#976 of 1001 · April 3, 2023

With a broken vow and a beastly transformation upon our heads, let us examine D. J. MacHale and Vivienne Flesher’s East of the Sun, West of the Moon. MacHale’s engaging story is well matched by the hazy colors of Flesher’s expressionistic art, which lend a moody palette to the proceedings. A note for folklore enthusiasts: MacHale’s text adapts Asbjørnsen and Moe’s tale closely, except for the ending. In the original plot, the young woman must trade her treasures to the troll princess in order to be allowed inside her bewitched lover’s room at night. MacHale has the maiden break the spell simply by crying over the young prince’s tallow-stained nightshirt. #east #sun #west #moon #bear #castle #troll #trolls #magic #book #books #childrensbooks #picturebook #picturebooks #picturebookillustration #picturebookart #childrensbookillustration #childrensliterature #illustration #kidlit #kidsbooks #bookworm #booklover #booklovers #bibliophile #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagrammers #instabook #instabooks