The Bernadette Watts collection Stories and fairy tales

This beautiful compendium of illustrated stories represents the work of artist Bernadette Watts. Her distinguished career in picture books began with Little Red Riding Hood (1968) and continues with The Tortoise and the Hare (2015). Besides illustrating many traditional European folktales, she has written and illustrated several original stories. This new collection presents the complete texts and selected artwork from 38 of her beloved picture books. While Watts credits each source (Grimm, Andersen, Aesop, Tolstoy, the Bible), the tellings are her own. She may tone down the gory aspects of Grimm's tales, but she doesn't eliminate their harsh justice. In the foreword, Eric Carle offers appreciative comments on Watts' artwork, as well as information on her background, childhood, and training. He notes that her art teachers included Brian Wildsmith and the then completely unknown David Hockney. Children will enjoy this collection for the well-told stories and the many full-page and double-page illustrations, which are notable for their evocative landscapes, fine use of line, and jewel-bright colors. A treasure trove for reading aloud.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2015 Booklist

She is a master in choosing a palette to fit each story," Eric Carle observes in his brief introduction. Readers can decide for themselves if they agree: the eponymous collection gathers folktales, fables, Andersen tales, and more. Each of these previously published stories has been redesigned to fit on fewer pages; the number of illustrations for each is, by necessity, greatly reduced as well. (c) Copyright 2015. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.