This large format illustrated version of Andersen's Thumbelina was published in 1978. It was created by Nicole Claveloux, a French artist that I am planning to feature again soon on Animalarium. I love this book for its unusual structure, which alternates pages of text with spreads packed with sequences of small illustrations that can be visually read in a variety of ways. The illustrations are beautiful and funny, and the abundance of details on each spread is very appealing to children and visually oriented adults like me. But I love this version also for its feminist ending, in which Thumbelina refuses to marry the King of Flowers choosing instead a life of freedom and travels in the company of her swallow friend. Click on the photos to view them at full size!