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kyxshi's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is a really charming little story. It’s interesting to see some early versions of some of Tolkien’s ideas that appear in in the Legemdarium. I still very much enjoyed the narrative voice even though I think Tolkien’s writing is a little bit less refined here than it is in his later works. But of course this was published costly so that’s a little bit unfair.
I think it’s very sweet that JRRT’s origins as a storyteller are him telling his kids stories.
I think it’s very sweet that JRRT’s origins as a storyteller are him telling his kids stories.
momreads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A whimsical tale about a dog and a few wizards. A fun read.
saschabookishowl's review against another edition
4.0
I'm always amazed at how Tolkien can write interesting children's stories and even these, set outside of Middle Earth, still have some elements of the Hobbit/LoTR.
frudzicz's review against another edition
Psamathos, the moon;
Artaxerxes, the deep sea;
A pleasant, young dog.
Artaxerxes, the deep sea;
A pleasant, young dog.
lanica's review against another edition
5.0
I've read this book a few times before, but this is the first time reading it to my sons who just turned five a month ago. It's our first attempt at a bedtime story without pictures. They lie back and listen to the words with their eyes closed. So far...so good and we're on page 8 of 106. I hope they love it as much as I do.
LATER:
It amazes me how much they understand. I read it word for word - not knowing myself what is meant by some of the English phrasing, and yet the boys talk about Roverandom later and seem to understand the story perfectly. "Remember the spiders on the moon, mommy?" One says, "The white ones bring good dreams, the black ones are scary." The other thinks they are all scary and bring bad dreams...and a literary discussion ensues between my five year olds. Awesome!
One more reason I LOVE THIS BOOK!
LATER:
It amazes me how much they understand. I read it word for word - not knowing myself what is meant by some of the English phrasing, and yet the boys talk about Roverandom later and seem to understand the story perfectly. "Remember the spiders on the moon, mommy?" One says, "The white ones bring good dreams, the black ones are scary." The other thinks they are all scary and bring bad dreams...and a literary discussion ensues between my five year olds. Awesome!
One more reason I LOVE THIS BOOK!
pm_me_book_recs's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Poor Roverandom!
Tolkien's word play is on point in this quick, light-hearted read about a dog on an otherworldly and sometimes cosmic adventure. Rover is a troublemaker and gets himself and his friends along the way into some serious mischief. Tones of accepting others differences, the importance of patience, and accepting responsibility for your actions.
Tolkien's word play is on point in this quick, light-hearted read about a dog on an otherworldly and sometimes cosmic adventure. Rover is a troublemaker and gets himself and his friends along the way into some serious mischief. Tones of accepting others differences, the importance of patience, and accepting responsibility for your actions.
atelierofbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Moon spiders, sand magicians, grumpy sea serpents, and a puppy cursed by an ornery wizard.
This is such a sweet children's story, it made me feel cozy and warm. I fell in love with Tolkien's clever prose and beautiful imagination all over again.
Also, Derek Jacobi's narration for the audiobook version is so wonderful.
This is such a sweet children's story, it made me feel cozy and warm. I fell in love with Tolkien's clever prose and beautiful imagination all over again.
Also, Derek Jacobi's narration for the audiobook version is so wonderful.
ana_p_carvalho's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
thebookishunicorn's review against another edition
5.0
This was a cute little story about a dog's run in with wizards! I loved all the fun silly adventures Roverandom had on the moon and under the sea, just showing how amazing of an imagination Tolkien had!
I do love these two quotes from The Man in the Moon and the mermaid Mrs Artaxerxes:
"Now fly off and amuse yourselg. Don't worry the moonbeams, and don't kill my white rabbits, and come home when you are hungry!"
"Now swim away and amuse yourselves! Don't worry the fire-fish, don't chew the sea-anemones, don't get caught in the clams; and come back to supper!"
I do love these two quotes from The Man in the Moon and the mermaid Mrs Artaxerxes:
"Now fly off and amuse yourselg. Don't worry the moonbeams, and don't kill my white rabbits, and come home when you are hungry!"
"Now swim away and amuse yourselves! Don't worry the fire-fish, don't chew the sea-anemones, don't get caught in the clams; and come back to supper!"
trouvaille's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Tolkien wrote it. It’s written well. It’s a children’s book about a dogs adventures. Adorable.