What do you think?
Rate this book
Snow White
Spared by her would-be executioner, Snow White finds a home with seven kindly dwarfs, but the hateful queen who wants her dead will stop at nothing to be the most beautiful woman in the land. Heins's graceful words and Hyman's expressive artwork create a dramatic retelling of this classic tale, filled with movement and passion that will enchant readers of all ages. Full-color illustrations.
48 pages, Hardcover
Published November 30, 1974
90 people are currently reading
2946 people want to read
About the author
Trina Schart Hyman
148 books206 followersTrina Schart Hyman (April 8, 1939 – November 19, 2004) was an American illustrator of children's books. She illustrated over 150 books, including fairy tales and Arthurian legends.
She won the 1985 Caldecott Medal for U.S. picture book illustration, recognizing Saint George and the Dragon, retold by Margaret Hodges.
She won the 1985 Caldecott Medal for U.S. picture book illustration, recognizing Saint George and the Dragon, retold by Margaret Hodges.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 242 reviews
May 19, 2022
القصص الخيالية لا يتم حفرها على الجرانيت
بل تتغير ويعاد صياغتها لتناسب العصر و رغم محاولات الاخوين جريم لتهذيب ما جمعوه من قصص الفلاحين الالمان
الا انها ظلت عنيفة صادمة..ولكن الى اي حد؟
من سيصدق ان في النسخة الاولى لسنوايت كانت قاتلتها هي والدتها !؟ و ليست زوجة ابيها
فالقصة للتعبير عن الأزمة التي تقع أحيانا بين الام و الابنة مع زوال جمال الام و بزوغ نجم الابنة عند المراهقة
طبعا هذا بعيد تماما عن نسخة ديزني بفتاتها البيضاء التي تحكم عليها زوجة ابيها بالموت ..و تنجو بفضل الصياد لتعيش مع الأقزام السبعة. .حتى يوقعها غباءها في التفاحة المسمومة
النهاية ايضا مختلفة فسنو وايت لم تكن بهذا التسامح..بل كان انتقامها مدويا
رفضت الأمهات حكي قصة الرعب هذه لبناتهن.. حتى تغيرت على ايدى الاخوين جريم في النسخة المعدلة..و صارت القاتلة هي: زوجة الاب
و ظلت القصة باخطاء أبطالها
تؤكد على ان النضج لا يتم الا بارتكاب الاخطاء و ان الجمال لا يمنح صاحبته الا المشاكل
بل تتغير ويعاد صياغتها لتناسب العصر و رغم محاولات الاخوين جريم لتهذيب ما جمعوه من قصص الفلاحين الالمان
الا انها ظلت عنيفة صادمة..ولكن الى اي حد؟
من سيصدق ان في النسخة الاولى لسنوايت كانت قاتلتها هي والدتها !؟ و ليست زوجة ابيها
فالقصة للتعبير عن الأزمة التي تقع أحيانا بين الام و الابنة مع زوال جمال الام و بزوغ نجم الابنة عند المراهقة
طبعا هذا بعيد تماما عن نسخة ديزني بفتاتها البيضاء التي تحكم عليها زوجة ابيها بالموت ..و تنجو بفضل الصياد لتعيش مع الأقزام السبعة. .حتى يوقعها غباءها في التفاحة المسمومة
النهاية ايضا مختلفة فسنو وايت لم تكن بهذا التسامح..بل كان انتقامها مدويا
رفضت الأمهات حكي قصة الرعب هذه لبناتهن.. حتى تغيرت على ايدى الاخوين جريم في النسخة المعدلة..و صارت القاتلة هي: زوجة الاب
و ظلت القصة باخطاء أبطالها
تؤكد على ان النضج لا يتم الا بارتكاب الاخطاء و ان الجمال لا يمنح صاحبته الا المشاكل
December 10, 2018
Of all the Grimm brothers' horror stories, this one is perhaps the creepiest.
In a fit of pique, a narcissistic queen demands Snow White's lungs and liver (in this version), then eagerly devours the organs she believes belong to her stepdaughter. Given a reprieve by her would-be killer, Ms. White disappears into a dark and scary forest only to discover a small cottage where she makes herself at home, then falls asleep. Later, she awakens to find herself surrounded by small men. They allow her to stay, and take care of the housework. It's good ole Snow is a looker, cause she's dumber than a bag of corn cobs, falling for her stepmom's tricks not once, not twice, but THREE TIMES! Then, when it appears Snowy has given up the ghost, the dwarfs put her in a glass casket so that they can "gaze upon" her loveliness (this was before internet porn, remember!)
And, then there's the whole necrophilia thing with the kiss, AND everyone eats wedding cake as the stepmother dances herself to death in red-hot shoes.
Yikes!
This is a story that disturbs in, oh, so many ways . . . and yet, we keep reading it to our children.
(And most of them seem to turn out okay anyway.)
Here, this tale of mental illness, suffering, and bloody vengeance is made palatable by the addition of Trina Schart Hyman's ethereally lovely artwork.
Enjoy!
In a fit of pique, a narcissistic queen demands Snow White's lungs and liver (in this version), then eagerly devours the organs she believes belong to her stepdaughter. Given a reprieve by her would-be killer, Ms. White disappears into a dark and scary forest only to discover a small cottage where she makes herself at home, then falls asleep. Later, she awakens to find herself surrounded by small men. They allow her to stay, and take care of the housework. It's good ole Snow is a looker, cause she's dumber than a bag of corn cobs, falling for her stepmom's tricks not once, not twice, but THREE TIMES! Then, when it appears Snowy has given up the ghost, the dwarfs put her in a glass casket so that they can "gaze upon" her loveliness (this was before internet porn, remember!)
And, then there's the whole necrophilia thing with the kiss, AND everyone eats wedding cake as the stepmother dances herself to death in red-hot shoes.
Yikes!
This is a story that disturbs in, oh, so many ways . . . and yet, we keep reading it to our children.
(And most of them seem to turn out okay anyway.)
Here, this tale of mental illness, suffering, and bloody vengeance is made palatable by the addition of Trina Schart Hyman's ethereally lovely artwork.
Enjoy!
March 24, 2017
Finally I did it! Read one of the most beloved fairy tales.
I had the few ideas about the plot but I hadn't read it before.
I had seen some parts of it in a drama. I think in "Shakalaka boom boom".
Regardless, I enjoyed reading it. This tale is the best example of jealousy. Some people take jealousy at such level that it becomes their death. They just burn in jealousy and can't be contented.
Ending seemed to be inspired by the Sleeping Beauty. Don't why if it's just me. But I felt that. Or maybe all the fairy tales have almost the same endings.
Overall, I loved it. All it is from my beloved writers. Grim Brothers. (^_^)
I had the few ideas about the plot but I hadn't read it before.
I had seen some parts of it in a drama. I think in "Shakalaka boom boom".
Regardless, I enjoyed reading it. This tale is the best example of jealousy. Some people take jealousy at such level that it becomes their death. They just burn in jealousy and can't be contented.
Ending seemed to be inspired by the Sleeping Beauty. Don't why if it's just me. But I felt that. Or maybe all the fairy tales have almost the same endings.
Overall, I loved it. All it is from my beloved writers. Grim Brothers. (^_^)
August 20, 2020
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: The Art and Creation of Walt Disney’s Classic is a lovely book that is worthy of any Disney fan’s collection. It provides a rare glimpse into one of the most iconic and important films of all time, making this book important to any collector of film memorabilia. It’s really that good. This book is definitely more like your traditional “art and making of” book, while The Fairest One of All is more of an expanisve history plus art. I loved this book much more than some other “making of” books I’ve come across and know I will be returning to its pages over and over again.
December 7, 2016
Bueno, creo. Con un final mucho mejor que el de la adaptación cinematográfica.
January 30, 2014
I just love the artwork in this book!
I also thought it was cool that they left all the grim and creepy tidbits from the original fairytale.
I also thought it was cool that they left all the grim and creepy tidbits from the original fairytale.
April 11, 2012
For the benefit of those people unfortunate enough never to have read
Let Stalk Strine
, may I take this opportunity to bring you:
Snow White and the Severed Wharves
Snow White was a beautiful young Strine secret service agent. In private life she was a doctor of philosophy and a connoisseur of immersion heating. As a counter spy (officially known as 004), she was noted for her dexterity with the hypodermic syringe and for her unswerving promiscuity in the service of her country.
Her most remarkable attributes, however, were her extraordinary powerful lungs, which she used to great advantage whenever mouth-to-mouth anti-resuscitation was the only way to escape from the embraces of a no longer useful admirer. This high-pressure method was rather frowned on by her more conservative colleagues but it was undeniably effective; her victim just dilated like a sunfish and became entangled in the chandeliers, or drifted over the horizon in whatever direction the wind happened to be blowing.
It was a dull, grey autumn afternoon when Snow White left the Colonel's office. She stepped into her roller skates, and picked her way carefully through the traffic to the middle of the road. Skating along the centre line of a main highway usually calmed her turbulent spirit and gave her a sense of purpose and fulfilment. But today, somehow, she felt troubled and uneasy.
The Colonel's warning was still ringing in her ears. `No more lust, Buster, I trust you. It's a must,' he had said, putting down the rhyming dictionary and lighting her cigar. `Carry two Mausers in your trousers, and pack a new Luger with the nougat.'
Snow White knew what lay behind that friendly half-smile which contrasted so oddly with his grey, intelligent eyes, obscured now by the large empty prune can with which he always concealed his face from his subordinates. Poor James, she thought, how sensitive he still is about having no nose. His voice droned on, `... and your teeth will be sharpened before you leave. That is all.' He paused and spoke a few words into the intercom.
He had briefed her well, she thought to herself as she overtook a large black sedan filled with Asians carrying cameras. Her mission was simple, but dangerous. She was to make her way undetected into `their' territory, destroy the fleet of mini-submarines, and cut loose the floating wharves at Vitamin Bay. That was all. Simple enough, heaven knows - yet her uneasiness persisted.
Suddenly she threw away her cigar, put out her right arm and pulled sharply into the kerb at the left. She made her way thoughtfully towards a small, unobtrusive building which bore a large sign: `Day Old Pullets - Hot Water - Ears bashed Wile-U-Wate - Cocker Puppies - Clean Toilets - Devonshire Teas'. She rapped on the boarded-up window with a roller skate. `Are you there, James?' she called softly. There was no answer. She went round to the locked door, put her lips to the keyhole and blew out the lock. She stepped quietly inside. The Colonel was already there. She took him in her strong arms and kissed him fiercely on the prune can immediately above the words, `Contains no preservatives'. He snuggled close to her and gurgled tinnily. She took his hand and together they walked along the narrow catwalk towards the submarines.
Snow White patted the Luger inside her armpit, and sniffed cautiously at the outgoing tide. There wouldn't be much time, she thought. She bent down and bit throught the first cable with her powerful teeth and watched the grey hull sink slowly out of sight into the mud.
She looked around her. It was almost dark now, and the Colonel appeared to be asleep. She smiled grimly as she scrabbled among the barnacles, searching for the second cable. Suddenly, without warning, a blinding light flashed into her eyes, and a suave, unctuous voice broke the silence: `Weaner rup this sprogram to bring you an important annancement from the Sinny Cricket Grand. New South Wiles are arlat for three unren twen yite.' The menacing voice chilled her, and her hand gripped the Luger. `The forecast for tomorrow is for scadded shares and Sathie's twins. An now we return you to this chewdio.' There was a click, then silence. Once more she was in darkness.
She was alone now; the Colonel had disappeared. At last she found the second cable and sank her teeth into the steel. The oily water closed over the last of the wharves. Her mission was completed.
Through a little window in the wrist of her black rubber frogwoman's suit she saw that it was only two hours since she had left the Colonel's office. She felt her way through the dark hut to the doorway, and out into the chill, mountain air. She carefully adjusted her skates, pulled out from the kerb and made for the centre-line of the road.
She smiled gently in the darkness, and switched on her tail-light. It was, she thought as she spat out a few shreds of cable, good - she paused and lit a cigar - to be - as James would say - alive.
Snow White and the Severed Wharves
Snow White was a beautiful young Strine secret service agent. In private life she was a doctor of philosophy and a connoisseur of immersion heating. As a counter spy (officially known as 004), she was noted for her dexterity with the hypodermic syringe and for her unswerving promiscuity in the service of her country.
Her most remarkable attributes, however, were her extraordinary powerful lungs, which she used to great advantage whenever mouth-to-mouth anti-resuscitation was the only way to escape from the embraces of a no longer useful admirer. This high-pressure method was rather frowned on by her more conservative colleagues but it was undeniably effective; her victim just dilated like a sunfish and became entangled in the chandeliers, or drifted over the horizon in whatever direction the wind happened to be blowing.
It was a dull, grey autumn afternoon when Snow White left the Colonel's office. She stepped into her roller skates, and picked her way carefully through the traffic to the middle of the road. Skating along the centre line of a main highway usually calmed her turbulent spirit and gave her a sense of purpose and fulfilment. But today, somehow, she felt troubled and uneasy.
The Colonel's warning was still ringing in her ears. `No more lust, Buster, I trust you. It's a must,' he had said, putting down the rhyming dictionary and lighting her cigar. `Carry two Mausers in your trousers, and pack a new Luger with the nougat.'
Snow White knew what lay behind that friendly half-smile which contrasted so oddly with his grey, intelligent eyes, obscured now by the large empty prune can with which he always concealed his face from his subordinates. Poor James, she thought, how sensitive he still is about having no nose. His voice droned on, `... and your teeth will be sharpened before you leave. That is all.' He paused and spoke a few words into the intercom.
He had briefed her well, she thought to herself as she overtook a large black sedan filled with Asians carrying cameras. Her mission was simple, but dangerous. She was to make her way undetected into `their' territory, destroy the fleet of mini-submarines, and cut loose the floating wharves at Vitamin Bay. That was all. Simple enough, heaven knows - yet her uneasiness persisted.
Suddenly she threw away her cigar, put out her right arm and pulled sharply into the kerb at the left. She made her way thoughtfully towards a small, unobtrusive building which bore a large sign: `Day Old Pullets - Hot Water - Ears bashed Wile-U-Wate - Cocker Puppies - Clean Toilets - Devonshire Teas'. She rapped on the boarded-up window with a roller skate. `Are you there, James?' she called softly. There was no answer. She went round to the locked door, put her lips to the keyhole and blew out the lock. She stepped quietly inside. The Colonel was already there. She took him in her strong arms and kissed him fiercely on the prune can immediately above the words, `Contains no preservatives'. He snuggled close to her and gurgled tinnily. She took his hand and together they walked along the narrow catwalk towards the submarines.
Snow White patted the Luger inside her armpit, and sniffed cautiously at the outgoing tide. There wouldn't be much time, she thought. She bent down and bit throught the first cable with her powerful teeth and watched the grey hull sink slowly out of sight into the mud.
She looked around her. It was almost dark now, and the Colonel appeared to be asleep. She smiled grimly as she scrabbled among the barnacles, searching for the second cable. Suddenly, without warning, a blinding light flashed into her eyes, and a suave, unctuous voice broke the silence: `Weaner rup this sprogram to bring you an important annancement from the Sinny Cricket Grand. New South Wiles are arlat for three unren twen yite.' The menacing voice chilled her, and her hand gripped the Luger. `The forecast for tomorrow is for scadded shares and Sathie's twins. An now we return you to this chewdio.' There was a click, then silence. Once more she was in darkness.
She was alone now; the Colonel had disappeared. At last she found the second cable and sank her teeth into the steel. The oily water closed over the last of the wharves. Her mission was completed.
Through a little window in the wrist of her black rubber frogwoman's suit she saw that it was only two hours since she had left the Colonel's office. She felt her way through the dark hut to the doorway, and out into the chill, mountain air. She carefully adjusted her skates, pulled out from the kerb and made for the centre-line of the road.
She smiled gently in the darkness, and switched on her tail-light. It was, she thought as she spat out a few shreds of cable, good - she paused and lit a cigar - to be - as James would say - alive.
November 3, 2022
Snow White is one of my favorite fairy tales, even though it doesn't involve fairies but instead witches and hexes. The illustrations are gorgeous and the story is very well told.
June 24, 2023
✩ 3.75 stars
~
the mirror is such a gossip
~
the mirror is such a gossip
April 13, 2018
Of course the pictures are gorgeous. I love the individual dwarfs, especially. But really, the more I think about this, the more I get exasperated with the tale. SW is pretty, but stupid. (Fool me once....) And the prince loves her before he even sees her breathe, promises her marriage before knowing anything about her expect that her appeal will fade in just a few years....
March 24, 2025
As much as I loved Disney's animated retelling of this story, I found the original much more interesting. I really would love to know about the history behind these dark fairy tales, and how they were created among people.
November 19, 2016
Snow-White has to flee when the evil queen realizes that she is more beautiful than her and wants to kill her.
The Grimm version had some surprises.
It was something weird about the dwarves obsession with Snow-White. The transparent coffin, which enabled them to look at her from all sides, was strange. She was on display. The prince who found the coffin wanted her, and when he promised the dwarves that he would honor and prize her as his dearest possession, they gave her to him. She was always a property of men. First of her father, the king, then of the dwarves, and then of the prince. When she woke up, the prince told her that he loved her, which is not very possible since they had just met, and then he wanted to marry her, and she accepted instantly and thereby left her friends.
As usual, there is no sisterhood in faith tales. The women are jealous, competing with their beauty, because it defines them. The huntsman had pity on Snow-White and the prince fell in love with her because she was beautiful. The queen was jealous of Snow-White because she felt threatened by her. Beauty meant power, and soon, she would loose it. She realized she was getting old, which made her worthless. Comparing herself with a seven year old girl might be odd, but it shows how difficult it was for women back then. Youth and beauty were necessary, and the queen was probably not older than twenty, twenty-five years old, and still had to compete with a child. She was insecure, murderous and fought to maintain her power, which was impossible since everyone ages. She blamed Snow-White for that, but someday Snow-White would be in a similar situation. There must have been much jealousy back then, when youth and beauty were very important and decided a woman's value.
If not thinking about the extreme parts of the story, it might be a lesson to women not to be jealous, but to accept their destiny, be kind and not fight for power. The queen's punishment was harsh.
Snow-White was only a child, and ran away. One can't expect her to fight back, especially not when her enemy was the queen. However, it would have been wonderful if her father would protect her. As usual in fairy tales, the fathers are absent. He seems not to bother at all about his daughter being gone, or perhaps he hasn't even noticed. Fortunately, he didn't need to protect her. The queen could not kill a seven year old. That is not believable. She should have simply shot her, as she ordered the huntsman.
Fairy tales are beautiful and mysterious, but I think it is important to interpret and question some of the content. Fairy tales reveal much about the time they were written in. Women were born into a life of possibilities, if they were beautiful, served and pleased men, or a life in poverty, if not being beautiful. Regardless, they were limited, depended on men to define them and decide their destiny. Fairy tales really portray the situation, and also describe the only way for women to getting a somewhat better life.
The Grimm version had some surprises.
It was something weird about the dwarves obsession with Snow-White. The transparent coffin, which enabled them to look at her from all sides, was strange. She was on display. The prince who found the coffin wanted her, and when he promised the dwarves that he would honor and prize her as his dearest possession, they gave her to him. She was always a property of men. First of her father, the king, then of the dwarves, and then of the prince. When she woke up, the prince told her that he loved her, which is not very possible since they had just met, and then he wanted to marry her, and she accepted instantly and thereby left her friends.
As usual, there is no sisterhood in faith tales. The women are jealous, competing with their beauty, because it defines them. The huntsman had pity on Snow-White and the prince fell in love with her because she was beautiful. The queen was jealous of Snow-White because she felt threatened by her. Beauty meant power, and soon, she would loose it. She realized she was getting old, which made her worthless. Comparing herself with a seven year old girl might be odd, but it shows how difficult it was for women back then. Youth and beauty were necessary, and the queen was probably not older than twenty, twenty-five years old, and still had to compete with a child. She was insecure, murderous and fought to maintain her power, which was impossible since everyone ages. She blamed Snow-White for that, but someday Snow-White would be in a similar situation. There must have been much jealousy back then, when youth and beauty were very important and decided a woman's value.
If not thinking about the extreme parts of the story, it might be a lesson to women not to be jealous, but to accept their destiny, be kind and not fight for power. The queen's punishment was harsh.
Snow-White was only a child, and ran away. One can't expect her to fight back, especially not when her enemy was the queen. However, it would have been wonderful if her father would protect her. As usual in fairy tales, the fathers are absent. He seems not to bother at all about his daughter being gone, or perhaps he hasn't even noticed. Fortunately, he didn't need to protect her. The queen could not kill a seven year old. That is not believable. She should have simply shot her, as she ordered the huntsman.
Fairy tales are beautiful and mysterious, but I think it is important to interpret and question some of the content. Fairy tales reveal much about the time they were written in. Women were born into a life of possibilities, if they were beautiful, served and pleased men, or a life in poverty, if not being beautiful. Regardless, they were limited, depended on men to define them and decide their destiny. Fairy tales really portray the situation, and also describe the only way for women to getting a somewhat better life.
August 30, 2018
Snow White
Non-review rant
I have read in Urdu and then English. Have read many re-tellings as well. Why haven't I reviewed it yet? This time, it was an audiobooks.
Review
Well, the story is so widely known that I don't really need to write anything about that. It is a cute story though - making me wany my complexion white as a snow and lips red as blood. Ahem!
Verdict
3 stars. I would have rated 5 if I was decades younger ;-)
Non-review rant
I have read in Urdu and then English. Have read many re-tellings as well. Why haven't I reviewed it yet? This time, it was an audiobooks.
Review
Well, the story is so widely known that I don't really need to write anything about that. It is a cute story though - making me wany my complexion white as a snow and lips red as blood. Ahem!
Verdict
3 stars. I would have rated 5 if I was decades younger ;-)
September 14, 2020
4.75 so far my favorite illustrated edition. It would have been sealed with a last illustration of snow white as a queen. Otherwise all the details of the illustrations were just dark and superb! Even the size and thickness were great. Loved it.
September 26, 2011
I have fond memories as a small child, curled on my mothers lap as she read me this book. It has long been my favoured telling of Snow White. (Though admittedly the only other tellings I have read were a Disney version and a couple of other versions where only the apple was featured.)
I love the illustrations by Trina Schart Hyman. They are a little bit darker than other versions, which I find a bonus. There is no busty babe in a brightly coloured coloured princess cut puffy sleeved dressed. The Prince is rugged and bearded. The Queen is beautiful in a terrible way.
I love that there was no kiss to waken her. Whilst it is incredibly creepy that the Prince falls so in love with a dead girl that he carries her off in her coffin to be with him always, I kind of like the ick factor. I really hate the prettying up of folk and fairytales.( though when I say prettying up I mean the Walt Disney dilution, where in our children are such precious flowers the stories should never be creepy beyond a that is bad and this is good generalisation where the good guys always win.)
I always disliked the Disney version where the Queen falls of the cliff and dies, how convenient, neat and tidy that is. I much prefer the iron slippers ending.
*again, this is being re-read due to our fairytale unit.
NB: Goodreads has my edition marked as an ebook. Mine is in fact a hard cover book. The illustration for the cover art shown here, is the cover art on my edition. I couldn't find a hard cover book edition with that cover on Goodreads. (Couldn't find a paperback cover either.)
I love the illustrations by Trina Schart Hyman. They are a little bit darker than other versions, which I find a bonus. There is no busty babe in a brightly coloured coloured princess cut puffy sleeved dressed. The Prince is rugged and bearded. The Queen is beautiful in a terrible way.
I love that there was no kiss to waken her. Whilst it is incredibly creepy that the Prince falls so in love with a dead girl that he carries her off in her coffin to be with him always, I kind of like the ick factor. I really hate the prettying up of folk and fairytales.( though when I say prettying up I mean the Walt Disney dilution, where in our children are such precious flowers the stories should never be creepy beyond a that is bad and this is good generalisation where the good guys always win.)
I always disliked the Disney version where the Queen falls of the cliff and dies, how convenient, neat and tidy that is. I much prefer the iron slippers ending.
*again, this is being re-read due to our fairytale unit.
NB: Goodreads has my edition marked as an ebook. Mine is in fact a hard cover book. The illustration for the cover art shown here, is the cover art on my edition. I couldn't find a hard cover book edition with that cover on Goodreads. (Couldn't find a paperback cover either.)
December 11, 2009
Recommended for grades 2nd-4th
This edition of the “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”, is much, much darker than the Disney version that most people my age have grown up with. The Queen repeatedly asks the mirror on the wall,” Mirror, mirror on the wall, Who is the fairest of us all?” She had always received the answer she wanted, until Snow White turned seven, and the mirror has to answer truethfully says, “Snow White”. This enrages the Queen and she turned green with envy, then commands that Snow White be brought to her “lung and liver as a token”.
The illustrations in this version of “Snow White”, are large and take up one entire page. They are very detailed, but dark in color. I believe this was done to symbolize the Queens intentions for Snow White. I thought the style in which the text was written was very interesting. On some pages the text takes up the entire page or even two, with no illustration and on other pages there may only be one paragragh. The text may be a little challenging for a 2nd grade student, but with a little help should be able to enjoy this book.
I would use this book in Language Arts class to compare different version of the same story. I think that this would be a good way to expand the minds of 3rd graders and give them a sense that most fair tales do not originally come from Disney and many of them are very dark in comparison. I really enjoyed this book and gave it a 5 out of 5.
This edition of the “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”, is much, much darker than the Disney version that most people my age have grown up with. The Queen repeatedly asks the mirror on the wall,” Mirror, mirror on the wall, Who is the fairest of us all?” She had always received the answer she wanted, until Snow White turned seven, and the mirror has to answer truethfully says, “Snow White”. This enrages the Queen and she turned green with envy, then commands that Snow White be brought to her “lung and liver as a token”.
The illustrations in this version of “Snow White”, are large and take up one entire page. They are very detailed, but dark in color. I believe this was done to symbolize the Queens intentions for Snow White. I thought the style in which the text was written was very interesting. On some pages the text takes up the entire page or even two, with no illustration and on other pages there may only be one paragragh. The text may be a little challenging for a 2nd grade student, but with a little help should be able to enjoy this book.
I would use this book in Language Arts class to compare different version of the same story. I think that this would be a good way to expand the minds of 3rd graders and give them a sense that most fair tales do not originally come from Disney and many of them are very dark in comparison. I really enjoyed this book and gave it a 5 out of 5.
September 17, 2020
I have the complete set of the Grimm Fairy-Tales, and there are so many that I haven’t read! They are very short, as one would know, so I have decided to read each one and give them a review. Some are very vulgar, some are very cute and some don’t even make sense. Some of them are well known fairy-tales and some have never been told. Some are fairy-tales we know but are not the same because they have been downplayed for the children.
Starts out like the story everyone knows and loves.
But did you know the evil queen first tried to poison Snow White with a poisonous comb? SO she puts it in her hair, and dies. Then the seven dwarves come back and take it out of her hair, and she’s okay.
So THEN the evil apple situation happens.
And THEN the queen dances herself to death.
This story is very much more interesting.
Starts out like the story everyone knows and loves.
But did you know the evil queen first tried to poison Snow White with a poisonous comb? SO she puts it in her hair, and dies. Then the seven dwarves come back and take it out of her hair, and she’s okay.
So THEN the evil apple situation happens.
And THEN the queen dances herself to death.
This story is very much more interesting.
February 8, 2017
Trina Hyman does lovely work on this faithful retelling of Snow White. I particularly like the details and the use of chiaroscuro.
Needless to say Snow White does not look seven years old, as the text claims she is -- especially not in the last scene, where the prince asks her to marry him. But then, no illustrator ever does. (Even if they don't make her grow up between the queen's visits, which would make more sense.) Especially since here, as in Sleeping Beauty, the prince definitely looks like a mature man.
Needless to say Snow White does not look seven years old, as the text claims she is -- especially not in the last scene, where the prince asks her to marry him. But then, no illustrator ever does. (Even if they don't make her grow up between the queen's visits, which would make more sense.) Especially since here, as in Sleeping Beauty, the prince definitely looks like a mature man.
June 22, 2020
This is a beautifully rendered version of Snow White. The prose really evokes emotion and the magic and wonder of the tale. Snow White really goes through a harrowing journey, but we always get our happy ending.
What really brings this edition to life are the illustrations. Trina Hyman's work is not overly vibrant, it is understated, but all the more beautiful for it. Soft colors, and smooth textures bring a calm sense to the story.
Beautiful edition.
What really brings this edition to life are the illustrations. Trina Hyman's work is not overly vibrant, it is understated, but all the more beautiful for it. Soft colors, and smooth textures bring a calm sense to the story.
Beautiful edition.
June 25, 2021
We have many illustrated versions of Snow White but the artwork in this is my favorite (spot the little shrine to the Blessed Virgin Mary and Child!). The ending is very different to what I grew up with though so I’m not sure how I feel about that.
June 3, 2021
Beautifully illustrated!
June 23, 2019
The book that not only made me a Trina Schart Hyman fan but also convinced me to give this Grimm tale another chance, as I wasn't always interested in it.
August 15, 2015
Lol I feel nostalgic remembering my childhood when my mom used to read me this and puss in boots and so many more..
March 19, 2019
This is a picture book adaptation of the fairy tale "Snow White," using a translation of the original Grimm text.
Because of the text's more mature content, this book is best suited for older readers. The illustrations by Trina Schart Hyman are rich and layered, done in a combination of pencil, pen and ink, acrylic, pastels, and crayons. There is a lot of bonus content in the details.
A queen wishes she had a child "as white as snow, as red as blood, and as black as ebony." Her wish is granted, and a daughter, whom she names Snow White, is born to her, but the tragic queen dies shortly after childbirth. This is both a reflection of the high maternal mortality rate in the olden days and a plot device to get her conveniently out of the way.
Snow White's step-mother is every dying mother's and surviving child's nightmare. Not only does she not love her step-daughter as her own, but she is cruel, jealous, vain, vindictive, and heartless. She is obsessed with being the most beautiful woman in the world and possesses a magic mirror to ensure this end. Naturally, Snow White surpasses her in beauty as soon as she comes of age, which drives her step-mother to want to kill her. "Envy and pride grew ever stronger, like weeds in the Queen's heart, and she could no longer rest, neither night nor day."
Snow White escapes the first time through the pity of the huntsman ordered to kill her and finds refuge with the seven dwarves. Once her step-mother discovers she is still alive, she uses her magic to disguise herself and makes three more attempts on her life first with a corset lacing, second with a poisoned comb, and finally with a poisoned apple. Snow White fails to learn the lesson trick me once shame on you; trick me twice shame on me and falls for her step-mother's trick each time.
The dwarves are unable to bury her in the ground because of her beauty and their grief at her death, so they lay her to rest in a glass coffin. A king's son happens by some years later and falls in love with her, which I always found slightly unnerving even as a child. He convinces the dwarves to deliver Snow White into his care, and when the servants carrying the coffin stumble, the piece of poisoned apple is dislodged from her throat, and Snow White awakens.
She and the prince are married, and they invite Snow White's step-mother who is in a total rage at having been dethroned as the most beautiful by the unknown bride. When she arrives at the wedding, they force her to put on hot iron shoes and dance until she falls down dead.
The entire story revolves around the subject of commercial beauty and physical attractiveness. The obvious moral is that envy and jealousy will lead to one's downfall, which is illustrated by the queen's/step-mother's story line. The story also demonstrates how beauty is only skin deep as the queen is beautiful but wicked and pretty is as pretty does as Snow White is both virtuous and beautiful.
But there is also a lot of moral ambiguity in the treatment of beauty throughout the entire story. While "Snow White" says on one hand that beauty isn't everything, it ironically demonstrates the importance of beauty on the other. Research in social psychology has actually proven that physical attractiveness gives a person a distinct advantage in life, and the story provides numerous examples of this.
It is Snow White's beauty that repeatedly saves her. First, the huntsman is moved by her beauty, which prompts him to spare her. "And since she was so beautiful, the hunter had pity on her ..." Then the dwarves are struck by her beauty, which causes them to become her protectors and benefactors. "'How beautiful the child is,' they cried out." Again, it is her beauty that prevents her from being buried in the ground to rot and instead preserved in a glass coffin. "Then they wanted to bury her, but she seemed fresh and alive and still had beautiful red cheeks. The dwarfs said, 'We cannot bury her in the dark earth,' and had a coffin made of glass so she could be seen from all sides ..." Her story filled the prince with pity, but it is her beauty that makes him fall in love with her and carry her body home to be enshrined in his own kingdom. "'I cannot live without seeing Snow White.'" If Snow White were ugly, and her step-mother was jealous of her due to her claim to the throne, then the story would have gone quite differently.
Because of the text's more mature content, this book is best suited for older readers. The illustrations by Trina Schart Hyman are rich and layered, done in a combination of pencil, pen and ink, acrylic, pastels, and crayons. There is a lot of bonus content in the details.
A queen wishes she had a child "as white as snow, as red as blood, and as black as ebony." Her wish is granted, and a daughter, whom she names Snow White, is born to her, but the tragic queen dies shortly after childbirth. This is both a reflection of the high maternal mortality rate in the olden days and a plot device to get her conveniently out of the way.
Snow White's step-mother is every dying mother's and surviving child's nightmare. Not only does she not love her step-daughter as her own, but she is cruel, jealous, vain, vindictive, and heartless. She is obsessed with being the most beautiful woman in the world and possesses a magic mirror to ensure this end. Naturally, Snow White surpasses her in beauty as soon as she comes of age, which drives her step-mother to want to kill her. "Envy and pride grew ever stronger, like weeds in the Queen's heart, and she could no longer rest, neither night nor day."
Snow White escapes the first time through the pity of the huntsman ordered to kill her and finds refuge with the seven dwarves. Once her step-mother discovers she is still alive, she uses her magic to disguise herself and makes three more attempts on her life first with a corset lacing, second with a poisoned comb, and finally with a poisoned apple. Snow White fails to learn the lesson trick me once shame on you; trick me twice shame on me and falls for her step-mother's trick each time.
The dwarves are unable to bury her in the ground because of her beauty and their grief at her death, so they lay her to rest in a glass coffin. A king's son happens by some years later and falls in love with her, which I always found slightly unnerving even as a child. He convinces the dwarves to deliver Snow White into his care, and when the servants carrying the coffin stumble, the piece of poisoned apple is dislodged from her throat, and Snow White awakens.
She and the prince are married, and they invite Snow White's step-mother who is in a total rage at having been dethroned as the most beautiful by the unknown bride. When she arrives at the wedding, they force her to put on hot iron shoes and dance until she falls down dead.
The entire story revolves around the subject of commercial beauty and physical attractiveness. The obvious moral is that envy and jealousy will lead to one's downfall, which is illustrated by the queen's/step-mother's story line. The story also demonstrates how beauty is only skin deep as the queen is beautiful but wicked and pretty is as pretty does as Snow White is both virtuous and beautiful.
But there is also a lot of moral ambiguity in the treatment of beauty throughout the entire story. While "Snow White" says on one hand that beauty isn't everything, it ironically demonstrates the importance of beauty on the other. Research in social psychology has actually proven that physical attractiveness gives a person a distinct advantage in life, and the story provides numerous examples of this.
It is Snow White's beauty that repeatedly saves her. First, the huntsman is moved by her beauty, which prompts him to spare her. "And since she was so beautiful, the hunter had pity on her ..." Then the dwarves are struck by her beauty, which causes them to become her protectors and benefactors. "'How beautiful the child is,' they cried out." Again, it is her beauty that prevents her from being buried in the ground to rot and instead preserved in a glass coffin. "Then they wanted to bury her, but she seemed fresh and alive and still had beautiful red cheeks. The dwarfs said, 'We cannot bury her in the dark earth,' and had a coffin made of glass so she could be seen from all sides ..." Her story filled the prince with pity, but it is her beauty that makes him fall in love with her and carry her body home to be enshrined in his own kingdom. "'I cannot live without seeing Snow White.'" If Snow White were ugly, and her step-mother was jealous of her due to her claim to the throne, then the story would have gone quite differently.
April 17, 2019
I remember growing up listening to this story told by my mother, of course not THAT one, the disney much much lighter version, I learned before reading that the original tale is very dark, it is also said that in the original story it was Snow white's mother and not stepmother who did all this because she hated growing old and losing her beauty while snow white was blossoming into what the mother used to be, the story discusses the impact of pride and envy and how they eat your soul day by day, and also how extreme beauty isn't always a blessing as everyone thinks and your life won't be better just because you're pretties but in fact your beauty may result in a lot of trouble, I actually enjoyed it despite how fucked up all the characters was (literally the only decent ones there were the 7 dwarfs?) like in the end snow white's revenge upon her stepmother was gruesome.
August 31, 2019
So why exactly did the prince see a little girl lying in the woods and decide to take her with him?? What was he going to do with her presumedly dead body??? I'm scared??
August 22, 2020
The cover!
December 18, 2020
Beautiful illustrations, it feels strange to think I haven’t read all the classics for the Disney movies I grew up on. Snow White was definitely naive. Don’t really have anything else to say lol.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 242 reviews