SNOW WHITE AND THE 77 DWARFS

What’ll it be, Snow White? A poisoned apple or keeping house for 77 hyperactive little men?

Snow White’s gratitude for her rescue from the evil witch undergoes a transformation after having to learn 77 names (all provided to readers, both on an inside spread and a dust-jacket poster), brush as many beards, serve three meals a day to 77 picky eaters and then do all those dishes single-handedly. Eventually the witch looks like the better option: “Would you like a nice poisoned apple, young girl?” asks the crone. “I’LL TAKE TWO!” is Snow White’s emphatic response. Readers will sympathize; the spreads positively teem with individually drawn little guys in pointed hats swinging from the chandelier and getting into other mischief. Snow White struggles gamely to keep up as her pretty face takes on a frowny cast and dark circles grow under her eyes. That expression turns blissful, though, as she sprawls in bespelled sleep in the final scene with a do-not-disturb sign posted to deter any princes who might happen along.

A must-read for all offspring…or so their parents and other caregivers are likely to feel.