The Folk Tale Classics Heirloom Library

by Paul Galdone (Adaptor, Illustrator)

Galdone has already proven many times over that he is perfectly at home with those traditional nursery tales that are still preschoolers favorites, and his expressive, unassuming style just right for their very young audience. "Kirkus Reviews"

No child should be without the best versions of the best stories, all told and illustrated by the masterful Paul Galdone: "The Three Little Pigs, Three Billy Goats Gruff, Little Red Riding Hood," and "The Gingerbread Boy."
Pair this boxed set with the Folktale Classics Keepsake Collection!"

Genres: Picture Books, Fiction

176 pages, Hardcover

First published September 11, 2012

About the author

Paul Galdone (1907 - November 7, 1986) was a children's literature author and illustrator. He was born in Budapest and he emigrated to the United States in 1921. He studied art at the Art Student's League and New York School for Industrial Design. He served for the US Army during world War II.

He illustrated nearly all of Eve Titus' books including the Basil of Baker Street series which was translated to the screen in the animated Disney film, The Great Mouse Detective.

Galdone and Titus were nominated for Caldecott Medals for Anatole (1957) and Anatole and the Cat (1958). The titles were later named Caldecott Honor books in 1971.

He died of a heart attack in Nyack, New York. He was posthumously awarded the 1996 Kerlan Award for his contribution to children's literature. His retellings of classic tales like "The Little Red Hen" or "Three Billy Goats Gruff" have become staples.

Reviews

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four more nice hardback books in this set of Paul Galdone classics. I got it recently after being pleased with the Folk Tale Classics Keepsake Collection set, and have enjoyed reading all these with my little ones. This set has tales with a higher level of drama (characters getting eaten, etc.) and which may require a little more suspension of disbelief than the other set, ha. Included are The Three Little Pigs, Three Billy Goats Gruff, Little Red Riding Hood, and The Gingerbread Boy.

[Kara Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a big fan of the illustrations. My son always requests The Three Billy Goats Gruff at bedtime but we use a different book with more pleasant pictures.

[Kristiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

My children love Paul Galdone's stories, and I love reading them! Beautiful illustrations as well!

[Lisa Dominick · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Folk Tale Classics Heirloom Library by Paul Galdone is a collection of retold folk tales that consist of four books. First, The Three Little Pigs, an English fairy tale, originally by James Orchard Halliwell. Next, Three Billy Goats Gruff, a Norwegian fairy tale, originally by Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Moe. Then, Little Red Riding Hood, which has been suggested was by an Italian author, Charles Perrault. Finally, The Gingerbread Boy whose author is unknown. These books are intended for young readers age 4 – 8 years old. Each book retells the classic stories and are similar to the originals. I gave the collection a 5-star rating because of the easy-to read language, the colorful illustrations and that the author remained true to the stories. The words that were used remained very similar to the original writing and are still easy-to read and would be understood by those listening to or reading the stories. The illustrations were colorful and juxtaposed to the written words. Finally, Paul Galdone does not remove any of the original gruesome details like other versions made for children. He stayed true to the original stories, leaving in the details involving people or animals being eaten or being mutilated or killed. These captivating stories will be enjoyed by young and old readers alike. Teachers and parents can explain that many of the gruesome details served to teach children that there are individuals who are in the world that may hurt them. Teachers and parents can extend the story by explaining what they should do when they come across strangers or people they may know that may try to hurt them. In this day and age, we have to protect our children by preparing them for the harsh realities of our world. We would only be putting them in harm’s way by not telling them the truth about our world.