Thumbelina

Hans Christian Anderson's classic fairy tale gets a splendid treatment in this new Rabbit Ears Storybook classic. When a childless couple from Denmark plant barley on a witch's suggestion, the flower buds with a bright surprise: the tiny Thumbelina. When she is kidnapped by a toad as a prospective mate for his son, Thumbelina's fortunes take a decided turn for the worst. Escaping from one bad situation only to find herself in another (this time the unfortunate recipient of a mole's wooing), the tiny girl is eventually rewarded for all her struggles with adversity. The narration by Kelly McGillis is exceptionally good and wide ranging-her characterizations running from the rich baritone of the mole to the squeaky obnoxiousness of a pair of shrewish June bugs. David Johnson's pastel watercolor illustrations are well suited to the magical qualities of the story, and Mark Isham's soundtrack sparkles. Highly recommended. (Available from most distributors.)