Author: Angela Sommer-Bodenburg
Original Title: Der kleine Vampir
Genre: Children's book, Fantasy
Original publisher: Rowohlt Verlag
Date first published: 1979
Date first read: 1994/1995
Main character(s): Anton Bohnsack (a 9-yo boy who likes scary stories), Rüdiger von Schlotterstein (a vampire whom Anton befriends), Anna von Schlotterstein (Rüdiger's younger sister, who likes Anton - and whom he also likes), Lumpi von Schlotterstein (Rüdiger and Anna's big brother), Dorothee von Schlotterstein-Seifenschwein (Rüdiger, Anna, and Lumpi's aunt, who is quite strict, bloodthirsty, and man-hungry)
Favorite quote: N/A
Synopsis:
Anton Bohnsack is a boy who loves scary stories, especially ones with vampires, but of course he knows those are not real. So imagine his surprise, when one day when he is home alone, he encounters Rüdiger in his room, who is an actual vampire! Rüdiger, who seems about Anton's age because he was turned at age 10 (but who is really over 150 years old) is no bloodthirsty monster. Instead, he kinda doesn't like the dark and enjoys scary stories, like Anton. Moreover, he has a sister Anna, whom Anton likes quite a bit and who thinks that he is really nice. But the kids will have to figure out how maintain their friendship and their friend's 'nature' hidden from their respective families, especially Rüdiger and Anna's bloodthirsty Aunt Dorothee.
Review:
The Little Vampire is such a fun children's fantasy series. It has no violence or gruesomeness but it still has plenty of excitement to keep a 10-12 year old at the edge of her seat. I especially liked the way the kids simply think nothing of being friends, despite their very different backgrounds. It's quite heartwarming. It's also nice to see that Rüdiger is a 3-dimensional character, being rather selfish at times thanks to his circumstances, but he is neither truly mean nor does he fail to be loyal to his friend.
Sequels:Der kleine Vampir zieht um; Der kleine Vampir verreist; Der kleine Vampir auf dem Bauernhof; Der kleine Vampir und die große Liebe; Der kleine Vampir in Gefahr; Der kleine Vampir im Jammertal; Der kleine Vampir liest vor; Der kleine Vampir und der unheimliche Patient; Der kleine Vampir in der Höhle des Löwen; Der kleine Vampir und der Lichtapparat; Der kleine Vampir und der rätselhafte Sarg; Der kleine Vampir und die große Verschwörung; Der kleine Vampir und die Klassenfahrt; Der kleine Vampir feiert Weihnachten; Der kleine Vampir und Graf Dracula; Der kleine Vampir und die Tanzstunde; Der kleine Vampir hat Geburtstag; Der kleine Vampir und die Gruselnacht; Der kleine Vampir und die letzte Verwandlung
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
Der kleine Nick und die Mädchen (Nicholas in Trouble)
Author: René Goscinny, Jean-Jacques Sempé (illust.)
Original Title: Le Petit Nicolas a des Ennui
Genre: Children's book
Original publisher: Denoël,
Date first published: 1964
Date first read: 1994/1995
Main character(s): Nicolas (aka Nick, a boy of 7 or 8 years), Alceste (aka Otto, Nick's best friend, who likes to eat a lot), Rufus (aka Roland, Nick's classmate, whose dad is the policeman, and who therefore has a whistle he uses a lot), Clotaire (aka Chlodwig, Nick's classmate, who has the worst grades but is a great guy), Eudes (aka Franz, Nick's classmate, who is the strongest in the group and tends to resolve problems with his fists), Geoffroy (aka Georg, Nick's classmate, whose father is very rich and who is therfore very spoiled), Joachim (Nick's classmate, who likes to wear a beret and gets a little brother one day), Agnan (aka Adalbert, Nick's classmate, the best in the class and teacher's pet, who wears glasses), Maixent (aka Max, Nick's classmate, who is as fast as Nick in running), Marie-Edwige (aka Marie-Hedwig, Nick's pretty neighbor and his friend), Louisette (aka Louise, who plays soccer better than some boys), Nick's mother and father, the Teacher, the school's Principal, M. Dubon, "le Bouillon" (aka Herr Hühnerfeld, or "Herr Hühnerbrüh", a strict teacher at Nick's school)
Favorite quote: N/A
Synopsis:
The last of the original books, with new stories, this time involving girls, such as Marie-Hedwig, Nick's neighbor. She is quite fun, and Nick and the others enjoy playing with her or celebrating her birthday. But technically, Nick likes Louise a bit better, since she can play soccer like the best! And of course there's grown up girls, like grandma, who comes to visit and spoils Nick rotten - yea, he probably likes her the best.
Review:
The last one of the original set of stories. I had such fun with these. I love to re-read them. The best part is, a new set was published recently...I just need to figure out the order, so I can read them. :)
Prequels: Der kleine Nick; Der kleine Nick und die Schule; Der kleine Nick und die Ferien; Der kleine Nick und seine Bande
Original Title: Le Petit Nicolas a des Ennui
Genre: Children's book
Original publisher: Denoël,
Date first published: 1964
Date first read: 1994/1995
Main character(s): Nicolas (aka Nick, a boy of 7 or 8 years), Alceste (aka Otto, Nick's best friend, who likes to eat a lot), Rufus (aka Roland, Nick's classmate, whose dad is the policeman, and who therefore has a whistle he uses a lot), Clotaire (aka Chlodwig, Nick's classmate, who has the worst grades but is a great guy), Eudes (aka Franz, Nick's classmate, who is the strongest in the group and tends to resolve problems with his fists), Geoffroy (aka Georg, Nick's classmate, whose father is very rich and who is therfore very spoiled), Joachim (Nick's classmate, who likes to wear a beret and gets a little brother one day), Agnan (aka Adalbert, Nick's classmate, the best in the class and teacher's pet, who wears glasses), Maixent (aka Max, Nick's classmate, who is as fast as Nick in running), Marie-Edwige (aka Marie-Hedwig, Nick's pretty neighbor and his friend), Louisette (aka Louise, who plays soccer better than some boys), Nick's mother and father, the Teacher, the school's Principal, M. Dubon, "le Bouillon" (aka Herr Hühnerfeld, or "Herr Hühnerbrüh", a strict teacher at Nick's school)
Favorite quote: N/A
Synopsis:
The last of the original books, with new stories, this time involving girls, such as Marie-Hedwig, Nick's neighbor. She is quite fun, and Nick and the others enjoy playing with her or celebrating her birthday. But technically, Nick likes Louise a bit better, since she can play soccer like the best! And of course there's grown up girls, like grandma, who comes to visit and spoils Nick rotten - yea, he probably likes her the best.
Review:
The last one of the original set of stories. I had such fun with these. I love to re-read them. The best part is, a new set was published recently...I just need to figure out the order, so I can read them. :)
Prequels: Der kleine Nick; Der kleine Nick und die Schule; Der kleine Nick und die Ferien; Der kleine Nick und seine Bande
Der kleine Nick und seine Bande (Nicholas and the Gang)
Author: René Goscinny, Jean-Jacques Sempé (illust.)
Original Title: Le Petit Nicolas et les Copains
Genre: Children's book
Original publisher: Denoël,
Date first published: 1963
Date first read: 1994/1995
Main character(s): Nicolas (aka Nick, a boy of 7 or 8 years), Alceste (aka Otto, Nick's best friend, who likes to eat a lot), Rufus (aka Roland, Nick's classmate, whose dad is the policeman, and who therefore has a whistle he uses a lot), Clotaire (aka Chlodwig, Nick's classmate, who has the worst grades but is a great guy), Eudes (aka Franz, Nick's classmate, who is the strongest in the group and tends to resolve problems with his fists), Geoffroy (aka Georg, Nick's classmate, whose father is very rich and who is therfore very spoiled), Joachim (Nick's classmate, who likes to wear a beret and gets a little brother one day), Agnan (aka Adalbert, Nick's classmate, the best in the class and teacher's pet, who wears glasses), Maixent (aka Max, Nick's classmate, who is as fast as Nick in running), Marie-Edwige (aka Marie-Hedwig, Nick's pretty neighbor and his friend), Louisette (aka Louise, who plays soccer better than some boys), Nick's mother and father, the Teacher, the school's Principal, M. Dubon, "le Bouillon" (aka Herr Hühnerfeld, or "Herr Hühnerbrüh", a strict teacher at Nick's school)
Favorite quote: N/A
Synopsis:
And the next round of stories is upon us. This time, it's 18 new stories about Nick and his friends and all their shenanigans. For example, the story when Nick gets a camera from his grandmother and takes pictures of everyone, which turn out quite great, except that his mom doesn't like the ones of her so much. Or the times when the gang winds up with new hobbies, such as collecting stamps or getting guppies as pets. And then there is that one where Nick actually goes over to Adalbert to play - well, that's a thing to behold!
Review:
What can I say, these stories continue to amuse. Nick's adventures with his friends are just too funny. The soccer game at the end is particularly entertaining - but you'll have to read that one on your own. :)
Prequels: Der kleine Nick; Der kleine Nick und die Schule; Der kleine Nick und die Ferien
Sequels: Der kleine Nick und die Mädchen
Original Title: Le Petit Nicolas et les Copains
Genre: Children's book
Original publisher: Denoël,
Date first published: 1963
Date first read: 1994/1995
Main character(s): Nicolas (aka Nick, a boy of 7 or 8 years), Alceste (aka Otto, Nick's best friend, who likes to eat a lot), Rufus (aka Roland, Nick's classmate, whose dad is the policeman, and who therefore has a whistle he uses a lot), Clotaire (aka Chlodwig, Nick's classmate, who has the worst grades but is a great guy), Eudes (aka Franz, Nick's classmate, who is the strongest in the group and tends to resolve problems with his fists), Geoffroy (aka Georg, Nick's classmate, whose father is very rich and who is therfore very spoiled), Joachim (Nick's classmate, who likes to wear a beret and gets a little brother one day), Agnan (aka Adalbert, Nick's classmate, the best in the class and teacher's pet, who wears glasses), Maixent (aka Max, Nick's classmate, who is as fast as Nick in running), Marie-Edwige (aka Marie-Hedwig, Nick's pretty neighbor and his friend), Louisette (aka Louise, who plays soccer better than some boys), Nick's mother and father, the Teacher, the school's Principal, M. Dubon, "le Bouillon" (aka Herr Hühnerfeld, or "Herr Hühnerbrüh", a strict teacher at Nick's school)
Favorite quote: N/A
Synopsis:
And the next round of stories is upon us. This time, it's 18 new stories about Nick and his friends and all their shenanigans. For example, the story when Nick gets a camera from his grandmother and takes pictures of everyone, which turn out quite great, except that his mom doesn't like the ones of her so much. Or the times when the gang winds up with new hobbies, such as collecting stamps or getting guppies as pets. And then there is that one where Nick actually goes over to Adalbert to play - well, that's a thing to behold!
Review:
What can I say, these stories continue to amuse. Nick's adventures with his friends are just too funny. The soccer game at the end is particularly entertaining - but you'll have to read that one on your own. :)
Prequels: Der kleine Nick; Der kleine Nick und die Schule; Der kleine Nick und die Ferien
Sequels: Der kleine Nick und die Mädchen
Der kleine Nick und die Ferien (Nicholas on Vacation)
Author: René Goscinny, Jean-Jacques Sempé (illust.)
Original Title: Les Vacances du Petit Nicolas
Genre: Children's book
Original publisher: Denoël,
Date first published: 1962
Date first read: 1994/1995
Main character(s): Nicolas (aka Nick, a boy of 7 or 8 years), Alceste (aka Otto, Nick's best friend, who likes to eat a lot), Rufus (aka Roland, Nick's classmate, whose dad is the policeman, and who therefore has a whistle he uses a lot), Clotaire (aka Chlodwig, Nick's classmate, who has the worst grades but is a great guy), Eudes (aka Franz, Nick's classmate, who is the strongest in the group and tends to resolve problems with his fists), Geoffroy (aka Georg, Nick's classmate, whose father is very rich and who is therfore very spoiled), Joachim (Nick's classmate, who likes to wear a beret and gets a little brother one day), Agnan (aka Adalbert, Nick's classmate, the best in the class and teacher's pet, who wears glasses), Maixent (aka Max, Nick's classmate, who is as fast as Nick in running), Marie-Edwige (aka Marie-Hedwig, Nick's pretty neighbor and his friend), Louisette (aka Louise, who plays soccer better than some boys), Nick's mother and father, the Teacher, the school's Principal, M. Dubon, "le Bouillon" (aka Herr Hühnerfeld, or "Herr Hühnerbrüh", a strict teacher at Nick's school)
Favorite quote: N/A
Synopsis:
Aaaaand, the third collection of stories of little Nick is upon us. This time, it's all about vacations. It's especially exciting for Nick, who gets to go on vacation alone for the first time, to a summer camp, while his parents go elsewhere. It's funny though that they seem upset about his excitement, when it was them who suggested it in the first place...but Nick is excited. At the summer camp, you make new friends, and you swim, and you have bonfires, and so much more. Mind you, it helps when your parents don't forget to give you your bag before the train departs...
Review:
This one is absolutely fun. I did miss Nick's friends in the first part of the book, but the new surroundings, with new kids and adults about whose actions and reactions he talks, makes up for it.
Prequels: Der kleine Nick; Der kleine Nick und die Schule;
Sequels: Der kleine Nick und seine Bande; Der kleine Nick und die Mädchen
Original Title: Les Vacances du Petit Nicolas
Genre: Children's book
Original publisher: Denoël,
Date first published: 1962
Date first read: 1994/1995
Main character(s): Nicolas (aka Nick, a boy of 7 or 8 years), Alceste (aka Otto, Nick's best friend, who likes to eat a lot), Rufus (aka Roland, Nick's classmate, whose dad is the policeman, and who therefore has a whistle he uses a lot), Clotaire (aka Chlodwig, Nick's classmate, who has the worst grades but is a great guy), Eudes (aka Franz, Nick's classmate, who is the strongest in the group and tends to resolve problems with his fists), Geoffroy (aka Georg, Nick's classmate, whose father is very rich and who is therfore very spoiled), Joachim (Nick's classmate, who likes to wear a beret and gets a little brother one day), Agnan (aka Adalbert, Nick's classmate, the best in the class and teacher's pet, who wears glasses), Maixent (aka Max, Nick's classmate, who is as fast as Nick in running), Marie-Edwige (aka Marie-Hedwig, Nick's pretty neighbor and his friend), Louisette (aka Louise, who plays soccer better than some boys), Nick's mother and father, the Teacher, the school's Principal, M. Dubon, "le Bouillon" (aka Herr Hühnerfeld, or "Herr Hühnerbrüh", a strict teacher at Nick's school)
Favorite quote: N/A
Synopsis:
Aaaaand, the third collection of stories of little Nick is upon us. This time, it's all about vacations. It's especially exciting for Nick, who gets to go on vacation alone for the first time, to a summer camp, while his parents go elsewhere. It's funny though that they seem upset about his excitement, when it was them who suggested it in the first place...but Nick is excited. At the summer camp, you make new friends, and you swim, and you have bonfires, and so much more. Mind you, it helps when your parents don't forget to give you your bag before the train departs...
Review:
This one is absolutely fun. I did miss Nick's friends in the first part of the book, but the new surroundings, with new kids and adults about whose actions and reactions he talks, makes up for it.
Prequels: Der kleine Nick; Der kleine Nick und die Schule;
Sequels: Der kleine Nick und seine Bande; Der kleine Nick und die Mädchen
Tuesday, January 23, 2018
Der kleine Nick und die Schule (Nicholas Again)
Author: René Goscinny, Jean-Jacques Sempé (illust.)
Original Title: Le Récrés de Petit Nicolas
Genre: Children's book
Original publisher: Denoël,
Date first published: 1961
Date first read: 1994/1995
Main character(s): Nicolas (aka Nick, a boy of 7 or 8 years), Alceste (aka Otto, Nick's best friend, who likes to eat a lot), Rufus (aka Roland, Nick's classmate, whose dad is the policeman, and who therefore has a whistle he uses a lot), Clotaire (aka Chlodwig, Nick's classmate, who has the worst grades but is a great guy), Eudes (aka Franz, Nick's classmate, who is the strongest in the group and tends to resolve problems with his fists), Geoffroy (aka Georg, Nick's classmate, whose father is very rich and who is therfore very spoiled), Joachim (Nick's classmate, who likes to wear a beret and gets a little brother one day), Agnan (aka Adalbert, Nick's classmate, the best in the class and teacher's pet, who wears glasses), Maixent (aka Max, Nick's classmate, who is as fast as Nick in running), Marie-Edwige (aka Marie-Hedwig, Nick's pretty neighbor and his friend), Louisette (aka Louise, who plays soccer better than some boys), Nick's mother and father, the Teacher, the school's Principal, M. Dubon, "le Bouillon" (aka Herr Hühnerfeld, or "Herr Hühnerbrüh", a strict teacher at Nick's school)
Favorite quote: N/A
Synopsis:
Little Nick is back again, this time with 16 new stories surrounding him and his friends, especially involving all the things they are up to at school. For example, what news it is when Chlodwig suddenly gets glasses, too, leaving Adalbert fearing for his position as best of the class and teacher's pet. But Adalbert's needs to watch for Nick, too: after all, he was fourth-best in the history exam on Charlemagne. His father even gave 10 bucks as a reward for such a good job - but what should Nick spend it on? Of course he goes to his friends at school to ask for help in deciding.
Review:
Again, the petit Nicholas stories are just a joy to read. Each story seems better than the last one. René Goscinny really did a fantastic job, and this second collection of stories has more of the beautiful illustrations of Sempé. Really fun.
Prequels: Der kleine Nick
Sequels: Der kleine Nick und die Ferien; Der kleine Nick und seine Bande; Der kleine Nick und die Mädchen
Original Title: Le Récrés de Petit Nicolas
Genre: Children's book
Original publisher: Denoël,
Date first published: 1961
Date first read: 1994/1995
Main character(s): Nicolas (aka Nick, a boy of 7 or 8 years), Alceste (aka Otto, Nick's best friend, who likes to eat a lot), Rufus (aka Roland, Nick's classmate, whose dad is the policeman, and who therefore has a whistle he uses a lot), Clotaire (aka Chlodwig, Nick's classmate, who has the worst grades but is a great guy), Eudes (aka Franz, Nick's classmate, who is the strongest in the group and tends to resolve problems with his fists), Geoffroy (aka Georg, Nick's classmate, whose father is very rich and who is therfore very spoiled), Joachim (Nick's classmate, who likes to wear a beret and gets a little brother one day), Agnan (aka Adalbert, Nick's classmate, the best in the class and teacher's pet, who wears glasses), Maixent (aka Max, Nick's classmate, who is as fast as Nick in running), Marie-Edwige (aka Marie-Hedwig, Nick's pretty neighbor and his friend), Louisette (aka Louise, who plays soccer better than some boys), Nick's mother and father, the Teacher, the school's Principal, M. Dubon, "le Bouillon" (aka Herr Hühnerfeld, or "Herr Hühnerbrüh", a strict teacher at Nick's school)
Favorite quote: N/A
Synopsis:
Little Nick is back again, this time with 16 new stories surrounding him and his friends, especially involving all the things they are up to at school. For example, what news it is when Chlodwig suddenly gets glasses, too, leaving Adalbert fearing for his position as best of the class and teacher's pet. But Adalbert's needs to watch for Nick, too: after all, he was fourth-best in the history exam on Charlemagne. His father even gave 10 bucks as a reward for such a good job - but what should Nick spend it on? Of course he goes to his friends at school to ask for help in deciding.
Review:
Again, the petit Nicholas stories are just a joy to read. Each story seems better than the last one. René Goscinny really did a fantastic job, and this second collection of stories has more of the beautiful illustrations of Sempé. Really fun.
Prequels: Der kleine Nick
Sequels: Der kleine Nick und die Ferien; Der kleine Nick und seine Bande; Der kleine Nick und die Mädchen
Der kleine Nick (Little Nick)
Author: René Goscinny, Jean-Jacques Sempé (illust.)
Original Title: Le petit Nicolas
Genre: Children's book
Original publisher: Denoël,
Date first published: 1960
Date first read: 1994/1995
Main character(s): Nicolas (aka Nick, a boy of 7 or 8 years), Alceste (aka Otto, Nick's best friend, who likes to eat a lot), Rufus (aka Roland, Nick's classmate, whose dad is the policeman, and who therefore has a whistle he uses a lot), Clotaire (aka Chlodwig, Nick's classmate, who has the worst grades but is a great guy), Eudes (aka Franz, Nick's classmate, who is the strongest in the group and tends to resolve problems with his fists), Geoffroy (aka Georg, Nick's classmate, whose father is very rich and who is therfore very spoiled), Joachim (Nick's classmate, who likes to wear a beret and gets a little brother one day), Agnan (aka Adalbert, Nick's classmate, the best in the class and teacher's pet, who wears glasses), Maixent (aka Max, Nick's classmate, who is as fast as Nick in running), Marie-Edwige (aka Marie-Hedwig, Nick's pretty neighbor and his friend), Louisette (aka Louise, who plays soccer better than some boys), Nick's mother and father, the Teacher, the school's Principal, M. Dubon, "le Bouillon" (aka Herr Hühnerfeld, or "Herr Hühnerbrüh", a strict teacher at Nick's school)
Favorite quote: Talking about his teacher: "Sie ist ganz prima, außer wenn wir sie wütend machen." (She's really awesome, except when we make her mad.)
Synopsis:
Little Nicholas, also known as Little Nick, is not the best of students, but he has some really great friends. Otto, his best friend, is a great guy, tho he does eat a lot, often putting things off for the sake of food, which kind of makes the others annoyed. Or Georg, whose rich dad buys him some great toys and costumes, though he can get pretty annoying when he then acts all important. Or Chlodwig, whose grades are so bad, he just stands directly in the corner when he is called upon without answering, but who is a super-duper guy. Even Adalbert, the teacher's pet is ok, though he is very annoying being a smarty pants - and one can't even hit him as often as one likes for it because he wears glasses! And speaking of hitting, there is Franz, who often solves problems by hitting someone. Yeah, Nick has a fun bunch of friends. Sure, they sometimes quabble...well, ok, they get into a fight at least once a week, either on the field where they play soccer or even at school, like when they're taking a class photo, which doesn't amuse their Teacher or the school's Principal - and certainly gets them in trouble with Mr. Hühnerbrüh, who constantly yells at them to "look me in the eyes"...he's a bit weird that way. But yes, Nick and his buddies are all "prima" (aka awesome in English), as told through these 18 stories.
Review:
Le petit Nicholas - where to start with reviewing this amazing work of humorous art? The book is a collection of short stories from the life of the protagonist, a little boy of roughly 7 or 8 years called Nick, told in his own voice and as he perceives things. As a child, it's very easy to associate oneself with Nick - after all, many of the especially odd things happening with the adults around Nick seem equally odd to any child. But that makes these books even funnier to read as an older child or adult.
The innocent, often naive, way in which Nick recounts the events in his life - be they the frustration of the teachers during class-photo day or the fights that break out when Roland uses the whistle during soccer matches at times when the others disagree - the often-times resultant chaos can't but make you chuckle. To top it off, Nick's verdict on most of these events is very much that of the child: they kids all love their teacher as surely as she loves them even though she gives them all extra homework for making a mess of the class photo taking; the guys may fight a lot, but they're all 'prima, or awesome, as Nick tends to pronounce often.
The master of humor behind this is none other than René Goscinny, one of the fathers of Asterix, who is also known for a witty sense of humor and keen intellect. It's no wonder that these books are therefore just amazingly funny. It's a true treat and they should be mandatory reading for any kid - including the adult ones.
Sequels: Der kleine Nick und die Schule; Der kleine Nick und die Ferien; Der kleine Nick und seine Bande; Der kleine Nick und die Mädchen
Original Title: Le petit Nicolas
Genre: Children's book
Original publisher: Denoël,
Date first published: 1960
Date first read: 1994/1995
Main character(s): Nicolas (aka Nick, a boy of 7 or 8 years), Alceste (aka Otto, Nick's best friend, who likes to eat a lot), Rufus (aka Roland, Nick's classmate, whose dad is the policeman, and who therefore has a whistle he uses a lot), Clotaire (aka Chlodwig, Nick's classmate, who has the worst grades but is a great guy), Eudes (aka Franz, Nick's classmate, who is the strongest in the group and tends to resolve problems with his fists), Geoffroy (aka Georg, Nick's classmate, whose father is very rich and who is therfore very spoiled), Joachim (Nick's classmate, who likes to wear a beret and gets a little brother one day), Agnan (aka Adalbert, Nick's classmate, the best in the class and teacher's pet, who wears glasses), Maixent (aka Max, Nick's classmate, who is as fast as Nick in running), Marie-Edwige (aka Marie-Hedwig, Nick's pretty neighbor and his friend), Louisette (aka Louise, who plays soccer better than some boys), Nick's mother and father, the Teacher, the school's Principal, M. Dubon, "le Bouillon" (aka Herr Hühnerfeld, or "Herr Hühnerbrüh", a strict teacher at Nick's school)
Favorite quote: Talking about his teacher: "Sie ist ganz prima, außer wenn wir sie wütend machen." (She's really awesome, except when we make her mad.)
Synopsis:
Little Nicholas, also known as Little Nick, is not the best of students, but he has some really great friends. Otto, his best friend, is a great guy, tho he does eat a lot, often putting things off for the sake of food, which kind of makes the others annoyed. Or Georg, whose rich dad buys him some great toys and costumes, though he can get pretty annoying when he then acts all important. Or Chlodwig, whose grades are so bad, he just stands directly in the corner when he is called upon without answering, but who is a super-duper guy. Even Adalbert, the teacher's pet is ok, though he is very annoying being a smarty pants - and one can't even hit him as often as one likes for it because he wears glasses! And speaking of hitting, there is Franz, who often solves problems by hitting someone. Yeah, Nick has a fun bunch of friends. Sure, they sometimes quabble...well, ok, they get into a fight at least once a week, either on the field where they play soccer or even at school, like when they're taking a class photo, which doesn't amuse their Teacher or the school's Principal - and certainly gets them in trouble with Mr. Hühnerbrüh, who constantly yells at them to "look me in the eyes"...he's a bit weird that way. But yes, Nick and his buddies are all "prima" (aka awesome in English), as told through these 18 stories.
Review:
Le petit Nicholas - where to start with reviewing this amazing work of humorous art? The book is a collection of short stories from the life of the protagonist, a little boy of roughly 7 or 8 years called Nick, told in his own voice and as he perceives things. As a child, it's very easy to associate oneself with Nick - after all, many of the especially odd things happening with the adults around Nick seem equally odd to any child. But that makes these books even funnier to read as an older child or adult.
The innocent, often naive, way in which Nick recounts the events in his life - be they the frustration of the teachers during class-photo day or the fights that break out when Roland uses the whistle during soccer matches at times when the others disagree - the often-times resultant chaos can't but make you chuckle. To top it off, Nick's verdict on most of these events is very much that of the child: they kids all love their teacher as surely as she loves them even though she gives them all extra homework for making a mess of the class photo taking; the guys may fight a lot, but they're all 'prima, or awesome, as Nick tends to pronounce often.
The master of humor behind this is none other than René Goscinny, one of the fathers of Asterix, who is also known for a witty sense of humor and keen intellect. It's no wonder that these books are therefore just amazingly funny. It's a true treat and they should be mandatory reading for any kid - including the adult ones.
Sequels: Der kleine Nick und die Schule; Der kleine Nick und die Ferien; Der kleine Nick und seine Bande; Der kleine Nick und die Mädchen
Geheimnis um...den Holunderweg (Mystery of...Holly Lane)
Author: Enid Blyton
Genre: Children's book, Mystery
Original publisher: Methuen
Date first published: 1953
Date first read:
Main character(s): The Five Find-Outers, including Frederick Algernon "Fatty" Trotteville (the leader of the group; dt: Dietrich "Dicki" Ingbert Carl Kronstein), Laurence "Larry" Daykin (the oldest of the five and Daisy's brother; dt: Rudolf "Rolf" Tagert), Margaret "Daisy" Daykin (Larry's sister; dt: Regine "Gina" Tagert), Philip "Pip" Hilton (Bets's big brother; dt: Philipp "Flipp" Hillmann), Elizabeth "Bets" Hilton (Pip's little sister, who is 4 years younger than her brother and hence the youngest of the gang; Elisabeth "Betti" Hillmann), Theophilus Goon (the village policeman, who dislikes the Five; dt: Herr Grimm), Chief Inspector Jenks (head of the local police department, friend of the Five; dt: Inspektor Jenks), Buster (Fatty's scotch terrier; dt: Purzel)
Favorite quote: N/A
Synopsis: *SOME SPOILERS*
The Five-Find Outers - Fatty, Larry, Daisy, Pip, and Bets - and their dog Buster are amateur sleuths in the village of Peterswood based. Together they wind up discovering a new mystery every school vacation, solving it usually long before thee village policeman, Mr. Goon, much to his annoyance. It is no surprise then, that he is less than favorably disposed towards the children, but he has little choice, since Chief Inspector Jenks, his boss, very much likes the kids and their ability to crack even the trickiest of mysteries.
While practicing their disguise techniques, Larry, who impersonates a window cleaner, winds up finding a mystery: The elderly man who lives in the bungalow on Holly Lane whose windows he cleaned has been robbed. His grand-daughter is also missing - but is she a thief or a victim? And how do the man's son and nephew figure into the story?
Review:
As noted in the previous review the Five Found-Outers series from Enid Blyton is just one of the many mystery series that she created. This was the third story in an omnibus edition, and I remember enjoying it, too. However, as also noted before that Blyton's record is not perfect; do take this review with a grain of salt if giving the books to children: it may be worth it reading the books oneself first to figure out whether one likes the messages contained therein.
Prequels: The Mystery of the Burnt Cottage; The Mystery of the Disappearing Cat; The Mystery of the Secret Room; The Mystery of the Spiteful Letters; The Mystery of the Missing Necklace; The Mystery of the Hidden House; The Mystery of the Pantomime Cat; The Mystery of the Invisible Thief; The Mystery of the Vanished Prince; The Mystery of the Strange Bundle
Sequels: The Mystery of Tally-Ho Cottage; The Mystery of the Missing Man; The Mystery of the Strange Messages; The Mystery of Banshee Towers
Genre: Children's book, Mystery
Original publisher: Methuen
Date first published: 1953
Date first read:
Main character(s): The Five Find-Outers, including Frederick Algernon "Fatty" Trotteville (the leader of the group; dt: Dietrich "Dicki" Ingbert Carl Kronstein), Laurence "Larry" Daykin (the oldest of the five and Daisy's brother; dt: Rudolf "Rolf" Tagert), Margaret "Daisy" Daykin (Larry's sister; dt: Regine "Gina" Tagert), Philip "Pip" Hilton (Bets's big brother; dt: Philipp "Flipp" Hillmann), Elizabeth "Bets" Hilton (Pip's little sister, who is 4 years younger than her brother and hence the youngest of the gang; Elisabeth "Betti" Hillmann), Theophilus Goon (the village policeman, who dislikes the Five; dt: Herr Grimm), Chief Inspector Jenks (head of the local police department, friend of the Five; dt: Inspektor Jenks), Buster (Fatty's scotch terrier; dt: Purzel)
Favorite quote: N/A
Synopsis: *SOME SPOILERS*
The Five-Find Outers - Fatty, Larry, Daisy, Pip, and Bets - and their dog Buster are amateur sleuths in the village of Peterswood based. Together they wind up discovering a new mystery every school vacation, solving it usually long before thee village policeman, Mr. Goon, much to his annoyance. It is no surprise then, that he is less than favorably disposed towards the children, but he has little choice, since Chief Inspector Jenks, his boss, very much likes the kids and their ability to crack even the trickiest of mysteries.
While practicing their disguise techniques, Larry, who impersonates a window cleaner, winds up finding a mystery: The elderly man who lives in the bungalow on Holly Lane whose windows he cleaned has been robbed. His grand-daughter is also missing - but is she a thief or a victim? And how do the man's son and nephew figure into the story?
Review:
As noted in the previous review the Five Found-Outers series from Enid Blyton is just one of the many mystery series that she created. This was the third story in an omnibus edition, and I remember enjoying it, too. However, as also noted before that Blyton's record is not perfect; do take this review with a grain of salt if giving the books to children: it may be worth it reading the books oneself first to figure out whether one likes the messages contained therein.
Prequels: The Mystery of the Burnt Cottage; The Mystery of the Disappearing Cat; The Mystery of the Secret Room; The Mystery of the Spiteful Letters; The Mystery of the Missing Necklace; The Mystery of the Hidden House; The Mystery of the Pantomime Cat; The Mystery of the Invisible Thief; The Mystery of the Vanished Prince; The Mystery of the Strange Bundle
Sequels: The Mystery of Tally-Ho Cottage; The Mystery of the Missing Man; The Mystery of the Strange Messages; The Mystery of Banshee Towers
Geheimnis um...einen Wohnwagen (The Mystery of...the Missing Man)
Author: Enid Blyton
Genre: Children's book, Mystery
Original publisher: Methuen
Date first published: 1956
Date first read:
Main character(s): The Five Find-Outers, including Frederick Algernon "Fatty" Trotteville (the leader of the group; dt: Dietrich "Dicki" Ingbert Carl Kronstein), Laurence "Larry" Daykin (the oldest of the five and Daisy's brother; dt: Rudolf "Rolf" Tagert), Margaret "Daisy" Daykin (Larry's sister; dt: Regine "Gina" Tagert), Philip "Pip" Hilton (Bets's big brother; dt: Philipp "Flipp" Hillmann), Elizabeth "Bets" Hilton (Pip's little sister, who is 4 years younger than her brother and hence the youngest of the gang; Elisabeth "Betti" Hillmann), Theophilus Goon (the village policeman, who dislikes the Five; dt: Herr Grimm), Chief Inspector Jenks (head of the local police department, friend of the Five; dt: Inspektor Jenks), Buster (Fatty's scotch terrier; dt: Purzel)
Favorite quote: N/A
Synopsis: *SOME SPOILERS*
The Five-Find Outers - Fatty, Larry, Daisy, Pip, and Bets - and their dog Buster are amateur sleuths in the village of Peterswood based. Together they wind up discovering a new mystery every school vacation, solving it usually long before thee village policeman, Mr. Goon, much to his annoyance. It is no surprise then, that he is less than favorably disposed towards the children, but he has little choice, since Chief Inspector Jenks, his boss, very much likes the kids and their ability to crack even the trickiest of mysteries.
This time, the Five Find-Outers have to deal with not just an escaped convict, but also with with a Beetle Conference, especially Fatty whose family is hosting one of the attendees and their daughter Eunice whom he doesn't particularly like. Of course a conference in town with many strangers is the perfect place for an escapee to hide, which is why the Find-Outers must help out.
Review:
As noted in the previous review the Five Found-Outers series from Enid Blyton is just one of the many mystery series that she created. This was the second story in an omnibus edition, and I remember enjoying it just as much. However, as also noted before that Blyton's record is not perfect; do take this review with a grain of salt if giving the books to children: it may be worth it reading the books oneself first to figure out whether one likes the messages contained therein.
Prequels: The Mystery of the Burnt Cottage; The Mystery of the Disappearing Cat; The Mystery of the Secret Room; The Mystery of the Spiteful Letters; The Mystery of the Missing Necklace; The Mystery of the Hidden House; The Mystery of the Pantomime Cat; The Mystery of the Invisible Thief; The Mystery of the Vanished Prince; The Mystery of the Strange Bundle; The Mystery of Holly Lane; The Mystery of Tally-Ho Cottage
Sequels: The Mystery of the Strange Messages; The Mystery of Banshee Towers
Genre: Children's book, Mystery
Original publisher: Methuen
Date first published: 1956
Date first read:
Main character(s): The Five Find-Outers, including Frederick Algernon "Fatty" Trotteville (the leader of the group; dt: Dietrich "Dicki" Ingbert Carl Kronstein), Laurence "Larry" Daykin (the oldest of the five and Daisy's brother; dt: Rudolf "Rolf" Tagert), Margaret "Daisy" Daykin (Larry's sister; dt: Regine "Gina" Tagert), Philip "Pip" Hilton (Bets's big brother; dt: Philipp "Flipp" Hillmann), Elizabeth "Bets" Hilton (Pip's little sister, who is 4 years younger than her brother and hence the youngest of the gang; Elisabeth "Betti" Hillmann), Theophilus Goon (the village policeman, who dislikes the Five; dt: Herr Grimm), Chief Inspector Jenks (head of the local police department, friend of the Five; dt: Inspektor Jenks), Buster (Fatty's scotch terrier; dt: Purzel)
Favorite quote: N/A
Synopsis: *SOME SPOILERS*
The Five-Find Outers - Fatty, Larry, Daisy, Pip, and Bets - and their dog Buster are amateur sleuths in the village of Peterswood based. Together they wind up discovering a new mystery every school vacation, solving it usually long before thee village policeman, Mr. Goon, much to his annoyance. It is no surprise then, that he is less than favorably disposed towards the children, but he has little choice, since Chief Inspector Jenks, his boss, very much likes the kids and their ability to crack even the trickiest of mysteries.
This time, the Five Find-Outers have to deal with not just an escaped convict, but also with with a Beetle Conference, especially Fatty whose family is hosting one of the attendees and their daughter Eunice whom he doesn't particularly like. Of course a conference in town with many strangers is the perfect place for an escapee to hide, which is why the Find-Outers must help out.
Review:
As noted in the previous review the Five Found-Outers series from Enid Blyton is just one of the many mystery series that she created. This was the second story in an omnibus edition, and I remember enjoying it just as much. However, as also noted before that Blyton's record is not perfect; do take this review with a grain of salt if giving the books to children: it may be worth it reading the books oneself first to figure out whether one likes the messages contained therein.
Prequels: The Mystery of the Burnt Cottage; The Mystery of the Disappearing Cat; The Mystery of the Secret Room; The Mystery of the Spiteful Letters; The Mystery of the Missing Necklace; The Mystery of the Hidden House; The Mystery of the Pantomime Cat; The Mystery of the Invisible Thief; The Mystery of the Vanished Prince; The Mystery of the Strange Bundle; The Mystery of Holly Lane; The Mystery of Tally-Ho Cottage
Sequels: The Mystery of the Strange Messages; The Mystery of Banshee Towers
Geheimnis um…ein gestohlenes Bild (The Mystery of...Tally-Ho Cottage)
Author: Enid Blyton
Genre: Children's book, Mystery
Original publisher: Methuen
Date first published: 1954
Date first read: 1993/1994
Main character(s): The Five Find-Outers, including Frederick Algernon "Fatty" Trotteville (the leader of the group; dt: Dietrich "Dicki" Ingbert Carl Kronstein), Laurence "Larry" Daykin (the oldest of the five and Daisy's brother; dt: Rudolf "Rolf" Tagert), Margaret "Daisy" Daykin (Larry's sister; dt: Regine "Gina" Tagert), Philip "Pip" Hilton (Bets's big brother; dt: Philipp "Flipp" Hillmann), Elizabeth "Bets" Hilton (Pip's little sister, who is 4 years younger than her brother and hence the youngest of the gang; Elisabeth "Betti" Hillmann), Theophilus Goon (the village policeman, who dislikes the Five; dt: Herr Grimm), Chief Inspector Jenks (head of the local police department, friend of the Five; dt: Inspektor Jenks), Buster (Fatty's scotch terrier; dt: Purzel)
Favorite quote: N/A
Synopsis: *SOME SPOILERS*
The Five-Find Outers - Fatty, Larry, Daisy, Pip, and Bets - and their dog Buster are amateur sleuths in the village of Peterswood based. Together they wind up discovering a new mystery every school vacation, solving it usually long before thee village policeman, Mr. Goon, much to his annoyance. It is no surprise then, that he is less than favorably disposed towards the children, but he has little choice, since Chief Inspector Jenks, his boss, very much likes the kids and their ability to crack even the trickiest of mysteries.
In the Mystery of Tally-Ho Cottage, the Five Find-Outers have to contend with a stolen picture. Taken by pretty savvy thieves, the Lorenzos, the only clue the police have is their beloved dog, a white poodle named Poppet, whom they left behind. Now the elderly couple, Mr. and Mrs. Larkin are looking after the poor pet in their cottage, Tally-Ho. Will the Five-Find Outers figure out where the Lorenzos are and what happened to the stolen picture before they can get away?
Review:
The Five Found-Outers series from Enid Blyton is just one of the many mystery series that she created, but it certainly is one of the extremely fun ones. The ages of the children (around 12, save for Bets who is 4 years younger) makes it a perfect read for pre-teens, which is what I was when I first read them. So many mystery novels aimed at children either have kids who are too young or too old. The ages of the Five Find-Outers are just right to make the mysteries and their solutions seem realistic and possible enough to be done when seen through the eyes of a 10-year old (which, of course, as an adult one sees differently).
It should be noted that Blyton's record was not without blemishes: her works in general have been criticized as being too simplistic and too influenced by her role as a teacher. In addition, she has been criticized as including racist, sexist, and xenophobic, all matters probably the result of her own upbringing and the times in which she wrote. The character of Fatty in particular seems to inhibit some of the sexist and even elitist viewpoints - he's extremely smart and seems to hold himself as such; as an only child he is rather able to buy things that are outside the reach of the other children, which shows his preeminence through wealth. However, at the same time, he is not flawless; initially, he is a new kid and not even the leader, so one can't make a complete condemnation of Blyton, at least as it relates to this series. Still, before giving kids to read, it may be worth it reading the books oneself first to figure out whether one likes the messages contained therein.
Prequels: The Mystery of the Burnt Cottage; The Mystery of the Disappearing Cat; The Mystery of the Secret Room; The Mystery of the Spiteful Letters; The Mystery of the Missing Necklace; The Mystery of the Hidden House; The Mystery of the Pantomime Cat; The Mystery of the Invisible Thief; The Mystery of the Vanished Prince; The Mystery of the Strange Bundle; The Mystery of Holly Lane
Sequels: The Mystery of the Missing Man; The Mystery of the Strange Messages; The Mystery of Banshee Towers
Genre: Children's book, Mystery
Original publisher: Methuen
Date first published: 1954
Date first read: 1993/1994
Main character(s): The Five Find-Outers, including Frederick Algernon "Fatty" Trotteville (the leader of the group; dt: Dietrich "Dicki" Ingbert Carl Kronstein), Laurence "Larry" Daykin (the oldest of the five and Daisy's brother; dt: Rudolf "Rolf" Tagert), Margaret "Daisy" Daykin (Larry's sister; dt: Regine "Gina" Tagert), Philip "Pip" Hilton (Bets's big brother; dt: Philipp "Flipp" Hillmann), Elizabeth "Bets" Hilton (Pip's little sister, who is 4 years younger than her brother and hence the youngest of the gang; Elisabeth "Betti" Hillmann), Theophilus Goon (the village policeman, who dislikes the Five; dt: Herr Grimm), Chief Inspector Jenks (head of the local police department, friend of the Five; dt: Inspektor Jenks), Buster (Fatty's scotch terrier; dt: Purzel)
Favorite quote: N/A
Synopsis: *SOME SPOILERS*
The Five-Find Outers - Fatty, Larry, Daisy, Pip, and Bets - and their dog Buster are amateur sleuths in the village of Peterswood based. Together they wind up discovering a new mystery every school vacation, solving it usually long before thee village policeman, Mr. Goon, much to his annoyance. It is no surprise then, that he is less than favorably disposed towards the children, but he has little choice, since Chief Inspector Jenks, his boss, very much likes the kids and their ability to crack even the trickiest of mysteries.
In the Mystery of Tally-Ho Cottage, the Five Find-Outers have to contend with a stolen picture. Taken by pretty savvy thieves, the Lorenzos, the only clue the police have is their beloved dog, a white poodle named Poppet, whom they left behind. Now the elderly couple, Mr. and Mrs. Larkin are looking after the poor pet in their cottage, Tally-Ho. Will the Five-Find Outers figure out where the Lorenzos are and what happened to the stolen picture before they can get away?
Review:
The Five Found-Outers series from Enid Blyton is just one of the many mystery series that she created, but it certainly is one of the extremely fun ones. The ages of the children (around 12, save for Bets who is 4 years younger) makes it a perfect read for pre-teens, which is what I was when I first read them. So many mystery novels aimed at children either have kids who are too young or too old. The ages of the Five Find-Outers are just right to make the mysteries and their solutions seem realistic and possible enough to be done when seen through the eyes of a 10-year old (which, of course, as an adult one sees differently).
It should be noted that Blyton's record was not without blemishes: her works in general have been criticized as being too simplistic and too influenced by her role as a teacher. In addition, she has been criticized as including racist, sexist, and xenophobic, all matters probably the result of her own upbringing and the times in which she wrote. The character of Fatty in particular seems to inhibit some of the sexist and even elitist viewpoints - he's extremely smart and seems to hold himself as such; as an only child he is rather able to buy things that are outside the reach of the other children, which shows his preeminence through wealth. However, at the same time, he is not flawless; initially, he is a new kid and not even the leader, so one can't make a complete condemnation of Blyton, at least as it relates to this series. Still, before giving kids to read, it may be worth it reading the books oneself first to figure out whether one likes the messages contained therein.
Prequels: The Mystery of the Burnt Cottage; The Mystery of the Disappearing Cat; The Mystery of the Secret Room; The Mystery of the Spiteful Letters; The Mystery of the Missing Necklace; The Mystery of the Hidden House; The Mystery of the Pantomime Cat; The Mystery of the Invisible Thief; The Mystery of the Vanished Prince; The Mystery of the Strange Bundle; The Mystery of Holly Lane
Sequels: The Mystery of the Missing Man; The Mystery of the Strange Messages; The Mystery of Banshee Towers
Heidi
Author: Johanna Spyri
Original Title: Heidi's Lehr- und Wanderjahre & Heidi kann brauchen, was es gelernt hat
Genre: Children's book
Original publisher: Friedrich Andreas Perthes Verlag
Date first published: 1880 & 1881
Date first read: 1993/1994
Main character(s): Heidi (an orphaned girl living in the Swiss alps with her grandpa), Ziegenpeter (Peter, a boy goatherd and Heidi's friend), Alpöhi (Heidi's grandpa, her dad's father), Dete (Heidi's aunt, her mom's sister) Klara Sesemann (a young girl in a wheelchair, whom Heidi befriends upon moving to the city), Herr Sesemann (Klara's dad), Frau Sesemann (Klara's grandma, her dad's mother) Fräulein Rottenmeier (the Sesemann's strict housekeeper)
Favorite quote: N/A
Synopsis: *SPOILERS*
Adelheid, called Heidi by everyone, is an orphaned girl, initially raised by her aunt Dete, her mother's sister, after her parents death. When Dete takes on a new job in a different city, she temporarily takes Heidi to live with her grandfather from the other side of the family. Alpöhi is a grouchy old man, who dislikes being among people, especially around "good society" folks, which is why he has moved back to a small house in the Alps, far away from civilization. Initially reluctant to take Heidi in, he slowly warms up to her thanks to her good-hearted and warm nature.
However, just as Heidi has truly been getting used to life in the alps, including making friends with Peter, a goatherd roughly her age, Dete comes to pick her up again, having secured for Heidi a life with a wealthy family in Frankfurt, who will provide her with housing and an education in exchange for Heidi being a companion to the wheelchair bound child in the family, Klara. Klara and Heidi quickly become fast friends, and both the father of Klara, Herr Seseman, and even more so her grandmother take on to Heidi. The latter teaches Heidi how to read and write, which brings Heidi immense happiness. The only one with whom Heidi does not get along so great is the strict housekeeper, Fräulein Rottenmeier, who has been taking care of the Sesemann household since Klara's mother died.
Despite enjoying her time with Klara, Heidi does become homesick and worries about her grandpa being alone. Her worries go so far, that she starts sleepwalking, at which point the family doctor recommends that Heidi return home to the Alps. Heidi returns happily to the Alps, and even gets her grumpy grandpa to be a bit more social, getting him to return to the village church. In the mean time, she keeps writing letters to Klara, and after the doctor visits Heidi, he recommends to the Sesemann family that Klara spend the summer in the Alps, as it would be good for health. Klara promptly arrives and the fresh air and food indeed help her get stronger, which makes everyone happy.
Only Peter is unhappy, being jealous of her and Heidi's friendship and fearing that Heidi will no longer be his friend now that she has Klara. In a fit of jealousy, he destroys Klara's wheelchair, which initially makes Klara despondent, but which turns out to be a good thing. Without her wheelchair, Klara is forced to attempt learning to walk again, which little by little she does with the help of the others, Heidi, Alpöhi, and even a remorseful Peter. By the time her father and grandmother come to pick her up, she can walk completely, which makes the Sesemann family promise to take care of Heidi once her grandpa becomes unable to do so.
Review:
Heidi is an old classic. It was originally subtitled as a "story for children and those who love them," and it truly is meant for such people. It's a story of friendship and optimism, of some adventure and overcoming obstacles - and most of all it has a wonderful series of characters, who lack the bitterness and evil that one sometimes encounters in both stories and real life. Instead, the focus is on kindness and goodness of children and love of family, which really makes it a heart-warming story to read to your little ones. It's a must on every kid's book shelf.
Original Title: Heidi's Lehr- und Wanderjahre & Heidi kann brauchen, was es gelernt hat
Genre: Children's book
Original publisher: Friedrich Andreas Perthes Verlag
Date first published: 1880 & 1881
Date first read: 1993/1994
Main character(s): Heidi (an orphaned girl living in the Swiss alps with her grandpa), Ziegenpeter (Peter, a boy goatherd and Heidi's friend), Alpöhi (Heidi's grandpa, her dad's father), Dete (Heidi's aunt, her mom's sister) Klara Sesemann (a young girl in a wheelchair, whom Heidi befriends upon moving to the city), Herr Sesemann (Klara's dad), Frau Sesemann (Klara's grandma, her dad's mother) Fräulein Rottenmeier (the Sesemann's strict housekeeper)
Favorite quote: N/A
Synopsis: *SPOILERS*
Adelheid, called Heidi by everyone, is an orphaned girl, initially raised by her aunt Dete, her mother's sister, after her parents death. When Dete takes on a new job in a different city, she temporarily takes Heidi to live with her grandfather from the other side of the family. Alpöhi is a grouchy old man, who dislikes being among people, especially around "good society" folks, which is why he has moved back to a small house in the Alps, far away from civilization. Initially reluctant to take Heidi in, he slowly warms up to her thanks to her good-hearted and warm nature.
However, just as Heidi has truly been getting used to life in the alps, including making friends with Peter, a goatherd roughly her age, Dete comes to pick her up again, having secured for Heidi a life with a wealthy family in Frankfurt, who will provide her with housing and an education in exchange for Heidi being a companion to the wheelchair bound child in the family, Klara. Klara and Heidi quickly become fast friends, and both the father of Klara, Herr Seseman, and even more so her grandmother take on to Heidi. The latter teaches Heidi how to read and write, which brings Heidi immense happiness. The only one with whom Heidi does not get along so great is the strict housekeeper, Fräulein Rottenmeier, who has been taking care of the Sesemann household since Klara's mother died.
Despite enjoying her time with Klara, Heidi does become homesick and worries about her grandpa being alone. Her worries go so far, that she starts sleepwalking, at which point the family doctor recommends that Heidi return home to the Alps. Heidi returns happily to the Alps, and even gets her grumpy grandpa to be a bit more social, getting him to return to the village church. In the mean time, she keeps writing letters to Klara, and after the doctor visits Heidi, he recommends to the Sesemann family that Klara spend the summer in the Alps, as it would be good for health. Klara promptly arrives and the fresh air and food indeed help her get stronger, which makes everyone happy.
Only Peter is unhappy, being jealous of her and Heidi's friendship and fearing that Heidi will no longer be his friend now that she has Klara. In a fit of jealousy, he destroys Klara's wheelchair, which initially makes Klara despondent, but which turns out to be a good thing. Without her wheelchair, Klara is forced to attempt learning to walk again, which little by little she does with the help of the others, Heidi, Alpöhi, and even a remorseful Peter. By the time her father and grandmother come to pick her up, she can walk completely, which makes the Sesemann family promise to take care of Heidi once her grandpa becomes unable to do so.
Review:
Heidi is an old classic. It was originally subtitled as a "story for children and those who love them," and it truly is meant for such people. It's a story of friendship and optimism, of some adventure and overcoming obstacles - and most of all it has a wonderful series of characters, who lack the bitterness and evil that one sometimes encounters in both stories and real life. Instead, the focus is on kindness and goodness of children and love of family, which really makes it a heart-warming story to read to your little ones. It's a must on every kid's book shelf.
Monday, January 22, 2018
Hotzenplotz 3
Author: Otfried Preußler
Original Title: Hotzenplotz 3
Genre: Children's book
Original publisher: Thienemann Verlag
Date first published: 1969
Date first read: 1993/1994
Main character(s): Der Räuber Hotzenplotz (a robber), Kasperl (a clown figure from children's puppet shows), Seppel (his best friend), Großmutter (Kasperl's grandma), Alois Dimpfelmoser (the village policeman), Petrosilius Zwackelmann (the local evil wizard), Widow Schlotterbeck (a fortune teller who dabbles in magic), Wasti (her pet dachshund, whom she accidentally transformed into a pet crocodile)
Favorite quote: N/A
Synopsis:
The dreaded Robber Hotzenploz finally has enough - he doesn't want to be a robber anymore; he wants to lead an honest life. But no one believes him; he is the dreaded Robber Hotzenplotz after all. When Kasperl and Seppel go out to the robber's den to watch him and prevent any crimes on his part, they realize that he has indeed turned a new leaf as he is intent to dispose of all his guns and gun powder. Having helped him out to do so, he attempts to return the favor by walking them safely back to town. However, on the outskirts, there is a new wanted poster of Hotzenplotz: he is wanted for stealing Widow Schlotterbeck's crystal ball. Knowing that he is innocent, Kasperl and Seppel go to solve the case and help Hotzenplotz out.
Review:
The last of the trilogy. It has a nice twist for kids, Hotzenplotz becoming a good guy, although no one believes him in the beginning. I remember that I didn't either at first. Preußler really set things up well to keep a kid reading.
Prequels: Der Räuber Hotzenplotz; Neues vom Räuber Hotzenplotz
Original Title: Hotzenplotz 3
Genre: Children's book
Original publisher: Thienemann Verlag
Date first published: 1969
Date first read: 1993/1994
Main character(s): Der Räuber Hotzenplotz (a robber), Kasperl (a clown figure from children's puppet shows), Seppel (his best friend), Großmutter (Kasperl's grandma), Alois Dimpfelmoser (the village policeman), Petrosilius Zwackelmann (the local evil wizard), Widow Schlotterbeck (a fortune teller who dabbles in magic), Wasti (her pet dachshund, whom she accidentally transformed into a pet crocodile)
Favorite quote: N/A
Synopsis:
The dreaded Robber Hotzenploz finally has enough - he doesn't want to be a robber anymore; he wants to lead an honest life. But no one believes him; he is the dreaded Robber Hotzenplotz after all. When Kasperl and Seppel go out to the robber's den to watch him and prevent any crimes on his part, they realize that he has indeed turned a new leaf as he is intent to dispose of all his guns and gun powder. Having helped him out to do so, he attempts to return the favor by walking them safely back to town. However, on the outskirts, there is a new wanted poster of Hotzenplotz: he is wanted for stealing Widow Schlotterbeck's crystal ball. Knowing that he is innocent, Kasperl and Seppel go to solve the case and help Hotzenplotz out.
Review:
The last of the trilogy. It has a nice twist for kids, Hotzenplotz becoming a good guy, although no one believes him in the beginning. I remember that I didn't either at first. Preußler really set things up well to keep a kid reading.
Prequels: Der Räuber Hotzenplotz; Neues vom Räuber Hotzenplotz
Neues vom Räuber Hotzenplotz (News of Robber Hotzenplotz)
Author: Otfried Preußler
Original Title: Neues vom Räuber Hotzenplotz
Genre: Children's book
Original publisher: Thienemann Verlag
Date first published: 1973
Date first read: 1993/1994
Main character(s): Der Räuber Hotzenplotz (a robber), Kasperl (a clown figure from children's puppet shows), Seppel (his best friend), Großmutter (Kasperl's grandma), Alois Dimpfelmoser (the village policeman), Petrosilius Zwackelmann (the local evil wizard), Widow Schlotterbeck (a fortune teller who dabbles in magic), Wasti (her pet dachshund, whom she accidentally transformed into a pet crocodile)
Favorite quote: N/A
Synopsis:
After the adventures in the first book, the dreaded Robber Hotzenplotz has been captured and is now safely behind bars. But he is a tricky one, and pretending to have appendicitis, he escapes, taking with him Dimpfelmoser's police uniform, while leaving him gagged and bound in his cell. This is not good, as without his uniform and with his voice distorted, Kasperl and Seppel don't recognize him and don't realize the danger they're in. When Hotzenplotz kidnaps Großmutter, the friends will have to figure out again how to outwit him, though this time with the help of Dimpfelmoser and Wasti, the Widow Schlotterbeck's pet.
Review:
Like the first book, this one was quite a fun read. It was especially fun reading it back to back - I am so glad I got all the books in a collection.
Prequels: Der Räuber Hotzenplotz
Sequels: Hotzenplotz 3
Original Title: Neues vom Räuber Hotzenplotz
Genre: Children's book
Original publisher: Thienemann Verlag
Date first published: 1973
Date first read: 1993/1994
Main character(s): Der Räuber Hotzenplotz (a robber), Kasperl (a clown figure from children's puppet shows), Seppel (his best friend), Großmutter (Kasperl's grandma), Alois Dimpfelmoser (the village policeman), Petrosilius Zwackelmann (the local evil wizard), Widow Schlotterbeck (a fortune teller who dabbles in magic), Wasti (her pet dachshund, whom she accidentally transformed into a pet crocodile)
Favorite quote: N/A
Synopsis:
After the adventures in the first book, the dreaded Robber Hotzenplotz has been captured and is now safely behind bars. But he is a tricky one, and pretending to have appendicitis, he escapes, taking with him Dimpfelmoser's police uniform, while leaving him gagged and bound in his cell. This is not good, as without his uniform and with his voice distorted, Kasperl and Seppel don't recognize him and don't realize the danger they're in. When Hotzenplotz kidnaps Großmutter, the friends will have to figure out again how to outwit him, though this time with the help of Dimpfelmoser and Wasti, the Widow Schlotterbeck's pet.
Review:
Like the first book, this one was quite a fun read. It was especially fun reading it back to back - I am so glad I got all the books in a collection.
Prequels: Der Räuber Hotzenplotz
Sequels: Hotzenplotz 3
Gullivers Reisen (Gulliver's Travels)
Author: Jonathan Swift
Original Title: Gulliver's Travels, or: Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. In Four Parts. By Lemuel Gulliver, First a Surgeon, and then a Captain of Several Ships,
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Satire
Original publisher: Benjamin Motte
Date first published: 28. October 1726
Date first read: 1993/1994
Main character(s): Lemuel Gulliver (a doctor and traveler, among other things), the Lilliputians (a tiny people), the giants of Brobdingnag, and the inhabitants of Laputa (a flying island, whose people are devoted to various arts and sciences), Balnibarbi (a kingdom ruled by Laputa), Luggnagg (a land whose inhabitants are immortal), Glubbdubdrib (a land where ghosts of famous people live), Houyhnhnms (a race of talking horses), and Japan
Favorite quote: N/A
Synopsis: *SPOILERS*
The book is divided into four parts, which is meant to represent four adventurous voyages of Lemuel Gulliver. Having grown up in England and studied medicine in The Netherlands, Gulliver decided to travel the world in his younger years. During one such trip, he winds up shipwrecked and lands on the shores of Lilliput, an island nation where the people are tiny. Initially afraid of him due to his size, they change their minds when they realize they can defeat their 'hated' neighbors from Blefuscu. While he does help them destroy Blefuscu's fleet, he refuses to completely destroy their city, so the Lilliputians charge him with treason. Luckily he escapes with the help of a friend from the Lilliputian court to Blefuscu, where he finds a boat with which he flees the island.
Not long after, Gulliver sets out again on a new adventure (literally, as the ship's name is The Adventure), but during a storm gets blown off course and winds up in Brobdingnag, a land where things are gigantic, including its inhabitants. A local farmer finds Gulliver and takes him home. The 'tiny' man soon becomes a sensation in Brobdingnag, and the Queen takes him in at court, together with the farmer's daughter Glumdalclitch who becomes his caretaker. She also makes him a 'traveling box', a house made to fit his size, so that he can easily be carried around. Unfortunately, one of the country's giant eagles seizes the box one day, dropping it far off into the sea, where he is eventually fished out by sailors who return him home.
Gulliver's next adventure is not long in coming, and it is the most turbulent. After his ship is attacked by pirates, he is rescued from being marooned on an island by the flying kingdom of Laputa, where people study sciences, but find no practical purpose for it. He also visits Glubbdubdrib, a nearby island to one of the outposts of Laputa's kingdom found on the ground, where he has conversations of ghosts of famous historical figures, and the island of Luggnagg, where whose people are immortal, before finally getting to Japan from where he travels home.
Although determined to stay home after his last adventure, Gulliver nevertheless embarks on another voyage, having been bored of his job as a doctor. This time it is not nature but mankind that makes him stranded in strange lands, namely his crew which mutinies and leaves him behind on the island of the Houyhnhnms, a race of talking horses. The island is also populated with Yahoos, human-like creatures that only have the semblance of reason, whom Gulliver eventually realizes are not different from general society back home in a sense. When the Houyhnhnms decide that Gulliver can't stay with them, he returns home, but feeling that the rest of society is full of Yahoos, he becomes a recluse avoiding other people, including his family.
Review:
Gulliver's Travels was one of Swift's most famous works and is an English literature classic. Swift intended the book as a satire and critique of 'modern' society. The experiences Gulliver has in Laputa, for example, are a critique of the Royal Society of Sciences, whom Swift saw as producing no useable knowledge. Similarly, the constant shipwrecks Gulliver endures are a direct opposition to Dafoe and his work Robinson Crusoe, whose major theme is human resilience. The ending, Gulliver's separation from society is a contrast to the Hobbesian view that individuals are more important to society than the other way around. All in all, the entire book is one criticism after another, which was apparently Swift's aim generally in his works. But whatever he intended, what I got, having reading it at a young age, was the adventure. It was probably one of the many influences that would get me interested in adventure novels in the future.
Original Title: Gulliver's Travels, or: Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. In Four Parts. By Lemuel Gulliver, First a Surgeon, and then a Captain of Several Ships,
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Satire
Original publisher: Benjamin Motte
Date first published: 28. October 1726
Date first read: 1993/1994
Main character(s): Lemuel Gulliver (a doctor and traveler, among other things), the Lilliputians (a tiny people), the giants of Brobdingnag, and the inhabitants of Laputa (a flying island, whose people are devoted to various arts and sciences), Balnibarbi (a kingdom ruled by Laputa), Luggnagg (a land whose inhabitants are immortal), Glubbdubdrib (a land where ghosts of famous people live), Houyhnhnms (a race of talking horses), and Japan
Favorite quote: N/A
Synopsis: *SPOILERS*
The book is divided into four parts, which is meant to represent four adventurous voyages of Lemuel Gulliver. Having grown up in England and studied medicine in The Netherlands, Gulliver decided to travel the world in his younger years. During one such trip, he winds up shipwrecked and lands on the shores of Lilliput, an island nation where the people are tiny. Initially afraid of him due to his size, they change their minds when they realize they can defeat their 'hated' neighbors from Blefuscu. While he does help them destroy Blefuscu's fleet, he refuses to completely destroy their city, so the Lilliputians charge him with treason. Luckily he escapes with the help of a friend from the Lilliputian court to Blefuscu, where he finds a boat with which he flees the island.
Not long after, Gulliver sets out again on a new adventure (literally, as the ship's name is The Adventure), but during a storm gets blown off course and winds up in Brobdingnag, a land where things are gigantic, including its inhabitants. A local farmer finds Gulliver and takes him home. The 'tiny' man soon becomes a sensation in Brobdingnag, and the Queen takes him in at court, together with the farmer's daughter Glumdalclitch who becomes his caretaker. She also makes him a 'traveling box', a house made to fit his size, so that he can easily be carried around. Unfortunately, one of the country's giant eagles seizes the box one day, dropping it far off into the sea, where he is eventually fished out by sailors who return him home.
Gulliver's next adventure is not long in coming, and it is the most turbulent. After his ship is attacked by pirates, he is rescued from being marooned on an island by the flying kingdom of Laputa, where people study sciences, but find no practical purpose for it. He also visits Glubbdubdrib, a nearby island to one of the outposts of Laputa's kingdom found on the ground, where he has conversations of ghosts of famous historical figures, and the island of Luggnagg, where whose people are immortal, before finally getting to Japan from where he travels home.
Although determined to stay home after his last adventure, Gulliver nevertheless embarks on another voyage, having been bored of his job as a doctor. This time it is not nature but mankind that makes him stranded in strange lands, namely his crew which mutinies and leaves him behind on the island of the Houyhnhnms, a race of talking horses. The island is also populated with Yahoos, human-like creatures that only have the semblance of reason, whom Gulliver eventually realizes are not different from general society back home in a sense. When the Houyhnhnms decide that Gulliver can't stay with them, he returns home, but feeling that the rest of society is full of Yahoos, he becomes a recluse avoiding other people, including his family.
Review:
Gulliver's Travels was one of Swift's most famous works and is an English literature classic. Swift intended the book as a satire and critique of 'modern' society. The experiences Gulliver has in Laputa, for example, are a critique of the Royal Society of Sciences, whom Swift saw as producing no useable knowledge. Similarly, the constant shipwrecks Gulliver endures are a direct opposition to Dafoe and his work Robinson Crusoe, whose major theme is human resilience. The ending, Gulliver's separation from society is a contrast to the Hobbesian view that individuals are more important to society than the other way around. All in all, the entire book is one criticism after another, which was apparently Swift's aim generally in his works. But whatever he intended, what I got, having reading it at a young age, was the adventure. It was probably one of the many influences that would get me interested in adventure novels in the future.
Der Räuber Hotzenplotz (The Robber Hotzenplotz)
Author: Otfried Preußler
Original Title: Der Räuber Hotzenplotz
Genre: Children's book
Original publisher: Thienemann Verlag
Date first published: 1962
Date first read: 1993/1994
Main character(s): Der Räuber Hotzenplotz (a robber), Kasperl (a clown figure from children's puppet shows), Seppel (his best friend), Großmutter (Kasperl's grandma), Alois Dimpfelmoser (the village policeman), Petrosilius Zwackelmann (the local evil wizard)
Favorite quote: N/A
Synopsis:
The dreaded Robber Hotzenplotz is out and about, and of all the things he was to steal, it had to be Großmutter's coffee grinder. Not only was it a present from Kasperl and Seppel, but it also sings her favorite song when in use. As the village policeman is not very good at his job, Kasperl and Seppel take it upon themselves to get the coffee grinder back. Unfortunately, they wind up prisoners of the robber, and while Hotzenplotz forces Seppel to clean his clothes, he sells Kasperl to Petrosilius Zwackelmann, an evil wizard who lives in a cursed castle. How will Kasperl and Seppel get out of that predicament???
Review:
Honestly, all the Hotzenplotz stories (including the two sequels below) were such a fun read as a kid. I can't even call how I got them in the first place - it must've been a present from someone. Preußler invented the stories based on traditional German puppet show characters (akin to Judy and Punch shows in the UK, for example). In most puppet shows Kasperl is a smart clown, who pretends to be dumb or does things stupidly to get out of trouble. Aside from Seppel, his best friend, the characters normally don't have names. Preußler invented them to make the story flow, and boy was that a good idea.
Sequels: Neues vom Räuber Hotzenplotz; Hotzenplotz 3
Original Title: Der Räuber Hotzenplotz
Genre: Children's book
Original publisher: Thienemann Verlag
Date first published: 1962
Date first read: 1993/1994
Main character(s): Der Räuber Hotzenplotz (a robber), Kasperl (a clown figure from children's puppet shows), Seppel (his best friend), Großmutter (Kasperl's grandma), Alois Dimpfelmoser (the village policeman), Petrosilius Zwackelmann (the local evil wizard)
Favorite quote: N/A
Synopsis:
The dreaded Robber Hotzenplotz is out and about, and of all the things he was to steal, it had to be Großmutter's coffee grinder. Not only was it a present from Kasperl and Seppel, but it also sings her favorite song when in use. As the village policeman is not very good at his job, Kasperl and Seppel take it upon themselves to get the coffee grinder back. Unfortunately, they wind up prisoners of the robber, and while Hotzenplotz forces Seppel to clean his clothes, he sells Kasperl to Petrosilius Zwackelmann, an evil wizard who lives in a cursed castle. How will Kasperl and Seppel get out of that predicament???
Review:
Honestly, all the Hotzenplotz stories (including the two sequels below) were such a fun read as a kid. I can't even call how I got them in the first place - it must've been a present from someone. Preußler invented the stories based on traditional German puppet show characters (akin to Judy and Punch shows in the UK, for example). In most puppet shows Kasperl is a smart clown, who pretends to be dumb or does things stupidly to get out of trouble. Aside from Seppel, his best friend, the characters normally don't have names. Preußler invented them to make the story flow, and boy was that a good idea.
Sequels: Neues vom Räuber Hotzenplotz; Hotzenplotz 3
Das kleine Gespenst (The Little Ghost)
Author: Otfried Preußler
Original Title: Das kleine Gespenst
Genre: Children's book
Original publisher: Thienemann Verlag
Date first published: 1966
Date first read: ca. early 1993
Main character(s): Das kleine Gespenst (the little ghost), Uhu Schuhu (an owl and the little ghost's best friend), General Torsten Torstenson, Herbert, Jutta & Günther (children of the town's pharmacist who help the little ghost)
Favorite quote: N/A
Synopsis:
The Little Ghost lives in the castle Eulenstein. It's a really friendly ghost, whose best friend is a smart owl named Schuhu. Its biggest dream is to see the castle and the surrounding town by daylight, but it can just never stay up long enough till sun-rise. Then, one day, the town's clock strikes midnight during midday by mistake, and the Little Ghost does wake up during day time. Unfortunately, it gets hit by the sun's rays and turns black, which causes quite some problems, as the town people now fear the "Black Unknown", which according to the townspeople has been 'wreaking havoc' all over town. Lost in the town's underground, it will need to rely on its old and new friends, the three children of the town's pharmacist, to fix things and find its way home.
Review:
This is another classic by Otfried Preußler. It is such a fun read for early readers and it teaches some valuable lessons, such as being careful what you wish for and that friendship is truly the most important thing in the world. I absolutely loved it, even more than The Little Witch.
Original Title: Das kleine Gespenst
Genre: Children's book
Original publisher: Thienemann Verlag
Date first published: 1966
Date first read: ca. early 1993
Main character(s): Das kleine Gespenst (the little ghost), Uhu Schuhu (an owl and the little ghost's best friend), General Torsten Torstenson, Herbert, Jutta & Günther (children of the town's pharmacist who help the little ghost)
Favorite quote: N/A
Synopsis:
The Little Ghost lives in the castle Eulenstein. It's a really friendly ghost, whose best friend is a smart owl named Schuhu. Its biggest dream is to see the castle and the surrounding town by daylight, but it can just never stay up long enough till sun-rise. Then, one day, the town's clock strikes midnight during midday by mistake, and the Little Ghost does wake up during day time. Unfortunately, it gets hit by the sun's rays and turns black, which causes quite some problems, as the town people now fear the "Black Unknown", which according to the townspeople has been 'wreaking havoc' all over town. Lost in the town's underground, it will need to rely on its old and new friends, the three children of the town's pharmacist, to fix things and find its way home.
Review:
This is another classic by Otfried Preußler. It is such a fun read for early readers and it teaches some valuable lessons, such as being careful what you wish for and that friendship is truly the most important thing in the world. I absolutely loved it, even more than The Little Witch.
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