merc_birb's review against another edition
5.0
I listened to the audio book and read along with the physical book. The story is ADORABLE and Maggie's illustrations are wonderfully whimsical. Plus, if you get a chance, do what I did and listen to the audio. The reader's voice is perfect!
sh543's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty
jellyfists's review against another edition
5.0
I’m going to apologize in advance for the number of times I use “cute” and other such words in this review. I was having trouble restraining myself…
I’ve been in love with this book since I first saw Maggie Stiefvater’s drawings for the cover on Facebook, I never did grow out of my love for the cute and cuddly. But now that I’ve actually read the book, I can say that with more conviction than after just seeing the cover and description.
Pip Bartlett is a sweet little girl, who reminds me of myself at age nine. She’s obsessed with animals, especially the magical ones and is determined to keep them all from harm. She also has a bit of a problem with rules when it comes to these animals, and gets herself into a bit of trouble now and then. She is the perfect protagonist for such a story, very lovable as well as generally entertaining (I don’t read too much middle grade nowadays but she is definitely one of my favorite protagonists among those that I have read).
Pip’s friend Tomas is also very enjoyable, as well as relatable especially for those who have allergies. And despite his uncertainty about magical creatures, which is admittedly largely allergy based, he tolerates them because of his friendship with Pip. Can I hear an “Aww..?” Well. Yes. Anyway Tomas is a very interesting character who I would have loved having as a best friend alongside Pip. He’s nervous and does his best to follow the rules, but even so he still does his best to be brave for the sake of both Pip and the town’s resident Fuzzles, which is quite admirable if you ask me.
The story itself is also very cute, focusing mainly around the Fuzzles an adorable little magical creature species that is basically a fluff ball. It’s an overall easy read that I would definitely recommend to adults and kids alike. Not to mention, it’s supposed to be a series!
Originally posted on The Musings of a Bookaholic
I’ve been in love with this book since I first saw Maggie Stiefvater’s drawings for the cover on Facebook, I never did grow out of my love for the cute and cuddly. But now that I’ve actually read the book, I can say that with more conviction than after just seeing the cover and description.
Pip Bartlett is a sweet little girl, who reminds me of myself at age nine. She’s obsessed with animals, especially the magical ones and is determined to keep them all from harm. She also has a bit of a problem with rules when it comes to these animals, and gets herself into a bit of trouble now and then. She is the perfect protagonist for such a story, very lovable as well as generally entertaining (I don’t read too much middle grade nowadays but she is definitely one of my favorite protagonists among those that I have read).
Pip’s friend Tomas is also very enjoyable, as well as relatable especially for those who have allergies. And despite his uncertainty about magical creatures, which is admittedly largely allergy based, he tolerates them because of his friendship with Pip. Can I hear an “Aww..?” Well. Yes. Anyway Tomas is a very interesting character who I would have loved having as a best friend alongside Pip. He’s nervous and does his best to follow the rules, but even so he still does his best to be brave for the sake of both Pip and the town’s resident Fuzzles, which is quite admirable if you ask me.
The story itself is also very cute, focusing mainly around the Fuzzles an adorable little magical creature species that is basically a fluff ball. It’s an overall easy read that I would definitely recommend to adults and kids alike. Not to mention, it’s supposed to be a series!
Originally posted on The Musings of a Bookaholic
mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
Not a long review, just a small one to express my feelings.
Wow, wow and wow, this book was amazing. So much fun, I really laughed aloud quite a lot of times, it was a truly magical trip through a world that I hope we will find out more in sequel books.
Pip is our main girl, she can talk to magical creatures, and as expected no one believes her. After getting in some (hilarious) trouble with unicorns, she is send to live with her aunt for the summer, but Pip being Pip, this doesn't mean she is not getting into trouble. Through the course of the summer she befriends another unicorn and a griffin, helps out with a fuzzle apocalypse and finds a new friend, someone who doesn't find it strange that she can talk to animals.
Pip was a great character and she did her best to help out the supernatural critters that lived in her world. I loved how she kept editing the book she always carried. Adding new stuff, removing stuff and editing stuff. I hope for her that she can one day publish it, or make a copy for someone to publish it. A lot of the information she finds out about would be handy for the public to know. Like for instance the fuzzle stuff.
And maybe she could also add an allergy part to the book, because those magical allergies sure are hilarious. Rainbow-coloured bubbles? Hiccups? Allergies aren't fun, but these sure sound fun. It would be kind of interesting to catalogue all the known allergies and what they might just cause.
And yes, that is the trouble that Pip's new friend is having. He is allergic to anything and everything. At times it just annoyed me, it was just frustrated that there wasn't a thing he could handle. It made him feel weak and annoying. But as we get to know him, we see he is a great character and he is really bothered by the fact the world is out to kill him with allergies. But even with all that, he just continues and does his best.
I really loved the fuzzles, the poor little critters. It was quite funny that they just loved underwear drawers, or that they got so excited that they explode or turn to a fireball. I had a big laugh when Pip and others went to put the fuzzles somewhere safe and the fuzzles got so excited they formed one big blob of fire. The car it is on fire! Especially the reactions of people were hilarious.
We also had a bad person in here, a person who will try anything to get rid of anything magical that is (in their eyes) bad or unruly. I really disliked that person and I had quite a few laughs when she got what she deserved.
There are also illustrations and they made the book more fun. Though I had hoped that we would get complete pages. Some of the illustration pages just ended mid-sentence which was quite a frustration.
All in all, I would highly recommend this book. Be warned, you will laugh your ass off. :)
And me? I am hoping for more books in this fantastic series, and I am also hoping for a real life version of the Jeffrey Higgleston’s Guide to Magical Creatures. Of course with all of Pips additions and edits.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Wow, wow and wow, this book was amazing. So much fun, I really laughed aloud quite a lot of times, it was a truly magical trip through a world that I hope we will find out more in sequel books.
Pip is our main girl, she can talk to magical creatures, and as expected no one believes her. After getting in some (hilarious) trouble with unicorns, she is send to live with her aunt for the summer, but Pip being Pip, this doesn't mean she is not getting into trouble. Through the course of the summer she befriends another unicorn and a griffin, helps out with a fuzzle apocalypse and finds a new friend, someone who doesn't find it strange that she can talk to animals.
Pip was a great character and she did her best to help out the supernatural critters that lived in her world. I loved how she kept editing the book she always carried. Adding new stuff, removing stuff and editing stuff. I hope for her that she can one day publish it, or make a copy for someone to publish it. A lot of the information she finds out about would be handy for the public to know. Like for instance the fuzzle stuff.
And maybe she could also add an allergy part to the book, because those magical allergies sure are hilarious. Rainbow-coloured bubbles? Hiccups? Allergies aren't fun, but these sure sound fun. It would be kind of interesting to catalogue all the known allergies and what they might just cause.
And yes, that is the trouble that Pip's new friend is having. He is allergic to anything and everything. At times it just annoyed me, it was just frustrated that there wasn't a thing he could handle. It made him feel weak and annoying. But as we get to know him, we see he is a great character and he is really bothered by the fact the world is out to kill him with allergies. But even with all that, he just continues and does his best.
I really loved the fuzzles, the poor little critters. It was quite funny that they just loved underwear drawers, or that they got so excited that they explode or turn to a fireball. I had a big laugh when Pip and others went to put the fuzzles somewhere safe and the fuzzles got so excited they formed one big blob of fire. The car it is on fire! Especially the reactions of people were hilarious.
We also had a bad person in here, a person who will try anything to get rid of anything magical that is (in their eyes) bad or unruly. I really disliked that person and I had quite a few laughs when she got what she deserved.
There are also illustrations and they made the book more fun. Though I had hoped that we would get complete pages. Some of the illustration pages just ended mid-sentence which was quite a frustration.
All in all, I would highly recommend this book. Be warned, you will laugh your ass off. :)
And me? I am hoping for more books in this fantastic series, and I am also hoping for a real life version of the Jeffrey Higgleston’s Guide to Magical Creatures. Of course with all of Pips additions and edits.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
lady_mair's review against another edition
3.0
Cute & fun! (Though I found the unicorns extremely annoying) The details on the creatures were a hoot and I liked the fuzzles best, even though they do spontaneously burst into flame. :P
froydis's review against another edition
3.0
Thanks to Edelweiss and Scholastic Press for early access to this title.
3 1/2 stars -
This was quite cute! I enjoyed the characters and the focus on animal welfare. I thought the magic animals were very imaginative and portrayed so well they could be real. Children will really enjoy this book, I think! The illustrations are great, and I particularly liked Pip's additions. The story is a bit silly, but also has a great message. I also thought the "villain" was a bit shallow and could have been portrayed a bit more realistically. However, this is a fun read for both kids and their grown-ups.
3 1/2 stars -
This was quite cute! I enjoyed the characters and the focus on animal welfare. I thought the magic animals were very imaginative and portrayed so well they could be real. Children will really enjoy this book, I think! The illustrations are great, and I particularly liked Pip's additions. The story is a bit silly, but also has a great message. I also thought the "villain" was a bit shallow and could have been portrayed a bit more realistically. However, this is a fun read for both kids and their grown-ups.
wiseowl33's review against another edition
4.0
My Pokémon obsessed kids will love this title. Enjoyable story, new magical creatures, a great way to get kids reading.
beaniedorman's review against another edition
5.0
Very cute and funny middle grade book. I'd recommend for any Maggie Stiefvater fan, or younger children with a taste for animals for fantasy (or both!). A Very entertaining read for both the younger and the older. I'll be reading more of this series.
silea's review against another edition
5.0
What a fun, silly, delightful story. Smart kids, snarky mythical creatures... really, it's just perfect.