Princess Sophie, the spirited young heroine of this adapted tale from the Brothers Grimm, finds herself faced with an incredible challenge and some lessons to learn. She had forgotten her departed mother’s warning to temper loyalty and strength with a compassionate heart. Antagonized by Sophie’s resentful words, her powerful new stepmother turns Sophie’s six brothers into swans and sets her the task of saving them. Will Sophie succeed in helping her brothers? Can she spin six shirts made from the thorny thistle, while never speaking a word, even in her defense? And what will happen when King Yoren captures Sophie and takes her prisoner? Featuring stunning artwork by renowned illustrator Kim Jacobs, her retelling of this classic Brothers Grimm fairytale also contains an author’s note with fascinating details on family heraldry and mute swans. Gr 1–3—The story of the six brothers transformed into swans by a jealous and wicked stepmother is one of the best loved Grimm tales, although, as the author says in her note, it was around long before the Grimms included it in their collection. The feisty and determined sister, now named Sophie, is a fully fleshed-out character whose commitment to saving her brothers, even at great pain and eventually danger to her own life, will inspire admiration. The painterly illustrations are lovely and capture a real sense of "once upon a time, long ago and far away." The colors are soft and have an ethereal quality. VERDICT A solid addition to most folklore collections. Suitable as a read-aloud or for independent reading across elementary levels.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ Kim Jacobs has been a children’s book illustrator and professional artist for over thirty years, while her popular stationery products have sold in the millions throughout the world. Her art has appeared in children’s books such as Cottage Cats: My Companions on the Path to Joy , Glad You are My Friend , and Princess Rosie’s Rainbows , as well as on a wide array of gifts, toys, puzzles, fine art prints, and greeting cards. Her bestselling calendar, The Cobblestone Way , is now into its twenty-eighth year. Kim lives with her husband Bob in Maine, in a home surrounded by gardens and powered by the sun.