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The Wind on the Moon
WINNER OF THE CARNEGIE MEDAL
Major Palfrey is leaving for the wars, and he tells his two girls, Dinah and Dorinda, to be good while he is gone. But the sisters aren’t sure they can be. As Dorinda explains, “When we think we are behaving well, some grown-up person says we are really quite bad. It’s difficult to tell which is which.”
Sure enough, the sisters are soon up to their usual mischief. They convince a judge that minds must be changed as often as socks, stage an escape from the local zoo (thanks to a witch’s potion which turns them into kangaroos), and—in the company of a golden puma and silver falcon—set off to rescue their father from the wicked tyrant of Bombardy. Penned at the height of World War II, this tale of hilarity and great adventure is also a work of high seriousness; after all, “life without freedom,” as the valiant puma makes clear, “is a poor, poor thing.”
Major Palfrey is leaving for the wars, and he tells his two girls, Dinah and Dorinda, to be good while he is gone. But the sisters aren’t sure they can be. As Dorinda explains, “When we think we are behaving well, some grown-up person says we are really quite bad. It’s difficult to tell which is which.”
Sure enough, the sisters are soon up to their usual mischief. They convince a judge that minds must be changed as often as socks, stage an escape from the local zoo (thanks to a witch’s potion which turns them into kangaroos), and—in the company of a golden puma and silver falcon—set off to rescue their father from the wicked tyrant of Bombardy. Penned at the height of World War II, this tale of hilarity and great adventure is also a work of high seriousness; after all, “life without freedom,” as the valiant puma makes clear, “is a poor, poor thing.”
376 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1944
41 people are currently reading
1421 people want to read
About the author
Eric Linklater
159 books25 followersEric Robert Russell Linklater was a Welsh-born Scottish writer of novels and short stories, military history, and travel books. For The Wind on the Moon, a children's fantasy novel, he won the 1944 Carnegie Medal from the Library Association for the year's best children's book by a British subject.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
July 24, 2016
Very strange, yet unforgettable children's book.
July 11, 2012
I read this firstly when I was in my last year in Junior school. I absolutely loved it then. When I met my now husband, I found out he had read it in school and loved it too, so we bought a copy and read it again. It had lost none of its charm and we both really enjoyed it despite being in our twenties. I would urge any parent or teacher to encourage children to read this book which is clever, bewitching and very funny!
PS. I bought a first edition of The Wind on the Moon for my husband for a special Birthday. He was delighted!
PS. I bought a first edition of The Wind on the Moon for my husband for a special Birthday. He was delighted!
September 28, 2022
My mother’s younger sister, who is not only my favourite aunt but also with regard to reading tastes often very much a kindred spirit, she has repeatedly told me that Eric Linklater's 1944 Carnegie Medal winning novel The Wind on the Moon was one of her favourite reads when she was a young teenager (in early 1950s Germany, so of course my aunt was reading the German language translation, which is titled Wind im Mond). But whenever I have asked my aunt specific plot related questions about The Wind on the Moon, all that she could tell me was that she adored Eric Linklater's descriptions and how wonderfully atmospheric The Wind on the Moon was for her as a young reader, but that she, that my aunt basically had no recollections at all of the themes and specific contents. And well, after now having finished with The Wind on the Moon, I do have to admit being a bit surprised that for my aunt The Wind on the Moon, that Eric Linklater's story of adventure, mischief and fantasy was (and still rather remains) such a huge favourite. Sure, I do very much agree with my aunt's textual and emotional appreciation, with her adoration of Linklater's descriptions in The Wind on the Moon of wartime Great Britain, with the unrelenting rations and that freedom, that fun are shown by the author to indeed be in extremely short supply. But sorry, albeit I am to a certain extent enjoying reading about co-protagonists Dinah and Dorinda's mischievousness, personally I (and indeed, both for my adult self and for my inner child) generally need and also want realistic shenanigans and escapades and I therefore do very much tend to find Eric Linklater's focus in The Wind on the Moon on the fantastical and in particular on a number of talking animals not really to my reading tastes and actually quite annoying, with me especially finding Dinah and Dorinda drinking some potion to turn them into talking kangaroos majorly textually aggravating.
For I just DO NOT like and have NEVER liked anthropomorphic animal stories all that much, and much of the presented contents of The Wind on the Moon and Eric Linklater's text for this particular reason just neither work for me nor speak to me (with the only reason why my rating for The Wind on the Moon is three and and not two stars being that Eric Linklater's writing is often brilliantly evocative and that for readers who enjoy fantastical tales with talking, magical animals, The Wind on the Moon would probably be a deligntful reading hit, even if The Wind on the Moon does not work for me).
For I just DO NOT like and have NEVER liked anthropomorphic animal stories all that much, and much of the presented contents of The Wind on the Moon and Eric Linklater's text for this particular reason just neither work for me nor speak to me (with the only reason why my rating for The Wind on the Moon is three and and not two stars being that Eric Linklater's writing is often brilliantly evocative and that for readers who enjoy fantastical tales with talking, magical animals, The Wind on the Moon would probably be a deligntful reading hit, even if The Wind on the Moon does not work for me).
December 29, 2021
Șiii cea mai proastă carte pentru copii, pe care am citit-o anul acesta! De ce?! De-asta:
- protagonistele sunt cât se poate de enervante.
- prea multe personaje pentru genul acesta de carte, majoritatea inutile și care dispar după câteva pagini.
- aventurile lor m-au plictisit teribil și îmi venea să le trimit pe fete să stea pe coji de nucă de câte ori deschideau gura să mai spună o idee tâmpită.
- scriitura este groaznică. Am numărat cinci pagini, cinci, în care se vorbește despre ce să ia fetele în bagaj.
- prea multă violență legată de animale. Nu am deloc toleranță în această privință. O pumă a mâncat o căprioară și un miel, niște câini s-au sfâșiat între ei, un șoim a mâncat un iepure. Sunt de acord că aceste lucruri se întâmplă și în realitate, dar nu poți să mă plesnești cu realitatea asta după atâtea aiureli fantasy, inclusiv animale vorbitoare, și realism magic.
Cu nimic nu am rămas din această lectură. Am tras de ea doar pentru că mi-a fost lene să încep alta pe ultima sută de metri. Oribilă!
P.S. ,,Dragele mele"?! Zău?! Și nu doar o dată... Plus alte greșeli, cum ar fi ,,mai tare ca". Doi corectori...
,,Trebuie să fie dificil să fii fericit atunci când mintea îți este atât de mult la cheremul ideilor."
,,Este într-adevăr surprinzător, spuse Dinah, câte lucruri poți face dacă te decizi să le faci."
- protagonistele sunt cât se poate de enervante.
- prea multe personaje pentru genul acesta de carte, majoritatea inutile și care dispar după câteva pagini.
- aventurile lor m-au plictisit teribil și îmi venea să le trimit pe fete să stea pe coji de nucă de câte ori deschideau gura să mai spună o idee tâmpită.
- scriitura este groaznică. Am numărat cinci pagini, cinci, în care se vorbește despre ce să ia fetele în bagaj.
- prea multă violență legată de animale. Nu am deloc toleranță în această privință. O pumă a mâncat o căprioară și un miel, niște câini s-au sfâșiat între ei, un șoim a mâncat un iepure. Sunt de acord că aceste lucruri se întâmplă și în realitate, dar nu poți să mă plesnești cu realitatea asta după atâtea aiureli fantasy, inclusiv animale vorbitoare, și realism magic.
Cu nimic nu am rămas din această lectură. Am tras de ea doar pentru că mi-a fost lene să încep alta pe ultima sută de metri. Oribilă!
P.S. ,,Dragele mele"?! Zău?! Și nu doar o dată... Plus alte greșeli, cum ar fi ,,mai tare ca". Doi corectori...
,,Trebuie să fie dificil să fii fericit atunci când mintea îți este atât de mult la cheremul ideilor."
,,Este într-adevăr surprinzător, spuse Dinah, câte lucruri poți face dacă te decizi să le faci."
March 20, 2013
My school library back in primary school had this book, and it was one of my absolute favourite books. I think I must have taken it out about once every 6 months on average. Then I left primary school, and somehow didn't think about it in years. When my grandparents died, I inherited their copy of the book, but just never got around to rereading it. All in all, I think it's been 15-20 years since I read it last.
Somehow I got thinking about it recently, and got an urge to reread it. I was a tiny bit reluctant to start, as I wondered if it could at all live up to my expectations. Not all books can stand the test of time and be equally as good at age 33 as at age 10. However I really wanted to read it out loud to my nieblings.
And fortunately it turned out that "The Wind on the Moon" is just as good at age 33 as at age 10, and I loved every minute of rereading it. The edition I've gotten hold of has been translated by Queen Margrethe II, and I must say she's done a TERRIFIC job! Nothing shows a translators faults (or linguistic mistakes in general) as clearly as reading the book aloud, and her language just flows and makes it a delight to read.
It's wonderfully gratifying to revisit a childhood favourite and still find it worthy of your love.
Somehow I got thinking about it recently, and got an urge to reread it. I was a tiny bit reluctant to start, as I wondered if it could at all live up to my expectations. Not all books can stand the test of time and be equally as good at age 33 as at age 10. However I really wanted to read it out loud to my nieblings.
And fortunately it turned out that "The Wind on the Moon" is just as good at age 33 as at age 10, and I loved every minute of rereading it. The edition I've gotten hold of has been translated by Queen Margrethe II, and I must say she's done a TERRIFIC job! Nothing shows a translators faults (or linguistic mistakes in general) as clearly as reading the book aloud, and her language just flows and makes it a delight to read.
It's wonderfully gratifying to revisit a childhood favourite and still find it worthy of your love.
June 14, 2024
Although there are several adventures over the course of the book, this is still just all one long story. It moves between realism to full-on fantasy with magic and talking animals, with another section of unbelievable action and intrigue (and only a little magical fantasy). The realistic parts are very humorous, with some of the jokes seeming more for adults, and the depiction of mid-century village life is full of exaggerated characters who possess a good deal of truth. The fantasy bits are presented very matter-of-factly, as if this is just how things are. Knowing that it was written during WWII adds a little more gravitas to the father's absence. And that it was published before the end of the war shows that the author had a strong spirit of optimism in the face of European tyrants.
Could be good for a read-aloud. The chapters are about 12 pages each, but be prepared for 39 of them.
Could be good for a read-aloud. The chapters are about 12 pages each, but be prepared for 39 of them.
February 6, 2021
For me, this book was a hodgepodge of different tones and manners. Some work quite better than others. I was really bored during multiple episodes where all the people of the town, or all the dogs, would have a great noisy ruckus. The scene with all the hunting dogs biting each other was dull in the way that empty frenetic activity can be. Maybe I should be clear that a kid might like this part fine! This is probably pitched younger than most of the kids' novels that I get perfectly well caught up in. Other sections of this book I was indeed caught up.
Episodes with more danger and adventure, I liked better. Some of the danger was surprisingly real, for a book with so much childish whimsy. When the last adversary had some aspects that were evil in a very un-whimsical way, I had to look up whether the book was written during the war. It was, and there seems to be some Hitler commentary going on, there. That was okay, just jarring, in a book with a lot of material that's much more juvenile. That darker stuff was heavy enough that I'd wish more space was given to deal with it.
So I'd wish to send this book back for a substantial rewrite. Oh well. Thanks, still, to the NYRB children's collection for bringing it to my attention.
Episodes with more danger and adventure, I liked better. Some of the danger was surprisingly real, for a book with so much childish whimsy. When the last adversary had some aspects that were evil in a very un-whimsical way, I had to look up whether the book was written during the war. It was, and there seems to be some Hitler commentary going on, there. That was okay, just jarring, in a book with a lot of material that's much more juvenile. That darker stuff was heavy enough that I'd wish more space was given to deal with it.
So I'd wish to send this book back for a substantial rewrite. Oh well. Thanks, still, to the NYRB children's collection for bringing it to my attention.
March 31, 2022
3.5 stars
The Wind on the Moon is admirably creative and sometimes even moving, but it also feels rather like two stories stapled together. The first main plot follows the sisters Dinah and Dorinda as they are transformed into kangaroos and end up in a local zoo, where they try to solve the mystery of an ostrich's missing eggs. The second big adventure has the girls, their music teacher, and the Golden Puma and Silver Falcon sneaking into the country of Bombardy to rescue the girls' father from the dungeon of the nation's evil dictator. The latter plot takes some dark turns that feel out of place after all the funny talking animals and magical potions.
The beginning and ending don't work well in my opinion. The beginning is oddly disturbing, with . Such an opening cannot fail to leave a bad taste in one's mouth. The ending was weird in a different way. At first it seemed like the girls were being told that they should make their own fun now that they are no longer surrounded by magical characters, but we never see this happen. Instead it peters out into an anticlimactic whimper. By far the best part of the story is the zoo adventure. It's a great light fantasy story with equal parts mystery and fun, and some suspense as well. Ideally, I would have liked the book to mostly focus on the zoo plot, with the jury subplot for variation. But the dungeon rescue story has good moments too. The Golden Puma is a lovely character, and the elderly "sappers" added much-needed fun in the heavy parts.
The Wind on the Moon doesn't get as much recognition as its best aspects merit, but I didn't find myself loving most of the book either. The tonal differences of the two main plots might have worked if they were two separate books, but in the same continuity they don't always mesh well. Yet I wouldn't discourage anyone from trying it out; there is a lot of timeless creativity and some memorable characters within the pages.
The Wind on the Moon is admirably creative and sometimes even moving, but it also feels rather like two stories stapled together. The first main plot follows the sisters Dinah and Dorinda as they are transformed into kangaroos and end up in a local zoo, where they try to solve the mystery of an ostrich's missing eggs. The second big adventure has the girls, their music teacher, and the Golden Puma and Silver Falcon sneaking into the country of Bombardy to rescue the girls' father from the dungeon of the nation's evil dictator. The latter plot takes some dark turns that feel out of place after all the funny talking animals and magical potions.
The beginning and ending don't work well in my opinion. The beginning is oddly disturbing, with . Such an opening cannot fail to leave a bad taste in one's mouth. The ending was weird in a different way. At first it seemed like the girls were being told that they should make their own fun now that they are no longer surrounded by magical characters, but we never see this happen. Instead it peters out into an anticlimactic whimper. By far the best part of the story is the zoo adventure. It's a great light fantasy story with equal parts mystery and fun, and some suspense as well. Ideally, I would have liked the book to mostly focus on the zoo plot, with the jury subplot for variation. But the dungeon rescue story has good moments too. The Golden Puma is a lovely character, and the elderly "sappers" added much-needed fun in the heavy parts.
The Wind on the Moon doesn't get as much recognition as its best aspects merit, but I didn't find myself loving most of the book either. The tonal differences of the two main plots might have worked if they were two separate books, but in the same continuity they don't always mesh well. Yet I wouldn't discourage anyone from trying it out; there is a lot of timeless creativity and some memorable characters within the pages.
November 22, 2015
"The Wind on the Moon is a wartime book - it was published in 1944 - and it dwells on those elements of life in short supply or under threat in Britain, such as food, and liberty, and fun. It is not a prisoner of the time, though, and one of its delights is the cavalier way in which Linklater swings between pure fantasy and the everyday made fantastic."
James Meek in the Guardian
http://gu.com/p/xtdkz?CMP=Share_iOSAp...
James Meek in the Guardian
http://gu.com/p/xtdkz?CMP=Share_iOSAp...
October 20, 2015
The first section of the book took some getting used to, with what I'll describe as some brutal absurdity. Once I got used to the characterizations common to the earlier 20th century (a la Three Stooges, Red Skelton, etc.), the story turned largely away from pathetic protagonists into Homeric heroines. It was ultimately an uniquely narrated caper that I found enjoyable.
April 5, 2013
I don't think it unreasonable to couple this book with Alice. Both weave fictional and impossible worlds that reveal a great deal about our own world when explored by headstrong female juvenile leads. Both take time to make philosophical observations about the world and how we can know it. Epistemology, metaphysics and logic all get a runaround in here, as does philosophy of education and political philosophy. One of the main themes is freedom and confinement, both in terms of imprisonment (often false imprisonment) and independence of thought and action. Do we learn more by conformity or rebellion? Like all good philosophy books it asks more than it answers and it asks many of the right questions.
As a work of children's fiction I think it does well. Looking at other reviews, it does more than hold the attention, it delights. The philosophy is not the clever hidden layer that is revealed only when you get older; The Wind in the Willows is the wind of change and destruction; it is asking questions of its young readers. Being written in wartime by one who had served and been shot in a previous world shattering conflict, it is perhaps saying to the next generation; forget the way we learnt. We've brought about tyranny and bloodshed and corruption and wrong. By disobeying, the girls free the righteous and the brave.
It forms a natural link between the Victorian and Edwardian writers with Ahlbergs and chapeaued cats and hungry caterpillars. Maybe it's let down by the rather charming, occasionally unsettling but always badly dated illustrations. Would we still be reading Lewis Carrol and Kenneth Graham in such numbers if they'd had different illustrators? Personally I think we would, but I also think that with a Tenniel or a Shepherd more people might still be reading The Wind on the Moon.
A worthy recipient of The Carnegie Medal.
As a work of children's fiction I think it does well. Looking at other reviews, it does more than hold the attention, it delights. The philosophy is not the clever hidden layer that is revealed only when you get older; The Wind in the Willows is the wind of change and destruction; it is asking questions of its young readers. Being written in wartime by one who had served and been shot in a previous world shattering conflict, it is perhaps saying to the next generation; forget the way we learnt. We've brought about tyranny and bloodshed and corruption and wrong. By disobeying, the girls free the righteous and the brave.
It forms a natural link between the Victorian and Edwardian writers with Ahlbergs and chapeaued cats and hungry caterpillars. Maybe it's let down by the rather charming, occasionally unsettling but always badly dated illustrations. Would we still be reading Lewis Carrol and Kenneth Graham in such numbers if they'd had different illustrators? Personally I think we would, but I also think that with a Tenniel or a Shepherd more people might still be reading The Wind on the Moon.
A worthy recipient of The Carnegie Medal.
March 31, 2017
Först gjorde den mig nostalgisk och var lite underhållande. Sen blev den väldigt rolig och spännande. Levde mig helt in i Dina och Dorindas värld. Fantastiskt språk och väldigt fin och klok. Nu kommer jag ihåg varför jag älskade den när jag var 8. 1944 känns inte alls långt borta.
November 5, 2015
Another great title from this excellent series put out by the NY Review of Books.
This starts off a bit stodgy, and it feels as if it started as one of those "tell me a
story, Daddy" things that somehow, in the 30s and 40s, got turned into books.
Don't try that today - it won't work. But the two heroines are engaging, real, funny
and brave. Their adventures fall into two distinct stories, one in a zoo and the other
in Mittel-Europa, where they rescue their father from a dungeon. A pair of Crimean-War
sappers make a zany but amusing appearance, and all ends well.
This starts off a bit stodgy, and it feels as if it started as one of those "tell me a
story, Daddy" things that somehow, in the 30s and 40s, got turned into books.
Don't try that today - it won't work. But the two heroines are engaging, real, funny
and brave. Their adventures fall into two distinct stories, one in a zoo and the other
in Mittel-Europa, where they rescue their father from a dungeon. A pair of Crimean-War
sappers make a zany but amusing appearance, and all ends well.
May 30, 2014
I read this out loud to my kiddos and we really enjoyed it! Even my 7 year old begged to listen to it! They giggled a lot and enjoyed trying to see if they could figure out the mysteries, or figure out how they would get out of certain situations. An enjoyable thing to read all together.
August 20, 2013
This book is meant to be read on lazy summer days. It is full of adventure and mischief. The pace is a little slow, but a patient young reader will be rewarded with a thrilling ending.
January 2, 2022
Two sisters are cautioned by their father to be good while he sets off for war, but the two sisters know it is most likely they will be bad no matter how hard they try to be otherwise.
And so they are, mischievous creatures, and they change into kangaroos to solve a problem and get captured into a zoo and help the other animals (who want to) to escape and a judge sends a jury to jail, and the two sisters must talk him into changing his mind and their father is captured and they must help him escape from prison.
Quite a delight.
A 1001 Children's Book You Must Read Before You Grow Up.
And so they are, mischievous creatures, and they change into kangaroos to solve a problem and get captured into a zoo and help the other animals (who want to) to escape and a judge sends a jury to jail, and the two sisters must talk him into changing his mind and their father is captured and they must help him escape from prison.
Quite a delight.
A 1001 Children's Book You Must Read Before You Grow Up.
October 14, 2025
Read for The 52 Book Club's 2025 Challenge: Set in the 1940s.
This is a lovely story of freedom. Innocent, funny, and profound all at once <3
A beautiful read for both adults and children.
This is a lovely story of freedom. Innocent, funny, and profound all at once <3
A beautiful read for both adults and children.
Read
September 15, 2022So, I'm reading a "wartime book" edition from the university archives. Thin paper, small margins... so fascinating to see history fall into my hands like that.
Also it was owned by St. Louis Mercantile Library: "Established in 1846 by civic leaders and philanthropists.... It is the oldest library west of the Mississippi and the grandparent of St. Louis cultural institutions." On the UMSL campus. This book also has markings indicating it now is avl. directly from the current university library. So, from 1944 to 2020 I wonder how many ppl read this copy. It's in great shape.
As to the story itself, well, I'm surprised it was reissued this century. It's a tiny bit Mary Poppins or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, almost as clever, but not nearly as heartfelt or resonant. I do admit child me probably would have loved it, but I'm glad I didn't read it then, especially the glorification of revenge, because I'm proud of the fact that I have even now not a vengeful bone in my body.
---
Now about 1/2 way. There sure is plenty of humor, and adventure. And bad science. And beautiful writing: the speeches of the Puma and the Falcon about the beauty of their original homes, and about freedom, and about hunting, are poetic. And there's insight; "The only way to keep your friends was to make allowance for them.... You had to understand her point of view...."
And the characters are two young girls, not only adventurous but independent and clever. And to me they feel very real.
---
Ok done. Ack. Such mixed feelings I have. I'm def. glad that I was recommended it. I'd recommend it to some of you, but those of you who I imagine would be most likely to enjoy it also have, I'm confident, the longest to-read lists. Also can't rate. Parts & aspects I loved, others, well, not so much. Part of me wants to reread it... I know child me would have. Oh well. Done and done.
Also it was owned by St. Louis Mercantile Library: "Established in 1846 by civic leaders and philanthropists.... It is the oldest library west of the Mississippi and the grandparent of St. Louis cultural institutions." On the UMSL campus. This book also has markings indicating it now is avl. directly from the current university library. So, from 1944 to 2020 I wonder how many ppl read this copy. It's in great shape.
As to the story itself, well, I'm surprised it was reissued this century. It's a tiny bit Mary Poppins or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, almost as clever, but not nearly as heartfelt or resonant. I do admit child me probably would have loved it, but I'm glad I didn't read it then, especially the glorification of revenge, because I'm proud of the fact that I have even now not a vengeful bone in my body.
---
Now about 1/2 way. There sure is plenty of humor, and adventure. And bad science. And beautiful writing: the speeches of the Puma and the Falcon about the beauty of their original homes, and about freedom, and about hunting, are poetic. And there's insight; "The only way to keep your friends was to make allowance for them.... You had to understand her point of view...."
And the characters are two young girls, not only adventurous but independent and clever. And to me they feel very real.
---
Ok done. Ack. Such mixed feelings I have. I'm def. glad that I was recommended it. I'd recommend it to some of you, but those of you who I imagine would be most likely to enjoy it also have, I'm confident, the longest to-read lists. Also can't rate. Parts & aspects I loved, others, well, not so much. Part of me wants to reread it... I know child me would have. Oh well. Done and done.
May 29, 2009
This was not what I was expecting! I picked it up at the library, intrigued by the cover first and illustrations second. I assumed I would be reading a story of British school-girl highjinks during WWII. ..... And it was ..... Kind of.
The adventures in which Dinah and Dorinda find themselves are totally fantastical. Even more so because Linklater writes about these 2 young girls turning into kangaroos as if it were the usual thing to write about...and even the usual thing to do.
There are talking animals, dangerous escapades, mystery and crime, and a Father to rescue from an Evil Dictator. I won't say anymore, because if you are intrigued, you should read it without further spoilers from me.
The adventures in which Dinah and Dorinda find themselves are totally fantastical. Even more so because Linklater writes about these 2 young girls turning into kangaroos as if it were the usual thing to write about...and even the usual thing to do.
There are talking animals, dangerous escapades, mystery and crime, and a Father to rescue from an Evil Dictator. I won't say anymore, because if you are intrigued, you should read it without further spoilers from me.
October 3, 2020
https://nwhyte.livejournal.com/3424586.html
Apparently a really popular children's book, which won the Carnegie Medal for 1944; the two sisters Dinah and Dorinda have a series of magical adventures including being turned into giraffes for the local zoo and dramatically rescuing their father from a foreign prison. Didn't especially grab me, but obviously it has a loyal following.
Apparently a really popular children's book, which won the Carnegie Medal for 1944; the two sisters Dinah and Dorinda have a series of magical adventures including being turned into giraffes for the local zoo and dramatically rescuing their father from a foreign prison. Didn't especially grab me, but obviously it has a loyal following.
January 22, 2013
I read this for the first time when I was 8, and I loved it. A few years later, I bought my own copy and read it again. I loved it none less. (But the book had somehow mysteriously got thinner, even if it was the exact same content. Probably an illusion since I had gotten used to thicker books during the years, but I don't know...)
It's quite beautiful this book.
It's quite beautiful this book.
September 22, 2018
This book is so dear to me. My grandmother used to read it to my mother when she was a child. Then she read it for me when I visited her during my summer holidays. Now it has a very special place in my bookshelf and when I have kids and grandkids I will pick up my worn and loved copy and read it to them as well.
August 15, 2012
This is probably the book I remember most vividly from when I was a child. It's just amazing, I think I must have read it five times at least. I adore how it's several stories in one, and how much you learn about being human reading it. I don't think I'll ever forget it.
November 12, 2013
A lovely, absurd story - and I have to wonder why I never read it when I was actually a kid (the length wouldn't have put me off and I was a frequent visitor to the local library, I can't imagine it wasn't there)!
December 19, 2014
I love this book, and I loved it 50 years ago. Dinah and Dorinda, the best of role models. There are some sad parts, unfortunately. Some of the books I read or heard read as a child made such an impression, in terms of brilliance of idea, and this is one of them.
March 8, 2014
Read it as a child and loved it then read it to my children loved it then will read it to my Grandchildren
April 12, 2016
This story was so creative and hilarious. The story elicits quite a few different emotions from readers like laughter and sometimes sadness too.
January 28, 2017
One of my best loved books ever, although I cried so much.....
July 21, 2017
Mycket fin barnboksklassiker och en fantastisk teater på Elverket. Recension på bloggen: http://elilaserochskriver.se/detblase...
August 11, 2017
A little outdated and not very PC. I was reading it to my daughter and felt like I had to edit out the inconsiderate stuff. We ended up putting it away unfinished.
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