Walt Disney's Alice in Wonderland (Walt Disney's Classic Fairytale)
Kindergarten-Grade 4—This lively retelling of Lewis Carroll's classic creates a delightful narrative framework for the stunning concept art that shaped the look of the Disney animated film. Imbued with Scieszka's unique brand of kid-captivating humor, the effervescent text presents a streamlined version of Alice's adventures that adheres closely to the plot of the movie. The first lines set the tone and immediately reel readers in: "Have you ever tried to listen to a long, boring schoolbook on a warm, lazy day? And have you ever wondered why anyone would make a book so boring? Then you are just like Alice." Scieszka interjects amusing commentary throughout while successfully maintaining an appropriate once-upon-a-time mood. Blair's deep-hued paintings employ rich shades and dazzling color combinations to create a lush, almost impressionistic version of Wonderland. For the most part, the artwork unfolds as a logical visual narrative rather than seeming like a gallery of reproductions. However, observant viewers will notice that Alice's appearance is not always consistent, and that the images may not always provide the strongest interpretation of the text (for example, the March Hare and Cheshire Cat are mentioned but never depicted). Still, children will enjoy this eye-catching and entertaining production.—Joy Fleishhacker, School Library JournalCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.