Cinderella Picture Book - Containing Cinderella, Puss in Boots & Valentine and Orson - Illustrated by Walter Crane

Book excerpt: The Cinderella Picture Book contains the well-known and loved tales of ‘Cinderella’, ‘Puss in Boots’, and ‘Valentine and Orson.’ The former two tales were penned by Charles Perrault (1628 – 1703); among the first writers to bring magical children’s stories into the literary mainstream, proving to his original seventeenth century readers that such works were important, enjoyable, as well as thought-provoking. ‘Valentine and Orson’ on the other hand, is a much older French tale, dating back to a fourteenth century romantic song. It tells the story of twin brothers, abandoned in the woods in infancy – and their divergent paths through life. The Cinderella Picture Book is accompanied throughout by a series of dazzling colour and black and white illustrations – by a master of the craft; Walter Crane. Crane (1845 – 1915), was an English artist and book illustrator. He is considered to be the most influential, and among the most prolific, children’s book creator of his generation. Alongside such names as Randolph Caldecott and Kate Greenaway, he was also one of the strongest contributors to the child’s nursery theme. Crane’s work is characteristically colourful and beautifully detailed, taking its inspiration from the Arts and Crafts movement (of which he was a member), as well as the iconic child-in-the-garden motif. The artwork and the text of the ‘Cinderella Picture Book’ are presented side-by-side, so that the two may be better appreciated.