Peter and the Wolf [Box set] [Hardcover]

Sergei Prokofiev (Performer), Bono (Author), Gavin Friday and The Friday-Seezer Ensemble (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Since its premiere in 1936, Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf has become a classic beloved by generations of children and adults. For this enchanting new version of the story, Bono and his childhood friend Gavin Friday have collaborated on a stunning boxed set that includes a clothbound book and enhanced CD. The beautifully produced hardback book contains 64 pages of Bono's original paintings-with help from his daughters Jordan and Eve-to illustrate the story. And the enhanced CD features a fresh and funny rendition of the musical score, narrated in a sly and hilarious reading by Gavin Friday and performed by the Seezer Ensemble. Royalties from the project will benefit the Irish Hospice Foundation.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Bono is the internationally acclaimed lead singer and writer for U2.

Gavin Friday, one of Bono's oldest friends, is a musician, painter, and film soundtrack composer, formerly of the band the Virgin Prunes.

Directed by Maurice Seezer, the Seezer Ensemble has produced music with Gavin Friday for films including In the Name of the Father and The Boxer.

Founded in 1986, the Irish Hospice Foundation works to provide better care for people with terminal illness.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Bloomsbury USA (November 27, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582343888
• ISBN-13: 978-1582343884
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #794,560 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get it and you won't regret it...., November 15, 2003

By 

noone42 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Peter and the Wolf (Hardcover)

This book and CD are great for several reasons. As a lifelong U2 fan, I would of course buy it because Bono illustrated it, but that alone doesn't being to cover how cool this. "Peter and the Wolf" is a great children's story to begin with. Add in some great and very interesting illustrations done by Bono, Gavin Friday reading the story, as well as assembling a great arrangement for the music and you have a sure-fire, can't miss edition.

The edition is well packaged and would make a great gift. It comes in a box, which includes the CD and book. The music is amazing. Different instruments are used that you normally wouldn't find and I found myself wishing that this had been around when I was a kid. Then maybe I would have enjoyed it more! As it is, it makes me smile. Bono's illustrations are extremely unique. They are deceptively plain and simple. I personally wouldn't expect anything less from him. Although, a warning, there are a couple of illustrations that may be slightly questionable for children. The real star with this is Gavin Friday, most famous, (perhaps unfortunately for such a talented guy) for being Bono's friend. Friday's voice is perfect for this telling. He has a unique voice in his music and he has applied it here. I could listen to it over and over again. The CD also has an enhanced feature with a behind-scenes documentary and gallery for PCs.

If you paid attention to nothing else, this is the bottom line. "Peter and the Wolf" extremely good all around, and it is even for a good cause, benefiting the Irish Hospice program. Can't beat that!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For children & adults, a stunningly original version, January 9, 2004

By 

"modhaus" (S. Boston, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Peter and the Wolf (Hardcover)

This boasts the most stunningly original musical arrangement of "Peter & the Wolf" I have ever heard. The narration is compelling. My son adores it, he hung on every word. The drawings are appealing as well. Another reviewer complains that the drawings (particularly of the cat) are not 'appropriate' for children. I strongly disagree. I had no problem sharing this book with my son. I also gave the book as a gift to several friends with young children this holiday season, and everyone enjoyed the entire project thoroughly--no complaints about the kitty. These drawings are TAME compared with what children see on television and in film, and in the music directly marketed to them these days. I'd rather have my son look at this book than see images of Britney or Christina Aguilera plastered in the media. I recommend this version to anyone interested in introducing (or re-introducing) their children to the story of Peter & the Wolf.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for all ages, January 9, 2004

By 

CJ (St Clair Shores, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Peter and the Wolf (Hardcover)

Being a Gavin Friday fan (so much so that we named our son Gavin) I had to get this boxed set when it came out and I was not dissapointed. The illustrations were wonderful, Gavin's reading of the story (and the music) was simply amazing.

Perhaps the more American puritanical parents will have issues with bare breasts illustrated, however most of the world would find nothing objectionable to even younger than the "recommended" age. I found it simply refreshing that illustrations in a children's geared book are not devoid of body parts which everyone has and what most (thankfully) associate with feeding children and not sex.

A box set well worth purchasing.