Emperor's New Clothes

ANNOTATION

In this version of Andersen's tale "re-cut, pinned, and stitched by John A. Rowe," the emperor loves shopping and new clothes, but he is still tricked by two rascals.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Andersen's classic fairy tale retold from different points of view by twenty-three celebrities and depicted by twenty-three illustrators.

SYNOPSIS

This wonderful gift for the whole family features a book with illustrations by the likes of Maurice Sendak, Quentin Blake, and William Joyce, and a CD with the voices of Madonna, Harrison Ford, Robin Williams, and a host of other celebrities. Royalty proceeds from this retelling of the classic fairy tale will benefit the Starbright Foundation, a charity for children's illness.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Duntze embroiders the classic story with exquisite visual details; her lanky, angular people with a jaundiced glow add a playfully sinister note. Ages 5-8. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

John Alfred Rowe (Monkey Trouble) takes his accomplished paintbrush to Hans Christian Andersen's The Emperor's New Clothes. The rosy cheeked, rotund potentate is attended to by an elite troupe of mime-ish monkeys, their noses as high as their yellow bowties; the hucksters are depicted as roguish foxes with a pirate-like patch and swagger. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

In a starred review, PW called this a "witty new edition, set in 1913. The emperor's pursuit of fashion becomes such frivolous fun that he is quite a likable fool especially when his tan lines are showing." Ages 6-9. (Nov.) Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

Children's Literature - Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz

It takes a clever, talented artist to bring new life to an old tale. Rowe has "re-cut, pinned and stitched" it, briskly, retelling the story with an emphasis on the emperor's love of shopping for new clothes. This makes him easy prey, of course, for the "tricky rascals" who come to town to swindle him by promising to weave cloth visible only to those who work hard. His best servant, his hairdresser, and all his helpers pretend to see the magical cloth, and of course the king himself has to "see" it because he feels he works hard as well. The climax occurs at the great procession, when a child dares to tell the truth about the naked emperor. This version ends with a good laugh had by all, including the good-natured emperor, seen only from the rear. He is introduced on the jacket/cover elaborately costumed, turbaned and bedecked, a child-like innocent smiling in anticipation of further sartorial adventures. His empire is populated with a cast of anthropomorphic animals in odd clothes. The rascals are a pair of foxy con men exuding guile. The settings are in an ageless fairy-tale land, sometimes mysterious but always amusing. 2004, Penguin Young Readers Group, Ages 4 to 8.

Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot