The Musicians of Bremen - a beautifully illustrated version
Ranked #1,202 in Books, Poetry & Writing, #54,040 overall | Donates to Donors Choose
Adapted and Illustrated by Niroot Puttapipat
Those of you who have read my review of The Night Before Christmas: A Magical Cut-Paper Edition already know my very high opinion of Niroot's artwork. For the rest of you, let me simply say that it is some of the most beautiful, painstaking, art I have ever seen, that each illustration captures perfectly the nuances of defeat, joy, circumstance and other quirks of character.
I have watched Niroot's art on deviantART since I discovered it, and now consider the artist a dear friend. And so it is with great pleasure that I write this review.
Contents at a Glance
The Musicians of Bremen
Retold and illustrated by Niroot Puttapipat
You can also order it from The Book Depository with FREE SHIPPING!
The Musicians of Bremen
Amazon Price: $7.88 (as of 06/02/2012)
List Price: $15.99
This carefully worded retelling of the popular Grimm brothers' tale is also a lovely blend of text and illustration. Holding closely to the original, Puttapipat uses the conceit of the donkey, at the request of his three companions, relating the story of their grand adventure as an evening's entertainment. Nicely composed and finely detailed ink-and-watercolor illustrations cover a large part of each spread, leaving creamy spaces against which the text is set. The first and last paintings, outlined by white borders, help to carry out the framing device. On some pages, a soft, fine-lined black-ink vignette sits beside the larger colored composition, adding further pictorial detail from the text. The animals are realistically painted, with personality in their facial expressions. Chests out, heads held high, they have clearly bolstered their self-esteem by banding together. An author's note explains why the human characters are dressed in 17th-century garb. This beautifully executed folktale would be a great addition to any collection
“Some of the most beautiful and delicate art I have ever seen.”
The Opening Illustration
Opening illustration for Niroot Puttapipat's retelling of The Musicians of Bremen by The brothers Grimm. Published by Walker Books, 2004.
Pen & ink and watercolour, 2003.
This was Niroot's first illustrated book.
To quote the artist:
"Observant viewers will notice that the gourd in the upper left corner is a nod towards Durer's engraving of St Jerome."
In this painting, the donkey is beginning his tail - oops, I mean, tale, for the benefit of his audience.
The Rooster
One of my favourite illustrations!
Pen & ink and watercolour; pencil vignette, 2003.
Scanned from a proof of the book spread itself. The original now belongs in the collection of the art director who helped work on the book.
'"Oh, dear" said Donkey, "what can be so wrong?"
"What's wrong?!" wailed the rooster. "Only that the mistress of the house is preparing to wring my neck for Sunday lunch, despite my prediction of fine weather for Our Lady's Day today! So now I'm making all the noise I can while I'm still alive!""
Nightfall
They arrive at the robber's cottage
Pen & ink and watercolour; pencil vignette, 2003. And just look at the cat and the rooster up in the tree!
By nightfall they had arrived at a forest. Dog and Donkey settled down under a tree while Cat and Rooster took to the branches. From his perch at the top, Rooster could see a light from a distant house - this would certainly be a more welcome place of rest. They went towards it and found it to be a little cottage. Donkey peered in through a window and saw what appeared to be a band of robbers.
The Robbers
Our first look at the ostensible villains of the piece.
Pen & ink and watercolour, 2003.
And here we see some delicious-looking food, and an assortment of unique and unsavoury characters! And the poor animals, they must be looking in so hungrily...and what's that? TREASURE?
What did you think of the Musicians of Bremen?
Write a review, add a comment, or debate someone who disagrees with you.
What did you think of the art and the story?
Love it! Great read.
SandraRose says:
Gorgeous artwork - I just love to look at it!
Sorry, not my cup of tea.
The Final Illustration
Enjoying their victory!
Pen & ink and watercolour, 2003.
And here at the end we see the four creatures, Dog, Cat, Rooster and Donkey, singing and screeching happily away from their (very delicately illustrated) songbooks!
Before long they came across a rooster perched on a farmyard gate. He looked utterly furious and was crowing for all he was worth.
The Cover Illustration
More books by Grimm
Vote for your favorites, or add any I missed.
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The Sisters Grimm: Book Seven: The Everafter War (Bk. 7) by Michael Buckley
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More books illustrated by Niroot Puttapipat
Trademark quality from cover to cover!
Musicians of Bremen: Tailpiece
Quills and books and scrolls...
A pencil drawing at the end of the book. The heart-shaped book is based on a real medieval music book, the Chansonnier Cordiforme of Jean de Montchenu.
Rate it, if you dare...
More From this Artist
The Night Before Christmas: A Magical Cut-Paper Edition
Reader Feedback
Leave me a comment!
Did you like the art?
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SandraRose Sep 9, 2010 @ 7:33 am | delete
- I wasn't familiar with this artist before, but these illustrations have definitely captured my interest. I was looking for a book such as this to stay at Gramma's house, and now I have found one! It will be a toss up as to who will enjoy it the most! I might have to buy more than one of his books!
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WordCustard
Feb 26, 2010 @ 3:22 pm | delete
- I did, these illustrations are stunning and I really enjoyed your presentation of this book.
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susannaduffy
Dec 26, 2009 @ 5:17 am | delete
- It's a gorgeous story and I haven't seen these stunning illustrations before.
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Wednesday_Elf
Dec 16, 2009 @ 2:32 pm | delete
- Very interesting. I've not heard of Niroot Puttapipat before, but I'm positive my daughter and SIL have (both being illustrators themselves) and I am sending the link to this lens to them to read. What absolutely gorgeous artwork. I can see why you admire it.
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Christene
Dec 14, 2009 @ 9:31 pm | delete
- Really nice!
Blessed by a SquidAngel :)
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A Bit About Me
Postscript of utmost importance
If you buy any of the books recommended above, this page automatically makes a donation to the incredible nonprofit, Donors Choose, which helps provide classrooms and students in need with resources that our public schools often lack. by Flynn_the_Cat
I'm a Marine Biology post-graduate student, digital artist, traditional artist and photographer, obsessive reader, librarian and internet addict.
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More Illustrated Children's Books
The Night Before Christmas: A Magical Cut-Paper Edition
Also illustrated by Niroot Puttapipat, written by Clement C. Moore
The Night Before Christmas: A Magical Cut-Paper Edition
Amazon Price: $8.94 (as of 06/03/2012)
Clement C. Moore's "Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas," first published in 1825, spurred a revision of Yuletide traditions with its image of a merry Santa Claus beloved by children around the world. Now a cut-paper edition of the poem, with exquisite illustrations by Niroot Puttapipat, elicits the magic of the season through moonlit silhouettes. With scenes that transform with the turn of each page, revealing the fine details and decorations of a festive family home, this keepsake edition features a final pop-up spread that captures all the excitement of a special night.
The Bremen Town Musicians
Hsin-Shih Lai (Illustrator), Howard Kirk Besserman (Designer)
The Bremen Town Musicians
Amazon Price: $11.13 (as of 06/03/2012)
The trademark lighthearted, somewhat cartoony watercolors by Wilhelm, himself a Bremen native, imbues this blithe retelling with a timeless, fairy-tale setting. A better choice for young readers than P. K. Page's version of the story (reviewed below), Wilhelm's ( Tyrone the Horrible ; I'll Always Love You ) book offers a shorter text, at once pithy and descriptive. The child-appealing prose is studded with such distinctive phrases as a depiction of the forlorn cat, whom the donkey and the dog find by the roadside, "looking as dismal as three wet days." When the feisty quartet interrupts a group of robbers in a thatched-roof cottage counting their money as they enjoy a feast, observant readers will notice that these bad guys look quite a bit like the animals' former owners. This is just one of the quixotic twists that make Wilhelm's spirited rendition so refreshing. Ages 5-8.
