Cuentos de Perrault

Gr 2-6-Children will enjoy this brightly illustrated book of classic tales. The 24 stories include "Blue Beard," "Puss in Boots," "Cinderella," and "Thumbkin." Most scenes are spreads with simple watercolor illustrations. Many pages have beautifully painted borders reminiscent of old-fashioned handmade books. Regrettably, a thin font is used and placed over the illustrations throughout, making the text hard to read. This book is a good start for those who are ready to introduce children to the trials of life represented in Perrault's witty and charming stories. They will lead to interesting conversations about topics such as magic, witches, murder, and death. Some may find "Piel de Asno," or "Donkey Skin," disturbing. This compendium may be more appropriate for reading one-on-one than in a group setting. The downside is its elevated vocabulary; adults might need to keep a dictionary on hand.-Angelica Sauceda, Anaheim Public Library, CA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.