The Elves & the Shoemaker by Jacob Grimm, illustrated by Jim LaMarche ages 4-8 32 pages Chronicle Books October 2003 Hardcover     The classic Brothers Grimm story of a shoemaker and his wife who get some help from small places is warmly retold by Jim LaMarche in The Elves and the Shoemaker. Accompanied by utterly enchanting illustrations, this story will continue to delight children and adults for years to come with its themes of generosity and virtue rewarded. International artist Jim LaMarche paints with such beauty and lushness and his use of warm golden tones bring the characters and settings to life. His past books have all won acclaim, and this well-loved story gets his special artistic treatment while still retaining the look and feel of the classic. The story is a simple one, of a poor shoemaker and his wife who suddenly find they are getting help from a mysterious source. They discover their helpers are little elves, whom are working long and hard to finish making shoes. When the man and woman become rich because of the elves, they decide they must give back to the elves in return, a lesson many people today could certainly use. The magical illustrations will warm the heart of any child, making this edition of The Elves and the Shoemaker one of those perfect books for a cold winter night as a bedtime story that will send little ones off to sleep with their heads full of enchanting images. But the best thing about this classy retelling of a true classic is the reminder of just how important it is to thank those who help us, and find a way to reward them in return.   web reviews   Marie D. Jones/2005 for curled up with a good kid's book   For grown-up fiction, nonfiction and speculative fiction book reviews, visit our sister site Curled Up With a Good Book (www.curledup.com)