Serendipity and Her Friends (Serendipity Books) [Hardcover]

Stephen Cosgrove (Author), Robin James (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 29, 2003 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Sharing life lessons and memorable morals, the Serendipity books are a seasoned favorite with children and parents alike. So, journey to the magical, mystical land of Serendipity with seven of your favorite Serendipity stories gathered together in one charming hardcover edition.

Illustrated by Robin James.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Price Stern Sloan (September 29, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0843106042
• ISBN-13: 978-0843106046
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #319,928 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Stephen Cosgrove has always been a self-starter.

"When I can't get somebody to do it the way that I know it should be done, I usually do it myself. There is no glory in being a one-man band, but when you want to dance and there isn't any music, you best pull out your kazoo and start humming." In 1974 when he couldn't find a publisher to do his books the way he envisioned them, he founded Serendipity Press and became author, publisher, sales manager, and after 4 years sold 2 million copies.

In 1978 he merged his fledgling publishing company with P/S/S and focused his efforts as a writer. For the next decade he wrote over 70 Serendipity books and countless other value-based fantasy stories.

Stephen was born and raised in the Northwest (both Washington and Idaho). After graduating from Borah High School in Boise, Idaho, he attended college in the Midwest and although he had a passion for writing and storytelling he never held hope that a career would ensue.

In 1973 while working as a vice-president of a leasing company he attempted to buy his newborn daughter, Jennifer, a book. What he was looking for was a fun-to-read story that contained a subtle message of some sort. What he found instead was a plethora of expensive hardcover books that had little of the content that he was looking for. He got out his 'kazoo' and wrote his first stories. Teaming with a Seattle-born illustrator, Robin James, Stephen went on to create four titles that became the foundation of the Serendipity series: The Dream Tree, Serendipity, Wheedle on the Needle, and the Muffin Dragon. Stephen designed the books for manufacture as original paperback books, "'books that people can afford to buy.' The books were sent to a major New York publisher and delightfully the publisher quickly responded that they wished to publish the books. They did, although, balk at the, then un-heard of concept, of an original, inexpensive paperback. The New York publisher was resolute on the paperback issue and, in the on-going negotiations Stephen commented that if necessary he would publish them himself. The publisher laughed saying that would be next to impossible. Undaunted Stephen began to hum. Within 3 months Serendipity Press was born and the rest, as they say, is history.

To date Stephen Cosgrove has written over 300 books. He is currently his first Y/A fantasy series, Diary of an Angel. You can get a sneak peek at http://www.diaryofanangel.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not really classics, but a good collection all the same., November 29, 2004

By 

Althea Vestrit - See all my reviews

This review is from: Serendipity and Her Friends (Serendipity Books) (Hardcover)

'The Serendipity Collection' includes Zippity Zoom, Ming Ling, Butterwing, Serendipity, Sassafras, Rhubarb and Memily.

Cosgrove is a brilliant childrens' author. His books are definitely worth your time if you haven't checked them out yet.

I grew up reading some of his ealier works and always looked foward to getting the newest edition to the series at the bookstore. The illustrations in particular are consistently well-drawn and enchanting.

Hopefully there will be more Cosgrove collections released in the future. This one is a good start and very enjoyable, but not quite full of what I'd call classics. Maybe the next time we'll see Leo the Lop or Trafalgar True.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars love serendipity collection, November 30, 2003

By 

elly velasco (Great big state of Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Serendipity and Her Friends (Serendipity Books) (Hardcover)

I have read the Serendipity books to my daughter when she was young, she had almost the entire collection, but being in the military and moving from place to place, we lost a lot of the collection. I found the Serendipity Collection, in hard bound, with 7 wonderful stories in it, purchased it, and now I read it to my grandchildren. Once again Serendipity is being read in my house again. My grandchildren, which are 6 and 5 yrs. old, love the stories. They turn the tv OFF when it is bedtime and grab the book and wait for me to come to read the stories to them. When a child will turn the Disney Channel off, for a story book reading, that alone says a lot about the book. My grandchildren love this book, and yes, I will be buying more and more of this series. The pictures in the book are so fantastic and life like, I really am glad to find this book, and the morals in the book are just what we try to teach our children and grandchildren. This book will be a joy to anyone that loves to read to children and watch their faces as they see the darling pictures.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, Engaging, and Enlightening, May 25, 2006

By 

T. Lee - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Serendipity and Her Friends (Serendipity Books) (Hardcover)

These stories are wonderful. Full of imagintion, it's been able to draw my very active [...] into the stories. Every story has a moral and it's great for the children to learn them and is a great reminder for adults too (especially when you get caught up in the everyday grind and forget the simple things in life)!!! The moral of each story is stated in the beginning of the tale and reiterated at the end of the story. Great stories, great illustrations, and just TERRIFIC!