Customer Reviews

The Merchant of Marvels and the Peddler of Dreams

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I bought this book for myself, and now I'm buying more copies to give to others, for Christmas. It's THAT good!

Don't be confused because it seems to be a "children's" book. It's far more than a cute story... the words and concepts are the sort of thing that inspire great art.

If I could create a billboard for this book, it'd be a take-off on that "This is your brain on drugs" series: I'd have a plain sheet of paper on one side, saying, "This is your creativity," and then on the right side, I'd have a picture of the Sistine Chapel, with the caption, "This is your creativity after reading '...Merchant of Marvels...' " ! *grin*

Yes, I love this book!

So begins this wonderful book which certainly tempted me! The magnificent Merchant of Marvels takes readers on a journey through a charming story, enhanced by various fairy tales, myths, etc. and adorned with Clement's lovely and original illustrations. This is a book that I was not content just to peruse--I HAD to buy it. A unique and beautiful acquisition for book lovers! I'm not sure if this is considered a children's book, but it seems to be one of those rare tomes that children and adults alike adore--share it with your child or your parent or your spouse or your hairdresser. Perhaps, too, it might be a good book for those who are reluctant to read (if you're a parent--this may apply to your child--particularly children interested in art, fairy tales, etc.--this book might "tempt" them!). Also, I think this is a good book to give to one you love as a romantic gesture.

Imagine Roald dahl writing a dr. suess book, edited by lewis carroll & illustrated by john Tenneil, and you have a pretty good idea of the overall effect of M. Clement's book. This wonderful little gem first came to my attention on a remainder pile, and has captured the imagination of everyone to whom I've shown it.

It's also a great book to read to a child, because the fanciful illustrations are so rich in detail. Highly recommended.

It brings back all the lost innocence, imagination and fascination of childhood. Happiness as pure as the heart of a child, it will bring smile to any withered face, it will soften hearts that have turned into iron and stone. A perfect book for dreamers of all age who still marvel at the wonder and magic of dreams and fairy tales. It soothes my pain and frustration from work and reality, though only for a brief moment, but it gives me the spirit to carry on, to hope for the date when my own merchant of marvel and paddler of dreams will appear and stay.

If you've happened upon this book while looking for a child's gift, you're doing well. But if you're looking for a gift for your soul, you're doing much better. Through beautifully illustrated clip art and drawings, deliberately fantastical text (both in idea and appearance), and an unusual premise, "The Merchant of Marvels" takes you on the kind of marvelous journey you thought you left behind in elementary school. Part novel, part tall tale, part fairy tale, and part eye candy, this whimiscal 'story' asks: What will you buy for a princesses' present? If you could, would you buy Thumbelina's cradle? Elephants as small as grains of sand? The pea found in the fabled princesses' mattress? Perhaps the human leavings of a young, fastidious baby ogre? Or would you simply gape in wonder? Each page brought fresh delights....and the timeless quality of the language, translated from the French, assures the reader even more that this is a book to be treasured and read again and again, not only by children, but by adults who have not forgotten their own youth, and their now-lost senses of wonder

This wonderful little book is a true treasure which I have given to all the special people in my life. Each page is a delight created with a whimsy and charm that will bring a smile to your face. You will not find another book like it.

What a wonderful flight for the imagination. One can just hope M. Clement continues to push us into our own worlds of make- believe. We're all children at heart if allowed to explore our whimseys, although this is not strictly a childrens book. It's a great read for bolstering the spirit of the young-at-hearts and for the young-at-heart wannabe's. A worthy gift for those one really cares about.

Beautifully made book and absolutely wonderfully written!
Lots of food for your imagination and satisfaction to the eye!

Even if you have never thought of yourself
as being blessed with rich imagination,
this book will open that door for you,
and you will see a fragile architecture of a castle
in a snail's shell...
or even
hear a sound of a tamed piano
found in a lost land of baobabs...

COLLECT YOUR OWN MARVELS, STARTING WITH THIS BOOK!

a beautifully creative book,fit for a goddess! great for creative inspiration, open to any page and enjoy. the story is beautiful while the illustrations are sublime.

The paper it is printed on is heavy stock ecru, like a fine art paper. The illustrations are nothing short of magical and accompany the story beautifully. I won't say any more so as not to spoil any part, except to comment that it is full of whimsy.

This would make a great gift for any artist or illustrator, or any book loving friend.

The only negative was the dust-jacket of the book, which I actually removed for gift giving. Not well designed, it is incongruent with the nature of the book and makes it seem "less."