one of the best-loved books of the twentieth century. Munthe spent many years working as a doctor in Southern Italy, labouring unstintingly during typhus, cholera and earthquake disasters. It was during this period that he came across the ruined Tiberian villa of San Michele, perched high above the glittering Bay of Naples on Capri. With the help of Mastro Nicola and his three sons, and with only a charcoal sketch roughly drawn on a garden wall to guide them, Munthe devoted himself to rebuilding the house and chapel. Over five long summers they toiled under a sapphire-blue sky, their mad-cap project leading them to buried skeletons and ancient coins, and to hilarious encounters with
clean, complete, not falling apart; some light wear. A perfectly good reading or reference copy. Same-day despatch, 6 days a week / Proper packaging / Orders processed until 4.30 pm / New stock added daily /.
Advantages: Stylish, entertaining, well-written Disadvantages: Slight aura of a children's book about it
...This is a very easy read: it is perfectly easy to see why Verne's works are so often recommended to young readers. However this should not put you off, as it is a thoroughly entertaining book that can be read by all ages.
The book centers on Professor Lidenbrock, a geologist/mineralologist attached to a university in Hamburg, and his orphaned nephew Axel, who is his student and assistant. Axel also happens to be in love with his uncle's god-daughter Grauben, and whilst this does have an impact on the story, it is not really part of the main plot.
We begin with Axel's description of his uncle as a man who whilst not mean, if perhaps difficult to live with. The professor has discovered in an ancient text an encoded map that shows the starting point to a journey to the center of the earth. He is determined that neither he nor anyone...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: Lovely Bedtime reading Disadvantages: No disadvantages
...This book is my daughter’s favourite reading for bedtime. Without fail, I totally recommend this book. Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler have succeeded once again in captivating the minds of the young child (my opinion). The colours & pictures are well illustrated from cover to cover. Also, the wording of the book is of high quality. The way the story reads is very clever and holds the young minds in a "will they find the Monkeys Mother" OR "will they not they find Monkeys Mother". Monkey asks Butterfly for a little help but as Butterfly misunderstands Monkeys descriptions, they end up finding all sorts of wrong animals. This book is one I would definitely recommend to be used as bedtime reading for the young mind (my opinion). I hope this review has been of some help....
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
somewhat helpful 04.07.2007
Take me away! Review ofThe Snail and the Whale - Axel Scheffler, Julia Donaldsonby
watkins11
Advantages: Fun and easy to read, colourful, beautiful illustrations Disadvantages: Absolutely none!
...As say the opening lines of this wonderful book: This is the tale of a tiny snail. And a great big, grey-blue humpback whale......
I think most people are aware of the Gruffalo, especially those with children, but for those who need a little introduction, The Gruffalo is the book which shot Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler to fame back in March 1999. Julia's beautiful, flowing words were accompanied by Axels stunning, colourful and exciting illustrations. After reading The Gruffalo (a few million times, I can recite it word for word) I didn't honestly believe I would find my son a book that would captivate him as much. Since then we have read the Gruffalo's Child and Monkey Puzzle. Both of which are wonderful, but, for me, The Snail & The Whale has clinched it.
In this story, a brave little snail, very aware of his smallness...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
20.07.2005
04.07.2007
17.10.2007
