This is a story which can be appreciated on different levels by children and adults, a story which plumbs the heart of human fears and frailty and celebrates the power of love to heal. * Western Morning News *
Haunting, mysterious paintings by Catherine Hyde form the highly unusual illustrations for Car Ann Duffy's new fairy tale. The results are a ravishing and beautifully produced, and a stunning series of original paintings. * Inside Cornwall Magazine *
This is an outstanding book in all respects. Its artwork is stunning - with some pages sparkling and shimmering in the light. And the story - a classic. Carol Ann Duffy has created a marvellous web of language beautifully complemented by the exquisite and richly decorated illustrations of Catherine Hyde make this a superb fairy tale. This is a must for key stage 2. * English 4-11 *
Duffy's exquisite text reads as a timeless folk tale, a tale of a princess who is cold as ice, who takes to her bed and cannot be warmed by roaring fires or the heaviest fleeces. The king announces that anyone who can find a way to stop the princess feeling so cold will be rewarded in any manner they chose. A dark stranger tries repeatedly to win her as his wife, cloaking her in blankets of oceans, forests, mountains and earth, all to no avail. Eventually, love comes to the rescue in the form of a kindly, besotted musician. Catherine Hyde's paintings beautifully complement the text in this typically full-blown, large scale Templar production. Occasional spot lamination of gold and silver ink on the double page spread illustrations complete the magic * Books for Keeps *
This is a fairy tale of breathtaking beauty, shot through with sinister undertones and profound feeling. The princess is cold, no matter how warm her clothing, how heavy her blankets. So the king offers a reward to the person who can make her feel warm. One day a stranger dressed in black arrives in the kingdom, sure that he will cure her, and, in return, gain her hand in marriage. But the princess, repelled by his arrogance and cruel grey eyes, does not allow herself to succumb to his magic blankets, woven from the fabrics of oceans, forests, earth and mountains. So the stranger leaves, and the princess is now colder and without hope - until a wandering musician with warmth in his heart enters the kingdom. Deeply moving, the story explores many themes, among them the secret to happiness and remaining true to oneself. The story's trajectory from the depths of despair to tranquil radiance is captured in a series of titles paintings that shift between abstraction, symbolic detail and representation. Starkly dramatic, they are rich and sombre in colour, with highlights picked out in gold, copper and silver. This is an exceptional book, magical in story, language and illustration. * Carousel *
"renowned English author of poetry and fiction, Carol Ann Duffy brings us a magical fairytale about emptiness, fear and the power of love. However, what makes this story even more haunting and beautiful are the oversize illustrations by Catherine Hyde. A treat for fairy tale lovers and the paintings make it a pleasure to read and reread this story to your little ones" * Curledupkids.com *
"a real treasure of a book, a thing of beauty in itself that will appeal equally to children and adults". * Ourbookreviews.com *
'There are some excellent modern fairy tales around, such as Carol Ann Duffy's The Princess' Blankets' * Telegraph Online *