Customer Reviews

The Girl in the Castle Inside the Museum

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I gave this book to my four and a half year-old granddaughter. After we had read it a few times over a few days, her mother asked her, "Is that a good book?" Caitlin replied in her matter-of-fact way, "It is a WONDERFUL book." I agree, but I was more interested in what she thought. I now give the book regularly as a gift to other families.

My new favorite picture book! The story is simple and sweet, thank goodness because you won't be able to tear your eyes away from the artwork long enough to really appreciate any more than that. It's a story about a legend of a girl who lives inside of a castle that is on display at a museum. I really loved that, as I am a big advocate of children patronizing museums from an early age and learning to appreciate and admire exhibits. In the end, the child can leave a part of themselves in this story. Enjoy!

This is a picture book unlike any book I've ever read. The premise is that there is a girl who lives in a castle inside a museum. The castle is encased in a glass globe, and when children come to the museum, they press their noses against the glass globe and get a glimpse of the girl in the castle. When the children leave at night, she gets lonely even though she is surrounded by beautiful things. At night she dreams of children her own size visiting her, and "sometimes the girl in the castle even dreams about you." Her solution for overcoming her loneliness is to hang a picture of you, the reader, on the wall beside her bed. The last line of the book, "Do you see her? She sees you." EEEK!

I really like it because it is different, and has an ethereal, dream-like aura that takes me to another world. Nicoletta Ceccoli's soft clay model, acrylic, and digital media illustrations are absolutely gorgeous, and in fact, they are the most beautiful illustrations I've seen in a picture book yet. They, along with the story, will captivate the reader.

Kate Bernheimer has hit a home run with her first children's book, and I will definitely look for more from her in future.

I ordered this book because I love the artwork of Nicoletta Ceccoli. This book does not disappoint. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful with fantastical details. The story is very imaginative. It would be a wonderful book for a child. However, this one I'm keeping for myself.

I bought this book for the pictures, I love Nicoletta Ceccoli's work. The story is a sweet one and Nicoletta illustrates it beautifully, very detailed. This is a book the whole family will love, both young and old. I myself, will display it.

I was given this book as a gift and now my daughter loves it! The story is so magical and welcoming that I know I will give the book to all new parents. You can't go wrong with this book. The images are beautiful and allow for each child to help make up their own new story. I can't wait for Kate's next book!

We took this book out from the Library. The illustrations are striking and unique! However, the story, about a lonely girl who lives in a castle inside glass globe, leaves one feeling sad. Also, there really is no story line, as someone else pointed. I was torn between giving it three stars or two. The Pictures are truly a work of art so I will give it three, but the story leaves a lot to be desired.

I read all of the reviews about this book, and I have to agree that it is a bit lacking in the storyline, but I really purchased it for the illustrations and the simplicity of the storyline. It is great for a young child.

When I was little, I wished I could shrink until I was tiny enough to live inside Colleen Moore's beautiful castle dollhouse inside the Museum of Science & Industry in Chicago. When I heard about this book, I had to investigate! We just ordered 3 more copies so we have one to give to each of the little girls in the family for Christmas -we plan on pasting in their pictures so they'll be surprised when they turn the last pages. A truly lovely book, very much the sort a child will like to look at off by themselves. The illustrations have not only beauty but a certain sly wit. I'd say it's not for those who might be lacking in imagination -probably too subtle. The wonder is all in the concept -you're either willing to allow for the possibility of magic or you're not -thankfully, most children are.

This book is beautifully illustrated. So much so that my 7yr old daughter exclaimed " we have to write to the artist" while reading this book. I do agree with other reviewers that there wasn't much of a plot. We did spend more time pouring over the details in the pictures than we did on the story.
One very negative aspect of this book for us was the Typesetting ( not sure if that is the correct term but most of the text was written on a dark background which made it extremly difficult to decipher. My daughter has a mild visual impairment that makes it difficult for her to see low contrast items. This book was a real challenge to read because of that.