Customer Reviews

The Wise Enchanter: A Journey Through the Alphabet

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Oh, if only there were more kids books like this one. Stunning illustrations, clever and beautiful use of the letters of the alphabet and a captivating story all make this a wonderful read. I enjoyed reading it to my 6 year old almost as much as he enjoyed hearing it. Read it with your younger kids or let your older independent readers enjoy it on their own. I really can't say enough about the pictures, My kids had a blast trying to figure out where all the 'letter shapes' were in each illustration. This reminds me a little bit of those old Elsa Beskow and Enid Blyton books from my childhood - the ones I still remember. Can't wait to see if this author writes another kids book. Her other stuff seems to be for older teens/young adults.
Gina Harris,
Florida

The Wise Enchanter will spark the imagination in children of all ages! It is wonderfully well written and beautifully illustrated. This is a great book to read with small children and older children will be excited to read it on their own! Even adults will enjoy this magical journey through the alphabet. I really enjoyed reading this book and can't wait to share it. I look forward to seeing what other adventures this wonderful author has in store for the future.

The Wise Enchanter : A Journey Through the Alphabet, Written by Shelley Davidow is a fantastic book! I am glad that I waited until my son was 5 years old to read it to him, due to the content - a good thing, not a bad thing. Please let me explain that the "good guys (wise and true hearted people) vs. the bad guys (the god of ignorance and his minions)" would have been hard for him to follow, and recognize the lesson, before being mid-5. The story is wonderful, and it is the book that had my son PRONOUNCING LETTER SOUNDS BY SIGHT!!! This is an especially big deal as he has very little academic backround, especially pertaining to letters and intro. to reading. This is a great book!

Great story, but am I missing something? These illustrations would have been terrific if some of them at least were in colour, not just the touched up cover ones. Even sharp black and white instead dull midtone grey would have made a major difference.

This book kept my 6 and 7 year-old son & daughter spell-bound. A wondeful, magical storyline perfect for bedtime reading by a grown-up (i.e. not an "early reader" for kids to read).

This book plants many seeds of faith in life for children. Along the way, we develop great relationships with the letters and a value for the alphabet. I read this to my 7 year old and my 4 year listened in easily. I look forward to reading it again as my 4 year old approaches 7. The 4 children from around the world go on a journey to restore the alphabet... and face many obstacles along the way. There are plenty of challenges the children face-- much bravery and discernment. I admire the author for coming up with such a great story that subtly plants seeds in our souls for trusting the journey in life. (and being kind along the way). Who I am: We are a family that goes to a Waldorf school.

Ok. Tiny black and white decorations were a major disappointment. Many drawings are beautiful, but the quality suffered in printing greatly. I have considered letting my child color them with pencils just to bring some life into the book. I could not get through the entire book; it was boring and repetitive. There is only so much talking to the spirits of dead relatives long gone a child can take. No value in this book for 9-12 year olds. They should know their alphabet well by now!!!! Too long and unimaginative for 4-8 year olds.
The book that arrived had a different cover, much worse than the one Amazon has. Also, not sure if this will make a difference for some parents or not but I simply could not leave it out: there is a chapter for every letter of the alphabet in a book; every letter is made by a person, animal or landscape taking a shape of a letter. Letter "A" is made by an African warrior standing with his legs spread wide and holding a spear across them: the letter is formed by his crotch, wide spread legs and a spear!!!!!!! I am not sure if it is funny or inappropriate, or both, but I would have never bought this book if I knew about it.

Every child should have the wonder of this book. Especially for 6 and 7 year olds, even though they know their alphabet and are often reading. Both parents and children love this book.

I have been reading this with my 5 year old and he absolutly loves it. It is delightful to read. We started out with only a chapter each day but my son cannot wait to find out what happens so we began reading several chapters a day. He loves the story and will retell it to dad every night with such detail. A wonderful book full of fun and fantasy!

We are avid readers of children's books and this is one of the most beautiful, well written stories we have ever read!! We read this book aloud (it is perfect for that!) and it has the feel of fantastic classics ... it is so imaginative and descriptive and takes you on a magical journey that you do not want to end!! We love your writing, Shelley and hope there are many more lovely books to come!! The illustrations add to the beauty of this amazing book ... this is one that every family should have on their bookshelf. It will be read again and again!!