This is a very limited story book that contains several of the most basic stories that all American children should know. The stories have stood the test of time. The illustration's are fabulous.

Introduction: There is no introduction.

Organization: There is a table of contents, but the stories are in no apparent order. The illustrations are very traditional and classic looking and are of two types. Some drawings are simple pen and ink. Some are muted color illustrations. The tales do not need the illustrations, but these traditional drawings have been enjoyed for generations and are part of our collective heritage.

The stories themselves: The stories in this collection are classics. These excellent tellings are the ones that children need to know before they can appreciate the variations. For example, The Story of the Three Little Pigs has many variations. Add to the variations the books like The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig and The True Story of the Three Little Pigs,* which children cannot appreciate if they are unfamiliar with the original tale told in this book. The Story of the Three Bears and The Story of the Three Little Pigs can be enjoyed by toddlers and preschoolers. I think The Golden Goose and Tom Thumb would be for Grades K-3, though older audiences might enjoy the tales.

Source Notes: There are no source notes. The afterward by Neil Philip gives a biography of L. Leslie Brooke and describes the artwork with little notice given to the stories. This book is very much a celebration of the artist and the artwork. Fortunately, the party is worth attending.

*Trivizas, Eugene. The three little wolves and the big bad pig / Eugene Trivizas ; illustrated by Helen Oxenbury. New York : Margaret K. McElderry Books : Maxwell Macmillan International, 1993.

Schieszka, Jon. The true story of the three little pigs / by A. Wolf as told to Jon Schieszka ; illustrated by Lane Smith. New York : Viking Kestrel, 1989.

©2004 Librarians.info. All rights reserved. Karen Woodworth-Roman Last updated 29 March 2004.