Parables from Nature (Yesterday's Classics) [Paperback]

Mrs. Alfred Gatty (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 10, 2006 | Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

Parables for children inspired by nature. This collection includes all 29 stories from the first, second, third, and fourth series, originally published in separate volumes.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Margaret Scott Gatty (1809-1873) was an English writer of children's literature. She was the daughter of the Rev. Alexander John Scott, D.D., a Royal Navy chaplain, who served under, and was the trusted friend of, Lord Nelson. She married the Rev. Alfred Gatty, D.D., Ecclesfield, Yorkshire, and became a highly useful and popular writer of tales for young people. Among her books may be mentioned Parables from Nature, Worlds not Realised, Proverbs Illustrated, and Aunt Judy's Tales. She also conducted Aunt Judy's Magazine, and wrote a book on British seaweeds. Juliana Ewing was her daughter. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 456 pages
• Publisher: Yesterday's Classics (April 10, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1599150050
• ISBN-13: 978-1599150055
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #390,803 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

133 of 134 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Kessinger Publishing's Version is horrible print-wise!!, November 2, 2006

By 

christinemm - The Thinking Mother (Houston Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Parables from Nature (Paperback)

THIS REVIEW IS ABOUT THIS PUBLISHERS EDITION NOT ABOUT THE BOOKS CONTENT ITSELF.

If you want to know about the content--- be aware that this book is copyright free and in the public domain and you can actually read the entire text free, online, if you are curious about the content of the book and what it is about. I am a person who prefers a real, bound book in the hand to reading on the computer screen or printing off a book onto computer paper.

I learned about this book as it is popular with homeschoolers using the Charlotte Mason method.

This book weaves science content into a story format (narrative format).

About this edition of the book--buyer beware!

I am very annoyed. I saw that Amazon sells three different publishers' versions of reprints of this very old book, before I purchased the book from Amazon.

Of course I am mad at myself for making a mistake, but I am also not happy with the way Amazon markets this Kessinger Publishing's version of this book.

I have had issues in the past with facsimile reprints of antique books sometimes being very hard to read. I took time to research this. I wanted whichever publisher's version has a readable font that is clearly printed.

The way Amazon presently has this item (book reprinted by Kessinger Publishing) set up on their webpage, I thought I was looking inside this book. Imagine my surprise when the book arrived and the printing itself is horrible! I can't stand to read this! Upon double checking this now, I see I made a simple mistake--if you don't want to make the same mistake that I made please read on...

It appears that this Kessinger Publishing version is a facsimile reproduction of the original. The old font type is hard to read. But the more problematic thing is that the ink is blobby and uneven. Specifically, I mean that some parts of the letters are missing (there is white space) while others are blobbed so that the letters don't look as they should, they are black blobs in some parts. I would prefer a book whose text is clearly visible. A modern font is also usually easier on the eyes.

I am very annoyed as this is not even the cheapest price edition of this book which is currently in print! Come to find out there are cheaper versions with nicer and easier to read font!

I am upset with Amazon additionally as the way they have this set up to "look inside this book" brings you to the edition published by the publisher "Yesterday's Classics" which has what looks to be a great font, a nice, clear, modern font and a good printing job. (Also today I received a different book purchased from Amazon by the publisher "Yesterday's Classics" and it is a wonderful printing job and a a nice binding to boot.

I will be returning this book to Amazon.

NOTE THERE IS AT LEAST ONE PUBLISHER WHO HAS REFORMATTED THE ORIGINAL BOOKS CONTENT INTO A READABLE FONT THAT IS HIGH QUALITY. I don't know if Amazon will allow me to refer you to that publisher, they are Yesterday's Classics. I ended up buying that publisher's book and it was fantastic.

44 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A challenging gem..., May 14, 2007

By 

bethlovesbooks (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Parables from Nature (Paperback)

First let me clarify that I am commenting on the story, not the edition. For what it's worth, I have the edition by Yesterday's Classics and it is nicely done.

These stories are challenging, rich and complex, as they seek to uncover God's craftsmanship in the natural world, how the seen teaches us about the unseen ("the creation declares the glory of God....") The writing and vocabulary are quite sophisticated. We homeschool and I would recommend the book as a read aloud, no earlier than the third grade all the way through adulthood. I am enjoying reading it with my daughter as a jumping off point to discuss the nature of God. I find the book challenging and enjoyable as an adult. It's a great book to glean ideas from and stretch their intellect, imagination and understanding.

Ambleside curriculum has it slated too early in my opinion....my child is bright, but in first or second grade this would have gone right over her head.

15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very well done!, March 16, 2006

By 

T. Gustafson "saanen" (Midwest) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Parables from Nature (Paperback)

My children really enjoy the stories in this book. We use this book as part of our homeschooling. My children have no problem understanding what is read. I like the way in which the stories are told that makes them easy to understand.