The delightfully witty tale "The Emperor's New Clothes" was written by Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875). Hundreds of versions have been published throughout the world, and theatrical, musical, and film adaptations have entertained audiences for more than a century.

Andersen's humorous story has always been the Favourite tale of Caldecott honour illustrator Diane Goode, and she has wanted to illustrate a picture-book adaptation of it for many years. The primary setting of this book, the palace of Versailles, has been in her consciousness since she was a little girl. Her mother was French, and Goode spent her summers in France. "Versailles is overwhelming," she explains. "It was the home of France's last king, and an aristocracy that was on its way to extinction. Over the years, I have gone back to revisit it. I have picnicked in the woods and along the canal; I have wandered through the long corridors, time and again. It is endlessly fascinating to me. Never did I imagine I would be bringing it to children as a playful parody."

During the late eighteenth century, the passion for fashion was so intense that it reached extremes in both luxury and imagination that would never be known again. "Dressing the dinosaurs, giving them personalities, homes of their own, creating the Emperor's costumes embroidered with children's stories - all of it was great fun," Goode relates. The characters are all based on real dinosaurs. Beneath the powdered wigs and period costumes, young readers who are interested will recognize the Emperor as Tyrannosaurus rex, the small weaver as a Proceratosaurus , the first minister as an Iguanodon, and the second minister as a Stegosaurus.

"These dinosaur characters are funny, fanciful, and silly. Children will recognize the absurdities of adults in an instant - one of my Favourite points of this story."