Amazon.com

Frankly, one can never have too much Eloise. For all those who love lovelove the irrepressible 6-year-old resident of New York City's haughty PlazaHotel, and shining star of Kay Thompson and Hilary Knight's classic Eloise, the ultimate joy is tosee four favorite titles collected in one enormous volume: Eloise: TheUltimate Edition. Sit back and watch as our heroine braids Skipperdee theturtle's ears, brushes her teeth with pear lemonade in Moscow, absolutely goeswild in Paris, and jingles around her lobby at Christmastime, tying tassels onthe thermostat. This edition, with a lovely new dust jacket by Hilary Knight,includes our absolutely darling little sweetnik in Eloise in Moscow, thefantastique Eloise inParis, the rawther festive Eloise at Christmastime, andthe splendid scrapbook of memorabilia, photos, and drawings, The Absolutely EssentialEloise. It's all absolutely essential, if you ask us. (All ages)--Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (6)

great, except for some errors..............
The picures are wonderful, stories are great, but the part of The Story of Eloise, they miss judged the spacing and left out the 1st letter of the starting paragraph. Someone didn't proofread it right. You get all 4 book, one great buy with the extras! ( the scrapbook and the story of Eloise) Hopefully they caught the errors for the next printing. A book you can pass down from generation to generation!

Finally A Treasury
This is definitely one of the best treasuries I have ever bought. Eloise is such a fun and adorable character. I don't know who couldn't like her.

This treasury contains Eloise in Moscow, Eloise, Eloise in Paris, and Eloise at Christmastime. Not only that, there's a special scrapbook all about the author Kay Thompson featuring pictures and info about the author of this beloved character.

This is a must have book for the holidays, or anytime. So pick up a copy, and charge it please.

What am I missing?
A spoiled brat lives in a fancy hotel in New York: that's kind of what this series boils down to for me.

I read to my kids a lot, and this is the one series that I completely don't get: I don't see why it's funny or touching or...anything. Neither do my kids.

Her language can be quite fun and ingenious, but holy cow...I don't understand all the fuss.

It's about time we had all 4 at once
A few years ago, I was waiting with baited breath for all the Eloise books to be reprinted. It just could not happen fast enough for me. Finally, all 4 were out, and I was happy. Then they came out with this book that collects all four books in one volume for the first time, and I bought this too. Why did I buy this? Well, for one thing, the new Hilary Knight cover is rather fabulous. I am all for new Knight artwork whenever it appears, and this cover was obviously not dashed out but carefully drawn, and it shows. This is definitely worth having for the Eloise fan.

Oooooooooooooooo I Love This Edition of Eloise Best!
This is the book about Eloise that Eloise would buy. As you may remember, Eloise is the six-year-old who lives on the top floor of The Plaze Hotel in New York City with her English Nanny, pug (Weenie), and turtle (Skipperdee). Here are some of the ways that Eloise has been characterized: "Holden Caulfield for kindergarten girls"; "a mini-Auntie Mame -- a protofeminist"; and "independent and saucy."

Contained in this volume are the original Eloise story, the Scrapbook by Marie Brenner (containing the origins of Eloise and the story, and biographies of Kay Thompson and Hilary Knight, and how readers responded to the stories as they appeared), and the three sequels (Eloise in Paris, Eloise at Christmastime, and Eloise in Moscow). Each of the four stories contains the deluxe fold-out drawings from the original books, and the Scrapbook has many wonderful photographs and drawings that will delight those who would like to know more background about Eloise and her creators.

With one exception, the material is outstanding. The story, Eloise in Moscow, is very poor in its humor and plot line. But having the story in this collection will allow you to savor those parts of the story that happen to appeal to you.

The reproduction is also superb, except for the frontispieces of the four stories. These should simply have been omitted.

I usually avoid recommending expensive editions, but this one is a good value. It contains all the best material about Eloise, and you may have trouble finding the same versions by buying the books separately. Also, this edition is likely to be a hand-me-down item from one generation to another and another. The cost per reader is probably going to be quite small as a result.

To me, the best of the four stories is still the original. Reading the Scrapbook adds a lot to my enjoyment of that story. Of the sequels, I like Eloise in Paris best. Some people will not like Eloise at Christmastime because Kay Thompson's rhymes are not the best. I can enjoy fractured verse, so I found it appealing instead.

Space does not permit me to review each of these sections in detail here, but you can read my reviews of each story elsewhere on Amazon for the individual books. I gave five star reviews to all but Eloise in Moscow, to which I gave a two star review.

After you have enjoyed this book, I suggest that you grab a partner who also loves Eloise and write a new Eloise story that brings her into the 21st century in a locale and at a time of your choice. Then find a young person to read that story to, and draw some illustrations together. That will add to your enjoyment of this book and of your love of Eloise.

J'aime beaucoup Eloise . . . toujours! ... Read more

Amazon.com

If you grew up with Kay Thompson and Hilary Knight's Eloise books, someof her eccentricity probably rubbed off on you whether you realize it or not.Frankly, it's difficult to remain unaffected by a 6-year-old girl who lives inNew York City's Plaza Hotel, braids her turtle's ears, talks to Mars through apaper cup, and pours water down the mail chute. Eloise's Guide to Lifepieces together snippets from Eloise, Eloise in Paris, Eloise in Moscow, and Eloise at Christmastime in theinterest of instructing its readers on "how to eat, dress, travel, behave, andstay six forever." Of course, if everyone took this advice, people would putlarge cabbage leaves on their heads when they had headaches, throw occasionaltemper tantrums, comb their hair with forks, and pretend they were orphans toget food from strangers. Like the wee Seuss-isms, this whimsicalsampling of Eloise-isms is sure to renew a sense of rebellion and joie de vivrein nostalgic Eloise fans. This small book is perfect for new graduates or foranyone who has forgotten how much fun it can be to wear toe shoes on their ears.For adults who want absolutely everything Eloise, The Absolutely Essential Eloiseincludes the text and illustrations of the original title, along with ahistorical scrapbook detailing the making of Eloise. (Grownups) --KarinSnelson ... Read more

Reviews (7)

ELOISE!
I've been reading Eloise since I was 6 and I'm now 14! She represents freedom, and her wildness refreshes my mind. It's a great book for kids and it will expand their imagination.

Every child should grow up with Eloise!
Eloise rocked my world when I was little... now I'm 18 and bringing her books to college! She's an inspiration to six-year olds and adults alike. This book is just another great glimpse into the world of Eloise. I consider it a lesson on how to stay young through use of the imagination. It isn't as great as the original Eloise, but it's still wonderful! I read it to children I babysit for (who love her) and I plan on reading it to children of my own someday!

Not an Eloise fan...
My daughter received this as gift from her Aunt(an Eloise fan) for her 6th birthday. I found it to be confusing. I would not pick this for a child. Not my idea of a childrens book.

For Eloise fans only!
Let's face it-you are either an Eloise fan or not. There is no in-between. I happen to be a very loyal fan.

I ran across this by accident one rainy airport day and of course, knew it was going to be great. I was not disappointed. This is a book full of previous work collected into a life "guide".

The illustrations are once again, hillarious! Who couldn't smile at Eloise's antics? The "advice" is superb. But my favorite are the little pink colored advice tidbits on most pages.

I am so relieved that Eloise has not been censored by the politically correct. So many children's books are so soapy clean that you cannot enjoy them. However, all things Eloise remain classic.

Scrapbook of Eloise's Quirks from the Four Books
This book contains highlights of the four Eloise books (Eloise, Eloise in Paris, Eloise at Christmastime, and Eloise in Moscow), grouped into her habits about eating, dressing, travel, behavior, and staying young (six). The book is like having a brief scrapbook of these stories that capture and remind you of the essential character of Eloise. As such, this book will help you quickly drop the cares of the day . . . and it's healthier than a cocktail.

On the other hand, if you haven't read all four books, I think this assemblage will lose some of its charm. Some of the examples don't make much sense if you don't have the story context for them.

If you have read all four stories but don't have copies, this is the bargain basement way to have a little of each one.

If you can afford to indulge, I suggest Eloise: The Ultimate Edition as a better choice. That has all four stories, plus the wonderful scrapbook material about the development of the Eloise character and biographies of Kay Thompson and Hilary Knight. Once you own that edition, you don't really need this one (unless you just want to tuck it under your pillow for comfort).

Some of my favorite sections from this book include Eloise combing her hair with a fork, ordering room service, insisting on Sabena because they let turtles fly on that airline, and getting a new outfit from M. Dior in Paris. I'm sure you'll find some of your favorites, too.

By the way, Eloise must have authorized this book. Kay Thompson wouldn't have . . . because it's commercial Eloise rather than essential Eloise. The wonderful Hilary Knight drawings carry the edition, even when the context seems lost.

After you have finished enjoying this little souvenir, I suggest that you try boiling down your life into 20 elements of your own habits. Which 20 best capture the real you? If they don't capture you, what does that say? Hmmmm. Something to think about.

Remember the best . . . from midst all of life's little eddies. ... Read more

Amazon.com

"I am Eloise/I am six." So begins the well-loved story of Eloise, the garrulous little girl who lives at New York's Plaza Hotel. Eyebrow raised defiantly, arm propped on one jutting hip, Eloise is a study in self-confidence. Eloise's personal mandate is "Getting bored is not allowed," so she fills her days to the brim with wild adventures and self-imposed responsibilities. An average Eloise afternoon includes braiding her pet turtle's ears, ordering "one roast-beef bone, one raisin and seven spoons" from room service, and devising innovative methods of torture for her guardians.

Eloise's exploits are non-stop, and--accordingly--the text uses nary a period. Kay Thompson perfectly captures the way children speak: in endless sentences elongated with "and then ... and then ... and then... " Hilary Knight's drawings illustrate Eloise's braggadocio and amusement as well as the bewilderment of harassed hotel guests. Eloise's taunts are terrible, her imagination inimitable, her pace positively perilous. Her impertinence will delight readers of all ages. (Ages 5 and older) ... Read more

Reviews (98)

I rawther love love love this book!
As we all know, Eloise is six and she lives at the Plaza Hotel with her Nanny who says things three times, her dog Weenie, her turtle Skipperdee and two dolls. When I was a child, I adored this book and wanted to be just like Eloise. She does whatever she wants and gets away with it.

As an adult, I feel so sorry for Eloise because her mother only sends for her when it's sunny and otherwise isn't present. What a poor little girl to grow up so alone!

However, this is a tremendously humorous and beautifully illustrated classic that can always make me grin from ear to ear. I looooovve room service too! Oh, and charge it please. Thank you very much.

Childlike and Literary
A few weeks ago, I took a friend and her two 5 year old twin girls to dinner. There was a 45 minute wait, and we went to the bookstore next door. I was dreading the prospect of entertaining two 5 year olds for 45 minutes until I saw a copy of Eloise, which has been out of print for many years. I sat down and started reading to them. The time flew by. A few older women walked by and smiled. I like to think that they had read the book when they were little girls. The 45 minutes went by all too soon for me.

What can I say about Eloise? We named our DOG Eloise when I was a boy. It is both literary and true to children. It is one of the books (like Charlotte's Web or Black Beauty) that stays in your heart from childhood.

Give it to your children.

Informed Parents
This is a very fun book. The story is imaginative and witty and the illustrations wonderfully whimsical. I bought this book for my little girl, remembering how much I loved it as a child when my first grade teacher read it to our class. Though I truly love this book, I can only give it 4 stars. This is because I must edit it as I read it to my daughter because I find some of the language used by the precocious Miss Eloise a bit offensive. By my count(done quickly), Eloise uses the phrase "for Lord's sake" six times and "Oh my Lord" five. In my home this is called "taking the name of the Lord in vain" and it's something your not suppoesed to do. It reduces the name of our Lord and Savior to a mere exclamation. I will still read this book with my child. When my daughter (now only 19 months)is old enough to understand, we will talk about how much we love Eloise but how it's not okay to take the name of the Lord in vain or terrorize one's tutor.

ELOISE IS THE BOMB!!!
Eloise is so funny,
she is a free spirt, and very accurate. She's here, She's there, She's everywhere. Recently, they made Eloise at the Plaza,(Rated 5 stars) And she's great.
Though I'm 10, and the age group is 6 and over, I LOVE IT. I have that and Eloise in Paris, and Eloise in Moscow (First Prinitng)

If you read this, you'll always be glad you did...

The absolutely essential book!
I have always loved children's books and at seventeen, I am still quite a child myself. One of my dearest friends, whose name is Eloise and I swap children's books and so she leant me the Absolutely Essential Eloise. I do not care what others say about her being a 'brat' or whatnot, I love this book and the others! Eloise is exactly how anyone would want to live, having everything and doing anything. I would highgly recommend it to any adult who wants to capture their 'inner child' again. :D I love Weenie too because I love pug dogs.
My mother knows Coco Chanel. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Why is Eloise, 6-year-old resident of the Plaza Hotel in New York City, going to Paris? She and Nanny were summoned by a cablegram from Eloise's mother, and, as we all know, "If you are going to Paris France / you have to turn into French and absolutely go wild / and put adhesive tape on you / and fall down a lot and sklathe the window / and stretch into the curtain and..." Ahh, the deliciously mad logic of Eloise. She promptly gets on the phone to tell everyone--including room service--that she is Paris bound. There's so much to do--shots, passport pictures, packing ("Here's what else you have to take / Everything"), and of course the endless good-byes. Fortunately, "Sabena is the only airline / that will allow you to travel with a turtle" so Skipperdee comes along for the ride. At last, ils arrivent!

Hilary Knight captures familiar Parisian sights in his delicately hewn pen-and-ink illustrations of everything from the Arc de Triomphe to the Seine to the Champs Élysées to outdoor cafés. Children will studyevery detail of each rawther extraordinaire illustration, from Weenie's snout (such as it is) peeking out from under the hotel bed to the bandy-legged, bunchy-shirted Eloise with her necklace of champagne corks. Even if children don't understand half of the quirks and language directed toward precocious grownups ("Langoustines make very good fingernails"), they'll find more than enough to delight them down to their very toes. Adults, of course, will also revel in this fascinatingly eccentric romp. And if you know anyone who loves (or will love) Paris, this book is the perfect bon voyage gift. Eloise in Paris was first published in 1957, the sequel to the original Eloise, and is every bit as wondrous. If you're in search of more Eloise (and who isn't really?), don't miss The Absolutely Essential Eloise, the original Eloise book with an additional scrapbook that tells the whole story of this impish character and her devoted creators. (Click to see a sample spread.Copyright 1957 by Kay Thompson. Reproduced with permission of Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.) (Ages 5 to 105) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Eloise from 5 to 32!!!
I'm 32 years old and I LOVE Eloise - she is an absolutely delightful character! I have bought several of the Eloise books for my 5 year old daughter and she just loves Eloise as well. How fun and inspiring is it for a little girl to read about a character as whimsical and independent as Eloise?

The illustrations in this book are fantastic and really bring Paris to life for children. I have read this book at least 100 times to my daughter, and each time I enjoy it more. My daughter now wants a champagne cork necklace just like Eloise...thanks Kay Thompson for laughs you have allowed my daughter and me to share!

I love this book!!
I read Eloise (at the Plaza) and Eloise in Paris - all 'very much' Kay. I loved that woman - a very good friend of my mom's. I worked with/for her when (as a teenager) I did her musical arrangements and orchestrations for her fabulous act with The Williams Brothers - which opened in Vegas and played all over the world.

She was one of a kind (you can see her in Funny Face) brilliant musical/vocal arranger herself, world traveler, racounter, incredible lady. I've bumper into her in Rome, Paris, London, New York, LA and was terribly saddened by her death (even though she was painfully painfully thin her whole life). She was one of the great women in the history of show biz. The Eloise books are thrilling to say the least and I continually laugh every time I pick one up even after I've gone through them 100 times. I'm ordering them once again as I left mine in London and MUST have them once again. Buddy Bregman

ElOISE IN PARIS: []
Eloise's First trip to Paris, is unforgetable.
With her Nanny (Nanny), Turtle (Skiperdee), and her Dog (Weenie)...It's a Treasure. It's a keeper. It's great. A+

Eloise Is At It Again
Eloise is at it again, only this time she's in Paris. She'll miss the Plaza, but she does so love visiting new places. The 6 year old is sent for by her mother, and is flown off to Paris with her Nanny, turtle (Skipperdee), and her dog who looks like a cat (Weenie). While in Paris Eloise hangs out with Koki, one of her best friends and chaueffer and gets into all types of trouble. From sneaking around the hotel at night to losing Skipperdee and Weenie at the museum.

This is an excellent book for all Eloise fans, so pick up a copy of this book, and charge it please.

Cest moi, Eloise!
This is my favorite Eloise book. As an Eloise fan and a dedicated Travel-buff, this book is a perreniel favorite.

My sister and I had a battered copy that had belonged to my mom. Little did we know that it was a first edition. Unfortunately, with the cover missing and many of the pages creased and loose, it certainly didn't look like much.

That didn't matter to us, all the pages were still there, and we read that book, along with Eloise and Eloise in Moscow, over and over again. How happy I was to see that these books have been re-printed. ... Read more

Book Description

Well, she just adores lots of things -- The Plaza Hotel, Room Service of course, taking walks with Nanny, and Weenie's whiskers (which are wonderful). But there's one more thing that Eloise is rawther fond of... ... Read more

Amazon.com

Eloise gets more outlandish with each book in Kay Thompson and Hilary Knight's popular 1950s series. First published in 1951--when cold war sentiments were heating up--Eloise in Moscow showcases the highly undiplomatic exploits of our favorite precocious 6-year-old as she paints the town red with her beloved Nanny. Adults will relish this glimpse behind the Iron Curtain, complete with a foldout spread of the Kremlin that is positively suitable for framing ("Here's what they/ have in the Kremlin/ armor Easter eggs/ icons/ and clocks," "Ivan is terrible/ and is watching in this tower"). The usual pink, black, and white color scheme is absent here--Knight's pen-and-ink drawings are instead accented with a rich goldenrod, and in the foldout Kremlin, even oranges and greens.

After a three-week stay in Moscow with her colleague Hilary Knight, Kay Thompson had plenty of fodder for her distinctly Eloisian travelogue: the food ("It is difficult to know what to eat in Moscow/ There is no melon in season/ Nichevo"); the stilted English of their tour guide ("That house is Chekhov/ That house is Stanislavsky if you want to see it/ Noyou cannot it is reconstruction"); national security ("Our telephone had quite a bit of static/ so we talked about General de Gaulle/ to throw them off track/ Everybody listens to everything in Moscow"); and even the water ("The water is Russian so I brushed my teeth/ with/ pear lemonade and apple lemonade/ Actually I preferred/ the pear").

Children will be fascinated by the intricate, delicately skritched details of this 72-page picture book, but adults will surely be the most amused. Fortunately, in the wake of Eloise's Russian junket, the Kremlin wall is left standing, and there are no international repercussions. But is she, as she haughtily declares, an "absolutely darling little sweetnik"? Definitely nyet. And that's the way we like her. If your Eloise library is incomplete, which would be sad, be sure to investigate Eloise in Paris; Eloise at Christmastime; The Absolutely Essential Eloise (complete with historical scrapbook); or the original recipe, Eloise. (Best for grownups--or as a read-aloud for ages 7 and older) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Lite history of the Cold War
My girls and I love the Eloise series, this one included. The age group to understand this book is a bit older than the others, say 11 or 12. All the cold war references led to interesting discussions of the cold war and the failure of Communism.

On the light side this book reads very well out loud. It helps if you have a deep voice to say as the intra tourist guide "IS POSSIBLE TO SEE BOOK REVIEWS HERE." "IS NOT POSSIBLE TO HOLD BOOKS, BOOKS ARE SENT AFTER BOUGHT" (While not a quote from the book, it reads like it.)

The book's view of the world does feel dated. It's like reading a Cowboys vs Indian's book and having to explain that perhaps not all is as it appears. Russia is not what it was, but it's not the west yet.

The quality of the paper and the binding are excellent, it feels like it will last for multiple reading. There is a nice foldout of the Kremlin. Like all the Eloise books, the drawings are inked in one color, this one uses yellow to great effect. The paper jacket is an exact copy of the hard cover underneath which is great as the text on it is wonderful.

If you like the other Eloise books, you'll like this one.

Do I recommend this book? "Oh Definitely Da."
Get out your woolies and fur hats, Eloise is going to Moscow! In the funniest of Eloise's many escapades, she travels to the Russia of the 1950s with Nanny, Winnie, and Skipperdee in tow. Apart from her usual hotel antics, including spying on the other guests and dinning on black caviar from the Caspian Sea, Eloise has many mischievous adventures at the Bolshoi Ballet, Red Square, and inside the Kremlin. While young children will not understand all the humor in this and other Eloise books, they certainly still love the outrageous heroine Eloise, who's expressions and intentions are so vividly portrayed by Hilary Knight's illustrations. Eloise in Moscow continues Kay Thompson and Hilary Knight's tradition of hilarious books for precocious grown-ups.

Eloise Is Back
Eloise is back and more mischevious than ever. This time Eloise, Nanny, Weenie (her dog who looks like a cat), and Skipperdee (her turtle) are in Moscow. Eloise visits the ballet, and has a tour guide, but thinks someone is spying on her. "As you know there's no privacy in Moscow."

This is a must have for anyone's Eloise collection. So buy a copy, and charge it please.

Moscow relived
As an Ex-Pat living in Moscow during 2001, I wanted a book to share with the little ones we know in the United States. This book is not only funny bit accurate. The middle pull out of the Kremlin is supurb and everyone who has received it from us has loved it. I have a copy of one myself so I can look back on my experiences living here and laugh at some of the same ones Eloise and I have had.

Historical fun!
Children will love the comical adventures of everyone's favorite six-year-old in Soviet Moscow.

Adults will appreciate the look into American-Soviet relations forty years ago, and Hilary Knight's wonderful drawings of it.

Why not five stars? Maybe by this fourth Eloise book, the whimsy is a little predictable by now. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Eloise has always had a rather festive air about her, but when Christmastime rolls around, well, it's "Fa la la la fa la la la lolly ting tingledy here and there," of course. The bunchy-bloused, spindly-legged scamp is speaking in rhyme this time, and in typical Eloise fashion, the verse simply can't be perfectly metered, for what would be the point? She rushes around New York's Plaza Hotel on Christmas Eve, jingling, spreading Christmas cheer, tying tassels on the thermostats, and writing "Merry Christmas" on all the walls. And of course there are gifts to be delivered and wrapped:

For Weenie a roastbeef bone deluxe
For Skipperdee raisin milk
I'm giving the valet a beehive of course
made of safety pins and silk

Her asides, printed in red, are as priceless as ever: "Sometimes there is so much to do that/ I get sort of a headache around the sides and partially under it." Or in a rare vulnerable moment, "For when you are a child of six/ it's difficult to know/ if you deserve a present or not/ at Christmastime/ or so." But enough of that. "We sang Noel for 506/ Silent Night for 507/ We didn't sing for 509/ at the request of 511."

Hilary Knight's pen and ink pink-and-black illustrations are perfect--particularly of the "sugar plums" dancing in Eloise's head on Christmas Eve, complete with crazed elves, Nanny-as-angel, reindeer with glasses, and of course Santa's sleigh with one giant package in it... for Eloise. Kay Thompson's Eloise at Christmastime, first published in 1958 with a different cover, joins Eloise in Paris and The Absolutely Essential Eloise (with additional historical scrapbook) as a much welcomed reissue of the original. And there's always just Eloise. (Ages 5 to 105)--Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Christmas at the Plaza
I think that this is the strangest of all the Eloise books! I remember that the first time I read it, I'd scratch my head and go, "huh?" when I saw all the weird holiday ideas and gibberish words. Sometimes it makes me wonder what in the heck Kay Thompson was taking at the time! Needless to say, even though it is very good, it's not my favorite Eloise book. I've read all the Eloise books... they provide great maxims for daily living, such as "getting bored is not allowed" (the first book, "Eloise"). I repeat this to my friends a lot of the time. Anybody, whether child or grownup, can learn a lot from Eloise.

good book
I am..... years old and I still like Eloise book. She's my favorite 6 year old! it has nice pictures on each page and of couse one pull out page like the original Eloise book. there are some lyrics on some of the pages of the book to Eloise's favorite christmas song, "Trinkles and Drinkles." When she(Kay Thompson) tells about Eloise Christmas dream it is all in rhyme. I hoghly reccomend it to kids of all ages.

Not a read out loud book. Good for a child that can read.
At the risk of having millions of Eloise fans hate me I'm giving this book one star. At my request my
5 1/2 yr old daughter received three Eloise books for Christmas, this title included along with In Moscow,
and in Paris. She had seen Eloise in Christmas several times on TV & we both enjoyed the character. The
books however are another story. They are *completely* syncopated. Hardly a story line, just Eloise blabbing
and talking off the top of her head. No rhyme or reason, just blurts & outbursts of talk. I always thought Eloise
was the character that caused fun 6 year old havoc at the Plaza, but no that is the tiniest part of these stories.
Again just lines & lines of incomplete thoughts without a single plot other than the girl lives at the Plaza.
I found myself deleting lines and reading ones I made up my self to help make sense to my child. Picture your 5 year old high on a 1 pound bag of sugar, bouncing off the walls....that is Eloise times 1000. If you don't believe me, please go look at the book before you buy it. I have the feeling the author was blessed with accolades from something like the Emperors new cloths syndrome...it's wonderful, it's marvelous, but really there's nothing there at all.

ELOISE AT CHRISTMASTIME: AN AWSOME GIFT FOR THE HOLDIAYS
Eloise is at Christmastime, at the plaza,
and is spreding X-mas cheer. It's jolly it's happy, and Emily had a pidegon on Christmas day, a slight twist on Twas the Night before Christmas, with the ryhmes and all that, but, Eloise has visions of Sugar Plums in her head. It's Jolly.
FA LA LA LA LA LA
Tis the season to be jolly!

From,
Sean Pollock

Grade: A+
Other reviews:
Eloise
Eloise in Paris
Eloise in Moscow
Eloise takes a bawth

oh how the mighty have fallen
The original Eloise was a sustained thrill. I have avoided all sequels until now for fear of just this sort of crashing disappointment. Think of the difference between Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II, then multiply by ten. It is a bore. It is an embarassment. It is rawther godawful. ... Read more

Book Description

Eloise absolutely loves Valentine's Day at The Plaza.
She is delivering lots of love love love as she plays Cupid
and makes everyone happy happy happy. ... Read more

Amazon.com

What's this--a new Eloise, never before seen or published? News doesn'tget better than that. Kay Thompson first wrote Eloise Takes a Bawth inItaly in the 1960s with Hilary Knight and pal Mart Crowley; it has beenmarinating until now for a release with all-new drawings by Hilary Knight. Ofcourse, this time Eloise is not in Moscow, not in Paris, she is simply in thebawth at home in the Plaza Hotel. With Eloise, though, nothing is simple.Perhaps especially the notion of taking a bath, where you have to "skibble intothe bathroom and take off all your clothes," then strike a pose and look in themirror, and splawsh, and sing, and bathe with turtle Skipperdee and dog Weenie.And pretend to be the "loosest cannonball in all the Caribbean" and "Little MissMermaid but let's keep that between us." But what's this? Could Eloise'sbathtime shenanigans be causing a drip that "has begun to drop within the wallsand hallowed halls of the stately old Plaza?" Drenching the elite at theVenetian Masked Ball in the Grawnd Ballroom, no less? Fabulously decadent scenesof Eloise enacting wild battles and undersea dives in the bathtub on the "tiptop floor" of the Plaza contrast deliciously with the resulting swampy splendorof the ballroom. Extended fold-out cross-sections of the hotel's plumbing systemand a spectacular, colorful, double gatefold illustrating the underwater ball("the sensation of the social season" thanks to Eloise!) add drama and sillinessas well. A splawsh indeed! (Ages 6 to 106) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (6)

The final Eloise story completely misses the boat.
Americans have the mistaken belief that stories _about_ children are necessarily _for_ children. This was good for Kaye Thompson, though, because the "Eloise" books were most-often bought by adults for children.

But they're hardly kiddy-lit. A sophisticated child might appreciate Eloise (I did), but for the average child, Eloise is little more than a bad role model.

She's spoiled, self-absorbed, bratty -- and gets away with it, because she knows what most children don't realize until they've become parents: the most-important thing you can do as a child is to disrupt the adult world. It doesn't matter that you're punished for it, if you've inflicted pain and confusion on grown-ups.

Eloise is _not_ the child hiding in every adult, but rather the child many adults wish they had been - doing whatever they like, then secretly snickering, because they know their parents aren't going to enact any _meaningful_ retribution. Unlike most children, Eloise isn't sufficiently intimidated by adults to be worried about the consequences of her acts.

I've been an Eloise fan "forever," so I eagerly anticipated "Eloise Takes a Bawth." Alas, it doesn't come close to the "originals." Once you know the hotel is throwing a grand Venetian ball, the title's import becomes all too clear. The book slogs its wholly predictable way to a completely foreseeable ending. Eloise might be full of surprises, but this story isn't.

The preceding books were about _attitude_, not _plot_. "Eloise Takes a Bawth" is almost all plot, and a poor one at that. Is it any wonder that Kaye Thompson suppressed it? It's a shame her family and publisher didn't respect her judgement.

Eloise "completists" will want "Eloise Takes a Bawth" for their collection, but they are warned -- ...

Who says bawths can' be fun?
About a little girl(Eloise), who is forced into taking a bath, in order to be clean for the Grand Ball. She spends a lot of time in the bawth, pretending to be a boat racer, a skier, and a surfer. She keeps filling the water up, and ends up flooding the whole bathroom. Her room happend to be just above the Ball room. Everyone at the ball is wondering how water is getting all over the place. They all think that one of the hotel's pipes has sprung a leak. Her father, one of the people who are important at the ball, comes up to her room to get her, and realizes she was causing all the water to be in the ball room. First she is in trouble, but then her father looks at what has happend to the Ball Room. It is a pretty good story with an ironic ending.

Funny!
I have been read Eloise since I was five years old and she never gets boring. This book is an excellent edition to the continious saga of Eloise. How can you do anything but love this precocious little girl? This is a great book for children, and adults will love it to.

Eloise Takes a Plunge.....
There is nothing so refreshing, so enlivening, or inviting, there is nothing so delicious as a bawth. Eloise, that irrepressible and precocious nymph, just about sinks the Plaza Hotel as she splawshes, dives, plays and swims in the tub, tub, tub of her penthouse bawthroom. Drips, drops, leaks, and waterfalls begin to spout all over the building, and the manager, Mr Salomone is beside himself as he watches all his hard work on the Venetian Masked Ball, to be held that very evening in the Grand Ballroom, turn wet, soggy, and almost float away. "ELOISE/thanks to you/the Plaza's through through through/flooded floor to floor/stem to stern/door to door/The Venetain ball's a bust/Come down with me/I want you to see/the mess you've made!" But has Eloise's bawthtub antics really ruined the ball? No, of course not. In her own inimitable way, she's actually saved the day, and the Venetian Masked Ball turns out to be the sensation of the social season..... Written in the early sixties, though never published, Kay Thompson's Eloise Takes A Bawth finally makes its long-awaited debut with the help of playwright Mart Crowley and the stunning and imaginative artwork of her long-time collaborator, Hilary Knight. Ms Thompson's engaging and lyrical text is filled with her trademark energy and wit. But it's Mr Knight's captivating artwork that really steals the show. Each bold and busy pen and ink illustration is rich in subtle color, brilliant, eye-catching detail, and marvelous facial expressions, and youngsters will want to linger and explore every inch of each fun-filled page. Especially noteworthy is a dazzling four page fold-out of the masked ball in all its New York, social scene glory, and a creative and playful look behind the walls, at the Plaza's intricate plumbing system. Perfect for kids from 4 to 94, Eloise Takes A Bawth is a veritable feast for the eyes and ears, and a treasured masterpiece to read and share with friends and family now, and future generations in the years to come. "Now Eloise's forty-year bawth is finally drawn. Soak away."

Not Quite
An excellent book--it will make you chuckle and will put your kids to sleep. But it doesn't quite measure up to the good old original Eloise book. ... Read more

Book Description

Ooooooooooo, Eloise absolutely loves The Plaza! Everyone -- from the doorman to the chef to the package manager -- is busy busy busy, so she simply must help! Oh my Lord, how can the staff ever get along without her? Lift the flaps on every scene and watch Eloise zoom, skidder, and sing through the halls of one of New York City's finest hotels! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

I laughed through the whole book
I think this is the best of the Eloise books. I read it as a child and still remember the picture of her walking down the street using baguettes as skis. What a coquine! I think the more French you know the funnier the book is--partly because many pages have a hilarious hash of French and English words. My 7-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter also loved it, although they might just have picked up on my mood. I just couldn't stop laughing. I'm not sure whether Kay Thompson's text or Hilary Knight's illustrations are the best part. A real romp through the streets of Paris.

Mais oui, toujours!
A fantastic visit to the most superb city in the world, conducted by the world's most superb six year old! You simply must read this book, as all the other Eloise books, perfect for children and precocious adults alike. ... Read more