Take a Peek at the Book-Shelf

Imagine you're Mary Ann, the White Rabbit's housemaid- sneaking peeks at the books he's got upon the shelf. You don't bother with words...it's the pictures that capture your eye. Neglect your dusting! Take one off the shelf, snuggle in his cozy chair, and make your own stories up. The White Rabbit's calling for you but you're lost in another world. He can get his own gloves!

This blog is dedicated to fantasy picture books, magical pockets of paint and ink. You won't find savory intellectual reviews here--only sweet tasty tidbits of what's on my shelf, and the occassional visitor from public and private libraries.

Recommendations, questions, comments (even book reviews) are always welcome!

Sunday, September 18, 2011

The Sea King's Daughter Retold by Aaron Shepard illustrated by Grennady Spirin

From White Rabbit's Book-Shelf Image Archive
"Long ago in the river port called Novgorod the Great, there lived a young musician named Sadko…he was proud of his city…Yet sometimes Sadko was lonely. The maidens who danced gaily to his music at the feast would often smile at him…But they were rich and he was poor and not one of them would think of being his."
From White Rabbit's Book-Shelf Image Archive
From White Rabbit's Book-Shelf Image Archive
"Just then the ship shuddered to a halt. The wind filled the sails, yet the ship stood still, as if a giant hand had grasped it. Some of the sailors cursed in fear, while others prayed for their lives."It must be the king of the sea!" the captain cried.'Perhaps he seeks tribute--or someone among us.' "
From White Rabbit's Book-Shelf Image Archive
From White Rabbit's Book-Shelf Image Archive
From White Rabbit's Book-Shelf Image Archive
From White Rabbit's Book-Shelf Image Archive
"That night Sadko lay beside his bride on a bed of seaweed. She's so lovely, thought Sadko, so charming…How can I not hold her? But time after time, the queen's words came back to him--never return to your city again--and his arms lay frozen at his side...When Sadko awoke the next morning, he felt the sunlight on his face."
From White Rabbit's Book-Shelf Image Archive
"Yet sometimes still on a quiet evening he would walk out of the city alone, sit on the bank, and send his tinkling music over the water. And sometimes too a lovley head would rise from the river to listen." Stories Love Pictures