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panda_incognito's review
5.0
This book is magnificent. It presents the biographical particulars of Tolkien's life in a fresh and engaging way, the prose and art working together seamlessly to communicate facts and to show how imagination enlivens the ordinary, provides comfort in darkness, and makes life even more meaningful. I loved this as a Tolkien fan, history lover, and writer. It almost made me cry. Through my library job, I have read literally hundreds of picture book biographies, and this is one of the finest.
turn_down_for_smut's review
5.0
I loved this picture book biography of John Ronald. It's short, sweet, and would be easy for someone of a younger age to enjoy and understand. The illustrations are beautiful and add a great deal to this story.
laura_mcloughlin's review
4.0
A biography of JRR Tolkien that is kid friendly but doesn't shy away from some of the harsher aspects of his life (being orphaned, WW1) that inspired his fantasy novels.
And now I'm debating when to read The Hobbit to my 5 year old (I should probably wait a year or two)
And now I'm debating when to read The Hobbit to my 5 year old (I should probably wait a year or two)
ivellon's review
5.0
A most lovely book!
This is a fantastic book to bring J.R.R. Tolkien to very small kids. The illustrations are not just a colorful extra to the text but also very detailed and even the "advanced" adult reader might find some new things in them (there's an explanation in the back). The text is very "basic" and without much information but there's a short biography on Tolkien in the back of the book so you might tell your child more if needed.
My only problem with this book is that I really cannot see its audience. Children for which the text would be appropriate might not (yet) like "The Hobbit" and for older kids it might be too dull.
This is a fantastic book to bring J.R.R. Tolkien to very small kids. The illustrations are not just a colorful extra to the text but also very detailed and even the "advanced" adult reader might find some new things in them (there's an explanation in the back). The text is very "basic" and without much information but there's a short biography on Tolkien in the back of the book so you might tell your child more if needed.
My only problem with this book is that I really cannot see its audience. Children for which the text would be appropriate might not (yet) like "The Hobbit" and for older kids it might be too dull.
nerfherder86's review
5.0
A beautiful picture book biography of J.R.R. Tolkien, from his childhood spent dreaming of dragons in the countryside, to living with an unfeeling aunt when his mother died, then to a boarding home. He falls in love, marries, fights in World War I, teaches at Oxford and tells his children stories he makes up, that leads him finally to create his own dragon, Smaug. The illustrations are marvelous, pen and ink and watercolor, showing dragons in every gargoyle or curling puff of pipe smoke, etc. Nice illustrator's note explains the details from Tolkien's life that she put into the pictures. A further note specifies the literary dragons that Tolkien was influenced by, and gives quotes of his on dragons from various speeches he gave. A great book to give to any dragon-loving kid (or grown kid!).
lwerner817's review
5.0
"But most important of all,
Bilbo led John Ronald over the Misty Mountains,
through the Mirkwood Forest,
and across the Long Lake to the base of the Lonely Mountain.
There at last, John Ronald
found his dragon."
Bilbo led John Ronald over the Misty Mountains,
through the Mirkwood Forest,
and across the Long Lake to the base of the Lonely Mountain.
There at last, John Ronald
found his dragon."
achenaille's review
5.0
Beautiful children's biography of J. R. R. Tolkien. It gives some extra information in the back of the book, but covers his life well throughout. He has a fascinating history and the book gives a brief and intriguing glance into a childhood of a beloved author.
ddb883's review
4.0
Lovely story, but the art is the best part.
Meaningful, well-researched, and pays homage to
the original art in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.
Meaningful, well-researched, and pays homage to
the original art in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.