Dulcinea in the Forbidden Forest - by Ole Könnecke (Hardcover)

About the Book

"It all started on Dulcinea's birthday, when she wanted blueberries with her pancakes. Her father went into the forest near their house to pick the fruit, and he didn't come back! Even though she had promised never to go into the forest--where a witch lived, as everyone knew--Dulcinea was determined to find her father. So she went into the forbidden forest after him...."--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

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

Review Quotes

"['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

-- (9/10/2021 12:00:00 AM)

"[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

-- (7/1/2021 12:00:00 AM)

"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

-- (8/16/2021 12:00:00 AM)

"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

-- (9/1/2021 12:00:00 AM)

"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

-- (11/8/2021 12:00:00 AM)