Countess's Calamity (Book & Tape) [Hardcover]

Sally Gardner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2004 | Series: Book & Tape

When a box of toys is left, abandoned in the park, the toys really don't know what to make of it! Should they wait to be rescued and taken back to the 'land of lounge' or should they all scramble out and try to save themselves. Fortunately for them they are saved from making a decision with the intervention of two very nice mice. But the night is young, and their adventures are only about to begin. This is a touching book featuring the adventures and exploits of a mismatched group of friends who learn to live in harmony.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-In this fresh and lively chapter book, Mr. and Mrs. Mouse befriend five dolls abandoned in a box in a park. The couple provides beds, food, and safety in their warm, well-furnished mouse hole, but they can't win over the haughty Countess, who is used to the Land of Lounge. While the other four toys try to fit in and are grateful, the Countess remains apart. But when she falls prey to the groundskeeper's cat, the evil Mr. Cuddles, the mice and the other dolls rescue her, and the park's puppet master repairs her and supplies her with a "beautiful little heart." Mr. Mouse's language ("Everything tickety-tails?" he asks), the dolls' comments ("You really are a cloth brain"), and the view of the park as a place where "legs" come and go but leave plenty of food make this story fun to read aloud. Gardner's mixed-media illustrations include charming drawings of characters superimposed on photographs of a furnished mouse house and other backdrops. Their details, along with the clever telling, will delight readers not quite up to Rumer Godden's doll stories or Mary Norton's The Borrowers (Harcourt, 1953) but ready for more challenge than is offered in John Peterson's "The Littles" books (Scholastic).
Susan Hepler, Burgundy Farm Country Day School, Alexandria, VA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

'The author's excellent illustrations are a blend of old-style photos and line drawings. A delightful treat for the starter reader' Sunday Tribune 'The tale is witty, poignant, with exquisite collage-style illustrations that give the whole book the air of a miniature stage set. Amusing and endearing, the Countess will win her readers over' Metro Life 'A cool and charming book all about the trials and tribulations of a toy that hits hard times. You will think twice about throwing away old toys once you have read this touching story' Young Post 'A wonderful piece of make-believe' Guardian

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Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Childrens Books; New edition edition (November 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0747575290
• ISBN-13: 978-0747575290
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,100,091 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Charming and original, February 8, 2007

By 

Rowena Ravenscroft "Interested teacher" - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Countess's Calamity: Tales from the Box (Paperback)

This is a charming and original entry in the very cliched group of children's books about dolls and/or miniatures. It is not among the cream of the crop, but still worth reading.

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid chapterbook fun, with interesting artwork, July 31, 2011

By 

DJ Joe Sixpack (...in Middle America) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Countess's Calamity (Tales from the Box) (Paperback)

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"The Countess's Calamity" (Tales from the Box, v.1)

Written & Illustrated by Sally Gardner

(Bloomsbury Books, 2003)

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The first volume in a charming but short-lived series (which so far has only gone into two books, total, including the sequel, "Boolar's Big Day Out") The story has many familiar elements, notably genteel, hobbitlike mice and a bunch of talking dolls, whom the mice take in and shelter, ala "A Cricket In Times Square." Although these are familiar ideas, they are handled well, and the story has a nice, solid feel. Best of all are the cast of characters who, although not tremendously well-developed, are enjoyable, particularly for families that like to read out loud and make up lots of voices... This volume's strongest character, the haughty, self-centered doll called the Countess provides a rawther delightful opportunity to ham it up.Also, the artwork includes faded gray photos of an actual mouse/dollhouse made by the author, used as the background for the cartoon scenes... which is kind of cool. Both books are fun, and worth giving a spin - strong emphasis on learning lessons, social cooperation and personal growth. (Joe Sixpack, ReadThatAgain children's book reviews)