Customer Reviews

Once Upon a Time in Great Britain: A Travel Guide to the Sights and Settings of Your Favorite Children's Stories

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

 

 

This is a great book for anyone who wants to plan a trip around, or include in their trip, sights related to favorite children's books. She even includes some of the books that are not as well-known in the US such as The Borrowers, Green Knowe and Greyfriars Bobby. Double check the details before you go, however, as some things have changed since publication. For example, the exhibit of children's manuscripts at the British Library is no longer there, sadly.

The woods where C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien used to walk together, the coffee shop where J. K. Rowling began her work on the Harry Potter series, the house that inspired the Borrowers, the locations of The 101 Dalmatians...

It is apparent from reading this book that the author spent a great deal of time researching the topics covered. The byline indicates that she spent a year with her family exploring England and Scotland.

Fans of the books covered will enjoy the brief (1-2 page) biographies and the descriptions of the locations. This is what some call an "armchair travel" book: you can enjoy it without ever traveling to the locations.

I can't comment on the accuracy, because I have not visited any of the locations described. This is not a slick travel book brimming with pictures; it's a soft-cover printed on relatively inexpensive paper. I enjoyed the biographies and site descriptions and I'm sure there are many others out there who will as well.

Written by a teacher who spent a year in England and Scotland with her family visited the sights mentioned in various kids' books. Not being from that area it is fun to visit the England that you are looking for whether it is the old Roman Empire or Shakespeare. For kids this book carries you through the England and Scotland of fairytales and stories. Each site has a small blurb and a black and white sketch. There are a few monochrome photos but there is nothing consistent. It may be useful for a starting point.

I absolutely love this book. It has been so helpful to me in planning a trip with my friend to explore the children's lit related spots in the UK. Even though written several years ago and some of the admission prices had changed it gave contact information and things that I would have never even have known to look for. It was written well to inform as well as entertain.