Customer Reviews

Christopher's Harvest Time

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

We checked out this book at the library because it was one of the books on a list of autumn-themed books to read. I knew I'd enjoy it, but was skeptical that my active three-year-old would. He's only recently started sitting still long enough to be read to, and only for very short stories. Well, imagine my surprise when this book became his absolute favorite! He asks for it to be read to him multiple times a day, he finishes many of the sentences for me...and he likes to talk about the characters even when we're not reading the book. The illustrations are exquisite and the characters charming. My son especially likes September, the mischievous little fellow who leads Christopher around the garden in search of his missing ball. I think he really identifies with his pranksterish spirit!

My boys are now 12 and 8. We've had this book on our shelf for years, and they really enjoyed it when they were younger. A few days ago the younger boy asked me to read it to him again, and imagine my surprise when the older one perched on the arm of the chair and eagerly looked at all the pictures! This book is truly special. It depicts boys who are gentle and in tune with nature, and the pictures are beautiful.

I have included this book in my online Gender Equality Bookstore.

My son, and now my daughter, 2 1/2 love this book. There is such a magical quality to the illustrations and writings. It has a relaxing quality that is just right for bedtime reading. This is one of Elsa Beskow's best!

I recently purchased "Peter in Blueberry Land" by Elsa Beskow for my 4 year old son and he absolutely loved it, as did I. I decided to try another book and chose this one. I was incredibly disappointed and found it to have very hierarchical and negative undertones. It was also a very long, drawn out story. My very active boy grew bored with it after the first page, as it was hard for him to follow. I was actually quite happy with this, as I had not read it before showing it to my son (I normally do, but HE was the one who excitedly found the amazon box on our front porch and after reading Peter in Blueberry Land I assumed this book would be equally as wonderful. Lesson learned). My mommy instincts kicked in with my overall feeling of the book as I read. I will definitely be sending this one back. This will not deter me from trying different Elsa Beskow books, but as far as this story goes I do not want my son learning he is better than anyone and can talk down to other people. This is what I came away with after reading this story. In the interest of fairness I must add that I am very picky about what my son can and can't read.