Crictor (Reading Rainbow Books) [Hardcover]

Tomi Ungerer (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up | Series: Reading Rainbow Books

‘A highly diverting picture book about an agreeable pet boa constrictor that earns the affection and gratitude of a French village.’ —BL. ‘Children will love it.’ —H.

Notable Children's Books of 1940–1959 (ALA)
1959 Fanfare Honor List (The Horn Book)
A Reading Rainbow Selection
1958 Children's Spring Book Festival Prize (NY Herald Tribune)

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (April 16, 1958)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060261803
• ISBN-13: 978-0060261801
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #563,920 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Tomi Ungerer was born is Strasbourg in 1931, moved to the US in 1956 and now lives in Ireland. His first children's book "The Mellops go Flying" was published by Harper in 1957. This was to be the first in a series of very successful and unusual children's titles.

For a full biography see his official site - TomiUngerer.com

Tomi is a prolific artist, author and illustrator and has been awarded a wide range of prizes, accolades and honours in recognition of his work including:

- Legion d'Honneur France (1990)
- Order of the Deutsches Bundesverdienstdreuz Germany (1993)
- National Prize for Graphic Arts France (1995)
- Hans Christian Andersen Prize for children's literature (1998)
- European Prize for Culture (1999)
- Officer of the Legion d'Honneur France (2000)
- Named Goodwill Ambassador for Childhood and Education of European Council (2003)
- Erich Käistner Literary Prize (2004)
- Awarded an honorary Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Karlsruhe (2004)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful memories!, July 10, 2003

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Crictor (Reading Rainbow Books) (Paperback)

Oh, I LOVE this book! It is from the 50's, and SO well written! Instead of dumbing children down, it uses words that are more sophisticated. The story is hilarious! It uses pen and ink type drawings, which brought back so many pleasant memories! As a child, I didn't remember the story too well, but the pictures stayed in my mind, particularly the one of Crictor in what looks like a 10-foot long bed and wearing a 10-foot long armless sweater!!

This elderly lady receives a gift of a snake from her son in Africa. She is a teacher and brings Crictor to school, where he becomes a jump rope and slide for the kids. He also forms letters and numbers. He captures a burglar and the locals name a park after him!

One of my favorite books of all time!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An old-fashioned, wonderfully charming children's book, May 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Crictor (Reading Rainbow Books) (Hardcover)

This was one of my favorite books growing up--I must have checked it out of the school library a dozen times. It's the adorable story of an old French woman who relies on a friendly boa to see her around Paris. Not only does it teach children not to judge other people -- or reptiles -- but the charming illustrations offer fun glimpses into the city of Paris. If you loved Madeline, you'll love this book. Buy one copy for your kids and one for yourself!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Childhood revisited, October 16, 2004

By 

Catherine Emerson "Cate" (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crictor (Reading Rainbow Books) (Paperback)

As a kindergarten teacher, I just love to read this book to my students.

As a lifelong reader and lover of books, I just love this book. Reading it brings back my childhood. The illustrations are just beautiful and the story is pure fun.

I am so happy to see that books like these are still out and avaiable to purchase. We need books like these for the next generation.