This image appeared in my Twitter feed last week. It purported to be an illustration taken from a children’s board book which uses dolls to illustrate key words/emotions from the tale of Pride and Prejudice
The image might show Darcy making his sneering remark about Elizabeth at the Meryton Assembly , “She is not handsome enough to tempt me” or is it his first disastrous proposal at Hunsford? In any case his behaviour is deemed to be the epitome of ”mean”.
I truly thought this was a spoof.
But today I discovered that you can actually pre-order this at Amazon (or at any other bookseller I presume) because it is a Cozy Classic board book edition of Pride and Prejudice intended for very small children,written by Jack and Holman Wang.
Here is the cover, showing Elizabeth Bennet galloping across the fields to Netherfield, her petticoat six inches deep in mud…
Other titles in the series are available to order and include War and Peace, Moby Dick and Les Miserables. I have to see the rest of this book, I confess. Despise me if you dare ;)
22 comments
October 15, 2012 at 11:52 am
Kecia Adams
There is something appealing there I can see, even from just those two images. Wonder what the other emotions will be…
October 15, 2012 at 11:55 am
jfwakefield
Exactly! I’m sure there has to be “pride” and ” prejudice”. The images reminded me of the characters in the old BBC children’s television prgramnes,Camberwick Green and Trumpton ( Oops…showing my age)
October 15, 2012 at 11:55 am
David Bennett
I agree. Those little puppets are so full of emotion – it looks like a lot of creative sensitivity has gone into them.
October 15, 2012 at 12:00 pm
jfwakefield
Arent they? You really can see Elizabeth has built up quite a speed! It really just made me want to see more. I confess I’m very tempted by their vision for War and Peace ……
October 15, 2012 at 11:57 am
David Bennett
I went ahead and pre-ordered it!
October 15, 2012 at 12:00 pm
jfwakefield
Bravo!
October 15, 2012 at 2:13 pm
thevalueofsparrows
I don’t know. How thick would a board book have to be to cover Les Miserables or War and Peace?
October 16, 2012 at 11:44 am
jfwakefield
You misunderstand: the books do not,I think, attempt to tell the whole story. They use incidents from the original texts to illustrate certain emotions. Darcy being mean to Elizabeth, for example.
October 15, 2012 at 2:49 pm
cathyallen
I CAN’T believe it! I actually saw and ordered something before you! I saw this book in June, and, good-(former) elementary-school-teacher that I am, I ordered it then. LOL — I’m amazed! I simply LOVE primary books because they get to the point easily, quickly and comprehensively. When I saw the illustrations in this, I was sold, and ordered it. I can’t believe I beat you to it! My dear friend and mentor, a life-long teacher, taught me many moons ago that the way she learns a new subject is to get 3 books on it from the library (that tells you how long ago it was that she told me, doesn’t it?): the first book, a primary-school-level book; the second book, a junior-high-school or secondary-school level, and the third, and adult book. It has served her, and me, well thru the years.
October 16, 2012 at 11:46 am
jfwakefield
LOL- well there you are! The books are not published here yet:we have to wait till November to see them. Do you have yours Cathy? If so is it as we have assumed, not a re-telling but a book that uses incidents from the novel as an illustration/example of certain emotions?
October 16, 2012 at 7:36 pm
cathyallen
Ooops; sorry to have misled you! It’s not available in the U.S. till November 20th. The way I read the description, it tells the story using only 12 very-easy-to-read words. Words used <i<include: “Friends, Sisters, Dance, Mean, Sick, Muddy, Yes?, No!” It remains to be seen how one can tell the story of Pride and Prejudice with such limited means. I’m looking forward to it. And I ordered it for MYSELF! :-)
October 17, 2012 at 9:02 am
jfwakefield
As I say I don’t think telling the story is part of the plan…I think the adult reader may be required to “fill in the blanks” which is fine by me ;)
October 18, 2012 at 9:49 am
jfwakefield
Ah, thanks Cathy.I’m so looking forward to seeing these books ;)
October 15, 2012 at 5:57 pm
Beth
This is absolutely adorable! I simply have to order a copy to add to my collection of all things Austen.
October 16, 2012 at 11:46 am
jfwakefield
I know1 I cpuldn’t not resist it either :)
October 16, 2012 at 12:35 am
Kristel
Ohhhh! That’s adorable! I’ll get one for my goddaughter. It’s never too early to get her started on Austen.
October 16, 2012 at 11:47 am
jfwakefield
I absolutely and emphatically agree!
October 16, 2012 at 12:46 am
Karen
I WANT IT!
October 16, 2012 at 11:47 am
jfwakefield
THEN BUY IT! :)
October 17, 2012 at 4:51 am
Melissa
I found a video on the author’s Amazon page that gives a brief overview P&P and Moby Dick, the two books they’re releasing this fall. I’m ordering a copy!
http://www.amazon.com/Holman-Wang/e/B009F0HJD2/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_2
October 17, 2012 at 9:00 am
jfwakefield
Thanks Melissa, that’s really helpful. I’m so pleased you like the look of the book enough to order it;)
October 17, 2012 at 11:22 am
Dante
Reblogged this on Notes From a Bibliophile Wannabe and commented:
Are these cute?