Review - The Elves and the Shoemaker

The Elves and the Shoemaker
by Jim LaMarche
Date: 2003
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: hardcover
Source: library

Here is the classic tale of elfin magic, loved by generations of children and made new by an artist of international acclaim. Jim LaMarche's stunning paintings, reminiscent of his earlier work in The Rainbabies, are the perfect compliment to this favorite Grimm fairy tale.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a great book for lovers of fairy tale retellings! While I wasn't that impressed with the text (it has a few technical issues), that's more than made up for by Jim LaMarche's gorgeous illustrations. The elves (who look very much like a couple of cute little children, save for their pointy ears) are adorable. Actually, the shoemaker and his wife are kind of adorable, too, and the settings are rendered beautifully.

This would be fine as a read-aloud, but make sure the listener gets to look at the pictures. They're what make this book a winner!

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.67 out of 5