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A gorgeous picture book centered on body image and positivity.

The illustrations are absolutely fantastic. They wonderfully portrayed Tameika's movement and emotion. Adorable art style.

The plot of the book was also well done. It is simple and entertaining enough that children would be interested in it, while still getting across an important message. I loved the emphasis on actions and skills over appearance. While Tameika may not look like the traditional image of Snow White, she proved that she was the right fit through her talent and passion, demonstrating that appearance isn't everything.

A wonderful book with adorable illustrations and a heartfelt story. I really enjoyed it. 

by Lily Fang

This is a slightly cringe-worthy story about Snow White and Rose Red as magicians sent to a rich kingdom to investigate the sleeping spell on Sleeping Beauty and find a cure.

To be fair, on the technical side, if I were an English teacher grading this on spelling, grammar, punctuation and sentence structure, I would have to give it an 'A'. My issue is with the characters and plot.

The character traits could have worked well in a YA story with original names. Rose Red is a skilled fighter and that appeals to a lot of YA readers. However, superimposed onto fairytale figures just doesn't work for me.

Similar with the plot, it might have worked without the fairytale connection, even with a nod to the sleeping spell on Aurora. For me, well, I wouldn't have finished it if I weren't reading it for a challenge.

It might work well for someone else. Those whose reading tastes run to Hunger Games and that sort of thing. It definitely wasn't for me.

Audience: Middle Grade

Format: Hardcover/Library Copy

I was born just feet from the surface of the earth, completely unheard of for a dwarf, but it couldn't be helped.

- first sentence

 

 

The dwarf's name is Borlen and his nickname is Grump. This story is set in the same world as Rump, Jack, and Red and written by the same author, Liesl Shurtliff. I really enjoy this series and I am always happy to see a new book come out. The series takes fairy tale retellings to a new level. The characters are all part of the same larger world and I love the way Shurtliff weaves them all together.

Borlen is obsessed with the surface even though most dwarves are terrified of it. He always feels like a bit of an outsider. When he finally finds himself above ground, his first friend is Queen Elfrieda Veronika Ingrid Lenore (E.V.I.L.). Readers know she is the Evil Queen, but Borlen is fairly naive and thinks she is his friend (his only friend). And so, Borlen gets caught up in the Queen's plot against Snow White.

I loved the characters in this story and the story itself. Grump is so complicated and conflicted but also very clever. At first Snow White seems like a self-centered, spoiled brat, but later we find out she is more complex than that. The crew that Borlen is a part of consists of seven dwarves - of course, one of whom sneezes a lot - go figure.

I highly recommend this book to readers in grades 4 and up, especially fans of fairy tale retellings. I read this as part of the Goodreads HA A-to-Z Challenge and for space #1 in the Snakes and Ladders game (book with a female author).

The book is described as a breathtaking new vision of a legendary tale. Snow White is the only person in the land fairer than the evil queen who is out to destroy her. But in a twist to the fairytale, the Huntsman ordered to take Snow White into the woods to be killed becomes her protector and mentor in a quest to vanquish the Evil Queen.

I have been meaning to see this movie for years now but have not gotten around to it. When I saw the Grimm Tales square, I checked to see if there was a book based on the movie and there was. I normally don't read books solely based on movies if I have seen the movie before because they are usually a scene by scene rehashing of the movie with no added character thoughts or feelings. Like I said, I haven't seen the movie but I could tell by reading the book it was like all others. Characters were not really fleshed out well and scenes were choppy and quick. However, it does make me want to see the movie even more now to watch it all unfold on screen. Plus bonus Chris Hemsworth as the Huntsman.

I am using this for the Grimm Tales square.

Even tho my last experience with Valente's books (Radiance) has been underwhelming, I am still intrigued by her writing. Also, I just love this cover.

I'll be reading Six Gun Snow White for the Grimm Tale square.