(4) K-3 Illustrated by Gail De Marcken. Following the same format as the duo's Princess Tales, this volume offers witty retellings--in sometimes awkward verse--of ten princess stories set around the world, among them "Scheherazade," "The Firebird," and "Rapunzel." Each tale is paired with detailed seek-and-find paintings that are more picture puzzle than story-developing; somewhat strangely, the pictures include characters from other well-known folktales not included here. Bib.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Gail de Marcken. This retelling incorporates details from E. T. A. Hoffmann's original collection of stories later adapted into the ballet version with which most readers are familiar. The volume, with its large trim size, is sumptuous in illustration style; de Marcken's watercolor and ink paintings dominate most spreads. The pictures are so detailed it can be hard to know where to look.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Gail de Marcken. When Ali's pigeon steals a cherry from the throne room, the evil Sultan threatens death to Ali's father unless Ali can accomplish the impossible: produce six hundred Syrian cherries in three days. Being clever, he does, and Ali ends up as crown prince. This original story (based on a historical incident) is rich with musical language and with the patterns of Egypt's Arabic art.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2006