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compass_rose's review against another edition
4.0
Read this whole series (13 books) out loud to 6.5yo. She loved them. I enjoyed them, too, actually. They were perfect for imaginative kids. Just enough adventure and not too much scariness. Although gender roles are somewhat dated, there are strong, smart characters of all ages and both sexes. I liked the inter-generational relationships. Plus, they essentially homeschool (brought to forefront mostly in "The Littles Go to School").
I could definitely have done without the Terrible Kid (of course she's really just misunderstood and needing love) and New Friend.
I definitely suggest getting the companion book "The Littles" by William T. Little. It's so much fun to look at the cross sections of the various tiny peoples' homes.
2018 - Reading now to the other kid, 7yo.
I could definitely have done without the Terrible Kid (of course she's really just misunderstood and needing love) and New Friend.
I definitely suggest getting the companion book "The Littles" by William T. Little. It's so much fun to look at the cross sections of the various tiny peoples' homes.
2018 - Reading now to the other kid, 7yo.
wintermote's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
A delightful start to a fun series. A good adventure for the young ones.
scorpstar77's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
pickett22's review against another edition
3.0
This is basically an easier version of the Borrowers. It's super cute, but it has this weird definition of "people" that I'm a little leery of. Basically the defining factor of what makes someone a person is the ability to speak. Just because the Littles have tails does not make them beasts (the actual word used) because they can talk. That's how the cat recognizes them as people and not food.
I know what you're thinking! I hear you saying, "So what, Becky? This is a children's book and you read too much into these things."
Bullshit. When people say things like that they are making an assumption about how much a child understands, how much they unconsciously absorb, and how much will stick with them. This is a huge question being dealt with: what makes a person a person. How we define humanity is a huge factor in how we treat everything and everyone. According to this book, physical form is not important, what matters is whether or not speech is involved. So that makes everyone who cannot speak less than human. And maybe that's not the author's intention, but that's what the book says.
These are our children. We want them to grow up to respect each other, not bully each other, and to care for the Earth. It's desperately important that we pay attention to the philosophies we are handing them. Books stay with you for a very long time.
I'm not recommending against this book! I'm giving it three stars; it's cute, it's fun, I enjoyed the story. But yeah. Weird philosophy happening.
I know what you're thinking! I hear you saying, "So what, Becky? This is a children's book and you read too much into these things."
Bullshit. When people say things like that they are making an assumption about how much a child understands, how much they unconsciously absorb, and how much will stick with them. This is a huge question being dealt with: what makes a person a person. How we define humanity is a huge factor in how we treat everything and everyone. According to this book, physical form is not important, what matters is whether or not speech is involved. So that makes everyone who cannot speak less than human. And maybe that's not the author's intention, but that's what the book says.
These are our children. We want them to grow up to respect each other, not bully each other, and to care for the Earth. It's desperately important that we pay attention to the philosophies we are handing them. Books stay with you for a very long time.
I'm not recommending against this book! I'm giving it three stars; it's cute, it's fun, I enjoyed the story. But yeah. Weird philosophy happening.
jbojkov's review against another edition
4.0
I was kind of dreading this one- it seemed old-fashioned and maybe out-dated at first, but I ended up liking it a lot. Good storytelling at heart- nothing too complicated. I think most kids will like the idea of little people living in their walls! Good for both boys and girls.
jeanettesonya's review against another edition
4.0
Read in a couple hours at the cottage with Isabel in the summer. The Littles were an old favourite of mine, and turns out, this first one at least, stands the test of time. A cute little story. I’ve weeded them from my library because they hadn’t been touched by kids in years, but I’m wondering if new copies with modern covers and a little book talking might help get them read again.
peterpanda's review against another edition
4.0
This was really a quick and adorable read. The little's are well... a little family all about six inches in height. It is a short read and I remember reading it and loving it when I was younger. I'd recommend it to younger children rather it is an easy read for them or a bed time story.
sean67's review against another edition
3.0
Another riff on the old little people plot device with here little people being called naturally the Littles and living in a house of bigger people naturally called the Biggs, who go away and new people come in, naturally called the Newcombs. Getting the picture?
Anyway reasonably good story, first of at least 15 book series! It felt really like a stand alone book but well go figure!
Anyway reasonably good story, first of at least 15 book series! It felt really like a stand alone book but well go figure!