Jim LaMarche's gorgeous and richly detailed illustrations are winningly combined with a wee bit of iconographic animated magic in this lovely retelling of the classic Brothers Grimm fairytale. Based on LaMarche's 2003 picture book, and narrated by Patrick Stewart, with a fine musical score by John Jennings, The Elves and the Shoemaker--for those few who might be unfamiliar with the tale--tells the story of a penurious cobbler and his wife whose livelihood is restored thanks to the mysterious evening visits of a pair of industrious elves who turn the shoemaker's newly cut-out patches of leather left on the table into new shoes. Although used sparingly, the animation appears in just the right places: snow drifting into the shop through the open window as the elves arrive; the arms of the industrious elves moving as they create the shoes; etc. A handsome adaptation of a perennial classic, this is highly recommended. Aud: K, P. (R. Pitman)
The Elves and the Shoemaker
(2004) 10 min. VHS: $60, DVD: $59.95 (study guide included). Weston Woods Studios. PPR. Color cover. Closed captioned. ISBN: 0-78820-521-8 (vhs). Volume 20, Issue 2
The Elves and the Shoemaker
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