The Enchanted Forest Chronicles: Dealing with Dragons / Searching for Dragons / Calling on Dragons / Talking to Dragons

Book Description

Collected together for the first time are Patricia C. Wrede's hilarious adventure stories about Cimorene, the princess who refuses to be proper. Every one of Cimorene's adventures is included in its paperback edition--Dealing with Dragons, Searching for Dragons, Calling on Dragons, and Talking to Dragons--in one handsome package that's perfect for gift giving.

Customer Reviews:

Whimsical and Humourous.......2007-09-12

these stories are wonderful. i laughed through half of the books, and then i had some of my elementary age cousins read the series as well. they were able to comprehend them easily, as well as finding them enchanting.

Great books for a wide range of ages.......2007-08-03

This is a great collection of books with a strong heroine and a good sense of humor. They are an excellent choice to read out loud due to the fun characters and the whimsical nature of the writing, and the recurrent message of non-conformity is carried out well without feeling too didactic.

Other reviewers have given capsule summaries, but I would recommend against reading them if you can resist. Part of what was delightful about reading these books for me was seeing the story and Patricia Wrede's pattern unfold.

That being said, I will immediately contradict myself, and note that the third book is, in my opinion, the weakest of lot. I think this is because when I read the books, I was reading out loud. The third book has more fractured conversations and irritating voices popping up all over the place, and the pattern gets in the way of the narrative. Additionally, compared to the other books, the ending is unsatisfying, merely setting up the action for the fourth book. For what it's worth, my wife (who also loved this series) recommends skipping the third book altogether and allowing the story of the fourth to slowly fill you in on what happened in the third.

One other note that I will add is that the vocabulary used in these books is advanced enough to make them a better pick for 10+ year olds, in my opinion. I mistakenly recommended them to the 8 year old daughter of a friend and she struggled to read the first couple paragraphs. The first couple of pages use: philosophers, fashionable, periodic, prosperous, etiquette, etc. Nothing unheard of, obviously, but these are probably better read out loud to early readers. These younger kids will still love the story and the characters, though I guess they may miss some of the humor.

With the discounted Amazon price, this box set is a lot of story for the dollar. I highly recommend it.

dealing with dragons review.......2007-04-19

I like this book because of the adventure. it was interesting, the dragons are cool.if you like dragons and olden time books then this is the book for you. I liked when the wizard made the parts of the clif disipear . I liked the partwhere cimorene ment the dragon.

decent fantasy.......2007-03-09

The Enchanted Forest Chronicles is a decent fantasy novel that turns everything upside down, and wrongside up, and will more than once make you laugh out loud. A good read for any dragon and wizard fan.

4.5, actually, for a set of cute stories.......2007-02-16

I originally bought each of these books individually, and it was quite a pain finding all of them. This is a convenient way to purchase these very cute, very fun fantasy stories.

The first book, "Dealing with Dragons", is a very witty, very cute book about the improper princess who decides to live with dragons rather than get married to someone she doesn't even like. Cimorene becomes the dragon Kazul's "princess", doing her chores for her, cleaning out her library, and cooking for her. The story has a lot to do with the relationships between wizards and dragons and in a sense, everything mocks the "real" view. Throughout this book, Wrede is practically laughing at every fairy tale ever written, and it is hilarious.

Book two, "Searching for Dragons", introduces a new character. Mendanbar, King of the Enchanted Forest, needs to go talk to the dragon king (and there's a new one from the last book!). Unfortunately, the dragon king has been kidnapped, so he and Cimorene go looking for her. It's more action filled than its predecessor and has a lot more magic going on.

"Calling on Dragons" is clearly the weakest book in the bunch, though it's. It's least memorable of them all, its new characters are the most boring, and the plot is more of a preview for the final book, "Talking to Dragons".

And speaking of, "Talking to Dragons" once again brings us the fun and excitement the first two books brought. While each of the other books had a gap of time that stretch across a year or so, the gap between COD and TTD is much bigger... Sixteen years! We've got a whole new generation of characters, whether its the cats, the fiery girls, or our (!) narrarator! Yes, TTD is written in first person, which is a first in this series. We truly get into Daystar's head, which is fun and enjoyable. In a sense, TTD continues where COD left off, but obviously much later, and many things have changed.

So if you like rather mocking fantasy stories that are both fun and cute, you'll love this. If you love witches, evil wizards, cool dragons, and awesome characters, than this is a great set to pick up. Just remember that COD is more of a transition book and all will be well.

So go join Cimorene, Mendanbar, Kazul, Daystar, Morwen, the cats, those evil wizards, and the lot by buying this great set!

Talking to Dragons: The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, Book Four

Average customer rating:

ALWAYS be polite to dragons!
Oh no a dragon
SO much fun!
any more on the way?
A Truly Enchanting and Wonderful Read.

Talking to Dragons: The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, Book Four
Patricia C. Wrede
Manufacturer: Magic Carpet Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0152046917

Book Description

One day, Daystar's mom, Cimorene, hands him a magic sword and kicks him out of the house. Daystar doesn't know what he is supposed to do with the magic sword, but knowing Cimorene, he's sure it must involve a dragon or two!

Customer Reviews:

ALWAYS be polite to dragons!.......2007-06-23

My daughters often read the four books from the Enchanted Forest series by Patricia C. Wrede. They came across the books a couple years back. They seem to check out the books and audio tapes every couple months. Over the last year I have listened to bits and pieces of the series.

Talking to Dragons is was the first book published, but it is really the fourth in the series. The hero of the story is a 16 year old boy by the name of Daystar. For the first 16 years of his life he lived on the edge of the Enchanted Forest with his mother. Then one day his mother gives him a sword and sends him out into Enchanted Forest. His mother tells him he has a mission, but won't tell him what the mission is.

Fairly quickly Daystar bumps into a fire-witch. They are both in trouble with wizards, and decide to stick together. Daystar was taught to always be polite to dragons. They come across a young dragon. Daystar is very polite and the dragon joins the group. Near the end of the book Daystar finally figures out his mission and helps save the day.

This is a fun book. It moves along well. I stayed up till midnight to finish it. If your children like fantasy, you might have them try this book.

Oh no a dragon.......2007-02-09

Talking To Dragons Jane Yolen Books,
Patricia C. Wrede ISBN 0-15-284247-0

Talking to Dragons is a great book about kings, princes, princesses, dragons, and wizards by Patricia C. Wrede. It takes place in Enchanted Forest. The narrator of the book is the main character, Daystar.
One day Daystar's mom tells him to go on a quest that he knows nothing about. He started out on a quest and meets new creatures and people, some of them become his companions and some his enemies.
His companions, a young fire witch named Shiara and a young dragon, become really good friends with him. They help him on his quest. After a while he started to figure out that the sword his mom gave him was important because everybody wanted it. People called it "The Sword of the Sleeping King." All he knew is that he needed to go through a cave to be where he was supposed to.
At the end he found the Sleeping King and everybody was reunited. I recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy and also a happy ending. I recommend reading the first three books Dealing With Dragons, Searching For Dragons and Calling for Dragons.

PR28

SO much fun!.......2006-09-25

All the Enchanted Forest Chronicles are so much fun! Definitely at my top of Harry Potter fan recommendations. They're just such an amusing read; I even teach with them. Don't forget to read "The Frying Pan of Doom."

any more on the way?.......2006-09-19

Written first, this is actually the final book in the series (so far, at least). This story features the son of Mendanbar and Cimorene: Daystar. Daystar has been reared on the edge of the Enchanted Forest without any knowledge of who he is or how he and his mother came to be there. Shortly after a wizard appears on their doorstep, he watches his mother melt the wizard and he is sent on his way into the Enchanted Forest with a sword and instructions from his mother to always be polite, especially to dragons, and NEVER agree to a favor until you know what it is. Almost immediately Daystar gains a companion, Shiara, who happens to be a fire witch. Together they follow the sword wherever it leads them, which brings us back to some familiar characters. In the end Daystar realizes many things, including what he is to do and how he is to do it - but not without a lot of help and teamwork from many friends and companions. This was an interesting finale as it definitely left an opening for novels of the next generation of the Enchanted Forest.

A Truly Enchanting and Wonderful Read........2006-06-20

I stumbled upon this book first - it's the 4th in a series by Wrede. It is really at least as much fun and imaginative as Harry Potter with more logic and a fun side without the dark side. A great read for kids or adults. Truly magical and special.

Dealing with Dragons: The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, Book One

Average customer rating:

One bored Princess is about to have a ball!
Morgan from Creston
Dealing with Reveiws
An Amazing Book!!!
A fun and enchanted book!

Dealing with Dragons: The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, Book One
Patricia C. Wrede
Manufacturer: Magic Carpet Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 015204566X

Amazon.com

Cimorene, princess of Linderwall, is a classic tomboy heroine with classic tomboy strengths--all of which are perceived by those around her as defects: "As for the girl's disposition--well, when people were being polite, they said she was strong-minded. When they were angry or annoyed with her, they said she was as stubborn as a pig." Cimorene, tired of etiquette and embroidery, runs away from home and finds herself in a nest of dragons. Now, in Cimorene's world--a world cleverly built by author Patricia C. Wrede on the shifting sands of myriad fairy tales--princesses are forever being captured by dragons. The difference here is that Cimorene goes willingly. She would rather keep house for the dragon Kazul than be bored in her parents' castle. With her quick wit and her stubborn courage, Cimorene saves the mostly kind dragons from a wicked plot hatched by the local wizards, and worms her way into the hearts of young girls everywhere.

While the characters are sometimes simplistically drawn, adults and children will have fun tracing the sources of the various fairy tales Wrede plunders for her story. Dealing with Dragons is the first book in the Enchanted Forest Chronicles, and most young readers will want to devour the entire series. (Ages 10 and older) --Claire Dederer

Book Description

Cimorene is everything a princess is not supposed to be: headstrong, tomboyish, smart. . . .
And bored. So bored that she runs away to live with a dragon . . . and finds the family and excitement she's been looking for.

Customer Reviews:

One bored Princess is about to have a ball!.......2007-04-11

Princess Cimorene is the daughter to the king of Linderwall...where the knights keep their armor polished for show considering nobody's seen a dragon there in years...

Cimorene HATES it at Linderwall. And she wants to do things, not learn exactly how and when she's supposed to scream if someone decides to come and kidnap her. Cimorene takes classes behind her fathers back for extreme fun. She tries fencing...until her father makes her stop. She tries cooking...until her father stops her. She tries magic...until her father stops her. You get the pattern. If things aren't already bad enough her parents are making her marry Prince Therandil. YUCK!

"I'd rather get eaten by a dragon," Cimorene muttered.
"That can be arranged."

With the advice of a "not" enchanted frog she ends up at a dragons cave and before you know it she's the dragon Kazul's princess. And also before ya know it she's on an adventure.

What happens on that adventure? Well...

She meets a powerful witch, a stone prince, snotty princesses, a kind princess, annoying wizards, mean dragons, and a talking frog.

She finds plants that hurt dragons, a dragons magical stone, and a fire proof spell...she's found A LOT of adventure!

Morgan from Creston.......2007-03-07

The book Dealing with Dragons is one of the most fantastic books I have ever read. It held my interest and made me feel good. Between adventure and happiness, Patricia C. Wrede catches your attention and makes you want to read it over and over again.
In the book, the characters were really willing to go and figure out why wizards have been snooping around the Mountains of Morning. That's one of the reasons I liked this book so much. My favorite characters are Cimorene and Kazul. As Cimorene runs away from the castle she meets a kind dragon named Kazul, who lets Cimorene live with her. Later in the book wizards secretly working with a dragon named Worag, who wants to be the king of dragons and is trying to get rid of Cimorene and her friends. In this it was a wild adventure for princess Cimorene.
The book Dealing with Dragons was not a boring book. The author Patricia C. Wrede was able to hold the interest of the reader throughout the story. The description of scenes was really descriptive and you could picture them in your head. There were sad and funny parts throughout the book. One of my favorite parts was when Cimorene and Kazul visited Morwen the witch. Cimorene rode on Kazuls back while she was flying over the tall trees. I was imagining that I was on Kazul too.
After reading this book, I learned many different things. I also couldn't believe how good this book was. The major situation was trying to figure out what the wizards were up to. This book will leave you wanting to read it over and over again.

Dealing with Reveiws.......2007-03-01

Dealing with Dragons, by Patricia C. Wrede, is really a joking, enjoyable tale of a fantasy world with a girl trying to escape normal life for a princess. Cimorene is princess of Linderwall, and when she's fed up with normal princess-ing and heads off, she gets involved with tons of dragons, witches, wizards, a jinn, talking birds and more. Cimorene loves fencing, magic, cooking, economics, Latin, and she can't do any of them because "It's NOT done". I'd say if this was real, it'd be in the early 1500`s. This really can absorb you and it seems you just have to finish it before anything else and I really enjoyed it. I hope you do too.

An Amazing Book!!!.......2007-02-28

Wizards, dragons, magic, and a run away princess. If you like those things then you will love "Dealing With Dragons" by Patricia C. Wrede. When Cimerone runs away to a little house in the forest, that a toad told her to go to, she meets some scary dragons. But almost before the dragons ate her, another dragon came and saved her. And now she works for the dragon, Kazul. When one of the dragons killed the king, all the dragons have to have a challenge to see who well be the next king. Will Kazul become the new king or will she die trying?
I think the theme for this book is that just because some people don't like something doesn't mean you shouldn't like it. Because some people thought Cimerone was crazy that she was living with a dragon and she didn't care about what they said. I think Patricia wrote this book to tell about people that have everything they could ever have and all they want is freedom to do what they want.
"That doesn't make it proper, dear," Cimerone's mom said. Cimerone never wanted to be a princess. She liked to do fencing, magic, and cooking. But she never liked being a princess. I would recommend this book to people that love to read about fantasy's and adventures. Also if they like dragons, witches, and magic they would like this book! I hope you will read it and like it just as much as I did!

A fun and enchanted book!.......2007-01-30

This book is great! It is for everyone! It is about a princess named Cimorene. She does not like being a princess. She does secret magic lessons until her parents find out. Then they try to get her to marry but she does not want to. She runs of and finds some dragons. She goes with one named Kuzul. She makes friends and finds an exciting new life. But something evil is about...I'm not going to tell the end but its great! You should read Dealing with Dragons, Book one of the Enchanted Forest Chronicles.

Calling on Dragons: The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, Book Three

Average customer rating:

244 pages of bitchiness
Amazing series
Love the characters!
The sword is gone
A Perfect Combination

Calling on Dragons: The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, Book Three
Patricia C. Wrede
Manufacturer: Magic Carpet Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0152046925

Book Description

Those wicked wizards are back--and they've become very smart. (Sort of.) They intend to take over the Enchanted Forest once and for all . . . unless Cimorene finds a way to stop them. And some people think being queen is easy.

Customer Reviews:

244 pages of bitchiness.......2007-02-08

I loved the first 2 books. And this one has some good stuff in it. But every single character is bitchy throughout the whole book!

It is funny to have, say, a bitchy cat, wizard, witch, magician, princess, rabbit, dragon or whatever. But they can't all be bitchy all the way through the book!

Amazing series.......2006-09-25

Love the characters!.......2006-09-19

Mendenbar and Cimorene, now married for just over a year, are celebrating the news of their first baby on the way when witch Morwen and sorcerer Telemain arrive on their moat-step with some disturbing news and a 6 foot blue rabbit/donkey named Killer. The wizards are, once again, up to no good. Upon investigating the source of Killer's unusual size, Morwen discovered more brown patches where the wizard staffs had leached magic out of the Enchanted Forest. Since Telemain and Mendenbar had repaired that particular problem, the issue was determined urgent. Once again a journey is required - this one is to retrieve the sword that is tied magically to the Enchanted Forest so that the wizards don't drain the forest of its magic - and its life. Morwen, Telemain, Cimorene, Kazul, Killer, and two of Morwen's cats embark down a dangerous road to save the lives of the inhabitants of the Enchanted Forest. Great sense of humor and dialog - although the timeline sometimes takes getting used to.

The sword is gone .......2006-05-22

Well. my story is Calling on Dragons. Its about wizards trying to take over; so they steal the sword. They are trying to get it back. Well Kazul , King Mandabar, Cermany, Tellmin, and Moren are at it again. Now they are after the sword.
My favorite part was when I found out that the wizards go through mouse holes. I think doing that would be cool. The wizards go through mice holes to steal the sword. They did make it, and they did steal the sword. That is my favorite part.

A Perfect Combination.......2005-08-06

I truly am delighted with this book and the others in the series! They are a truly perfect combination of mystery, magic and mayhem!
I've told my friends about them, and they love them too!

Searching for Dragons: The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, Book Two

Average customer rating:

I like it!
Patricia C. Wrede
what's his face
Incredible series!
What's next?

Searching for Dragons: The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, Book Two
Patricia C. Wrede
Manufacturer: Magic Carpet Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0152045651

Book Description

Cimorene, the princess who refuses to be proper, meets her match in the not-quite-kingly Mendanbar. With the aid of a broken-down magic carpet and a leaky magical sword, the two tackle a series of dragon-nappings.

Customer Reviews:

I like it!.......2007-04-22

There are two main characters: Cimorene and Mendanbar. Cimorene is a princess. She volunteered to be a dragon's princess. She knows a little bit of fencing, cooking, Latin, embroiderey and dancing. Mendanbar is the king of the Enchanted Forest. He is very busy. He is good at magic.

The main problem of the story is rescuing the king of the dragons. She's a girl: king is the name of the job. Her name is Kazul. Some wizards captured her.

I loved this book. I'd recommend this book because it's very interesting. I'd recommend the first three books to girls, and the last one to boys. The first three are about girls and the last one is about a boy.

Patricia C. Wrede.......2007-04-19

In Searching for Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede there was a king who hated being king of the enchanted forest and one day when he was playing hooky he saw that a whole section of the enchanted forest was burnt to the ground.

He found about four scales in the ashes and a squirrel told him to go to the good witch Morwen and she told him that there dragons scales and to go to the land of dragons to confront the king Kazul who is a girl dragon but instead finds her missing. And so he has to team up with Kazuls reluctant princess Cimorene and there only tools are a magic carpet, a leaky magic sword, and a few buckets of soapy lemon water to get Kazul back and defeat the evil wizard Zemenar.

what's his face.......2007-02-07

I really enjoyed the book, Searching for Dragons. My favorite character, King Mendenbar, can really relate to many people. He is the average person who does ordinary things. There is just one thing: he is the king of the Enchanted Forest.
You can really see Particia c. Wrede's book as an adventure you can never forget. She leaves you wondering what would happen next after you had just finished a chapter, which is very important for the average reader. That is what so good about her books, because she gives you a little "extra" info before you get onto the next chapter. I would recommend this book to those who love a good laugh, some adventure, and some romance in between. Those who do have the above, hurry up and read this book!
By the way, this is book two of four of the series.
A.K.

Incredible series!.......2006-09-25

What's next?.......2006-09-19

In the second installment of Cimorene's tale, we find Cimorene still housekeeping for Kazul and dissuading errant princes of their determination to `rescue' her. But when the King of the Enchanted Forest, Mendanbar, knocks on her door, he catches her as she is leaving to find Kazul, who has gone missing. As Kazul is now the King of the Dragons, Cimorene must not let this news leak as panic might ensue. Mendanbar decides that he too must find Kazul to stave off war with the wizards, so they join forces and set off on a journey through the land to rescue Kazul and thwart the wizards once again.

Wisdom Tales from Around the World (World Storytelling)

Average customer rating:

I've told a few of these myself....
Tales for all seasons, cultures, and vocations
Solid Stories for All Tellers
An Excellent Source of "Wonder Tales"

Wisdom Tales from Around the World (World Storytelling)
Heather Forest
Manufacturer: August House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0874834791

Book Description

This collection of fifty metaphorical folktales and parables is selected with a global perspective and retold by a professional storyteller. Included are tales from diverse story traditions such as Sufi, Zen, Taoist, Buddhist, Jewish, Christian, African, and Native American. Comprised of ancient plots both poignant and comical, this anthology contains simple truths, common sense, and the promise that we can benefit from past generations'experience. Wisdom tales offer useful insights into life's ....

Customer Reviews:

I've told a few of these myself...........2004-04-29

"Talk does not cook the rice." Chinese proverb (p.137)

The simple introduction states that this collection contains folktale, parables, and proverbs from around the world. It also mentions that stories are powerful teaching tools.

Stories are divided by local as in the case of Zen stories from Japan and by religious group as in Jewish or Christian tales. There are no illustrations except small decorative "borders" that divide the title from the story.

Most of the stories are short and simply told. They appear quite tellable as written or they could be embellished. The tales are suitable for a variety of ages and some for all ages. The stories are very good, but I suppose with so many stories to choose from, it must have been a hard selection process.

The source notes are a real treasure. Each section has some interesting background common to all the stories. Forest then describes the history of the tales and various sources. She says what she based her stories on but not how much she changed them. The several stories that I was familiar with do not appear to be greatly altered.

There is a list of proverbs from various countries.

I would recommend this book as a very good storytelling resource.

Tales for all seasons, cultures, and vocations.......2003-07-31

This is one of those rare books which can appeal to audiences of a wide range of ages, faiths,and backgrounds - whether you are a child, teacher, preacher, parent, or connaisseur of world cultures.

The fifty folktales and parables in this collection have universal appeal because each tends to speak to some aspect of human experience which is common across cultures. They range from a short three paragraph Chinese tale of a philospher waking up from a dream, wondering whether he is a man dreaming he is a butterfly, or a butterfly dreaming he is a man, to the well known Indian tale of three blind men and the elephant.

Without being either overtly religious or secular, this collection reflects Zen, Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Taoist, and Sufi faiths in its short stories, as well as traditions from Ancient Greece and Africa.

If you wish to open the early mind of a future young reader to the treasure troves of world literature, this is a good place to start.

Solid Stories for All Tellers.......2002-06-02

Fine collection and one we see people refer to very often on discussion lists and web sites. From the simple to the complicated, from the overt to the sublime, you will find some story of value in this book that speaks to you and wants you to speak it. Well worth the price and a book that you will read and tell often.-Storyteller.net Review

An Excellent Source of "Wonder Tales".......2000-04-13

Having had the pleasure of seeing Ms. Forest perfom live in Louisville, Kentucky, it was my pleasure to become reaquainted with her work. This book is as alive as her live performances. I could hardly put the book down once I started it. I would recommend this book to storytellers, story lovers, parents, and preachers. A great source of some of the world's finest tales. A job well done Ms. Forest!

Average customer rating:

Another enchanting story by Sibylle von Olfers

The Princess in the Forest
Sibylle Von Olfers
Manufacturer: Floris Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0863151892

Customer Reviews:

Another enchanting story by Sibylle von Olfers.......2003-02-11

I ordered this book directly from Gryphon House publishers, so it's not out of print. I don't know why Amazon.com lists it as such.

"The Princess in the Forest" was originally published in 1909. If you liked von Olfers' "The Story of the Root Children" then you will surely enjoy "The Princess in the Forest." It is another lovely combination of simple text and beautiful, detailed illustrations. This story focuses on the cycle of a single day, rather than the seasonal cycle in "Root Children." Eight simple pages of text and eight lovely accompanying illustrations make for a gentle and calming bedtime story.

The princess wakes in her castle, dew maids clothe her, moss boys bring her breakfast and a pair of crows give her school lessons. Then it is time for play with the forest animals and storytelling to the mushroom children and finally the star folk come to light her way home. One single star watches over the princess through the night. Each illustration is framed by a realistic botanical drawing, adding to further nature-identification fun.

The animals are drawn realistically (like in Beatrix Potter's books) and the children look like children rather than cartoons. The princess in this story is drawn as a young girl, maybe 8-12 years old, clothed in a long, tunic-like red robe, which I liked, as opposed to many princess stories which feature an adult or teenage girl in gaudy and sometimes bosomy dress. The artwork and story emphasize innocence and a natural setting; there are no wicked antagonists or scary situations.

Book Description

In Stone Soup, Heather Forest and Susan Gaber joined forces to breathe new life into a classic story. With The Little Red Hen, they have done it again. Who will help the hen bake her cake? You may think you know, but Heather Forest and Susan Gaber have a slightly different take on this communal, culinary creation.

Customer Reviews:

No cake for you!.......2006-10-12

Yeah yeah yeah. We all know the story. Hen does all the work then eats all the food. To be blunt with you, it's very difficult to read a Little Red Hen story without flashing back to Jon Scieszka's frantic fowl in "The Stinky Cheese Man". Sometimes, though, an author/illustrator team manages to hit all the right notes on a classic tale and a person's post-modern snarkiness is thrown out on its ear. You can keep your Paul Galdones. You can keep your Jerry Pinkneys. The Little Red Hen story I'm going to put my money on from here on in is by Heather Forest and Susan Gaber and devil take the consequences.

You've all heard the tale before so I'll just summarize it quickly here. In this version you have your Little Red Hen (who evokes hen-ness with every step) as well as a cat, a dog, and a mouse. She plants wheat, farms it, takes it to the mill, and bakes it into a cake. Does anyone else help? Nope. Every time she asks (and she gives them more than one chance, to be fair) they answer in the negative. Then she bakes a delicious you-can-smell-it-off-the-page chocolate cake and surprise surprise, suddenly she's everyone's best friend. But it's no cake for you, layabout critters. Having learned their lesson the other animals now help the hen when she asks them and cake is had by all.

Now I'm a fan of corgis. Call me a Queen Elizabeth wannabe, but I just think they're the sweetest looking breed of pup available on the market today. A few children's book illustrators have put their mark on that particular brand of doggie as well. It's hard to imagine anyone aside from Tasha Tudor including a corgi in a story, so credit Susan Gaber for her vision. Now, Gaber's thick paints in this story evoke a kind of early Americana classic look. The colors are vibrant and stand out when it really matters. Best of all, Gaber works in all kinds of amazing images in the story. There's a moment when the Red Hen looks seriously peeved, her eyelids closed at half-mast, her beak set in a moue of barely contained distain for her lazy companions. Each painting contains just the right amount of energy and action, but the artist never makes the animals look like anything but real animals. When the Red Hen cuts the grain she does it with her beak. When she pulls it to the mill it drags behind her in a sack tied from her neck. And not an opposable thumb to be seen. If there's a flaw with these pictures, it actually goes back to that deliciously adorable corgi I mentioned earlier. What's cuter than a corgi pup? A corgi pup with a blue blanket, of course! Problem is, Gaber got addicted to the pup with blanket image. Once was sweet. Twice still elicited an "awww." But about the fourth or fifth time it appeared in a picture you began to wonder if the blue blanket carried a significance above and beyond the basic Little Red Hen storytime. Is this the corgi version of Linus from "Peanuts"? If so, should we worry about the corgi's deep dark past and why it feels it needs a blue blanket for constant comfort? So many questions. So few answers.

And you know what was great about this book? Nobody gets cake! Not at first, anyway. Some Little Red Hen books don't carry the courage of their convictions and in spite of the fellow animals' laziness, the Red Hen shares with a kind of help-next-time message which TOTALLY ruins the point of the book. Not Forest & Gaber. There's an image of the Hen perched atop her newly baked pastry wielding a cake cutting instrument of some sort like it was a samurai sword. With an expression I can only describe as fierce, the dog and cat are reflected in the silver instrument as she makes it very clear that there will be no sharing of the delicious chocolate gateaux today. Of course, this being the twenty-first century, Forest still felt it was necessary to show future situations in which the other animals, having learned their lesson, help with the baking alongside the phrase, "Now when the little red hen wants to bake, everyone helps to make the cake." Yeah, well maybe. But it's the picture of a cake cutter clenched in the claw of a seriously peeved chicken that's gonna stick in children's minds everywhere, I can tell you that. Plus the author and illustrator resisted the all too common urge to give the Little Red Hen some chicks (which other versions do so that audiences could see that she shared with SOMEBODY). I've never approved of this change to the story, and I applaud Forest & Gaber for resisting.

The story is nicely told, reading out rather nicely. I should note that if you're looking for a good storytime version of this tale, this is probably the best you'll find. The pictures are easy to see, even from a distance, and you can get the kids to repeat the "Not I" motif of the lazy animals who don't want to help the hen. Little Red Hens come and Little Red Hens go, but this book got "KEEPER" stamped all over it. Beautiful fun stuff.

Nothing different from traditional tale but well illustrated.......2006-09-25

This is a colorfully illustrated retelling of the classical children's story. When Little Red Hen finds some seeds nobody will help her plant, harvest, grind, or bake the wheat but everyone wants to help when it comes time to eat the cake. Beautifully illustrated in bright colors that will hold a child's interest, The Little Red Hen is a great early reading book and highly recommended.

Average customer rating:

A great selection of Wonder Tales

Wonder Tales (World Storytelling)
Heather Forest
Manufacturer: August House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0874834228
Release Date: 2007-04-23

Book Description

Traditional stories endure generation after generation because although they are not literal they resound in truths on a human scale. Folktales remind us of wisdom so elemental it is often lost in the rush of everyday life, so that sometimes common sense makes no sense at all.

Customer Reviews:

A great selection of Wonder Tales.......2000-04-13

I enjoyed this book as much as I enjoyed the Wisdom tales(I may have accidently called the Wisdom tales Wonder tales)again, having seen Ms. Forest perform live was a great pleasure. I enjoyed all the helps provided as to how these stories were found. I hope to use these resources in my own further research. I recommend all of Ms. Forest's tapes and books for enjoyable reading and listening to teachers, parents and children. Let your imagination go and you will discover the joy of story! A great effort!

Land of Elyon Book 1, The: The Dark Hills Divide (Land of Elyon)

Average customer rating:

An Excellent Book
The: The Dark Hills Divide
The: The Dark Hills Divide
I Liked It!
fun but.....

Land of Elyon Book 1, The: The Dark Hills Divide (Land of Elyon)
Patrick Carman
Manufacturer: Brilliance Audio on CD Unabridged
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

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Classics | Literature & Fiction | Teens | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1597373931
Release Date: 2005-01-24

Book Description

Twelve-year-old Alexa Daley is spending another summer in Bridewell with her father. She looks forward to exploring the old lodge where she stays each year, with its cozy library and maze of passages and rooms. She's also eager to finally solve the mystery of what lies beyond the immense walls that were built to keep out an unnamed evil that lurks in the forests and The Dark Hills - an evil the townspeople are still afraid of.

As Alexa begins to unravel the truth about what lies outside the protective barrier she's lived behind all her life, she discovers a strange and ancient enchantment. Armed with an unexpected new power, Alexa exposes a danger that could destroy everything she holds dear - and change The Land of Elyon forever.

Customer Reviews:

An Excellent Book.......2005-11-03

This is one of those rare books that has the ability to entrance both children and adults alike. The story is very well written with the nice feel of well told magical fantasy, one that might be told around a nice roaring fire in winter or on a porch during a nice summer night, and it brings with it such a comfortable feel that even when reading it, the story feels as if it is being read to you by a master storyteller.

Alexa lives in the land of Elyon, a land of filled with giant walls that encircle the cities of Elyon, described to be like the spokes in a wagon wheel with the paths between them also walled. Along with her father, Alexa has made yearly trips in the summer to the city of Bridewell always dreaming of seeing what is on the other side of walls that have made up her entire life. Tales she has heard in her 12 years tell of the uncharted wildernesses beyond the walls which are filled enchanted forests, mysterious hills and mountains and creatures of all types.

While her way beyond the heavily guarded walls is not easy nor might be what she expects, a chance find after a night's walk will plunge her into a choice between staying safely in the walls, or to start on her quest to find what might endanger Bridewell and perhaps all of Elyon.

Though told from the perspective of the heroine, Alexa Daley, she is by far not the only major or important character in this story, which is rich with animal characters, which through the use of a special stone, Alexa can easily talk too and who aide her in her exciting and breath-taking quest.

The: The Dark Hills Divide .......2005-08-06

This book swept me of my feet and into the land of Eloyn! It has twists and keeps you at the edge of your chair, chapter after chapter! I read this book on vacation and I spent 2-3 hours a day reading! I highly recommend this book - you will put in your top 5 favorites for sure!!!

The: The Dark Hills Divide .......2005-08-06

I Liked It!.......2005-08-01

This was a well written fun little book. It made me look forward to the next one...I think that says something. It is an easy and quick read, and most enjoyable. The characters are well written and likeable. Buy the book.

fun but............2005-01-17

The book was pretty good but it was soo hard 2 tell when the animals or people were talking. I think the book would have been better if they put different people talking in different font.
This boook was quite easy and i would reccomend it to alot of people if you like fantasy genre. Or if u like "olden day" books.

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