Stories for Children

Product Description
An exceptionally handsome, large-format gift edition of timeless fairy tales by Oscar Wilde. Spectacular full-color paintings illustrate six of Wilde’s best-loved stories, including “The Happy Prince”, “The Nightingale and the Rose”, and “The Selfish Giant”. Full-color illustrations.
From Publishers Weekly
The familiar cast of characters in this handsomely illustrated volume includes kings, princesses, a greedy giant, a penniless gardener and a foolishly lovesick student. Six fable-like stories, first published in 1888, exhibit flashes of the prolific Wilde’s wry humor–together with an occasional dollop of moralizing. In “The Selfish Giant,” an innocent boy who shows the ogre the error of his ways turns out to be the Christ Child claiming him for Heaven; while “The Devoted Friend” celebrates the cleverness of a linnet. The arresting poignancy of “The Nightingale and the Rose,” with its lament for the sacrifices of misguided love, cannot fail to captivate. Strangely ill-suited to this collection is “The Remarkable Rocket,” a tiresome tale of bickering fireworks that strains even the most fertile of imaginations. Ranging from somber nightscapes to lively fantasies, Lynch’s ( Melisande ) elegant paintings perfectly capture the variety of moods in these resonant fictions–ideal for read-aloud enjoyment. Ages 5-up.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 4 Up– New illustrations for five tales that appeared in Wilde’s 1888 collection, The Happy Prince and Other Stories plus “The Young King” from A House of Pomegranates. The selections most accessible to children–“The Happy Prince” and “The Selfish Giant”–have been published singly in numerous editions. The satire in “The Remarkable Rocket” and “The Devoted Friend” may limit their appeal to more sophisticated readers. Indeed, many of Wilde’s ironic insights about education, religion, and class distinctions are more aptly directed toward adults, not children. Lynch’s full-color paintings support Wilde’s tone and style, ranging from romantic to satirical to frightening. Probably the most successful are the droll characterizations of the various types of fireworks in “The Remarkable Rocket.” Because of the importance of Wilde’s stories as examples of literary fairy tales, most libraries should own at least one edition of his works. Lynch’s paintings make this one worth considering.

– Kathy Piehl, Mankato State University, MN
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Kirkus Reviews
Six well-known Wilde stories in a handsome, large-size gift edition with color illustrations on almost every double spread. Many of the meticulously detailed paintings could be the work of a reincarnated Rackham, but Lynch adds his own brand of satirical wit and good humor to Rackham’s romantic settings and incisive caricatures. (Fiction. 8+) —
Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
Review
Three classic fairytales by Oscar Wilde that sparkle with wit and enchantment. They have been beautifully reproduced with unabridged text and using the original illustrations from one of the 20th century’s foremost and illustrious illustrators, Charles Robinson. His vibrant and evocative watercolour and line drawings together with Wilde’s seamless prose make this a timeless treasure for the whole family to enjoy — lovereading beautiful … a gift edition to treasure — Parentsintouch.co.uk a fantastic gift to be treasured by a new generation of children — Dubray Books beautifully designed by Emma Byrne — Irish Independent particularly welcome — Irish Times timeless treasure — Sunday Independent beautifully illustrated — Connemara Journal a book that can be enjoyed by all ages — Connemara Journal particularly welcome — Irish Times stunning — Inkandpaperhearts.wordpress.com perfect Christmas present for young readers and a wonderful addition to any collection — Inkan