Lovely illustrations in this edition! ( )

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This is the classic tale of Thumbelina being stolen away to be forced into marriage. First a mother toad stole her to marry her son and then a field mouse tried to get her to marry a mole. Thankfully with the help of a kind swallow Thumbelina is able to escape and finds a group of flower spirits. Really reflecting on the fairy tale makes me realize how strange this tale is and how strange it would sound to children that had not grown up with this tale. The illustrations are nice and seem to be watercolor which makes the images seem very soft and gentle like Thumbelina. ( )

When an old woman plants special seeds, a lovely flower grows with a small girl inside. One day while asleep, a not-so-nice toad steals Thumbelina from her home to be a bride for her son. She eventually ends up living with a field mouse for a year, who attempts to convince her to marry a mole. After escaping with a friendly swallow, she winds up next to a flower that housed a fairy prince, whom she agrees to marry.

This is a lovely retelling of the classic tale, with magical yet sweet illustrations by Adrienne Adams. I remember reading this particular edition from my childhood, but was enthralled anew reading it as an adult. A delightful book. ( )