This illustrated version of The Sleeping Beauty follows the production of the New York City Ballet’s production. The storyline, choreography, costumes and sets come to life with Valeria Docampo’s brilliant and vibrant art. The colors pop, the text of the story is complimented and we are introduced to a familiar story with a twist.
This book would be an interesting book to have a disc with it and hear the music and the story read while you read along with your book. (I show my age by saying, I did enjoy these books as a kid when they were on cassette tape). This book is one that the reader can grow with. First, you look at the images and that tells the story. You then have the text read to you and finally, the reader when they are into longer books, can read as well.
This is a follow up to The Nutcracker also created by Docampo. The signature style of Docampo is fanciful and whimsically realistic. The fact these are illustrations and not the set, they can take on a surreal quality to them as well. There are details to the art that would not translate to the stage making this a fun companion to give to someone who has seen the production. The compare and contrast would start discussion.
While this is stereotypical “for a girl” if your boy is into ballet then this could work for him, too. It would also make for a great gift for the adult who collects books on folktales and fairy tales
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