Serendipity [Hardcover]

Tobi Tobias (Author), Peter Reynolds (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2000 | Age Level: 4 and up

...It's as wonderful and surprising as it sounds.

Serendipity is a book that is sometimes whimsical, sometimes touching, and always perfect for sharing.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this extended definition of the title word, readers learn that serendipity can make a good day even better ("Serendipity is getting to the zoo just when it's feeding time for the seals") or it can be the saving grace for a kid in his darkest hour ("Serendipity is when you have to go to your grouchy Aunt Bea's house, andAguess what!Aher dog, Banjo, just had puppies"). Occasionally Tobias (A World of Words) lapses into the mushy or the obvious ("Serendipity is meeting someone who's going to be your best friend forever"), but most of her examples include a nice twist ("Serendipity is when you find out you actually look better in glasses"). Reynolds (The North Star) provides sweet-natured and airy watercolor and ink cartoons. His palette, however, is distractingAhe uses full color on some spreads and just one or two colors on others, apparently to highlight certain items (e.g., the eyeglasses that flatter the wearer are ruby in an otherwise violet composition). As pleasant as the book is on balance, there's not much depth; this is a slightly more sophisticated version of the old "Happiness" song from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. All ages.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Tobi Tobias has written many books for children, most recently A World of Words. She is also the dance critic for New York Magazine and the author of Obsessed by Dress, a meditation on fashion. At home in New York City, she creates handmade books for people who fascinate her, among them her young grandchildren: William, James, Lill, and Sara.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing; 1st edition (September 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689833733
• ISBN-13: 978-0689833731
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #575,509 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Serendiptious, September 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Serendipity (Hardcover)

This book is wonderful, from the beautifully illustrated pictures to the loving message it conveys. It proves the world doesn't always have to be harsh and overbearing and that sometimes the simplest things are the ones that make the world a more peaceful place to live. I truly enjoyed reading this book to the young kids I know.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for Little ones, September 30, 2000

By 

Mary Ziller, Librarian - See all my reviews

This review is from: Serendipity (Hardcover)

I work with 5th and 6th graders, who can not sit still for abook read their grade level--not even Harry Potter. Because this book introduces the concept of a fairly sophisticated vocabulary word, "serendipity", it was a hit with the 11 and 12 year olds. They were able to learn from the book's delightful examples what serendiptiy means. Because the text per page is short, they could listen, even those students whose attention spans are not long. A welcome book for most collections. Highly recommended.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Serendipity, September 22, 2000

By 

DJ Thomas (Orlando, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Serendipity (Hardcover)

Our family truly loved this book, and immediately recognised the delightful style of illustrator, Peter Reynolds! Reading this made me go back 40 years, and recall my own "serendipitiest" moment... that of riding my first two-wheeler, with my dad running along beside me, and holding the back of the bike for balance... sailing down the street, glancing back..... with the realization that my dad had let go WAY back at the beginning of the ride! This story will bring a serendipity moment to all who read it. We've all had them! Thanks Toby and Peter for reminding us!