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    The Elves and the Shoemaker
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    The Elves and the Shoemaker
    Unavailable
    The Elves and the Shoemaker
    Ebook25 pages6 minutes

    The Elves and the Shoemaker

    By Jim LaMarche

    4/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this ebook

    Here is the classic tale of elfin magic, loved by generations of children and made new by an artist of international acclaim. Jim LaMarche's stunningly rendered paintings, reminiscent of his earlier work in The Rainbabies, are the perfect complement to this favorite Grimm fairy tale.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherChronicle Books Digital
    Release dateDec 7, 2012
    ISBN9781452125060
    Unavailable
    The Elves and the Shoemaker

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    Reviews for The Elves and the Shoemaker

    4/5

    121 ratings25 reviews

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    • 4/5
      The Elves and the Shoemaker, illustrated by Jim LaMarcheThe classic fairytale from the Brothers Grimm - in the original German, it is one third of a selection entitled Die Wichtelmänner - is presented here with lovely acrylic and colored pencil illustrations by Jim LaMarche, whose work can also be seen in such titles as The Rainbabies and The Raft. The result is simply enchanting: a picture-book with an engaging story of a poor but goodhearted shoemaker, whose fortunes take a turn for the better when mysterious night-time helpers begin to craft beautiful shoes for him, and appealing artwork that greatly enhances the mystery and magic of the tale.Tales of this sort, in which magical little helpers look after the welfare of poor but deserving humans, working in secret (and sometimes leaving, if offered rewards), can be found in many folk traditions, and are described as tale-type 503, "Helpful Elves," in the Aarne–Thompson folklore classification system. From sensitive Scottish brownies (see: The Runaway Brownie) to watchful Swedish tomtens (The Tomten, Christmas at the Tomten's Farm), there are many variants on this basic idea. Some even identify it as an influence on J.K. Rowling's House Elves. This presentation of the German variant (one of them, in any case) is just delightful - a real narrative and visual treat for fairy-tale lovers!
    • 5/5
      A wonderful retelling of the Bros Grimm fairy tale with kindness as the main theme. Wonderfully rich illustrations.1
    • 4/5
      This is a story about elves that go and build shoes to help and make the Shoemaker and his wife very rich. They were very thankful and even made clothes and shoes for the elves to show how thankful they were.
    • 4/5
      This is a tale of a shoemaker and his wife who were very poor with enough leather left to make one pair of shoes, the shoemaker cut the leather and went to bed. When he awoke, the shoes were perfectly made and he sold them for twice the money. This continued to happen night after night until the shoemaker and his wife became very rich. They decided to stay up and see how it was happening and discovered two little elves in ragged clothes. The shoemaker and his wife decided to make new shoes and clothing for the poor elves. The elves were overjoyed with the findings and never returned again--they all lived happily ever after!
    • 4/5
      This story is about a poor shoemaker who leaves out materials at night in order to make shoes for the next day. However, while he is sleeping, dwarves come out at night and make the shoes for him. This continues each night until one night, the shoemaker stays awake to see who is making shoes discovers the elves. He notices that they are also poor and makes little clothes for them for the next night. From that day forth, the shoemaker never had to worry about making shoes.This is also another good story to introduce the elements of a fairy tale to younger children. It has a good universal lesson (to be kind to others, no matter how much you have), and a happy ending. In addition, there is magic and elves. I found the story to be touching but not quite as engaging as some other fairy tale stories.
    • 5/5
      A poor shoemaker and his wife have some cloth to make some shoes. Before they go to bed they cut the fabric . When they wake in the morning they havea nice pair of shoes. They are speechless and wonder how this happen. The shoemaker sold the shoes and made enough money for more fabric. So the same thing happened and kept happening until the shoemaker and his wife stayed up one night and waited to see who was making these shoes. When they saw the poorly dressed elves, they decided to make someclothes for them. The next night they waited for the elves to come back and see the clothes. They dressed themselves and were never seen again.
    • 5/5
      Two elves sneak in at night and make shoes for the poor shoemaker and his wife. The shoes are magnificent and sell for twice the asking price. This book could be used for a math lesson on the concept of doubling.
    • 4/5
      There was a poor shoemaker who had beautiful shoes being made for him to sell everynight. These shoes made him quite rich and he wanted to give back to whoever was doing this for him. The shoemaker finds out that it is little elves in poor clothes, so to repay them he makes them a pair of nice, warm clothes. The elves take their presents happily and are never seen again, while the shoemaker lives happily and rich. This is a retell of the Brothers Grimm with great illustrations by Jim LaMarche.
    • 5/5
      This is an amazing story showing readers how important it is to be grateful for the things in life. This shoemaker and his wife were becoming very poor; they only had enough leather left to make one pair of shoes. He cut the leather and went to bed. When they awoke the next morning, the shoes were sewn and complete. That day, a man came in and paid double for the fabulous shoes that fit him perfectly. This ritual continued night after night until the shoemaker and his wife were no longer poor. They decided to stay up to see who had helped them make their money. Two little elves, one boy and one girl. These had been the little helpers. They watched them work that night and saw that they moved so quickly and efficiently they were done in no time. The wife wanted to pay them back for all the hard work they had done, so she decided to sew them new outfits. The next night, the little elves were delighted with the gift and happily left that night. Details: This book was written to interest children in grades K-3 and is on a 3.9 reading level.
    • 4/5
      This story is about a shoemaker, who is down to no money. With his last pair of shoes they are made better then every and he is made lots of money. With that he is able to make two more perfect pairs. Soon the shoemaker and his wife stayed up late to see how is shoes were Turing into perfect pairs, he realized at midnight elves would come and fix his simple mistakes. The wife wanted to help the elves out. She used some of the money her husband had made to make clothes for the elves. They laid them out for the elves once they saw the clothes they were so happy. This story was very cute. I loved how the shoemaker was upset about the help he was mysteriously getting from the eleves
    • 4/5
      The illustrations are breathtakingly beautiful. The loveliness pulls the reader into the story, and one cannot help but smile at the ageless tale of a poor shoemaker who has only enough leather for one pair of shoes.One night, leaving the leather out, he is surprised to find a lovely pair of hand-made shoes. The unique shoes are sold and he now can afford enough leather for two pairs. Again, at night the leather is placed on the work bench, and he awakes to find two unique pairs of shoes.Eventually, the shoemaker and his wife stay awake and see two little elves shimmying down the window, working diligently at the task of shoemaker, with the knowledge that their work is appreciated.In return for their assistance, the shoemaker's wife makes lovely clothes for the elves. They are surprised and happy.Finally, a Grimm's fairytale that is not filled with violence, and has a happy ending. The shoemaker and his wife are rich. The elves are elated to receive something in return for their work.
    • 5/5
      This is the classic tale of the poor, desperate shoemaker and his wife visited by industrious elves in the middle of the night who aid them in their time of trouble by cobbling the finest shoes. The lumious illustrations give a magical aura to this story, drawing the reader into this old world of a bygone age. The legacy of Caldecott with active sprites dashing about brings the story in the present moment.
    • 5/5
      I am a huge fan of the Grimm Brothers. This is one of my favorite fairy tales. I love the whole concept of the story- how a man finds new shoes made for him every morning. The elves made the mans shoes and he and his wife were fascinated. The illustrations are breathtaking. Even on the front cover, the elves eyes look so real it is amazing.
    • 4/5
      The illustrations are very life like. The colors are bold and brilliant. This story is about a shoemaker who finds his shoes made out of leather every morning. Whatever the shoemaker cut out in the evening, was made into shoes in the morning by unknown people. What could it be? Elves! As the man and his wife watched them make the shoes, the wife returned the favor and made the elves clothes. From being poor in the beginning, the shoemaker and his wife became rich and lived happily ever after.
    • 3/5
      "The Elves and the Shoemaker" is a tale of a shoemaker who is having trouble making money selling his shoes. Every morning when he wakes up there is a newly made pair of shoes on his work table. Eventually he and his wife figured out that was elves who were making the shoes. The shoemaker's business had picked up so much with the shoes that the elves had made, that the shoemaker and his wife decide to find a way to thank the elves. His wife made them both a set of clothes. They loved the clothes that the shoemaker's wife made them. That was the last night that the shoemaker would ever hear of the elves. This is a very nice story. I heard it once myself as a child and had forgotten about it. The illustrations are great in this book. It is the classic version by the brothers Grimm. I really enjoyed this book and so did my children.For a classroom idea, I would have my students make a shoe or boot with construction paper, glue, string etc.
    • 4/5
      Vibrant, engaging illustrations drive this retelling of the Elves and the Shoemaker. After a poor shoemaker and his wife are mysteriously helped with the making of their shoes, they decide to quietly hide themselves one night to see who is helping them. Once they learn the secret, they generously reward their little helpers. Jim LaMarche makes this familiar story a memorable one. Originally told by the Brothers Grimm.
    • 5/5
      This is a great story about concerning times for a shoemaker who doesn't fret, but simply hopes for the best and sleeps on it. Much to his surprise someone is doing the work for them! Once they find out who is doing their work in the wee hours of the night, the shoemakers bless them greatly and continue their success. This folktale would be great for all ages to understand perseverance though adversity and hard times and to give back to those who give to you.
    • 3/5
      This is a great retelling of the classic Brothers Grimm story. There is an old kind shoemaker who is having trouble selling the shoes he makes. One night he leaves his materials out. In turn, two little elves make shoes from material. The shoemaker in turn sells the shoes and the process is repeated the next night with new material. The old shoemaker then discovers that it is the elves making the shoes and his wife makes them clothes in return for their kind deed. The illustrations in this book are truly breathtaking, illustrator Jim Lamarche really brought this fairy tale to life with his elaborate and realistic pictures.
    • 4/5
      The book is about a poor shoemaker and his wife who can hardly make any money for their shoe store. He only has enough leather to make one more pair of shoes and wonders if anyone will even buy them. He goes to bed only to wake up the next morning and a beautiful pair of shoes is made. the next morning, even more shoes are made. and then find out that they are little elves making the shoes. The shoes being made made the shoemaker plenty of money. so the shoemaker makes the elves a pair of new clothes.I thought the book was really cute and it teaches children that being kind is wonderful. Giving without expecting to recieve is rewarding.
    • 4/5
      I really enjoyed this book. The story is about a poor family who makes shoes for a living, but they only have once piece of leather left. The shoemaker ends up cutting the last piece of leather and goes to bed. When he woke up, the shoes were made. Night after night, the same thing kept happening and they became rich. However, they did not know who was helping them. One night, they stayed up late and discovered it was elves helping them. To thank them, they made the elves new clothes and shoes and then the elves left. This is a sweet story to read teach the purpose of giving back without wanting something in return. The elves had no idea they would make them clothes, but they helped them anyway. Every story I read that includes elves makes the story that much more magical!
    • 3/5
      A great children's book
    • 5/5
      The story had very prett illustrations to go with it.
    • 4/5
      it is good I think it is Great. it is the best story
    • 4/5
      This story is a wonderful example of traditional literature. There are many reasons why I liked this story. I loved the plot of this story created originally by the Brothers Grimm. The elves worked hard secretly creating shoes for the shoemaker. The elves worked throughout the night, “The elves did not stop until all the shoes were finished and stood lined up on the table”. The little elves had made the shoemaker rich and once he realized the elves were creating the shoes, the shoemaker returned the favor creating them smaller clothes to fit them properly.The illustrations caught my eye from the very beginning. The illustrator, Jim LaMarche, created the illustrations by using colored pencils for fine lines and chalk pastels for smooth areas. There were even pages in the book with no words and only illustrations. The main idea of this story is to be kind and help one another.
    • 4/5
      The Elves and the Shoemaker retold from the Brothers Grimm and illustrated by Jim LaMarch, is a German folktale about a poor shoemaker and his wife’s turn of good luck. With enough leather to make one more pair of shoes, the shoemaker cuts the leather and goes to bed. In the morning the shoemaker and his wife awake to a beautifully crafted pair of shoes, followed by a customer who enters the store a pays twice the asking price. The shoemaker now has enough money to buy leather for two pairs of shoes. The next night, he cuts the leather and turns in. In the morning the shoemaker and his wife find two pairs of beautifully made shoes, and customers again appear and pay twice the asking price. This process continues and makes the couple very wealthy. They decide to stay up one night, hiding, to try and catch a glimpse of who is making the shoes. Two elves, a boy and a girl in tattered clothes, sneak in a work all night on making shoes, then leave before morning. The shoemaker and his wife wish to do something kind for the elves, so they make them warm clothing and shoes and leave them out on the worktable for them that evening. The children were so grateful and happy to find their gifts that they danced and sang then ran out of the house, never to be seen again. The tale provides readers with a great lesson in how acts of kindness will come back to them. This enchanted tale is enhanced by the beautiful illustrations of LaMarch. The pictures are painted in acrylic washes and colored pencils are also used. For the most part they are full colored pages and the text is found at the bottom of pages in either black or white, depending on the background colors used in the pictures. I find this story interesting in that the children are never seen again...it left me wanting more.