The Bearskinner: A Tale of the Brothers Grimm by retold by Laura Amy Schlitz illustrated by Max GrafeA retelling of the Grimm fairy tale in which a despondent soldier makes a pact to do the devil's bidding for seven years in return for as much money and property as he could ever want.
...Exquisitely adapted ..this puts every value you want your kids to have…into what would be a page-turner if you weren't so inclined to linger over the haunting images.
ReplyDeleteLaura Amy Schlitz is one of the finest storytellers being published today, and she does not disappoint with this magnificent retelling of an obscure tale from the Brothers Grimm...This enthralling and ultimately redemptive tale for children ages 5-12 is movingly reinforced by Max Grafe's grimy, sepia-toned, almost shaggy illustrations. In the end, I'm happy to say, the Bearskinner manages to thwart Satan, marries the pretty girl (there's always a pretty girl) and goes on to live a blameless life of charity. As well he should.
ReplyDelete...It's an unabashedly old-fashioned retelling, making few concessions to modern sensibilities; as such, it carries a power rarely found in fairy-tale retellings.
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