Something from Nothing [Paperback]

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Scholastic
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 059047281X
• ISBN-13: 978-0590472814
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.9 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,489,941 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully repetetive book, February 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Something From Nothing (Hardcover)

I used this book in a daycare class of two and three year-olds. It's great!! The repetition gets children involved actively with the story and the artistry keeps children busy looking for all sorts of details. Wonderful book for children of all ages.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 8 year-old from North Bend, May 2, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Something From Nothing (Hardcover)

I gave this book five stars because it had really good word choice and it reminded me of a blanket I used to have. I would recommend it to 7 year-olds or older. It is my favorite book. I have read it 25 times.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A book to grow up with!, January 2, 2002

By 

Jennifer M. Macleod "yiddishe supermama" (Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Something From Nothing (Hardcover)

I've seen a few knock-offs of this story, and actually, they're all based on a classic Yiddish folktale, so I guess they have the right. But in my mind -- and my kids'! -- Gilman's sweet take on this tale of old-world frugality and love will always be the "classic."

Gilman's richly colourful paintings are full of action, vivid cross-sections depicting events playing out in all the rooms of Joseph's house, out on the street, and even in the cellar where a growing family of mice plays out a surprising "bonus" story of their own.

The characters here are all believable; Joseph is as mischievous and playful as any modern child. And the time flow in this book is exquisite: as in life, Gilman's transforms Joseph from page in subtle but certain stages, bringing him from early childhood into his cheder years.

This is a story kids will love to listen to over and over, and even adults will enjoy making new discoveries within the familiar illustrations. A superlative gift for any child, one which will grow with them and be cherished for years to come.