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nadijya's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
justicepirate's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Veronica Cossanteli retold this story originally by E.A. Wyke-Smith, due to much of the language being possibly too difficult to understand today, though I am curious what the original is like now.
While it is said to have been the inspiration for The Hobbit (which you can tell by the second breakfasts, the Snergs being very Hobbit-like, and more), I also sensed some inspiration it would draw out to the creation of Harry Potter (due to a cloak of invisibility and screaming mandrakes). It must have been a very popular story in the UK, but I had never heard of it until now (I'm American).
I read this to my whole family of all ages. There were some silly words used throughout it that were fun, but not always easy to read. I am sure younger children would find that a little difficult (many made up words are used as adjectives mainly towards the Snerg queen).
If you are unfamiliar with the story, as I was, Pip and Flora are orphans who are fed up with the strict rules of the orphanage they live at. They end up getting themselves in quite a jam that leads them to another land attached to our own. They had heard stories of this land from Gorbo, a Snerg, who had been employed at the orphanage. They meet all sorts of characters while on their journey. I liked how it was all tied up at the end with a bit of a moral given. It was cute.
While it is said to have been the inspiration for The Hobbit (which you can tell by the second breakfasts, the Snergs being very Hobbit-like, and more), I also sensed some inspiration it would draw out to the creation of Harry Potter (due to a cloak of invisibility and screaming mandrakes). It must have been a very popular story in the UK, but I had never heard of it until now (I'm American).
I read this to my whole family of all ages. There were some silly words used throughout it that were fun, but not always easy to read. I am sure younger children would find that a little difficult (many made up words are used as adjectives mainly towards the Snerg queen).
If you are unfamiliar with the story, as I was, Pip and Flora are orphans who are fed up with the strict rules of the orphanage they live at. They end up getting themselves in quite a jam that leads them to another land attached to our own. They had heard stories of this land from Gorbo, a Snerg, who had been employed at the orphanage. They meet all sorts of characters while on their journey. I liked how it was all tied up at the end with a bit of a moral given. It was cute.
linesuponapage's review against another edition
4.0
Poor little Gorbo has always been told that he is a mess, a joke, and good for getting into trouble. Flora and Pip end up on an accidental adventure after running an errand for the Headmistress Ms. Watkyn's at the Sunny Bay Home for Superflous and Accidentally Parentless Children. How do you think they encounter and who saves the day? Gorbo the Great, as I will always call him.
The Marvelous Land of Snergs in its original form written by E.A.Wyke-Smith is the inspiration for the Hobbit, and I can see where Bilbo Baggins and Gorbo in this edition seem perfect as cousins. Both are not the bravest, but end up doing the things they need to do to foster an inspiration of bravery in others. They might not be the most coordinated of creatures, but, they are cleaver when the messes they encounter stare them straight in the face. However, I believe that Gorbo is much more endearing and in his innocent way wiser than Bilbo Baggins could ever be.
I received an advanced reader's copy with a little jotted note from a member of the Europa Editions team where she stated that "Gorbo is a wonderful friend to have." and I completely agree with her. We should all have friends like him.
This book is a fun read for your kids as a bedtime story, or in my case a great read to my grand littles. The illustrations are fun, like an Anna Bond wallpaper, or stationary from Rifle Papers and my grand littles thought that the characters in the section descriptions where the illustrations live looked like animals and people they would like to have as friends.
This book for children and middle-grade readers is perfect for teaching the perception of others looking, speaking differently is not bad because someone they don't look like you, act like you, or live the same but is what makes us all unique. It also teaches how to overcome fear, make new friends, listen to your elders, and stick up for yourself in times of hesitation.
The Marvelous Land of Snergs in its original form written by E.A.Wyke-Smith is the inspiration for the Hobbit, and I can see where Bilbo Baggins and Gorbo in this edition seem perfect as cousins. Both are not the bravest, but end up doing the things they need to do to foster an inspiration of bravery in others. They might not be the most coordinated of creatures, but, they are cleaver when the messes they encounter stare them straight in the face. However, I believe that Gorbo is much more endearing and in his innocent way wiser than Bilbo Baggins could ever be.
I received an advanced reader's copy with a little jotted note from a member of the Europa Editions team where she stated that "Gorbo is a wonderful friend to have." and I completely agree with her. We should all have friends like him.
This book is a fun read for your kids as a bedtime story, or in my case a great read to my grand littles. The illustrations are fun, like an Anna Bond wallpaper, or stationary from Rifle Papers and my grand littles thought that the characters in the section descriptions where the illustrations live looked like animals and people they would like to have as friends.
This book for children and middle-grade readers is perfect for teaching the perception of others looking, speaking differently is not bad because someone they don't look like you, act like you, or live the same but is what makes us all unique. It also teaches how to overcome fear, make new friends, listen to your elders, and stick up for yourself in times of hesitation.
fanbookatic's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
mmllepoulain's review
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
aoutramafalda's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
stories_matter's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
naomiysl's review against another edition
Seems to be a sweet adventure of the very standard "children in the forbidden forest" sort, with hobbits (aka snergs) as the primary magical being. But it just didn't grab me. Maybe because the children were a bit two dimensional, maybe I'm just not in the mood for whimsy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
denisa13's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
adelaide_reads's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0