Thumbelina

by Brian Pinkney, Hans Christian Andersen

Thumbelina
is no bigger
than your thumb!
Thumbelina is content to spend her days rowing in a boat made from a tulip petal and sleeping in a cradle made from a polished walnut shell. Then one horrible night a toad kidnaps her, and she is tossed from one wretched adventure to another.

Will Thumbelina be forced to marry the toad's son or spend her days deep underground with a rich mole? Only her steadfast kindness and bravery and the help of some loyal friends will lead Thumbelina to true love.

Two-time Caldecott Honor artist Brian Pinkney's adaptation of the classic tale vividly captures the dramatic journey and quiet strength of Hans Christian Andersen's tiny heroine.

Genres: Picture Books, Fairy Tales, Childrens, African American

40 pages, Library Binding

First published September 1, 2003

About the author

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, (Jerry) Brian Pinkney was raised in an artistic household. "My two brothers and sister and I played musical instruments, and we were always drawing, painting, or building things," the illustrator once recalled of his childhood. While his mother, children's book author Gloria Jean Pinkney, would inspire all her children with a love of reading, it would be his father, illustrator Jerry Pinkney, who would serve as a mentor to young Brian. "I did everything he did," Pinkney would later admit. "My desk was a miniature version of his desk. The paintbrushes and pencils I used were often the ones from his studio that were too old or too small for him to use. I had a paint set like his and a studio like his. Except my studio was a walk-in closet, which made it the perfect size for me."

Read more: http://www.answers.com/topic/jerry-br...

According to the book back flap, he has played the drums since he was eight years old. He still keeps a set of drumsticks in his studio where, when resting from his illustrations, he sometimes taps out rhythms on the back of his chair.

With his wife, writer Andrea Davis Pinkney, he makes his home in Brooklyn NY.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thumbelina, illustrated by Brian Pinkney.

Hans Christian Andersen's classic tale of a tiny girl - no bigger than a thumb - is considerably abridged in this adaptation by Brian Pinkney - winner of the Coretta Scott King Medal for In the Time of the Drums , and two-time recipient of a Caldecott Honor. In this retelling, the characters are of African, rather than European extraction, although no culturally specific details are given to anchor the story to a particular place. Like the original, this is a tale set in "fairy-land," and the storyteller (and reader) is free to imagine them as she wishes.

Unfortunately, although Pinkney's artwork is lovely, the narrative has been so watered down that the result is a bland, uninteresting copy of the original. In this version, the conversation in which Mole and Mouse discuss the chirping of the birds, their foolish devotion to song, has been omitted, condensed to Mole's single comment: "What a misfortune to be born a bird!" Whereas Mouse threatens to bite Thumbelina with her "sharp teeth" in the original, when informed of the tiny girl's reluctance to marry Mole, her response in Pinkney's adaptation is a mild "Come, come, you are lucky to have him."

The cumulative effect of these and other changes, is a story in which all the bite, all the danger, and all the grotesquery that gave the original such power, has been suppressed. Even Pinkney's lovely artwork, with its beautifully vivid palette, cannot save such a text!

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Refreshing to see chocolate-colored skin on the human and fae characters (though to refer to them as African-American is silly; if anything they're Danish (though of African descent) as Andersen was Danish). Pinkney's retelling is a little dry, but at least he does give cover credit to Andersen (so many other illustrators of the stories don't). I recommend reading the original (avl online at places like gutenberg.org) while looking at these bright & pretty pictures.

My only complaint is that there's nothing African about setting, but that would have been a major adaptation as the swallow, mole, winter, etc. are so key to the original. Oh, and you might want to know that this art style isn't what Jerry Pinkney is more famous for... I think I need to look into the different works by Brian and Jerry....

[Stacy Renee (LazyDayLit) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The classic story paired with beautiful illustrations.

Read for B&R-1st.

[Wilhelmina Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful rendition of an old favorite. In these beautiful illustrations, the characters are African American.

[Amy Layton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brian Pinkney retells Thumbelina beautifully, and creates incredible illustrations for it.  It's a sweet story, emotional, but it's a story that I was never invested in as a child, which is why I'm ultimately giving it 4 stars.  I think if I was really nostalgic about it, I'd give it a 5, but because I never really read it or watched it as a kid, I'm a little more objective about things.  Like the fact that we never see her mother again.  I mean, maybe it's just me, but if I was constantly subjected to horrific engagements as those for a year or so, I'd just want to go back home instead of happening upon a prince.  I don't know, maybe it's just that not seeing her mother again made the story feel incomplete.  Also, because I've literally never heard any other versions, I cannot say whether this is my favorite adaptation/retelling or not.  But no worries!

Despite that first paragraph, I do really think this is a great picturebook.  It's totally perfect for kids, especially when introducing them to some lesser known fairy tales (folk tales?).  Pinkney's illustration composition and colors are beautiful, and his text has great pacing to it.  This is definitely worth a read to your kids.

Review cross-listed here!

[Marcia Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Thumbelina
Author: Retold and illustrated by Brian Pinkney
Published in New York by Green Willow Books, 2003

Pickney, a Caldecott Honor Book award winning illustrator, retells the story of Thumbelina, a miniscule girl who was stolen from her mother by a toad and whisked away to become the bride of the toad’s son. Through the kindness of several animals, Thumbelina finds herself twice narrowly escaping marriage to creatures that fall in love with her. Despite desperate and unfortunate misadventures, Thumbelina’s kindness to a dying sparrow saves her from a life of what would have been a tortuous marriage to a mole who would have taken this sun-loving maiden to live with him underground. Eventually, she meets her prince and the happily ever after happens.

This version of the traditional Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale is beautifully illustrated with vibrant and brilliant illustrations that come alive with vivid color schemes. This fantasy tale of a girl as small as a thumb, whisked away on adventures and finally meeting her prince amongst the flower people boggles the imagination. The traditional motifs of a kind and submissive maiden, a handsome prince, weaving cloth, and evil creatures are present in this traditional tale. Universal themes of kindness in spite of desperate circumstances, and love conquering evil are present in this simple and beautifully told children’s story.

[Mae · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Ibrieal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very sweet and emotional book. There are many themes in this book like love, marriage, and self-confidence. I would recommend this book for small children.

[Shahd Rdawi]

Nice colors

[Maeve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brian Pinkney's rendition of Hans Christian Andersen's Thumbelina.

[Villain E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tells the original, dated story of Thumbelina, who gets lost in the woods and is pressured marry a mole because there are no better options. The sketchy computer art was not to my taste.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based on Anderson's tale, it's abridged, but the faster pace may be better for younger readers.

[Kayla MacQueen]

Title: Thumbelina
Author: Hans Christian Andersen Retold by Brian Pinkney
Illustrator: Brian Pinkney
Genre: European Folktale
Theme(s): Love, Marriage, and standing up for oneself
Opening line/sentence: “A woman who longed for a tiny child once asked an old lady for help. The old lady sold the woman a magic seed. Soon after the woman planted it, a beautiful, tightly curled blossom grew. Delighted, the woman kissed the petals, and the flower burst open. In its center sat a tiny girl.”
Brief Book Summary: A tiny girl named Thumbelina’s journey starts when she is kidnapped by a toad to marry its child. Thumbelina escapes from the toads and is taken in by a hospitable field mouse and is promised to marry a mole she does not love. After spending the summer planning the wedding, Thumbelina is carried away by a sparrow she saved in the winter and is taken to a land where there are other little people like her. She marries the king of the little people and live happily ever after.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:Phyllis Kennemer, Ph.D. (Children's Literature):
Thumbelina enjoys rowing her tulip petal boat in a bowl of water and sleeping in a polished walnut shell. But one night while she is sleeping a toad steals her away with the intent of having her for a daughter-in-law. Thumbelina escapes that fate with the help of some fish and a butterfly, only to find herself lost in the woods. A kindly field mouse takes her in when winter arrives and then begins planning for Thumbelina to marry her neighbor, the mole. A bird that Thumbelina has befriended saves her just in time and flies her to a beautiful field of flowers. The flower people welcome her and the flower king asks her to be his bride. Charming, full-color illustrations fill the pages. Thumbelina's small size is accentuated as she is shown tiny and dainty next the frog, the mouse, and the mole. These lovely illustrations bring new life to this familiar tale
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Colene Hoermann (The Lorgnette - Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 16, No. 2)) :Brian Pinkney, as always, has produced a beautiful and fascinating retelling of this old fairy tale. Thumbelina, a girl no bigger than your thumb, has exciting adventures because so many of the animals want her for their wife. Thumbelina came from a magic seed given to her mother by an old woman. She has many adventures until she is rescued by a butterfly and finds a home among the flower people. The illustrations are done in primary colors, which capture the forest and the animals in it and will appeal to children of all ages, including the adults who are reading it to children. Children in third grade and above will enjoy the story. Younger children may need some explanations about kidnapping and marriage customs.
Response to Two Professional Reviews: Both of the reviews pointed out the illustrations and how well done and charming they were. I agree with the second reviewer when they mentioned about younger children needing explanations on kidnapping and marriage customs. Neither reviewer had a bad word to say about the story, which was something I could relate to.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: I liked this version of the story and the way it was told and illustrated. I wasn’t all too familiar with this tale before I read the book but after reading it I did some research to find the tale written by Hans Christian Anderson and I think the author of this book did a good job at keeping the essence of the story alive in his retelling. I also felt the illustrations did the story justice and enhanced the experience of reading this book.
Consideration of Instructional Application: I would definitely use this book with older students if we are studying folklore and different tales from different areas of the world. I could also do reader’s theater with this story and have the students act out the story. We could even do some research into the different versions of this story and start doing some critical literacy activities.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Picture Book - Fairy Tale
Ages: 9-12
Awards: X

Thumbelina is a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale that has been retold and illustrated by Brian Pinkney. The sweet story is about a tiny girl named Thumbelina. A woman wanting a child receives a magic seed from an old woman. The seed becomes a blossom with a tiny girl inside. One day, the tiny girl is taken by a toad who wants a wife for her son. With the help of some fish and a butterfly, Thumbelina escapes from the toads. Then, she is picked up by a June bug, but his friends think she is ugly so he lets her go. Thumbelina fends for herself outdoors until the winter. When winter comes, she asks a field mouse for food and shelter. The field mouse introduces her to rich mole that lives next door. The mole secretly loves Thumbelina. During a walk in the tunnels, the three find a dead swallow. The mole kicks it. Later, Thumbelina weaves a blanket for the swallow, and she realizes that the bird is not dead, only cold. She nurses it back to health. When spring comes, the swallow is strong enough to leave, and he wants Thumbelina to come with him. She does not go because she does not want to upset the field mouse. Thumbelina learns that the mole wants to marry her, so she must work on her wedding clothes. Before she ties the knot, she takes one last look at the world above ground. To her surprise, the swallow arrives and asks her to go with him. This time, she accepts. The swallow takes Thumbelina to a flower field where tiny people like her live. She marries the king and becomes the queen of the flower people. The swallow nests under the window of a writer and tells him Thumbelina’s story. The illustrations are colored inks on clay board. The author/illustrator has won awards, including the Caldecott, for his work on other books.

Activities:
1.Teacher and students will Pantomime. The teacher and students will give each other scenes from the story to act out.
2.Students will create a Trailer. The students will storyboard or narrate the scenes from the story.

[Jennifer Lanman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a story about a girl who is as tiny as a thumb. A lady longed for a child and Thumbelina was a magical child. She has many struggles along the way when she gets kidnapped by a frog. She ends up marrying someone just like her and she lives happily ever after! I liked the illustrations because it was bright watercolors. There were many animals and pretty scenery like nature. I would use this for read aloud fairytale. It has a moral lesson that you might be different from a lot of people but you're not alone and there will always be people that are similar to you. Used for students in 3rd or 4th grade.

[Goshen PL Childrens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Original nomination suggestion: "Because it's so great. It's a good book. It's surprising when Thumbelina doesn't know the bird is still alive."

Miss Laura: I really enjoyed the beautiful pictures from Brian Pinkney! (4 stars) But, seriously, I forgot how creepy Thumbelina is as a fairy tale. (1 star) When I was reading I kept thinking it couldn't get creepier but it did. Pinkney made up for some of the creepiness of the story by making all the pictures full of movement and bright colors. So, if you have to read Thumbelina, I would read Brian Pinkney's version! Otherwise, I wouldn't want to read Thumbelina again.

Read for Storytime Express April 6 & 7 2016.
Theme: Fairy Tales- Tiny Tales

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book are beautiful, and I was very happy to see Thumbelina portrayed as something other than a pale-skinned blonde girl! This is a retelling of an old fairy tale, but some things about it still bother me. For instance, the whole story revolves around the girl escaping unwelcome marriages and finally finding the right one, as though that is all a girl is good for. Also, Thumbelina has no agency in avoiding the unwanted marriages. Last, does she not care that her mother has had no idea where she's been or if she is safe this whole time?!? Again, I know this is an old fairy tale, but this version was published in 2003 and could have used some modernizing.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has lovely, bright pictures. The story is told simply and fairly well, if a little slow. My sons really enjoyed it and wanted to read it again. My 5-yr-old especially loved it.

On a different note though, I just wanted to smack Thumbelina for not standing up for herself sooner. Egads.

A nice retelling of a classic and one that benefits from great illustrations.

[Marcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thumbelina finished off our unit on "little folk" in folklore. The story is enchanting and well-loved, if mostly familiar to the K-2s. This version is illustrated by Brian Pinkney who gives our heroine a bit of color which is a nice change from the usual pale white fairy tale characters. The longing for a child is a common theme amongst this category of stories.

[Holly · Rating 1 out of 5]

So sexist. It is another tale of a beeyoooteeeful girl who all the grodey dudes are trying to force into marriage. And she decides to marry a king, of course, since she is so beautiful that she "deserves" a rich and powerful husband, and she decides this as soon as she merely SEES him because he is handsome. Bad for kids on so many levels.

[Meltha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pinkney tells a good, solid version of Thumbelina here, not leaving any plot holes but condensing the story from Andersen's gorgeous, but admittedly sometimes difficult to read, text. The illustrations are bright, cheerful, and fun, and the idea of changing the non-animal characters to African Americans works just fine. Very pretty book.

[J-Lynn Van Pelt · Rating 3 out of 5]

A shortened retelling of Thumbelina, but the illustrations show a light-skinned Black miniature girl instead of the typical White depiction. However, the culture of the story has not been changed. For those who love the classic fairy tales, this provides a new look.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This deserves a 3.5, in my opinion, but the low rating has more to do with the tale than the illustrations. Thumbelina moves from fiance to fiance so flippantly. I absolutely loved the gorgeous illustrations by Brad Pinkney.

[Robin Gassen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a retelling of the classic Thumbelina story. The illustrations are different in the fact that they are a little abstract. However the story is still a wonderful tale of adventure and a happily ever after.

[Edna Giesen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book for its beautiful, detailed illustration. The story itself focuses on the small details that make reading a joy. This book is great for children who want to improve fluency without introducing difficult vocabulary.

[Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

For whatever reason, Frank really loves the story of Thumbelina. I think this was a good version, with nice illustrations.

[Ms. D · Rating 2 out of 5]

This edition/version has a rather boring storyline, but I enjoyed the artwork.

[Hannah]

Lovely!

[Sam W · Rating 3 out of 5]

A retelling of the traditional Thumbelina, this time depicted with a darker skin tone.