Sylvia Long’s Thumbelina is a breathtakingly beautiful piece of work. From start to finish, I was positively enthralled and delighted, both by this traditional telling of Hans Christian Andersen’s story, but by the way that Long painted Thumbelina into life.
Sylvia Long’s Thumbelina uses jewel-toned paintings to depict scenes from this fairy tale. Most of the book reads and appears as a normal book would, in that you would read the page spreads horizontally. However, some of the page spreads are to be read vertically as well, keeping the reader engaged in the story both from natural fascination of the story, and pure delight born of Long’s creativity.
I’m running out of adjectives here, folks, but this book is just beautiful. In every single way – it’s beautiful!
The last page, which depicts Thumbelina’s wedding to the tiny fairy prince, is a fold out spread. We are given a panoramic view of a fairy celebration and I found myself just gazing at it, taking it in with my eyes and feeling positively happy with each new fairy discovery.
Sylvia Long’s talent is most evident as she obviously gives great attention to detail. My 3 1/2 year old son sat through the whole book – which isn’t exactly a quick and easy read – totally enthralled. I asked him twice if he was done reading and wanted to go play but he choose to sit and enjoy the whole book. We shared it together which is the best way to utilize this book.
Sylvia Long’s Thumbelina is an experience and I’m happy to inform you that Chronicle Books is offering such an experience to one of our readers. One of you will win a copy of the book as well as a poster depicting Sylvia Long’s artwork and interpretation of this classic Andersen tale.
To win? Simply leave a comment below. This contest is open to U.S. Residents only. We’ll announce the winner on May 5.
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Carrie comes by her book obsession honestly, having descended from a long line of bibliophiles. She blogs about books regularly at Reading to Know and Reading My Library.
Katy says
I’m in love with the cover already–I would love to get a copy of this book!
Heather says
The cover of the book is beautiful. While I know you’re not suppose to judge a book by it’s cover, it sounds like in this instance it may be okay. ๐
Upstatemomof3 says
Oh I love Thumbelina!!! It was an absolute favorite of mine in childhood – and yet we do not have it. ๐
Annette W says
A great story made better with beautiful illustrations…I’m in!
stephanie says
We’d love a copy. : )
Jen Thomas says
What beautiful cover art! I’d love it!
Alison S. says
This brings back memories of reading Thumbelina as a kid. I think we actually had a book on record (how old does that make me, lol) of it. I love the art in this particular one.
shawn says
Posted your giveaway at literarylitter.blogspot.com. No need to enter me ๐ Good luck ๐
Kirsten T. says
I’d like to read this to my daughter…Thanks!
Cassie says
Saying that your 3 1/2 year old sat through it is a great recommendation for us with preschoolers! Thanks!
Carolyn says
Oh please! What fun for my girly girl!
Michele Anne says
Would love to give this to my niece. sign me up
Kelly says
I’d love this for my daughter. Thanks for the chance!
Kelly Deaton – secrets_girl23(at)yahoo(dot)com (aka) dkad23(at)gmail(dot)com
Chelsea S. says
This book looks lovely. Thumbelina used to be my favorite bedtime story and I would love to have a copy.
Some Lucky Dog says
Thumbelina was one of my favorite fairy tales when I was growing up!
Elise says
Id love to enter the giveaway.
[email protected]
Beth C says
My granddaughter would love this. Thanks for the chance to win it.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
Mozi Esmes Mommy says
My daughter would love this…
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
We posted about this giveaway at Winning Readings: http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2010/05/thumbelina.html
rhapsodyinbooks says
Thumbelina has always been one of my favorites. Please enter me~
nbmars AT yahoo DOT com
Marj McClendon says
I would love to read this to my great granddaughter.
AZ says
Thanks for the chance to win!
zenzart at hotmail dot com
Katie says
I’d love to add this to my collection!
[email protected]
Page Turner (Heather) says
My daughter would love this (I would, too!) – I hope our library will get a copy (just in case I don’t win)!
katklaw777 says
This and Tom Thumb were 2 of my favorites when I was a child. thanks.
Julie (Knitting and Sundries) says
Every time my grandbebes come over (which is rather often), they always ask for “Gigi Storytime”. We DO have a houseful of books (at one time, I ran out of bookshelf space and actually had them lined up against the wall until I gave in and culled and donated lots of them out). They LOVE beautiful pictures and great stories (and my 9-year-old, who pretends that he is too old for picture books and only reads chapter books now), sits on the side and pretends not to listen – but he enjoys them as well!
debp says
I would love this book. I really like this story, and the illustrations are beautiful.
[email protected]
Michael Capp says
I’d love to win!
abi says
love to win. Thanks
k USHER says
Love how bold and beautiful it is.,.should be good. Thanks for the giveaway
Holly G. says
Long’s illustrations are amazing! Thanks for a great giveaway.
shannon Baas says
what a great book.
Melanie B says
my daughter would adore this book! Thanks for the chance to win!
Gianna says
Please enter me ๐
Cheryl F says
My granddaughter would love this book. thanks!
Lisa Taylor says
My 6 and 8 year old would love this book.
shawna says
My preschool daughter would absolutely love this book! thank you so much for the chance in your giveaway!
Charlene says
Great book for kids, thanks for offering it ๐
Ed Nemmers says
For my niece Hannah!
REBECCA says
Would love to read this to my grandchildren
McKim says
The illustrations look wonderful. I’d love to have this for my new grandbaby.
Hailey says
My children would love this book!
Chrysa says
Looks cute! Thanks for the giveaway!
Pamela S says
I love children’s book that have beautiful illustrations. I feel they add so much to the story and encourage discussion about the pictures and how they represent the story. THanks so much for the chance to win this beautiful book.
Crystal F says
I think my girls would love this book. thank you!
kathy pease says
Thank you for the Great giveaway please count me in ๐
susan smoaks says
my daughter would totally enjoy this!
christa marteny says
love childrens book great looking book
Tarah says
I always loved this story when I was younger! I’m sure our kids will too!
denise says
This looks like a great book, loved this story from when I was young.
avis says
Would love to win, looks like a great book for my great grandchildren, please send my way, thank you.