Michelle Posted December 24, 2006 Share Posted December 24, 2006 For those of you who received this book for your child, please let us know how they (and you) found it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugar Posted December 26, 2006 Share Posted December 26, 2006 I'm ashamed to admit that I dont' think I know this book, Michelle! Who wrote it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted December 26, 2006 Author Share Posted December 26, 2006 It was one of the books sent out to a few members by the MD of Random House Children's books. It's by Shirley Hughes. (I haven't persuaded Beth to have a good look yet, as she's been occupied with her football book she got for Christmas! :018:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugar Posted December 26, 2006 Share Posted December 26, 2006 Well even though I still can't place it exactly - I'm sure it is as beautiful as all Shirley Hughes stuff! I will look out for it. Looking forward to hearing more about what you (and Beth, when you can tear her away) think! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 Okay, I've read this one! I didn't read any Shirley Hughes books to my children when they were younger - I don't know why really as I read a lot to them. I think she's best known for her 'Alfie' books? Firstly, I love the illustrations in the book. The front cover is really vibrant and makes the book seem very appealling, and the drawings inside are very detailed. The idea behind the story is great. I loved the beginning of the book - how the lonely Valerie found a friend in Cherubino when she bought him to life. How he was sent away to the orphanage, but then brought back because Valerie missed him and because he was pining away. I loved the ending too. The dolphin and Valerie knew that Cherubino would come back to them one day. It was rather sad that Cherubino got life, which meant that the dolphin was neglected and alone, but maybe as an adult I'm taking it too seriously! However - I gave the book to my 9-year-old daughter to read, and she declared it to be 'a bit dull, with not much of an ending!' I'm not sure what age this book is aimed at. She's not a big reader, but tends to like the Animal Ark books, which are more novel like, so perhaps she's a bit old for it? (I realise this is not the best review in the world, but thought I'd get the ball rolling to see if it prompts any discussion!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted January 8, 2007 Author Share Posted January 8, 2007 That's a great review! I mentioned it to Beth the other day, and she said she'd started it, and wasn't that interested. She's 7, so I'm not sure age wise. My mum picked it up, and immediately mentioned how lovely the illustrations were. It strikes me as the kind of book that people may give as a gift, because it looks nice.. but isn't that interesting to children?? I'll take a look myself soon, and I'm also waiting for my god-daughter to finish her copy, as she did say she was enjoying it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 It's on the Random House site under the 5-7 age group. Forgot to say - if anyone wants it sent on to them for the price of postage (no idea how much, as it's large but not heavy, but I'd let you know first), then PM me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purple Poppy Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 My daughter, Sal was saying that Georgia's having a reading block at the moment, so they haven't read the book either, but its top of the list as soon as she can get Georgia back onto books. PP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purple Poppy Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 Spoke to Sal tonight and she gave me some feedback about Enchantment in the garden. As Follows:- Georgia's comments: 1) Loved the illustrations. 2) Dolphin was her favourite character. Anything about the dolphin, she loved. 3) Favourite bits in the story were when the cats knocked over some pots (is that right...I don't have the book?), and when the dolphin was found again. Sal's comments: First thing Sal said was how fantastic the illustrations were. She thought they were so colourful and full of life. She's a big fan of Shirley Hughs and mentioned that she still loved Dogger which I vaguely remember too. She felt the language was a little difficult for Georgia, but only because she hadn't heard words like 'governess' and 'orphanage' before. Once they were explained to her she was fine. Next time she reads it to Georgia, she'll understand more of it...thats the learning process. Sal wasn't sure about the setting, Italy and Africa, but Georgia although not understanding everything was happy. She has a globe, so Sals going to show her England and Italy and Africa and pictures etc. Alot of scope for further topics of learning and onterest. Sal said Georgia, despite only being 43/4 loved the story and the book. It was a big success. And she was able with a bit of prompting of understand most of it. And of course the pictures were a big hit. Hope that helps Michelle. PP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted January 9, 2007 Author Share Posted January 9, 2007 Thanks This seems to be a book that better for reading together, rather than by themselves. Beth and I sat down with it last night, and she seemed to enjoy it better. Some of the words make it difficult for lone reading, and she did need aspects of the story explained to her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokeman66 Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 I read this book to my daughter Catherine who is aged seven. As has been previously mentioned in earlier reviews she loved the illustrtaions. As for the story she found it rather boring, she was curious to know exactly why Cheribino had been made into a statue? and why had his 'powerful sea God' father not searched for him or why he didn't manage to save him in the first place? And whom exactly turned him into a statue? For me the book had a lot of loose ends, and never really got going, it seemed to skip from one part of the story to the next without any thought, also the prose was a little dull especially for children and the ending was very disapointing. Sorry, I really would have liked to be more positive, perhaps with the next book? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 Sorry, I really would have liked to be more positive, perhaps with the next book? I felt the same about the book as you, and my daughter (aged 9) declared it 'boring'! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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