Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
I read this as a child and only vaguely remembered it. I worried it would be a bit dated for The Falcon, but he was enchanted. Maybe its because I'm a mean mom who rarely lets my kids play video games, but the story of Omri, his plastic cowboys and indians and a cupboard that can be locked was perfectly understandable to F who plays with his father's old toy soldiers and the neighbor's empty cigar boxes.
The story of Omri, his BFF Patrick and the little men they bring to life is well done. I really liked that the boys were able to have an adventure and learn about responsibility and loyalty without going through the common fairytale construct of off the parents or rendering them incompetent. The friendship and behavior of the boys also rings true. I was quite interesting having read this a young girl to go back an read this as the mother of two sons.
The story of Omri, his BFF Patrick and the little men they bring to life is well done. I really liked that the boys were able to have an adventure and learn about responsibility and loyalty without going through the common fairytale construct of off the parents or rendering them incompetent. The friendship and behavior of the boys also rings true. I was quite interesting having read this a young girl to go back an read this as the mother of two sons.
I didn't like the Indian In The Cupboard series until I reread them the third or so time. Then all of a sudden things made sense it seemed funny and wellwritten. I have fond memories of the adventures with the Indians and the cowboy and all their gear. I still remember the first scene when the boy gets a tiny cut with the Indian's scary knife. It really got me to thinking about how life would be as a figure who could stop/start life with the magic of a cupboard.
Also, it reminds me a lot ofthe Toy Story films. Although the books are a lot more interesting!
Also, it reminds me a lot ofthe Toy Story films. Although the books are a lot more interesting!
Another book that had been on my list of books I must get around to reading one day. A class set has just been bought for our school, so I thought I would finally check it out with a view to year 5 reading it together.
It is a good story, about a great concept. I think the basic premise of the book - a magic cupboard that brings toys to life - is so good that it captures your imagination, leaves you wondering about how you would act of you had access to it and what adventures would flow from it. The story itself didn't capture me quite as much, but it was a good, interesting read with some deeper messages about the nature of friendship, selfishness and how we treat others rather than using them etc.
I was surprised to find the book was first published in 1981, it had a much older feel and the writing reminded me more of C. S. Lewis or Enid Blyton. I did also wonder about some of the stereotyping in the book and there is now an authors note from 2000 and a section of information on the Iroquois at the end of the book that I think tries to address this issue.
Overall, I think this a good adventure story, well worth reading. I am unsure about the sequels as I think the story ends well where it is, but I will at least check out the first one.
It is a good story, about a great concept. I think the basic premise of the book - a magic cupboard that brings toys to life - is so good that it captures your imagination, leaves you wondering about how you would act of you had access to it and what adventures would flow from it. The story itself didn't capture me quite as much, but it was a good, interesting read with some deeper messages about the nature of friendship, selfishness and how we treat others rather than using them etc.
I was surprised to find the book was first published in 1981, it had a much older feel and the writing reminded me more of C. S. Lewis or Enid Blyton. I did also wonder about some of the stereotyping in the book and there is now an authors note from 2000 and a section of information on the Iroquois at the end of the book that I think tries to address this issue.
Overall, I think this a good adventure story, well worth reading. I am unsure about the sequels as I think the story ends well where it is, but I will at least check out the first one.
This was so cute! I enjoyed this way more than I thought I would. This counts for OWLs 2020 for Arithmancy - "a book outside my favorite genre".
it was meh I actually had to read it for school or I'll fail
adventurous
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
One of the most striking and memorable books from my childhood. How many games were fueled with the powerful idea in this book? With the turn of the key a plastic toy becomes real. Not a walking and talking plaything, but an actual person. I used to reverse it (even before I read that sequel) and imagine myself pulled into the cupboard and viewing the world from three inches off the ground.
This is one of the one's that was as rewarding reading it now as when I was 8 (seeing the movie* was practically an EVENT). The book through subtle characterization and dialogue from Little Bear, Boone and Tommy offer a clear-eyed and fair-minded perception of history. I read this a dozen times at least growing up and reading it again now I can see how much my own thinking might have been influenced by it. Banks resorts to some stereotyping here, but she had to to confront Omri's (and Patrick's) false preconceptions of Indians and the idea of using the cupboard's magic as a game.
Reading this book was probably one of my earliest effective exposures to a world outside of the surface offered by my limited experience in rural Vermont and what I saw on even the most well-meaning of television shows and movies. Beginning to see the vast differences between the overall messages that pop culture and society and even family tell you and what the evidence suggests, such as with Indians, is not only an important step for budding historians, but for all adults.
The sequels have their ups and downs, and I have a particular favorite in 'The Mystery of the Cupboard', but none of them matched the spirit of this one. A great story, just as effective now as when I first read it and when it was first written thirty years ago.
Omri and Little Bear
Next: 'The Return of the Indian'
*Turns out, according to the almighty Wikipedia, the film's earnings fell $10 million short in theaters, but it must have made up for it on VHS. I mean, everyone had it and the the little plastic key that came packaged with it is probably still at the bottom of toy boxes everywhere. I watched the movie again on 'the' YouTube and it is laughably bad because of the shrill overacting and dazed expressions on the part of the kid playing Omri, and his friend Patrick comes off as a total ass. Litefoot, activist and rapper, did well as Little Bear and David Keith was perfect as "Boo-Hoo" Boone. A young Richard Kartheiser (Mad Men) plays Omri's older brother. And while I'm listing the cast: (why? I don't know.) Richard Jenkins and one of the judges from SVU as his parents.
This is one of the one's that was as rewarding reading it now as when I was 8 (seeing the movie* was practically an EVENT). The book through subtle characterization and dialogue from Little Bear, Boone and Tommy offer a clear-eyed and fair-minded perception of history. I read this a dozen times at least growing up and reading it again now I can see how much my own thinking might have been influenced by it. Banks resorts to some stereotyping here, but she had to to confront Omri's (and Patrick's) false preconceptions of Indians and the idea of using the cupboard's magic as a game.
Reading this book was probably one of my earliest effective exposures to a world outside of the surface offered by my limited experience in rural Vermont and what I saw on even the most well-meaning of television shows and movies. Beginning to see the vast differences between the overall messages that pop culture and society and even family tell you and what the evidence suggests, such as with Indians, is not only an important step for budding historians, but for all adults.
The sequels have their ups and downs, and I have a particular favorite in 'The Mystery of the Cupboard', but none of them matched the spirit of this one. A great story, just as effective now as when I first read it and when it was first written thirty years ago.
Omri and Little Bear
Next: 'The Return of the Indian'
*Turns out, according to the almighty Wikipedia, the film's earnings fell $10 million short in theaters, but it must have made up for it on VHS. I mean, everyone had it and the the little plastic key that came packaged with it is probably still at the bottom of toy boxes everywhere. I watched the movie again on 'the' YouTube and it is laughably bad because of the shrill overacting and dazed expressions on the part of the kid playing Omri, and his friend Patrick comes off as a total ass. Litefoot, activist and rapper, did well as Little Bear and David Keith was perfect as "Boo-Hoo" Boone. A young Richard Kartheiser (Mad Men) plays Omri's older brother. And while I'm listing the cast: (why? I don't know.) Richard Jenkins and one of the judges from SVU as his parents.
The Indian in the Cupboard is a very moving story about a boy named Omri who discovers he has a magical cupboard that can bring plastic toys to life.
In some places, the text seems a little racist, dealing mainly with stereotypes. The most noticeable occurance of this is Little Bull, who speaks in broken 'tv' English. e.g. "Me cold." However, it is not just the Indian (Native American) who is portrayed like this, but the cowboy as well. At first, this stereotypical way of portraying the characters jars a little, but you get used to it.
Putting any accusations of racism aside, this is a moving story. Omri must learn that these plastic figures he has brought to life are no longer just toys, but people. He must deal with the realities of finding them food, and keeping them a secret though he wants to boast to the world. As well, he must learn to deal with the realities of death, and how to mend a friendship that is tested as it has never been tested before.
This is not just a simple children's story. It holds important lessons about how we treat our fellow human beings, though the message is somewhat undermined by its clumsy racial stereotypes.
The Indian in the Cupboard is the first in a series, but it works well as a standalone novel. I probably will not read the others in the series, but I enjoyed this book on its own merits.
In some places, the text seems a little racist, dealing mainly with stereotypes. The most noticeable occurance of this is Little Bull, who speaks in broken 'tv' English. e.g. "Me cold." However, it is not just the Indian (Native American) who is portrayed like this, but the cowboy as well. At first, this stereotypical way of portraying the characters jars a little, but you get used to it.
Putting any accusations of racism aside, this is a moving story. Omri must learn that these plastic figures he has brought to life are no longer just toys, but people. He must deal with the realities of finding them food, and keeping them a secret though he wants to boast to the world. As well, he must learn to deal with the realities of death, and how to mend a friendship that is tested as it has never been tested before.
This is not just a simple children's story. It holds important lessons about how we treat our fellow human beings, though the message is somewhat undermined by its clumsy racial stereotypes.
The Indian in the Cupboard is the first in a series, but it works well as a standalone novel. I probably will not read the others in the series, but I enjoyed this book on its own merits.
the school made me read this book twice. I hated it so much but it was okay.
Omri is given two particular gifts for his birthday that end up colliding in a peculiar way. When he puts the small plastic Indian into the cupboard his mother gave him, it comes to life. At first Omri is ecstatic about the idea about having his own real tiny Indian to take care of, but comes to learn that the situation is far more complicated than he thought.
I don't remember reading this book as a kid, but I do remember having watched the movie. While the idea and the messages are great, I think the plot is a little bland.
I don't remember reading this book as a kid, but I do remember having watched the movie. While the idea and the messages are great, I think the plot is a little bland.