Reviews (26)

The Honorable Knights of the Round Table
The Knights of the Round went through numerous adventures in their time. In the book, King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, the author, Sidney Lanier, illustrated some of the knights' quests. Written from Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte d' Arthur, this novel has eight mini books on the Knights of the Round Table. From the "Coming of Arthur" to the "Passing of Arthur" Sidney Lanier depicted Arthur's knights such as Sir Lancelot du Lake, Sir Gareth of Orkney, La Cote Mal Taile, and Sir Tristram. There wasn't much conflict between the different knights, except for when they decided to joust.
This medieval book, written in third person, concentrates on the Knights of the Round Table, not as much on King Arthur. I highly recommend not reading this book because it doesn't have much conflict, so it isn't very interesting. For this reason, the book, King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, is unique (because of the fact it doesn't have much conflict). This book should be read by people 13+ because of its unique words and ideas, and by people who are interested in learning more about King Arthur and his Knights.

A great legend that everybody should read
The Legend of King Arthur is a book that everyone should read at least once in his life. The Legend actually consists of hundreds of stories passed down for generations orally. Then somebody wrote it down, someone else read different ones of those and wrote his own. This way there are many different versions. The one that I read, and this review is about, is written by Roger Lancelyn Green. Unlike the other ones, which are hundreds of years old, this book is written in modern English. Because of that you can read it pretty fast.

Every chapter in this book is a story for itself, which have only a little to do with each other. The only character which is mentioned in every of those stories is King Arthur. He is the famous King of Logres, the holy realm. The story takes place in the 400s, when the Saxons invaded Britain. God thought that Britain will fall if he doesn't support them. So he decided to establish the Realm of Logres, which should be ruled by King Arthur. As soon as he began to ruled Britain, most of the world's best knights were at his court. The most famous one is Sir Launcelot. He was the best knight at the Round Table, but Logres also fell because of him and the beauty of King Arthur's wife.

And when Britain is in need, the Holy Realm of Logres can be reestablished at any time.

Awesome tales in the truest sense of the word.
I really like Rosemary Sutcliff's books, including her Arthurian
trilogy; however, I prefer Green's King Arthur because, for me,
it captures the sense of dread and awe that hangs over the
legends so well. The illustrations are very nice, as well. For my money this is a first-rate rendition.

a little fantasy for a change - almost interesting
I am 14 years old. I had to read this book for school, and considering the school usually assigns boring books, this one was pretty good. I thought it was okay, because I like fantasy books, and this book has a lot of fantasy and love stories. It was rather interesting, but I never would have read it if I hadn't had to.

King Arthur and his Brave Knights
King Arthur and his Brave Knights
King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table by Roger Lancelyn Green, were a whole bunch of different stories. They were how Arthur was raised and became king, how each of the knights came apart of the round table and how each of the went on their quest for the Holy Grail, and the departing of King Arthur and his kingdom.
The author, Roger L. Green, emphasized some differences to the original tale. For instance, Launcelot never loved Elaine. Elaine loved Launcelot very much but she was sad because Launcelot did not love her back. So Elaine went to Brysen who was a sorcerer and she made Elaine appear as Guinevere (Launcelot's love). When Launcelot saw Elaine that appeared as Guinevere he asked her to marry him and she said yes. The next morning when Launcelot saw Elaine in bed with him instead of Guinevere he went mad and started to live in the forest. Another change in the story was that the author called the Lady of the Lake, Lady Nimue. This book took place in the 6th century and the narrator is in 3rd person. The themes of the book were basically stories of each knight on their quest for the Holy Grail.
I would recommend this book to avid readers and people who enjoy fantasies. This reason because it is hard to understand some of the words are difficult to understand. ... Read more

Book Description

It has been 25 years since Brian Froud and Alan Lee created the delightful, imaginative, and surprising Faeries-a book that quickly became a massive international bestseller and went on to sell more than a million copies. Readers continue to offer praise:"This is the most influential book I have ever read." "This book is-where are the words to describe it? Magnificent / Fabulous / Beautiful / Moving / Terrifying / Fantastic. . . ."

In celebration of Faeries' 25th anniversary, Abrams is delighted to publish a special edition featuring eight new pages and 20 new pieces of art by Froud and Lee. The artists have also contributed new introductions. Since Faeries first appeared, both men have become tremendously successful and respected figures in the worlds of film, art, and publishing. But Faeries remains perhaps their most enduring work, a superb exploration of the myths, legends, folklore, and fantasy of the world of the faeries. ... Read more

Reviews (50)

"Faeries" one of the most influential books of my childhood
My mother gave my a copy of "Faeries" for Christmas 1980, when I was 11. I was instantly enchanted with the idea of faeries as real beings, and accepted much of the text as truth. I fantasized about spotting faeries in the woods and rocks surrounding my childhood home, and made many (sophomoric) attempts to copy Brian Froud's illustrations. As an adult I even had a flower faerie tattooed on my ankle in homage to his art

My origional copy of "Faeries" is tattered and dog-eared, most of the pages have fallen out, and are hopelessly out-of-sequence, but I can't bear to throw it away. I count "Faeries" as one of the most influential books I had as kid growing up, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to any child (or adult) interested in faeries or mythology. The book is incredibly well-researched, and beautifully illustrated. The hand-written text can be difficult to read at times, but adds to the wonderful illusion of illicitly reading someone's journal

Bravo for reissuing this book, I am ordering my new hardcover copy today

I can't find the words to describe it...
If you thought you liked Lady C's Pressed Fairy Book (now out of print), then you'll LOVE this one!! It is the best faerie book i have ever seen, and read. It not only tells you the history of faeries, but it also gives you an idea where Faerie -the land of faeries- is, it gives you detailed information about all the wee folk! If you thought faeries were the pretty winged Tinkerbell likes, think again, and read this book! You'll get surprised on how many faerie types there is!!

The book is beautifully illustrated, and a must for every one interested in faeries, and art! This one should be in the bookshelf in every home! Buy it for yourself, for your mom, your kid and for your best friend!! It makes a great present!

Definately worth the money, i'd pay the double price if i had to, it's that great!

Beautiful and Inspiring
Faeries, like the creatures it tries to describe, is hard to classify. Pick it up - it's a large, solid, beautifully bound coffeetable book for coffeetables you've no intention on putting drinks on - and flip through it once and you'll see fantasy art that beautifully captures the otherworldly-yet-very-familiar nature of its subject matter. Perhaps some of it will look familiar, as the art from Faeries has been used in many places and set the trends that other fantasy artists now follow.

Pick it up later and you'll notice text. Words. Stories, in unobtrusive print that is big enough to be nicely readable but cunningly placed to make sure the art has gotten your full attention before you do any reading. The words retell key sections of faerie lore and elucidate faerie etiquette and the polymorphic nature of these beings.

The subject matter is not sugar-coated or Bowlderized as if for children, but treated with the reverence and respect due to stories that have survived numerous invasions, migrations, and changes in the dominant religion. These are hardy stories, hearty stories that have lived for longer than any of us and that will outlive us all. These are stories and works of art that can be nourishing, that can enrich and enliven like a thick hearty soup on a cold day and refresh like a crisp cool drink on a hot one.

After going through this mighty book a time or two, your attention might be drawn to the names on the cover. Brian Froud is one of them, and he went on after this book to help make movies ("The Dark Crystal" and "Labyrinth") and make more books (some with the help of Terry Jones, like "Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy Book" and "The Goblin Companion: A Field Guide to Goblins"). Alan Lee is the other, and he went on to do cover illustrations for "The Lord of the Rings" that wound up becoming the definitive art for the movies. You might smile when you see them, and know hat anyone who saw this book before seeing any of those other things was in on the great secret about what those two can do, and if you get the book, you'll be in on it too.

The best Faery book I've ever read!
"Faeries: 25th Anniversery edition" is a master peice! Brian Foud truley outdid himself this time! For all the Brian Froud fans and fairy lovers out there, this book is highly recommended. In this 25th anneversery addition Of "Faries", Brian Froud adds new artwork. The book is about different kinds of faeries and a lot of other mythological creatures! The book contains a lot of brilliant stories of and beautiful, detailed artwork. The only problem I saw in this book was the way some of the stories were written. They were written in a way that I could hardly read. Other than that, this book is fabulous!

great pictures and stories
Absolutely wonderful writing and incredible pictures. I like the format of this book in that its a mix of hand written pencil notes along with regular type font for the main text. The drwaings are fantastic - wonderful expressions, outfits, colors. There are legends and such to set the stage before talking about each of the different faeries and other characters. Each faery discussed has a page devoted with a short text and drawings. The writing enlightens the imagination. ... Read more

Book Description

After struggling against the gods and his fate for more than twenty years, Odysseus has returned to Ithaca at last. But things have changed: his island has been overrun by suitors who clamor for his wife's hand in marriage and plague his son, Telemachus. With the help of the gray-eyed goddess, Athena, Odysseus and Telemachus must set out to regain control of Ithaca. In the last book of the series based on episodes from Homer's Odyssey, Mary Pope Osborne brings one of the greatest adventures of all time to a dramatic climax. ... Read more

Amazon.com

In older versions of the classic tale Rapunzel, it always seemed improbable that a grown man could scale a tower using only his beloved's hair.Not so in Paul O. Zelinsky's Caldecott Medal-winning version of Rapunzel. Here, Rapunzel's reddish-blonde mane is thick with waves and braids, and cascades like a waterfall down the walls of her isolation tower. In Zelinsky's able hands it's easy to believe that a prince would harbor no hesitations about scrambling up our fair heroine's hair.

Of course, this is not the work of an amateur--Zelinsky's lush versions of Hansel and Gretel, Rumpelstiltskin, and Swamp Angel all earned him Caldecott Honors. His gorgeous, Italian Renaissance-styled illustrations are characterized by warm golden tones and the mesmerizing sensation of trompe l'oeuil. Not only does he have the touch of a world-class illustrator, Zelinsky has also proven himself a master storyteller. We are frightened when the sorceress demands to take the baby Rapunzel, we are alarmed when the flowing locks are cruelly shorn, and we rejoice when the prince and his now modest-haired love are reunited. The notes at the back of Rapunzel reveal his careful scholarship regarding the long history of the story (tracing its origins and transformations from Italy to France and finally to Germany and the Grimm brothers)--work that no doubt contributed to his clean, compelling version of the age-old tale. Children will be captivated by the magical story and evocative pictures and adults will delight in the fresh feel of a well-loved legend. (Click to see asamplespread. Illustration © 1997 by Paul O. Zelinsky, published by Dutton Children's Books, a division of Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers.) (Ages 4 and older) ... Read more

Reviews (27)

A visually beautiful rendition of a timeless tale
"When I was a young girl, I had long braids, and always wanted to be Rapunzel," confided a colleague at a recent meeting. Paul Zelinsky's Caldecott award-winning retelling of this age-old tale of a mother-to-be's craving for the forbidden rapunzel, a possessive sorceress, a beautiful girl with an unending cascade of silky hair shut away in a remote tower, and a handsome prince just might reawaken those desires. In his informative "Note About Rapunzel ," Zelinsky relates how he drew on elements from the early French and Italian sources as well as from the better known Grimm version of this tale to create his own compelling version. Thus, some details of the story are less familiar. Rapunzel naively reveals that she has had a visitor in the tower when she asks the sorceress to help her with her dress for, "It is growing so tight around my waist, it doesn't want to fit me anymore." Other elements, retold in their familiar spare rhythm, such as "Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair!" retain ther original power. Zelinsky uses the formal beauty of Renaissance art to evoke both the physical beauty of the characters and the Italian landscape. His large oil paintings overflow with softly muted colors, billowing folds of finely detailed period costumes, ornate architecture, and majestic landscapes. His masterful use of glinting and filtering light illuminates every page. Zelinsky's Rapunzel is a book to be treasured by anyone who appreciates a timeless tale and delights in an object of visual beauty.

Beautiful illustrations and a traditional retelling
Paul O. Zelinsky's "Rapunzel" is a delight of renaissance-like oil paintings depicting a delicately beautiful girl, a frightening witch, and a handsome prince. The illustrations are truly superb, and each page features a beautifully rendered painting rich with color and detail.

Zelinsky's retelling of the story is traditional yet satisfying, but the illustrations really steal the show. Children will get caught up in the fairytale landscapes and the magical locales. Readers will also appreciate the additional information provided by Zelinsky about his retelling of the story and his study of Italian Renaissance art. It's always nice to know why artists choose to illustrate stories in a certain way.

This book won the Caldecott Medal for its fantastic illustrations.

Provacative story line with beautiful illustrations.
"Rapunzel" retold and illustrated Paul O. Zelisky is a version of the fairytale more closely relating to its original form dating back to 1635 called "Petrosinella". The story of "Rapunzel" has been found all over the world and has transcended time and culture, with few minor changes in the detail of the story for instance Rapunzel's hair color. The most distinctive difference between Zelisky's version and more modern interpretations, beginning with the Brother's Grimm is whether or not Rapunzel's pregnancy is mentioned. I think the story is for a more mature audience but children are not likely to catch the fact that Rapunzel is pregnant because they will be enchanted with the illustrations. The illustrations are reminiscent of the Italian Renaissance and will transport any reader into the fantasy world. Having researched several versions of Rapunzel, I have found that Zelisky's version is the most real to life because it does raise issues of sex, the inability for some parents to take care of their children, stealing, and cruelty to others. This book is provocative and will make readers of all ages asked questions; I would recommend this book for both children and adults. I think that both age groups could learn from each other by reading this book together, just be ready to answer your child's questions honestly.

The rare non-Disneyfied fairy tale
The winner of the Caldecott Medal, "Rapunzel" is one of the most lush and beautiful stories ever created for children. Carrying many of the distinctive Zelinsky elements (staggered perspectives, reoccurring background characters, gorgeous lighting, etc.) the book is a joy to look at. Each picture evokes the spirit of the Renaissance, from the first tableau (the husband and wife feeling her pregnant stomach in contentment) to the last (the loving family poses with the cherubim-like children). The text is a little more racy than your average children's picture book. Zelinsky doesn't shy away from the fact that Rapunzel is pregnant when the witch learns of her illicit relations, though he does legitimize the girl's newfound glow with a hasty "marriage" of the prince to Rapunzel in her tower. Sans priest, no less. The book is also remarkable for the dramatic shift that occurs in the character of the witch. A scowling ghoul in one picture, she transforms into an almost nunlike character when receiving the little Rapunzel baby. One might well ask what happens to the witch after she casts Rapunzel and her prince into the desert, but Zelinsky doesn't feel this is worth discussing. A perfect book for storytelling, as the pictures are colorful and easy to see from a distance. Would pair well with his other oil painted fairy tale "Rumplestiltskin".

Gorgeous book
This book has a great story, but above all: the illustrations are AMAZING. They are like oil paintings, full of colour and detail. Very young and older child both will really enjoy this book. This book is essential to any home or school library.
Slight warning- Rapunzel gets pregnant with twins after 'letting down her hair' for the prince.....i was asked 'how did that happen?' :) Some parents might not want their kids to read that part. ... Read more

Book Description

With over 200,000 copies sold, our beautifully color illustrated Children's Treasury is full of fairy tales, nursery rhymes and children's verse that will entertain the entire family. Many favorites are presented, including Cinderella, The Owl and the Pussycat, Rumpelstiltzkin, Aesop's Fables, Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, and Thumbelina. These stories are both enchanting and educational, combining simple morals with delightful fantasy. A classic volume, The Random House Children's Treasury is a bounty of imagination, whimsy and magic to cherish for generations. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The best fairy tale collection on the market
Although it's a large and heavy book, this is the best of its kind. Many of the selections were transcribed from more academic anthologies such as Andrew Lang's colored Fairy Books, but it's BEAUTIFULLY illustrated and has all the most famous fairy tales, including Thumbelina, The Little Mermaid, The Ugly Duckling, The Pied Piper, Cinderella, The Princess and the Pea, The Fisherman and his Wife, The Three Little Pigs, Beauty and the Beast, The Gingerbread Man, The Brave Little Tailor, Rapunzel, Puss in Boots, The Emperor's New Clothes, Hansel and Gretel, The Golden Goose, Rumpelstiltzkin, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Jack and the Beanstalk, some of the Arabian Nights tales, and much more. Plus it has a few of the most well known of Aesop's Fables, such as The Hare and the Tortoise, and the most well known nursery rhymes, such as The Three Little Kittens, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Mary Had a Little Lamb, Jack and Jill, etc. The only major fairy tale they left out, I felt, was The Little Match Girl (Hans Christian Andersen's crowning achievement, with The Little Mermaid). But if you're hunting for a book with the greatest assortment of WELL KNOWN fairy tales and nursery rhymes, look no further.

It's got it all!
After an exhausting hunt though Amazon, the library and the bookstore I found this 'treasure'. I thought I would end up with three or four separate books to get what I wanted - fairy tales, mother goose rhymes and Aesop fables. Whew! They are in here. The style is kept in fairy traditional and only updated when needed. There are graphics on every page making enjoyable for young readers or listeners.

The best
This book is beautiful to be read to children and the illustrations are fascinating. This is a must-have for all parents! ... Read more

Book Description

In this retelling of the old French legend, a juggler offers to the Christ Child the only Christmas gift he has. “The full-color pictures with subtle tonal modulations are an integral part of the design of the lumious pages full of movement and vitality. The Italianate aspects of the setting are beautifully realized.”--The Horn Book ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Beautiful Kids Story: Reveals God's Love
This easy to read and beautifully drawn children's story shows the intensity and power of God's love. The book's vision is that God's love is simple, straight-forward and more powerful than we could ever expect.

My 3 and 5 year old children love the book and want me to read it again and again. They say "'Read God's Clown' again daddy ...".

The ending deals with death but it is not death in misery or emptiness. The Clown of God reaches God's heart and I think it will reach your heart and your child's heart too.

Beautiful Story for Children
Tomie de Paolo's The Clown of God is by far, one of the most beautiful stories for children around. I was read this story as a child and it still is one of my all time favorites. The beautiful, soft-colored prints throughout the book will delight children along with the story about Giovanni, the poor boy who becomes a juggling clown in a circus. Giovanni goes on to become a famous juggler, but towards the end of his life, he once again becomes poor. He finds himself back home in Sorrento on Christmas Eve and performs a miracle in his local church. A story that will delight both children and adults.

A good story, not just for Catholic children
I read about this book here on Amazon.com, and wasn't sure I'd like it. We are not Catholic, and just from the review here alone, I knew that Catholicism was almost presumed. How would I explain the multitude of differences in our faiths to my five year old son? A priest versus a pastor. What on earth is a "brother," or a monk? Offering gifts to a statue of the Christ child, when we don't believe in making any graven image of God?

I checked the book out of the library to see what I thought. Yes, its Catholic flavor cannot be missed, but the message was an excellent one. The lesson the brothers taught Giovanni was one that I took to heart, that everything we do should be done for the glory of God. Though Giovanni wrote it off at the time, he ultimately got the message, and gave the best gift that he could to the Lord Jesus.

The only reason why I didn't give it five stars, was that my son didn't like the ending. He thought it was sad that Giovanni died, and therefore didn't especially want to hear it again. I used it, however, as an opportunity to teach him about death. Giovanni came to love the Lord Jesus, and the Lord Jesus loved him, so he went to be with Jesus when he died. That isn't a bad thing; rather it is good! There is no need to be sad that Giovanni died, because he went to a place where things were much better for him.

Part of me wants to give it five stars for the teaching opportunity about death that it provided! But I guess I'll leave it as I did. Too bad I couldn't give it a 4.5!

The Clown of God written by Tomie de Paola
This story takes place in a town called Sorrento. There is really only one main character, and his name is Giovanni. Giovanni was a poor boy who didn't have any parents. he could juggle very well,and would juggle for food. He would juggle different kinds of fruit like zucchini, lemons, eggplants, oranges, and apples. Signor Baptista's wife gave him the food because he brought people in to buy her fruit.
Then one day a traveling circus comes to town. Giovanni enjoyed it so much, that he asked the Maestro if he could become a part of the performance. The Maestro agreed that he could join them, but doesn't get paid, just a place to sleep and some food. Then, later, the Maestro gives him a costume and lets Giovanni perform for the crowd. Giovanni would juggle sticks, plates, clubs, rings, and burning torches. Then he would do his most famous act; with a red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and then a violent ball. When he got all the balls going at a good pace, he would throw "the Sun in the Heavens" ball that was gold. The crowds loved this act the best.
Over the years, Giovanni got very famous performing for dukes and princes. Then when he was a teenager, he ran into two Brothers. They asked him if he would share his food with them. Giovanni said yes to them. They told him that with his juggling, he was bring God glory. Giovanni didn't reallt think so, and laughed. Then he told the Brothers fairwell and left.
Then, Giovanni got old and no one wanted to see him juggle anymore. They started to throw vegetables and stones at him, so he had to leave. He decided to go back home to Sorrento. Then Giovanni reached the church of the Brothers that he met years ago. The Church was filled with people who were carrying beautiful gifts. He asked someone what was going on and they said it was the Holy Child's birthday.
He decides that he will juggle for the stern Child sitting in his mother's arm, for that was the only gift he could give. He did this when everyone was gone. So, Giovanni does his usually acts; the clubs, the plates, and the flaming torches. Then he does his most famous act, "the Sun in the Heavens." A brother sees him and goes to get a priest. When they get to Giovanni, they see him lying on the floor dead. Then the brother turns around and looks at the statue of the Lady holding her Holy Child. Read the book to see what happens.

just MY opinion
A masterpiece in both story and pictures. It should have received Caldecott honors when it was eligible. DePaola will be remembered for several achievements in books...the 26 FAIRMOUNT AVENUE series, the BARKERS series, STREGA NONA, NANA UPSTAIRS & NANA DOWNSTAIRS, and others, and THIS extraordinary book. ... Read more

Book Description

Who better to wreak havoc with eight beloved fairy tales than Gregory Maguire, the brilliant, funny, and nationally best-selling author of the adult novel Wicked as well as the hilarious middle-grade series the Hamlet Chronicles.

Zany animals of all species run through these fractured tales with alarming speed and dexterity. Who would have thought that the ageless, exquisite Cinderella could be recast as the silly story of an enormous yet lovable elephant who plods along to the ball with glass pie plates on her feet; or that Sleeping Beauty, that most regal of all fairy tales, could be twisted into the story of a frog with a most unusual and promising dance career? Get ready to meet a gorilla queen and a psycho chimp, seven giant giraffes, and one very bad walrus.

Accompanying these hilarious stories are delightfully witty pictures by Chris L. Demarest, master of black line and droll humor.

Book Description

Reviews (16)

A not too Grimm retelling
Debut author Shannon Hale succeeds wonderfully with her first novel, "The Goose Girl." A retelling of the moderately well-known tale collected by the Brothers Grimm, she reinvents the story for a modern audience.

Ani, a crown princess, learns at an early age that her special gifts are not those valued by her queen mother and her future subjects. She is eventually sent to marry a prince in a different kingdom, but along the way is overthrown by her lady-in-waiting. Ani becomes a servant, tending geese, while she searches for a way to return to the marriage and throne that is rightfully her own.

Hale has reimagined the story in such a way as to give us a strong, if flawed, heroine with a conscience. In this book, the reader isn't left wondering how a princess could allow herself to be displaced so easily from her birthright. We are also given a magical reason for Ani's successful sojourn with geese. Ultimately, Hale's prose is the book's greatest asset. Ani and her world are vivid creations, ready to be shared during a long, quiet read.

If you enjoy fairy tale novelizations, such as those by Robin McKinley and Donna Jo Napoli, this book will make a great addition to your bookshelf. If you simply like historical fantasy, forget the fairy tale, this novel will also please. Royalty, deception, intrigue, treason, and redemption make up a story that doesn't obviously derive from a fairy tale.

Fabulous
The Goose Girl, by Shannon Hale is a fabulous book. Everything is described so well that you feel as if you were in the book. I love the way that in the beginning, the main character, Ani, never does anything right, but she grows throughout the story, and in the end she is brave and self assured, ready to lead a kingdom.
Ani is a princess who can talk to horses, birds, and the wind. she is on her way to the neighboring country, and her future husband, the Prince. But when her lady-in-waiting and most of her guard turn mutinous, she has to flee for her life. Ani has to go into hiding as a goose girl to keep from being found. However, when the lady-in-waiting, (who has taken Ani's place in the castle) tries to start a war between the two contries, Ani has to reclaim her title or have the blood of her nation on her hands.
I highly suggest this book. It has a little bit of everything, a little magic, a little adventure, a love story, everything. It is fabulous.

'The Goose Girl' Takes Flight
Imagine a rush of sweet, warm air washing over you, tingling your senses and flowing into a smile. 'The Goose Girl', by Shannon Hale, is like that soft breeze, a story of a girl of winds and birds. Crown princess Anidori-Kiladra was born with a mysterious love for the birds of her palace, especially the graceful swans. Encouraged and guided by her aunt, she quickly learns the tongue of her most beloved friends. But another friend awaits her. Falada, the colt who she saw taking his first breath, speaking his first word, talks to her and loves her even more than the swans did. Yet with the death of her aunt and her mother keeping her away from the swan pond, young Ani strugles to fit the mold of a princess.
Years later, with her father dead and her mother as cold as ever, Ani learns that she is betrothed to a prince in the next kingdom, Bayern. Ani, her lady in-waiting Selia, and all of her guard embark on a perilous journey through the Forest. Never having left her sheltered palace in Kildenree, Ani is easily amazed by everything she encounters, but soon the unthinkable happens.
Selia and half of her guard revolt, attacking the others and chasing Ani until she is lost in the Forest, thirsty, hungry, and mourning for her lost friends and Falada. Worst of all, she knows that Selia, whose plan is to pretend she is the princess and become queen of Bayern, will reach the kingdom before her. And even if Ani does make it to the king alive, how will she ever produce the evidence to prove that Selia and her band of murderous guards are frauds?
Ani makes it to Bayern alive, but she must hide. She knows if she reveals herself without protection and witnesses Selia's lover, Ungolad, will kill her, so she takes a job as the palace's goose girl.
A story of a confused girl with unexpected love and the struggle to find herself, this novel is a masterpiece. Each and every detail is beautifully woven and stitched into a magical, enchanting story.I loved it and it instantly became my favorite book. It keeps you thinking, wondering about the way the world works, wondering if everything has its own tongue...
When the wind whispers, can you hear it?

Goose Girl
Goose Girl is a exciting book. Ani is a princess, who is knocked off her post by her lady-in-waiting and the soldiers who support her.When she finally gets to the kingdom where her betrothed husband, is her lady-in-waiting is already there acting as her in her place.Then she lives as a goose girl to make money.While she is doing that she meets a guard named Gridic. As for the rest u will have to find out for u'r self. i recommend this book for everyone.

A Great Fairy Tale Remake
I absolutely loved this book, so much so that I didn't put it down. (Fortunately I was sick that day and didn't have to worry about doing anything else than moan/read). It is one of the best books I've ever read and gave such life to the old fairy tale of the goosegirl. The author did a great job of combining the well-known story with politics, intrigues, social status, and romance. The writing was beautiful, the characters extremely well developed, and the ending was perfect.

The story follows the crown princess Ani of Kilendree, who is painfully shy and has, or had, a secret gift of talking with animals. After her father's untimely death she is ceremoniously disposed of to make way for her brother to become an heir, for she is too shy and unsure of herself to properly lead the country, or so her mother thinks. For this, she is shipped off to Bayern, a neighboring kingdom, to ensure peace between the two kingdoms. However, a plot had been boiling, and while traveling to Bayern there is a mutiny. Ani is almost killed, but she manages to flee. The party that tried to kill her still continues to hunt for her while carrying out her plan, disgusing another woman as Ani and planning to have her marry the crown prince of Bayern.

Ani manages to find work in Bayern, pretending she is another Bayern girl, hiding her blonde hair beneath a scarf and darkening her eyebrows to hide their fairness. She takes a job as a goosegirl for the king, all the while trying to decide what she should do about thsoe that overthrew her. She knows they plan no good and she fears for her home kingdom.
Eventually she meets a young man with whom she begins to talk for many days. They develop a romance, but this is interrupted by her being discovered by the leader of the men that want her dead so that they can fulfill their plan. She has to flee again, but ends up finding some old friends. Together they manage to do great and wonderful things, and the story ends with a romance, which was quite pleasant.

This book was so good, I've even preordered the next book by Ms. Hale and I have absolutely no idea what it's about.(Generally speaking, I don't do that.) If you like fairy tale remakes, your time won't be wasted on this. ... Read more

Book Description

When orphan Maria arrives at Moonacre Manor, she feels as if she's come home.Her new guardian is kind and funny, and everyone there is like an old friend.But beneath the beauty and comfort lies a tragedy. Maria is determined to find out about it, change it, and give her own life story a happy ending.This new-fashioned story is just as satisfying and memorable as your favorite fairy tale.

"The theme is as old as the fairy tales, and it is written with a haunting beauty of wording and atmosphere . . . A book to cherish, to read again and again and again." (The Saturday Review ) ... Read more

Reviews (50)

enchanting old-fashioned fairy tale
I read this book based on J.K. Rowling's statement that it was her favorite book as a child, and it's easy to see why she loved it. I wish I had known of it when I was a child. An allegory, a fairy tale and a morality play all rolled into one, this delightful story should entertain adult readers and enchant the younger set, though it may be too very sweet for older kids.

As Goudge's The Little White Horse opens, Maria Merryweather is travelling toward her destiny, though she does not yet know this. Suddenly an impoverished orphan, she is travelling to Moonacre Manor, the home of a mysterious relative, in the company of her caretaker Miss Heliotrope and her little dog Wiggins. The story of Maria's adventures is fanciful and charming and populated by magical characters living in an enchanted place. Maria learns that people and stories are usually more than first impressions suggest, that even virtuous people have faults and even wicked people have goodness, that one can learn from previous mistakes ?- one?s own and others? ?- and make a better decision next time. All problems are resolved at the end, all loose ends tied neatly. First published in 1946, the voice here hints at modern narrative awareness of itself, but Is never cynical.

A drawing of Moonacre Manor is here, and chapters are short enough to make this a great read-aloud novel.

Moonlit fantasy
It's too bad that so few of Elizabeth Goudge's books are in print, though I am grateful that this one has been reprinted. I'd never read it before, and initially I was turned off by the unicorn illustration on the cover. But I'd heard lots of comments about how magical it was, and so I sat down to read.

Newly orphaned Maria Merryweather is being sent from London to Moonacre Manor, the castle-like home of her uncle, Benjamin Merryweather. Initially Maria and her devoted governess Miss Heliotrope expect the place to be cold and uncomfortable -- but Maria is delighted to see an enchanted, silvery landscape, and the brief vision of a white horse running past. She fits quickly into the slightly strange, almost idyllic surroundings -- despite the fact that no woman has come to Moonacre Manor in twenty years. But Sir Benjamin seems very pleasant -- as does the huge, unusual dog Wrolf.

Maria is enchanted both by the beautiful natural surroundings and the neighboring village of Silverydew. But she begins to sense that something is wrong: her uncle is unhappy about something and won't talk about the briefly-seen white horse. Her childhood invisible friend Robin returns to her -- and the inhabitants of Silverydew know him. Beautiful items are laid out in her tiny, luxurious room -- with the initials L.M. And strange dark figures are creeping through the woods near the sea. Maria soon finds out about a long-lasting story of magic, sadness, greed and darkness that has haunted her family for generations, and is determined to set it right.

Goudge was evidently one of the few authors who can effectively blur the line between reality and dreaminess. Some sections of her prose are almost intoxicating; she never held back from describing surroundings and items lushly. The dreamy atmosphere of the book is established when Maria and Miss Heliotrope (and Wiggins the dog) arrive at Moonacre. Such beautifully written passages crop up, such as "moonlight and firelight mingled their silver and gold."

We also are given examples of Ms. Goudge's evident love of both nature, the countryside, and religion (not preachily, simply a demonstration of the beauties she saw in it). She also mixes in a few other items: the hare being a "Fairy" creature, the legend behind the Merryweathers and the valley, the sinister Black Men in the forest, and the enchanting visualization of the "little white horse" being one of the white horses that crashes in on sea foam.

Some aspects of this book are a little unusual by current politically correct standards: we get several negative references to "female curiosity", atheists may be offended by Ms. Goudge's evident dislike of atheism. And I literally have no idea what a "syllabub" is. However, since this takes place in a past era, there's no reason to fuss about it.

Maria herself is a delightful heroine, with just enough quirks to make her realistic -- her mild preoccupation with clothes, for example. Miss Heliotrope is not the usual strict spinster governess, but a kind and upright woman with real emotions and feelings. Wiggins is a little pain in the tail. We also have the fascinatingly charismatic Parson, who manages to make religion come dazzlingly alive while also being kind and gentle. And we have the loquacious Marmaduke Scarlet, a dwarf cook with an odd temper, an amazing culinary craft, and a vaguely gnome-like appearance. And it takes a little while for Robin to develop beyond the level of "boyish sprite," but he's a nice character as well.

This is a thoroughly delightful book, full of childlike innocence and wonder that very few could pull off. Fans of Narnia and the "Hobbit" will probably eat this right up. A timeless, charming tale.

Predictable, but definately worth your time
Honestly, I just bought this book because my hero, J.K. Rowling, cites it as one of her all-time favorites. After reading it, I understand why that is. The story itself grabs you from the beginning and pulls you into the stunningly-constructed world. Every detail is described, from the meals to the scenery, everything. The ONLY complaint that I had, is that sadly it's rather predictable. It'd be great to read to a child, or for the young-at-heart.

The Moon Princess
When Maria Merryweather moves house to a new home in the countryside, it seems that there is a lot more to the town than first meets the eye.
Maria suddenly finds herself thrown into an adventure, based on a story that might not be true. But accompanied by her animal friends, and her best friend, Robin, Maria sets out on a quest to free the people of Silvereydew from a terrible mistake made centuries ago that was never put right. It is up to her to give back the land to its rightful owners and face the descendants of Black William in a battle of a moon princess and her little white horse.

The Sun and the Sickle Moon
Maria Merryweather, her governess and the unfaithful dog, Wiggins, all set off to the home, (Or castle), belonging to Maria's cousin, Sir Benjamin. Maria soon finds out that the castle has a lot more to offer than expected, and she is delighted with her new home. However, Maria has a dangerous task to perform. She must make peace with the desendants of the Merryweather's greatest enemies, a task which should have been completed by Moon Princesses throughout the ages. Now, accompanied by Wrolf, her faithful dog, Wiggins, her not so faithful dog, Perrywinkle, her mighty steed, her hare, Zacheria the cat, and of course, her best friend Robin, Maria will go forth and try to make peace, securing the happines of her people. ... Read more

Book Description

Cinduri has a lot of work to do. Every day she walks to the lake to fetch drinking water, milks the cow, cleans the house, prepares the meals, cleans the animal pens, and sells vegetables. Her stepmother and stepsister, however, don’t do any of the work. They just order Cinduri about and give her a bowl of rice and a few leftovers to eat.

The lake, however, is full of magic. When Godfather Snake hears of Cinduri’s troubles, he vows to make her life easier. And when the Prince comes to visit the village during the annual Navaratri Festival, Godfather Snake makes it possible for her to go, dressed in the most beautiful gold-threaded sari and sparkling diamond anklets. It is there that she wins the heart of the Prince.

Adapted from the East Indian story "Nagami" (Jewel of the Snake), this version of the tale is rich with the traditions and culture of India while also conveying the universal values of the Cinderella story. Beautiful watercolor depictions of Indian life and styles accompany this introduction to Indian folklore. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A captivating picture book story
Anklet For A Princess: A Cinderella Story From India is an fabulous adaptation of the East Indian story "Nagami" (Jewel of the Snake), a legend that in many ways resembles the classic fairy tale Cinderella. The young woman Cinduri is overburdened with work from her stepmother and stepsister, and receives barely enough to eat in return. But Godfather Snake learns of her troubles and helps her attend the village's annual Navaratri Festival dressed in the most beautiful golden-threaded sari and diamond anklets, and there she wins the heart of the Prince. A captivating picture book story commendably written by Lila Mehta, deftly adapted by Meredith Brucker, and wondrously illustrated in full color by Youshan Tang, Anklet For A Princess would make a welcome and popular addition to any school or community library picture book collection. ... Read more

Book Description

Gilgamesh, half-god and half-man, in his loneliness and isolation becomes a cruel tyrant over the citizens of Uruk. To impress them forever he orders a great wall to be built, driving his people to exhaustion and despair so that they cry to the Sun God for help. In answer, another kind of man, Enkidu, is sent to earth to live among the animals and learn kindness from them. He falls in love with Shamhat, a singer from the temple, and he follows her back to Uruk. There, Enkidu, the “uncivilized” beast from the forest, shows the evil Gilgamesh through friendship what it means to be human. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Wonderful!
Gilgamesh the King, The Return of Ishtar, and The Last Quest of Gilgamesh are exceedingly well-written and show many different themes and life lessons. The themes of friendship, revenge, good vs. evil, ambition, and immortality. But I think the most essential, underlying message is about love. Enkidu shows love to Shamhat and Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh shows love to Enkidu and his city, Shamhat shows love to Enkidu, and the city shows love to Gilgamesh, Enkidu and Shamhat! Love is woven into the theme of eternal life. I think these stories would be fabulous for anybody but recommended for 5-12. I am in middle school and we are reading these stories in class. I enjoyed these stories tremendously. So if you want to teach your children about death or love or friendship, these would be the ultimate choice.

BUY all three books in this series, you gotta HAVE them all!
I received all three books in this series this afternoon and just finished reading them. Ludmila Zeman has done a wonderful job in retelling the Epic of Gilgamesh. This series is a great introduction into one of the oldest legends in the world. Children and adults will both loooove to read these books over and over. The artwork is first class and you will find yourself looking through this book just to soak up these beautiful images.
The words Ludmila Zeman used with each one of the pictures is rich but still to the point. So, don't wait any longer and buy buy buy all three! I am an elementary school teacher and I can't wait to share these stories with my students!

Beautifully written and illustrated!!
I bought this book for son and ended up reading all of Zeman's books to my 12th grade honors History seminar. They enjoyed it tremendously and drew comparisons between Gilgamesh and President Bush in their search for the destruction of the evil Humbaba ....after 9/11 it was appropiate for the circumstances....
The illustrations are rich and the text is ajoy to read to all age groups...we will keep these books for years to come.

Gilgamesh the King by Ludmila Zeman
This is a fantastic version of the Epic of Gilgamesh -- for children, ages 4 - 12. The illustrations are colorful and very similar to the Sumerian/Babylonian style of art. The recounting is easy for children to follow. I bought it for my 7 year old but my four year old was riveted. There are other more thorough versions around but this is a great one for a beginner. Make sure you buy all 3 books in the series to get the whole epic, the other two being The Revenge of Ishtar and The Last Quest of Gilgamesh.

Expuisite marriage of words and pictures
Many of the great children's illustrators working today should really get someone else to write the text. But Ludmilla Zeman retells the epic of Gilgamesh in a way that is delightful and accessible to the ears of both children and adults. The art is astoundingly good. As well as providing an introduction to the earliest Western cultures in the written record, her choice of focus in her retelling provides an opportunity to discuss social justice and the destructiveness of violence. And did I mention the tasty art? ... Read more

Book Description

Singing turtles, flying farmers and a dragon who cries—these are just some of the magical characters you’ll meet in this delightful collection of children’s stories. This beautifully illustrated book follows Tuttlke's classic and immensely popular Japanese Children’s Favorite Stories, bringing together a wonderful mix of well-loved, traditional folktales and contemporary favorites. With sparkling illustrations on almost every page and the promise that goodwill and kindness will always carry the day, readers are sure to find much to love in these stories.

Other titles in the Asian Children’s Favorite Stories series include Japanese Children’s Favorite Stories, Balinese Children’s Favorite Stories and Filipino Children’s Favorite Stories. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Beautiful illustrations and wonderful stories.
As a child I was enchanted by the tales of Little Peach Boy, Inchling, and the other characters whose stories are featured in this book. Each story has a positive theme such as politeness, helpfulness and sacrifice. The characters are as memorable as those of the Brothers Grimm and the stories are complemented by beautiful illustrations.

I still have my 25 year old copy of this book and am purchasing a copy for each of my children to have for themselves.

Interestingly Enchanting
This book, in my opinion, should get 4.5 stars because it is interesting but also a bit confusing. It was fun to read the first few times, but after awhile the stories seemed predictable. Occasionally, the stories were random and confusing. The pictures aren't very detailed, but they show the point of what they are discribing. I also like the book because of the creativity of the authors. I know that as a writer you must construct creative and understandable stories and I am almost overwhelmed by the uniqueness of these stories. I recommend this book to younger children who enjoy reading simple fantasy stories with adventure.

Good for kids
This book was a good book for younger children. It had wonderful illustrations, and the morals were Wonderful. It's a book that young children would put at the top of their favorite book list.

A favorite from my own childhood
This was a favorite storybook from my own childhood. I have always been particularly haunted by the story of "Momotaro, the Peach Boy," and I had searched for a version of the story for my daughter. Recently while browsing the children's books at the art museum store, we found this reprint of the stories I had loved so much. My daughter now loves them, too.

Captivating to the children, enchanting to the adults
A wonderful collection of enchanting stories for young children, 3-7 years old. We have read from it since my boy was 3 years old - it is one of the very few books that have kept with him for a long period (he is now 5.5). I figure that he will be able to read the stories himself pretty soon, making this volume one of a handful of books that can be read to him and by him.

The stories are imaginative, full of fantasy, culturally different yet appealing to "standard" elements of the children's minds. The plots are interesting to the children, who quickly learn them by heart and ask for specific stories night after night. The drawings are marvelous. The fact that there are multiple, independent stories, makes it easy to customize the lenght of the day's reading as needed.

Of the many books that my boy has this is definitely one of the best, from his point of view as well as from mine. The wonderful illustrations, evocative of some of Miyazaki's magnificent animated movies, only add to the attraction of this exceptional book. ... Read more

Book Description

Washed up on the shores of ancient Wales, the boy had no home, no memory and no name... he was determined to find all three.

This best-selling series follows the adventures and training of young Merlin on the mist-shrouded isle of Fincayra, an enchanted land between earth and sky that is being destroyed by blight.With this land's inhabitants to guide him, the boy will learn that Fincayra's fate and his own quest are strangely interwined.

He is destined to become the greatest wizard of all time--known to all as Merlin.

"Fans who have followed young Merlin through his many adventures will still enjoy trekking with him." (The Horn Book) ... Read more

Reviews (153)

Merlin's Beginnings
The book The Lost Years Of Merlin, by T.A. Barron, is the story of a seven year old boy who is thrown onto shore by a storm and, in the process, hits his head resulting in amnesia. A woman named Branwen, who claims to be his mother, takes him in and lives with the boy, Emerys, for six years. During this time, he discovers he has mystical powers. Since Branwen won't explain his past, Emerys finds he must travel to a world named Fincayra, a place Branwen claims to be from, to find out. Emerys sets out on a raft and reaches the coast of Fincayra. Emerys discovers that this land is in grave danger and he may be the only one who can save this world. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys adventure, fantasy, mystical powers, and the possiblility of other worlds. You also get the chance to watch a boy's life unfold and discover his past along with the character himsself. It's wonderfully suspenseful as you meet new characters and discover the effect each one has on Emerys, who risks his life every step of the way. It is a very well written book that creates a perfectly woven image of a mystical world.

A fantastic book for seven-year-olds who like fantasy
This book is absolutely brilliant! It begins with a boy who doesn't even know his name, washed ashore on the rocky shore of Gwynedd. He cannot remember his past, but he sees a woman, who may be his mother. The story gets properly started when Emrys finds out the name of the strange pendant that a person who claims to be his mother always wears. The pendant is called Galator, and turns out to have vast magic powers. But evil forces are looking for it. Always surprising, with exciting twists and turns, this book also has a great central character in Emrys. You can't help liking him because he's lost and lonely, but kind to growing things. This book and its sequels are for people who are thoroughly interested in Arthurian books, and in what happens to Merlin in his young life. It should be especially interesting for people who like magic and fantasy.

just so shallow...
Spoiler Warning.

There are few books that I can find that I could personally find a better way to write it - this is one of them. It was painfully predictable - and get this. The dude is practically blind, and plainly says it's hard to see - then lists a million details. Is it just me, or is that wrong? In addition, I didn't like the writing style. At all. Randomly, our of the blue, things happen. Two characters were chatting, and boom! Six heavily armed goblins appear! Me, here's what I would have done. I would have built up the suspense - let the reader know something's out there before I introduce them. Next, the mom of the guy - the author plainly stated she wasn't the mother. I mean, come on! Be reasonable! A scene that just killed me what when a whole sequence was about eating. God. It's food. Get over it. What else can I say? Oh yeah, when the main character finds out who his dad is, it's just so cliche. Is this Star Wars? The sad thing is, in Star Wars, it worked! In this... it just didn't fly. If you actually want depth, don't read this book. You won't get any.

Runescape Crooker
"This magical story is a great journey for the discryptive things young Emry's see's and does are extraordinary, "He goe's from small normal town with mean kids to a mystical island full of goblins and talking tree's. T A Barron does a great job of putting you in the driverseat, you can almost feel everything that happens.
The technoligy is not advance in Emry's world and he as many difficulty's traveling. he has an accident that change's him forrever, now he walk's through woods,grasslands,mashlands,and more.
I wood rate this book 10 out of 10 becaus of the challenge and conflicts of a (290) page story full of adventure.

Good Read
I picked this book up at my library because I had nothing else to read, thinking that it might be interesting. It was better then that, T.A. Barron did a wonderful job of bringing Emyrs (Merlin) to life. A young boys journey to discover the truth about himself, it was great and I couldn't put it down until I finished reading through it. ... Read more

Book Description

The best-selling collection of tapes and sing-along books--all the childhood favorites. (Ages 2-8) ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Have a child.... Get this set! (Cassette and book)
Wonderful collection of nursery Rhymes and lullabies. Includes the old favorites as well as a few I had not even heard of. The voices used are very soothing. I enjoy it. My eight year old enjoys it. And my 9 month old enjoys it. When nothing else seems to be able to calm my infant down for sleep, this works wonders. Great for family time before bed. Times that I am sure my children will remember when they grow up and want to continue with their children. ... Read more

Book Description

It"s been more than a hundred years since the publication of the first Uncle Remus book, and it was in 1955 that all of the delightful and inimitable tales of Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox, Brer Bear, and Brer Wolf were gathered together in one volume. All of the animal tales from eight books are here, along with the illustrations which originally accompanied them. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Classicly wonderful
Loved 'em as a kid, still love 'em now! Watch out, though, there's a little known new guy out there with similar style, great new stories: Bob Morgan's Bob Tales.

The best folktales.
These animal stories were banned in the late sixties from many schools and libraries for being racist (the storyteller in the book, Uncle Remus, is a slave and uses the "n" word). But it seems that it's now ok to like these stories again, and a good thing that is, because they are not only hilariously funny, they are also deeply revealing of the foibles of us humans. But perhaps most importantly, they are a treasure trove of African American folklore.

The stories combine folktale motifs brought from Africa by slaves with those of the native peoples of the south, particularly the Cherokee and Choctaw. Since both cultures had stories with animal characters, and specifically trickster rabbit characters, ethnologists have not been able to completely determine which elements are the African and which are the Native American. No matter, since the two cultural traditions blend together seamlessly.

This edition is the most encyclopedic of all the Uncle Remus collections, and contains many different types of tales. There are origin tales, like how Mr. Dog originally came to live with Mr. Man and why Mr. Cricket has elbows on his legs. There are satirical tales, like the one in which Brer Rabbit convinces Brer Fox that it's the fashion in town for up-to-date foxes to have their heads cut off, which is information that Brer Fox, out of vanity, acts on in the way Brer Rabbit hopes. There are Trickster tales --mostly involving Brer Rabbit and Brer Tortoise (who is the only character who can out-trickster Rabbit). And there are tales of witches, magic, and superstition specific to Africa.

It's written in Southern African-American dialect of the 19th century, which can be tough going for some, but there is a glossary in the back (which I didn't realize was there for over a year) that helps. Also, the stories demand to be read out loud, being originally of an oral tradition, and I think you will find that reading them aloud while just following the given spelling will make the dialect more understandable than just reading it silently.

These stories are so wonderful that my teenaged sons, who think it's "babyish" to be read to, will still allow me to read Brer Rabbit tales to them. If you are looking for great Literature that's funny and easy to read, buy this book and have a really good time!

Not bad, but
This book is a good collection of Harris, Uncle Remus tales. Some of the posters have gone into the history of these tales, so no need to repeat that here. However, these tales are best taken in small doses, as Chandler's "Negro dialect" (as it was known at the time) is a bit much on the eyes of the modern reader (I'm an African-American from South Carolina myself and I had a lot of trouble trying to decipher some of this). But the illustrations are quite fitting and wonderful. So if you have a lot of patience and love some good stories, go for it.

Yep
This is one of the best books ever written anywhere by anyone. Personally, I place it among the Taoist classics. Be that as it may, if you don't read it you'll never know what you're missing. If you're looking for crazy wisdom, it's all in here, but don't overlook the ridiculous either because this book will probably put you in stitches, and I ain't just whistlin' Dixie.

One of the Greatest of the World's Literature
King James version of the Bible, Milton's Paradise Lost, Madison Hamilton Jefferson, Homer's works, the Sayings of Confuscius, Aesop's Fables, Don Quixote, Walt Whitman's poems, Shakespeare, Tolkien's works, Victor Hugo --- and Joel Chandler Harris certainly belongs in this firmament. No literate American can claim to be fully educated without having heard and read aloud these stories. ... Read more

Book Description

The famous Cinderella and her neighbor Cinder Edna each worked sunup to sundown for their wicked stepmother and stepsisters. But while Cinderella had the good fortune to be rescued by her fairy godmother, Edna was strong, self-reliant, spunky--and she lived happier ever after! "Nicely executed....This Cinderella send-up is full of kid-pleasing jokes."--Publisher's Weekly. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

A fun twist on an old wives (fairy) tale.
What a refreshing retelling of an old tale, especially for todays young girls. Being a big-footed mother of a big-footed young daughter, we both enjoyed this fun story. Cinder-Edna doesn't wine around about all that has been bestowed upon her. Instead, she makes the best of the situation and takes matters into her own hands. Spunky and spry, Edna ends up living happily ever after while beautiful Cinderalla lives with her beautiful husband in beautifully boring bliss!

Clever but hard to read aloud
... This is a great book-- the message is not feminist. ...[It's]about making your dreams come true versus waiting around for them to come true; about being sensible rather than trying to live a fairy tale. While Cinderella gets lucky, Cinder Edna makes her own luck. Cinderella cries at her misfortune and dreams of a prince to save her, but Cinder Edna makes lemonade out of her lemons, and also gets a prince.

The book is a little long for the younger set-- my four-year-old can barely sit through it unless I read it fast, hence the one objection I have about pronouncing "Cinder Edna".

Absolutely hysterical, but can be hard to understand
I am a teacher, and I bought this book for my 3rd grade class when we were doing a unit on Cinderella. This is a fabulous take on the classic story, updated wonderfully. But some of the ideas had to be explained to my children because it was a lot to take in. They didn't get some of the jokes. In the end, I think that most of them got the general idea. The moral is a great lesson for kids these days.

great book
This wonderful and funny version of the Cinderella story is about a girl with spunk, imagination and drive. She ends up happier than the girl who is pretty, but dependent and needy. It's a must-read for every young girl. I bought one for all my daughter, the school library and my friends' little girls.

A marvelously funny variation on the Cinderella story
Sure, there are plenty of retellings and variations on "Cinderella", but this one takes the cake. It compares the fates of TWO victims of cruel stepmothers and wicked stepsisters. Bringing the story up to date gives it a deliciously anachronistic feel, and the narrative pokes some sly and well-deserved fun at the original. The hilarious illustrations enhance the text perfectly. Don't let the fact that "Cinder Edna" is aimed at young children keep you away. This is one of the funniest and cleverest books to come along in a long time. ... Read more