The Little Prince

Gr 5 Up—This timeless story of a man who meets a mysterious boy in the middle of the desert is one that has been enjoyed by readers of all ages for more than 65 years. The man is young at heart, strongly influenced by the memories of his own childhood. He loves to draw although he isn't very good at it, and his art helps him form an emotional bond with the boy. The child appears to be young but has a very old soul. He loves to talk, think, and ask questions. He also has the strength to face a sacrifice that the man cannot. The original story was illustrated by Saint-Exupéry, which makes this modern transition into graphic-novel form especially seamless. Sfar is very respectful of the original writing and illustrations, but his simple yet nuanced artwork brings another layer of depth to the story, his use of shadows and close-ups reinforcing the mood of this piece. His adaptation is as classic as the original, and it will bring this quiet yet thought-provoking story to a new generation of readers. The format will be especially attractive to teens who might have missed this story when they were children, and to adults who are interested in revisiting their own childhood memories. Also available in French (ISBN 978-0-547-44330-0; $22.).—Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library