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The Sleeping Beauty
The story of the beautiful princess who sleeps for a hundred years has captured the imaginations of children for an even longer period of time. How could everyone in a castle - even the flies on the walls - sleep for a century and then wake up?
This magical, beautifully illustrated tale begins when the king excludes the most difficult fairy of the kingdom from a feast celebrating the birth of his beautiful daughter Briar Rose. Furious, the fairy storms in and curses the baby, pronouncing that on her fifteenth birthday she will be pricked by a distaff (from a spinning wheel) and fall down dead.
The youngest fairy softens the curse to a century-long sleep. Despite the fact that the king burns all the spinning wheels in the kingdom, 15-year-old Briar Rose finds herself in the tower where the evil fairy and her fate await her. The drama of the spell unfurls as she and the other inhabitants of the castle fall instantly asleep, from courtiers to kitchen maids.
Thorny briars - moodily captured by Trina Schart Hyman's masterful paintbrush - grow up around the castle. Hyman depicts those who died attempting to break through the maze of thorns to reach the legendary sleeping beauty in a nightmarish illustration. But goodness and true love prevail when the perfect prince does finally find his way through the thick vines.
Hyman won a Caldecott Medal for her work in Saint George and the Dragon by Margaret Hodges, and her version of The Sleeping Beauty makes us believe in the magic of the spell. The scenes inside the castle are alive with color and movement and rich with details that children will devour eagerly. Moods and expressions are rendered exquisitely, especially those of the wild, red-haired beauty Briar Rose. This wonderful read-aloud classic is one of Hyman's best.
This magical, beautifully illustrated tale begins when the king excludes the most difficult fairy of the kingdom from a feast celebrating the birth of his beautiful daughter Briar Rose. Furious, the fairy storms in and curses the baby, pronouncing that on her fifteenth birthday she will be pricked by a distaff (from a spinning wheel) and fall down dead.
The youngest fairy softens the curse to a century-long sleep. Despite the fact that the king burns all the spinning wheels in the kingdom, 15-year-old Briar Rose finds herself in the tower where the evil fairy and her fate await her. The drama of the spell unfurls as she and the other inhabitants of the castle fall instantly asleep, from courtiers to kitchen maids.
Thorny briars - moodily captured by Trina Schart Hyman's masterful paintbrush - grow up around the castle. Hyman depicts those who died attempting to break through the maze of thorns to reach the legendary sleeping beauty in a nightmarish illustration. But goodness and true love prevail when the perfect prince does finally find his way through the thick vines.
Hyman won a Caldecott Medal for her work in Saint George and the Dragon by Margaret Hodges, and her version of The Sleeping Beauty makes us believe in the magic of the spell. The scenes inside the castle are alive with color and movement and rich with details that children will devour eagerly. Moods and expressions are rendered exquisitely, especially those of the wild, red-haired beauty Briar Rose. This wonderful read-aloud classic is one of Hyman's best.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 1971
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About the author
Trina Schart Hyman
149 books209 followersTrina Schart Hyman (April 8, 1939 – November 19, 2004) was an American illustrator of children's books. She illustrated over 150 books, including fairy tales and Arthurian legends.
She won the 1985 Caldecott Medal for U.S. picture book illustration, recognizing Saint George and the Dragon, retold by Margaret Hodges.
She won the 1985 Caldecott Medal for U.S. picture book illustration, recognizing Saint George and the Dragon, retold by Margaret Hodges.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
December 30, 2016
This is an adaptation of the classic French fairy tale by Charles Perrault written and illustrated by American artist Trina Schart Hyman, one of my favourite book illustrators of all time. The double-page and full-page illustrations (and there's not a single page without artwork!) are just exquisite beyond words, all coloured, and with the story so well embedded to go with the illustrations. I loved how Mrs Hyman is able to capture the dark and creepy atmosphere of the wood and the dormant castle and yet infuse them with a measure of romanticism quite suitable for a fairy tale at the same time.
October 8, 2009
Finally a satisfactory retelling of this classic fairytale!
This is a retelling of the Grimm's version of Sleeping Beauty, and of the Sleeping Beauty books I've read I must say that this was at once the most grim and the most merry.
It contains all the same warnings I've mentioned for other versions:
Dead hens being plucked, a scullery boy being pummeled, bathing women (mostly just bar bums-though, I'm pleased this version clears up the bit about the frog-the queen was bathing in a pond here, which makes way more sense!). And, particularly disturbing in this version, the image of the dead princes who try in vain to make their way through the thorns... it's really rather ghastly, and it's stated in the story that they died a lonely, terrible death (I'm still trying to figure out the moral on this one, since the final prince manages to have a wonderful life. Had there been more of a reason why he is the lucky prince - had he been pure of heart, exceptionally kind, unusually witty, *something* then okay. However, it appears he's just the prince that happens to be around after the 100 years. This said, I did feel that he had a bit more motive, having had dreams of Briar Rose reaching out to him. And at least he admits he'd risk death to see her... AND he shares his super with an old man, so that must gain him points, right? ;>)
But, for some reason, while this book is the most blatantly grim, it doesn't really feel that way, because it's tempered with such color and vividness and charm that it feels really quite light! All you have to do is look for that *adorable* little dog on so many of the pages and you'll start smiling instantly!
Some of my favorite bits dealt with Briar Rose. I was pleased to see she received commendable fairy gifts (wisdom, a pure heart, etc. in addition to beauty). But, I'd never heard the bit about her name, that because she grew up so good and kind, but also mischievous and clever, she earned the name Briar Rose. Neat!
I also liked the fact that the king really didn't want to invite the evil fairy. On the surface, he didn't invite her because he lacked a 13th gold plate, but it provided a good excuse. I also thought it was interesting the the final good fairy could only alter the evil fairy's curse because the king had caused offense to one of their own. Now, it's an interest twist to why the curse can only be altered, but it does seem a *tad* unfair to poor Rose who wasn't at fault at all.
Also, I was glad to see the king felt guilty, but also wondered how a parent could POSSIBLY FORGET that a curse of death hangs over their child!? I'm not a parent, but I find that VERY hard to believe!!!
Still, overall the story flows very nicely, and I loved the two bits towards the end (mainly because I've become to wonder why the kiss is so important as it always seems that Rose will wake simply because the 100 years have passed, but this version seems to rectify that): After the prince wakes Rose it states that just like a single drop of blood can make an entire kingdom fall asleep, so can a kiss awaken the kingdom. I was also pleased that, since the prince and Rose had spent so long waiting for happiness, they would live out the rest of their days in joy.
The illustrations are exceptionally beautiful! And I believe much of the enjoyment of *reading* this book is somehow owed to the illustrations. It would not be the same had they been illustrated differently (the prince's horse is simply enchanting!)
Definitely my favorite picture book retelling so far!! :)
This is a retelling of the Grimm's version of Sleeping Beauty, and of the Sleeping Beauty books I've read I must say that this was at once the most grim and the most merry.
It contains all the same warnings I've mentioned for other versions:
Dead hens being plucked, a scullery boy being pummeled, bathing women (mostly just bar bums-though, I'm pleased this version clears up the bit about the frog-the queen was bathing in a pond here, which makes way more sense!). And, particularly disturbing in this version, the image of the dead princes who try in vain to make their way through the thorns... it's really rather ghastly, and it's stated in the story that they died a lonely, terrible death (I'm still trying to figure out the moral on this one, since the final prince manages to have a wonderful life. Had there been more of a reason why he is the lucky prince - had he been pure of heart, exceptionally kind, unusually witty, *something* then okay. However, it appears he's just the prince that happens to be around after the 100 years. This said, I did feel that he had a bit more motive, having had dreams of Briar Rose reaching out to him. And at least he admits he'd risk death to see her... AND he shares his super with an old man, so that must gain him points, right? ;>)
But, for some reason, while this book is the most blatantly grim, it doesn't really feel that way, because it's tempered with such color and vividness and charm that it feels really quite light! All you have to do is look for that *adorable* little dog on so many of the pages and you'll start smiling instantly!
Some of my favorite bits dealt with Briar Rose. I was pleased to see she received commendable fairy gifts (wisdom, a pure heart, etc. in addition to beauty). But, I'd never heard the bit about her name, that because she grew up so good and kind, but also mischievous and clever, she earned the name Briar Rose. Neat!
I also liked the fact that the king really didn't want to invite the evil fairy. On the surface, he didn't invite her because he lacked a 13th gold plate, but it provided a good excuse. I also thought it was interesting the the final good fairy could only alter the evil fairy's curse because the king had caused offense to one of their own. Now, it's an interest twist to why the curse can only be altered, but it does seem a *tad* unfair to poor Rose who wasn't at fault at all.
Also, I was glad to see the king felt guilty, but also wondered how a parent could POSSIBLY FORGET that a curse of death hangs over their child!? I'm not a parent, but I find that VERY hard to believe!!!
Still, overall the story flows very nicely, and I loved the two bits towards the end (mainly because I've become to wonder why the kiss is so important as it always seems that Rose will wake simply because the 100 years have passed, but this version seems to rectify that): After the prince wakes Rose it states that just like a single drop of blood can make an entire kingdom fall asleep, so can a kiss awaken the kingdom. I was also pleased that, since the prince and Rose had spent so long waiting for happiness, they would live out the rest of their days in joy.
The illustrations are exceptionally beautiful! And I believe much of the enjoyment of *reading* this book is somehow owed to the illustrations. It would not be the same had they been illustrated differently (the prince's horse is simply enchanting!)
Definitely my favorite picture book retelling so far!! :)
February 24, 2019
This is a very traditional telling of the Brothers Grimm's Sleeping Beauty. What is unique about this book is its illustrations. Trina Schart Hyman's art work is amazing because she uses colours to match the mood of the story. Happy times of the plot are accompanied by vibrant colours and open skies. The sad and dangerous times are depicted with dark colors or Warm Colours.
Overall the illustrations are quite dark and haunting just as the story. There are also few disturbing pictures showing the decaying bodies of Briar Rose's failed suitors caught in the thorny bushes around the castle. So, be cautious with very young children.
Overall the illustrations are quite dark and haunting just as the story. There are also few disturbing pictures showing the decaying bodies of Briar Rose's failed suitors caught in the thorny bushes around the castle. So, be cautious with very young children.
April 22, 2019
The classic sleeping beauty tale.
January 11, 2014
Out of the five picture books we read in class today, this one was my absolute FAVORITE. It was an interesting and rather enjoyable version of Sleeping Beauty. It isn't grim and horrible like what the Grimm Brothers tell and I prefer it over the Disney version, which is saying something since I LOVE Disney. Anyway, this version has more fairies, a gallant prince who wakes up the (surprisingly still young) sleeping beauty, Briar Rose, and I simply loved the fact that they called her Briar Rose because she was not only beautiful and graceful like a rose, but also mischievous like a thorn found in a briar patch.
The art in this book was simply BEAUTIFUL and AMAZING. The artwork wrapped around the words and passages, set the mood for each page, and had a style compared to no other. Also, I couldn't help noticing that Briar Rose looked a lot like Disney's Merida instead of Aurora, which I preferred. She was prettier in this tale.
So yeah, five star picture book.
The art in this book was simply BEAUTIFUL and AMAZING. The artwork wrapped around the words and passages, set the mood for each page, and had a style compared to no other. Also, I couldn't help noticing that Briar Rose looked a lot like Disney's Merida instead of Aurora, which I preferred. She was prettier in this tale.
So yeah, five star picture book.
January 24, 2018
A fairly standard Sleeping Beauty adaptation with a few beautiful sentences in it that set it apart. Lovely illustrations, even though the Prince looks too old for the princess to me. Probably accurate to the times, but still, she's just 15! The guy who breaks the curse shouldn't be old enough to grow such a luscious beard! One scary spread of the thorns around the castle filled with skeletons and such that might be difficult for sensitive kids (probably would have bothered me a bit when I was young), and the prince is imbued with a bit more personality than Briar Rose.
November 16, 2021
Beautiful illustrations. If owned this book I'd color in some clothes for the queen on the first page.
March 14, 2019
This picture book retells the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty by the Brothers Grimm, which is itself a retelling of Charles Perrault's Sleeping Beauty.
Trina Schart Hyman's retelling is very faithful to the original Grimm version. The king and queen slight the 13th fairy in the kingdom by not inviting her to their baby open house, and she takes revenge by cursing the infant. The good fairy who had not yet bestowed a gift upon the princess softens the curse. The wicked fairy then tricks the princess into pricking her finger on a spinning wheel, which brings the curse down upon her and the entire castle.
This is one of the versions in which the enchant lasts for 100 years and then breaks just as the "right" prince decides to attempt the quest. I was always puzzled by this since it rendered the deaths of the princes who died "long lonely deaths" in "the terrible thorns" of the briar hedge even more senseless. The line between bravery and stupidity is sometimes very fine.
Trina Schart Hyman's illustrations kept the book from being just another picture book retelling. Her artwork is rich and multilayered, combining pencil (lead and colored), pen and ink, acrylic paint, pastels, or crayola crayons. The images are complex and highly detailed, speaking to readers of all ages. I particularly appreciated that the prince is depicted as a mature man rather than someone barely out of adolescence.
Trina Schart Hyman's retelling is very faithful to the original Grimm version. The king and queen slight the 13th fairy in the kingdom by not inviting her to their baby open house, and she takes revenge by cursing the infant. The good fairy who had not yet bestowed a gift upon the princess softens the curse. The wicked fairy then tricks the princess into pricking her finger on a spinning wheel, which brings the curse down upon her and the entire castle.
This is one of the versions in which the enchant lasts for 100 years and then breaks just as the "right" prince decides to attempt the quest. I was always puzzled by this since it rendered the deaths of the princes who died "long lonely deaths" in "the terrible thorns" of the briar hedge even more senseless. The line between bravery and stupidity is sometimes very fine.
Trina Schart Hyman's illustrations kept the book from being just another picture book retelling. Her artwork is rich and multilayered, combining pencil (lead and colored), pen and ink, acrylic paint, pastels, or crayola crayons. The images are complex and highly detailed, speaking to readers of all ages. I particularly appreciated that the prince is depicted as a mature man rather than someone barely out of adolescence.
July 26, 2023
The illustrations are nice. It could have been nicer had there been more brunettes. What I don't like is that despite the prince's courage, he doesn't really have to work for it.
Bright and lively colours.
Still, a stunning medieval time period book of a distressed damsel in a turret.
✨✨✨✨✨
Bright and lively colours.
Still, a stunning medieval time period book of a distressed damsel in a turret.
✨✨✨✨✨
August 20, 2014
Tengo que decir que nunca antes había leído la historia original, tan sólo había visto la famosa adaptación de Disney. Me ha gustado ver muchas similitudes con ésta, como cuando todos los seres vivos del castillo se quedan dormidos, parte que me ha hecho gracia especialmente; también, el hecho que crezcan rosales alrededor del castillo.
Lo que me ha sorprendido es que en vez de ser tres hadas las que le regalan sus dones el día de su nacimiento ¡son trece! ¡Y la decimotercera es nada menos que la mala de la historia! Y todo por no ser invitada ese día. Me gustan que los malvados de la historia tengan justificación y en este caso lo tiene, porque no es por maldad, actúa por resentimiento y todos tenemos motivos para hacer las cosas que hacemos: buenos y malos.
Me ha gustado pero tampoco me ha parecido algo espectacular dado que ya conocía casi todos los detalles de la historia y no es uno de mis cuentos clásicos favoritos. Aún así, me ha gustado conocer el cuento original.
Lo que me ha sorprendido es que en vez de ser tres hadas las que le regalan sus dones el día de su nacimiento ¡son trece! ¡Y la decimotercera es nada menos que la mala de la historia! Y todo por no ser invitada ese día. Me gustan que los malvados de la historia tengan justificación y en este caso lo tiene, porque no es por maldad, actúa por resentimiento y todos tenemos motivos para hacer las cosas que hacemos: buenos y malos.
Me ha gustado pero tampoco me ha parecido algo espectacular dado que ya conocía casi todos los detalles de la historia y no es uno de mis cuentos clásicos favoritos. Aún así, me ha gustado conocer el cuento original.
April 23, 2016
The tale of a princess whom a vicious fairy decides to put her to sleep for a hundred years as the King and Queen have forgotten to invite to the party of the princess' birth. After one hundred years, she comes back to life when a handsome prince kisses her. Why the hell should children's fairy tales be for the most part dependent on this idea of damsel in distress, the princess who is helpless and waits for a prince to save her? Why should all the qualifications she has to attract the price be her beauty, her loveliness and her hair that stretches like a stream of gold? Such fairy tales distort children's conception of reality and build their minds and personalities to accept the gender roles that society forces them to adopt!
December 20, 2012
Trina Schart Hyman was one of the greatest illustrators of children's books we had. It's a shame she's gone. Her work here was beautiful. The text and the path of the story have a very old-fashioned feel (as opposed to some of the more "Disney-fied" stories) and Hyman's images are a perfect fit. (Although I will say that the prince looks way too old for a 15-year-old girl, fairytale princess or no.)
February 18, 2015
My favorite Sleeping Beauty version. Forget Disney. I love Trina Shuart Hyman's illustrations and her retelling of this fairy tale is a delight to read aloud. The Gospel and redemption elements shine brightly through as one reads of the King's son rescuing his bride from the curse that had a grip on her and all her kingdom. Love it. "Where one drop of blood drains a castle of life, so one kiss can bring it alive again."
September 19, 2025
A sanitized, yet fulfilling retelling of the Sleepy Beauty story. The text is written in full details describing the characters and the setting very well, that it brings the story to life. And matching with that is Hyman's beautiful watercolor illustrations that combines a modern art style with influences from classical fantasy artworks, and compliments the text to presenting lively images. This is the best retelling I have read of this fairytale!
April 16, 2018
That's it, that's it, Trina Schart Hyman is my favorite illustrator. She has a majestic, yet dark medieval style that I've become enamored with. The story was very nicely told but the artwork is fantastic!!!
March 31, 2018
Beautiful, earthy, very detailed paintings.
January 3, 2016
All of Hyman's books are unbelievably beautiful.
April 26, 2016
A beautifully elaborate retelling with magically dark illustrations.
December 13, 2016
A wonderful tale full of adventure and magic. A must read for children
June 19, 2018
This book is so beautiful and I love the story so much! It's slightly different than the other stories I have read about Sleeping Beauty, but it's so lovely. Definitely my favorite version of Sleeping Beauty! The art is amazing in it as well. The texture, the details, and the color are all wonderfully done.
(SPOILERS AHEAD)
These are the differences in the book I noticed from other versions I have read:
-There were 13 fairies
-Since there were so many fairies each good fairy gave Rose wisdom, a pure heart, etc. which were awesome gifts to have
-The book explained why her name is Briar Rose which was because of all the awesome gifts the good faeries gave her, she grew up to be so good and kind, but also mischievous and clever, she earned the name Briar Rose
-The king only had 12 golden plates and the reason he didn't invite the last fairy was because he was ashamed of her eating out of a silver plate (honestly though, couldn't he just have bought a golden plate? or explain himself to the fairy? Usually I read that that fairy isn't very kind so that's why they didn't invite her)
-The king and queen left for the day leaving Rose to wander about the castle and do whatever she wants so she explored the castle
-When Rose pricked her thumb and saw the blood she went fast asleep on the bed that was in the room
-The king and queen just happened to come into the castle when Rose prickled her thumb so they also went to sleep
-The curse has to last for 100 years of sleep (I usually read that the curse can be broken earlier)
-It was only supposed to be Briar Rose that falls asleep for 100 years, but the curse was so powerful that the whole castle and everything in it went to sleep too (Usually the curse is for everyone, not just Rose)
-Since the castle was asleep and it stood still for so long, thorny bushes and vines grew in front of the castle blocking everything, but the raggedy flags on top (Usually I read that the fairy put the thorns there on purpose so no one gets through and breaks the curse)
-Every man who tried to get through the thorns got caught and died a terrible lonely death
-It wasn't until 100 years have passed that the thorns made way for a king's son to get through, but blocked his passage out as he went in
(SPOILERS AHEAD)
These are the differences in the book I noticed from other versions I have read:
-There were 13 fairies
-Since there were so many fairies each good fairy gave Rose wisdom, a pure heart, etc. which were awesome gifts to have
-The book explained why her name is Briar Rose which was because of all the awesome gifts the good faeries gave her, she grew up to be so good and kind, but also mischievous and clever, she earned the name Briar Rose
-The king only had 12 golden plates and the reason he didn't invite the last fairy was because he was ashamed of her eating out of a silver plate (honestly though, couldn't he just have bought a golden plate? or explain himself to the fairy? Usually I read that that fairy isn't very kind so that's why they didn't invite her)
-The king and queen left for the day leaving Rose to wander about the castle and do whatever she wants so she explored the castle
-When Rose pricked her thumb and saw the blood she went fast asleep on the bed that was in the room
-The king and queen just happened to come into the castle when Rose prickled her thumb so they also went to sleep
-The curse has to last for 100 years of sleep (I usually read that the curse can be broken earlier)
-It was only supposed to be Briar Rose that falls asleep for 100 years, but the curse was so powerful that the whole castle and everything in it went to sleep too (Usually the curse is for everyone, not just Rose)
-Since the castle was asleep and it stood still for so long, thorny bushes and vines grew in front of the castle blocking everything, but the raggedy flags on top (Usually I read that the fairy put the thorns there on purpose so no one gets through and breaks the curse)
-Every man who tried to get through the thorns got caught and died a terrible lonely death
-It wasn't until 100 years have passed that the thorns made way for a king's son to get through, but blocked his passage out as he went in
July 17, 2017
The Sleeping Beauty is a traditional retelling of the fairy tale, beautifully illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman. When the king and queen send out invitations to their daughter's christening, one fairy is left out-- and takes her revenge by cursing the child. When she pricks her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel, she and all the castle will fall asleep for one hundred years.
Trina Schart Hyman's illustrations are detailed and expressive, imbuing even the most minor characters with movement and emotion. A very satisfying retelling.
Trina Schart Hyman's illustrations are detailed and expressive, imbuing even the most minor characters with movement and emotion. A very satisfying retelling.
October 8, 2024
This is a beautiful retelling of the Grimm Brothers’ story of The Sleeping Beauty. It contains amazing illustrations that are engaging for younger students. The classic fairytale has an important and strong moral for younger students: good always conquers all. This could be used in the classroom to help develop understanding of plot, problem, solution, theme, characters, main events, etc. However, I also may use it as simply a book to have in my classroom library. Students can read this story on their own if they would like when we get into reading folktales.
April 2, 2019
This is a personal favorite and the author did a great job telling this story with realistic relatable pictures. This story is classic with bright lively pictures of the inside and the outside of the castle. This story does a good job of pushing the magic and making it so believable. This is a good book while teaching classics and folklore as it is clearly not real.
October 10, 2019
I liked this book. It is the story of sleeping beauty. I am not a fan of fairytales/folklore because of the dark stories behind the Disney version. However, this book was pleasant and did not have the underlying darkness of the folklore version of Sleeping Beauty. I would read this version again.
April 3, 2020
This is a fairy tale where a queen and king introduces their baby girl to their kingdom. The princess sleeps for a hundred years to capture her imaginations. The princess wonders how could they all sleep so long and more about the spell that was castled. This will be a great read-aloud when we talk about history and our future.
May 20, 2019
This is the beautiful story of Sleeping Beauty. The illustrations are wonderful and vivid. This is the first time I think I have ever read the story. With the illustrations it made for a thrilling read.
October 22, 2022
Note: women are shown bathing in a lake, one is unclothed completely, one partially exposed, and another is draped in a sheer material. There is a scary page where men who had tried to break through the hedge were hanging dead among the branches in various states of decay.
July 13, 2017
This book got five stars because there isn't a thing I would change about it. The illustrations are beautiful and the way it's written is also lovely.
December 13, 2018
Traditional Literature
This is an interesting version of the classic story, closer to the Grimm's brothers original. The illustrations are amazing and it keeps you interested in the story.
This is an interesting version of the classic story, closer to the Grimm's brothers original. The illustrations are amazing and it keeps you interested in the story.
February 11, 2019
Simply beautiful. This is the edition of Sleeping Beauty I read to my students, because it lends easily to comparison with the Disney film and rings truest to the original tale.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews