Bearskin - Howard Pyle, Trina Schart Hyman
When it is foretold that a not-yet-born princess will marry a poor miller's son the king leaps in to action. He adopts the offending infant and tasks his woodsman with cutting out its tiny heart. Sounds a little familiar eh? Well, then you know that the miller's son escapes this fate. Instead he is taken in by a she-bear and only time will tell how he will fulfill his true destiny. This original fairy tale by Howard Pyle doesn't contain any major surprises, but it's still great fun. And what makes this version really special are the illustrations by Trina Schart Hyman. She has chosen to set this tale in a fantastical multicultural and anthropomorphic realm. I'm not sure everyone will respond to this choice, but I loved it. Definitely recommended!