Release Date: 04/10/11
BOOK BLURB:
This is a compendium of the Brothers Grimm's most beloved fairy tales, newly translated and accompanied by an array of vintage illustrations. This book brings together twenty-seven of the most beloved of the famous Grimms' fairy tales, including all the classics, such as "Cinderella", "Snow White", "Sleeping Beauty", and "Hansel and Gretel" in an all-new translation specially commissioned for this publication. Containing a painstakingly-researched selection of illustrations by some of the most famous illustrators from the 1820s to the 1950s-including golden age legend Kay Nielsen, bestselling author Gustaf Tenggren, British darlings Walter Crane and Arthur Rackham, and giants of nineteenth century German illustration Gustav Sus, Heinrich Leutemann, and Viktor Paul Mohn, as well as many new discoveries-this compilation also includes beautiful silhouettes culled from original publications from the 1870s and 1920s that run throughout the entire layout. Interlaced in the book are also dozens of entirely new silhouettes designed and created especially for this book. In addition to the tales, the book also includes an introduction to the Grimms' legacy, brief introductory texts for each tale, and extended artists' biographies in the appendix. For adults and children alike, this classic addition to any library brings to life the never-ending magic of the Grimms' fairy tales and their delightful illustrations. The following fairy tales are featured in the book: "The Frog Prince"; "The Wolf and the Seven Little Goats"; "Little Brother and Little Sister"; "Rapunzel"; "Hansel and Gretel"; "The Fisherman and His Wife"; "The Brave Little Tailor"; "Cinderella"; "Mother Holle"; "Little Red Riding Hood"; "The Bremen Town Musicians"; "The Devil with Three Golden Hairs"; "The Shoemaker and the Elves"; "Tom Thumb's Travels"; "Sleeping Beauty"; "Snow White"; "Rumpelstiltskin"; "The Three Feathers"; "The Golden Goose"; "Jorinde and Joringel"; "The Goose Girl"; "The Twelve Dancing Princesses"; "The Star Coins"; "Snow White and Red Nose"; "The Hare and the Hedgehog"; "Puss n' Boots"; and, "The Golden Key".
REVIEW:
Many modern readers believe that the Brothers Grimm were all sweetness and light, usually as their tales have been bought and translated to the modern medium of film by companies like Disney, for those of us raised with the older material, you’ll more than be aware of the darker and, at times, quite scary tales that we were raised on that contained hidden morals and messages for the reader to learn.
This title by Taschen is a wonderful new translation of the original text (now celebrating its second centenary) by Matthew Price, picked up with artwork from some of the original stories alongside some modern masters to create a truly unique experience. It’s dark, its foreboding but most of all it’s a book that children will love (after all who doesn’t like a scare just before lights out?) Add to this some insight into the stories for the adult reader and this is a book that will beloved for generations. An absolute cracker of a title that will appeal to the child in all of us and a book that I feel will make one of the most amazing gifts this Christmas. Magic.
BOOK BLURB:
This cleverly constructed narrative consists of three points of view: of Gary, constantly victimised by the school bully in a nasty, name-calling and vindictive way; the bully's friend, David and a new girl to the school, Zoe. All viewpoints are revealing. Gary reveals the painful and often unsuccessful attempts by a young man to control his anger under great provocation - and his inability to communicate. David is someone who is uncomfortable with the bullying but doesn't dare to do anything about it - until the end. Zoe is a young woman who can see Gary through different eyes and is independent, freethinking and brave. Also featured in this title are rampaging tractors, shotguns and cheese puffs.
REVIEW:
Author’s are getting braver all the time so its something to be supported when they create a novel that deals with issues experienced by a number of their readers. Within this offering is a careful look and examination of the problems as well as trauma’s (both physical and mental) caused by bullying as the author lets the reader discover the events and how it made people feel from the three principle protagonists within. Its cleverly written and when you top that off with characters that will just speak not only the same language as the reader but also help them to see that they’re not as isolated as they may feel and it’s a title that I’d recommend all parents to read as well as demanding that their local library purchases a copy.
BOOK BLURB:
August 1611. Jack Fletcher is shipwrecked off the coast of Japan – his beloved father and the crew lie slaughtered by ninja pirates. Rescued by the legendary sword master Masamoto Takeshi, Jack's only hope is to become a samurai warrior. And so his training begins. But life at the samurai school is a constant fight for survival. Even with his friend Akiko by his side, Jack is singled out by bullies and treated as an outcast. With courage in his heart and his sword held high, can Jack prove himself and face his deadliest rival yet?
REVIEW:
I’m always on the look out for something a little different to any number of titles out there so when I discovered Chris Bradford’s Young Samurai series I was hoping for something pretty impressive but expecting something that would fall short of my expectations.
What unfurled in this first offering was an adventure unlike any other. Its essential Clavell’s Shogun but for the Young Adult Audience and really does it well. The writing is crisp, the characters fully rounded with emotional conflict as well as physical challenges. Great adventure with an author who shows that he plays not only for keeps (there’s a body count within) but one that tips the hat to the better psychological traits that every young person will wish they exhibited. Honour, Courage and Loyalty are the core essentials and ones that pass a message on that many will hopefully hear. Great stuff.
BOOK BLURB:
One year of training in samurai school and Jack Fletcher is in real trouble . . . Not only is he struggling to prepare for the Circle of Three, an ancient ritual that tests a samurai’s courage, skill and spirit to the limit, he’s caught in a running battle with fellow student Kazuki and his gang. But these are the least of Jack’s problems. He knows his deadly rival – the ninja Dragon Eye - could strike at any moment. Jack possesses the very thing he will kill for. Can Jack master the Way of the Sword in time to survive a fight to the death?
REVIEW:
Having loved the first novel, I always know that the second is a challenge that the author will either fail miserably at just sail through relying on the original to keep the reader hooked or surpass the first offering with bags of talent to spare. The last of which is exceedingly rare.
What the reader gets within is a greater understanding of an alternative culture from an author who has a deep understanding of the way in which it not only functions but passes the knowledge on in such a way that its interesting and not an info dump. As with the original, the writing is beautiful, the prose ideal and above all the dialogue between the developing characters not only wonderful but ideal to help ingrain them to a new generation. Chris is definitely a writer to watch.
BOOK BLURB:
June 1613. Japan is threatened with war and Jack is facing his greatest battle yet. Samurai are taking sides and, as the blood begins to flow, Jack’s warrior training is put to the ultimate test. His survival – and that of his friends – depends upon him mastering the Two Heavens, the secret sword technique of the legendary samurai Masamoto Takeshi. But first Jack must recover his father’s prize possession from the deadly ninja Dragon Eye. Can Jack defeat his ruthless enemy? Or will the ninja complete his mission to kill the young samurai . . .
REVIEW:
Sadly for now, the last offering in the series to date (although don’t worry there is a fourth part arriving later in the year) and one that really doesn’t pull any punches (or weapons for that matter) as the brutal side of the Japanese Feudal system rears its ugly head. Whilst the darkest of the series to date its one that the reader really will have problems setting to one side as this heart in mouth offering will keep you glued to each event as you try to figure out what is going to happen next.
Add to this a breakneck pace, harsh combat alongside honour, friendship and sacrifice which will make this a tale that will tick all the boxes for a vast majority of 11 year old readers. It’s going to be a long wait for the next part but one that will be devoured as soon as it lands in a series that demonstrates that young adult fiction can be as complex as adult and just as rewarding.
Release Date: 04/10/11
