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paige87's review against another edition
5.0
This book is beautifully written and illustrated, and is a reminder of just how much I adore Oliver Jeffers. The illustrations vary slightly from his usual style, as Sam Winston joined him in the creative process. However, the different style seems to fit the different type of story. I love this book so much.
kathydavie's review against another edition
5.0
A standalone picture book for children, promoting the wonders of reading.
My Take
It's a little girl using first person point-of-view who shows a boy how amazing books are, allowing a reader to explore the world, showing him the miracle of story. And it's a lovely bit of propaganda that encourages imagination *grin*.
There's a touch of Peter Pan with the point about adults forgetting how wonderful story can be. And this story is possibly more perfect for adults than for children!
I love the pastedown and flyleaf with its close lines of text listing classic books and their authors, running the gamut from children's to adult. Jeffers/Winston carry on into the story using text in shapes of waves, mountains, movement, direction, and more on every page.
The graphics are primarily the text and line drawings with an aged page the sail for the girl's raft. Sometimes the blue of the trim around her sailor collar and the two lines at the hem of her dress appear, but each page has some color. Some less, and some much more. I think my favorite page is the forest of fairy tales with words the branches.
Just don't forget, imagination is free.
The Story
A little girl sails her raft across a sea of words, arriving at the house of a small boy.
She invites him to go away with her on an adventure into the world of stories... where, with only a little imagination, anything at all can happen.
The Cover and Title
The cover has a deep brownish red background with an upright red hardcover book (the authors' names are on its spine in gold) with a protruding gold lock on its front cover. Perched atop the book is a blue girl with pigtails and a sailor dress, looking to the right for the horizon. At an angle behind the book is a slanted paragraph of opening lines.
The title overtly refers to the little girl, but I see it as the authors' interests, for they are A Child of Books.
My Take
It's a little girl using first person point-of-view who shows a boy how amazing books are, allowing a reader to explore the world, showing him the miracle of story. And it's a lovely bit of propaganda that encourages imagination *grin*.
There's a touch of Peter Pan with the point about adults forgetting how wonderful story can be. And this story is possibly more perfect for adults than for children!
I love the pastedown and flyleaf with its close lines of text listing classic books and their authors, running the gamut from children's to adult. Jeffers/Winston carry on into the story using text in shapes of waves, mountains, movement, direction, and more on every page.
The graphics are primarily the text and line drawings with an aged page the sail for the girl's raft. Sometimes the blue of the trim around her sailor collar and the two lines at the hem of her dress appear, but each page has some color. Some less, and some much more. I think my favorite page is the forest of fairy tales with words the branches.
Just don't forget, imagination is free.
The Story
A little girl sails her raft across a sea of words, arriving at the house of a small boy.
She invites him to go away with her on an adventure into the world of stories... where, with only a little imagination, anything at all can happen.
The Cover and Title
The cover has a deep brownish red background with an upright red hardcover book (the authors' names are on its spine in gold) with a protruding gold lock on its front cover. Perched atop the book is a blue girl with pigtails and a sailor dress, looking to the right for the horizon. At an angle behind the book is a slanted paragraph of opening lines.
The title overtly refers to the little girl, but I see it as the authors' interests, for they are A Child of Books.
reader4evr's review against another edition
5.0
What a beautiful and clever book. A book that you have to take the time to look and discover each page.
novelette's review against another edition
3.0
the illustrations are made from words and passages in stories. Lovely
mehsi's review against another edition
4.0
A lovely book about imagination! Oliver Jeffers wrote yet another book that will capture the hearts of everyone. Definitely would recommend this one.
trevoryan's review against another edition
5.0
A book doesn't have to be long or complicated to be innovative and wonderful.
idgey's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
therealbel's review against another edition
5.0
What an astonishing find. An amazing book, beautiful and touching, with a complicated message made clearly and carefully, with stories and songs threading through the pages.
If you only read one children's book this year, I have to say, this should be a serious contender. It's blissful.
If you only read one children's book this year, I have to say, this should be a serious contender. It's blissful.
brambresseleers's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
lsparrow's review against another edition
4.0
I love the imagination in this authors books and the kids always love the stories.