Thumbelina

Once upon a time, a woman desperate for a child followed a witch’s advice and found a baby inside of a flower. But that was only the beginning for the girl called Thumbelina. Kidnapped by a toad, carried off by a May bug, and nearly married off to a mole, Thumbelina never really knew where she belonged. All she wants is a place where she can be happy, where she can see the sun and the flowers. Will her friend, the swallow, help her find it?

This lovely retelling of a classic fairy tale will delight any reader with the patience to sit through it. Yes, Thumbelina is rather long for a picture book, but this particular retelling is lovely in its simplicity and accompanied by gorgeous illustrations from Elsa Beskow. Young readers will love the beautiful pictures depicting tiny Thumbelina and the many creatures she encounters. They’ll wonder at how she finds herself almost married to so many unappealing creatures, and they’ll cheer every time she manages to become free again. This is a great version of a classic tale.