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carriedoodledoo's review against another edition
3.0
A charmingly illustrated little tale that is perfect for reading aloud. The cadences of the written words are especially well suited for a goodnight story.
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
I'd never heard of this book, though I have heard of Farjeon. With a new version coming out, I was happy to expand my knowledge of children's writing. And this is just lovely.
A fairy tale, this is probably going to be picked up more by girls (skipping, fairies), but really, I think boys might enjoy this one too. Elsie is so keen to try skipping like the older children that she makes her own rope - and discovers she's a natural at it. Her brilliance catches the attention of the fairies, who test her skills and are so impressed that they teach her unearthly tricks. Back in the real world, Elei begins to grow up, and puts away her childhood toys... It is many years later when her little village's land is in danger from a greedy Lord that Elsie has a chance to shine.
This is a perfect little bedtime tale (over one or two nights), magical and wistful, with a heroine children will enjoy - a girl and an old woman who defies the rich folk. It isn't too challenging a read for young children to follow, though readers themselves will need to be capable enough (aged around 8).
The Voake illustrations complement it perfectly, a combination of nostalgic and simple used watercolour drawings. The cover (and title) will probably put off most male readers (flowers, a girl skipping), but I would love to see boys listening to this - it would be great for classroom reading in primary schools.
Though this seemed rather quaint to me, the skipping did take my back to my own childhood, and I did feel cheered by the triumphant ending and Elsie's legacy. My son is 5 and I think I'll be able to read this to him before long, and I'm fairly sure he'll enjoy it.
A lovely edition (mine is the little hardback) that will be a treasured gift.
With thanks to Walker Books for the sample copy, sent for review purposes.
A fairy tale, this is probably going to be picked up more by girls (skipping, fairies), but really, I think boys might enjoy this one too. Elsie is so keen to try skipping like the older children that she makes her own rope - and discovers she's a natural at it. Her brilliance catches the attention of the fairies, who test her skills and are so impressed that they teach her unearthly tricks. Back in the real world, Elei begins to grow up, and puts away her childhood toys... It is many years later when her little village's land is in danger from a greedy Lord that Elsie has a chance to shine.
This is a perfect little bedtime tale (over one or two nights), magical and wistful, with a heroine children will enjoy - a girl and an old woman who defies the rich folk. It isn't too challenging a read for young children to follow, though readers themselves will need to be capable enough (aged around 8).
The Voake illustrations complement it perfectly, a combination of nostalgic and simple used watercolour drawings. The cover (and title) will probably put off most male readers (flowers, a girl skipping), but I would love to see boys listening to this - it would be great for classroom reading in primary schools.
Though this seemed rather quaint to me, the skipping did take my back to my own childhood, and I did feel cheered by the triumphant ending and Elsie's legacy. My son is 5 and I think I'll be able to read this to him before long, and I'm fairly sure he'll enjoy it.
A lovely edition (mine is the little hardback) that will be a treasured gift.
With thanks to Walker Books for the sample copy, sent for review purposes.
mldeblois13's review
4.0
This is an interesting little story that probably would not have had the impact on me given a different political/environmental climate. However, this "fairytale" is perfect to read to children about the importance of community and its specific customs and fighting for what is best for our children and future generations.
glenn_blake's review against another edition
4.0
This bought a smile to my face quite a few times - the sign of a good children's book.
northernatlas's review against another edition
4.0
READ THIS BOOK. To your kids, to yourself, to everybody. The original text was published in 1937, and Charlotte Voake brings the story to life with beautiful, delicate illustrations of the families of Mount Caburn, as well as the Trump-like Lord who wishes to build a wall around the footpaths, and erect one of his factories on the sacred hilltop without any real legal precedence so to do. Eerily similar to the political climate of 2017, 80 years later the problem still persists that an obstinate, money-hungry man of immense power bypasses legality and the common good for his own personal material gains. This book is a wonderful rally cry to keep on your shelves and read to your children as the age-old tradition of greed and corruption rears its ugly head on the world stage once more.
debnanceatreaderbuzz's review against another edition
4.0
A 1001 CBYMRBYGU. Elsie Piddock is the most amazing skipper ever. Elsie can do the Strong Skip. Elsie can do the Long Skip. Elsie can do the Skip All Together. Elsie is so good she gets tutored by the fairies. And these skipping skills can come in handy when a bad guy comes to town….A modern tall tale.
“In the Sly Skip not a fairy could catch her, or know where she would skip to next; so artful was she, that she could skip through the lattice of a skeleton leaf, and never break it.”
“In the Sly Skip not a fairy could catch her, or know where she would skip to next; so artful was she, that she could skip through the lattice of a skeleton leaf, and never break it.”
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