Friday Memes: The Wild Swans by Jackie Morris

Book Beginnings is hosted by Rose City Reader and Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice.

The Wild Swans by Jackie Morris. 175 p. Frances Lincoln Children's Books, October, 2015. 9781847805362.

Publisher synopsis: This very beautiful and lyrical extended version of the fairy tale 'The Wild Swans' by Hans Christian Andersen is the much anticipated companion to East of the Sun, West of the Moon. With strong characterization of the heroine and also with more rounded characterisation of the wicked stepmother than in the original version, and with delicate watercolor paintings throughout, this is both a wonderful story and delightful gift. Beautifully presented in a jacketed edition with foiled title.

This very beautiful and lyrical extended version of the fairy tale 'The Wild Swans' by Hans Christian Andersen is the much anticipated companion to East of the Sun, West of the Moon. With strong characterization of the heroine and also with more rounded characterisation of the wicked stepmother than in the original version, and with delicate watercolor paintings throughout, this is both a wonderful story and delightful gift. Beautifully presented in a jacketed edition with foiled title. 

First Line: The day that she stopped speaking was the day she began to understand so much more about the world around her, to appreciate the many textures of silence. 

Page 56: As each axe blow fell the yew trees began to bleed, deep red sap that looked to the king's men like blood. Fear began to spread from the king to the men, and then through the kingdom, like a plague.

     The king sent a message to the tower by dove. 
              ""I come, as fast as I can."

     But Eliza, looking out across the maze from high in the tower, also knew that it would take months. She returned the dove with a message.

"I will wait. My brothers are turned to swans. I am afraid."

     And the king remembered the beautiful swans that had flown over the castle. Eleven. Now he knew that these birds were his sons.

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I absolutely adore fairy tale retellings and this one looks exquisite - smaller trim size, lovely illustrations and beautiful design.