Customer Reviews

Eloise: The Ultimate Edition

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is the book about Eloise that Eloise would buy. As you may remember, Eloise is the six-year-old who lives on the top floor of The Plaze Hotel in New York City with her English Nanny, pug (Weenie), and turtle (Skipperdee). Here are some of the ways that Eloise has been characterized: "Holden Caulfield for kindergarten girls"; "a mini-Auntie Mame -- a protofeminist"; and "independent and saucy."

Contained in this volume are the original Eloise story, the Scrapbook by Marie Brenner (containing the origins of Eloise and the story, and biographies of Kay Thompson and Hilary Knight, and how readers responded to the stories as they appeared), and the three sequels (Eloise in Paris, Eloise at Christmastime, and Eloise in Moscow). Each of the four stories contains the deluxe fold-out drawings from the original books, and the Scrapbook has many wonderful photographs and drawings that will delight those who would like to know more background about Eloise and her creators.

With one exception, the material is outstanding. The story, Eloise in Moscow, is very poor in its humor and plot line. But having the story in this collection will allow you to savor those parts of the story that happen to appeal to you.

The reproduction is also superb, except for the frontispieces of the four stories. These should simply have been omitted.

I usually avoid recommending expensive editions, but this one is a good value. It contains all the best material about Eloise, and you may have trouble finding the same versions by buying the books separately. Also, this edition is likely to be a hand-me-down item from one generation to another and another. The cost per reader is probably going to be quite small as a result.

To me, the best of the four stories is still the original. Reading the Scrapbook adds a lot to my enjoyment of that story. Of the sequels, I like Eloise in Paris best. Some people will not like Eloise at Christmastime because Kay Thompson's rhymes are not the best. I can enjoy fractured verse, so I found it appealing instead.

Space does not permit me to review each of these sections in detail here, but you can read my reviews of each story elsewhere on Amazon for the individual books. I gave five star reviews to all but Eloise in Moscow, to which I gave a two star review.

After you have enjoyed this book, I suggest that you grab a partner who also loves Eloise and write a new Eloise story that brings her into the 21st century in a locale and at a time of your choice. Then find a young person to read that story to, and draw some illustrations together. That will add to your enjoyment of this book and of your love of Eloise.

J'aime beaucoup Eloise . . . toujours!

This is definitely one of the best treasuries I have ever bought. Eloise is such a fun and adorable character. I don't know who couldn't like her.

This treasury contains Eloise in Moscow, Eloise, Eloise in Paris, and Eloise at Christmastime. Not only that, there's a special scrapbook all about the author Kay Thompson featuring pictures and info about the author of this beloved character.

This is a must have book for the holidays, or anytime. So pick up a copy, and charge it please.

A few years ago, I was waiting with baited breath for all the Eloise books to be reprinted. It just could not happen fast enough for me. Finally, all 4 were out, and I was happy. Then they came out with this book that collects all four books in one volume for the first time, and I bought this too. Why did I buy this? Well, for one thing, the new Hilary Knight cover is rather fabulous. I am all for new Knight artwork whenever it appears, and this cover was obviously not dashed out but carefully drawn, and it shows. This is definitely worth having for the Eloise fan.

To the father who wonders what he's missing, I can only say "It's a girl thing." So many of us long to be outspoken, daring and fashionable--a "Woman in Crescendo," as Sophia Loren put it. And yet we haven't achieved it yet; we're still in training, just like Eloise. That's why little girls (and big ones!) are so perpetually enchanted with her, and why this collection is absolutely essential for someone raising daughters. Bombshell training can never start too soon!

My daughters (4 & 6) "love, love, love" Eloise. The book is a classic and would be a great gift for girls 4-8. Eloise lives with her nanny in a posh New York hotel and her antics get her into trouble. She is unique, independent, curious, inventive, creative, sleuthy & oblivious. The line art is fun and adds detail to her antics. We like the Essential Eloise best, followed by Paris. Be aware that the "newer" Eloise books are based on the classics but are not the originals.

All of Eloise's most memorable adventures together in one book, what a joy, joy joy! Me and Skipperdee love it!

The picures are wonderful, stories are great, but the part of The Story of Eloise, they miss judged the spacing and left out the 1st letter of the starting paragraph. Someone didn't proofread it right. You get all 4 book, one great buy with the extras! ( the scrapbook and the story of Eloise) Hopefully they caught the errors for the next printing. A book you can pass down from generation to generation!

My daughter loved this book when she was around eight. It is a delightfully illustrated book about a very self assured little girl, Eloise.

With her pug dog, Weenie, and turtle, Skiperdee, Eloise and her nanny enjoy life at the Plaza Hotel in New York City.

The Ultimate Edition are four stories complete with the fold out illustrations on quality paper making it a keepsake edition for a little girl.

This is a wonderful book with delightful illustrations. My three year old loves the Eloise character. The stories are unique, but, as written, are a little hard to follow. I would reccomend the book as a wonderful keepsake and reminder of "Eloise."

This is the big book of Eloise. I am currently reading this to my daughter. Although she may prefer the movie more, I enjoy reading the book in my best Eloise voice.