A review by kendranicole28
The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks
4.0
Omri’s birthday gets off to a disappointing start when his best friend Patrick gives him nothing but a castoff Indian figurine as a present. But it quickly becomes a birthday to remember when Omri places the figurine in an old metal cupboard, reopening it the next day to discover the Indian has come to life! Omri and his tiny warrior, Little Bear, soon form a cautious friendship, but keeping Little Bear hidden from Patrick, his brothers, and his teachers proves difficult. Then a cowboy figurine named Boone is also brought to life, setting the scene for mayhem and animosity the likes of which Omri’s bedroom has never seen!
I remember LOVING this book as a child! My own stuffed animals and dolls were very much alive for me (even into my adolescence), and I enjoyed seeing the figurines of this series ACTUALLY brought to life (long before Toy Story made lifelike toys a household staple). As with so many childhood favorites, this reads a little differently as an adult. The magic is still there, but I was uncomfortable with the dated (and unfavorable) portrayal of the Iroquois warrior and had SO MANY questions about the nature of the fantasy elements that I wish were explained further in the text.
Digging a little deeper, there are some discussable themes of responsibility, secrecy (when is it healthy and when these secrets can become destructive), human dignity, friendship, loyalty, and expectations. There are also some fun cultural elements to explore, thanks to the 1980 British setting and the historical figurines who reference their lives in nineteenth century America. Best of all, my kids all liked this one a lot.
My Rating: 4 Stars // Charleston’s Rating: 4.5 Stars // Book Format: Print
I remember LOVING this book as a child! My own stuffed animals and dolls were very much alive for me (even into my adolescence), and I enjoyed seeing the figurines of this series ACTUALLY brought to life (long before Toy Story made lifelike toys a household staple). As with so many childhood favorites, this reads a little differently as an adult. The magic is still there, but I was uncomfortable with the dated (and unfavorable) portrayal of the Iroquois warrior and had SO MANY questions about the nature of the fantasy elements that I wish were explained further in the text.
Digging a little deeper, there are some discussable themes of responsibility, secrecy (when is it healthy and when these secrets can become destructive), human dignity, friendship, loyalty, and expectations. There are also some fun cultural elements to explore, thanks to the 1980 British setting and the historical figurines who reference their lives in nineteenth century America. Best of all, my kids all liked this one a lot.
My Rating: 4 Stars // Charleston’s Rating: 4.5 Stars // Book Format: Print