Swan Lake
Grade 3-6-This smooth retelling of the classic ballet is accompanied by evocative watercolor illustrations that use form, color, and shape to convey its enchantment. Dominated by blue, green, and gray backgrounds, the art captures the sweep of the lake, the wonder of the transformation of swans to maidens, and the darkness of betrayal. The "first" ending leaves the fate of the lovers ambiguous, but with a turn of the page, readers learn that the prince and the Swan Queen were married, and the bridesmaids "were reluctant to wear white dresses with feather trim-." An author's note explains why Zwerger chose this new happy ending, and it is up to readers to decide if they can accept it. Whatever their reaction, this version of Swan Lake deserves a place on the shelves with the one by Margot Fonteyn (Harcourt, 1993), illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman, and the more recent version by AdŠle Geras (David & Charles, 2001).Amy Kellman, The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PACopyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.