The Glass Heart. A Tale of Three Princesses

Once upon a time… so begins the story that Nana tells to cheer Rosie up when she breaks Nana’s precious delicate glass heart. It is a story about three princess each with a glass heart – a fragile thing that can, if broken, be fatal; or that can be mended as though never as it was; or can find the happiness it deserves. Of course, there will be conditions. All fairy stories require that. Will Valentino who is not a prince be able to meet these conditions? Will he win the heart of the third princess? And what about the princess whose heart had to be mended? Well, as she says ‘That’s the way it is, something that has been broken and mended often lasts longer than something new’.

This is an attractive, gentle fairy story based on a German tale published in the 19^th century. Gardner’s telling first appeared in 2001 and it is a pleasure to see it back in print. The text is satisfyingly direct as Nana tells the story allowing for interpolations by Rosie, a technique that adds immediacy and life. There are no monsters or dragons. The tasks are practical but require time and patience. Will the princess wait for her true suitor? The fantasy element is that of the glass hearts. But real hearts can be hurt – even broken – and always need love and care from the right person. The young audience can take the fantasy as presented, older readers will appreciate the metaphor.  Adding to the atmosphere are the illustrations by Sally Gardner herself. Her delicate watercolour landscapes and figures perfectly capture the tone and the magical setting of the narrative.  Adults may recognise her subtle nod to painters such as Canaletto and Watteau. Her images bring the enchantment to life as they work in tandem to the printed text. A book that should find a home on library or home bookshelves to be shared at bedtime or indeed anytime. Recommended.