Beautiful Books

There is nothing so lovely as a beautiful book. Here are two new ones we received in the Children’s Library. 

Snow White by the Brothers Grimm and Camille Rose Garcia. 

 Opening this book is like opening up a little gift. A well designed book is always a treat, and this one is particularly enticing. Mixing the classic Grimm text of Snow White with a taste of the modern artwork by Camille Rose which is both creepy and divine, this book is a wonder. 

If you’ve never read the original story by the Brothers Grimm, this is a great book to explore the text. You’ll be surprised by the lack of a princely kiss and the strange similarities to the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, as the seven dwarves discover that their food has been eaten and their beds have been slept in.

If you already know the original Grimm Brothers’ version, Camille Rose Garcia’s artwork seems to spin a new tale entirely, making Snow White otherworldly.

 

Enticed? Place a hold on it here, or check out Garcia’s version of Alice in Wonderland.

The Seven Dwarves return to their cottage. Who do they find inside?

Viva Frida by Yuyi Morales

One of the most beautiful books of last season, Yuyi Morales’ Viva Frida is a serious Caldecott contender. Using beautiful hand-made puppets and finished off with a dose of Photoshop, Viva Frida tells the tale of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. 

The text is minimal and simple, weaving a soft poem in both English and Spanish of Frida’s love of life and art. Those who love Frida will gleefully point out the nods to her artwork, and the cameos by her menagerie of pets. This little picture book somehow captures the ethereal spirit of Frida Kahlo better than almost any of the Frida-based books and movies have in the past twenty years.  

Ready to learn about Frida? Place the book on hold here! Want to learn more about how Viva Frida was created? Visit Yuyi Morales' Pinterest page to see her process: here. 

Frida at the Casa Azul with her husband Diego and her pets.