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312 pp.
| Simon/Beach Lane
| May, 2019
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4814-5283-0$17.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-4814-5285-4
(3)
4-6
In 1977, twelve-year-old Dulcie, who's been mute since her mother's suicide, is dumped "like a stray pup without a basket" at her aunt's house in rural Ohio. There, with the help of others, she slowly begins to heal and find her voice again. Dulcie is a richly drawn protagonist struggling with enormous sadness, but debut novelist Schoenbohm's light, folksy writing keeps the story's tone hopeful.
307 pp.
| Scholastic
| May, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-1-338-06878-8$17.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-338-06885-6
(4)
YA
Ten years after King Lorcan forced Evelayn into swan form (Dark Breaks the Dawn), threats to Lorcan's power force an uncomfortable alliance between the two rivals. As Lorcan and once-again-human Evelayn struggle to retrieve her conduit stone, a new balance of power forms. Romance blossoms predictably in this nevertheless satisfying conclusion to Larson's Swan Lake–inspired duology.
(2)
4-6
Princess Ryn's older brothers are turned into swans by their new stepmother. This retelling of the Grimms' tale "The Six Swans" is fleshed out with a fantasy framework that employs believable catalysts to unpack some of the tale's more mystical plot points, bringing readers into close sympathy with protagonist Ryn. Inventive twists on the original bring vitality to the well-known ending.
Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2018
(2)
YA
Knowing a family curse will eventually trap one of them in a swan's body, sisters Blanca (fair-haired and sweet) and Roja (flame-haired and difficult) spend their lives trying to become more alike and thus impossible to separate. McLemore reimagines Snow White and Rose Red as young Latinx women, mixing their stories with themes from "The Ugly Duckling," Swan Lake, and "The Wild Swans" for a tale rich with visual detail.
32 pp.
| Scholastic
| May, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-1-338-03293-2$17.99
(3)
K-3
In this British import, follow-up to The Queen's Hat, a swan snatches the queen's handbag, setting off a wild chase past various UK landmarks. The queen, her dog, a horde of police officers, and a butler carrying her hatbox use multiple modes of transportation in pursuit. Their zany antics, illustrated in small-scale detail, will keep readers poring over each spread. Brief endnotes describe the sites.
(4)
K-3
Translated by Anthea Bell.
Illustrated by
Robert Ingpen.
In this handsome edition (here reissued in inexpensive paper-over-board) of one of Andersen's best-known stories, the familiar text about the shunned duckling who becomes a beautiful swan has been smoothly translated, and Ingpen's rich illustrations are full of texture and show unusual insight into the animal world. Unfortunately, on some pages the narrow-margin text is a bit difficult to read against the illustrations.
32 pp.
| North-South
| June, 2014
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7358-4172-7$17.95
(3)
K-3
Translated by Anthea Bell.
Illustrated by
Gerda Raidt.
The historical note by folklorist Jack Zipes emphasizes the familial love at the heart of this smoothly translated story of the little sister who sacrifices herself, vowing silence and weaving shirts to transform her brothers, imprisoned in swan bodies by their evil stepmother's spell. Finely detailed illustrations capture both the story's darkness and its moments of domestic happiness.
(4)
K-3
Do You Really Want to Meet...? series.
Illustrated by
Daniele Fabbri.
Written in the second person, this armchair field trip takes readers to a marsh to observe swans in their natural habitat. While cautioning young explorers about swans' aggressive defense tactics, the text provides minimal information about diet and behaviors. The friendly cartoon illustrations soften the warnings. Appended websites provide more in-depth information. A habitat map is included. Reading list. Glos.
24 pp.
| Bearport
| January, 2013
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-61772-734-4$23.93
(4)
K-3
Even More SuperSized! series.
Opening with a clear comparison--"A trumpeter swan can weigh more than 30 pounds. That is about as much as a three-year-old child"--this accessible book is a good resource, despite some cheesy section titles ("Dipping for Dinner"). Simple text, stock photos, and a map introduce the habitat, diet, life cycle, physical characteristics, and behavior of the swan. Reading list. Glos., ind.
32 pp.
| Holiday
| April, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8234-2373-6$16.95
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Emily Arnold McCully.
Sophie the swan tries to join a class of young ballet dancers but is shooed away. Later, a more open-minded teacher welcomes her to class; eventually Sophie earns a part in Swan Lake. McCully captures Sophie's yearning to dance in ballerina Kent's satisfying success story. Readers will appreciate the tale's acknowledgment that while some things come easily to Sophie, others do not.
212 pp.
| HarperCollins
| February, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-0-06-200492-5$16.99
(4)
4-6
When Princess Meriel's new stepmother turns her five brothers into swans, Meriel must save them by making each a shirt from stinging nettles--but she mustn't speak before her task is done. The novel departs from Andersen's "The Wild Swans" in ways that diminish the narrative tension, but fairy-tale fans will enjoy the atmosphere and the spunky heroine.
(3)
4-6
Isla's annual winter ritual of watching for the whooper swans is interrupted by her father's heart attack. During her anxiety-filled hospital visits she befriends Harry, a boy with cancer. Isla comes through a difficult time as she tries to encourage a lone injured swan to fly while providing Harry with some distracting intrigue. A sad, leisurely paced story filled with metaphor-rich imagery.
32 pp.
| Barron's
| July, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7641-6407-1$14.99
(4)
K-3
In this third book about the imaginative ballet student, a music box draws Ella into Swan Lake. She tags along as the Swan Princess watches her prince being tricked by the evil magician. In this version, all's well that ends well. The text can be plodding, but delicate pink-hued illustrations capture the story's fairy-tale quality. An author's note discusses Tchaikovsky's ballet.
32 pp.
| Putnam
| May, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-0-399-25029-3$16.99
(3)
K-3
Retold by Rachel Isadora.
Illustrated by
Rachel Isadora.
Isadora creates a sunlit African setting for her retelling of this classic tale, giving a new look to Andersen's story of a swan child born into a duck family. Expressive images show the protagonist's growth and development from lonely hatchling to magnificent black swan. Brushstrokes in oil paint make for eye-catching textures in the vibrant cut-paper collages.
32 pp.
| North-South
| June, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7358-2226-9$16.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Pirkko Vainio.
The tale about the cygnet who looks different than his duck siblings is lyrically related. Though this version lacks some of Andersen's harsher details, none of the animal characters spares the protagonist's feelings. The flora and fauna are realistically rendered in soft watercolors by Finnish illustrator Vainio.
(4)
K-3
Amazing Animals series.
Vivid photographs providing up-close views of the daily life and habits of swans are the highlights of this slim volume. Minimal text touches on habitat, appearance, food, and offspring, and a folk-story provides an answer to the question, "Why are some swans black?" Reading list, websites. Ind.
32 pp.
| Whitman
| September, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8075-5273-5$16.99
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Karin Littlewood.
A young swan sets off on his first migratory journey with his parents and grandpa. When Grandfather falls during an ice storm, Father takes over as leader. The text, though overly dramatic, is ultimately reassuring. Midnight-blue-toned watercolor illustrations express the curvilinear shapes seen in the night sky and the swan's graceful bodies.
32 pp.
| Cavendish
| April, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7614-5523-3$17.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Kristina Rodanas.
London chronicles the first months of Ko-hoh, a trumpeter swan, from hatching in the North American lake country to his family's departure south for the winter. Accompanied by realistic-looking colored-pencil over watercolor-wash paintings, the narrative highlights dramatic moments, such as Ko-hoh's comical first attempt at feeding and his escape from a grizzly bear. An author's note supplies additional information.
32 pp.
| Dial
| March, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8037-3234-6$16.99
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Chris Raschka.
Violet the swan and Winston the duck are old friends with much in common. They both enjoy café society and picnics in the country, but they encounter some sticky patches in their friendship in this trio of stories. Raschka's jazzy visual rhythms, fauvist palette, and background details lend verve and originality to the classic themes of the trials and satisfactions of friendship.
Reviewer: Sarah Ellis
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
March, 2009
40 pp.
| Candlewick
| January, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7636-2159-9$16.99
(2)
K-3
Retold by Stephen Mitchell.
Illustrated by
Steve Johnson
&
Lou Fancher.
Mitchell's adaptation preserves Andersen's tart, bracing voice, as the cygnet contends with opinionated creatures from barnyard, marsh, and forest. Lacy, luminous art, rich with underwaterlike greens, gives the ugly duckling's emergence into glorious swanhood the visual splendor it deserves. The decorative paper that is the basis of the paint and collage art imbues the book with an air of fine elegance.
Reviewer: Deirdre F. Baker
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
January, 2008
38 reviews
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