THE REISSUE OF the classic Grimm tale of a beautiful young girl with skin as white as snow, lips and cheeks as red as blood, and hair as black as e...
read full description
reviews
Jul 08, 2010
Chandra
rated it: 
**Note: Review for 1972 Caldecott Medal winning version illustrated by Nancy Ekholm Burkert
My perpetual gripe of illustration/text ratio is a problem here, but the illustrations are very nice - reminds me a lot of Susan Jeffers. Snow White looks like one would expect a virginal young maiden to look (versus a buxom grown woman). And my favorite part - on the very last page as the happy young couple goes to greet wedding guests you see an empty pair of iron shoes cast-off in the back More...
My perpetual gripe of illustration/text ratio is a problem here, but the illustrations are very nice - reminds me a lot of Susan Jeffers. Snow White looks like one would expect a virginal young maiden to look (versus a buxom grown woman). And my favorite part - on the very last page as the happy young couple goes to greet wedding guests you see an empty pair of iron shoes cast-off in the back More...
6 comments
like
(3 people liked it)
Jul 11, 2010
Chandra
rated it: 
**Note: Review for translated by Paul Heins and illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman
The reason why I'll ever get tired of reading different picture book versions of fairy tales (this is my third Snow White) is because each author/translator/illustrator brings something fresh and different to these larger than life stories. So much so, that for me, they don't feel like different versions of the same story at all, but more like their own entities.
Here Paul Heins provides a More...
The reason why I'll ever get tired of reading different picture book versions of fairy tales (this is my third Snow White) is because each author/translator/illustrator brings something fresh and different to these larger than life stories. So much so, that for me, they don't feel like different versions of the same story at all, but more like their own entities.
Here Paul Heins provides a More...
Jan 09, 2012
Aaron
rated it: 
This version of the Grimm Fairytale is beautifully illustrated, and filled with the sort of shocking violence that I've come to find so thrilling about children's fairy tales. One part of me finds it appalling that we subject our children to these stories, and another finds it hysterical. It's some kind of weird comment on our society that we've repressed our belief in magic to such an extent that these stories have been relegated to children's entertainment.
In Burkert's illustratio More...
In Burkert's illustratio More...
Sep 04, 2011
Heather
rated it:
I read this version of Snow White for a children's literature class. In an article by Perry Nodelman called "How Picture Books Work" from Only Connect (1996), Nodelman compares it to a version illustrated by Nancy Burkert, concluding that Hyman's version is not as good since she tries too hard to illustrate all of the action and inserts too much melodrama.
After looking back and forth at the two versions several times, I didn't completely agree with his conclusions. For on More...
After looking back and forth at the two versions several times, I didn't completely agree with his conclusions. For on More...
Mar 22, 2011
Amy
rated it:
This is a beautifully done retelling of the classic fairy tale, Snow White. Although the story is one I would typically recommend for little ones, this telling is quite detailed and a little darker than other versions I've read. The illustrations are wonderful, they remind me of the Japanese art done in manga. The story follows the same premise as the original but there were some additional elements I had never heard before. For example, in this version the Queen tried to kill Snow White three t
More...
Jun 05, 2010
Ronyell
rated it:
“Snow-White and the Seven Dwarfs” is a Caldecott Honor Book from the classic Brothers Grimm tale that is retold by Randall Jarrell along with illustrations by Nancy Ekholm Burkert and this book is easily one of the most beloved retellings of the classic fairy tale ever told.
Randall Jarrell has done an excellent job at retelling this classic Brothers Grimm tale, as the story is dramatic and intense at the same time. Children will be thrilled with the amount of tension going on in thi More...
Randall Jarrell has done an excellent job at retelling this classic Brothers Grimm tale, as the story is dramatic and intense at the same time. Children will be thrilled with the amount of tension going on in thi More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Dec 11, 2009
Matt
rated it:
Recommended for grades 2nd-4th
This edition of the “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”, is much, much darker than the Disney version that most people my age have grown up with. The Queen repeatedly asks the mirror on the wall,” Mirror, mirror on the wall, Who is the fairest of us all?” She had always received the answer she wanted, until Snow White turned seven, and the mirror has to answer truethfully says, “Snow White”. This enrages the Queen and she turned green with envy, then commands More...
This edition of the “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”, is much, much darker than the Disney version that most people my age have grown up with. The Queen repeatedly asks the mirror on the wall,” Mirror, mirror on the wall, Who is the fairest of us all?” She had always received the answer she wanted, until Snow White turned seven, and the mirror has to answer truethfully says, “Snow White”. This enrages the Queen and she turned green with envy, then commands More...
May 12, 2010
Chandra
rated it:
**Note: This review is for the version illustrated by Charles Santore.
I know I say this a lot, but Snow White is one of my favorite fairy tales. I think I say this so often because the Grimm's (and Andersen's) fairy tales were a huge part of my childhood. Picking a true favorite would be like picking your favorite kid. But Snow White - I don't know - there's something special about her. Maybe it’s because I dressed up as Snow White (complete with goofy plastic 80s mask) three yea More...
I know I say this a lot, but Snow White is one of my favorite fairy tales. I think I say this so often because the Grimm's (and Andersen's) fairy tales were a huge part of my childhood. Picking a true favorite would be like picking your favorite kid. But Snow White - I don't know - there's something special about her. Maybe it’s because I dressed up as Snow White (complete with goofy plastic 80s mask) three yea More...
4 comments
like
(4 people liked it)
Dec 10, 2009
SallySnowtiger
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Sep 26, 2011
Beth_Adele
rated it:
I have fond memories as a small child, curled on my mothers lap as she read me this book. It has long been my favoured telling of Snow White. (Though admittedly the only other tellings I have read were a Disney version and a couple of other versions where only the apple was featured.)
I love the illustrations by Trina Schart Hyman. They are a little bit darker than other versions, which I find a bonus. There is no busty babe in a brightly coloured coloured princess cut puffy sleeve More...
I love the illustrations by Trina Schart Hyman. They are a little bit darker than other versions, which I find a bonus. There is no busty babe in a brightly coloured coloured princess cut puffy sleeve More...
Jun 18, 2011
Joni
rated it:
Snow White: Silver Anniversary Edition by Paul Heins and Tricia Shart Hyman
Countless writers and illustrators have retold the Grimm brothers’ story of “Snow White” but few, if any, have crafted it so beautifully. Heins’ lilting prose creates a dreamlike sense of the story (“Once, in the middle of winter, when snowflakes were falling like feathers from the sky, a queen sat sewing by a window, and its frame was of black ebony.”) but Hyman’s brooding and dramatic artwork completes the More...
Countless writers and illustrators have retold the Grimm brothers’ story of “Snow White” but few, if any, have crafted it so beautifully. Heins’ lilting prose creates a dreamlike sense of the story (“Once, in the middle of winter, when snowflakes were falling like feathers from the sky, a queen sat sewing by a window, and its frame was of black ebony.”) but Hyman’s brooding and dramatic artwork completes the More...
Sep 15, 2009
Mark
rated it:
Though the text is nothing special—a fairly straight-forward, if perfectly serviceable, rendition of the Grimm tale—Hyman’s ridiculously gorgeous acrylic paintings make this an absolute necessity. Deep, pure reds, whites, and blacks dominate the palette, appropriately enough for the story, but Hyman leaves plenty of room to muddy the tones when the story requires. Each two-page spread is taken up by a large painting, with fascinating details hiding behind every shadow. The contrast between Sn
More...
Sep 04, 2011
Heather
rated it:
1973 Caldecott Honor
Goodreads seems to think that this is the same as the version illustrated by Trina Hyman... sort of weird, but okay. This version illustrated by Nancy Burkert is an interesting take on Snow White that depicts scenes happening between the action. Two-page spreads of medieval-style illustrations alternate with two-page spreads of text. The pictures are beautiful and the effect of alternating them with the text is interesting--it builds suspense and makes the reader More...
Goodreads seems to think that this is the same as the version illustrated by Trina Hyman... sort of weird, but okay. This version illustrated by Nancy Burkert is an interesting take on Snow White that depicts scenes happening between the action. Two-page spreads of medieval-style illustrations alternate with two-page spreads of text. The pictures are beautiful and the effect of alternating them with the text is interesting--it builds suspense and makes the reader More...
Feb 18, 2010
Ch_ebonysmith
rated it: 
This is the tale of a beautiful girl who has been “cursed” by her beauty. Her jealous stepmother has vowed to destroy her once and for all because she wants to be the most beautiful one in the land. She comes up with plans that will surely take care of Snow White, but unfortunately for her each and everyone fails. This story would be good for older readers because it is a bit long for young readers maybe and some of the language is a bit much. For example, at one point in the book, they describ
More...
Feb 04, 2012
H. Anne
rated it:
When I was a child, my godmother gave me The Wild Swans illustrated by Nancy Burkert. It was one of my favorite storybooks with such beautiful illustrations. It's still on my shelf but not with books that explore the meaning and history of faerytales. I knew she had illustrated other stories, but I could never recall her name.
In January, a friend and I were at our favorite used bookstore (all right, only used bookstore within a shortish drive) and I found this version of Snow Whit More...
In January, a friend and I were at our favorite used bookstore (all right, only used bookstore within a shortish drive) and I found this version of Snow Whit More...
Feb 07, 2010
Loren
rated it:
I really enjoy fairy tales and often read many versions of the same ole tales just for kicks. These illustrations are very beautiful and one can tell the artist is from Belgium (they all have a smiliar look)ther is one page in particular bother me, when the evil queen asks her mirror the most important question of all "looking glass upon the wall, who is the fairest of them all?" the flaw .... the illusration shows the queen looking into a hand held mirror. This happens throughout t
More...
Aug 26, 2010
Madeleine
rated it:
I absolutely love this book, its retold well and the illustrations are amazing!
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Feb 25, 2009
Becky
rated it:
I forget why I OhioLINKed this version -- saw it referenced in another review? -- but it was probably for the Caldecott Honor illustrations. Although I admire their medieval details, none of them quite lived up to the lovely cover. They seemed a bit stiff. Still, it's been a while since I thought about Snow White besides the Disney version -- I forgot that a huntsman was ordered to kill Snow White and bring the Queen her heart and lung, and that at the end, the Queen was forced to wear red-hot s
More...
Apr 08, 2011
Amanda
rated it:
Pictures were okay. To kill Snow White, the queen goes to the dwarves' house three times. Each time, Snow White, despite the dwarves telling her not to let anyone in etc (stranger danger), lets the queen in. First, the queen laces Snow White's laces too tight and she faints. The second time, the queen combs Snow White's hair with a poison comb. The last time, Snow White chokes on a poison apple. The dwarves put her in a glass coffin. The prince comes and asks to have her in the coffin. Wh
More...
Sep 15, 2011
Cherie
rated it:
Genre: Traditional/Fable
Copyright: 2009
Thoughts: Nice illustrations, I like having a different image of Snow White other than the Disney version (although there's nothing wrong with that one). Some differences in the story - the queen tries to kill her by over tightening her bodice. The prince doesn't kiss her to save her - the guards carrying the coffin stumble and the apple piece falls from her mouth. Also, the queen is killed with red hot iron shoes at Snow White's wedding.
Copyright: 2009
Thoughts: Nice illustrations, I like having a different image of Snow White other than the Disney version (although there's nothing wrong with that one). Some differences in the story - the queen tries to kill her by over tightening her bodice. The prince doesn't kiss her to save her - the guards carrying the coffin stumble and the apple piece falls from her mouth. Also, the queen is killed with red hot iron shoes at Snow White's wedding.
Feb 04, 2010
Dolly
rated it:
We enjoyed reading this version of Snow White. Typical of fairytales by the Brothers Grimm, this is a violent story that has a lot of fairly graphic details which are conveniently left out of the "Disney-fied" versions. Still, the tale is a very familiar one and our girls really loved the illustrations (quite worthy of the Caldecott Honor). And they are old enough to appreciate the differences between the original tale and modified versions; I like this version best too.
Sep 30, 2011
Cindi
rated it:
The story told here is much closer to the version recorded by the Brothers Grimm than many versions, especially the 1937 version by Disney. Snow-White is without a mother for the first year of her life and as she grows, her step-mother's envy and hatred grows as well. When she is seven, the queen orders her taken to the woods by a huntsman and killed. When the huntsman has pity on her, he kills a boar instead, bringing the boar's liver and lungs to the queen in place of Snow-White's. The q More...
Apr 29, 2010
Andrew
rated it:
Summary: Spared by her would-be executioner, Snow White finds a home with seven kindly dwarfs, but the hateful queen who wants her dead will stop at nothing to be the most beautiful woman in the land. A poisoned apple seems to send Snow White to her death, but true love brings her back, and good once again prevails. Paul Heins's graceful words and Trina Schart Hyman's expressive artwork create a dramatic retelling of this classic tale, filled with movement and passion that will enchant readers
More...
Sep 25, 2011
Emily
rated it:
This version of Snow White is beautifully done, don't get me wrong. However, this book is meant for adults. The pictures are done in a way that will just bore kids. The text is very small and very lengthy with words more complex than a typical child's vocabulary. I just think that the book is very dark and not meant for kids. I got bored and I am 19 years old. This book was well produced, just not for children, and only for adults who are very into art.
Nov 26, 2011
Kathy
rated it:
This is a more traditional version of this story than the Disney version. IT has more of the European style of the fairy tale than the american version. The illustrations are colorful and match the storyline well. The illustrator is Quentin Greban and he does a masterful job related the illustrations to the story. I liked this version a lot and hope to add it to my collection.
Feb 01, 2012
Unique retelling of Snow White, but might be dark for young children. Same fairy tell but true to the Grimm Brothers version, while children might be looking for the happy Disney telling. There are beautiful pictures, but the big blocks of text in between made my lose interest in the story and I think will lose the interest of small children as well.
Jan 29, 2012
Dolly
rated it:
I'm on a business trip to France and one of the first things I did was find a bookstore. I spent a lot of time there, picking out things that I thought our girls would like. And since I'm brushing up on my French, I figured some children's books would be good (and not too overwhelming.) I picked out some books to bring home and I really hope our girls like them...I sure did!
This is an unusual version of Snow-White and the Seven Dwarfs. The illustrations are very Asian, like a Jap More...
This is an unusual version of Snow-White and the Seven Dwarfs. The illustrations are very Asian, like a Jap More...
Nov 01, 2011
Claire
rated it:
I have always really enjoyed the story of Snow White. I like the message that good will always overcome evil and the sub- message that you cannot take anything ay face value. I really enjoy the fact that the Grimm fairy tales are not as happy throughout the story like the Disney versions.
Nov 24, 2011
Megan
rated it:
The tale of a beautiful princess who finds a new home with 7 dwarfs after her evil step mother has ordered her to be killed. With this book you could read it to kids and the watch the movie and then talk about how they are similar and how they are different.
Jul 09, 2008
Kathy
rated it:
This is one of the most beautifully written and illustrated fairy tales I have ever read. The language of the story is powerful. "Pride and envy grew in her heart like weeds."
The illustrations are hauntingly beautiful and well reserched. You see medieval silverware and dishes on the table in the dwarf's cottage. You see symbolic darkness and light as the prince and princess climbing the stairs. One of my favorite illustrations is of the wicked queen with the poison apple in her More...
The illustrations are hauntingly beautiful and well reserched. You see medieval silverware and dishes on the table in the dwarf's cottage. You see symbolic darkness and light as the prince and princess climbing the stairs. One of my favorite illustrations is of the wicked queen with the poison apple in her More...
