This book is simple enough for the youngest child and also clever enough for older children because it introduces various words, such as, obstoprolous. The watercolor pictures in this book are lovely and filled with rich colors of yellows, reds, and greens. This version of Hans Christian Andersen's Thumbelina by Brian Anderson.

'Again, I have yet to be disappointed by any of the retelling of these classic fables. The end of this story will touch your heart. On her way back home, she met a lot of strange characters: a large may bug, a small mouse, a blind mole, and a beautiful prince-some good, some not so good, and some quite ignorant. The marriage didn’t take place, but Thumbelina was left alone in the middle of the swamp, not knowing how she could get back home to the old woman, who, she knew, was very worried about her. The toad wanted Thumbelina to marry her son. But one night, a big, ugly toad jumped through the window and took the girl away. She loved to take care of her little granddaughter, and Thumbelina loved to help her granny to take care of her flowers and feed the birds in their garden. The girl was so small-smaller than the thumb on the old woman’s hand. One morning, in one of her flowers, she found a little girl. Quite often, she dreamed about having a little girl whom she would love and care for. She also was very lonely, because she had no children. Once upon a time, there was an old woman. This is a new version of a classic tale set to beautiful classical music from beginning to end. Thumbelina is the story about a little girl’s dedication and love for the old woman who gave her life.

Thumbelina by Brian Pinkney