mallorykjorgensen's review
5.0
Awards Won: Caldecott Medal (2008), New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books (2007)
yellowmiss's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
justinecm's review
3.0
After seeing the movie I was inspired to read this book. although I'm not the target audience for this book I did enjoy it. I do like the concept of having the pictures tell the story, though in the end I think I would have enjoyed having more reading and less pictures. The drawings themselves are very intricate pencil drawings.
kricketa's review
3.0
There are a lot of things about this book that I loved- the automatron, for example, is so cool, and the setting in the train station, and the tie in to early silent films. The pictures are beautiful. To me, the drawings do much more for the characters than the prose did. Whenever he switched to writing, the characters fell flat.
francestea's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A sweet middle grade story with lots of images. The hardcover copy I read was beautiful but a little challenging to hold. The story is quite unique and charming.
yellow_duck's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
shanyreader's review
3.0
Well, this wasn't exactly...at all what I was expecting. I was expecting something groundbreaking, world-changing, or something to warrant all those praises. But, it was quite simple actually. I actually thought there would be more pictures, but instead, there were actually quite a few pages of words on things I thought could have been told by drawings. It was a quaint book though.
One star for the drawings--absolutely stunning on some pages. I kinda wish the movie was 3D animation rather than using actual actors, but since I'm seeing it soon, who knows what they use.
Another star for the characters, because I didn't think they were AMAZING, but I definitely think they were readable and well-made, with a purpose.
The last star for the plot itself--the fire, the automaton, the clocks. It could have been more magical, but it was a realistic story with slight magic within it's binds.
With the right mood, it would have been a wonderful book for me, but as it was, three stars. I didn't dislike it, and I'm glad I read it.
One star for the drawings--absolutely stunning on some pages. I kinda wish the movie was 3D animation rather than using actual actors, but since I'm seeing it soon, who knows what they use.
Another star for the characters, because I didn't think they were AMAZING, but I definitely think they were readable and well-made, with a purpose.
The last star for the plot itself--the fire, the automaton, the clocks. It could have been more magical, but it was a realistic story with slight magic within it's binds.
With the right mood, it would have been a wonderful book for me, but as it was, three stars. I didn't dislike it, and I'm glad I read it.
millie_burns's review
5.0
What a wonderful, magical, fantastical, fun, beautiful, intricate book! I loved it so much. I can't wait to read it again one day! Such a cool concept and so well done!