Brave Red, Smart Frog: A New Book of Old Tales

'Brave Red, Smart Frog: A New Book of Old Tales' by Emily Jenkins with illustrations by Rohan Daniel Eason is a collection of familiar fairy tales retold.Along with tales I was familiart with, like Snow White and The Frog Prince, are a few I was less familiar with like The Three Great Noodles and Toads and Pearls.The seven stories in this collection are retold in a fresh way that I really enjoyed. In the Author's Note at the end, it's stated that the idea was not to change the meanings for modern sensibilities, but to tell them in a kind of oral tradition method. One that works well for this collection.

I've always loved fairytales, including fractured fairytales and retellings. This book is a collection of seven tales, some very familiar (i.e. Red Riding Hood) and some you may not have heard of (i.e. The Three Great Noodles). The author stuck with the basic plot or premise of each tale, but added a few details that may have sent the story in a different direction. They also were not as dark as the originals. The other thing I liked is that even though each was a separate story, there was something to connect them, either the setting or a character. They were not very long and could easily be read as a bedtime story over a weekly period. The one thing I did not like was the fact that there was only one illustration per story and that was at the beginning of each. The style of the illustrations reminded me of an old fairytale book I had as a child. Overall, I could see this book becoming a staple in a family library. If you read the author's note at the back she mentions the art of oral storytelling. I could see a classroom teacher using this book as a mentor text when dealing with that theme. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.

A fresh retelling of classic fairy tales that ties them together into a single world, this book for elementary readers makes these stories accessible. Beautifully told, the stories all come together around a frozen woods and the magic of kisses, some of which break an enchantment and such of which create one. Around these central themes and settings, beloved stories spin. The stories include Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White, The Frog Prince, and Hansel and Gretel. Other lesser known stories are also there, including one of my favorites Toads and Pearls. Jenkins invites readers into her stories and honors the classic tale, but also inserts a touch of humor, a feeling of convergence, and a dynamic storytelling style. Perfect for sharing classic stories with slightly older children, this book is fresh and exciting. Appropriate for ages 6-8.

This lovely book retells 7 classic fairy tales in a slightly quirkier way than before. The stories included are: Snow White, The Frog Prince, Three Wishes, Toads and Pearls, Red Riding Hood, The Three Great Noodles, and Hansel And Gretel. I think that children in 2nd through 6th grade will enjoy reading the stories!

These seven fairy tales (several as well-known as “Hansel and Gretel,” others such as “Toads and Pearls” less so) fairly skip with life. As Jenkins tells us in her author’s note, she’s not trying to be true to the originals but to retell her favorites according to the rules of oral tradition: She’s the current teller so she’s free to adapt a story just as she pleases! She slips in a bit more motivation than is present in the originals, she highlights the meanings (some of them her own) behind the tales, and she points out recurring elements such as frozen forests “you’ve heard of…before.” Gnarled trees are everywhere in the watercolor and ink illustrations, the perfect backdrop for the various snares the main characters must negotiate before finding their way on to a new home or back to the one they were forced to leave. Jenkins’s adaptations are solidly grounded in tradition yet fresh as a new spring breeze. Don’t miss these!

I was very disappointed in the telling of these tales. The author has not cleverly interwoven these stories as it suggests in the book cover. She only created a forest in which all the stories are set. The descriptions of the forest and individuals characters are too repetative with each other. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this book when so many before this author have done a fine job already telling these traditional tales. This book will not stay in my library.

This is a simple re-telling of some of the famous fairytales—and some not-so-famous. The stories are enhanced by the author highlighting aspects that she found most meaningful or interesting. She expands on areas not explained in other versions and adds depth to the tales.The fairytales are easy to read and well-written. There are few illustrations—it is not a picture book. But the details provided by Ms. Jenkins make it easy to “see” the stories as they are told.I received an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.

This author is an excellent storyteller. She has a way with the fairy tales- she stays true to the originals and keeps the old-fashioned feel; yet puts her own unique spin on them. She still keeps the dark sides of the fairy tales rather than sugar-coating them too much like so many modern versions do. My 5 and 8 year olds loved every story in this book!