That's me! I run a newspaper, but my true passion is writing tales of adventure. Here on Mouse Island, my books are all bestsellers! What's that? You've never read one? Well, my books are full of fun. They are whisker-licking good stories, and that's a promise!
It all started when my sister, Thea, discovered a mysterious map. It showed a secret treasure on a faraway island. And before I could let out a squeak of protest, Thea dragged me into her treasure hunt! In no time at all, we'd set sail for the island. It was an adventure I'd never forget....
Elisabetta Dami is an Italian author that currently resides in Italy. She is the author of the Geronimo Stilton series, a bestselling childrens book. She enjoys traveling the world seeking ideas for her series. She writes under a pseudonym of Geronimo Stilton. She is also a co-owner of Italian based publishing company Edizioni Piemme.
This is not a review, but an observation and a question.
Something I don't really understand so I would enjoy hearing people's views on is how people buy books for children from the point of view of the gender of the book's main subject as illustrated on the cover.
At the moment Geronimo Stilton is the hot book for 8-10 year olds. Both boys and girls rush up to the display and look for the ones they haven't read. Mothers, on their own, will buy Geronimo Stilton's for both their sons and daughters. In my experience, fathers rarely buy books for their daughters unless they are with the little girl who will then choose her own book.
However, when it comes to the companion range of books about Geronimo's sister, Thea, it is a completely different story. The girls will equally select a Thea Stilton book. They show no preference for Geronimo or Thea, they are just looking for one they haven't read and that has an appealing cover and title. But little boys will not buy a Thea Stilton book. They don't even want to look at them and if I show them, they are almost uniformly disgusted because it is a 'girl's book'.
It isn't the subject matter, Geronimo is a journalist and editor, Thea is a detective, both are action stories. It is enough that the protagonist is a female to cause disgust among the boys and make the mothers reject Thea Stilton for their sons.
This gender bias runs across the entire age range of books. If the cover has a boy on it, both sexes will read it. If it has a girl, only girls. Tom Sawyer, the Jungle Book and Alfie are bought for both sexes. The Madeleine books, Pippi Longstocking and Heidi only for girls.
There are exceptions. Boys will not select Roald Dahl's Matilda but mothers might buy it for them if they like Roald Dahl books. The Secret Garden gets bought for boys only if it is on a school reading list. Harriet the Spy and the Ramona books are for girls. If a book is about a fairy tale and has not been made into a cartoon (yet) by Disney, like Little Red Riding Hood, it will be bought for both. Once it has become Disneyfied, it acquires the same gender bias.
There is absolute horror at the idea that a boy would be bought Nancy Drew books, but the Hardy books are read by both boys and girls.
Would Harry Potter have been so succesful if the protagonist had been Holly Potter?
A note to authors of children's books: no matter what the story is about, if it is directed at both boys and girls, then make sure the title and the cover do not contain any girlie elements otherwise you're dead in the water!
This review consists of 2 parts: 1. My daughter's review (she's 9) and 2. My review (I'm the Mom). These are excerpts. For the full reviews, please visit our website at http://motherdaughterbookreviews.com
DAUGHTER SAYS:
What I liked and disliked about it:
I liked this book because it's funny and the story is good. I like stories that have mysteries and adventures like this one does. It was really cool that there was a treasure map. If I found a treasure map, I would try to find it - especially if it's a big jewel like a ruby or diamond and I would ask all of my friends, my little brother, my Mom, and my Dad to help me find it.
Trap and Thea are funny when they call Geronimo by everything but his name, like "Geronimiss", "Geronimouse", "Gerrymug", and "Geronimeister". It really seems to bother him.
I liked the way the book ended because the treasure they discovered was a big surprise.
I didn't like that there is writing and pictures over some of the words because I didn't know which ones were part of the story and where they were in the sentence. It made it harder to read.
My bottom line:
I loved this book and would recommend it to girls my age and younger and boys who are younger than me.
MOM SAYS:
What I liked and disliked about it:
For years, I saw the Geronimo Stilton books in the Scholastic book order forms at our school and I was always curious about them. My daughter was never interested in them; but nonetheless, my curiosity got the best of me when I recently found myself perusing the shelves at a local bookstore. I picked up the Lost Treasure of the Emerald Eye for my daughter on a whim, curious about what made this book series so popular. Curiosity...satisfied.
Both my daughter and I were surprised at how delightful this book was. The characters are all quirky and interesting. The setting of the book, New Mouse City, is a clever parody of New York City. In fact, the parodies (more obvious to grown-ups, and most likely not picked up at all by children) abound. For example, there is reference to a Rat La Lanne gym membership (a nod to Jack La Lanne) and a television show called X-Mouse (ok, that could be X-Men or the X-Files - take your pick!). Even the mouse "swearing" (e.g., `Slimy Swiss Balls') is amusing.
Another thing I really liked was that, before we dive into the story, there is a little blurb with a photo introducing each character as well as images of the entire editorial staff of the Rodent Gazette. Also, at the back of the book, there are maps of New Mouse City and Mouse Island with all of the relevant landmarks. I can really appreciate these extra touches.
This book relies heavily on graphics which are clearly intended to enhance the reader experience. For example, the word `green' is in a different font style and color (i.e., green); the word `idea' has a light bulb for an `i'; and the words `I took the stairs two at a time' are staggered as steps. Some of the pages are filled with graphics. (For examples, please visit our website).
On the one hand, the pages are very dynamic and eye-catching. For younger children who still like images to accompany a story, this will probably add to the enjoyment of the book. On the other hand, it is extremely distracting and this is the experience that my daughter had. In fact, I would say that it was distracting to the point that by the end of the book, you realize that the story itself is a bit weak, but the images, play on words, and funny dialogue among the characters are really what carry the book and make it entertaining.
My bottom line:
I found this series to be quite good. The plot itself is a bit weak, but the characters are entertaining. I could go either way with the heavy use of graphics - I think it would be appropriate for younger children just getting used to sitting through longer books. I think it's a great read-aloud book, but I don't think it's quite challenging enough for more established independent readers. I would recommend this series to boys and girls aged 6 to 9.
Geronimo runs a newspaper called The Rodent's Gazette. One day his sister, Thea finds an old map marked with X on it and she plans to go find the treasure using the map. Geronimo and Thea along with their cousin, Trap who claims to be an expert sailor embark on the adventure on a ship called, Lucky Lady.
Geronimo finds a stowaway on the ship but it turns out his nephew, Benjamin who snuck on the ship to be with Geronimo. When a hurricane strikes, they lose their ship and float on Geronimo's big trunk and make it to the island. Thea figures out a plan to get to X marked place and with few bumps, they make it to their destination but they find out that there's only a lake instead of a treasure. They also find out that it is not a deserted island but bustling with tourists and there's also a hotel. Disappointed they go to the hotel and the hotel's manager arranges flight tickets for them to get back. From above Geronimo notices that the lake is in the shape of an eye and it is green which makes it look like an Emerald Eye.
I loved this from the writing to the concept to funny one liners to the beautiful photos. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
Geronimo Stilton Lost Treasure of the Emerald Eye is the first book in the very long series of Geronimo Stilton books. This books introduces you to the main character of the series Geronimo Stilton as well as other main characters such as Geronimo's sister Thea and cousin Trap and nephew Benjamin. This journey takes the characters on a treasure hunt to find the lost treasure of the emerald eye. Thea has found a treasure map when she was antique hunting. She has enlisted her brother to help her find the treasure and the two of them have decided to ask their cousin Trap for help. Benjamin is caught as a stow-away on the boat and is brought along for help on their treasure hunt journey. The team find danger at every turn and has to figure their way out of the deserted island, or is?
This is the first ever book that I have read of the Geronimo Stilton series. I wanted to start reading the series to see what all of the fuss was about with the kids as it is a very popular book at the library I work at as well as with my nieces and nephews. I can honestly say that I love these books so far. The way they are written catches the young reader and makes them want to read more and more. It is very visually appealing with the pictures and different font types and colors.
I see this series being read by my fourth grade students. I'll admit I have recommended this series many times to students, but never actually read one. Normally I would never do a blind recommendation, so I decided to crack one open and see what all the hubbub was about.
Groan. Yeah, I guess I can sort of see why beginning readers would like them. The action is quick, the pages are colorful, and the humor is ever present. But as an adult reader the plot is jumbled, the colorful and eye-catching font is distracting, and the puns were overkill.
If the kids like them, who I am to burst their bubble? Read on young-uns, read on.
5 stars - Dutch hardcover/ Nederlandse hardcover We recieved this book from a reader of 10 years of age who wanted it to be in our home libary so that other children could enjoy the book to. I heard a lot about it and wanted to know what the fuss was about. And what an aventurerus ride it was. A real hero. Their more books on my shelf from Geronimo Stilton I surely will read soon. As the come back from other readers. There all lent out at the moment!
I guess I understand why this series is so popular with the kids but also, it reads like someone got drunk and challenged themselves to write a book using every single font in Microsoft Word.
Stilton, a visionary way ahead of his time, makes beautiful use of perspective and prose to bring the reader into a life as a mouse has profoundly touched me in this new age of AI.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I remember reading this series as child and loved every single book. This was before the author created other series with the different characters and it was just the Geronimo Stilton series. This was the first book and it was really light-hearted and cute! I love how we got introduced to scary, fraidy-mouse name Geronimo Stilton, who writes for the newspaper on mouse island. His sister brings him a map for a mysterious treasure and they go on an adventure. it was really cute and brought back memories when I would read this when I was younger and I cannot wait to read the whole series, especially the newer book in the series.
It all started when my sister, Thea, discovered an old, mysterious map. In no time at all, my sister dragged me and my cousin Trap into her treasure hunt. It was an adventure I’d never forget.
My brother will be telling me what he thought about this book what he liked and everything
My brother loved this book, he loved the adventure that Geronimo and the gang go on he thought it was very funny when stuff happened. His favorite character is Geronimo Stilton, he can't wait for the other book in this series.
My Thoughts: I thought this book was very entertaining for kids like my brother, I love how there was a mix of adventure and laughter my brother laugh so hard at some times and just loved all the new words he was learning and he's be saying them around the house and at school. I felt so proud of him and I can't wait to see him develop more and more as we read the books.
I really don't see understand why this series is so popular. I've been seeing the books around everywhere for some time. This week I got to read the first one. My 8 year old son had brought it home from the school library to use as part of a reading challenge that his school is participating in. He was never engaged, lost interest half way through, and stopped reading. I finished it tonight, and was also very disappointed. I'm really quite surprised to see that this was originally Italian, perhaps it's the translation that's made it over the top American. I couldn't decide if the constantly changing font was annoying or a good thing. At times it really seemed to be trying to hard. Like a sitcom with piped laughter, I found it falling flat and ultimately disappointing. I see that at least 38 stories have been published in this series so far! I don't think I'll get through 38, I might try another one sometime, but with series the first is often the best, and that seems a daunting prospect.
Reread this as an adult wondering why I saved up for every Book Fair we had at school just to get my hands on the next book of Geronimo Stilton...
It was all so worth it! I don't remember much but now that I have refreshed memory of its first book, it's a no-brainer why I loved it (still do)...it's filled with adventure and mystery! Last but not the least, it is also interesting to look at (illustrations and texts).
Meh. The characters aren’t very kind to each other. They try to portray Thea as a strong female character then at the very end of the book a guy calls her pretty and suddenly he’s her boyfriend? Not the kind of stuff I’m putting in my kids hands. They get enough of that everywhere else in the world.
I Love how they Wrote the Letters;It had new words and Even Though I Couldn't Pronounce them (Continued on next page) Page 7 and 8\9 and 10 They were AMAZING.!!! Page 9 and 10\9 and 10
I think I now understand why tiny-me subconsciously avoided this series like the plague.... so many bad puns... too terrible to even redeem themselves by their terribleness... and the randomly cheesy (pun not intended) moments that somehow showcase the unexplained intimacy of rodent culture and relationships. Special tail-shakes with simultaneous declarations of eternal friendship? Familial love randomly announced via whisker and heart tapping? Really? Not that I have anything against these emotions in and of themselves, but when they suddenly make an appearance and take up several paragraphs that have nothing to do with the surrounding flow of the plot? Again, really?
I’m a big fan of children’s books, even as I get older, but there is a careful balance when writing for a younger audience. You might simplify vocabulary a bit, or include less twists in your plot, but you do not write down to children, as this book so obviously does. I can with a certainty say that from 6-12 (the book’s supposed reading age), I would probably try to flush this book down the toilet (I was even less forgiving back then). This entire thing read like baby talk. I don’t even know why I’m so outraged. This is a book for kids, I shouldn’t be so worked up. But maybe it’s my dormant rage over the fact that this is the supposed reading and comprehension level for young readers. Some of my favorite books are for mini audiences! This is drivel masquerading as appropriate literature for the young.
If this series is part of your childhood and you hold it near and dear you your heart, I apologize if this review offends you. I too have many trash things that I defend with cries our heartfelt outrage. But honestly? I’m grateful tiny-me somehow had the instincts to never pollute our mind with Mr. Stilton’s “adventures”.
This is a wonderful series. It was started in Italy and became so popular it is now written in 35 languages. I love love love this series. The books are based on a mouse world.
The narrator is Geronimo Stilton, a learned and brainy mouse: editor of The Rodent's Gazette.
Other characters are Thea Stilton, Geronimo's sister and special correspondent for the newspaper.
Trap Stilton, Geronimo's cousin and a store owner. Benjamin Stilton, Geronimo's favorite cousin.
The books are funny and adventurous.
The books start off fast and keep you reading. The books are colorful, full of cool maps and activities that are fun to do with your child. It will take a few days to finish the story but well worth the read. Even my 4 year old likes to look at the books and that's good enough for me!
For Geronimo it was just a normal day at work until his sister, Thea, said they needed to have a secret talk. They end up on an adventure involving a treasure map. Along the way they face many challenges. From the first page to the last it a high energy read that leaves the reader wanting more.
Lost Treasure of the Emerald Eye is fun, quick read. It follows the typical formula fiction pattern of predictability. It is organized as a chapter book, which gives young readers that sense of accomplishment of reading a chapter book. However, it was printed with larger font than would be typically used in most chapter books. It also incorporates interesting fonts and bright colors on key words for emphasis and attention. There are illustrations ranging from small and scattered to double spread and full-bleed. It is a perfect level for 2nd and 3rd grade readers. It would be an excellent classroom read-aloud to highlight dialogue, expression and descriptive vocabulary.
Meh. That is all I have to say. I enjoyed the fun colorful text and pages, but the story was boring.
One of my pet peeves is people who write dumb downed children's literature. Why do we feel the need to dumb everything down for kids? So much research proves that prime learning years for people is when they are young. So why does everything get dumbed down when they are the target audience. I like reading books that have rich plot, language, and characters that have more depth to them. So books like these do not make me happy. Books like these usually have a good storyline, the execution of it is just plain and boring. There is nothing exciting about the writing and this translates to an unexciting story.
Tangent over.
But, apparently others love this series because there are many many books in it. But, it's not for me.