Eloise's Guide to Life: Or, How to Eat, Dress, Travel, Behave, and Stay Six Forever (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Hilary Knight (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

If you grew up with Kay Thompson and Hilary Knight's Eloise books, some of her eccentricity probably rubbed off on you whether you realize it or not. Frankly, it's difficult to remain unaffected by a 6-year-old girl who lives in New York City's Plaza Hotel, braids her turtle's ears, talks to Mars through a paper cup, and pours water down the mail chute. Eloise's Guide to Life pieces together snippets from Eloise, Eloise in Paris, Eloise in Moscow, and Eloise at Christmastime in the interest of instructing its readers on "how to eat, dress, travel, behave, and stay six forever." Of course, if everyone took this advice, people would put large cabbage leaves on their heads when they had headaches, throw occasional temper tantrums, comb their hair with forks, and pretend they were orphans to get food from strangers. Like the wee Seuss-isms, this whimsical sampling of Eloise-isms is sure to renew a sense of rebellion and joie de vivre in nostalgic Eloise fans. This small book is perfect for new graduates or for anyone who has forgotten how much fun it can be to wear toe shoes on their ears. For adults who want absolutely everything Eloise, The Absolutely Essential Eloise includes the text and illustrations of the original title, along with a historical scrapbook detailing the making of Eloise. (Grownups) --Karin Snelson

Product Description

If you're bored with your life and want to be more like me,
Eloise
Then buy this BOOK for Lord's sake and
CHARGE IT PLEASE

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing; 1st edition (June 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689833105
• ISBN-13: 978-0689833106
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #149,015 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Eloise Redux, June 16, 2000

By	Randall Rice "factorykid" (Providence, RI USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This tiny little book seems to be simply part of the ramped up marketing of the "Eloise" character since the death of its very protective author, Kay Thompson.

If you have the previous books, you have all of the illustrations and "Eloise"isms in this not so new book.

Save your money and buy the original.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Scrapbook of Eloise's Quirks from the Four Books, December 12, 2000

By	Professor Donald Mitchell "Jesus Makes Me a P... (Boston) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)

This book contains highlights of the four Eloise books (Eloise, Eloise in Paris, Eloise at Christmastime, and Eloise in Moscow), grouped into her habits about eating, dressing, travel, behavior, and staying young (six). The book is like having a brief scrapbook of these stories that capture and remind you of the essential character of Eloise. As such, this book will help you quickly drop the cares of the day . . . and it's healthier than a cocktail.

On the other hand, if you haven't read all four books, I think this assemblage will lose some of its charm. Some of the examples don't make much sense if you don't have the story context for them.

If you have read all four stories but don't have copies, this is the bargain basement way to have a little of each one.

If you can afford to indulge, I suggest Eloise: The Ultimate Edition as a better choice. That has all four stories, plus the wonderful scrapbook material about the development of the Eloise character and biographies of Kay Thompson and Hilary Knight. Once you own that edition, you don't really need this one (unless you just want to tuck it under your pillow for comfort).

Some of my favorite sections from this book include Eloise combing her hair with a fork, ordering room service, insisting on Sabena because they let turtles fly on that airline, and getting a new outfit from M. Dior in Paris. I'm sure you'll find some of your favorites, too.

By the way, Eloise must have authorized this book. Kay Thompson wouldn't have . . . because it's commercial Eloise rather than essential Eloise. The wonderful Hilary Knight drawings carry the edition, even when the context seems lost.

After you have finished enjoying this little souvenir, I suggest that you try boiling down your life into 20 elements of your own habits. Which 20 best capture the real you? If they don't capture you, what does that say? Hmmmm. Something to think about.

Remember the best . . . from midst all of life's little eddies.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For Eloise fans only!, August 6, 2001

By	Susan - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Let's face it-you are either an Eloise fan or not. There is no in-between. I happen to be a very loyal fan.

I ran across this by accident one rainy airport day and of course, knew it was going to be great. I was not disappointed. This is a book full of previous work collected into a life "guide".

The illustrations are once again, hillarious! Who couldn't smile at Eloise's antics? The "advice" is superb. But my favorite are the little pink colored advice tidbits on most pages.

I am so relieved that Eloise has not been censored by the politically correct. So many children's books are so soapy clean that you cannot enjoy them. However, all things Eloise remain classic.