Allumette: A Fable facts for kids
Allumette; A Fable, with Due Respect to Hans Christian Andersen, the Grimm Brothers, and the Honorable Ambrose Bierce is a unique book by Tomi Ungerer. It was first published in 1974. This story is a "reimagining" of the classic tale "The Little Match Girl" by Hans Christian Andersen. The book's long title honors Andersen, the famous fairy tale writers the Brothers Grimm, and the satirist Ambrose Bierce. It was initially sold in the United States by Parents' Magazine Press and Scholastic. The book was briefly reprinted in 1986, but it is now out of print.
Allumette's Amazing Story
Unlike the original "Little Match Girl" story, the main character, Allumette, does not die in the cold. Instead, she gets everything she ever wished for. She then uses the power of her wish to help make society better for everyone. This shows how one person can make a big difference.
The Art and Feel of the Book
Tomi Ungerer's drawings are a big part of Allumette's world. Allumette lives in a dump, surrounded by old cars and playful rats. This is a sharp contrast to the wealthy people shown in the book. They are pictured as pampered and having many more things than they need. The book's drawing style and overall feeling are similar to the works of Maurice Sendak. This is especially true for his books In The Night Kitchen and We Are All in the Dumps with Jack and Guy.
A Glimpse Inside the Book
The story begins with these lines:
Summer and winter, spring and fall,
Allumete dressed in rags.
She had no home. She had no parents.
