Metaphrog

Pastel colors on a textured background and the use of patterns make this a uniquely illustrated book. Although the topic is dark, the colors are mostly warm especially for the protagonist Eve. When the castle is discussed the colors are much cooler. The castle is associated with Bluebeard, a man introduced to Eve by her grandmother. She and the villagers tell stories about him as if he is a fairytale character, especially since he is never seen. That is until an invitation arrives to spend time at Bluebeard’s country house. At this point in the book the two color schemes are mixed. It is not until Eve is married to Bluebeard that they turn to the cold blues and a hint of golden hues. She is to spend her life with him at his castle atop the mountain. She is separated from her childhood friend Tom and although she writes to him, her letters never arrive. It isn’t until the small bird Eve rescued reaches her with a letter from Tom in which she finds out strange things have happened in the forest between the castle and her old village.
It will be interesting to those who are growing out of the Disney princesses and are looking for fairytales with a darker twist.
The reviewer had a hardback copy that is small in size.
Oral
4th - 6th grade
AD+… (altro)