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J. R. R. Tolkien
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The Hobbit: The Enchanting Prelude to the Lord of the Rings Mass Market Paperback – July 12, 1986

by J.R.R. Tolkien (Author)
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 6,302 ratings
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The Hobbit: The Enchanting Prelude to The Lord of the Rings
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  1. Reading age
    5+ years, from customers
  2. Publisher
    houghton miffin/Ballantine,01532.
  3. Publication date
    July 12, 1986
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000MBZTYE
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ houghton miffin/Ballantine,01532.; Illustrated. edition (July 12, 1986)
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 5+ years, from customers
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.2 ounces
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 6,302 ratings

About the author

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J. R. R. Tolkien

J. R. R. Tolkien

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J.R.R. Tolkien was born on 3rd January 1892. After serving in the First World War, he became best known for The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, selling 150 million copies in more than 40 languages worldwide. Awarded the CBE and an honorary Doctorate of Letters from Oxford University, he died in 1973 at the age of 81.

Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
6,302 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the storyline classic and vintage. They also appreciate the nice size print and easy-to-read text. Readers say the illustrations go a long way and are a great introduction to quality fantasy literature. They say the book makes a good gift and was well packed.

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IllustrationsReadabilityStorylineText sizeGiftabilityHobbit's originalityContent
196 customers mention "Illustrations"173 positive23 negative

Customers find the illustrations in the book prolific throughout the pages. They say the illustrations add a nice touch to the story.

"...Plus all the illustrations really go a long way with a young reader like her...." Read more

"...The colored pictures are beautiful and great attention to detail...." Read more

"...The illustrations and thick pages really add to the fun of the story." Read more

"...The illustrations inside are not overdone and add a nice touch to the story, especially if you will be reading this to a younger child...." Read more

112 customers mention "Readability"105 positive7 negative

Customers find the book easy to read with wonderful illustrations. They also say it's great for young readers and great for nightly reading. Readers also mention that the book has the uncanny ability to whisk them away from their thoughts and issues.

"...The font is legible with inner margins large enough that you don’t have to break the spine to read the inside portion of a page...." Read more

"...of the book is a fabric with nice illustrations, the inside is perfect for reading to younger folks with beautiful illustrations on many pages." Read more

"Great summer reading book with lovely illustrations for the kids summer break. Nice that it is hardback copy as well...." Read more

"...The reading level is about good for a smart 12 year old, however 6 year old boys would also be very interested if you would read it to them!..." Read more

68 customers mention "Storyline"63 positive5 negative

Customers find the storyline classic, timeless, and perfect for fantasy lovers. They also appreciate the pacing and the tale of loyalty, friendship, and teamwork.

"...It’s already a great story for kids and this edition make the presentation equally as appealing." Read more

"...It's a keeper. Gorgeous gift. It makes the story much more fun to read, even after all these years.Bravo! 💠💙..." Read more

"...The art work is very comforting too, adds to the experience of the story world." Read more

"It came new and it's a beautiful story with beautiful illustrations!! If you like to read and collect books like this. This is a must one!!" Read more

40 customers mention "Text size"37 positive3 negative

Customers find the text size of the book slightly larger than average. They also appreciate the well-spaced illustrations and large print.

"...I got this edition and the print is bigger and the paper is normal...." Read more

"...The font is legible with inner margins large enough that you don’t have to break the spine to read the inside portion of a page...." Read more

"This has the best cover, type size, and artwork.It's a keeper. Gorgeous gift...." Read more

"I love that this version has extra illustrations and slightly bigger text / font for kids...." Read more

31 customers mention "Giftability"31 positive0 negative

Customers find the book a great gift. They appreciate the gorgeous overall packaging and the book was well packed.

"...It's a keeper. Gorgeous gift. It makes the story much more fun to read, even after all these years.Bravo! 💠💙..." Read more

"...This truly is a high-quality, gift edition that you will be very proud to own. Don't hesitate to purchase!..." Read more

"...The book arrived in mint condition as it was well-packed. No damage to the box either...." Read more

"...There is nicely illustrated pics inside. It makes a beautiful gift." Read more

12 customers mention "Hobbit's originality"12 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the originality of the book. They also say it's a great edition of the Hobbit.

"This was a special edition of the Hobbit and I am so delighted it was still available." Read more

"I bought one of these to read with my 5 year old twins. The hobbit is fantastic but my little paper back with no pictures didn’t really interest them..." Read more

"...The best edition of The Hobbit that is available hands down!" Read more

"The hobbit is classic and already well beloved and known, so the illustration and cover is what’s being reviewed. 5/5 stars...." Read more

11 customers mention "Content"7 positive4 negative

Customers are mixed about the content. Some mention that the illustrations are beautifully rendered and plentiful throughout the book, while others say that they are very few and far between.

"...All kids should get a chance to read Tolkien. He is such a fabulous author and story teller...." Read more

"...There are very few in the book, some pages only have a small mountain in the corner etc but I believe it allows children..." Read more

"...The illustrations are excellent and numerous throughout the book, and the print is clear and big enough that a child would be interested in reading..." Read more

"...The illustrations are gorgeous and there are plenty of them. The book itself is large but not so big that it is difficult to hold and read...." Read more

Beautiful!
5 out of 5 stars
Beautiful!
This was a gift and a great one at that! The cover is the kind that feels like canvas, like the part of a hardback without the jacket. The colored pictures are beautiful and great attention to detail. The font is legible with inner margins large enough that you don’t have to break the spine to read the inside portion of a page. The only problem I have is how it was packaged. The book was loose in a box with no padding to protect the cover. It was luck that it wasn’t ruined or banged up.Well worth the price.
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Top reviews from the United States

Steve
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for younger readers.
Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2024
Verified Purchase
My daughter was reading my old copy of The Hobbit from when I was young and the text was very small and its printed on that super thin “Bible” paper. I got this edition and the print is bigger and the paper is normal. Plus all the illustrations really go a long way with a young reader like her.

It’s already a great story for kids and this edition make the presentation equally as appealing.
3 people found this helpful
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Lynn
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful!
Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2024
Verified Purchase
This was a gift and a great one at that! The cover is the kind that feels like canvas, like the part of a hardback without the jacket. The colored pictures are beautiful and great attention to detail. The font is legible with inner margins large enough that you don’t have to break the spine to read the inside portion of a page. The only problem I have is how it was packaged. The book was loose in a box with no padding to protect the cover. It was luck that it wasn’t ruined or banged up.
Well worth the price.
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Lynn
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful!
Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2024
This was a gift and a great one at that! The cover is the kind that feels like canvas, like the part of a hardback without the jacket. The colored pictures are beautiful and great attention to detail. The font is legible with inner margins large enough that you don’t have to break the spine to read the inside portion of a page. The only problem I have is how it was packaged. The book was loose in a box with no padding to protect the cover. It was luck that it wasn’t ruined or banged up.
Well worth the price.
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One person found this helpful
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M Piper
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book, great service
Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2024
Verified Purchase
This was a gift but arrived with a broken interior spine - it was ugly. I asked for a replacement which arrived the next day in perfect condition. The outside of the book is a fabric with nice illustrations, the inside is perfect for reading to younger folks with beautiful illustrations on many pages.
2 people found this helpful
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JCH
5.0 out of 5 stars The story is as great as ever, but this hardcover version makes it better
Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2024
Verified Purchase
I’ve long loved the story, but this hardcover version is beautiful. The illustrations and thick pages really add to the fun of the story.
One person found this helpful
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MYB
5.0 out of 5 stars Worth it.
Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2024
Verified Purchase
If you are looking for a copy of ‘The Hobbit’ for yourself or as a gift (any age), this edition is an excellent choice. There is no dust jacket; the book has a hard clothbound cover. There is gold detailing to areas of the front and spine. The illustrations inside are not overdone and add a nice touch to the story, especially if you will be reading this to a younger child. The text is broken up by some full page illustrations, as well as a sketch or drawing sprinkled throughout. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the book, as well as the weight. It looks and feels like a keepsake. Highly recommend.
3 people found this helpful
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Vincentgarraway
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book
Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2024
Verified Purchase
Great summer reading book with lovely illustrations for the kids summer break. Nice that it is hardback copy as well. Print is correct sizing easy on the eyes.
One person found this helpful
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Mattie
5.0 out of 5 stars Better than I imagined
Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2024
Verified Purchase
This has the best cover, type size, and artwork.

It's a keeper. Gorgeous gift. It makes the story much more fun to read, even after all these years.

Bravo! 💠💙
One person found this helpful
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NicsCastle15
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful rendition with canvas fabric cover!
Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2024
Verified Purchase
Got this for my nephew’s 9th birthday. He is big into graphic novels so I hoped that this could bridge him into more mature type reading material. But still wildly imaginative! With great images to guide the imagination along the way. Lovely keepsake I hope he and siblings will enjoy time and again.
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NicsCastle15
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful rendition with canvas fabric cover!
Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2024
Got this for my nephew’s 9th birthday. He is big into graphic novels so I hoped that this could bridge him into more mature type reading material. But still wildly imaginative! With great images to guide the imagination along the way. Lovely keepsake I hope he and siblings will enjoy time and again.
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2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Tzara
5.0 out of 5 stars I am glad I looked up the best illustrated version!
Reviewed in Canada on February 27, 2024
Verified Purchase
I borrowed and read the Hobbit last week and knew I had to read it to my kids. They're 6, 8 and 10. As you can expect, the youngest wasn't too thrilled about it. So I began to look at illustrated versions and was really torn between the different choices. Mostly because there were so few samples of what they looked like. But also because it seemed sacrilege to not have the illustrations by Tolkien himself.

At the end if it all, I looked up which version is the best for kids and was pointed to this one.

After receiving it and seeing it in person, I was still torn about whether to get the author illustrated version. So I went in search for what they actually look like. Obviously they're very interesting, but there are fewer drawings and overall, less colourful. Maybe some day, I'll get the other version for myself.

But for now, this version illustrated by Jemima Catlin, won. There are pictures often enough, colourful enough and descriptive enough, that I believe it will capture and maintain my youngest's attention.

And that was my goal. I am now looking forward to seeing their reaction when I show them the pictures of the story they struggled to follow before.
Customer image
Tzara
5.0 out of 5 stars I am glad I looked up the best illustrated version!
Reviewed in Canada on February 27, 2024
I borrowed and read the Hobbit last week and knew I had to read it to my kids. They're 6, 8 and 10. As you can expect, the youngest wasn't too thrilled about it. So I began to look at illustrated versions and was really torn between the different choices. Mostly because there were so few samples of what they looked like. But also because it seemed sacrilege to not have the illustrations by Tolkien himself.

At the end if it all, I looked up which version is the best for kids and was pointed to this one.

After receiving it and seeing it in person, I was still torn about whether to get the author illustrated version. So I went in search for what they actually look like. Obviously they're very interesting, but there are fewer drawings and overall, less colourful. Maybe some day, I'll get the other version for myself.

But for now, this version illustrated by Jemima Catlin, won. There are pictures often enough, colourful enough and descriptive enough, that I believe it will capture and maintain my youngest's attention.

And that was my goal. I am now looking forward to seeing their reaction when I show them the pictures of the story they struggled to follow before.
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2 people found this helpful
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JC Mrkdo
5.0 out of 5 stars Muy bonito libro
Reviewed in Mexico on November 29, 2023
Verified Purchase
Tanto las ilustraciones como, obviamente, la historia son muy bellos. Lo compré para leérselo a mis hijos y les ha encantado, me piden ellos que se los siga leyendo. También la textura y material de la portada, en el caso del de pasta dura, tiene muy bonitos materiales y acabados.
Muy recomendable para niños de 6-7 años en adelante.
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Marcelo Silva
5.0 out of 5 stars Um livro de arte, pesado e de acabamento luxuoso
Reviewed in Brazil on October 23, 2023
Verified Purchase
O livro é tudo que dizem e mais um pouco, mas para ser sincero ele é mais um livro de arte do que um livro de literatura.

A qualidade do papel é tão alta e o acabamento tão bem feito que deixou o livro pesado e bem desconfortável para se ler deitado na cama ou no sofá. E como a maioria dos livros de arte, serve mais para se deixar numa mesa de centro ou para enfeitar a estante. Vou acabar comprando a versão brochura para usar como cópia de leitura.
2 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 2, 2024
Verified Purchase
A stunning book. I selected it for my son, based on the larger text and illustrations. He absolutely loves it! The drawings are fantastic.
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Martin Hofbauer
5.0 out of 5 stars Traum Buch
Reviewed in Germany on April 3, 2024
Verified Purchase
Geschenk für meine Tochter...sie hat es schon auf deutsch, jetzt wollte sie es auf Englisch...echt super👍
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