The Illustrated Treasury of Classic Children's Stories: Featuring 14 Classic Children's Books Illustrated by Charles Santore, acclaimed illustrator (A ... Art) (Charles Santore Children's Classics)

The breath-taking artistry of Charles Santore has been displayed in museums. It is easy to see why. Santore belongs in a rare class, along with Greg HIlderbrant and C.Y. Craft. Craft, Hilderbrant and Santore are not "illustrators". They are Artists, whose work is powerful enough to turn our beloved fantasies into inspiring realities. Santore is definitely worthy of celebration, and this 563 pages Coffee Table Storybook collection is it!! Just call this: The Masterpiece Collection. Alongside beloved favorites, you'll find lesser known treasures like "The Silk Princess" from China. Santore varies his style and presentation depending on the story. This is wise, as the overall impact of this Treasury is as emotional as it is visual. Santore uses soft color palettes for "The Silk Princess" and the Tales of "Peter Rabbit" and his family. "Aesop's Fables", "The Night Before Christmas" and "Alice In Wonderland" all feature large gate-fold and/or fold-out panels, so handle with care. There is real heartbreak and pathos in Hans Christian Anderson's "The Little Mermaid" and Margery Williams' classic "The Velveteen Rabbit," and Santore's style and sensitivities compliments these stories perfectly. Santore emphasizes the darker aspects within "Snow White." After reading the original Grimms Brothers text of "Snow White" alongside Santore's artwork, you'll never look at Walt Disney's animated film version the same way again. The Treasury features the two most beloved fantasies of all time: Lewis Carroll's "Alice In Wonderland" and L. Frank Baum's "The Wizard Of Oz", and Santore, of course, rises to both occasions brilliantly. Santore, admirably, does not shy away from the bizarre and nightmarish aspects "In Wonderland." Baum's "Oz", is, of course, a much warmer and welcoming fantasy than Carroll's "Wonderland." "Oz" is also Santoro's tour-de-force in this collection. The adventures of Dorothy and friends come to life with a vibrant immediacy. This collection really deserves ten Stars. Cherish this Treasury forever.

My six year old grand daughter likes me to read to her when we Facetime. These stories are quite long but she enjoys them and the pictures which are full of details depicting the story. Since some of the stories take more than an hour to read when we explore the pictures for a third and even fourth time, it might take us more than one day to read the story. She is not old enough to read this by herself yet, and some of the words are more advanced than she knows but it is easy to explain. Also there are some scary parts but she doesn't seem to mind (and as I recall I didn't either at that age).

This book will definately be passed down from generation to generation. Classic and treasured books for any child is priceless.

A wonderful collection in one 6.6lb. book by a famous illustrator!!! I think a 9 yr old could read the text. I am reading it now. Such a perfect book with a ribbon marker. Would need support for it's weight but could be done with room for a child on one's lap.

It is such a beautiful book, and the price is a steal. I was torn between which Charles Santore books should I get, since each book is about $15 to $20. Now I can have them all! All 14 stories for less than $30. My kids and I are both drawn to the beautiful illustration, and they kept on asking me to read more pages. It is a heirloom piece for every kid who love classic story. Be aware it is a very heavy book.

Was looking for classic stories that I liked as a kid for my grandkids, ages 6 /2 and 3 1/2. They love stories during the day and at bedtime. Much better than staring at television or electronic devices. This book is big and heavy, but the illustrations and variety of stories make it worth it.

Absolutely beautiful book. 10 out of 10 would recommend. The pictures in this book are bright and vibrant! This is a very heavy book so don’t expect your little one carrying this by themselves.

This is a hefty book that will be a treasured family heirloom. The stories are not all meant for the youngest of audiences so parents flip ahead and be selective if reading for kids under 9. The illustrations are amazing.

Being a longtime Santore fan myself, I bought this anthology with aview to introducing my book-obsessed 2 1/2 year old son to the work of Santore when he was a little bit bigger. As it happens, I didn't need to wait - he was immediately captivated by the illustrations in what he (quite rightly) calls "the heavy book" and wanted to start on it straight away. He's particularly enjoying being read Snow White, The Night before Christmas and the Down the Rabbit Hole chapter of Alice in Wonderland. The pictures have to be seen to be believed -realistic, vibrant and detailed, the full colour spreads positively leap off the page. The book is absolutely massive, so won't fit on a normal bookshelf, but it doesn't need to - no one is going to allow something this beautiful to be taken off their coffee table. Astonishingly good value given the number of stories - target audience age probably 4-10, but it can appeal to younger children and even adults as well because of the incredible illustrations. If you buy one book this year, make it this one!

Posso solo dire una cosa: compratelo. Se amate le belle illustrazioni, se amate Santore, se amate i bei libri.È proprio un librone e stampato su carta pesante, i circa 3 kg direi che ci sono, io ho solo la mano sinistra funzionante e anche dolorante per il troppo lavoro e lo gestisco a fatica.Appena posso metto la lista delle storie.Come vedete dalle immagini in copertina, è una collezione di parecchi libri già pubblicati, con singole fiabe, più quello delle fiabe di Esopo.È arrivato incredibilmente con tutti gli angoli a posto, essendo cosí pesante non era facile. Sembra tutto ok, l'ho appena sfogliato.Ci sono parecchie tavole con pagine che si aprono, quindi a 2 o a 4 fogli.Le illustrazioni sono stupende, quelle di Babbo Natale, quelle di Alice che già possedevo, quelle di Peter rabbit...., quelle del mago di oz sono così belle che mi hanno commosso.Se lo mostrate a un bambino, è meglio metterlo in terra perchè è veramente pesante e se ti cade addosso fa male.È in Inglese, ma se anche uno non lo sa, vale lo stesso per le illustrazioni. A parte che la maggior parte sono fiabe conosciute.💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯

Compared to buying individual titles, this treasury is value for money taking into account the hardcover, sewn binding and glossy pages. It is also pretty heavy so I am concerned as to how the spine will support the weight of the book. When the book is held vertically up, the pages sag down. It is advisable to lay the book flat when reading to avoid tearing the spine accidentally.Stories are mostly children's classics and illustrations are beautiful.This has nothing to do with the writer or publisher, but my copy came with some folded pages which was disappointing. But it was too much hassle to return.

This book is exquisite. Something that my grandson will enjoy for many years to come and hopefully be able to pass on to his children. The illustrations are beautiful and timeless. So very happy with this.

The book is super thick and the illustrations are so pretty. The collection of fables are super cool to have, I will enjoy reading this to my younger nieces and nephews and soon my own LO. Probably best for ages of 4+ but any age of children will love looking through at the illustrations themselves.Super fast delivery as well (ordered and delivered within 24~ hours)Definitely recommend!!