The Twelve Dancing Princesses (The Ruth Sanderson Collection)

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.com Review This Grimm fairy tale tells the story of twelve royal sisters who are locked in their room each night. Mysteriously, by morning, all their shoes are worn out from dancing! With the help of a magic cloak, a humble, intelligent gardener solves this intriguing enigma. In the process, he wins the love of the youngest princess and the favor of the king. Ruth Sanderson--who calls her own artistic style "romantic yet realistic"--has retold and illustrated well-received editions of Papa Gatto, an Italian tale, and Rose Red and Snow White, the Grimm fairy tale. Her beautiful, richly colored oil paintings of princesses, their detailed dresses, the castles, and enchanted forests will make young readers believe in the magical world of The Twelve Dancing Princesses. (Ages 5 to 9) Read more From Publishers Weekly Given the recent publication of at least three other retellings of this classic tale of the princesses who mysteriously dance each night away, one may question the need for yet another edition. While certain aspects of Sanderson's oil paintings are lovely, this version is somewhat flawed. With their rich, muted colors and intricate detail, the illustrations capture the story's magic and romance, while recreating the lavish dress and customs of the 15th century. At its best--showing the youngest princess standing in the royal garden or the 12 sisters making their way through a golden forest--Sanderson's art recalls Italian paintings of the era she depicts. The characters' faces and several hairstyles, however, are decidedly contemporary, as if a group of high school youths were attending a masquerade ball. In addition, the book's design is curiously flat and uninteresting: other than the paintings themselves, the pages have a starkness that belies the story's innate elegance. Ages 4-8. Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. Read more See all Editorial Reviews