reviews
Mar 06, 2009
Chandra
rated it: 
One of Andersen's best stories is done full justice here with an excellent retelling and gorgeous illustrations to match. I think that this story has one of the best morals of any children's story out there past or present: Don't go along with a belief or behavior just because everyone else is doing it. And I've always loved that a child is the only one who possesses both the innocence and the courage to announce the king's nudity.
As for this version I love that the story has bee More...
As for this version I love that the story has bee More...
7 comments
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(5 people liked it)
Apr 20, 2009
Kathryn
rated it:
Loved the Europe circa 1913 setting in the illustrations!!! The translations was nothing remarkable for me, but I've always loved this story and it was nice seeing it with it's "new clothes" (i.e., the refreshing illustrations) :-)
Thanks, Chandra, for the recommendation!
Thanks, Chandra, for the recommendation!
4 comments
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(4 people liked it)
Apr 30, 2009
Abigail
rated it:
The Emperor's New Clothes, illustrated by Angela Barrett.
Angela Barrett has always been one of my favorite fairy-tale illustrators - an artist whose work never fails to create a sense of depth and mystery, or to evoke an intense emotional response. Her Snow White was a masterpiece - a breath-takingly lovely book with luminous scenes that are simultaneously delicate and lush. So when a goodreads friend's review alerted me to the fact that Barrett had also done a version of The Emperor More...
Angela Barrett has always been one of my favorite fairy-tale illustrators - an artist whose work never fails to create a sense of depth and mystery, or to evoke an intense emotional response. Her Snow White was a masterpiece - a breath-takingly lovely book with luminous scenes that are simultaneously delicate and lush. So when a goodreads friend's review alerted me to the fact that Barrett had also done a version of The Emperor More...
6 comments
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(3 people liked it)
Nov 10, 2009
Abigail
rated it: 
The Emperor's New Clothes, illustrated by Virginia Lee Burton.
This edition of Hans Christian Andersen's classic tale, in which a vain emperor is taken in by two thieves posing as weavers, really takes me back! I'm not entirely sure, but I think it may be the version I had as a child, as Virginia Lee Burton's illustrations look so familiar. Then again, I had her Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel practically memorized as a girl, so perhaps it's simply that I know her style?
More...
This edition of Hans Christian Andersen's classic tale, in which a vain emperor is taken in by two thieves posing as weavers, really takes me back! I'm not entirely sure, but I think it may be the version I had as a child, as Virginia Lee Burton's illustrations look so familiar. Then again, I had her Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel practically memorized as a girl, so perhaps it's simply that I know her style?
More...
3 comments
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(1 person liked it)
Nov 03, 2009
Abigail
rated it:
The Emperor's New Clothes, illustrated by John Alfred Rowe.
Hans Christian Andersen's classic tale of a fashion-conscious emperor who falls victim to two swindlers, who convince him that they can weave cloth invisible to the stupid and professionally unfit, is adapted and illustrated here by John Alfred Rowe, whose quirky style is unmistakable. A red-cheeked emperor (a doll, a clown?), is attended by mice and monkeys, while the two cheats are depicted as sly foxes. Bright, contrasting More...
Hans Christian Andersen's classic tale of a fashion-conscious emperor who falls victim to two swindlers, who convince him that they can weave cloth invisible to the stupid and professionally unfit, is adapted and illustrated here by John Alfred Rowe, whose quirky style is unmistakable. A red-cheeked emperor (a doll, a clown?), is attended by mice and monkeys, while the two cheats are depicted as sly foxes. Bright, contrasting More...
4 comments
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(1 person liked it)
Aug 05, 2011
Shelley
rated it:
I ask my kids what they thought the moral of the story is. Here are their answers.
The 14 year old: Don't be an idiot. Any moron should know that they are naked no matter what they are being told.
The 11 year old: If you can't tell you are naked, you should not be king. Let the kid be king. At least he could see the truth.
The 9 year old: Always tell the truth, even if it makes people sad or cry.
So there you go. All three are girls and they all h More...
The 14 year old: Don't be an idiot. Any moron should know that they are naked no matter what they are being told.
The 11 year old: If you can't tell you are naked, you should not be king. Let the kid be king. At least he could see the truth.
The 9 year old: Always tell the truth, even if it makes people sad or cry.
So there you go. All three are girls and they all h More...
Oct 16, 2009
Abigail
rated it:
The Emperor's New Clothes, illustrated by Anne Rockwell.
Originally published in 1837, as part of his Eventyr, fortalte for Børn (Fairy Tales, Told for Children), The Emperor's New Clothes is one of Hans Christian Andersen's most popular original fairy-tales. It also one of his most humorous, and this little miniature retelling, based on the nineteenth-century translation of H.W. Dulcken, and illustrated by Anne Rockwell, taps into that pointed hilarity. With colorful, appealing illus More...
Originally published in 1837, as part of his Eventyr, fortalte for Børn (Fairy Tales, Told for Children), The Emperor's New Clothes is one of Hans Christian Andersen's most popular original fairy-tales. It also one of his most humorous, and this little miniature retelling, based on the nineteenth-century translation of H.W. Dulcken, and illustrated by Anne Rockwell, taps into that pointed hilarity. With colorful, appealing illus More...
Feb 16, 2009
I guess this story must have engendered the cynicism I retain to this day. A child should read this before being let loose on newspapers and adverts
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Oct 15, 2009
Taya
rated it:
The most fascinating piece of this story was the illustrations by Angela Barrett. Her biography at the end of the story mentioned her love of fashion design, and this is portrayed in the story as well. The detail on each page is extraordinary, especially within the borders. One page uses needles working around the border like cloth to outline the scene. It is details such as this that make this particular book so enchanting, especially since it is a retold version of a tale by Hans Christian
More...
Feb 09, 2011
carl
rated it:
Hans Christian Andersen, now there's a name you don't
hear much once you're out of childhood. Well, perhaps
parents do, reading to their kids.
This is a handy, short volume of 6 stories, great
for taking along on a plane. 'The Emperor's New Clothes'
is the well-known tale, but I found the others
engaging. He has a knack for bringing inanimate
objects to life, bronze pigs, bottles, match sticks.
Jun 01, 2009
Ginny
rated it: 
This is my fav book of all time!I remember when I was about 5 or 6,I used to read it thousands of times.and never ever got tired of it.
although at that age,I didn't get the moral of the story,but as I grew up,its meaning grew up with me.
now if you ever felt as if you're deceiving yourself,open this book and read it before it's too late!
although at that age,I didn't get the moral of the story,but as I grew up,its meaning grew up with me.
now if you ever felt as if you're deceiving yourself,open this book and read it before it's too late!
Mar 22, 2011
Jenelle
rated it:
The story of The Emperor's New Clothes is told from a giant cast of characters surrounding the Emperor. Each has a different, entertaining perspective on the events as they transpire.
Each character is illustrated by one of 23 of the most popular children's artists, making it widely diverse in appearance, yet enhancing the individuality of the characters.
And to add to the fun, the accompanying CD uses 23 celebrities to tell the story out loud. Everyone from Harrison More...
Dec 26, 2009
Aly
rated it:
This is a classic that kids love! Andersen is one of the best children's authors of all time...and this is a great one. Not my favorite, but this story always makes the children giggle. They always ask me questions when we read it, too...(why does everyone else know the emperor isn't wearing clothes and he doesn't?)
Dec 23, 2011
Robert
rated it:
Once upon a time I called this tale a favorite of mine. This is the classic tale, not an updated bastardized version of it. I'm not a huge fan of the illustrations. They're colorful, but the characters are animals, and that doesn't please me greatly.
This is a solid book with Andersen's original text intact.
This is a solid book with Andersen's original text intact.
Nov 14, 2009
Sweetman
rated it:
I read this book in 2nd grade and loved it so much that I wrote it as my own story. My teacher was very kind and didn't yell at me for blatant plagarism, instead she told me this was one of her favorite stories and asked me to illustrate the story. I saved my drawings for years but have no idea where they are now.
May 13, 2009
Lisa
rated it:
This has always been one of my favorite tales as I think its moral is so wise. In this edition, the illustrations are fabulous. I adored all the many dogs (mostly naked of course) that appear on nearly every page. (I was almost tempted to make a dogs shelf but then I’d feel obligated to add all my books about dogs, something I’ve successfully managed to resist doing thus far.)
Sep 11, 2011
Lisa
rated it:
Classic story that teaches a morals lesson at the same time:) In this story, the Emperor ends up looking like a complete fool when he is talked into buying a suit of "invisible" clothing, & ends up walking around nude. It's humbling lesson for him, & he learns that rich men & wise men can be fooled by greed & pride.
May 25, 2011
Charlotte
rated it:
This story is 160 years old and feels like it could have been published yesturday. It's cheaky, to the point and has a valuable lesson about staying grounded. Who dosn't love yelling, "He's naked! The emperor isn't wearing any clothes!" Giggles everytime.
Dec 05, 2009
Chris
rated it:
This is the finest allegory - in my opinion - of what can happen when good people do nothing. It illustrates people who are close to those in power that are unwilling to express the truth despite how seriously critical it is to always speak the truth.
Jul 21, 2011
Linda
rated it:
A clever tale that does have us wonder if Andersen wasn't poking fun at Napoleon - or perhaps, considering his own ego, a knowing nudge at himself. The illustrations in this version are enormously funny - with Napoleonic references everywhere.
Sep 25, 2011
Joe
rated it:
An old fairy tale that's even more relevant in today's world. Two fraudsters convince everyone that the wonderful clothes they make become invisible to the unworthy and stupid. This story is still capable of making you laugh out loud in places, however familiar you think it may be.
Jun 08, 2011
Thinkthendoit69
rated it:
Reread to my 5 year old nephew...of course he didn't get it...but I love the moral of the story...thank God for little children and their honesty which hasn't been ruled by society's expectations, yet!
Sep 26, 2009
Mashi
rated it:
Read it,laghted at it & loved it...
My mother bought me a series of tiny books as a gift when I was in primary school & the first story which I started to read was"The Emprero's New Clothes"
My mother bought me a series of tiny books as a gift when I was in primary school & the first story which I started to read was"The Emprero's New Clothes"
Jan 17, 2012
Ralph
rated it:
One of my favorite books, this book was brought to life by Virginia Lee Burton who illistrated it quite well. This book also kept with the original tale by Hans Christian Anderson.
Feb 21, 2010
Elke
rated it:
This story is a classic. What made this extra wonderful for me was the illustrations. I just loved John Rowe's work! Just fantastic. I now have all his other books on my to read list.
Apr 04, 2011
Just
rated it:
My 7 year old enjoyed this, the toddler found it boring. It has a great moral and the illustrations are fun. It does use language that modern young readers may need explained.
Aug 20, 2009
Maggie
rated it:
It was funny because they told the emperor a lie by telling him they were weavers...but they weren't! They pretended to make him clothes, and he pretended to put them on!
Sep 23, 2009
Natalie
rated it:
This tale still rings true even today our leaders are still afraid to admit being wrong. This version is decked out with a gilded 1700's French feel.
Mar 08, 2010
Daved
rated it:
Andersen's classic fairy tale retold from different points of view by twenty-three celebrities and depicted by twenty-three illustrators.
Dec 10, 2009
Alessia
rated it:
My favourite fairy tale of all times and one of the fews containing a message even adults can appreciate: it's a satire of people's reactions toward power.
