Cozy Classics: Emma, by Jack Wang and Holman Wang

Cozy Classics: Jane Austen's Emma
Authors: Jack and Holman Wang (and Jane Austen)
Publisher: Simply Read Books
Publication Date: December 5, 2013
Source: NetGalley
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Yay! It's a new crop of Cozy Classics! I have to say, I'm not always a fan of the trend of children's books that are mostly just for adults, whether it's because they reference beloved classic literature or favourite movies or whatever. But I love these! I just can't get enough of them.

What makes these books so special is the illustrations. Those adorable knitted dolls that are posed and photographed are amazing. Plus I love all the work that goes into creating each of the backgrounds. And the juxtaposition of all that work next to a simple one-word text on the facing page is very charming.

Sometimes when I look at one of these books by Jack and Holman Wang with my daughter, I'm able to fill in the story for her because I'm somewhat familiar with the original classic, even if I haven't read it. In the case of Emma, I figured that'd be even easier because I have read it. In fact, it's the only Jane Austen book I ever remember finishing and certainly the only one I ever enjoyed (pausing to wait for the collective gasp from all the Austen fans).

I was able to mostly retell the story of Emma from this book (quite an accomplishment for the creators, considering they managed that in less than a dozen words) but if I'm honest, I was also secretly thinking back to the movie Clueless for help. (Remember Clueless? It was, like, totally a retelling of Emma. What-EV-er.)

I know I say this after reading every one of these books, but I wish I had those dolls! Also, how do they get them in all those poses? Is it glue? Is it wire? Is it hope and luck? I think they need to publish a "making of Cozy Classics" book next!


CHECK OUT THE WHOLE COZY CLASSIC COLLECTION:

NEW! Oliver Twist

Les Misérables 

NEW! Jane Eyre

NEW! Emma

Pride and Prejudice

War and Peace

COMING SOON!

COMING SOON!

Moby Dick

Cozy Classics: Pride and Prejudice, by Jack Wang and Holman Wang (based on the book by Jane Austen)

Cozy Classics: Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice

Authors: Jack Wang and Holman Wang

Based on the book by Jane Austen 

Publisher: Simply Read Books 

Publication Date: November 15, 2012 

Buy Now on Amazon.com 

Buy Now on Amazon.ca 

Let's just get this out of the way right off the bat. Some of you are huge Jane Austen fans. You know who you are. Of course you do, you're not ashamed of it. There are millions of you. And among you Jane Austen fans, many of you have a child in your life. Maybe it's not your own child, but a niece or a nephew, a friend's baby, a neighbourhood kid who waves at you on the way to work. Whatever. The point is, you will buy them this book. It's just a scientific fact. There's no way around it, really. It's freaking adorable, for one thing. Look at that felt doll on the cover! She has mud on her skirt and everything! You'd be crazy to think you can resist the charm of that. It's like weapons-grade cute right there.

Now parents: be prepared. If you have a friend or a relative or a chatty co-worker who loves Jane Austen, even ironically (whatever that means), you will most likely be receiving this book at some point. Don't be alarmed. It's cute and harmless...although I will admit that it's a little disconcerting to see a felt doll with cleavage.

Hit the jump for Magda's Take and more pictures from the book!