Struwwelpeter 2000: The original German verse and 1861 illustrations of Der Struwwelpeter with new English translations (English and German Edition)
Though Struwwelpeter first made it into English more than 150 years ago, amazingly it continues to generate new versions and adaptations even today. Struwwelpeter 2000 is an engaging addition to the ever-growing corpus of Struwwelpetriades - it tries to kill at least three birds with one stone. Firstly, it essays a closer translation of the original verses than was achieved by the first (and still the best known) English translation of 1848. Secondly, for some of the original tales it gives alternative endings that leave their respective protagonists alive or restored to health. These new endings take up the anxieties that some readers have about the drastic outcomes of several of Hoffmann's tales, but do so wittingly rather than in 'we know better' moralizing terms. Thirdly, a number of new illustrations have been added to the traditional ones to reflect these revisions. In each of these endeavours the book provides an attractive and deftly executed response to Hoffmann's work. So three for the price of one! - David Blamires. --Children's Books Historical Society NewsletterNo. 68, November 2000.This new English and German version retains the essence of the original purpose - to amuse a child - while providing new illustrations by Georgina Blyth Roche and Valerie Blyth and new endings to some of the stories, and modern English/German translations. This is a great addition to the Struwwelpeters now available and will be enjoyed by all, young and old. What a great gift to the 21st century reader! --Martha's Kidlit NewsletterNov/Dec 2000