I think this is the best of the Eloise books. I read it as a child and still remember the picture of her walking down the street using baguettes as skis. What a coquine! I think the more French you know the funnier the book is--partly because many pages have a hilarious hash of French and English words. My 7-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter also loved it, although they might just have picked up on my mood. I just couldn't stop laughing. I'm not sure whether Kay Thompson's text or Hilary Knight's illustrations are the best part. A real romp through the streets of Paris.

A fantastic visit to the most superb city in the world, conducted by the world's most superb six year old! You simply must read this book, as all the other Eloise books, perfect for children and precocious adults alike.

I read Eloise when I was about 6 or 7, 32 years ago, and I have never forgot the precocious, messy, FUN little girl I met in these books. Her life in the hotel and the pranks and tricks she pulled were so delicious! She is a very warm memory of my childhood and I recently bought her books just so I could have them to read again to my children, grandchildren and hopefully, great-grand children. Okay, okay, I admit it, I wanted them for myself! : ) They are fantastic books greatly enhanced by Hilary Knight's illustrations (who also drew for the Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle series) and I recommend them to any one looking for an imaginative book to share with their child.

At last! Books the I can read to my kids (ages 9 & 10) that amuse ME as well as them, and not just because the pictures are great! Even the 2 year old enjoys Eloise, and who wouldn't?

I cannot BELIEVE that my mother didn't introduce me to the joys of Eloise when I was a child, but perhaps it's best this way, when I am truly able to appreciate these wonderful books!

When I first looked through this book. I was captivated by the variety of people and settings. Boys and girls of different races and ethnicities, playing, learning, fighting, working, struggling, hoping. I couldn't put the book down. I had to keep looking, to see who and what would appear on the next page.

I trust anyone would have the same reaction. But don't stop there with the photographs. This is much more than a photo album. Take the time to read the captions, the authors' commentary, and most of all, the words (letters, diary entries, conversations, etc.) of the children themselves. You won't be disappointed. Rather, you may find, like I did, that the photographs become even more real, more poignant, more personal, and more moving than they did at first glance. And, once again, you won't be able to put them down.

Whatever your notions and conceptions of childhood and of United States history and policy, this book will certainly broaden your understanding, intellectually and emotionally, of both.

There always seems a new way of looking at the Farm Security Administration photos of the Depression. I've already got 'Plain Pictures of Plain Doctoring: Vernacular Expression in New Deal Medicine and Photography' (MIT 1985) and 'An American Journey: Images of Railroading During the Depression' (Hot Box Press 2000) and this excellent book is the first to show dozens of great photos of children (and teenagers).

The author's explain in the intro that at the nadir of the Depression about a quarter of the workforce were unemployed and because no child labor laws had been passed this huge number included some children, especially in agriculture. Most of the photos in this book show children in a rural setting, where it was expected that they would help their parents increase the family income.

Sixteen of the FSA photographers work is included and the author's have searched for photos that are seldom or have never been published before and this is one reason I liked the book, another is the large format landscape size. All the images have a short caption, date, photographer's name and Library of Congress negative file number. There are a couple of slightly annoying production points: the lack of page numbers, even though there is a contents page with a page number for each of the seven chapters and the ten pages of introduction are numbered but with roman numerals.

Fortunately not all the photos show hard times and despair, one chapter, called Playing, shows kids having fun, another, Living, has a 1940 Marion Post Wolcott shot of five laughing teenagers folding newspapers on a front lawn in Natchitoches, Louisiana. As you would expect though most of the rest of these sensitively taken photos do show children just having to make do in those extraordinary years.

If you collect books of FSA output or just want to see some great descriptive photos of the past 'Children of the Depression' is well worth getting.

I love Eloise!!! Eloise in Paris is my favorite Eloise book. What's really fun are those long made up words such as "zuk zuk zhwocky zuk zuk nnnn" for their Plaza telephone. With the "charming" six year old as the star, this book is about how a rich girl spends time in Paris with Nanny, Skipperdee (Turtle), Weenie (dog), and Koki (chauffeur). It's very creative; all of Kay Thompson's books are. I read the first Eloise book to a bunch of friends in my college dorm, and I only got past four or five pages because they were all saying, "C'mon, Hilary!!! That's enough!" I also went through this phase a year or so ago where I sent E-Mails saying: "The Bell Captain Knows Who I am!" which left most of my friends perplexed. I remember the response of one friend: "That's really great, but who's the Bell Captain?" It's quite odd because books can create all sorts of situations for people. The funny words or phrases can start jokes as well. One of my friends and I thought it was weird that Eloise said that paper cups were good for talking to Mars, and we sometimes say on the phone to eachother, "have you talked to Mars yet?"

From the viewpoint of a Beatnik, Eloise In Paris and all the rest of the books about her are some of the beatest kids books I've seen!

I read Eloise (at the Plaza) and Eloise in Paris - all 'very much' Kay. I loved that woman - a very good friend of my mom's. I worked with/for her when (as a teenager) I did her musical arrangements and orchestrations for her fabulous act with The Williams Brothers - which opened in Vegas and played all over the world.

She was one of a kind (you can see her in Funny Face) brilliant musical/vocal arranger herself, world traveler, racounter, incredible lady. I've bumper into her in Rome, Paris, London, New York, LA and was terribly saddened by her death (even though she was painfully painfully thin her whole life). She was one of the great women in the history of show biz. The Eloise books are thrilling to say the least and I continually laugh every time I pick one up even after I've gone through them 100 times. I'm ordering them once again as I left mine in London and MUST have them once again. Buddy Bregman

I'm 32 years old and I LOVE Eloise - she is an absolutely delightful character! I have bought several of the Eloise books for my 5 year old daughter and she just loves Eloise as well. How fun and inspiring is it for a little girl to read about a character as whimsical and independent as Eloise?

The illustrations in this book are fantastic and really bring Paris to life for children. I have read this book at least 100 times to my daughter, and each time I enjoy it more. My daughter now wants a champagne cork necklace just like Eloise...thanks Kay Thompson for laughs you have allowed my daughter and me to share!

The visual imagery in this collection is terrific, enabling readers' memory, longing, wisdom, regret, sorrow, enormous admiration (of the subjects and all that they represent)- and wonderment. The people and the settings resonate. These are important images. You might well be moved to tears. There is no shortage of emotional appeal to the viewer. One cannot be unaffected by this collection, and all that it represents.

In addition, historically important works of art (engravings and paintings) are reproduced - although unfortunately none in color. The captioning is - for a work of this scope and size, and for illustrations of such power - inconsistent and therefore disappointing, though.

Because it's published by an academic press, I expected a more careful and rigorous treatment. Books of this scope and ambition are few and far between, and one treasures the illustrations - the historic visual record - in and of itself. It's dicey to criticize a collection that has as its focus such a compelling (and neglected) subject: the history of African American women.

The subject matter is terrific - but the book is less so. One wishes that the editors had had an editor. (Why, for example, is the "b" of "black" capitalized? To my knowledge this is not conventional usage, and it detracts.)

So what happened? At times the work seems rushed. For example, three people are photographed, two are identified by name, the third called "unknown." In fact, the writer means "unidentified." Accompanying a photo of a shoeless farm worker is the caption telling one, redundantly, that she is barefoot. A number of captions identify the subject as "Unidentified woman, [location, date.]" That seems lifted directly from states' historical societies' archives. One expects more - or less - but not words that merely interfere with one's experience. One does not need to be told that a photograph is a "photograph."

Occasionally, the editors engage in assumptions regarding the illustrations that, in my view, interfere with the power of the imagery, and reduce the value of this compilation. Guessing as to the subjects' activities in a photograph by Jack Delano, they write that a woman and several children are "possibly waiting for the husband and father to get his hair cut." In fact, one cannot know, and do not need to know, what the people were doing that day. The photo is about much more than that. Another incredible photo of a woman and a girl is accompanied by more guesswork as to the relationship of the subjects (mother and daughter?). There is wordiness to many of the captions. Worst case, there is sometimes unintentional patronization: subjects are identified as "lovely young women," (p. 81) or "fashionable," "attractive" (p.4). The end result is a sense that this book was rushed, and that - despite the impressive pool of archival material from which it was assembled - some corners were cut. The editors use interesting and illuminating quotations in places - but meagerly. There is brief index of names of subjects, and names of quoted women, omitting place names and more.

I wish that the authors of this work either done more, or less. Mostly, I wish that they had more convincingly respected the ability of these powerful and important illustrations to speak clearly to the reader, and had also trusted readers to make the connections between text and visual imagery that is so satisfying and essential to the meaningful experience of organized archival material.

This book belongs in the library of every woman who desires to make an everlasting positive impact in her life, the lives of her family and community . The photos and stories captivated my friends and I, and empowered us with the knowledge that others had already travelled down roads of, similiar and worst, challenges and had come up with surprising strength, individuality and success. Thompson and Mac Austin in this book have given vast recognition to the lives of african-descended females.Their's are stories of mere strangers who existed decades upon decades ago and who are now encouraging on a new generation of 21st century women, a callaloo(mixture) of women from every branch of ethniticity , social-structure and religion. There are so many magnificent photos in this book that every reader can identify herself as at least one of these women.Their eyes and smiles, their clothing and expressions all tell a single story of a determination to create and enjoy a better life, whether on an individual or bigger scale. The spirit of this book motives us in the power that we can persevere and succeed because we are ancestorally, protector, provider, sustainer woman.I am an editor and wife and found this book a true asset in my personal and professional life. You are welcome to email me for a free copy of my minizine. I would also recommend books by Clarissa Pinkola Estes and Iyana Vanzant if you are looking to enrich your life's journey.These writers are not as "photogenic" as THE FACE OF OUR PAST.

These pictures of black women in America will touch you in many ways, and in some cases will rip your heart out. Each photograph has a story on the surface and another deep inside it, and some force you to think about them for a long time. Every person who's opened my copy of the book has looked at a few pictures and then gone "Omigod" when the right one hits home -- and it's always a different picture. The accompanying text is also thought-provoking -- quotes from women in historic and ground-breaking situations, women who have earned positions of authority, authors, and poets. Open any page and you're right back there -- with photographs of women living in slavery, with women fighting during the struggle for civil rights, with women trying to make the best of life, with women just trying to survive, with women finding joy in the midst of everything. It amazes and delights me that these two white women decided to put together such a remarkable chronicle about black women, recognizing that the history of the black woman in America is every American's history.

I first "met" Eloise when my neighbor and I were in grade school, in the mid sixties. I was in her room one day and she showed me this book about a little girl who lived in a hotel. Since it was a girl's book I was not that interested, but I remembered that it had black and white illustrations with red highlights. I also remembered that the little girl could do whatever she felt like. As I got older, I wished I had actually read the book. As a New Yorker, I felt I should know all about her. I felt culturally deprived, as if, say, I had never had a hot dog from a street vendor. Flash forward to 1999. I see the movie You've Got Mail, and I think about that book I saw years ago. Then I do some research and find out the books are being released again. I think, Finally! I can read the books now! I bought the first two, ostensibly for a Chanukah gift for my niece, but when they arrived the other day, I had to read them right away. Wow! I never thought the books could be so funny! There is a lot of adult humor in them, and the irrepresible Eloise will inspire adults and children alike. In a way, though, it was reliving my childhood, remembering that day almost thirty-five years ago in my neighbor's room. Now that I have read the first two books, I feel that my cultural education as a New Yorker is a little more complete. Don't worry, my niece will get the whole set for her birthday in March. And of course, next time I am in the city, I will think of Eloise and skibble over to The Plaza to see her portrait!

This book has been a favorite of mine for a long time now, ever since it first caught my eye on the shelf of a store. Kay Thompson's imaginative little girl, who tells precisely that she is six, and that she is "ELOISE", is so mischievous but immediately likeable; but credit also goes to Hilary Knight, for I cannot imagine a better drawn character for Eloise. Ms.Knight somehow just somehow manages to capture the essence of her, and I admire her for that.

Although I'am now 14, I still re-read the book when it's a rainy day or when I need to smile. Eloise brightens up my life, and I'am ever so grateful to my mom for buying it for me!!

If you haven't read Eloise, you don't know what you're missing out on, and I suggest that you hurry up and read it!!

I would definately recommend Eolise to
everyone. I have loved this book since
I was a child and my parents brought me a
copy home from the Plaza Hotel where the
story takes place, I loved the book so
much they ordered me Eloise in Paris and
Eloise in Moscow. I still read the books,
only now with my children and they love
the books as much as I did then.
Eloise is a timeless classic that will
make everone feel young at heart.

This book is the oddball of the Eloise sequels, being the only one that also is also focused at the Plaza (like the original) and uses a rhyming scheme. Everyone who has loved Eloise must have wondered about how she fares without her mother living with her Nanny, pug (Weenie), and turtle (Skipperdee) in the Plaza on Christmas. The young woman who was born to shop (and order room service) adds a whole new meaning to Christmas for the guests at the Plaza and those who work there. If you require high quality rhymes, you may not like this book. If you can lightheartedly enjoy fractured verse, hotel high jinks, and great Hilary Knight drawings, you'll love it!

The story starts on Christmas Eve, as a blizzard blankets the Plaza, and the temperature drops to four below zero outside. But inside it's warm and cozy, and there's a blazing Yule log in Eloise's fireplace.

The story recounts Eloise's tree trimming, gift-giving to everyone she knows, getting ready for exchanging gifts on Christmas under her Christmas tree, and prowling around the Plaza on Christmas Eve in typical Eloise fashion. She hits all the parties and helps the people celebrate from room to room as well. You can imagine the mayhem that creates!

One of the most beautiful segments is Eloise dreaming about Santa Claus coming. This section will touch your heart, if you are like me.

A high point for Eloise is opening her present from Nanny. You'll love reading about it.

After you finish enjoying this warm Christmas story, I suggest that you take a few minutes to think (as Eloise does) about all of the people (and animals) you can show your appreciation for during the holidays. I'll bet Eloise inspires you to take a broader view of thankfulness. What better gift could you receive at Christmas?

Ooooooooooooooooooooooo! I absolutely love Eloise

I am..... years old and I still like Eloise book. She's my favorite 6 year old! it has nice pictures on each page and of couse one pull out page like the original Eloise book. there are some lyrics on some of the pages of the book to Eloise's favorite christmas song, "Trinkles and Drinkles." When she(Kay Thompson) tells about Eloise Christmas dream it is all in rhyme. I hoghly reccomend it to kids of all ages.

I received this book as a present last Christmas and instantly fell in love with it. I've always been a fan of Eloise and this just made me a bigger fan. I love the illustrations, and I think any kid would think that running around the the Plaza Hotel would be fun.

I recommend this book to anyone who can't decide what to get a kid for Christmas.

My daughter received this as gift from her Aunt(an Eloise fan) for her 6th birthday. I found it to be confusing. I would not pick this for a child. Not my idea of a childrens book.

I've been reading Eloise since I was 6 and I'm now 14! She represents freedom, and her wildness refreshes my mind. It's a great book for kids and it will expand their imagination.

Eloise rocked my world when I was little... now I'm 18 and bringing her books to college! She's an inspiration to six-year olds and adults alike. This book is just another great glimpse into the world of Eloise. I consider it a lesson on how to stay young through use of the imagination. It isn't as great as the original Eloise, but it's still wonderful! I read it to children I babysit for (who love her) and I plan on reading it to children of my own someday!

"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

While "Eloise" and "Eloise in Paris" are funny and charming enough for adults and children alike, Eloise's visit to Moscow might be a bit puzzling to young children. It is a little darker than the other two, and very much a product of the Cold War (perhaps even a commentary on it). This is perhaps the most existential of the Eloise books.

Get out your woolies and fur hats, Eloise is going to Moscow! In the funniest of Eloise's many escapades, she travels to the Russia of the 1950s with Nanny, Winnie, and Skipperdee in tow. Apart from her usual hotel antics, including spying on the other guests and dinning on black caviar from the Caspian Sea, Eloise has many mischievous adventures at the Bolshoi Ballet, Red Square, and inside the Kremlin. While young children will not understand all the humor in this and other Eloise books, they certainly still love the outrageous heroine Eloise, who's expressions and intentions are so vividly portrayed by Hilary Knight's illustrations. Eloise in Moscow continues Kay Thompson and Hilary Knight's tradition of hilarious books for precocious grown-ups.