Customer Reviews

Down in the boondocks (Greenwillow read-alone)

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

 

 

Ted Dewan writes a great story and his illustrations make it that much better. Crispin, the pig who had it all, learns a wonderful lesson in this book. If your child wants you to read a story over and over and over again, you won't mind repeating "Crispin" -- in fact -- you'll probably enjoy it!

I was a little disappointed in how tiny the book was. I remember reading this book over and over and over to my nephew when he was little.......it was a regular hardback book then. However, I was thrilled to be able to get it to give to his soon to be born baby boy. He was excited to get it. Thank you.

As an author myself ("Sofa Boy"), I felt compelled to write this review and mention that when touring the country reading my book at any number of library and bookstore visits I make, I often read this book as a companion to my own (always crediting the author). This is such a tremendous book with not only a terrific message about imagination and friendship, but it is laid out so skillfully and dramatically. The children I'm reading to are always riveted when hearing this book (and of course I perform ALL the character voices)! I adore this book - it brings me lovingly back to my own playful youth, and I can't give it any higher praise than that!

I rate Down in the Boondocks a 5 star . I read the book years ago to my kids when they were little; but could never find it in the library again. I have thought about that book over and over through the years.It is so fun to read and the illustrations are hilarious. I now have grand kids and plan on keeping the book around just for the small children/adults to come to my house and enjoy.

This is probably my favorite Christmas book. My children have learned that the "empty" box is not empty at all. Perfect perfect book for a time of year where children understandably become focused on THINGS rather than people.

This is one of those books that I enjoy reading to my son, as much as he enjoys having it read to him.

Crispin is a little pig who has everything, and every Christmas he gets even more. I love the wonderful names: Speedpony Shockjockey, Giga Pigstation and more. But one Christmas Santa gives him an empty box. After sulking about it for awhile, and trying to stop other children playing with it, he is reluctantly drawn into their imagination games and find he is having more fun playing pretend with the other children than he has ever had playing by himself in front of a computer.

The pictures are bright and vivid, the message is a good one and both my son and I never tire of this book (he is 3 and a half).

Highly recommended

My 2.5 year old son loves this book. The rich illustrations provide wonderful things to talk about. Even though he may not get some of the subtle messages of the story, he does understand that sharing makes things more fun. I would recommend this as a 2 year old and above book.

I loved the message of "Crispin, The Pig Who Had It All", however, the level of violence in the book disturbed me to the point where I have removed it from the bookshelf and no longer allow my 2 year old son access to it.

The story is charming and the illustrations are grand. Full of color and life, and with a message that is sure to warm your heart. But there is a problem in the whole book with the play between the children being mostly about shooting, attacking each other. Now I have a 2 year old and he is quite active, so I know this is a part of child play. However, the following issue was the final nudge that made me pull the book (though my son still asks where it is. Oh dear.)

There is a picture where the group of friends is playing store, the illustration depicts one of them using his hand to make the shape of a gun and holding the "gun" to the face of Crispin. Crispin's hands are up in the air. The other pal is taking items from the shelves. The picture is showing a store being robbed. The point of play is to develop adult skills and coordination. The book is encouraging my son to play at robbing others and threatening others with a gun. I don't think I want him developing such skills.'

There are other things as well- name calling (not too terrible- but the word "scum" is not in my son's vocabulary yet...) and some trademark logos by toy names that make me think of marketing ploys. These combined with the store holdup and shooting as the main form of play are just too much.

So sadly, this is not a book for my son. I loved the story, the images and the message, but don't want my son learning what this book is silently teaching.