3.5
In their Shoes
ByPublisher Description
Red shoes, golden slippers, seven-league boots... Just step into the shoes of princes and princesses, ogres and orphans, cats and rabbits, and discover a fascinating fairy-tale world of footwear.
Did you know that long ago Cinderella lived in China? That dogs in America wear boots? And that a small pair of shoes in France can fall in love?
With original illustrations by Lucie Arnoux, this is a timeless and captivating collection of fairy tales and folktales, whose footprints have lasted through the generations, over the centuries, and all around the world.
Did you know that long ago Cinderella lived in China? That dogs in America wear boots? And that a small pair of shoes in France can fall in love?
With original illustrations by Lucie Arnoux, this is a timeless and captivating collection of fairy tales and folktales, whose footprints have lasted through the generations, over the centuries, and all around the world.
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Meet readers like you in the Fable For You feed, designed to build bookish communitiesIn their Shoes Reviews
3.5
“Some of them I already knew but others were new to me and so wonderful, especially "The Pair of Shoes". The best part of this book is that after each fairytale, they provide a background of where it was originated and by whom.”
“A decent collection of fairy tales aimed at children with the theme of shoes. The first tale is an ancient Chinese one considered to be the original "Cinderella". Then mostly well-known tales are presented in order from the 1600s through the 1800s. Unfortunately, two modern retellings are tacked onto the end spoiling the established chronological presentation. Good stories, though, with famous authors such as Perrault and Andersen. The book is illustrated but my review copy didn't contain them so I can't comment.
1. The Story of Yexian by Duan ChengShi (ca 850) - This is considered the original Cinderella story. It's very different than the one we are used to today but there are similarities such as Yexian has a stepmother and stepsister. She is treated as a slave but by extraordinary circumstances goes out dressed all lovely where she happens to lose a shoe. A king eventually has the tiny shoe and sends around the area going further and further afield until he finds it fits Yexian. There are many differences that make it a distinctly ancient Chinese tale. I hadn't read this before and loved it.(5/5)
2. Puss in Boots by Charles Perrault (1697) - I've read this many times and it is the version we are all familiar with I'm not a cat person so think it's just ok but the tale appeals greatly to those who enjoy a clever cat tale. (3/5)
3. Hop o' My Thumb by Charles Perrault (1697) - Not one of my favourite Perrault's but an interesting tale where elements from others can be found. Hop o' my Thumb is the weakest of 7 brothers but he always saves the day. In Hansel and Gretel fashion the parents lose their children in the wood but "Hop" takes them home by following a trail of pebbles. The next time he is forced to leave a trail of breadcrumbs which get eaten by the birds. Lost, they find a castle inhabited by an ogre. In a Puss in Boots fashion, they trick him and all end up wealthy and important. (4/5)
4. The Twelve Dancing Princesses by The Brothers Grimm (1812) - The well-known tale of the twelve princesses who awake each morning with their dancing shoes worn to pieces.Many a king's son has his head chopped off in trying to figure out where they go. Until an old soldier takes on the mystery to earn him a princess in wedlock. (4/5)
5. The Red Shoes by Hans Christian Andersen (1845) -I love this one.One of my favourites by Andersen. This story is often censored in children's books by removing the part where she has her feet chopped off by the executioner. Typical Andersen where in the end there is repentance, death, and Heaven. (5/5)
6. The Story of Chernushka by Alexander Nikolaevich Afanasiev (1861) - Afanasiev was like a Russian "Grimm Bros" collecting hundreds of tales. This is the Russian equivalent to Cinderella and is almost identical to Perrault. The major difference being there is no fairy godmother, instead, there are two doves which, of course, symbolize God's work. (4/5)
7. Brer Rabbit and Mr. Dog by Joel Chandler Harris (1881) - Yeah, never been a fan. I hate it when the narrative is written in dialect. This is painful to read. (0/5)
8. Perseus and the Winged Sandals by Murielle Szac (2015) - A typical retelling of the Medusa story. Not that well written and it's strange to place a modern retelling at this point where all the stories have been presented in chronological order, thus far.(3/5)
9. The Pair of Shoes by Pierre Gripari (1967) - A silly little original fairy tale popular in France. A pair of married shoes spend their life being bought, stolen and thrown away; all the while worrying how they can keep together side by side. (2/5)”
“I received this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
I am someone who loves stories and fables from all over the world. This book perfectly fits my personality. Some of the stories I knew, some where new. I found it very fun to rekindle my friendship with these stories again. I really like reading it and I think it's a perfect book to read before bed (the ones that are childfriendly, I feel that not all of them are...)”
About Julia Nicholson
Includes stories by:
• Duan Chengshi
• Charles Perrault
• The Brothers Grimm
• Hans Christian Andersen
• Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev
• Joel Chandler Harris
• Murielle Szac
• Pierre Gripari
Lucie Arnoux is a keen storyteller, who likes to spend a lot of time on her illustrations, and in her illustrations. She left her native south of France for London, because the grass there is genuinely greener - and they have tea. Since graduating from Kingston University in Illustration & Animation, she has settled in a cottage where she paints and doodles and enjoys life.
• Duan Chengshi
• Charles Perrault
• The Brothers Grimm
• Hans Christian Andersen
• Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev
• Joel Chandler Harris
• Murielle Szac
• Pierre Gripari
Lucie Arnoux is a keen storyteller, who likes to spend a lot of time on her illustrations, and in her illustrations. She left her native south of France for London, because the grass there is genuinely greener - and they have tea. Since graduating from Kingston University in Illustration & Animation, she has settled in a cottage where she paints and doodles and enjoys life.
Other books by Julia Nicholson
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