The Emperor's New Clothes: The Graphic Novel (Graphic Spin) (Graphic Spin (Quality Paper))

This is a pretty cute adaptation of the classic fairy tale. The illustrations are adorable and the price is quite nice. However, if you're looking for a traditional read-aloud version of the story, this won't quite do. It's definitely a graphic novel and relies mostly on it's adorable illustrations to provide the narrative.

Once upon a time there was an emperor who was simply nuts about clothes. Now most emperors were concerned about the state of affairs in their kingdoms, but not this one. He was crazy about things like gloves, shoes, hats ... you name it, if he could wear it, he'd was interested. Regular emperors were interested in things like bridges and keeping their subjects happy, but that was the last thing on his mind. He took such delight in fancy clothing that if he saw something he liked he was known to say, "Send the tailor of these fine garments a sack of gold coins."To top it all off, he never wore the same outfit twice and in fact, "he had a different outfit for each hour ... of every day of the week." Just imagine that! One day, as he was out in his carriage (trying to be seen of course), he happened to spot a couple of weavers with a bolt of cloth. In reality they were a couple of swindlers and they began to weave a magical tale about a special fabric that was "softer than a cloud and lighter than air." The emperor just had to have that fabric and would spare no expense in getting it. The new weavers began to get to work and soon the emperor would have new clothes, but not all would be well in his kingdom. What words could a little boy say that would upend this ruler's life and his magical self-centered world?This is a comical, ingenious take on an old tale that will make the reader laugh when they find out about this new suit and its "magical powers." This retold tale is in the form of a graphic novel and the artwork has just the right zany touches that will entice its young readership. Of course many will get a case of the giggles when they see the emperor in his red spotted boxers, but then again they look rather stylish. In the back of the book is a glossary, a brief biographical sketch of Hans Christian Anderson, some discussion questions, and writing prompts.