The Queen Bee. Jacob Grimm and Wilhelm Grimm. Translated by Elizabeth James. Illustrated by Iassen Ghiuselev. Vancouver, BC: Simply Read Books, 2003. 24 pp., cloth, $19.95. ISBN 1-9688768-4-6. Kindergarten-grade 5 / Ages 5-10. Review by Helen Norrie. **** /4

excerpt:

Once there were two princes who went in search of adventure. They began to lead a wild, reckless way of life and resigned never to return home again. Their youngest brother, who was called Dimwit, decided to go and find them. When he found them at last, they ridiculed him for wanting to make his own way in the world while they, who were considered smarter, had managed to achieve nothing.

The Queen Bee is another in the "retold" tales suitable for reading to young children published by Simply Read Books of Vancouver. Originally one of the tales written by the Brothers Grimm, it is retold by Elizabeth James with illustrations by Bulgarian artist Iassen Ghiuselev who won the Illustrator of the Year Award at the Bologna Book Fair for Pinocchio.

     This Grimm fairy tale is a simple fable about Dimwit, the youngest of three princes, who wins the hand of a princess over that of his two bumbling brothers by his compassion for natural things: ants, ducks, and bees. Dimwit keeps his brothers from harming these creatures, and they, in turn, reward him by helping him solve an impossible riddle in an enchanted castle where everyone has been turned to stone. When the queen bee lands on the lips of the enchanted princess who has eaten honey before she was turned to stone, Dimwit knows she is the correct sister and completes the riddle correctly.

     One of the best parts of this book are the illustrations which are large and detailed. While the costumes and backdrop are strictly Renaissance, the artist still manages to get plenty of expression into the faces of the three brothers. Dimwit is suitably bland and innocent looking while his brothers are hearty and hedonistic.

     Elizabeth James' retelling is smooth and uncomplicated. Written for ages five to ten, this is a simple tale but one which may appeal to younger children. It is especially suitable as a "read-aloud" book.

Highly Recommended.

Helen Norrie's column, “Children's Books,” appears monthly in the Winnipeg Free Press.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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