by Brad Sneed
Dial Books for Young Readers, 2004
ISBN: 0-8037-2812-3
Jacket Copy
Tiny. Pretty. Plucky.
From the moment of her magical birth, Thumbelina sees the world from a different perspective—because she’s no bigger than a grown-up’s thumb. Then her life takes an adventurous turn when she is kidnapped by a toad! Thereafter, Thumbelina must fend for herself in a world where a blade of grass is like a tree to her, and she’s pursued by suitors that include a horrible toad, a bumbling beetle, and a grumpy mole.
Fortunately, Thumbelina’s courage and kindness will help her find the perfect home and a true love who fits her just right.
In sumptuous watercolors with a delightful dash of humor, Brad Sneed’s adaptation of Thumbelina pays affectionate homage to the classic fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen.
Reviews
From Booklist: “…(Sneed’s) text cleaves closely to the original, tracing Thumbelina’s journey from the clutches of a calculating mother toad, a greedy beetle, a demanding mouse, and a mole with marriage on the mind. His dramatic watercolors don’t sweep the story’s cautionary aspects under the rug; the slightly distorted compositions and striking chiaroscuro effects amplify the threats Thumbelina encounters and deepen the relief when the happy ending arrives…”
From Kirkus: “In a new retelling of Andersen’s tale of a tiny girl traded from frog to bug to rodent, adaptor and illustrator Sneed creates a lush, Lilliputian world of jewel-eyed insects and gargantuan flowers…”
From School Library Journal: “…The fanciful watercolor illustrations are full of decorative flowers, and the lanky Thumbelina has a contemporary look. The brightly colored, double-page depictions can be easily seen by listeners in storyhours…”
Awards and Honors
- The Society of Illustrators “The Original Art 2004”
