Norman MessengerReviews

retold by Alan Garner --CIP. Contains: The fox, the hare, and the cock. -- The girl and the geese. -- Battibeth.Pages falling out. Ex-lib. SDL.

This book presents each letter of the alphabet (both upper and lower case) as an artist might fancifully conceptualize them. For instance, coiled snakes make up the letter Q while twisty twine constructs a letter T. As you can see by these two examples, the pictured item does not necessarily begin with the letter shown, which is rather different than your standard alphabet book. There are no words on the page spreads, just the illustrations and the printed letters. While this is a neat book to look at, it may not fit everyone's needs. I could almost see this being of more interest to a high school art class for inspiration than for a preschool classroom learning the alphabet.½

I wanted the letters to match the sounds, like C for cwave (I guess it could be curve but not all of them work like that unforch).½

I was disappointed in this. I thought that I would love it. I did like it but I didn’t think it was great.

I appreciate how both capital and lower case versions are shown for each letter.

I can’t say that I was a fan of the art style but I loved some of the creativity shown in making the letters. Some pairs/letters were better than others. There were a few genius pairs and one where I couldn’t even see the capital letter for the pair (N) no matter how hard I tried. I think my favorite was for the letter Ii: a scroll for the capital I and a pen with an ink splotch for the lower case i. L was also good: a boot for L and a new pair of shoelaces for l.

For me the most disappointing thing is I’d assumed the art objects and their letters would have some connection. They don’t at all. That is fine but for those learning their letters and learning to read doing that and using phonics would have added some usefulness to the book.

I love the premise and it is a beautiful book but it’s barely a 3 star book for me. (I see that many here disagree.)

I think that it’s best for children who already know their alphabet. The endpapers do have multiple capital letters all over them and I guess they could be compared to the artsy versions in the book proper.

Alphabet with striking illustrations!
Might be difficult to interpret for young readers because the letters don't always match up with the illustration, but still very artistic

This elegant alphabet book—showcasing both upper- and lowercase letters—seems to follow a familiar formula, but there are many fantastical associations left to the reader's imagination.

I feel like Garner writes on a different plane than I can read. The first story here is relatively straightforward, the second is quirky, the third is more nonsensical than Lear's The Owl and the Pussycat." The illustrations are lovely, with intriguing detail. I think I enjoyed the book 3.5 stars, but I rounded up because I know there is more to it than I'm capable of appreciating."

*ROBERT SOUTHEY, 'The Story of the Three Bears'

This morning, thinking about this story, I asked the most convenient person in my home: "What happened to Goldilocks?" The answer, "Uh, she got eaten by bears?" So I thought, as well!

Southey's version of this nursery tale was published in 1837 (the first written version of the story; whether the idea originated with Southey is debated.) There's no adorable blond child here at all. The home invader who samples porridge and sits in chairs is, instead, a foul-tempered old homeless woman. However, the plot, language and phrasing will be very familiar to those who've read any of a number of versions.

But... no one gets eaten by a bear. The vagrant jumps out a window to escape. Which, to my way of thinking, kind of misses the point of the three bears being 'bears.'

Z picked this up and flipped through it at a museum shop . . . and has since had a chance to read it more in depth. Captain Invent Your Own Dimensions loves this!

I love books like this one. The title definitely does it justice! It helps get your mind wondering and your imagination flowing. All through this book the pages show how things work, puzzles, problems, etc. It also has at the corners of every page there is a math puzzle..

We loved this book! This would be a GREAT gift for a 5 year old. Really fun and the illustrations are fantastic!

The story tells of God creating the earth from the geography to plants and animals and eventually Adam and Eve. Opening with verses from Genesis this story has outstandingly beautiful illustrations that go along perfectly with the text.

I think it is a cute, funny book that kids truely love. When I was a child I loved playing with this book and giggling with my parents about the faces. Now as I look back at it and all the faces I see that it seems to have an underlying meaning in the people it uses in it.

NCLA Review -This beautiful picture book celebrates the awesome act of God’s creation of the universe as depicted in Genesis. This book tells the story of creation simply, but the illustrations are breathtaking, rich in color and artistry. Each page is worthy to be framed and hung on a wall. Combining amazingly detailed illustrations with the contemporary, easy-to-understand words of the New Living Translation of the Bible, it vividly brings to life an all-time favorite Bible story. Although intended for ages 4 through 8, readers of all ages will marvel at the wonders of God’s creation. An ideal book for parent and child to share together for many years to come, this book is a keeper. Rating: 4 —MF DK Publishing 2009, 32p, 9780756651541, $5.99 [E]

A dazzling collection of illusions and visual tricks - you won't believe your eyes! Imagine...a stepladder without steps, a clock without hands, a tree without a trunk, a kiss without a mouth, a bicycle with square wheels, a topsy turvy world where anything is possible. With a little imagination, the world can become a different place altogether...;This collection features picture puzzles, topsy turvy heads, tricks of the eye and lots more.;Filled with flaps to lift, foldouts to pull, and even a wheel to turn, this is entertainment sure to fire any child or adult's imagaintion!

A book of "quirky, humorous suggestions, ingenious visual puzzles and beautifully crafted illustrations...

Interesting book. Although the back cover says that it is suitable for age 6 and up, I worry that it could give someone nightmares. Some of the pictures are creepy and well-done---hence even more disturbing. Lots of flaps the extend the picture or give two views; one wheel that rotates the tops of four faces in four directions. Tiny puzzles / visual brain teasers throughout the book have solutions at the back.

Cute book. Lots of various looks can be made with just turning portions of the pages.

Very attractive illustrations of an Edwardian home with cozy interiors, a conservatory, and a garden, all with opening doors and secret flaps concealing surprises. There is a "dollhouse" family as well, with parents, children, and the domestic staff that seems to be necessary to maintaining a well-regulated Edwardian household.