Phoebe's Revolt [Hardcover]

Natalie Babbitt (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Farrar (1970)
• ASIN: B000JOTGV6
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rhyme or Reason, May 13, 2001

By 

Kristen Killough (Laconia, NH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Phoebe's Revolt (A Sunburst Book) (Paperback)

I first checked Phoebe's Revolt out of the local library from a randomly selected basket of books my pre-schoolers chose. My boys loved the story so much that before we returned it to the library they had most of it memorized. Few children's books grab my attention enough to buy one copy, but Phoebe's Revolt contained so many elements I thought important to convey to children I immediately bought several copies to give as gifts for the beloved children in my life. In a delightful tale of an eight year old girl who refuses to be dressed in lace and bows, the author uses rhyme and psychology to portray how Phoebe's struggle eventually leads to a compromise. The reader is lulled by the rhythm of the story and yet kept in suspense by Phoebe's antics until in the end Phoebe and her parents understand each other. It is a must for every child's library.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars terrific, May 15, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Phoebe's Revolt (A Sunburst Book) (Paperback)

Stubborn Phoebe learns a gentle lesson about getting her own way. Written in rhyme, the book will hold the attention of your smaller readers, without speaking down to older children.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book about passive resistance, August 24, 2008

By 

Ulyyf "Connie" (NYC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Phoebe's Revolt (Hardcover)

And if you think a child can't understand concepts like passive resistance you've clearly never been a child nor had a child!

Phoebe, eight years old in 1904, is fed up ribbons, ruffles, sashes, curls and wants only to dress like her father.

Her mother's solution is to throw a party to show her how silly she is, but that backfires miserably when Phoebe simply refuses to get dressed. Her father solves the problem - first having her wear a spare outfit of his, then reminding her mother of her own misery in her own clothes at that age. And there's a happy ending - her mother concedes the point and has a few outfits made for her daughter that are more practical.

This is a lengthy book, with complicated words; and the cause of Phoebe's distress is likely to go right over the heads of the younger children. As well, the black-and-white drawings may not hold their attention. Phoebe is eight, and this book is definitely better suited for the older end of the 5-8 group.