The Elves and the Shoemaker

The Elves and the Shoemaker

Retold from the Brothers Grimm

Illustrated by:  Jim LaMarche

Copyright:  2003

Published by:  Chronicle Books

Number of pages:  traditional literature

Number of pages: 24

Genre:  Traditional Literature

                I picked this book because I loved this story when I was a little girl.  This is a classic Grimm’s fairytale.  The story tells about a shoemaker that is down on his luck.  He works hard but can’t seem to sell any shoes.  One night, the shoemaker leaves out some material to use for the next day.  Some elves come during the night and stitch up the most beautiful shoes for him.  The shoemaker is able to sell the shoes and buy more material and make more shoes.  Each night the elves make new shoes.  One night the shoemaker and his wife stay up to see who is making the shoes.  They see the elves and decide to make them new clothes.  The elves love their clothes but then they move on.  The shoemaker continues to make beautiful shoes.

                The Illustrations in this story are rendered in acrylic washes and colored pencil on watercolor- paper.   The illustrator uses vignettes to give a close-up view of something that was in the main picture.  It highlights some specific item.  There are intricate details on the faces of the characters the book.  The illustrator uses warm colors.  The warm colors reflect the mood of this tender story.  The illustrations are very expressive and detailed. The text placement in this book is traditional.

                I think this story would be appropriate for ages 3-8 years old.  I would use this story in a unit about traditional literature.  I might have students compare different versions of the same story.  I would also have the students complete a sequencing activity to recall the order of events in the story.  I would also have the students write about a time when someone helped them or when they helped someone else.  This book had not won any awards or honors.