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The Elves and the Shoemaker
In the midnight visits clothed in mystery, a pair of elves restore a poor shoemaker to prosperity.
Here is the classic tale of elfin magic that generations of children have loved, made new by an artist of international acclaim. Jim LaMarche's stunning paintings, reminiscent of his earlier work in The Rainbabies, tell a tale not only of midnight enchantment, but of generosity and virtue rewarded.
Jim LaMarche's paintings "are extraordinarily beautiful... They indicate a deep kind of thinking about illustration in children's books," said The New York Times in a review of The Rainbabies, which went on to win the international Bologna Book Fair Picture Book Award. The Raft, winner of the 2000 Irma Simonton Black Award, won him similar praise. "This dazzling picture book is an artistic triumph," raved School Library Journal. "The luminous illustrations evoke a magical aura," added The Horn Book.
Jim LaMarche has loved the story of The Elves and the Shoemaker since he was a child himself, and has always wanted to illustrate it. At first he thought his pictures might take on a contemporary setting, but in the end "I wasn't prepared to paint elves making sneakers in Santa Rosa." So much the better for us, for here is the classic story in its classic setting, made new by this extraordinarily gifted artist.
Edition MSRP: $16⁹⁵ U.S.
Here is the classic tale of elfin magic that generations of children have loved, made new by an artist of international acclaim. Jim LaMarche's stunning paintings, reminiscent of his earlier work in The Rainbabies, tell a tale not only of midnight enchantment, but of generosity and virtue rewarded.
Jim LaMarche's paintings "are extraordinarily beautiful... They indicate a deep kind of thinking about illustration in children's books," said The New York Times in a review of The Rainbabies, which went on to win the international Bologna Book Fair Picture Book Award. The Raft, winner of the 2000 Irma Simonton Black Award, won him similar praise. "This dazzling picture book is an artistic triumph," raved School Library Journal. "The luminous illustrations evoke a magical aura," added The Horn Book.
Jim LaMarche has loved the story of The Elves and the Shoemaker since he was a child himself, and has always wanted to illustrate it. At first he thought his pictures might take on a contemporary setting, but in the end "I wasn't prepared to paint elves making sneakers in Santa Rosa." So much the better for us, for here is the classic story in its classic setting, made new by this extraordinarily gifted artist.
Edition MSRP: $16⁹⁵ U.S.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1812
About the author
Jim LaMarche
35 books37 followersJim LaMarche is the illustrator of more than twenty books for children, including Dennis Haseley’s A Story for Bear; The Carousel by Liz Rosenberg; The Rainbabies by Laura Krauss Melmed; and Albert by Donna Jo Napoli. He is the author-illustrator of The Raft. Jim LaMarche grew up in Wisconsin and now lives in California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 241 reviews
August 31, 2021
This is one of these children's books where the illustrations really bring life to the story. Definitely worth adding to any fairy tale/children's book library.
August 12, 2017
I'm actually confused right now. This story holds a lot of implicit meanings behind it:
1. It sheds the light on handicrafts. How the development and emergence of factories began to hurt the interests of professionals, "(...) with all the big factories springing up all over the city, it’s hard to make a living as a shoemaker these days."
2. The craftsmen were paid little money, during the period in which the story was told. Unlike today, the craftsmen, and specifically "The handmade" shoemakers, are paid huge amounts of money for the art they make. There is no comparison between handmade shoes and commercial shoes, as there is no comparison between natural leather and artificial leather, "(...) it’s hard to make a living as a shoemaker these days."
3. So, let me understand this clearly: you are in serious crisis, there is no money to provide your family from, and there is no money to buy leather. Then you wake up the next morning and all of a sudden "there was a beautiful pair of leather boots sitting on the workbench." Then a young man come and pay for the boots, then days passes without having the slightest curiosity to know who've done all this. If it was me, I would have camped from the first night to know who was doing all this.
4. And now, when the bulb lights up their minds to know who's been doing all this, all what they were thinking of is to actually PAY THEM!!! They still don't have any curiosity whatsoever to know who are they or why they've been doing all this, or if they want something in return. Seriously, how dumb is that?! “We’ve got to pay our nighttime helpers back somehow”
5. I'm not going to discuss the idea that they ACTUALLY FIND ELVES!!! LIKE REAL ELVES! Since it's folklore, and all. However, when the ELVES finally got paid for their thanked work "They never returned." It was like: Hello, what an example are you trying to set for the poor children here? Huh?
a) Do good and wait for the day when you get paid.
b) Don't have the courtesy to thank who did you good.
c) Be an elf and spread your goodness, and don't forget to play guitar.
"But don’t worry about the shoemaker and her husband. They had been touched by magic, and they were prosperous and happy for the rest of their lives." No, I'm not worried. It's just a lovely and simple fairy tale story that my advanced reasoning couldn't help put profoundly analyse it until it's fucked up. Sorry.
1. It sheds the light on handicrafts. How the development and emergence of factories began to hurt the interests of professionals, "(...) with all the big factories springing up all over the city, it’s hard to make a living as a shoemaker these days."
2. The craftsmen were paid little money, during the period in which the story was told. Unlike today, the craftsmen, and specifically "The handmade" shoemakers, are paid huge amounts of money for the art they make. There is no comparison between handmade shoes and commercial shoes, as there is no comparison between natural leather and artificial leather, "(...) it’s hard to make a living as a shoemaker these days."
3. So, let me understand this clearly: you are in serious crisis, there is no money to provide your family from, and there is no money to buy leather. Then you wake up the next morning and all of a sudden "there was a beautiful pair of leather boots sitting on the workbench." Then a young man come and pay for the boots, then days passes without having the slightest curiosity to know who've done all this. If it was me, I would have camped from the first night to know who was doing all this.
4. And now, when the bulb lights up their minds to know who's been doing all this, all what they were thinking of is to actually PAY THEM!!! They still don't have any curiosity whatsoever to know who are they or why they've been doing all this, or if they want something in return. Seriously, how dumb is that?! “We’ve got to pay our nighttime helpers back somehow”
5. I'm not going to discuss the idea that they ACTUALLY FIND ELVES!!! LIKE REAL ELVES! Since it's folklore, and all. However, when the ELVES finally got paid for their thanked work "They never returned." It was like: Hello, what an example are you trying to set for the poor children here? Huh?
a) Do good and wait for the day when you get paid.
b) Don't have the courtesy to thank who did you good.
c) Be an elf and spread your goodness, and don't forget to play guitar.
"But don’t worry about the shoemaker and her husband. They had been touched by magic, and they were prosperous and happy for the rest of their lives." No, I'm not worried. It's just a lovely and simple fairy tale story that my advanced reasoning couldn't help put profoundly analyse it until it's fucked up. Sorry.
April 28, 2019
This is a great book for lovers of fairy tale retellings! While I wasn't that impressed with the text (it has a few technical issues), that's more than made up for by Jim LaMarche's gorgeous illustrations. The elves (who look very much like a couple of cute little children, save for their pointy ears) are adorable. Actually, the shoemaker and his wife are kind of adorable, too, and the settings are rendered beautifully.
This would be fine as a read-aloud, but make sure the listener gets to look at the pictures. They're what make this book a winner!
This would be fine as a read-aloud, but make sure the listener gets to look at the pictures. They're what make this book a winner!
January 19, 2012
This is a lovely, loving retelling of the Brothers Grimm story. LaMarche's illustrations glow with warmth, joy and detail. I love the happy, elderly shoemaker and his wife--they are just about the cutest old couple ever! And the elves are darling. I love the slightly wild aspect to them, and the little details (like the girl wearing a dress made from a coffee bean sack). There is a Christmas scene that could make this a nice tie-in for a holiday read, though it is not specifically a Christmas themed story. Also, there is a beautiful, sweet Siamese cat in many of the illustrations ;->
Spoilers: I do wish the elves had done a little something as a "thank you" at the end, rather than simply disappearing now that they had to cobble no more, but I think their kindness and generosity had already been shown and the couple got their reward in seeing the joy the elves had in receiving their new clothes. (I don't remember the original telling. Are the elves somehow indentured to make shoes? Maybe they are like the house elves in Harry Potter, free once they get new clothes?)
Spoilers: I do wish the elves had done a little something as a "thank you" at the end, rather than simply disappearing now that they had to cobble no more, but I think their kindness and generosity had already been shown and the couple got their reward in seeing the joy the elves had in receiving their new clothes. (I don't remember the original telling. Are the elves somehow indentured to make shoes? Maybe they are like the house elves in Harry Potter, free once they get new clothes?)
September 25, 2019
The classic fairytale from the Brothers Grimm - in the original German, it is one third of a selection entitled Die Wichtelmänner - is presented here with lovely acrylic and colored pencil illustrations by Jim LaMarche, whose work can also be seen in such titles as
The Rainbabies
and
The Raft
. The result is simply enchanting: a picture-book with an engaging story of a poor but goodhearted shoemaker, whose fortunes take a turn for the better when mysterious night-time helpers begin to craft beautiful shoes for him, and appealing artwork that greatly enhances the mystery and magic of the tale.
Tales of this sort, in which magical little helpers look after the welfare of poor but deserving humans, working in secret (and sometimes leaving, if offered rewards), can be found in many folk traditions, and are described as tale-type 503, "Helpful Elves," in the Aarne–Thompson folklore classification system. From sensitive Scottish brownies (see: The Runaway Brownie ) to watchful Swedish tomtens ( The Tomten , Christmas at the Tomten's Farm ), there are many variants on this basic idea. Some even identify it as an influence on J.K. Rowling's House Elves. This presentation of the German variant (one of them, in any case) is just delightful - a real narrative and visual treat for fairy-tale lovers!
Tales of this sort, in which magical little helpers look after the welfare of poor but deserving humans, working in secret (and sometimes leaving, if offered rewards), can be found in many folk traditions, and are described as tale-type 503, "Helpful Elves," in the Aarne–Thompson folklore classification system. From sensitive Scottish brownies (see: The Runaway Brownie ) to watchful Swedish tomtens ( The Tomten , Christmas at the Tomten's Farm ), there are many variants on this basic idea. Some even identify it as an influence on J.K. Rowling's House Elves. This presentation of the German variant (one of them, in any case) is just delightful - a real narrative and visual treat for fairy-tale lovers!
Read
September 29, 2011The Elves and the Shoemaker is the classic fairytale by the Brothers Grimm. The version I have used is added to by illustrations by Jim LaMarche. The illustrations really bring the story to life and lends itself very well to reading aloud to a class.
The book tells the story of a poor shoemaker who is kind but can not sell any of his shoes. One night, the shoemaker leaves his last bit of material out. A group of elves are watching and feel sorry for the kind shoemaker. They decide to stitch up a new pair of shoes for him that are very beautiful. The shoemaker sells the shoes the next morning and uses the money to buy more material. After discovering that it5 was the elves making his shoes, he and his wife make them tiny new clothes. After receiving their new gifts the elves fly off but the shoemaker continues making beautiful shoes and lives happily ever after.
This story is for younger children. The illustrations and fairytale story will keep them very interested throughout. The illustrations could help the children with numeracy by counting the elves in the picture or how many shoes there is in the picture
The book tells the story of a poor shoemaker who is kind but can not sell any of his shoes. One night, the shoemaker leaves his last bit of material out. A group of elves are watching and feel sorry for the kind shoemaker. They decide to stitch up a new pair of shoes for him that are very beautiful. The shoemaker sells the shoes the next morning and uses the money to buy more material. After discovering that it5 was the elves making his shoes, he and his wife make them tiny new clothes. After receiving their new gifts the elves fly off but the shoemaker continues making beautiful shoes and lives happily ever after.
This story is for younger children. The illustrations and fairytale story will keep them very interested throughout. The illustrations could help the children with numeracy by counting the elves in the picture or how many shoes there is in the picture
June 27, 2016
We watched this story on DVD as part of Scholastic's Storybook Treasures. The story is not truly animated, but the illustrations are shown with various zooming techniques throughout as a read-along narrative is depicted.
This story was narrated by Patrick Stewart and the illustrations by Jim LaMarche are very sweet and entertaining. We really enjoyed watching this story together.
It's a very nice version of the classic tale by Jacob Ludwig Karl Grimm and Wilhem Karl Grimm.
This story was narrated by Patrick Stewart and the illustrations by Jim LaMarche are very sweet and entertaining. We really enjoyed watching this story together.
It's a very nice version of the classic tale by Jacob Ludwig Karl Grimm and Wilhem Karl Grimm.
August 1, 2007
The illustrations in this book take my breath away.
April 14, 2015
Grades: 3rd-4th
The Elves and Shoemaker is appropriate for students in the 3rd and 4th grade because it has more words on the page and it is longer. I liked the meaning of this folktale. It had a sentimental feel to it. I think this book displays an important moral as well as having detailed illustrations to go along with the story. I would use this book as an example of the illustrations to show the students what it means to have the illustrations supporting the text of the story. This tale could relate to the children that come from backgrounds that don't have a lot, but have enough. The moral was to show that hard work doesn't go unnoticed and will always be rewarded. I think this tale was magical and would relate to students that had an interest in design or art.
The Elves and Shoemaker is appropriate for students in the 3rd and 4th grade because it has more words on the page and it is longer. I liked the meaning of this folktale. It had a sentimental feel to it. I think this book displays an important moral as well as having detailed illustrations to go along with the story. I would use this book as an example of the illustrations to show the students what it means to have the illustrations supporting the text of the story. This tale could relate to the children that come from backgrounds that don't have a lot, but have enough. The moral was to show that hard work doesn't go unnoticed and will always be rewarded. I think this tale was magical and would relate to students that had an interest in design or art.
Read
July 4, 2016In this story there is an old shoemaker and his wife. They were poor and only had enough leather to make one pair of shoes. The shoemaker decided to cut out the shoes and finish them in the morning, but little did he know they were already finished when he woke up. The buyer paid twice the amount. This gave the Shoemaker enough money to buy leather for two pairs of shoes. Just like the night before the Shoemaker wakes up to more shoes. The Shoemaker and his wife want to know who is making the shoes. They hide behind their coats to find that it's two little elves. The wife and shoemaker make the elves a set of nice warm clothes and shoes. After the elves received their gifts they were never to be seen again. This story originated as an oral tradition that was written by the Brothers Grim.
December 5, 2015
Read thanks to the Literary Advent Calendar by BookRiot.
June 12, 2023
a cute folklore with beautiful illustrations
November 4, 2023
Read it in Danish
September 10, 2020
It's a good fairy tale for children. Although I am a grown-up I still enjoyed it !!!😊
July 8, 2016
Probably top 3 favorites of the Grimm's stories. It's a good story that isn't disturbing and has a happy ending for everyone. Just the way I like it.
The Cobbler and his wife and really poor and he only had enough good leather for one pair of shoes. He cuts the leather before going to bed, intending the make it into shoes in the morning. When he wakes up, the shoes have already been made and are exquisite. He didn't have much time to contemplate this because a man walked in and loved the shoes so much that he paid double the price.
That gave the Cobbler enough money to buy twice as much leather and make two pairs of shoes.
This went on and on for months, making the Cobbler's family very rich. A few nights before Christmas, his wife convinces him that they should stay up and watch the shop to see who makes the shoes. They were floored when they saw tiny elves in rags come in and make the shoes. Wanting to say thank you for everything they've done, the wife and husband make them new clothes.
The next night, the elves come back and see the shoes. Now that they're probably clothed, the run out of the shop, never to return.
The Cobbler and his wife and really poor and he only had enough good leather for one pair of shoes. He cuts the leather before going to bed, intending the make it into shoes in the morning. When he wakes up, the shoes have already been made and are exquisite. He didn't have much time to contemplate this because a man walked in and loved the shoes so much that he paid double the price.
That gave the Cobbler enough money to buy twice as much leather and make two pairs of shoes.
This went on and on for months, making the Cobbler's family very rich. A few nights before Christmas, his wife convinces him that they should stay up and watch the shop to see who makes the shoes. They were floored when they saw tiny elves in rags come in and make the shoes. Wanting to say thank you for everything they've done, the wife and husband make them new clothes.
The next night, the elves come back and see the shoes. Now that they're probably clothed, the run out of the shop, never to return.
March 15, 2010
A poor shoemaker becomes rich by two elves. When the shoemakers discover who is helping them they helped the elves and never saw them again.
This story originated as an oral tradition that was written down by the Brothers Grim. This author/illustrator retold this story in a way that was short and engaging. When teaching traditional literature in the classroom, I would select this book as a read aloud because it is engaging without being too long. My students get restless if the story is too long or they cannot see the book. This book has large pictures to keep students engaged during the read aloud. Struggling readers would also like this book, because it is not intimidating in size. Doing a read aloud with this book would introduce this genre to many students, while creating an appeal for the struggling readers.
This story originated as an oral tradition that was written down by the Brothers Grim. This author/illustrator retold this story in a way that was short and engaging. When teaching traditional literature in the classroom, I would select this book as a read aloud because it is engaging without being too long. My students get restless if the story is too long or they cannot see the book. This book has large pictures to keep students engaged during the read aloud. Struggling readers would also like this book, because it is not intimidating in size. Doing a read aloud with this book would introduce this genre to many students, while creating an appeal for the struggling readers.
November 4, 2015
A book with elves nothing could be better. This is the retelling of the Brothers Grimm story. The illustrations were wonderful. The eyes of the elves sparkled.
October 28, 2015
Ellie listened to the audio while looking at the book.
February 2, 2016
We acted this story out today in training. There's a part for an entire class, so no one feels left out.
December 24, 2017
Today’s Challenge. Winter Classic. Originally by the Brothers Grimm this classic remains a favorite Christmas story for me. The poor shoemaker transformed by elves and they pay it forward by making the elves new clothes. It’s a sweet story and A precious memory. #elves #shoemaker #brothersgrimm #grimm childrensbooks #theardentbiblioreads #december #christmasbooks #decemberphotochallenge #book #books #bookstagram #read #reader #christmas @theardentbiblio #reading #bookstagram #bibliophile #bigwolf #illustrated #sweet #love #grandboy #booktogift #elvesandtheshoemaker #winterclassic #5stars
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June 13, 2018
gorgeous illustrations
December 11, 2018
Good illustrations, great lesson on giving and receiving and gratitude.
December 3, 2020
This story reminds me of when I was in the second grade, and how it is certainly one of the short stories I find amusing.
August 18, 2024
I highly recommend the audible version of this sweet story beautifully read by Sir Patrick Stewart.
December 30, 2017
I love this book so much because the details are wonderful and great.
July 2, 2021
#65 of 2021
November 11, 2020
Return Kindness For Kindness ❣️
February 10, 2020
Love the illustrations on this one. A favorite story from Grimm as well.
March 8, 2021
There is a shoemaker that is poor one night he leaves some cut leather
her in the table and he goes to sleep .Over the night some elves come and finished the work that happens for some nights .One night the shoemaker finds out who they are . They are some elves the shoemaker wife makes some clothes for them and the shoemaker makes some shoes .They leave the clothes and his for the night the elves see them and put them on. For that day on the elves never which any clothes for them.
her in the table and he goes to sleep .Over the night some elves come and finished the work that happens for some nights .One night the shoemaker finds out who they are . They are some elves the shoemaker wife makes some clothes for them and the shoemaker makes some shoes .They leave the clothes and his for the night the elves see them and put them on. For that day on the elves never which any clothes for them.
March 10, 2014
An enchanting retelling of Grimm’s classic fairy tale that is sure to capture the imagination of its readers, young and old alike.
A shoemaker and his wife no longer have enough money to continue to make shoes. That night, two child-like elves sneak into the workshop and the next morning, they awaken to a pair of magnificently made shoes. The elves continue to return to the shop at night and each following morning, the man and his wife become rich off of the finished shoes that are left behind. One night, the old man and woman decide to stay up to see who has been making all of the shoemaker’s shoes… it’s two little elves dressed in nothing but sacks! The next day, the man and his wife decide to return the favor to the elves by making them a new set of clothes to keep them warm for the winter… a warmhearted tale about generosity and the exchange of gifts.
LaMarche used colored pencil and honey-colored acrylic washes on watercolor paper to illustrate this straightforward rendition of one of his favorite childhood fairy tales. His attention to detail and the lifelike images really bring this simple story to life!
It was definitely the illustrations of this book that originally caught my eye… they are absolutely stunning! The warm, golden hues and large format images are absolutely captivating. I also especially love how LaMarche represented the elves as two children rather than two little men… it adds an element of innocence to the story. As a teacher, this book has a well deserved place in any traditional literature unit grades K through 4th grade.
A shoemaker and his wife no longer have enough money to continue to make shoes. That night, two child-like elves sneak into the workshop and the next morning, they awaken to a pair of magnificently made shoes. The elves continue to return to the shop at night and each following morning, the man and his wife become rich off of the finished shoes that are left behind. One night, the old man and woman decide to stay up to see who has been making all of the shoemaker’s shoes… it’s two little elves dressed in nothing but sacks! The next day, the man and his wife decide to return the favor to the elves by making them a new set of clothes to keep them warm for the winter… a warmhearted tale about generosity and the exchange of gifts.
LaMarche used colored pencil and honey-colored acrylic washes on watercolor paper to illustrate this straightforward rendition of one of his favorite childhood fairy tales. His attention to detail and the lifelike images really bring this simple story to life!
It was definitely the illustrations of this book that originally caught my eye… they are absolutely stunning! The warm, golden hues and large format images are absolutely captivating. I also especially love how LaMarche represented the elves as two children rather than two little men… it adds an element of innocence to the story. As a teacher, this book has a well deserved place in any traditional literature unit grades K through 4th grade.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 241 reviews