What do you think?
Rate this book
The Enchanted Wood
The Enchanted Wood is an original fairytale written and illustrated by Ruth Sanderson. It was originally published in 1991 by Little, Brown and Co. and won the Irma s. Black Award and the Young Hoosier award. This 1999 edition is published by the author's own imprint, Golden Wood Studio.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1991
4 people are currently reading
328 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
July 20, 2022
Many of the classic themes & tropes of folktales are given fresh life, and the artwork is to die for. In fact, it's much prettier than real life would be, which upon rereading annoys me.
Of note: The heroine is strong, not a waif, and a brunette, not blond. The older brothers are not bad, they're just not as good as the youngest. There's a bit of a subtle green/ environmental message. Unlike the case with some painters for children's books, both the people and the animals & nature are beautifully captured.
Time to let go of the book.
Of note: The heroine is strong, not a waif, and a brunette, not blond. The older brothers are not bad, they're just not as good as the youngest. There's a bit of a subtle green/ environmental message. Unlike the case with some painters for children's books, both the people and the animals & nature are beautifully captured.
Time to let go of the book.
October 14, 2023
I have a very soft spot for new fairy tales conceived by imaginations that grew up on fairy tales. This is one of them, like the ones in Eleanor Farjeon's The Little Bookroom. It has all the hallmarks of a classic tale, with a more compassionate but equally wise end than most fairy tale fools receive. And, of course, it's Sanderson--the pictures are beautiful and detailed. I enjoyed especially the women of the story, and the overall grace of the narrative.
May 23, 2021
Love this table.
I liked the classic illustrations, the lessons presented in the short story, the characters true to their personalities.
And it ends happily.
However, I feel it would be a bit difficult for those younger as is meant for such storybooks.
The writing might be a bit difficult and the story a bit too serious.
I liked the classic illustrations, the lessons presented in the short story, the characters true to their personalities.
And it ends happily.
However, I feel it would be a bit difficult for those younger as is meant for such storybooks.
The writing might be a bit difficult and the story a bit too serious.
September 27, 2017
Ruth Sanderson does it again. She is an Amazing story teller! All of her books rock!!
May 30, 2018
This has such exceptional illustrations! They are truly magical. I will look for more books by this illustrator.
January 12, 2021
Gorgeously illustrated, this children's book is original and charming and well worth adding to your home collection. Somehow I missed Sanderson's books when I was growing up (might have been just past the age for them), but if this book is anything to judge her others by, they are going to be amazing!
January 9, 2012
The story was about as good as can be expected from a children's fairy tale. What really pushed it over the top were Sanderson's illustrations. I wish she'd been making fairy tales when I was a kid. I would have had goose bumps. Her painting of the white hart, is truly breathtaking. The prince is actually handsome, and it has a good nineties feel of equality with the herione stepping in to be helpful, instead of needing to be rescued. I have it as part of my "keep forever" fairytale collection.
November 8, 2013
Nice illustrations. My favourites are the ones of the tree in the clearing, and the last picture of the deer in the woods/meadow area.
An interesting story, but fairly typical for a fairy tale. Three brothers, one after another attempt a quest... you know the drill. I'm pretty sure I've heard variations on it before.
An interesting story, but fairly typical for a fairy tale. Three brothers, one after another attempt a quest... you know the drill. I'm pretty sure I've heard variations on it before.
June 18, 2020
Another original Sanderson story, except she uses so many typical fairytale motifs (things coming in threes, three brothers of which the youngest is the hero, wise woman etc.) that it doesn't seem original enough. I'm still giving this four stars because of her illustrations, though. They're my favorites of hers right after The Snow Princess.
November 10, 2018
Simply beautiful illustrations accompany this delightful little fable about a quest to find the Heart of the World, a magical tree that grows in the Enchanted Wood.
September 21, 2019
The illustrations of the spooky enchanted woods are a work of art but the people are not beautiful in my opinion. The story is a magical and mysterious fairy tale of medieval times and bloodline curses. These stories were made to keep children out of the woods because you can come in but never come out.
May 4, 2015
Set against the backdrop of a magical forest, this is the story of three noble princes seeking the Heart of the World to change the fate of their father's declining kingdom.
Loved, loved, loved the cover! Well, I pretty much loved all the artwork. :) In particular I enjoyed the cute little patches of mushrooms springing up in most of the forest paintings. The tree - the Heart of the World - was, simply, perfect. Trees have always been and, I suspect, will always be wondrous beings for me. Perhaps that's why I so enjoy fairy tales featuring enchanted woods and forests. I also enjoyed the fairy tale itself, which I interpreted to warn against the dangers of losing focus. Children would most likely see it as a lesson in obedience and ignoring temptation.
5 stars
Loved, loved, loved the cover! Well, I pretty much loved all the artwork. :) In particular I enjoyed the cute little patches of mushrooms springing up in most of the forest paintings. The tree - the Heart of the World - was, simply, perfect. Trees have always been and, I suspect, will always be wondrous beings for me. Perhaps that's why I so enjoy fairy tales featuring enchanted woods and forests. I also enjoyed the fairy tale itself, which I interpreted to warn against the dangers of losing focus. Children would most likely see it as a lesson in obedience and ignoring temptation.
5 stars
March 30, 2014
I really loved reading this book. The pictures were beautiful. It addresses issues such as doing something and not letting your selfish desires get in the way of what needs to be done. I would see this story for ten year and upper level readers. It is the story of a young man who sets out to carry out a mission by going to the Enchanted Wood. Others who have gone before him have failed...but will he prevail?
April 5, 2022
This is called an original fairy tale, which Sanderson writes in the style of traditional tales. When a kingdom was overcome by drought, a king sent his three sons, one at a time, to the Enchanted Wood to find the Heart of the World and end the drought. Sanderson's oil paintings are gorgeous and a perfect fit for the story.
December 24, 2021
I was busy pulling books for a fairy tale/faeries display, and I came across this 1990s gem hiding in our library stacks. Five stars for certain! It deserves to be checked out, read, reborrowed, and read again. It reads like a classic fairy tale--the reluctant hero, the call to action, the quest, etc. I really wish more children's books were written like this nowadays. So good I will try to buy it for my personal shelves to read to my future children. Definitely a longer read, so be prepared to spend about 30 minutes if you intend to read it out loud, but it is worth it.
July 31, 2020
This has to be Sanderson's best book.
First, it is an original fairy tale even though it has that old traditional feel. Second, the artwork is amazing. Truly gorgeous. Like rip out the pages and frame them beautiful. Exquisite details.
This should be considered a modern day classic, why have I only just discovered it!?
First, it is an original fairy tale even though it has that old traditional feel. Second, the artwork is amazing. Truly gorgeous. Like rip out the pages and frame them beautiful. Exquisite details.
This should be considered a modern day classic, why have I only just discovered it!?
November 19, 2022
A beautiful medieval fairytale. I think especially young boys will like it as the story centers around three princes, and girls will love Rose, the wise woman’s daughter. Stunning artwork, modest costumes, cute story.
March 4, 2018
What a lovely original fairy tale combined with beautiful illustrations. Definitely one worth adding to my collection.
February 17, 2019
A very good story, but the illustrations are what amazed me. beautiful work!
October 30, 2019
Cute, traditional fairytale picture book.
July 9, 2021
I have loved Sanderson's illustrations since childhood, and this story, with its sentient forest, would have been a favorite with me.
August 11, 2021
I love her illustration style. The story is good as well.
Read
January 20, 2022Beautiful illustrations and engaging read aloud story. The details in the illustrations mesmerized the children. Lots of adventures take place in this tale.
July 19, 2025
Lovely fairytale by Ruth Sanderson. I enjoyed the story as well as her beautiful oil paintings. Well done on both accounts. I'd happily add this book to my personal library.
May 9, 2025
Sanderson is known for her beautiful retellings of the fairy tale standards, but this story is her original work. It’s the traditional three prince quest trope but her artwork brings the story to life and creates a tale welcome among the classics. While the outcome is predictable to anyone familiar with this well-trodden plotline, I applaud her decision of what the youngest prince’s temptation was. It’s not often I see a loving family in fairy tales, especially in a three prince plot where each is trying to beat the others and win the kingdom for themselves.
Sanderson’s artwork is, as always, frame-worthy.
THE VERDICT?
The quest is completed in the traditional fashion, nothing is contradictory, and the plot follows the rules of its universe. Twisting up fairy tales to create something new is great, but sometimes taking the old road to a new tale is nice, too. I just wish we knew something else about the youngest son other than he looked up to and loved his big brothers. The other two were one trick ponies, but the winning prince is a blank slate. And look at that cover! That cover doesn’t even begin to display the quality of Sanderson’s artwork. She is insanely talented, and while looking for the link to her portfolio website I learned that she has her own artbook which I’ve added to my to-read list.
Sanderson’s artwork is, as always, frame-worthy.
THE VERDICT?
The quest is completed in the traditional fashion, nothing is contradictory, and the plot follows the rules of its universe. Twisting up fairy tales to create something new is great, but sometimes taking the old road to a new tale is nice, too. I just wish we knew something else about the youngest son other than he looked up to and loved his big brothers. The other two were one trick ponies, but the winning prince is a blank slate. And look at that cover! That cover doesn’t even begin to display the quality of Sanderson’s artwork. She is insanely talented, and while looking for the link to her portfolio website I learned that she has her own artbook which I’ve added to my to-read list.
March 19, 2010
An original fairytale from Ruth Sanderson, who has illustrated many of my favorite classic fairytales, and it is a welcome addition to the canon. The illustrations are not her best work, but accompany the story and will especially help keep younger readers engaged.
October 25, 2012
A very classic, old-fashioned fairy tale with stunning illustrations to set the mood. I'm re-discovering Ruth Sanderson as an adult after loving her "Twelve Dancing Princesses" as a child. Cannot WAIT to collect the rest of her books!
October 25, 2013
This is a wonderful fable about the things that people find important in their lives. Some choose power, others choose love. And, as in most tales, love wins in the end. This is a longer story with beautiful, lifelike images. The artwork is absolutely gorgeous, equally beautiful to the story.
November 25, 2013
An original fairy-tale written and illustrated by one of the master's in the fairy tale realm. I use it to illustrate how fairy tale elements can be created to make new stories that sound very traditional.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews