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Bambi #2
Bambi's Children: The Story of a Forest Family
Meet the new fawns in the the descendants of Bambi discover the woods in this refreshed edition of the sequel to Bambi, complete with new illustrations.Twin fawns Geno and Gurri are the children of Faline and Bambi. The pair must grow up and navigate the world of the woods with the help of their mother and Bambi, the new Prince of the Forest.But for young fawns, the wild can be dangerous. Gurri is injured by a fox and has a run-in with the most dangerous of man. Geno is challenged by rival deer and worries about the impending fight. But when the family begins to fall apart, it is the familiar presence of Bambi who tries to set it right again.This beautiful repackage of the sequel to the beloved classic Bambi, tells the story of a forest family and the struggles of growing up. Complete with brand new illustrations from artist Richard Cowdrey.
236 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1939
About the author
Felix Salten
258 books124 followersThere is more than one author with this Name.
Felix Salten was an Austrian writer. He was born Siegmund Salzmann in Budapest, Hungary. When he was three weeks old, his family moved to Vienna, Austria. Many Jews were immigrating into the city in the late 19th century because Vienna had finally granted full citizenship to Jews in 1867.
When his father went bankrupt, Felix had to quit school and begin working in an insurance agency. He also began submitting poems and book reviews to journals. He became part of the Young Vienna movement (Jung Wien) and soon received work as a full-time art and theater critic in the Vienna press. In 1901 he founded Vienna's first, short-lived literary cabaret. In 1900 he published his first collection of short stories. He was soon publishing, on an average, one book a year, of plays, short stories, novels, travel books, and essay collections. He also wrote for nearly all the major newspapers of Vienna. He wrote film scripts and librettos for operettas. In 1927 he became president of the Austrian P.E.N. club. (acronym of the International Association of Poets and Playwrights, Essayists and Editors, and Novelists)
His most famous work is Bambi, which he wrote in 1923. It was translated into English in 1928 and became a Book-of-the-Month Club hit. In 1933, he sold the film rights to Sidney Franklin for $1,000, who later transferred the rights to the Walt Disney studios. Disney released its movie based on Bambi in 1942.
Life in Austria became perilous for a prominent Jew in the 1930s. Adolf Hitler had Salten's books banned in 1936. Two years later (1938), after Austria had become part of Germany, Salten moved to Zurich, Switzerland, where he lived until his death.
He was married to the actress Ottilie Metzl, and had two children: Paul and Anna-Katherina. He wrote another book based on the character Bambi, titled Bambi's Children: The Story of a Forest Family, 1939. His stories "Perri" and "The Hound of Florence" inspired the Disney films Perri and The Shaggy Dog.
Salten is considered to be the author of the erotic novel Josephine Mutzenbacher, the fictional autobiography of a Vienna prostitute, which was published in 1906.
Felix Salten was an Austrian writer. He was born Siegmund Salzmann in Budapest, Hungary. When he was three weeks old, his family moved to Vienna, Austria. Many Jews were immigrating into the city in the late 19th century because Vienna had finally granted full citizenship to Jews in 1867.
When his father went bankrupt, Felix had to quit school and begin working in an insurance agency. He also began submitting poems and book reviews to journals. He became part of the Young Vienna movement (Jung Wien) and soon received work as a full-time art and theater critic in the Vienna press. In 1901 he founded Vienna's first, short-lived literary cabaret. In 1900 he published his first collection of short stories. He was soon publishing, on an average, one book a year, of plays, short stories, novels, travel books, and essay collections. He also wrote for nearly all the major newspapers of Vienna. He wrote film scripts and librettos for operettas. In 1927 he became president of the Austrian P.E.N. club. (acronym of the International Association of Poets and Playwrights, Essayists and Editors, and Novelists)
His most famous work is Bambi, which he wrote in 1923. It was translated into English in 1928 and became a Book-of-the-Month Club hit. In 1933, he sold the film rights to Sidney Franklin for $1,000, who later transferred the rights to the Walt Disney studios. Disney released its movie based on Bambi in 1942.
Life in Austria became perilous for a prominent Jew in the 1930s. Adolf Hitler had Salten's books banned in 1936. Two years later (1938), after Austria had become part of Germany, Salten moved to Zurich, Switzerland, where he lived until his death.
He was married to the actress Ottilie Metzl, and had two children: Paul and Anna-Katherina. He wrote another book based on the character Bambi, titled Bambi's Children: The Story of a Forest Family, 1939. His stories "Perri" and "The Hound of Florence" inspired the Disney films Perri and The Shaggy Dog.
Salten is considered to be the author of the erotic novel Josephine Mutzenbacher, the fictional autobiography of a Vienna prostitute, which was published in 1906.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
September 17, 2018
This book lacked the artistic inspiration of the first book and was riddled with childlike characterization and dialogue in comparison to the eerie and un-human intelligence that was characterized in its predecessor.
April 30, 2016
I had been looking forward to reading this for a long time after being blown away Felix Salten's previous book, Bambi. I understood from the Goodreads reviews and the premise that this was not going to be the soul-searing, powerful, sobering read I got from Bambi, so I prepared myself for a pleasant, reassuring little venture to rest my mind in between sections of The Lord of the Rings.
To a certain extent, I got what I expected. The mood of this book is much closer to Disney's actually pretty decent sequel (one of the very rare few to boast of such praise) Bambi 2 than to the original Bambi novel. It's occasionally melancholy, though generally hopeful and optimistic. It had been implied at the end of the first book that Bambi was going to become like his father, an often cold and distant figure who only comes into his children's lives after they had "come of age" and needed to learn the subtler ways of the forest. Here in Bambi's Children, Bambi is a very warm and caring father, taking on a much more present and active role in the rearing of his children besides just "watching from a distance". It's not very realistic for deer behavior, and it conflicts with the tone and message of the first book, but it's reassuring and heart-warming all the same.
The philosophical tone from the previous book is still somewhat present here, and the meaning of Man's role in Nature is thoughtfully discussed. While the heart-stopping "big reveal" at the conclusion of the previous book was much more of a poignant commentary on not only Man's role in Nature but the nature of Life and Death itself, Salten still has some wise things to say about his own species.
There is some "domestic drama" here, something about a misunderstanding between Faline and her stepsister that escalates to some needless spite and grudge-holding more suitable for a human soap opera than a story about a herd of deer. For the love of Pete! You're deer, not The Real Housewives! Get the hell over it and go graze in a meadow or something. I would have enjoyed this book much more if this unnecessary drama had been left out.
All the same, I enjoyed this and I'm happy to have finally gotten my hands on a copy of Bambi's Children. If you're a fan of all things Bambi, philosophical children's books, or just xenofiction/talking animal fantasy in general, definitely give this a read.
To a certain extent, I got what I expected. The mood of this book is much closer to Disney's actually pretty decent sequel (one of the very rare few to boast of such praise) Bambi 2 than to the original Bambi novel. It's occasionally melancholy, though generally hopeful and optimistic. It had been implied at the end of the first book that Bambi was going to become like his father, an often cold and distant figure who only comes into his children's lives after they had "come of age" and needed to learn the subtler ways of the forest. Here in Bambi's Children, Bambi is a very warm and caring father, taking on a much more present and active role in the rearing of his children besides just "watching from a distance". It's not very realistic for deer behavior, and it conflicts with the tone and message of the first book, but it's reassuring and heart-warming all the same.
The philosophical tone from the previous book is still somewhat present here, and the meaning of Man's role in Nature is thoughtfully discussed. While the heart-stopping "big reveal" at the conclusion of the previous book was much more of a poignant commentary on not only Man's role in Nature but the nature of Life and Death itself, Salten still has some wise things to say about his own species.
There is some "domestic drama" here, something about a misunderstanding between Faline and her stepsister that escalates to some needless spite and grudge-holding more suitable for a human soap opera than a story about a herd of deer. For the love of Pete! You're deer, not The Real Housewives! Get the hell over it and go graze in a meadow or something. I would have enjoyed this book much more if this unnecessary drama had been left out.
All the same, I enjoyed this and I'm happy to have finally gotten my hands on a copy of Bambi's Children. If you're a fan of all things Bambi, philosophical children's books, or just xenofiction/talking animal fantasy in general, definitely give this a read.
March 20, 2020
The story of Bambi continues in this wonderful sequel!
Geno and Gurri are Bambi's children and are just as frolicsome as him; though perhaps with each other to egg on, they get into a little more mischief and have more to learn about obedience and behavior then their father did at their age.
The twin fawns have many adventures, and Bambi and Faline too, including some close encounters with a hunter and a dog that will keep readers turning the pages as quickly as they can. There are definitely more action sequences in this book than the first, so your younger listeners will be captivated easier.
It's another heartwarming, educational tale, with the sequel offering social lessons that the entire family can benefit from.
Ages: 7+
Cleanliness: Like the Disney cartoon, there are some tense moments when the hunters are out and animals are being shot. A few scenes are described using a sentence or two about blood flowing from the neck etc.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! You’ll see my updates as I’m reading and know which books I’m liking and what I’m not finishing and why. You’ll also be able to utilize my library for looking up titles to see whether the book you’re thinking about reading next has any objectionable content or not. From swear words, to romance, to bad attitudes (in children’s books), I cover it all!
Geno and Gurri are Bambi's children and are just as frolicsome as him; though perhaps with each other to egg on, they get into a little more mischief and have more to learn about obedience and behavior then their father did at their age.
The twin fawns have many adventures, and Bambi and Faline too, including some close encounters with a hunter and a dog that will keep readers turning the pages as quickly as they can. There are definitely more action sequences in this book than the first, so your younger listeners will be captivated easier.
It's another heartwarming, educational tale, with the sequel offering social lessons that the entire family can benefit from.
Ages: 7+
Cleanliness: Like the Disney cartoon, there are some tense moments when the hunters are out and animals are being shot. A few scenes are described using a sentence or two about blood flowing from the neck etc.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! You’ll see my updates as I’m reading and know which books I’m liking and what I’m not finishing and why. You’ll also be able to utilize my library for looking up titles to see whether the book you’re thinking about reading next has any objectionable content or not. From swear words, to romance, to bad attitudes (in children’s books), I cover it all!
July 27, 2023
There aren’t many books as delicious as Bambi and Bambi’s Children! So charming, Bambi and Bambi’s Children are both very engaging and immersive into a wonderful, mysterious, and perilous forest world! I throughly enjoyed both these delightful, peaceful, and intense sagas.
October 7, 2023
I finally got around to reading the sequel and I have very mixed feelings about this book.
On the one hand- it's an all right book about nature and growing up but it seems milder and watered down compared to the first one.
I really didn't like Faline in this. She comes off as weirdly rude and toxic character.
I also liked that in the first book humans were present but they were always lurking in the background- they were just always presented as a danger- He with a thunder stick that can kill you if you are not careful. In this book they seem much more human and less scary because we learn more about them - we don't know their names but we still know that one is a forest keeper that takes home injured animals and nurses them back to help and that he feeds them during the winter. We also had poachers and a young spoiled brat that loved hunting and didn't really respect adults or nature and he paid by being attacked by Bambi when he wanted to shoot up his family.
At least that part was somewhat satisfying.
This book seems toned down quite a bit. Whilst you had a lot of buck fighting and gore in general in Bambi, this one doesn't really have that many dark parts. Some characters get shot but it's not even remotely as dark as Gobo's death from the first one or a few scenes of intense fighting or killing from the first one.
I did like Bambi in this though. He was still a distant father like all the other fathers - but he was still there when his children or his herd needed him - I especially love the scenes when he comes to Gurri when she is taken by the forest keeper after she gets injured by a fox and the scene where he saves Boso- he is probably the best character in this entire series.
Overall, it's an allright book and an allright sequel but not even remotely as good as Bambi was because it lacks certain charm that that book has.
On the one hand- it's an all right book about nature and growing up but it seems milder and watered down compared to the first one.
I really didn't like Faline in this. She comes off as weirdly rude and toxic character.
I also liked that in the first book humans were present but they were always lurking in the background- they were just always presented as a danger- He with a thunder stick that can kill you if you are not careful. In this book they seem much more human and less scary because we learn more about them - we don't know their names but we still know that one is a forest keeper that takes home injured animals and nurses them back to help and that he feeds them during the winter. We also had poachers and a young spoiled brat that loved hunting and didn't really respect adults or nature and he paid by being attacked by Bambi when he wanted to shoot up his family.
At least that part was somewhat satisfying.
This book seems toned down quite a bit. Whilst you had a lot of buck fighting and gore in general in Bambi, this one doesn't really have that many dark parts. Some characters get shot but it's not even remotely as dark as Gobo's death from the first one or a few scenes of intense fighting or killing from the first one.
I did like Bambi in this though. He was still a distant father like all the other fathers - but he was still there when his children or his herd needed him - I especially love the scenes when he comes to Gurri when she is taken by the forest keeper after she gets injured by a fox and the scene where he saves Boso- he is probably the best character in this entire series.
Overall, it's an allright book and an allright sequel but not even remotely as good as Bambi was because it lacks certain charm that that book has.
November 8, 2022
Fue muy lindo volver a la historia de Bambi, y verlo esta vez crecido, maduro y sabio. Eso si no lo vemos tanto, porque el libro se trata más de sus hijos: Gurri y Geno. Estos dos me cayeron bien y me gustaron sus problemas durante el libro, sobre todo el conflicto que se armó entre los hermanos y sus primos.
No sé qué puedo decir más allá de que me encantó el libro y por alguna razón me sentí muy nostálgica viendo a Faline y Bambi siendo adultos y padres.
Lo que no me gustó tanto de este libro a diferencia del primero es que se le dio mucha importancia a los cazadores esta vez, se les dio incluso diálogo y una pequeña trama. Lo que me gustó del primer libro sobre la relación con lo humano es que este no era protagónico, ni tampoco hablaba mucho, pero en este segundo aparecieron más humanos y hablaban entre sí.
Fue un libro menos tenso que el primero, pero el final si me dio pena.
No sé qué puedo decir más allá de que me encantó el libro y por alguna razón me sentí muy nostálgica viendo a Faline y Bambi siendo adultos y padres.
Lo que no me gustó tanto de este libro a diferencia del primero es que se le dio mucha importancia a los cazadores esta vez, se les dio incluso diálogo y una pequeña trama. Lo que me gustó del primer libro sobre la relación con lo humano es que este no era protagónico, ni tampoco hablaba mucho, pero en este segundo aparecieron más humanos y hablaban entre sí.
Fue un libro menos tenso que el primero, pero el final si me dio pena.
February 21, 2017
3.5. I am a huge fan of Bambi, and have read it at least 10 times in my life. This sequel is fine, cute, a little dull-- but basically the title is the entire plot. If this book were a Disney movie, it would be released straight to Video (DVD).
Nothing new, different or innovative and lacked the emotional punch of the first book.
Nothing new, different or innovative and lacked the emotional punch of the first book.
October 22, 2022
Первым делом я подумал, что роман был написан на хайпе после выхода мультика, но до мультика оставалось ещё около пяти лет и тут возникает главный вопрос — а ЗАЧЕМ тогда эта книга была написана?
Если первая книга была небольшой лаконичной повестью, которую можно было почитать ребёнку или с ребёнком, то продолжение по объёму и стилю написания становится полноценным романом. Детям это будет не интересно. Взрослым читать ту же самую историю, но про детей, тоже. В итоге книга, по большому счету, бесполезная — обмусоливание одного и того же и не самым лучшим образом.
Если первая книга была небольшой лаконичной повестью, которую можно было почитать ребёнку или с ребёнком, то продолжение по объёму и стилю написания становится полноценным романом. Детям это будет не интересно. Взрослым читать ту же самую историю, но про детей, тоже. В итоге книга, по большому счету, бесполезная — обмусоливание одного и того же и не самым лучшим образом.
May 15, 2023
В някои отношения Bambi’s Children ми хареса дори повече от първата част и това едва ли се дължи само на английския превод, туширащ най-неприятните моменти, макар че няма да лъжа, това също не е без значение. Като цяло обаче книгата е структурирана по-добре драматургично, като животните в гората имат повече характер и са по-запомнящи се. Докато в първата книга впечатление правят самият Бамби и баща му, то тук забелязваме не само Гено и Гури, но и майка им Фалине, съседното семейство сърни, с което те ту се карат, ту се сдобряват, някои от антагонистите, като кучето вълча порода Нерон и разглезеният кметски син, влязъл в гората да се прави на ловец. Бамби пък е приел ролята на баща си, но влиза по-добре в нея, като проявява както по-голяма емоция, така и повече смелост.
Стилът на Феликс Залтен остава запленителен и пренасящ читателя в горската действителност – усещанията, звуците, миризмите й. Темите, която авторът разглежда, за тормоза на човешките същества над животните и по принцип трудната им борба за оцеляване, за мен са много добре развити и единственото тъжно нещо е, че продължават да звучат актуално и до ден днешен. Като минус отново може да се изтъкне на моменти прекомерната жестокост на автора, дори в англоезичното издание някои от решенията му са прекалени.
Въпреки това, като цяло Bambi’s Children е чудесен роман, най-малкото на нивото на предшественика си, като заслужава вниманието Ви, а Феликс Залтен е автор, от който с удоволствие бих прочел и други книги, с надеждата да са също толкова атмосферни, но по-малко брутални.
Цялото ми ревю може да прочетете в Цитаделата:
https://citadelata.com/bambis-children/
Стилът на Феликс Залтен остава запленителен и пренасящ читателя в горската действителност – усещанията, звуците, миризмите й. Темите, която авторът разглежда, за тормоза на човешките същества над животните и по принцип трудната им борба за оцеляване, за мен са много добре развити и единственото тъжно нещо е, че продължават да звучат актуално и до ден днешен. Като минус отново може да се изтъкне на моменти прекомерната жестокост на автора, дори в англоезичното издание някои от решенията му са прекалени.
Въпреки това, като цяло Bambi’s Children е чудесен роман, най-малкото на нивото на предшественика си, като заслужава вниманието Ви, а Феликс Залтен е автор, от който с удоволствие бих прочел и други книги, с надеждата да са също толкова атмосферни, но по-малко брутални.
Цялото ми ревю може да прочетете в Цитаделата:
https://citadelata.com/bambis-children/
March 25, 2026
I’m not sure if it was just the translation or if this sequel really was just written that differently from the original Bambi, but it certainly lacked some of the poetry of the first book.
Too much focus on the human this time around for my liking, and so many names and characters that seem kind of irrelevant in the end.
Still a nice light read.
Too much focus on the human this time around for my liking, and so many names and characters that seem kind of irrelevant in the end.
Still a nice light read.
September 11, 2024
I believed that this was going to be dark just like it's prequel, but I was (kinda) mistaken! Sure, there were moments that were pretty sad and dark, but not much. The ending was pretty straightforward, if that's not a spoiler lol. I love Bambi, so I'm glad I was finally able to read the sequel!
June 25, 2026
As it turns out, the English translation of Bambi's Children is notoriously abridged and by many accounts, doesn't do justice to the original. But I wanted to try the sequel to Bambi and unfortunately can only judge it by a translation I can actually understand.
Sadly, I was not at all impressed by Bambi's Children. The writing is serviceable, but lacks the immersive quality and believable animal voices of the first book. Geno and Gurri were rather grating characters, and Faline wasn't much better. Most of the plot seems to consist of pointless squabbling, and the screech-owl and Geno apparently knowing human phrases like "little pitchers have big ears" completely breaks the immersion. The animals also have an "inquiry into the 'Cause of Death'" at one point. Do these wild animals suddenly have a justice system now? It simply makes no sense in context to have them do and say things like this. I could overlook some of the birds using human proverbs because they may travel further afield and overhear more, but then why does Geno recognize references to pitchers and empty vessels?
The setting really loses the wilderness feeling here too, as there is so much time spent talking about the gamekeeper. I didn't find Bambi's Children to be a truly awful book, but it was a real letdown after the beauty and simplicity of its predecessor.
Sadly, I was not at all impressed by Bambi's Children. The writing is serviceable, but lacks the immersive quality and believable animal voices of the first book. Geno and Gurri were rather grating characters, and Faline wasn't much better. Most of the plot seems to consist of pointless squabbling, and the screech-owl and Geno apparently knowing human phrases like "little pitchers have big ears" completely breaks the immersion. The animals also have an "inquiry into the 'Cause of Death'" at one point. Do these wild animals suddenly have a justice system now? It simply makes no sense in context to have them do and say things like this. I could overlook some of the birds using human proverbs because they may travel further afield and overhear more, but then why does Geno recognize references to pitchers and empty vessels?
The setting really loses the wilderness feeling here too, as there is so much time spent talking about the gamekeeper. I didn't find Bambi's Children to be a truly awful book, but it was a real letdown after the beauty and simplicity of its predecessor.
May 29, 2021
Bambi was my childhood favorie book! I adored it. I loved the movie. I loved the characters. I breathed the setting. I lived the writing. I copied the illustrations.
So I screamed when I found this in the library, sitting there for me to find it. Because I'd read a bit of it once even before I read Bambi. It was in thirft store and I skimmed it and always remembered that Bambi's Children exists, and I've waited forever to be able to read it again.
It made my day. Really reminiscent and similar to the first book. I know some people would complain but I cannot. Since we're dealing with animals,,, the characters and plot are completely different from what I usually read, and could be quite boring for some poeple, but I don't care :'') the setting is the most gorgeously fleshed out thing one could ask for. and the writing is really really good with lots of foresty vocabulary.
idk if I'd recommend it to just anyone, because I don't want you /not/ liking it. But if Disney's Bambi ever hit home for you, read Felix Salten's first book,,, and if you liked that, then read this one.
5 STARS OBVIOUSLY.
So I screamed when I found this in the library, sitting there for me to find it. Because I'd read a bit of it once even before I read Bambi. It was in thirft store and I skimmed it and always remembered that Bambi's Children exists, and I've waited forever to be able to read it again.
It made my day. Really reminiscent and similar to the first book. I know some people would complain but I cannot. Since we're dealing with animals,,, the characters and plot are completely different from what I usually read, and could be quite boring for some poeple, but I don't care :'') the setting is the most gorgeously fleshed out thing one could ask for. and the writing is really really good with lots of foresty vocabulary.
idk if I'd recommend it to just anyone, because I don't want you /not/ liking it. But if Disney's Bambi ever hit home for you, read Felix Salten's first book,,, and if you liked that, then read this one.
5 STARS OBVIOUSLY.
May 3, 2020
Here’s the thing....
My main gripe with this book is the fact that, continuity-wise, it made no sense in connection to the first one. So many new things were introduced and were written to be believed that they had been canon all along. For example,
1. Since when were there known-about laws of the forest? We never heard about any in the first book.
2. What happened to Bambi’s father’s mantra of “to stay alive is to stay alone”?
3. The gamekeeper was so unrealistic, as were the other hunters. I’m sorry but no regular hunters just go shoot anything and everything in sight. I played devil’s advocate with the first book because it said that they were poachers, but the sequel says that it’s an annual thing and that they’re ‘hunters’.
4. How do animals know about algebra and the nth power?
5. Why do they call each other “man” and “woman” but only know to call the humans He?
I feel like the author tried to make a character-based story again, like with Bambi, but this one just felt all over the place. The pacing was odd, too, with it feeling so choppy.
I don’t know. It just got to be a little too absurd for me.
My main gripe with this book is the fact that, continuity-wise, it made no sense in connection to the first one. So many new things were introduced and were written to be believed that they had been canon all along. For example,
1. Since when were there known-about laws of the forest? We never heard about any in the first book.
2. What happened to Bambi’s father’s mantra of “to stay alive is to stay alone”?
3. The gamekeeper was so unrealistic, as were the other hunters. I’m sorry but no regular hunters just go shoot anything and everything in sight. I played devil’s advocate with the first book because it said that they were poachers, but the sequel says that it’s an annual thing and that they’re ‘hunters’.
4. How do animals know about algebra and the nth power?
5. Why do they call each other “man” and “woman” but only know to call the humans He?
I feel like the author tried to make a character-based story again, like with Bambi, but this one just felt all over the place. The pacing was odd, too, with it feeling so choppy.
I don’t know. It just got to be a little too absurd for me.
June 18, 2018
This book wasn't quite as good as Bambi, but it was still a very enjoyable read. Geno and Gurri both had distinct, well fleshed out personalities. They matured at a good pace throughout the novel. Their interactions with other deer were well handled for the most part, although the young buck Gurri interacts with toward the end did feel like he was shoehorned into the plot for the sake of giving her a love interest. The main exception to this is everyone's interactions with Bambi. I really didn't like how Bambi was handled in this book. He felt way to humanized. That's a huge shame because one of the original novel's biggest strengths was that the deer didn't feel humanized. On the bright side, this novel did do one thing better than the original. The portrayal of humans in this novel was much more nuanced.
Overall, I believe this book is well worth reading. It's not as extraordinary as the original, but it is still quite good. It's the perfect novel to read before bed, with or without your children.
Overall, I believe this book is well worth reading. It's not as extraordinary as the original, but it is still quite good. It's the perfect novel to read before bed, with or without your children.
July 26, 2011
Brilliant. Bambi is so beast in this. He is no longer the little Disney fawn we're used to seeing in the media. This buck is a hero: he rescues his daughter from human captivity, he faces down a wild dog, and he even BUCKS a teen boy hunting in the woods. This book makes Bambi the legend he was supposed to be. An incredibly enjoyable read!
January 1, 2019
It had good closure. More than I can say for Bambi the original.
July 5, 2022
Ašarojimas. Pamenu, kad šioje knygoje kažkas miršta ir būna labai jo gaila.
January 13, 2022
Pati megstamiausia vaikystes knyga.
January 29, 2026
The theme of man vs animal becomes more blurred and nuanced in the third volume. Bambi certainly intervenes into the story and more regular intervals than in Perri, as he endeavors to shepherd the forest folk, his kin, and his own family. Perri plays intermittent and important parts in the story, so it is beneficial to get to know her first in her own story. Themes of respect and deference to others continues in this story, as does pride, obedience, discretion, consequences of making foolish v. wise choices—even in fear or arrogance—and the repercussions. The circular nature of Bambi instructing his own son ties this family’s story up neatly, I am not sure how or if it continues into other books Salten wrote about the woods. Bambi is at mythic proportions held in esteem and respect by all the forest folk, even the most feared predator. He is very down to earth in actuality, and approachable. This book definitely held a lot more character musings —and therefore the author himself—regarding the duality of mankind and in nature: how in one creature so much hope-filled possibility exists for goodness, yet, too, such a shocking depth of capability towards evil. It is worthwhile to note these books were written at the onset of WWII and were consequently banned by Hitler. I can understand why he would view Salten’s works as dangerous—they beg questions such as: why are we at such enmity with one another? Isn’t life itself our common thread? Don’t we all have our place (I mean by this, our ability to claim our right as one who lives this side of eternity, one who has been created?) and each with their own purpose? Excellently and subtlety explored at the most in this book of the first three, Salten leaves the reader to come to their own conclusions.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2022
God, this took me almost a full year!
Plenty of that was just real life happening, obviously, but it should be noted that if Goodreads did half stars my rating would be 2.5.
When this story gets good, it's VERY good, the problem is that is meanders a whole lot and feels like it wants to cram in as much as it possibly can. It's not like the first novel which knew how to be compact and excellent, it's also not like the first as the dark tones don't occur as much and it feels a bit too kid-friendly in it's writing style sometimes.
But again the enjoyable bits are very engaging, I just wish they happened more often. Pretty sure I'm not going to read the rest of the series, but I'm happy I made it this far. Also, don't take that promise to heart, it's super likely I'll forget I said that and read the other Bambi books anyway.
Plenty of that was just real life happening, obviously, but it should be noted that if Goodreads did half stars my rating would be 2.5.
When this story gets good, it's VERY good, the problem is that is meanders a whole lot and feels like it wants to cram in as much as it possibly can. It's not like the first novel which knew how to be compact and excellent, it's also not like the first as the dark tones don't occur as much and it feels a bit too kid-friendly in it's writing style sometimes.
But again the enjoyable bits are very engaging, I just wish they happened more often. Pretty sure I'm not going to read the rest of the series, but I'm happy I made it this far. Also, don't take that promise to heart, it's super likely I'll forget I said that and read the other Bambi books anyway.
December 9, 2022
Overall I enjoyed the book. At first I didn't care too much for the children and their personalities, but eventually it all comes together. I loved all the scenes with Bambi. Definitely some darker moments in the sequel.
I'm not sure about the scenes with the gamekeeper. It seemed as if he was written to be the some Grandfather of the Forest, but the vibe got lost for me. Especially when he killed the cat, yet allowed the wolf dog to live. I wasn't impressed with the ruthless killing spree the gamekeeper allowed the hunters to do either. The hunters didn't even pick up the dead animal carcasses, just left them laying around the forest for a day or two. So the fawns got to walk around and see all their dead animal friends or on the brink of dying.
The sequel also had quite a bit of bickering too. Too much drama and middle school jibing for my taste.
I'm not sure about the scenes with the gamekeeper. It seemed as if he was written to be the some Grandfather of the Forest, but the vibe got lost for me. Especially when he killed the cat, yet allowed the wolf dog to live. I wasn't impressed with the ruthless killing spree the gamekeeper allowed the hunters to do either. The hunters didn't even pick up the dead animal carcasses, just left them laying around the forest for a day or two. So the fawns got to walk around and see all their dead animal friends or on the brink of dying.
The sequel also had quite a bit of bickering too. Too much drama and middle school jibing for my taste.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2024
I loved the first book but didn’t know there were more until I stumbled across this in an antique shop. On the surface it may be a children’s animal story, but it’s also full of reflection on life, death, nature, and concepts of good and evil. The writing is beautiful and one of my favorite styles in all of nature writing; some credit must for that go to the translator, Barthold Fles.
For wildlife nerds, Bambi is set in Europe, not North America like the Disney film. In this American edition some of the species names are mistranslated (possibly on purpose). Bambi is correctly described as a Roe Deer, but the elk are Red Deer. The Great Horned Owl is probably an Eurasian Eagle Owl and the Screech-owl is a Tawny Owl based on the illustration.
For wildlife nerds, Bambi is set in Europe, not North America like the Disney film. In this American edition some of the species names are mistranslated (possibly on purpose). Bambi is correctly described as a Roe Deer, but the elk are Red Deer. The Great Horned Owl is probably an Eurasian Eagle Owl and the Screech-owl is a Tawny Owl based on the illustration.
Read
February 20, 2020I was desperately looking forward to this book arriving, as I have been searching for another copy to replace one I had lost for decades. I was devastated to find that it was an adaptation, NOT the original text. I see other negative reviews here, and agree. If you are expecting the depth and quality of the original by Felix Salten, you will be very disappointed. The character of Ate does not even appear in this version. I would never have bought it if it had been properly advertised as an adaptation. This is a book for children, not the beautiful, deeply moving story that has stayed with me for almost fifty years. So sad.
June 28, 2017
Learning Woodlore Survival Skills
Perfect for a one-night bedtime story this adaptation invites young readers to continue to story of beloved Bambi and his Faline. Now they have twin fawns who must learn to survive in the woods and the wild, but youngsters often disobey their elders… How will Faline and her daughter, Gurri, manage for months without son, Geno, and Bambi’s wise, reassuring presence? Will the little family make it through the spring to reach another autumn?
June 28, 2017
Perfect for a one-night bedtime story this adaptation invites young readers to continue to story of beloved Bambi and his Faline. Now they have twin fawns who must learn to survive in the woods and the wild, but youngsters often disobey their elders… How will Faline and her daughter, Gurri, manage for months without son, Geno, and Bambi’s wise, reassuring presence? Will the little family make it through the spring to reach another autumn?
June 28, 2017
October 11, 2020
Having never read a book like this I wasn't sure what to expect. A kids book? A quick read? Having read it though I found myself getting into the book and wanting the book not to end. I wish it had had more details in the story but I like how this book allows for more of your imagination to paint what your reading into a picture. The action, while geared more toward the children's book spectrum, is quick and keeps you reading to find out what happens. I was really into this book and actually read it twice before this official finish date.
March 12, 2021
Bambi was pretty good, but this sequel is kind of a mess. It's like the author couldn't make up his mind to make it light and joyful, or dark and grizzly. And then putting certain human emotions on some animals just didn't work for me. I wouldn't recommend either of the Bambi books to anyone unless they are super interested in the story, and then to teens and up. I don't think they're really for a young audience.
October 1, 2024
Loved seeing Bambi as a father 😍
After how he and Feline parted in book 1, I wasn't sure he'd still be good to her but he was 🥰
Mostly we see Feline raise their son and daughter. She tries to teach them cautiousness and how to find food in the winter, etc.
It got a little slow at times but the kids were up to so many shenanigans it stayed pretty entertaining lol
This time there a He that protected them too which was nice 😃
After how he and Feline parted in book 1, I wasn't sure he'd still be good to her but he was 🥰
Mostly we see Feline raise their son and daughter. She tries to teach them cautiousness and how to find food in the winter, etc.
It got a little slow at times but the kids were up to so many shenanigans it stayed pretty entertaining lol
This time there a He that protected them too which was nice 😃
October 4, 2024
Did you know there was a sequel to Bambi? Well, if you’re here you do. It was enjoyable to read a continuation. Though Bambi is no longer the protagonist, his presence is clearly felt throughout the book and you get to see him take his father’s role on more and more. Beyond that, you see it slowly begin to pass to his own son, and how he cares for his children. If you liked Bambi, you will probably like the sequel.
March 6, 2025
Can any one tell me if this book is supposed to end with a picture of Geno vs a picture of Bambi & Faline? Or number of pages? I see several versions online (silver dollar vs wonder books vs a 3rd I can't remember) all with the same cover but the final pages are different with no disclaimer pages are missing. The next "page" is either the back of the book cover or clearly the same initial full spread illustration from the beginning of the book used in some versions.
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