The Steadfast Tin Soldier. retold by Cynthia Rylant

While faithfully tracing most of the canonical story, Rylant changes its slant and pulls it into the mainstream with a happy ending. Where Andersen plunged right into a crisp narrative ("There were once twenty-five tin soldiers, all brothers, for they all came from one old tin spoon" [Keigwen translation]), Rylant begins with her own explicit, different, theme ("There are some who believe toys cannot love, but this is far from true"). While neither endows toys with agency, Rylant gives them thoughts and emotions, whereas Andersen ironically suggests that any meanings to their experiences are borne of our imagination -- and that what this signifies is larger than the toys' drama. Still, Rylant is an appealing storyteller, and though she lets the soldier stay "forevermore" with the little dancer, that romantic outcome may suit those who find the Dane's bittersweet ending hard to bear. Large, broad spreads suggest group sharing; closer perusal reveals many a detail, especially of toys in a well-filled nursery. In Corace's mixed-media art, with its puddled-on watercolor and flat perspectives, these details can be individually intriguing, though at times the overall effect is unfocused and cluttered (especially an unforgivably information-distressed title page). Earlier (and handsome) editions illustrated by Fred Marcellino and P. J. Lynch (both rev. 3/93) are truer to Andersen, but Rylant's is sure to find a place. joanna rudge long