Comment

FindingJane
Aug 24, 2015FindingJane rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Mr. San Souci’s retelling of this lovely fantasy tale is a departure from the usual fairy story. The emphasis is not on the love aspect—where two people fall for one another with little effort—but upon the friendship between the two men. Such tales recall stories of Damon and Pythias or Achilles and Patroclus. The love they bear each other is so deep and true that Hippolyte is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to save his friend. The illustrations by Jerry Pinkney are in his recognizable style with visible drawn lines creating Impressionistic images. The lines give his paintings a kind of energy, as if the pictures were in subtle motion, rendering moments like Hippolyte snatching a poisoned bit of fruit with a palpable feeling of movement and threat. This picture book is one I’d definitely recommend for young children with its gorgeous pictures and unusual storyline.