Book Description

As part of the wonderful Collector's Library Series, Treasure Island is one of the best-loved children's classics of all time. This attractive volume contains the complete and unabridged story with 8 full color illustrations, plus numerous black & white illustrations throughout. The deluxe edition features a full piece cloth case, a four color illustrated onlay on the front cover, foil stamping on front and spine, stained edges on three sides, printed endpapers with book plate, and a satin ribbon marker. This book should have an honored place in any child's library. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Treasure Island: Robert Louis Stevenson
Jim Hawkins is an 1880's English boy, who lives along the English coast in his father's inn, the Admiral Benbow. He has a perfectly normal life, until the mysterious Billy Bones comes to stay at the inn. Then, Billy dies after a fight with a strange caller. Among his possessions, Jim finds an old treasure map. Along with the Squire Trelawney and Doctor Livesey, Jim sails off to Treasure Island. Unfortunately, the crew of the ship they go on is not as trustworthy as first thought. Jim discovers that they are really pirates, and soon he and the few honest men on board are made victims of a mutiny. Now, they must embark on a quest to get to the treasure before the crew and to stay alive in the process.
Stevenson does a wonderful job of describing the appearances of people and places, creating vivid, colorful, and well-defined images of what he is talking about. Long John Silver, one of Stevenson's many characters, is an example of the author's amazing abilities to describe, in this case not only appearance, but in personality. I felt like I knew him inside out. Other characters are also very well described. That's not all that's good about this book. Treasure Island is a very captivating story. It immediately drew me in with its old style of writing (it was written in the 1880's) and great plot.
This is a great novel and, while it carries no strong message, is a great way to use up your free time. I recommend this wonderful story to anyone who enjoys adventure, danger, and would like to go and hunt for buried treasure.

--Jabbermonkey Fitsgerald

Murder and Mayhem and Maurading Pirates.
This wonderfully crafted edition of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic adventure story is great for any serious reader of classic literature. It's also great for kids. Who can ever forget Jim Hawkins, Long John Silver, or Ben Gunn or the unique bond that forms between the wise youth (Hawkins) and experienced seaman (Silver)? Murder on the high seas. Violent battles on an island full of treasure. People who actually talk the way real people talk. It's all here and more. TREASURE ISLAND is one of my favorite Stevenson stories and I highly reccommend it. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

One of the Very Best Titles in Children's Books
This was THE book of my childhood! I still own this book, and read it even today. I received it as a gift more than forty years ago, and it has lost none of it's original charm. This book introduces children to poetry with beautiful cadence, and uplifting, happy thoughts. The illsutrations of Tasha Tudor are lush and give additional imagination to the poetry. The stories in the poems are of a different time and place in history, but still evoke the innocence present in every child, even today...no matter our age!

Sweet As Candy..
With it's delicate Tasha Tudor drawings as a perfect accompiment to these famous poems for children(or the child within).this book is both lovely to look at as well as read. Would make a lovely gift for expectant mom;I'm saving this one for my niece & nephew..!

What a beautiful book!
Tasha Tudor's illustrations are absolutely timeless! I bought this book to read to my daughters but my 3 year old son loves it just as much. It would make a great shower gift!

A classic for any child (or child at heart)
This classic edition of Robert Louis Stevenson's "A Child's Garden of Verses" is justly famed because it so beautifully pairs Stevenson's sometimes exuberant, sometimes melancholy poems on childhood with the extraordinary illustrations of Tasha Tudor.

Tudor's delicate watercolors complement Stevenson's work almost to the point that you think the two, living in different centuries, must share some time-travel telepathy with each other. All the classic Stevenson pieces are here: "The Swing," "The Land of Counterpane," the terrific poem about a child's shadow. Tudor depicts only children and animals herein--as it should be--without the presence of shadow of adults anywhere. Both Stevenson and Tudor understand in their bones that no matter what grown-ups may think, children inhabit a world of their own. That world is mostly beautiful, but sometimes fraught with danger or questions. Those hints are present here, but the overwhelming impression any reader will have will be that of beauty--both in words and in pictures.

A Child's Garden of Verses
The moment my first grandson was born, I could not wait until he was old enough for me to read this wonderful book to him. It's time! The book was given to me when I was 4 and I still can recite most of the poems from memory. The poems and stories of Robert Louis Stevenson are simply the best. If there is a child in your family.....A Child's Garden of Verses is a MUST! ... Read more

Book Description

Welcome re-issue of Stevenson's delightful collection of children's verse, cherished by generations of children and parents.Beautifully illustrated with black and white drawings and full color paintings by renowned artist Jessie Willcox Smith.128 pages. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

A Child's Garden of Verses
Stevenson originally published these poems in 1885. The words and ideas are old-fashioned and a little dry. This book makes a worthwhile companion to others in a poetry study. Contains excellent color illustrations and will be of interest to teachers and students from K through the 4th grade.

A beautiful melding of words and pictures
Most everyone knows that Robert Louis Stevenson was sickly, both as a child and as an adult, and the happy result for the reading public was his nearly feverish flights of imagination. Here, in an edition of his classic "A Child's Garden of Verses," that fever is complemented in spades by the fantastical illustrations of English artist Joanna Isles.

Isles uses an arsenal of utterly frivolous flowers, borders, insects, birds, kings and queens, fairies, and more to expand upon the imagination exhibited in Stevenson's poems. The children in these pictures are depicted as being in charge, being at one with their environment, and being delighted to be alive.

Some of the illustrations hint at the influence of artists more famed than Isles (Henri Rousseau appears to be a special favorite of hers--see the illustration for "The Unseen Playmate," in which a boy lies down in weeds that might have sprung from the edge of Rousseau's painting "The Dream"). Using both primary colors and pastels, Isles creates a world within the world of Stevenson's verse. The marriage of the two is a happy one.

Great gift for young readers
I remember reading this collection of poems when I was a little kid. My dad bought it for me and we'd read the poems together before I went to bed. Stevenson seemed to have a good understanding of how to talk to a child("Bed in Summer" was a favorite!).

I've given copies of this book to a niece and a friend for her young daughter. It's certainly a book that should be part of any child's library.

A book to Treasure
Author of The Rebel's Pledge, a historical romantic novel of Colonial Maryland.

Beautifully illustrated, my children and I enjoyed reading the poetry of Stevenson on rainy days and before bedtime. My children are in their teens now, but this book has stayed on our library shelf and will be pasted down to a grandchild one day.

This book is a wonderful way to build a love for classic poetry in your child. I highly recommend it!

Beautifully done, but not complete
This is a very lovely edition of Stevenson's "A Child's Garden of Verses." The paintings illustrating each poem are well chosen and quite beautiful. The print quality is also excellent. However, I was a little disappointed to see this selection not include some of my favorite poems from Stevenson's work, most notably "The Pleasant Land of Counterpane." What is included is exceptionally well done, but this is not the complete Garden of Verses. ... Read more

Book Description

Tor Classics are affordably-priced editions designed to attract the young reader. Original dynamic cover art enthusiastically represents the excitement of each story. Appropriate "reader friendly" type sizes have been chosen for each title—offering clear, accurate, and readable text. All editions are complete and unabridged, and feature Introductions and Afterwords.

This edition of Kidnapped includes a Foreword, Biographical Note, and Afterword by R.L. Fisher.

Young, innocent David Balfour leaves his father's gravesite to claim an inhertitance--and finds himself in a nightmare war for his very life. Betrayed by his own family. Beaten unconscious. Stuffed into the hold of a ship manned by drunken murderers. Doomed to slavery or death.

But then Balfour's captors try to kill a renegade swordsman named Alan Breck--a lethal mistake. With blood-dripping swords, Alan and David battle their way to shore...but not to safety. Breck is a rebel fighting for a cause already lost; and David is falsely charge with assassination.

Wanted by kidnappers, terrorists and an army; trapped in a land of enemies; Alan and David are locked together in a desperate race across and entire nation, toward a slim chance for freedom, safety...

And David Balfour's revenge.
... Read more

Reviews (58)

High adventure and edge of your seat suspense...
I find that Mr. Stevenson is a very talented writer because his story was described excellently and the suspense seemed very real.

Kidnapped is the story of a young man's adventures. This particular young man was named David Balfour. After his parents passed away David set off in search of his rich uncle, to find himself a new home. Little did he know that on his arrival that his uncle would try to chase him away with a gun, and would be the most miserly person David had ever met. For fear of having to feed David, the uncle had him kidnapped aboard a ship that would take him to America to work on the plantations. Due to an unexpected change in the weather, however, the ship was wrecked on the coast of Scotland, and there the adventure began.

On the back of the novel it says that this book has been enjoyed by generations and shall be enjoyed for generations to come. When I chose to read this novel I wasn't sure if that statement would be true. I was pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed the story, I found it to be well written and exciting. I looked forward to the end because I was curious to see what would happen.

I'd say any book that is good enough to be deemed a classic has an importance all it's own. I have not read many classics but I find this book important because it holds a lot of information pertaining to the history and culture of Scotland and it's people.

In other words, this is a great story, read it!

Dated but still effective
I totally agree with the reviewer who says that Kidnapped has become his/her favorite book of all time and that (s)he still re-reads it several times a year. Not that I re-read it, but I agree when (s)he says that (s)he envies anyone who is about to read 'Kidnapped' for the first time. I am about the same age, and I well remember my first reading - how I smiled when Uncle Ebeneezer served his gruel (porridge) - how I held my breath when David nearly stepped into space on the broken stairs - how I cringed with the injustice of Ebeneezer tried to cheat David out of his inheritance by selling him into slavery in the American colonies.

Stevenson's 'Treasure Island' is reckoned to be his best book but, for sheer descriptive weight, superb characterization and sharp, sharp dialog, 'Kidnapped' is the one for me. In brief, 16-year-old orphan, David Balfour visits his uncle in order to claim the inheritance, left by his father. The uncle, having failed to kill him, arranges for David to be kidnapped by a ship of thugs and villains and taken to the Carolinas to be sold into slavery. While navigating the Scottish coast, the ship collides with another boat and the crew capture the lone survivor, a swashbuckling Highlander called Alan Breck Stewart. David and Alan become friends and escape their captors. On land again, Stewart is accused of murdering a rival clan member and he and David must now cross the Scottish mountains to reach safe haven and for David to reclaim his inheritance.

The descriptions of the Scottish countryside are truly marvelous and the sense of pace and adventure keeps the reader hooked right to the end. I notice that one reviewer likened this section to 'a tiresome episode of The Odd Couple'. Perhaps it's worth bearing in mind that The Odd Couple was written a few years AFTER Kidnapped ! (In any case, I doubt that a written version of the television series would stir anyone's emotions like Kidnapped can). To most readers the historic aspects, along with the fact that the couple are being hunted by British redcoats is enough to maintain interest, suspense and pace.

Read and enjoy !

Kidnapped
Kidnapped is one of my favorite most-read books. It has the fact that it is set in Scotland during the Jacobite "troubles" in its favor.
I have heard the book described as a great adventure book. I agree that there is plenty of excitement and suspense. David Balfour naively goes to his uncle after his parents death, and the ensuing drama is thrilling. However, the book is one of my favorites because of the portrayal of true friendship, which David strikes with a patriotic outlaw. David learns that the love of friendship is faithful and true, though it is always human.
Kidnapped is near the very top of my recommended reading list.

Didn't care for it
First off, let me say that I'm tempted to give Kidnapped 2 stars. However, that would probably be because I had to read this for school and ended up basically reading it for a whole day without a break. It was tedious. Being fair though, the book itself was 3. It wasn't great, and it wasn't terrible. It was a rather difficult read for me, and I am a freshman at high school in Advanced English. Looking up information on the Jacobite Rebellion would have definately been helpful prior to reading this. Knowledge of the geography of Scotland would also have been useful. One of the reasons I didn't like this book was because a new character or place seemed to be mentioned/introduced CONSTANTLY! For the most part, they'd never be mentioned again. It was confusing, because the side stories which the author inserted every now and then were sometimes a confusing distraction. That was painful. I also had some problems with the old-fashioned dialect. Although it may not be as difficult as some of these reviewers make it out to be, it still was a challenge. It gets easier as the book progreses. This was an OK story. It's a classic about David, a boy who gets kidnapped and has a wild adventure through Scotland because of it. One of the things I liked about David was that the character was very believable. He didn't have any fake, "superhero" qualities. For example, he admits he isn't a good shooter. He's down-to-earth. He is a refreshing main character for an action story. Some of the side characters are also very well developed and humorous. All in all, I wouldn't reccomend this book. It's certainly not for a basic reader or a child either.

whits review of "Kidnapped"
Kidnapped is a story about a young boy's life during the 1800's. This boys name is David and he is going through some hard times right after his father's death. His only family left is his Uncle Ebenezer who he doesn't even know. He travels to the house of Shaws where he meets his uncle, who turns out to be a very mean old man. David has come there not only to meet his closest kin left, but to also collect his inheritance from his father's death. David's uncle has him sent off to be a slave on a ship to the Carolinas, without David knowing. This leads to a series of adventures on the open sea and eventually to Scotland, where David and his new friend Alan are being chased by the English army. They eventually gather their bearings and find there way back to the house of Shaws. Here they get David's father's lawyer to help make David's uncle turn over his part of the inheritance. And then the story ends with David receiving two thirds of his uncle's income as David's inheritance. The reason that I chose this book is for the reasons that it really shows how cruel people were back in the 1800's and how easy people got away with mean things. It shows that no body was safe in the 1800's and even people with money were corrupt. The book reads very well because of Stevenson's great style of writing. This book also interests the reader greatly with its great action scenes that seem to go on forever and ever. There are changes in the book almost every other chapter that really change the way the book reads and this sucks you in even more. This book also catches an eye with its great imagery, I remember this one scene where they are describing a river that David needed to cross to get to the main land and the imagery was so good that I could picture this river and the houses on the other side. The main character David is also a very interesting boy to read about and all you want the whole book is for something to go good for him. He had to deal with so much and he doesn't get rewarded till the end of the book. If you are a reader that loves a great 1800's action book, with a very interesting plot, you will like Kidnapped a lot. ... Read more

Book Description

Aboard a ship, Jim Hawkings sails towards Treasure Island.The voyage goes well until Jim overhears a frightening conversation.He learns that the one-legged man who signed on as the ship¹s cook is really the famous pirate Long John Silver. And worse ­ he learns that the crew are teaming up with Silver to steal the treasure. Can Jim save the goldŠ and his life? ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Ahoy, matey!
I remember the first time I got a copy of the book "Treasure Island," I was about eight years old. I tried to get people to read it to me, but they always wanted to read something else, something with more pictures, and something with fewer words! It wasn't for several years that I finally got to read the book on my own - it took a while for my reading to advance, but I kept the book with the boy and pirate and the bird on the cover. It looked very interesting, and I knew there was treasure to be had inside of it!

The narrator is Jim Hawkins, son of the innkeepers of the Admiral Benbow Inn. A mysterious stranger, Billy Bones, lives at the inn and likes to spin stories, including the one about the one-legged man who he warns Jim to keep a watch for. A blind man appears and so frightens Billy Bones with the black spot that he dies of a stroke. Jim and his mother find Billy's sea chest, and in there is a map.

You knew that there had to be a map, didn't you?

There were coins and other things, but soon others arrive in search of the map. Jim has care of the map, and takes it to people he trusts, the Squire Trelawney and Doctor Livesey. They recognize the map as a treasure map made by the evil Captain Flint. The Squire purchases a ship called "the Hispaniola," hired a crew and a captain, Captain Smollet. The cook is perhaps the most famous name in the book - Long John Silver. He is a one-legged man, too.

Jim discovers that some of Smollett's crew were part of Flint's crew, and are plotting to kill them all and take the treasure. Once on the island, most go ashore, including Jim, who discovers in hiding an ex-pirate named Ben Gunn who was left on the island by his former crew. Gunn promises to help Jim and his friends, who have taken refuge in an old fort on the island. The other pirates with Long John Silver attack the fort, but without success in getting the map.

Jim manages to sneak into the fort, but the gunfire continues the next day, without success on either side. Jim sneaks out again, takes Ben Gunn's boat stealthily out to the Hispaniola, and cuts its ropes and sets it adrift. The next morning, the sea is rough, and Jim has to fend off the attack of a remaining pirate. Jim manages to get the ship into a cove.

The fort falls, and the Doctor gives Long John Silver the map. There is some give and take among the pirates as to what to do with the doctor and Jim. After some tussle, in which Long John Silver almost gets the black spot of death himself, they go after the treasure chest. Will they find it?

There is a lot of excitement here. Finding the treasure chest, after all this adventure, turns out to just be the beginning. Ben Gunn has a secret, you see, and the Doctor isn't out of the picture entirely, either. Long John Silver isn't quite the bloodthirsty pirate through and through, and in a strange twist, there is a relatively happy ending.

It certainly made for an exciting story for a young boy, and when I re-read portions of it now and then, I get a bit of a thrill again. The characters are brash and well written. Robert Louis Stevenson is a great novelist, knowing how to put together plot and character, and his use of the language gives the reader a sense of the salt air and rough and tumble of the seas.

Mother of a Fourth Grader
My daughter was assigned to read this book over the summer in between 4th and 5th grade. Although I know it is a great classic, it is extremely difficult to read, especially for her age. I am reading it to her and I, myself find that it is difficult to read and there are many words which I need to look up and many phrases which I cannot even lookup, so we are missing a great deal. I wish there was a modern American English translation available so that we could enjoy the story and not get so stuck on just trying to understand what is going on. ... Read more

Book Description

Since their first appearance in 1885, the rhymes of Robert LouisStevenson have been charming children and adults alike. His joyful explorationof the world speaks directly from a child's point of view--a celebration of theimagination, excitement, and surprising practicality with which childrenapproach life. Boats are made from back-bedroom chairs; palaces and templesconstructed of blocks. There are poems about wind, rain, the beauty of stars,and the usefulness of shadows., Full of life and color, the delightfulillustrations of Caldecott-winning artists Alice and Martin Provensen are theperfect accompaniment to these wonderful poems. Engaging, thoughtful, and fun,this treasure will occupy a special place in a child's heart for a lifetime. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

You cannot go wrong!!!
This book is pure magic. The Provensons' beautiful artwork has been etched onto my brain from early childhood. Stevenson's beautiful verses coupled with the delightful illustrations make this book truly magical. You will love this book!!!!

A True Treasure found
Imagine my happiness when I found a copy of the book that night after night my mother had read to me as a child in the late 50s and early 60s - My copy had long fallen apart but this was the correct edition and as I opened the pages the illustrations welcomed me like old friends. I got the flu and my husband kindly read the entire book to me and then next time my Mom came to visit I read a few to her and watched her smile.

Expose a child to this book and they will develop a love of poetry, the whimiscal and when you watch Rocky and Bullwinkle next time you will know where Bullwinkle gets all the poems that he recites !

A favorite book
I was skeptical that he'd like this book when he found it,
believing my 2 year old was a bit young for poetry beyond
Dr. Seuss. But he loves the sound and rhythm of the words
as well as the pictures in my old Golden Book edition,
and asks for it nearly every day now. For myself it's a
nice change from the usual kids books.

Charm and beauty in one package
There is beauty in RLS's poetry, and the Provensons' illustrations are simply delightful. There are other versions of this book (or very similar), but no other combines the aforementioned elements so well.

such simple poems have such a remarkable beauty.
Robert Lewis Stevenson has a way of making children smile, and adults follow right behind. The words so eloquently put together bring to life the thoughts of young children. ... Read more

Book Description

This beautiful board book features eight of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic poems with antique illustrations by some of the best-known children's book illustrators of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, including Charles Robinson, H. Willebeek Le Mair and Jessie Willcox Smith. An unforgettable treat for the very youngest readers. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Climb aboard for the swashbuckling adventure of a lifetime. Treasure Islandhas enthralled (and caused slight seasickness) for decades. The names Long John Silver and Jim Hawkins are destined to remain pieces of folklore for as long as children want to read Robert Louis Stevenson's most famous book. With it's dastardly plot and motley crew of rogues and villains, it seems unlikely that children will ever say no to this timeless classic. --Naomi Gesinger ... Read more

Reviews (171)

Edge-of-your-seat Suspense!!!
This book is absolutely amazing! The beginning may have been a little dull, but towards the middle I really started to get into it. The story kept me glued to the book. I would get dissapointed when I was told to stop reading. It seemed that every time I had to stop, there was some adventure that had just begun.

It starts out with a struggling family who owns an inn. One day, an adventurous seaman, known as the "cap'n" comes to their inn. Once the pirate dies, the inn owners son, Jim, starts to check out the cap'n's chest that was in his room. Jim discovers a map that leads to Captain Flint's buried treasure. This brings along many adventures, and laughs!

Jim and the town doctor and the town squire set out to find this buried treasure. During the trip to Treasure Island, Jim makes the startling discovery that the people working and sailing the ship are planning to overthrow the captain and his men. Once there, Jim, the captain, the doctor and the squire sneak off to the other side of the island. This leads everyone to war as Jim meets a castaway that had been on the island for three years. This man helps Jim and the other men to saftey, while the leader of the pirates, Long John Silver, continues to hunt for the treasure.

Jim and the castaway take control of the pirates ship and are soon looking for treasure themselves. Jim, wandering about on his own, falls into the clutches of the enemy. This creates commotion as the castaway and the other men try to free him, but cannot. The pirates are soon out looking for the treasure again with Jim and make it to where the treaure should be. To their surprise, it is gone!

The doctor and squire kill the other pirates, except for Silver, and take him and Jim to the castaways cave. The castaway, having been on the island for three years, had found the treasure and carried it all to a hidden cave by the coast. Inside the cave was also meat that the castaway had hunted for. Jim and the others make it to the cave and move the treasure onto the boat.Then they sail away and everyone lives happily ever after (except the pirates).

Review for Treasure Island
TreasurE Island..the author of this book is Robert Louis STephenson. It has 258 pages to read in this book. The important characters in this stpory are Tim Hawkins, Billy Bones. Dr. Liveseys, Squire, Black Dog, Lonh Johnn silverm, captain Smollet, Ben Gunn, and Redruth. Thr time and setting at the begginin of the story id at the Admiral Benbow. The plot is about Jim Hawkins who is trying to find the treasure which is hidden in treasure island. He goes to the Island on the Hispaniola. He goes with Captain Smollets Crew. When Jim is on the Islandhe meets Ben Gunn.He is the man who got trapped on the Island and he leads them to the treasure. And from there the hunt begins.You will have to read for yourself to find out what happens next. My favorite line in the book is "Fifteen men on a dead mans chest, Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum." It means different things throughout the whole story. It start one Page number 3. The cover looks like a pirate with a knife in his hand. I think it mean he is searching for treasure and he will kill to get it.

Treasure!
Who doesn't love the story of Treasure Island? I think it's a great book. Some people say it is not very good because of the "ancient" way it is written. Just goes to show how dumb modern man is. Buy it and maybe get a better vocabulary.

Classic Treasure
Treasure Island is one of my favorite classics of all time. I was first introduced to this book in the eighth grade (I'm 22 now) and have loved it ever since, even keeping the copy given to me in class, telling my teacher I lost it so I wouldn't have to give it back.
What makes this book so fun? Overall, it is an fun adventure, making it a fun read. The main characters are fleshed out well. For example, we the reader feel just as betrayed as young Jim Hawkins when he learns of Long John Silver's plot to steal the treasure.
The story itself is broken into nice sections and flows together from start to finish. There is never really a dull moment in the book.
Treasure Island is a great read and a classic novel. Just don't confuse it with Pirates of the Carribean.

Classic
This is a beautifully written classic that can take you to a different world, or maybe two. Set in the time of pirates, this book takes you on a treasure hunt that is full of back-stabbing, loyalty, and adventure. The author keeps you compelled to read on because of his lack of detail for conflicts. You just cannot wait to turn the next page to see why this man is angry, what happened in the past, and what kind of foreshadowing you can get for the future. The only bad part about this book is the extremely confusing language. That author uses the slang and terms that of the time and setting, which is great because it's accurate, but almost annoying because it's hard to keep up with. This book also requires a little back-up knowledge of the story, because the language you read might confuse you, and cause you to not get enough information on the story at hand and characters in it. In this book my favorite character was "the bad man with one leg" (you'll find out who it is later in the book, I won't ruin it) because even though he's the evil character, he's so wonderfully generated and portrayed. His evil-ness is overtaking the man itself, and while you'd love for Hawkins(the main character) to avoid him, and stay safe, you find yourself also begging for confrontation, just to see what the "one legged man's" scheme will be. Overall, I think this is a classic for every generation. And unless you're obsessed with love stories, this book will have it all. Also, people who don't even like adventure type books will enjoy this novel too because of the sheer greatness of it all. "Treasure Island" is constructed amazingly well, with all the good cliff hangers left for you to read and figure out for yourself, and all the parts that "make you twitch" are in all the right places. ... Read more

Book Description

Unabridged Audiobook.1 MP3-CD - 8 hours: 21 minutes.Performed by Shelly Frasier.

Caught in the midst of England's War of the Roses, young Dick Shelton's loyalties are torn between a guardian who betrays him and the leader of the secret fellowship, "The Black Arrow".The Houses of York and Lancaster are locked in a brutal struggle for England's crown and the fate of the kingdom is at stake.Shelton finds himself entangled in the conspiracy.In order to survive he must distinguish friend from foe and confront the tests of war, shipwreck, murder and forbidden love.

This audiobook is on one CD, encoded in MP3 format and will only play on computers and CD players that have the ability to play this unique format. ... Read more

Reviews (20)

Classic Adventure at it's Best
The Black Arrow is, without a doubt, one of my all time favorite books, just as Robert Louis Stevenson is one of my all time favorite authors. I find it hard to believe that The Black Arrow is probably the least well know of his great adventure novels (the others being, of course, Treasure Island and Kidnapped), as it is certainly the best as far as I am concerned. As far as the story goes, it is one of the most entertaining plots that I have ever encountered. It is filled with more twists and turns than I would have thought possible, but remains very clear and fast paced. The characters are wonderful, as is the description and the writing itself. Granted, some of the language is a bit archaic, but I feel that this adds a lot to the authenticity of the story.
The Black Arrow is not a very easy read at first, but once you get into it it really flies by. It is as entertaining, exciting, and intriguing book as you will find, and I would recommend it to anyone.

If you love action and romance, read this book.
Set against the backdrop of the Wars of the Roses, The Black Arrow is an intriguing look at the life of young Richard Shelton. Richard's life is shaken when he realizes that those he had thought to be his friends are really his enemies, and he is forced to make choices that will determine the course of his life. Although the characters are well-developed and the plot is fascinating, this book is not for the squeemish or lazy reader. The description is not only vivid, it is often gorey. The language is sometimes difficult and a dictionary might prove quite handy. But anyone looking for a well-written, action-packed classic should read this book.

Black Arrow
In this book you can read about knights, soldiers, action, treachery, and other things from the middle ages. I thought that it was a pretty good book, but I only got into it after a while. I had to read it for school, so I couldn't give up, but I was wary of the lack of "interesting-ness" when I first started. I would reccomend this book to you, but you should beware that you may not be interested for a while. If you are a person who doesn't like a book that takes a while, I would not reccomend this to you. But if you don't mind having to read something a while, I would reccomend this to you. (Sorry if I keep repeating myself.)

A good adventure story.
The Black Arrow was a good adventure story following the adventures of Richard Shelton during the War of the Roses. Within this story we encounter knights, and a band of outlaws (ala Robin Hood). We have disguises, archery, battles, betrayal, revenge, friendship, honor, and love. What more could you ask for in an adventure?

Though it was a fun story, it didn't have the depth of plot or character that I look for in my reading. Instead we follow Richard on what seems an aimless journey of one adventure after another. Richard often finds himself in tight situations and just when he escapes he finds himself in another. Written like a serial (probably was), Richard seems to hardly have time to take a breath before something new and exciting is happening again. Although this type of writing is great for a serial, leaving the reader with a cliff hanger at the end of each section, it doesn't lead to a unified feeling within the work. I'm not saying I didn't enjoy the story and have fun reading it along the way; it is just that to me it seemed just a fun adventure story. It was fun to read, but didn't leave me with a lasting impression or emotion.

A real swashbuckler...
...that buckles every swash imaginable. War, treachery, disguise, secret passages, shipwrecks, damsels in distress -- an amazing amount gets packed into this not-very-long book. Great fun, but the pseudo-fifteenth-century dialog ("Sirs, this knave arrow likes me not. But it importeth rather to take counsel.") will prove an unfortunate obstacle to the very readers who would otherwise enjoy the story most, the young. ... Read more

Book Description

Stevenson's classic poem is brought to life through Monique Felix's delightful illustrations. The rhyme is seen through the eyes of an inquisitive mouse pondering the peculiarities of its ever present companion. The result is a highly entertaining volume, to be enjoyed by all ages. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

My 3 year knows poem by heart, but illustrator's vary
I have the Rand (illustrator) version of this book. Unfortunately when I looked to obtain another copy, all the reviews are lumped together so it's hard to determine the best illustrated version.

My 3 year-old absolutely loves the book. It's certainly one of our favorites. Great introduction to classic literature.

Rollicking rhyme and whimsical mouse illustrations
Monique Felix's inviting mouse illustrations in Robert Lewis Stevenson's My Shadow provides an inviting mix of rollicking rhyme and whimsical mouse illustrations. Kids will learn a new appreciation of the poetic style will enjoying the mouse's lively adventures.

Simply Beautiful
This classic poem by Robert Louis Stevenson displayed by wonderful illustrations! Penny Dale's talent shines in the clear pictures, that re a joy to look at over and over again. It only made the poem better for me, and my entire classroom of 5 year olds!

Great picture book!
MY SHADOW (illustrated by Ted Rand) is on our short list for best picture book. Our four kids all loved the pictures and, of course, the poem. I would recommend the book as a toddler picture book rather than a beginning reader--the pictures are beautiful and engaging and the poem is suitable for little children. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (1)

An informative but intrusive retelling of this classic story
Robert Louis Stevenson's "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" is one of the classics of horror literature because it provides the paradigmatic example of the "werewolf," the human being with a monstrous alter ego. However, originally it was much more of a mystery story and that is the best way of describing this adaptation of Stevenson's novella by Michael Lawrence. The book's complex structure is simplified and Lawrence employs a narrator to help retell the tale. The adaptation is certainly competent enough, but the story clearly takes a back seat to the illustrations in this particular volume.

This Eyewitness Classics adaptation of "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" is full of the illustrations and details we have come to associate with books put out by DK Publishing. A two-page spread before the first chapter details The Two Face of London, contrasting the rich West End of Victorian London with Soho area where criminals stalked the poor. Background about how Victorian gentlemen dressed for evening and how women were second-class citizens is provided. Once the story commences there are not only illustrations by Ian Andrew depicting events in the novella, but the borders are usually filled with small photographs and detailed text amplifying the action. One such note might explaining the gas lighting system in use at the time while another actually explains the significance of the key Jekyll supposedly gave to Hyde. These pictures and notes are certainly informative, but they are also somewhat intrusive, especially when the reader is trying to decide when they should read each of these additional bits of information.

The attempt here is to provide something more than a straightforward presentation of the novella without going so far as to provide an annotated version. The information provided is quite useful for young readers, for the most part, but their intrusiveness may well get in the way of enjoying the story itself. The illustrations by Andrew are stylistically evocative of the shadowy, misty streets of London we associate with tales of violent crimes such as "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." A final spread in the back of the book looks at the Legend of the story, which includes the various dramatic versions on stage and screen. More interesting are the insights into how the story reflected what people were thinking about evolution, psychology, and drugs at the end of the 19th-century. The best solution might be to just try and read the story without always resorting to the additional information and then going back and filling in the details (maybe on a chapter by chapter basis). This approach is used in a pair of other "horror" classics, "Dracula" and "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," in the DK Classics series. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Treasure Island (Great Illustrated Classics)
It is a very adventurous book. It takes a long time to get to know the characters but you will like it. Read Treasure Island.

Treasure Island is my favorite book!!!
It is a very nice book. I like it because there is a lot of fighting going on. It is amazing how people do not die. It is also fun because they travel on water a lot. It is interesting because I kept wondering if they are going to find the treasure or not!!! If you like adventure read this book.

tresure island
Treasure Island

Treasure island is a good book and well written one at that. When Robert Louis Stevenson wrote this book, I think he had the theme be careful who you trust in mind. When the main character Jim Hawkins finds a map and forms a crew. But a few in particular are captain long john silver, captain Smollett. He had to be a ware for at any second long john Smollett or the crew could turn against him. Along the hunt for treasure many problems may accrue not be fixable but the pure fear that he may never see his mom again...
I only recommend this book to people with high thinking levels.

Treasure Island
Treasure island is a good book i advise you read it. The main charater is a man named Jim, and one day he meets a pirate named Billy Bones.After Billy Bones died Jim got the map (and a blind begger named Pew tired to get Jim,his mom,and the map (he dies)) and him and a man named Long John Sliver (the one with 1 leg) and he gets a crew and another captain named Captain Smollett which doesn't like the crew but is are ready to set sail to the island that had the treasure. They never say were this island is which keeps you wondering but the get closer and closer each day to the treasuer, but its a good book and the end is suprising but i hope you like it .

Treasure Island
Treasure Island

I thought that treasure island was a very good book if your looking for adventure, betrayal and Plenty 'o' conflict. I definetly recommend this book to anyone willing to read it. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

CART Family Listening Series ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Magical Book for Kids of All Ages!
I love this book! By using Stevenson's poem, Ashley Wolff captures the magical moments of childhood in a way that will bring a rush of memories to adults, and instant recognition to children. Staying in bed with the flu or a cold, most children devise imaginary games to occupy their time. Future quiltmakers, carpenters and other folks, will recognize themselves in this book. A delightful romp! ... Read more

Book Description

N.C. Wyeth's thrilling, evocative artwork circa 1911 enlivens Stevenson's unforgettable tale of adventure in this thoughtful retelling created especially for younger readers 4 to 8 years of age.This large-format book provides a wonderful introduction to the beloved classic, sure to be read and enjoyed for generations. ... Read more