A Necklace of Raindrops and Other Stories [Hardcover]

Joan Aiken (Author), Kevin Hawkes (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2003 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

'This is how it all began'. From "A Necklace of Raindrops" to "The Patchwork Quilt", here are eight classic stories to treasure and enjoy. Beginning and ending with a birthday, this spell-binding collection conjures up a world filled with magic, where wishes can come true. A necklace of raindrops that keeps its owner dry in the heaviest rainstorm; a tiger that runs faster than the wind; a huge floating apple pie with a piece of sky in it; a baker's cat who swells to the size of a whale when his mistress feeds him yeast; and, a house that stands on one leg - these are just some of the objects and characters that figure in these delightful stories.

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Aiken's 1968 collection of eight tales, A Necklace of Raindrops and Other Stories, infused with magic (such as flying carpets, an oversize cat and a house that rests "on one leg") returns with more than 60 new b&w illustrations by Kevin Hawkes.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 4-6, younger for reading aloud. The pleasure of seeing this excellent short-story collection back in print is heightened by the addition of Kevin Hawkes' new black-and-white artwork. Many of the drawings are strongly reminiscent of Wanda Gag's illustration. In fact, the publishers' note on Hawkes mentions that he created these pictures "in the tradition of The Story of Ferdinand and Millions of Cats." A typical double-page spread includes one or two drawings, well-shaded, rounded, and full of lively details. Combining elements of folklore with her own inventive touches, Aiken transports readers to places where tigers talk to little girls; people travel by trains, flying carpets, and even flying pies; and magic has a way of bringing justice to the world. With its fine-tuned combination of folklore and fun, this collection is a good source of imaginative tales to read alone or aloud. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 84 pages
• Publisher: Perfection Learning (June 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0756956862
• ISBN-13: 978-0756956868
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #940,765 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Joan Aiken (1924-2004) was the daughter of Pulitzer prize winning poet Conrad Aiken and started writing herself from the age of five. During her lifetime she published over one hundred books for children and adults, including the acclaimed Wolves of Willoughby Chase series. In the UK she received an MBE from the Queen for her services to Children's Literature.

This year sees the publication of a brand NEW story collection - The Monkey's Wedding - with previously unpublished material that shows Aiken on top form. This collection of funny, spooky, unexpected but classic Aiken stories has received wonderful reviews and will delight her readers. See below for details.

Her work continues to be adapted for film and television; she is established as a consummate storyteller,and recognized as one of the best loved authors of the twentieth century.

"The Wonderful World of Joan Aiken" is at www.joanaiken.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Necklace of Raindrops, February 29, 2000

By 

Layla Corey (Redondo Beach, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Necklace of Raindrops (Paperback)

I happened upon this book once when I was in grade school. It made such an impression on me that I have searched for it ever since. It was a wonderful journey of exciting adventures. Making me feel like I had left my life behind and embarked on an incredible expedition. The fun and adventurous stories take the reader around the world. Fun and suspense are around every corner.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rediscovering an old friend, February 13, 2002

By 

K. Reshkin (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Necklace of Raindrops: and Other Stories (Hardcover)

My copy was inscribed to me when I was six, in between Dr. Seuss and the Phantom Tollbooth. Looking at it again now, I marvel that it was only eight stories. Bits of them have stuck in my mind ever since: the necklace of raindrops, each with a special power, the girl who had to be washed with her dress on and hung out on the line to dry so it wouldn't shrink past her, the train station in the desert, the cat who ate the yeast, the quilt and the camels and the traffic lights from Beirut. Get a copy and wear it out, then read Joan Aiken's other marvelous books.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fanciful Stories, December 27, 2001

By 

Kelley Hunt (Texas, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Necklace of Raindrops: and Other Stories (Hardcover)

I am thrilled to see this book back in print after so many years. I read it when I was a kid and even after 3 decades I still remember the story of the girl who gets a magic necklace of raindrops and the story of the cat and his wishing mat made out of a gray dress. The new illustrations are nice and I like the fact that it is in hardback, because it will last longer.