Customer Reviews

Nurse Matilda: The Collected Tales

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

After seeing the movie "Nanny McPhee," my six-year-old daughter and I couldn't wait to read the book it was based on. We weren't disappointed. The Brown children in the book really are terribly, TERRIBLY naughty, maybe even worse than the children in the movie. There are more of them, too - a seemingly endless number; thus more opportunities for naughtiness.

I love this book because it makes it clear that even while she's teaching the children to behave, Nurse Matilda loves them not just in spite of their naughtiness, but because of it. The ineffectual parents are pretty funny, too. And the illustrations by Edward Ardizzone couldn't be more charming.

Be prepared for questions about Britishisms - e.g., the children eat swedes and roly-poly pudding with treacle, and the Baby wears a nappy. It all adds to the atmosphere.

The books by Christianna Brand are charming and are written with typical British understatement. The only complaint that I had is that the children's adventures tend to become repetitious after a while, the pattern of the lessons is always the same. The screenplay that Emma Thompson created using these books as her inspiration is nothing less than wonderful. It simply soared! My 22-year-old daughter and I left the theatre delighted and planning our next visit to the Brown family.

Written in 1946, this endearing tale of an atrocious looking Nanny with a magical walking stick is very entertaining! Mr and Mrs Brown have many children and go through many nurses, governesses and nannies as they are a trifle hard to handle! Nurse Matilda arrives on the scene and order is restored, but not before lots of naughty fun is had.

I'll be eager to see the movie version, NANNY MCPHEE!

This story is one of my favorites and I'm glad to see it back in print. It's truely original and every adult I've given it to has also enjoyed it. A wonderful book to share with your children.

This book includes all three of Christianna Brand's books about the Brown children and their nanny, Nurse Matilda. Children of all ages will enjoy the tales of the mischief of the children and the lessons Matilda aids them to learn in her clever way. A good choice for a family read aloud.

Wonderful book....wonderful story.....it will warm your heart. The words bring back memories of my childhood in Jamaica. Please note, that back then when these books were written, Nurse was the name for Nanny. It was changed to Nanny for the obvious reason. We should not downgrade a children's story, because we dont know the language of another culture. Please buy the book.

My great-granddaughter and I watched the Nanny McPhee movies while I was visiting her one day. I saw the name of the author whose stories they were based on, so ordered the book for her. Nurse Matilda is the Nanny of last resort for desperate parents of badly behaved children! She makes them behave, and eventually makes them love her. A funny book that also teaches good behavior, by showing how naughty behavior can backfire.
Clever illustrations, too!

I didn't personally read this collection of stories, my 10 year old did...in record time too. He loved that the stories were funny, which held his attention throughout the entire book. Inspiration for the Nanny McPhee movies, I would say that the magical whimsy of these original stories would be enjoyed by everyone.

I love this book. The stories are unique and creative. One review I read was disappointed because the book wasn't the same as the Nanny McPhee movies but they obviously didn't actually read the book because it is every bit as similar to the movie as any other novel turned movie. I suppose they were too hung up on the idea that they changed her name from Nurse Matilda to Nanny McPhee. My kids are a bit young, but I have every intention of reading this to them when they are a few years older.

Always interesting to read the original of something made into a movie. Great book with great stories. Enjoyable for all.