School Library Journal Review
PreS-K-Eight familiar favorites, including "The Three Billy Goats Gruff," "Henny Penny," "Goldilocks," and "Jack and the Beanstalk," appear here in a large-format edition, which eases visibility for group read-alouds. The stories, nimbly retold, follow well-known story lines; what makes this volume appealing is Ross's artistic treatment. He integrates his cartoonlike drawings, full of action and bright colors, into the stories, often varying the typeface to increase the suspense. His exaggerated characters, full of motion and fun, will hold youngsters' attention. Libraries needing another-or a new-nursery-story collection should welcome this edition.-Barbara Elleman, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, MA (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
First published in Britain in 2008, this collection consists of eight classic fairy tales ranging in length from 8 to 14 pages with retellings by Ross in big-sized text and ample large-scale illustrations in his trademark cartoon style. The retellings are sometimes flat, as in the case of The Enormous Turnip, and occasionally gruesome. So, labeling this as My First nursery stories might be a stretch. For example, in Henny-Penny all of the characters (except Henny-Penny) have their heads snapped off, and the wolf is decapitated in Little Red Riding Hood. For the most part, though, the carnage is not depicted in the illustrations, and the various scoundrels are more humorous than menacing. Overall, the frequent illustrations and quick pace make this a good general compendium. Purchase where Ross' The Three Kittens and Other Favorite Nursery Rhymes (2009) is popular.--Enos, Randall Copyright 2010 Booklist
