Many Moons
James Thurber. Harcourt Children's Books, $17 (48pp) ISBN 978-0-15-251872-1
Reillustrating a classic is a dicey proposition. On the one hand, publishers run the risk of alienating readers loyal to the original interpretation; but on the other, there's the opportunity to captivate new readers with a fresh artistic vision. The track record for re-illustrations is mixed as well, but in this case, the verdict is unequivocal: success. A Caldecott Medalist himself, Simont proves a noble successor to Louis Slobodkin, and his buoyant watercolors, full of poignancy and subtle merriment, more than do justice to Thurber's beloved tale of a princess who asks for the moon, and the wise jester who presents her with it. Even staunch traditionalists will find it hard to resist this new version. Ages 4-8. (Sept.)
Details
Reviewed on: 09/12/1990
Genre: Children's
Hardcover - 978-4-19-860104-1
Hardcover - 978-0-87129-414-2
Hardcover - 978-957-30483-1-2
Hardcover - 34 pages - 978-7-5442-5070-2
Paperback - 48 pages - 978-7-5442-4004-8
Paperback - 48 pages - 978-0-15-201895-5
Paperback - 978-0-15-251877-6
Paperback - 46 pages - 978-0-590-32272-0