The legend of Sleepy Hollow and other stories
Washington Irving1999

Sleepy Hollow was a remote valley filled with strange beliefs and superstitions, a perfect place for an itinerate schoolmaster whose four books include one on dreams and one on witchcraft. When Ichabod Crane fastens his attentions on Katrina Van Tassel, the lovely daughter of a prosperous farmer, he risks the ire of Katrina's other suitor, a young man known for his boisterous sense of humor. A ghostly midnight chase brings the story to its famous double-edged conclusion. The full-color illustrations combine watercolor and lively pen-and-ink drawings. While all of the characters have comic qualities, the hapless Ichabod is pure caricature with huge ears, a beak-like nose, and an emaciated body with knobby joints. The energetic illustrations keep pace with the story to an unusual degree. Bright daylight pastels shift to rich cobalt, emerald green, and blacks for the midnight scenes. The line also becomes increasingly dynamic, ending in a climax of strong diagonals and vivid color.