Swan Lake is perhaps the best-loved ballet of all time. Hans Christian Andersen Medal-winner Lisbeth Zwerger brings her singular vision to a glorious picture-book adaptation of the haunting story of an enchanted swan princess. She has based her version on Tchaikovsky's original 1877 ballet, which had a happy ending, unlike the later, better-known, 1893 version. Her illustrations, luminous, lyrical, filled with grace and beauty, evoke the brilliance of the ballet and the universal appeal of this beloved fairy tale. Grade 3-6-This smooth retelling of the classic ballet is accompanied by evocative watercolor illustrations that use form, color, and shape to convey its enchantment. Dominated by blue, green, and gray backgrounds, the art captures the sweep of the lake, the wonder of the transformation of swans to maidens, and the darkness of betrayal. The "first" ending leaves the fate of the lovers ambiguous, but with a turn of the page, readers learn that the prince and the Swan Queen were married, and the bridesmaids "were reluctant to wear white dresses with feather trim-." An author's note explains why Zwerger chose this new happy ending, and it is up to readers to decide if they can accept it. Whatever their reaction, this version of Swan Lake deserves a place on the shelves with the one by Margot Fonteyn (Harcourt, 1993), illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman, and the more recent version by Adle Geras (David & Charles, 2001). Amy Kellman, The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. Gr. 2-4. Confessing in an appended note that she had approached Swan Lake with mixed feelings because of its tragic conclusion, Zwerger found that her research supported a happier ending, based on Tchaikovsky's original version of the ballet in 1877. In this picture book, Zwerger offers a series of subtle, delicate paintings illustrating that story. Decorated with swans, boughs, and other figures and flourishes, a few bars of music appear on each left-hand page above the text, offering a musical context for each scene. Facing are large, bordered paintings that illustrate part of the story. Their magical yet somber tone and muted colors suit the many night settings. The delicately composed artwork also has surreal touches, such as the thundercloud that enters the ballroom above the villains' heads, and the swan's-head effects sometimes created with the swan queen's hands. Some of the finest pictures are compositions in black, white, and many shades of gray. Told with drama and illustrated with grace, this is a handsome interpretation of the story. Carolyn Phelan Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved "...With her retelling of Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake," Zwerger has found her own extraordinary voice....This book is a marvel." -- New York Times Book Review, November 17, 2002 Lisbeth Zwerger, winner of the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for Lifetime Achievement, has illustrated many critically acclaimed books for North-South, including How the Camel Got His Hump, Stories from the Bible, Andersen's Fairy Tales, A Christmas Carol, The Wizard of Oz, and Alice in Wonderland.