What the Dormouse Said: Lessons for Grownups from Children's Books [Hardcover]

Amy Gash (Compiler), Pierre Le-Tan (Illustrator), Judith Viorst (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 10, 1999

A collection of over three hundred quotations from the best-loved children's books of all time, What the Dormouse Said brings together the wit and wisdom of such classics as Charlotte's Web, Peter Pan, Eloise, Goodnight Moon, and many others. Organized around twenty-one topics-courage and faith, love and friendship-these lines remind weary adults not to lose sight of the values and virtues they learned as kids-to recognize the importance of being yourself, to respect nature, to live adventurously, and to be defiant when it counts.

With witty illustrations by Pierre Le-Tan, here is a book for new parents, grandparents, teachers and educators, and nostalgic baby boomers--a book that recaptures for all of us the joy of reading for the first time.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Charming." -- New York Times

"Insightful." -- Publisher's Weekly

From the Inside Flap

Remember when you thought you could fly? When a hike through the backyard was a big adventure and a bedtime story could conquer your fear of the dark? Well, you're never too old to rediscover the simple pleasures and lessons of childhood--and sometimes it just takes a Peter Pan or a Pooh Bear to point the way.

What the Dormouse Said is the first book to bring together worldly wisdom from more than two hundred best-loved children's books: What does the Little Prince know about searching for beauty? What can Madeline teach us about being brave? And what is Harry Potter's prescription for living well? From such classics as Charlotte's Web and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, here are lessons about lofty matters, like love and faith, and practical matters, like table manners and family woes. These inspirational and witty quotations, from Aesop to Dr. Seuss, from Mark Twain to Judy Blume, remind us not to lose sight of the values we learned as kids--to be courageous, to do good deeds, to respect our imaginations and maybe even to break a few rules once in a while.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 146 pages
• Publisher: Algonquin Books; 1st edition (January 10, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565122410
• ISBN-13: 978-1565122413
• Product Dimensions: 6.2 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #532,671 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very enjoyable collection, May 24, 2000

By 

Sheila L. Beaumont (South Pasadena, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: What the Dormouse Said: Lessons for Grownups from Children's Books (Hardcover)

This is a delightful collection of quotations that anyone who loves children's books will enjoy. Sources range from Alice in Wonderland to Winnie-the-Pooh to Narnia to Harry Potter. The book is divided into chapters, including Imagination and Adventure; Animals; Character and Individuality; Greed, Envy, Pride, and Sloth; Songs and Stories. There's an index of titles so you can look up your favorites. Here are a couple of my favorites: "Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing -- absolutely nothing -- half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats." ("The Wind in the Willows"); "If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world." ("The Hobbit").

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Calling all book lovers!, October 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: What the Dormouse Said: Lessons for Grownups from Children's Books (Hardcover)

What the Dormouse Said is a terrific resource for anyone who loves children's literature or benefits from a little wisom and wit...and that include everyone! It is also a great tribute to the writing talents of children's authors. This attractive little treasure is my gift of choice for the holidays, I am giving it to teachers and anyone I know who works with children or is young at heart. The selections are diverse, well-organized and just plain fun to read.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, Charming Book, July 7, 2001

By 

Janet (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: What the Dormouse Said: Lessons for Grownups from Children's Books (Hardcover)

I just happened upon this book in my local bookstore, and I feel lucky really. It's a gem. Filled with wonderfully witty and wise quotations from childrens books through the ages. The quotations brought back lovely memories of my own childhood and my own childhood reading. They also reminded me of how beautiful and eloquent and wise the simple thoughts are from great children's literature. Thank you, Amy Gash, for putting together such a thoughtful and moving collection. I plan to buy many as gifts for friends and for my own children's teachers. There's a lot to learn from children's literature--wisdom and perspective and, perhaps most of all, a sense humor. I can't think of a better introduction to the world of children's literature--and what it has to offer to grown ups too--than What The Dormouse Said.