Oliphaunt (Beastly Verse) [Hardcover]

J. R. R. Tolkien (Author), Hank Hinton (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Series: Beastly Verse

A poem in which an elephant describes himself and his way of life. On board pages.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-K-- Of these two board books, Farjeon's Cats is the more successful. The simple rhythmic survey of places cats will sleep is appropriate enough for very young children, and Lewis' realistic drawings in soft pastels give it a pleasant look, although it is unfortunate that the only child pictured is not close in age to the intended audience. Oliphaunt, a not particularly memorable poem from Tolkien's "The Adventures of Tom Bombadil , " just doesn't work as a board book. The drawings that are intended to be comic will confuse toddlers because of their disproportionate animal sizes, the poem is not laid out well in relation to the pictures and, most importantly, it was never intended for very small children. --Ann Stell, The Smithtown Library, NY
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien was born on the 3rd January, 1892 at Bloemfontein in the Orange Free State, but at the age of four he and his brother were taken back to England by their mother. After his father's death the family moved to Sarehole, on the south-eastern edge of Birmingham. Tolkien spent a happy childhood in the countryside and his sensibility to the rural landscape can clearly be seen in his writing and his pictures. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 14 pages
• Publisher: Contemporary Books (August 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809243539
• ISBN-13: 978-0809243532
• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,044,804 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars You wouldn't forget, December 2, 2001

By 

Alyssa A. Lappen (Earth) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Oliphaunt (Beastly Verse) (Hardcover)

My philosophy in children's books has always been to challenge the listeners, no matter how tiny. No board book that contains delightful poetry is too sophisticated for tikes, and this one is no exception.

Nothing difficult in these lines:

"Grey as a mouse

Big as a house

Nose like a snake

I make the earth shake,"

As much comes across in the tone of the reader as in the words.
You can convey a lot by assuming a grandiose rumbling voice to read

"Biggest of all,

Huge, old and tall.

If you'd ever met me,

You wouldn't forget me."

Frank Hinton's cute watercolor illustrations show a lot that kids might not get just from the words. It's a shame this keeper is out of print. Alyssa A. Lappen

0 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Okay story. Horrible Illustrations., December 18, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Oliphaunt (Beastly Verse) (Hardcover)

What a mess. The illustrations by this Hank Hinton guy looks like something done by a first year art student.

It's a shame too because Tolkien's work always seems more enjoyable with a good rawing or too.

It appears the book is out of print. One look at the illustrations and I can see why.