Dulcinea in the Forbidden Forest

  • Interest Level: Kindergarten - Grade 3
  • Reading Level: Grade 1

A funny and contemporary illustrated fairy tale about a strong heroine who saves the day, perfect for early readers.

Brave Dulcinea has known since she was small not to enter the dangerous magic forest where the witch has her castle. But her father hasn’t come home from collecting blueberries for her birthday pancakes. Did the witch cast a spell on him?

Dulcinea must brave the dark forest and sneak into the witch’s castle to steal the spell book and free him. Her father would hardly have named her after the brave Dulcinea if she couldn’t break a witch’s spell to celebrate her birthday with him!

Ole Könnecke’s funny, comic-style illustrations and humorous story turn the classic fairy tale on its head. Children aged 5 to 9, or young readers just starting out on independent reading, will love cheering on the brave and capable Dulcinea as she saves her father and gets him home just in time for pancakes.

Translated from the German edition by Shelley Tanaka.

“It’s a well-told tale with an indefatigable heroine, and an interplay of words and pictures that feels as if it shares lineage with Quentin Blake and Roald Dahl.”—The New York Times

Ole Könnecke was born in Germany, and lives as an illustrator in Hamburg. He is also the German translator of Ulf Nilsson’s Detective Gordon chapter book series.

Other books by Ole Könnecke:
You Can Do It, Bert! Bank Street CBC Best Children’s Book of the Year
The Big Book of Words and Pictures
Sports Are Fantastic Fun
Anton Can Do Magic

Praise for Dulcinea in the Forbidden Forest
”It’s a well-told tale with an indefatigable heroine, and an interplay of words and pictures that feels as if it shares lineage with Quentin Blake and Roald Dahl. A fine winter evening read-aloud, to be enjoyed next to a warm fire with a plate of cookies. Or, you know, “biscuits.”—The New York Times

“This fairy tale is updated with some attitude and a gentle poking of fun at fairy-tale tropes. There are also some seriously funny illustrations. The juxtaposition of Dulcinea’s earnest, often deadpan mien and the witch’s over-the-top dramatic expressions is priceless.”—Kirkus Reviews

“‘Könnecke offers gentle comedy throughout: “Besides, nothing bad could happen to you on your birthday, could it?’ Concise chapters move the pace along as readers follow Könnecke’s inky, black-outlined art in a tale for those who love magic, fairy tales, and blueberries on their pancakes."—Publishers Weekly

Format Your Price Add
978-1-77657-395-0
$14.24
978-1-77657-397-4
$23.99
Available at all major wholesalers and distributors. Save 25% off list price on hardcovers and ebooks when you buy direct! Digital purchases will be accessed on Lerner Digital Bookshelf. An account will be created for you after purchase.
Interest Level Kindergarten - Grade 3
Reading Level Grade 1
Category SEL: A Self-Awareness, SEL: B Self-Management, Social Emotional Learning
Copyright 2021
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Imprint Gecko Press ™
Language English
Number of Pages 64
Publication Date 2021-09-07
Text Type Fiction
BISACS JUV045000, JUV012030, JUV013060
Dewey [Fic]
Dimensions 6.75 x 8.3333
Lexile 580
Features Original artwork, Reviewed, Teaching Guides, and eSource

Author, Illustrator: Ole Könnecke

Ole Könnecke was born in 1961 and spent his childhood in Sweden. He now lives in Germany and has produced more than 30 books, several of which have won international awards.

Lerner eSource™ offers free digital teaching and learning resources, including Common Core State Standards (CCSS) teaching guides. These guides, created by classroom teachers, offer short lessons and writing exercises that give students specific instruction and practice using Common Core skills and strategies. Lerner eSource also provides additional resources including online activities, downloadable/printable graphic organizers, and additional educational materials that would also support Common Core instruction. Download, share, pin, print, and save as many of these free resources as you like!

Dulcinea in the Forbidden Forest

A funny and contemporary illustrated fairy tale about a strong heroine who saves the day, perfect for early readers. Brave Dulcinea has known since she was small not to enter the dangerous magic forest where the witch has her castle. But her father hasn’t… View available downloads →

Reviews

The Horn Book Magazine

“Profuse line and wash illustration, in a minimal palette of light oranges and browns, set the scene and capture atmosphere and personalities beautifully, from the egomaniacal witch to Dulcinea’s sweet father—whether as a human or a tree.”—The Horn Book Magazine

The New York Times Book Review

“[‘Dulcinea’] is a well-told tale with an indefatigable heroine, and an interplay of words and pictures that feels as if it shares lineage with Quentin Blake and Roald Dahl. A fine winter evening read-aloud, to be enjoyed next to a warm fire with a plate of cookies. Or, you know, ‘biscuits.’”—The New York Times Book Review

Booklist

“Könnecke’s early chapter book moves at a quick clip and is punctuated by entertaining non sequiturs and simple inked illustrations in orange, black, and white. This will easily be a success with both young listeners and readers, who will be drawn to dauntless Dulcinea.”—Booklist

Publishers Weekly

“Concise chapters move the pace along as readers follow Könnecke’s inky, black-outlined art in a tale for those who love magic, fairy tales, and blueberries on their pancakes.”—Publisher’s Weekly

Kirkus Reviews

“[T]his fairy tale is updated with some attitude and a gentle poking of fun at fairy-tale tropes . . . The juxtaposition of Dulcinea’s earnest, often deadpan mien and the witch’s over-the-top dramatic expressions is priceless . . . Wonderfully amusing illustrations enrich a confident, capably executed narrative.”—Kirkus Reviews