Customer Reviews

Regarding the Fountain: A Tale, in Letters, of Liars and Leaks

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I love reading good childrens books. Since I had a daughter at 40, I have had a chance to read to her and with her some of the greatest books that have come into the market since I was a child. What opportunities children have these days to enjoy the marvellous world of books.

"Regarding The Fountain" is just such a wonderful reading experience. The text and visual presentation take you to a world of fantasy that we should all experience, no matter what age we are.

The format used by the Klise sisters for this tale is so engaging and whisical.The story unfolds in such a manner that you don't want to put the book down until you have followed every character,every visual clue,every text change to the conclusion.

You are drawn into the story because you are looking for the answer to the magic thread sown into the fabric by Kate. The humor of the names and how this relates to the theme keep your interest peaked and you seek to understand not only the changing attitudes and involvement of the 5th graders in the "Water's Joy of Living Philosophy",but also the sinister evil that unfolds.

Kudos go to Sarah for the wonderful drawings,visual clues,interestingly layout pages that take the story to a new level of involvement by the reader. You feel totally involved in all aspects of the story through the visual presentatations, that become identified with certain characters, that explain and enhance the text, and that make the book a shear delight to read. What work has gone into a fabulous enterprise. The details in the illustrations are so delightful and insightful.

"Regarding The Fountain" is a triumph for the Klise sisters. But it's also a triumph for parents who want their children to read more books. Rather than watch TV, children now have a visual option that is a book. They can be visually stimulated, while reading a totally delightful story that has good guys, bad guys,crusaders, and role models. The format that the Klises have chosen keeps the child turning the pages and when the story is over, it's back to the bookshelf for another adventure, rather than turning on the TV.

There is more than just a story here as well. There is a lesson to us all that life can be exciting where ever we live and work. Florence Waters brings to the tale a joy of living in the moment and teaches us that our lives are as interesting as we choose to make them. What a great message to children (and adults).

I truly hope that Kate and Sarah continue to bring us more of their whisical and thought provoking books. I like the way they see the world and I am so glad they shared that with me.

I ordered this children's book after learning that its original format features letters, memos, postcards, lunch checks and bulletin board notices. After all, what better characteristic can mark a child's book than imagination? But even after reading the Kirkus Review of this book, I was unprepared for the delightful originality of Regarding the Fountain.

The story features all the things that appeal most to fifth graders: clearly drawn heroes and villains, amazing facts of science and geography, kids that "save the day" and puns that beg to be shown to others with challenges of "Look at this! Do you get it?"

Changing formats and charming drawings accompany the reader through this romp. The style of illustrations are as quirky as the things they document: the school band's Spanish costumes, the Esther Williams-style water ballet exercises that are recommended to reduce Principal Russ's tension, the Curl and Twirl's latest hairdo fiasco-and everything in between.

Although it is peopled by fifth graders and is intended for young readers, it is so engaging that this adult smiled page-by-page throughout. Before you give this slim volume to your child, treat yourself to a charming hour as you learn how the need for a new school water fountain changes a town's future.

If your child has a love of language and a sense of humor, he or she will adore spending some time in Dry Creek Middle School where the motto is "We Thirst for Knowledge" and the school attorney is named Barry Cuda. Add this book to the collections of your favorite children and provide them with a marvelous reading experience they will want to share with their friends.

In this book, Dry Creek Elementary School needs a new fountain. The old one is leaking. They go to Florence Waters, who is a designer of many fancy fountains, for a new fountain, but Sally Mander and Delbert Eel know a secret about the fountain, and the discovery of that secret could end Dry Creek's famous problem with water! I really liked this book. It's funny and it has a fast-moving plot. One funny thing is all the names in this book have to do with water, like Cora Reef and Walter (Wally) Russ. I would recommend this book to anyone from 9 to 12 who enjoys a good read and a good laugh!

This book is GREAT! I read it in a day, for I couldn't stop reading. It is wacky and it is a joy to see what the next page will look like for they are all different, not your broing average text. This story is about a school that needs a new drinking fountain and so they try do get it from a lady who is so creative and unique compared to the princapal's style. A class grows to love this lady. With in this story written in letters a mystery is hidden. Read it and you won't be sorry!

I write children's books (three published, one more on the way this Spring), and I'm filled with jealousy and admiration. Fun from page one to the very end. Witty, clever, with more zest for life than you'll find anywhere. Treat your child; treat yourself. Florence Waters is a character you will never forget.

The style of this book is very interesting. It's told in the form of letters, memos, newspaper clippings, and other sorts of written correspondence.

The story revolves around Dry Creek Middle School. Dry Creek is a very boring, small town. One day, there is a problem with the school fountain, and the principal writes to a Miss Florence Waters to get an estimate for a new drinking fountain.

Miss Waters is a highly eccentric character, and she and the principal are constantly in miscommunication regarding this fountain. He wants a simple drinking fountain, and she is designing a grand artistic fountain. Miss Waters then decides to correspond with the fifth grade class in the Middle School. The kids fall in love with her letters and gifts. She brings new life the boring, arid town of Dry Creek.

The girls loved this book. They loved the unique writing style, as well as the over the top character of Miss Waters. The mothers loved the book as well. We all particularly enjoyed the romantic innuendo between Miss Waters and the fifth grade teacher. This would be a great choice for anyone particularly a mother-daughter book club.

ok, so maybe this book was not in my age range. but it was wonderful. i read it in one afternoon, which shows you how well-written it is. it follows (in letters) the story of the dry creek elementary school's quest for a new drinking fountain. soon, the fifth graders are forming a band, recieving letters from all over the world, and trying to unravel a mystery! great read!

Mr. Sam N.'s fifth grade class have a classroom right next to the drinking fountain. The fountain's always been kind of leaky, but the principal Wally Russ decides that it is a hazard and needs to be replaced.

Wally Russ has his faithful secretary, Goldie Fish, send a letter to Florence Waters, a fountain designer. What Wally Russ doesn't know is that Florence Waters is not going to play around with a few pipes and smack a plain old drinking fountain against the wall; she's designing a real fountain, the kind you see in front of hotels, with statues and pennies on the bottom. <b/> Sam N.'s fifth grade class send Florence a host of foutain ideas, like a root beer dispenser and glass sides so you can see fish swimming inside. Wally Russ finds out about the ideas and is furious at Florence. Surely she can't be taking these ideas seriously?

Florence Waters is more than taking the ideas seriously, she's making them look small and insignificant. This is a hilarious novel told completely in letters with definite characters and fun illustrations by Ms. Klise's sister. If you don't think anything in this book is funny, I think you should read more closely, and if the same applies, see a psychologist. ;)

This was definitely one of the best books I ever read. It wasn't like most books because it was written in artistic funny letters. If you're under 13 I really suggest you get this book! This isn't a very long book but every page was great! I LOVE THIS BOOK!

Regarding the Fountain by Kate Klise
Regarding the Fountain is a most unusual and entertaining book filled with mysteries, unusual characters, and ample educational benefits. The story unfolds when Sam N's 5th grade class is assigned the task of presenting the history of Dry Creek at the annual Dry Creek Days Celebration. The class is surprised to discover that Dry Creek had changed its name thirty years ago. The town was once known as Spring Creek, but the town decided to change it when the spring dried up along with a lot of the town's businesses. As the class is researching their project, the principal of the school is distressed with the leaky water fountain at the school and wants it replaced. He writes Flo Waters, a well-known fountain designer, asking her to send designs on a new water fountain for the school. Ms. Waters corresponds back and forth with the students to get their ideas on how fountain should be designed. She is so delighted with the class that she sends them letters and artifacts from all of the places she visits. The fifth grade class uses her artifacts and their research facts for their presentation. The class unveils some interesting facts on why the water dried up and helps restore the missing water supply back to the town.
Regarding the Fountain gives teachers opportunities to integrate history, geography, math, and language arts into their reading activities. This is a very entertaining and funny book that can be read by students above 3rd grade. This adventure is highly recommended.