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cimorene1558's review against another edition
3.0
This is okay, but it's basically sleeping beauty with "him" and "prince" slotted in instead of "her" and "princess". I like a few changes beyond that if you're going to do this kind of thing.
erinmp's review against another edition
3.0
The king and queen had been desperate for a child and finally their wish came true with a gorgeous baby boy they promptly named Bob (a very special name). To celebrate their good fortune, the couple host a large party in honor of Bobby and invite the tweleve Wise Women. There are really thirteen Wise Women, but only enough china for twelve; so the thirteenth wasn't told about the party. She found out anyway and gave Bobby the "gift" of death upon his eighteenth birthday. Another Wise Woman was able to slightly rectify this, but only a little--she stated that he would sleep for 100 years. What will happen to Bobby on his big day? And will anyone be able to save him?
I was looking forward to this book, as I always like fairy tales with a twist--especially with a female hero. This was a bit of a disappointment. Just Sleeping Beauty with the roles reversed. I was especially disappointed that although the princess "had great curiousity and a taste for adventure," it was only mentioned that once and she immediately wanted to marry Bobby because he was "so handsome." Still a cute story and worth a read--just don't expect too much and you won't be disappointed.
I was looking forward to this book, as I always like fairy tales with a twist--especially with a female hero. This was a bit of a disappointment. Just Sleeping Beauty with the roles reversed. I was especially disappointed that although the princess "had great curiousity and a taste for adventure," it was only mentioned that once and she immediately wanted to marry Bobby because he was "so handsome." Still a cute story and worth a read--just don't expect too much and you won't be disappointed.
libraryjen's review against another edition
3.0
A decent twist on the original, this one is entertaining, but not outstanding. It's a little too long for a story time read aloud.
kstoczanyn's review against another edition
4.0
This was my second picture book for traditional tales.
Sleeping Bobby by Will Osbourne and Mary Pope Osborne and illustrated by Giselle Potter is a retelling of the Brothers Grimm tale of Sleeping Beauty, which I discovered in an author's note. The author's twist the story around by making their sleeping beauty a male instead of a female. Bob is born to the king and queen who have longed to have a child. Having only twelve china place settings, they do not bother to invite the 13th wise woman and she gets angry. She bursts into Bob's celebration and curses him to die on his 18th birthday after pricking his finger on a spindle. Luckily one wise woman is left and alleviates the curse so Bob will only sleep 100 years until a princess awakens him with a kiss.
I really enjoyed the twist on this book. I think it showed that the tale can be just as fun and engaging if the gender roles are reversed and it challenges students to think in non-traditional ways. The authors also inserted fun little details that showed how quickly the sleeping curse took over the whole kingdom by mentioned that even the dog, while scratching away its fleas fell asleep as did the flies buzzing around the kitchen. Giselle Potter did a wonderful job illustrating the story. The detail in her illustrators complemented the humor in the story (I especially enjoyed the endpaper!) and was visually appealing and different from illustrations that I have seen before. I would recommend this book to early elementary school students or those who are comparing fairy tales or considering gender roles.
Sleeping Bobby by Will Osbourne and Mary Pope Osborne and illustrated by Giselle Potter is a retelling of the Brothers Grimm tale of Sleeping Beauty, which I discovered in an author's note. The author's twist the story around by making their sleeping beauty a male instead of a female. Bob is born to the king and queen who have longed to have a child. Having only twelve china place settings, they do not bother to invite the 13th wise woman and she gets angry. She bursts into Bob's celebration and curses him to die on his 18th birthday after pricking his finger on a spindle. Luckily one wise woman is left and alleviates the curse so Bob will only sleep 100 years until a princess awakens him with a kiss.
I really enjoyed the twist on this book. I think it showed that the tale can be just as fun and engaging if the gender roles are reversed and it challenges students to think in non-traditional ways. The authors also inserted fun little details that showed how quickly the sleeping curse took over the whole kingdom by mentioned that even the dog, while scratching away its fleas fell asleep as did the flies buzzing around the kitchen. Giselle Potter did a wonderful job illustrating the story. The detail in her illustrators complemented the humor in the story (I especially enjoyed the endpaper!) and was visually appealing and different from illustrations that I have seen before. I would recommend this book to early elementary school students or those who are comparing fairy tales or considering gender roles.
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