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Book reviews for "Knight,_Hilary" sorted by average review score:

The Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle Treasury
Published in Hardcover by Harpercollins Juvenile Books (1995)
Authors: Betty Bard MacDonald and Hilary Knight
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Wonderful, almost complete collection
I loved reading the Mrs. Piggle Wiggle books as a child, and I loved reading "Mrs. Piggle Wiggle", "Mrs. Piggle Wiggle's Magic", and "Hello, Mrs. Piggle Wiggle" again in this wonderful collection. The only problem is that "Mrs. Piggle Wiggle's Farm" is not included.

Roma Parekh
This is a great collection of all the Mrs. Piggle - Wiggle books. This is such a cute book. I remember reading these books when I was little and am very happy to be reading the treasury


Cinderella
Published in Library Binding by Random Library (25 September, 2001)
Author: Hilary Knight
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Cinderella
Everybody is familiar with the fairy tale "Cinderella", and there are literally dozens upon dozens of different editions out there. What attracted me to this particular version was the fact it was written and illustrated by Hilary Knight---who I recognized as the illustrator of the "Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle" books by Betty McDonald. Many things make this book stand out: first of all our prince is not the typical tall, dark and handsome type but rather short, round and freckle-faced and our fairy godmother is a little blue sprite. The drawings are very lovely and my favorite picture is the one where Cinderella stares longingly at the invitation to the royal ball on the table while in the background her wicked stepsisters fight over clothing. I especially like the way Mr. Knight makes the stepsisters look spoiled and mean, but at the same time rather comical---their facial expressions are great! However, my one criticism of the book is that the ending is too simplified and a bit unrealistic, which is why I rated it three stars.

Fresh and Enchanting.....
We've all heard the Cinderella story many, many times...the mean stepmother, the ugly stepsisters, a kind fairy godmother who works her magic so that Cinderella can go to the ball, and of course, the handsome prince. Hilary Knight has taken this old fairy tale and given it a gentler, fresh and engaging new life. His simple and easy to read text is delightfully entertaining. But it's Mr Knight's marvelous illustrations that really make this picture book stand out. His expressive artwork, in warm and lovely subdued tones, is enchanting and filled with charming and humorous detail. Together, word and art transport children to a magical once-upon-a-time place. Perfect for youngsters 4 and older, Hilary Knight's Cinderella is a wonderful read aloud story the entire family can share, and is sure to bring happily-ever-after dreams to all your little ones.

Gorgeous drawings pair with a simplified story line
Hilary Knight's beautiful and warm drawings are the feature here, bringing the timeless story of Cinderella to life. The gorgeous drawings pair with a simplified story line which will appeal to young picturebook audiences.


Eloise in Moscow
Published in Hardcover by Simon & Schuster (Juv) (1900)
Authors: Kay Thompson and Hilary Knight
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Not so bad at all
"Eloise in Moscow," the fourth and final book of the Eloise series, is also the weakest. However, it is still a lot of fun.

I take the book as being a spoof of the cold war spy movies and sterotypes of Soviet Moscow. While Eloise does comment sardonically on certain aspects of life in the USSR, she also speaks Russian and has a great time exploring Moscow's rich cultural life. Hillary Knight's drawings of the Kremlin, Moscow subway and other landmarks are meticulous and respectful.

There is, of course, Eloise's sardonic humor sprinkled throughout the book

Good Old Fantastic Eloise in Moscow
I am so glad this book has come back into print. This was the only Eloise book I read as a kid; my mom got it at a discard sale from the public library in the late 70s, where they were getting rid of it because of its (no longer politically correct) cold war sentiments. That being said, I adored the book. As a four year-old, I had no idea of the political implications of the book. All I knew was that I wanted to be just like Eloise, and Moscow seemed like the most glamourous, exciting place I had ever heard of. Eloise's adventures in Moscow are hilarious and engaging; the illustrations are terrific with a wonderful attention to detail. The story and artwork combine to give a really vivid impression of 1950s Moscow, and I have to say even as an adult, I still wish I could visit there. Of course as an adult you get a whole different story from the book, it's an interesting commentary on American views of Russia during the cold war. Also, the guy that shadows Eloise throughout her trip and appears on each page can make a fun "Where's Waldo"-type game for kids reading (or being read to from) this book. One of my absolute favorites from childhood.

Lite history of the Cold War
My girls and I love the Eloise series, this one included. The age group to understand this book is a bit older than the others, say 11 or 12. All the cold war references led to interesting discussions of the cold war and the failure of Communism.

On the light side this book reads very well out loud. It helps if you have a deep voice to say as the intra tourist guide "IS POSSIBLE TO SEE BOOK REVIEWS HERE." "IS NOT POSSIBLE TO HOLD BOOKS, BOOKS ARE SENT AFTER BOUGHT" (While not a quote from the book, it reads like it.)

The book's view of the world does feel dated. It's like reading a Cowboys vs Indian's book and having to explain that perhaps not all is as it appears. Russia is not what it was, but it's not the west yet.

The quality of the paper and the binding are excellent, it feels like it will last for multiple reading. There is a nice foldout of the Kremlin. Like all the Eloise books, the drawings are inked in one color, this one uses yellow to great effect. The paper jacket is an exact copy of the hard cover underneath which is great as the text on it is wonderful.

If you like the other Eloise books, you'll like this one.


Eloise: The Ultimate Edition
Published in School & Library Binding by Simon & Schuster (Juv) (2000)
Authors: Hilary Knight and Kay Thompson
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What am I missing?
A spoiled brat lives in a fancy hotel in New York: that's kind of what this series boils down to for me.

I read to my kids a lot, and this is the one series that I completely don't get: I don't see why it's funny or touching or...anything. Neither do my kids.

Her language can be quite fun and ingenious, but holy cow...I don't understand all the fuss.

Finally A Treasury
This is definitely one of the best treasuries I have ever bought. Eloise is such a fun and adorable character. I don't know who couldn't like her.

This treasury contains Eloise in Moscow, Eloise, Eloise in Paris, and Eloise at Christmastime. Not only that, there's a special scrapbook all about the author Kay Thompson featuring pictures and info about the author of this beloved character.

This is a must have book for the holidays, or anytime. So pick up a copy, and charge it please.

It's about time we had all 4 at once
A few years ago, I was waiting with baited breath for all the Eloise books to be reprinted. It just could not happen fast enough for me. Finally, all 4 were out, and I was happy. Then they came out with this book that collects all four books in one volume for the first time, and I bought this too. Why did I buy this? Well, for one thing, the new Hilary Knight cover is rather fabulous. I am all for new Knight artwork whenever it appears, and this cover was obviously not dashed out but carefully drawn, and it shows. This is definitely worth having for the Eloise fan.


Side by Side
Published in School & Library Binding by Simon & Schuster (Juv) (1988)
Authors: Lee Bennett Hopkins and Hilary Knight
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Great poems for Kidz!
Kidz will love this great anthology of wonderful poems. I grew up on poetry, and I know that my kidz will too. Thank you, Lee Bennett Hopkins!

"Read it AGAIN!"....Mother Goose and Pals Delight All Ages!.
This review refers to the Hardcover edition of "Side by Side,Poems To Read Together".....

Lee Bennett Hopkins has put together a delightful collection of ageless poems and stories, for you to rediscover with your children or grandchildren. You will also find newer works that are sure to become classics some day.

Cuddle up with Mother Goose's "Wee Willie Winkie", Celebrate the arrival of Spring with Langston Hughes' "April Rain Song" or R.L. Stevenson's "Rain".Sing aloud with the kids to "Over the River and Through The Wood" by Lydia Maria Child,and have Clement Clarke Moore's "A Visit From St. Nicholas" ready to read aloud on Christmas Eve.

The poems are cleverly grouped by subjects, In the different Seasons of the year,there's "Spring Again" by Karla Kuskin, a delightful little ditty of being able to play without mittens,and "The Pickety Fence" by David Mc Cord, where you can almost hear a litle boy clicking along a fence with a stick.In summer enjoy "Munching Peaches" by Lee Bennett Hopkins.There are poems for playtime,worktime, and learning time,remember the "ABC Song"?(Anonymous). You'll find lots of animal ditties like "I Went To the Animal Fair"(Anonymous), counting rhymes, old favorites like "The Walrus and The Carpenter" by Lewis Carroll,songs for all Holidays,including "Hannukkah Candles" by Margaret Hiller and even "Prayer"(Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep...) for bedtime.

I wish I could name all the wonderful poems to be found here that will delight both you and your children(you may even continue reading it long after the kids have fallen asleep). There are over 70 pages of poems and songs in this beautiful book. The illustrations by Hilary Knight are marvelous and capture the essence of each and every poem. In "Poor Old Lady"(Anonymous), you know the one, she swallowed a fly, a bird, a dog, etc.....You can see the look in all the animals faces as they may think they might be Next!

The book also includes an index where you can look up your favorites alphabetically, By Author or by First Lines. There is also a nice introduction.

Have fun with this wonderful introduction to poetry that should be passed down from generation to generation, or keep it to read to your grandkids after the kids have grown.And Try not to get caught reading it by yourself!!!........Laurie


The Omelette Book
Published in Hardcover by David R Godine (1990)
Authors: Narcissa G. Chamberlain and Hilary Knight
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A fine book, but not for novices
This book is mainly a (large) collection of omelette recipes. I was hoping it would go into detail about exactly how to make an omelette, what kind of equipment to use. But it only has 2 pages that briefly touch on how to make one.

Bottom line is, if you're still trying to learn how to make the perfect omelette, look elsewhere.


Eloise Takes A Bawth
Published in School & Library Binding by Simon & Schuster (Juv) (22 October, 2002)
Authors: Hilary Knight, Kay Thompson, and Mart Crowley
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The final Eloise story completely misses the boat.
Americans have the mistaken belief that stories _about_ children are necessarily _for_ children. This was good for Kaye Thompson, though, because the "Eloise" books were most-often bought by adults for children.

But they're hardly kiddy-lit. A sophisticated child might appreciate Eloise (I did), but for the average child, Eloise is little more than a bad role model.

She's spoiled, self-absorbed, bratty -- and gets away with it, because she knows what most children don't realize until they've become parents: the most-important thing you can do as a child is to disrupt the adult world. It doesn't matter that you're punished for it, if you've inflicted pain and confusion on grown-ups.

Eloise is _not_ the child hiding in every adult, but rather the child many adults wish they had been - doing whatever they like, then secretly snickering, because they know their parents aren't going to enact any _meaningful_ retribution. Unlike most children, Eloise isn't sufficiently intimidated by adults to be worried about the consequences of her acts.

I've been an Eloise fan "forever," so I eagerly anticipated "Eloise Takes a Bawth." Alas, it doesn't come close to the "originals." Once you know the hotel is throwing a grand Venetian ball, the title's import becomes all too clear. The book slogs its wholly predictable way to a completely foreseeable ending. Eloise might be full of surprises, but this story isn't.

The preceding books were about _attitude_, not _plot_. "Eloise Takes a Bawth" is almost all plot, and a poor one at that. Is it any wonder that Kaye Thompson suppressed it? It's a shame her family and publisher didn't respect her judgement.

Eloise "completists" will want "Eloise Takes a Bawth" for their collection, but they are warned -- ...

Who says bawths can' be fun?
About a little girl(Eloise), who is forced into taking a bath, in order to be clean for the Grand Ball. She spends a lot of time in the bawth, pretending to be a boat racer, a skier, and a surfer. She keeps filling the water up, and ends up flooding the whole bathroom. Her room happend to be just above the Ball room. Everyone at the ball is wondering how water is getting all over the place. They all think that one of the hotel's pipes has sprung a leak. Her father, one of the people who are important at the ball, comes up to her room to get her, and realizes she was causing all the water to be in the ball room. First she is in trouble, but then her father looks at what has happend to the Ball Room. It is a pretty good story with an ironic ending.

Funny!
I have been read Eloise since I was five years old and she never gets boring. This book is an excellent edition to the continious saga of Eloise. How can you do anything but love this precocious little girl? This is a great book for children, and adults will love it to.


A Dog Is Listening: The Way Some of Our Closest Friends View Us
Published in Hardcover by Galahad Books (1999)
Authors: Roger A. Caras and Hilary Knight
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Disappointed!
First of all, the title is deceiving. "...The Way Some of Our Closest Friends View Us" was what attracted me to the book. Unfortunately, I found very little information about the way my dogs might view me. Caras covers more than just the "sight" sense. This book was a bit too academic and historical for my tastes. I wished there were more anecdotes and/or behavioral information. The pictures and photos were randomly scattered around and many of them didn't have captions.

While the history of dogs/wolves is interesting, it's not what I paid for.

Love him, love his dogs.
There are dozens of reasons to recommend this book. It is full of insight and anecdotes about those loveable, canine companions. But the best reason to read this book is that on every page it is obvious that Roger Caras loves his dogs. If you own a dog, and why would you read this book if you didn't, then you know how he feels, and in these pages you have found a kindred spirit who can echo your sighs and your gushing 'awes' at the antics of our furry friends. Read this book to learn about dogs, their habits, their senses, their remarkable abilities.. Savor this book for its warmth and emotion, and keep your dog handy, you'll need to hug him at least once a chapter

One of the sweetest books on dogs ever.
I confess. I'm a dogaholic. I may only have one in my home,, but in my heart there are thousands. As many as need homes. Clearly Roger Caras is just that way, too. His "gosh, golly, gee whiz" sense of wonder and humor (sometimes mixed together), fit perfect with the way he tells his "tails". Some of the stories are nothing short of amazing as witness in particular the story of Sheba who alerts her owner to her on-coming seizures. How? It doesn't matter. What matters is that she does. A truly remarkable story in a truly remarkable book.


Happy Birthday
Published in Hardcover by Simon & Schuster (Juv) (1993)
Authors: Lee Bennett Hopkins and Hilary Knight
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Illustrations mar the collection!
This otherwise fine collection is marred by Knight's illustrations of a child playing Indian! In the party scene, children wear hats, including a feathered headband. Now, anyone can CHOOSE to be a pirate, or a sailor, or one can BECOME a prince or princess. But, one cannot CHOOSE to be a Native American, nor can they BECOME one simply by putting on a feathered headband. Teachers and parents interested in social justice can point this out to children if they choose to buy the book. Consider the parallel: if you are going to allow children to "be" a Native American, then it is only fair to allow them to "be" a Jew or an African American, or Asian American, or Latino/a American. We readily acknowledge that it would be inappropriate to dress up in blackface, etc. The same acknowledgement and respect is due Native Americans.

A wonderful addition to my poetry library!
This is a wonderful celebration of a child's most momentous occasion, their birthday! As a teacher, I use this book to spend a few moments on each child's birthday to share a fun poem! The children love to read these on their own after I've shared them orally. Another favorite title to show children how important they are is On the Day You Were Born.


The Algonquin Cat
Published in Paperback by Citadel Pr (2001)
Authors: Val Schaffner and Hilary Knight
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