(3) 4-6 Translated by Anthea Bell. Illustrated by Lisbeth Zwerger. A bad fairy enslaves young Jacob, then turns him into a hideous dwarf. He befriends a goose--who is really an enchanted girl--and they work together to free themselves. The lengthy text is crisp; Zwerger's spare artwork employs gentle lines and colors that often carry frightful, haunting undertones.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) 4-6 Pocket Paragon Book series. Translated by Thomas S. Hansen. Illustrated by Boris Pak. These two literary fairy tales feature two physically deformed protagonists who outwit sorceresses and capricious princes. Pak's paintings employ the black backgrounds and jewel-like colors of lacquered Russian boxes. Although the scholarly introduction is geared toward adults, the fables themselves will appeal to middle-grade readers who enjoy fantasy with a dark twist.

Reviewer: Pamela McCuen