish. Rapunzel stands out for its witty and, at times, even poignant, modern illustrations as well as its more inventive adaptation. In this version, when the obligatory prince comes along, he is banished and blinded by the jealous jailor, who also evicts Rapunzel. All ends well as the lovers find one another and live happily ever after (Y vivieron felices y comieron perdices el resto de sus días). The Three Little Pigs is a traditional (one might even say straight-laced) adaptation coupled with bold, cartoon-style illustrations. The porcine brothers trot through the story, parting ways, building their various shelters, meeting up with the hungry wolf, and ultimately joining forces in the sturdy brick house-without straying into any narrative flourishes or embellishments. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.