PETROSINELLA

Stanley (Cleopatra, 1994, etc.) combines her 1981 illustrations for this tale with a new, less-contrived, more modern-sounding retelling. Parsley (Petrosinella) is forcibly abducted by an ogress, and years later takes an active role in making her escape, using three magic acorns to throw off pursuit. This is a softer, less violent version than some Rapunzels—the prince isn't blinded, for one thing, nor are the lovers separated—and the paintings reflect that: Against neat, richly colored backgrounds, gracefully posed figures seem to float slightly over stone pavements; Parsley's massive, honey-colored locks flow airily behind her; and the ogress's gruesome death is not only partially concealed around a bend in the road, but visually counterweighted by a bunny creeping cautiously from under a tree. An elegant alternative to the Brothers Grimm. (Picture book/folklore. 8-10)