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Ladybird – Well Loved Tales Series 606D #1.1
Ladybird Well-Loved Tales: The Elves and the Shoemaker
The Elves and the Shoemaker is part of the enduringly popular Well-loved Tales fairy tales series from Ladybird.
Even today, Well-loved Tales are still beloved by adults and children alike.
First published in 1965, this beautiful book has been specially re-released to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Ladybird Books in 2015. Complete with stunning dust jacket, this limited edition facsimile copy of the original book by Vera Southgate has all the beautiful, memorable pictures that people remember, now available for a new generation to fall in love with.
Even today, Well-loved Tales are still beloved by adults and children alike.
First published in 1965, this beautiful book has been specially re-released to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Ladybird Books in 2015. Complete with stunning dust jacket, this limited edition facsimile copy of the original book by Vera Southgate has all the beautiful, memorable pictures that people remember, now available for a new generation to fall in love with.
52 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1960
17 people are currently reading
577 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
September 25, 2020
Which child wouldn't love the colorful, detailed illustrations in this well-loved tale? The shoes the elves sneakily make are so exquisite!
December 19, 2020
I am always skeptic about recommending Grimms' tales for children - twisted and scary. This one was fine, though.
June 21, 2016
"He looked at the workmanship. There was not one false stitch in the whole job. All was so neat and true, that it was quite a masterpiece."
What an amazing choice of words to describe superior work! I've read this over and over just to ensure my own work measures up to this level of integrity... a huge spiritual lesson.
A wonderful story about humility, industry, and karma.
What an amazing choice of words to describe superior work! I've read this over and over just to ensure my own work measures up to this level of integrity... a huge spiritual lesson.
A wonderful story about humility, industry, and karma.
December 30, 2025
Three magical stories, each gets a little bit darker. In the first one, they use their powers to help. In the second, they use them to persuade. In the third, they’re little tricksters. You never know what you’re going to get when you open your door to the fairy world!
February 17, 2022
"Harry Potter gave Dobby clothes and now Dobby is FREEEEEEEEEEEE!" J.K. Rowling's loveable house elf, Dobby, was released by the gift of a used sock. In this beloved fairy tale, the Shoemaker and his wife make a whole set of new clothes, shoes and socks in thanksgiving to the pair of elves who rescued their flagging business when they most needed it! Absolutely adorable story! Fully five stars++
February 5, 2015
While significantly shorter than Das Kapital, as a Marxist critique of the fashion industry in the 21st century, this pamphlet cannot be bettered.
The capitalist business owner, who cannot make a profit due to his failed business model, is forced to rely on the labour of unpaid interns who are required to work in unsuitable conditions at anti-social hours, while wearing only rags. As a result of this exploitation of the workers, the capitalist business owner becomes wealthy while the workers remain poor.
Marx used two commodities, a coat and 10 yards of linen, to illustrate his theory of commodity fetishism; he could equally have used leather and the boots made by the elves to make his point.
Elves of the world, unite! You have nothing to lose but your chains.
The capitalist business owner, who cannot make a profit due to his failed business model, is forced to rely on the labour of unpaid interns who are required to work in unsuitable conditions at anti-social hours, while wearing only rags. As a result of this exploitation of the workers, the capitalist business owner becomes wealthy while the workers remain poor.
Marx used two commodities, a coat and 10 yards of linen, to illustrate his theory of commodity fetishism; he could equally have used leather and the boots made by the elves to make his point.
Elves of the world, unite! You have nothing to lose but your chains.
December 3, 2015
Um. What? What just happened?
December 8, 2025
This was one of my favorite stories from the Brothers Grimm during my childhood. It wasn't just the story of the poor shoemaker who suddenly finds that his shoes are mysteriously being made overnight. The particular book we had on the farm - probably a Little Golden Book - had illustrations that I just adored. I distinctly remember pictures of elves making shoes and the shoes were different colors. I had not reread the story since my youngest sister outgrew my reading it to her (from the same copy I read as a child). This nostalgic revisit was part of a Literary Advent Calendar, which not only led me to this nostalgic reread, but brought it squarely to the Christmas season, which I had not remembered.
Now I'm wondering what happened to our copy of it. It had to be a Little Golden Book, whatever edition and illustrations were available in the 1960s. It may have ended up gifted to neighbor children once my siblings and niece were too old for it.
Now I'm wondering what happened to our copy of it. It had to be a Little Golden Book, whatever edition and illustrations were available in the 1960s. It may have ended up gifted to neighbor children once my siblings and niece were too old for it.
January 4, 2017
This is a wonderful short story, especially for children. It has a simple storyline told with the help of pictures which are fun and beautiful. I think reading it to your child as he/she sleeps makes for a great bedtime story. The shoemaker and his wife are very poor and one day the shoemaker cuts his last pair of shoe materials and leaves it on the table thinking, 'this is the last I have, it will decide my future further.' He goes to sleep and leaves the cutting on the table to sew in the morning. But as they say, night time is magic time....
Have fun reading :)
Have fun reading :)
September 19, 2017
This is an absolutely delightful, cheery little story from the Brothers Grimm - and almost shockingly so. It's hard to believe this is from the same authors of such stories as Snowdrop and Little Red Riding Hood.
This is the sweet story of some elves helping a shoe maker with his business and him and his wife repaying them.
This was so cheery, I can't stop smiling as I write this review. This was absolutely wonderful to read, and I recommend this to anyone who needs a quick read and a smile.
This is the sweet story of some elves helping a shoe maker with his business and him and his wife repaying them.
This was so cheery, I can't stop smiling as I write this review. This was absolutely wonderful to read, and I recommend this to anyone who needs a quick read and a smile.
December 6, 2015
Very short...I expected a bit more, not in length, but in depth.
January 27, 2017
This is one of my favorite stories from when I was a kid the original version did not disappoint!
December 24, 2022
I've read several versions of this charming tale but not this particular one. Parents of young children should be aware that this is a "Grimm" version and while it's not too dark there is one scene that might raise eyebrows. Still, this is a sweet story and if you can get past the description of the elves, it's a nice tale on being thankful and giving in return- even if the end result might not have been what you wished.
January 4, 2022
There is a live action movie that I watched when I was little that featured grimms fairytales and how they got started writing their stories . So I wanted to read some of their stories since they are so short this one is so cute . Quick easy light but so fun and endearing
September 21, 2020
A cute story of how elves helped someone out of poverty and got rewarded with new clothes and boots. The kindness of the heart is rewarded. A good story.
January 2, 2025
Já conhecia esta história, mas gostei de a revisitar nesta adaptação audio. Sem dúvida uma história fofinha e que vale a pena ler. Ou no meu caso, ouvir.
February 18, 2020
Pehaps the elves(dwarfs) were working hard to get the basic accessories of life only.The good couple ,thank goodness, didn't think to reward the dwarfs sooner.Lolz
October 27, 2021
This was seriously so cute.
I'm always a little weary of just what I'm getting into when I pick up a Grim book but this was surprisingly pleasant.
4 Stars just for the smile it put on my face.
Too cute!
I'm always a little weary of just what I'm getting into when I pick up a Grim book but this was surprisingly pleasant.
4 Stars just for the smile it put on my face.
Too cute!
April 19, 2014
So the reason I loved this book is because I'm very fond of shoes and the elves looked very cute in green :D
January 22, 2015
What a cute story. :)
December 8, 2016
I have arranged my takeaway thoughts on this fairytale into a haiku:
"Isn't that funny?
Silly muggles had house elves.
And never knew it."
"Isn't that funny?
Silly muggles had house elves.
And never knew it."
December 9, 2019
This one was a fun read because I’d forgotten that it existed. It’s quite a cool little tale, though curiosity is punished.
December 2, 2022
This is a fairy tale about brownies that are set free from the free given gift of clothing. They have the means to make their clothes but a brownie is bound by magic to clean and work.
May 26, 2021
Title : THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER
Author : Not known
Character- Shoemaker, his wife and Little Elves
Once there lived an honest but poor shoemaker. He worked very hard but still he couldn't make enough to live. One night he left the leather cut outs on his work bench and went to sleep.
The next morning he and his wife were astonished to see a beautiful pair of shoes ready on his work bench. Just then a merchant passed by and he bought those pair of shoes. Again, the next morning, they found another pair of beautiful pair of shoes, which were got sold off quickly.
Every day the shoemaker would leave the left leather cutouts on his work bench and found beautiful stitched shoes the next morning. The shoe maker and his wife decided to find out who was helping them. So the next night, they hid behind the curtains and as the clock struck midnight, they saw two elves came inside their home. They hopped onto the bench, took out their tiny scissors, hammer and thread, and began joining the leather cut outs. When they had made the shoes, the elves jumped out of their window.
The shoemaker and his wife decided to thank them and express their gratitude. The shoemaker decided to make tiny shoes while his wife would stitch new tiny clothes for the elves. The next night when the elves visited their home, they were delighted to see tiny pair of shoes and coats on the work bench. They wore the new coats and shoes and were dancing on the workbench.
The shoemaker and his wife never saw the elves again, but they continued to prosper, as the elves had passed them GOODLUCK.
MORAL of the STORY : We should always help one another in times of need and appreciate their help. We should be thankful and express our gratitude to those who help us.
Author : Not known
Character- Shoemaker, his wife and Little Elves
Once there lived an honest but poor shoemaker. He worked very hard but still he couldn't make enough to live. One night he left the leather cut outs on his work bench and went to sleep.
The next morning he and his wife were astonished to see a beautiful pair of shoes ready on his work bench. Just then a merchant passed by and he bought those pair of shoes. Again, the next morning, they found another pair of beautiful pair of shoes, which were got sold off quickly.
Every day the shoemaker would leave the left leather cutouts on his work bench and found beautiful stitched shoes the next morning. The shoe maker and his wife decided to find out who was helping them. So the next night, they hid behind the curtains and as the clock struck midnight, they saw two elves came inside their home. They hopped onto the bench, took out their tiny scissors, hammer and thread, and began joining the leather cut outs. When they had made the shoes, the elves jumped out of their window.
The shoemaker and his wife decided to thank them and express their gratitude. The shoemaker decided to make tiny shoes while his wife would stitch new tiny clothes for the elves. The next night when the elves visited their home, they were delighted to see tiny pair of shoes and coats on the work bench. They wore the new coats and shoes and were dancing on the workbench.
The shoemaker and his wife never saw the elves again, but they continued to prosper, as the elves had passed them GOODLUCK.
MORAL of the STORY : We should always help one another in times of need and appreciate their help. We should be thankful and express our gratitude to those who help us.
September 21, 2022
The Shoemaker and the Elves: Le Cordonnier et les Elfes by Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm, Translation by Google Translate – Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Book- The Shoemaker and the Elves is a fairy story which is about an old shoemaker who gets divine help with his work when he gets tired. A shoemaker and his wife were poor, they did not have much money to purchase raw leather to prepare shoes. One day, the shoemaker cuts the last piece of leather is shoe size. He is tired by the hard work. He leaves for his residence. In the morning, when he opens his shop, he finds that shoes are already. He sells the shoes in the market. This happens every day. The shoemaker is now better off. The couple hides in behind a curtain to find out who stitches the shoes at night. They find that elves arrive at mid-night and convert the leather in shoes. In order to return their favour, the shoemaker and his wife purchase cloth and leather and stitch clothes and prepare shoes for the dwarfs. When the dwarfs view the clothes and shoes, they wear them. Message How a pair of elves restore a poor shoemaker to prosperity. Coloured illustrations help the reader to relate to the contents of the story.
February 4, 2018
This story can classify under the category of a 'fable'. Compared to others, it can be considered 'short'. It depicts a lesson that it is okay to accept help from others and that you should not take it for granted. When the elves helped the people in the town, most were grateful but the ones who were not ultimately drove the elves away and everyone had to do their own work once again. I thought it was a cute story that could be used to teach children that helping others is a positive experience. I was upset at the end when the tailor's wife drove away the elves after all the help they provided to the community and I do not blame the people for wanting the elves to come back. I like the story because I do not think that it discourages doing hard work, but it does teach children to appreciate help when they receive it. I would teach this story to kindergarten-3rd graders because it is simple but still has good morals surrounding it that children should start to learn at a young age.
September 30, 2019
This is a classic fairytale by the Grimm brothers, aimed at younger children explains the story about a shoemaker who is poor and kind and cannot sell any of his shoes. One night he leaves a part of material out and the elves see this and feel sorry for him, so they use the material to make a new set of shoes, the shoemaker then sells them the next morning and then uses that money to buy more material for his shoes. Later that night he notices it is the elves that were helping him, so he decides to make tiny clothes for the elves, the elves get the clothes and leave and the shoemaker continues to make and sell shoes. This story can be used in the classroom to help children with their numeracy skills by counting the elves or the shoes in the picture. the illustrations in the book will keep the children engaged. I really enjoyed this book as it teaches about hard work and kindness.
March 10, 2024
"The Elves and the Shoemaker" is a captivating tale by the Brothers Grimm that celebrates kindness and hard work. In this story, a poor shoemaker becomes successful with the help of mysterious elves. Each night, the elves craft exquisite shoes, which the shoemaker sells to improve his life. Realizing the elves' assistance, the shoemaker and his wife express their gratitude by making clothes for their unseen benefactors, leading to a heartwarming conclusion. This edition, part of the "Once Upon a Time" series, beautifully retells the classic, emphasizing the importance of giving back to those who help us. It's a timeless lesson wrapped in a magical narrative, perfect for young readers and adults alike.
May 12, 2021
Elves and the Shoemaker is about an old shoe maker that is very poor. His business becomes successful with the help of two elves that would finish his work in the night. To repay the elves the Shoemaker and his wife made them new clothes and shoes. This story focuses on how being kind to others can be a rewarding experience. Also that if you don't appreciate the help you receive from others you could lose their help. This was one of my favorite books growing up and the illustrations are just as I remember them. My favorites were always the illustrations with the elves.
March 18, 2024
FULL REVIEW ON MY WEBSITE
https://thebookcornerchronicles.com/2...
The original tale is much better but also darker then the version kids see.
It is different but not that different from what you might remember from first hearing this tale as a kid.
The plot here are very good but also dark which is the mix which I personally like a lot.
The writing style here was very old and you could feel the vibe of old the Europe which was amazing for me.
https://thebookcornerchronicles.com/2...
The original tale is much better but also darker then the version kids see.
It is different but not that different from what you might remember from first hearing this tale as a kid.
The plot here are very good but also dark which is the mix which I personally like a lot.
The writing style here was very old and you could feel the vibe of old the Europe which was amazing for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews