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The Hobbit
Discover the classic adventure of courage and friendship in this beautifully illustrated 'The Hobbit' by J.R.R. Tolkien, with enchanting artwork by Jemima Catlin. From Bilbo Baggins' cozy home to thrilling encounters with mythical creatures, this edition is perfect for young readers, families, or anyone revisiting Middle-earth through a whimsical lens. Ideal for story time, imaginative play, or as a special addition to any home library. Hardcover, suitable for ages 6 and up, published by Candlewick Press.
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About the author
J.R.R. Tolkien
813 books79.5k followersJohn Ronald Reuel Tolkien: writer, artist, scholar, linguist. Known to millions around the world as the author of The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien spent most of his life teaching at the University of Oxford where he was a distinguished academic in the fields of Old and Middle English and Old Norse. His creativity, confined to his spare time, found its outlet in fantasy works, stories for children, poetry, illustration and invented languages and alphabets.
Tolkien’s most popular works, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings are set in Middle-earth, an imagined world with strangely familiar settings inhabited by ancient and extraordinary peoples. Through this secondary world Tolkien writes perceptively of universal human concerns – love and loss, courage and betrayal, humility and pride – giving his books a wide and enduring appeal.
Tolkien was an accomplished amateur artist who painted for pleasure and relaxation. He excelled at landscapes and often drew inspiration from his own stories. He illustrated many scenes from The Silmarillion, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, sometimes drawing or painting as he was writing in order to visualize the imagined scene more clearly.
Tolkien was a professor at the Universities of Leeds and Oxford for almost forty years, teaching Old and Middle English, as well as Old Norse and Gothic. His illuminating lectures on works such as the Old English epic poem, Beowulf, illustrate his deep knowledge of ancient languages and at the same time provide new insights into peoples and legends from a remote past.
Tolkien was born in Bloemfontein, South Africa, in 1892 to English parents. He came to England aged three and was brought up in and around Birmingham. He graduated from the University of Oxford in 1915 and saw active service in France during the First World War before being invalided home. After the war he pursued an academic career teaching Old and Middle English. Alongside his professional work, he invented his own languages and began to create what he called a mythology for England; it was this ‘legendarium’ that he would work on throughout his life. But his literary work did not start and end with Middle-earth, he also wrote poetry, children’s stories and fairy tales for adults. He died in 1973 and is buried in Oxford where he spent most of his adult life.
Tolkien’s most popular works, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings are set in Middle-earth, an imagined world with strangely familiar settings inhabited by ancient and extraordinary peoples. Through this secondary world Tolkien writes perceptively of universal human concerns – love and loss, courage and betrayal, humility and pride – giving his books a wide and enduring appeal.
Tolkien was an accomplished amateur artist who painted for pleasure and relaxation. He excelled at landscapes and often drew inspiration from his own stories. He illustrated many scenes from The Silmarillion, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, sometimes drawing or painting as he was writing in order to visualize the imagined scene more clearly.
Tolkien was a professor at the Universities of Leeds and Oxford for almost forty years, teaching Old and Middle English, as well as Old Norse and Gothic. His illuminating lectures on works such as the Old English epic poem, Beowulf, illustrate his deep knowledge of ancient languages and at the same time provide new insights into peoples and legends from a remote past.
Tolkien was born in Bloemfontein, South Africa, in 1892 to English parents. He came to England aged three and was brought up in and around Birmingham. He graduated from the University of Oxford in 1915 and saw active service in France during the First World War before being invalided home. After the war he pursued an academic career teaching Old and Middle English. Alongside his professional work, he invented his own languages and began to create what he called a mythology for England; it was this ‘legendarium’ that he would work on throughout his life. But his literary work did not start and end with Middle-earth, he also wrote poetry, children’s stories and fairy tales for adults. He died in 1973 and is buried in Oxford where he spent most of his adult life.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 12, 2026
This book was great. It took me like 2 years to finish, but I blame that on the archaic writing style of Tolkien’s work and not my ability to actually read (reading Project Hail Mary has not been so arduous 😂). Anyway, the pacing is a little weird at times cause the party goes on a lot of side quests, but ultimately the story is just amazing and I love the character of Bilbo so much I teared up at the end.
It’s not the typical hero’s journey. He doesn’t become some epic warrior that saves the day. He just grows in wisdom and courage. And not a day goes by that he doesn’t dream of being at home eating breakfast—bro’s just like me fr.
It’s not the typical hero’s journey. He doesn’t become some epic warrior that saves the day. He just grows in wisdom and courage. And not a day goes by that he doesn’t dream of being at home eating breakfast—bro’s just like me fr.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2026
pacing felt weird towards the middle and end and i expected a bit more especially during the battle of the five armies. however! i think what really shined from this book were the themes of friendship and character development. quirky, funny, but at times slow
i want to give this a 3.5
i want to give this a 3.5
August 14, 2025
I enjoyed reading this book. J. R. R. Tolkien did an amazing job with the plot of this book. I like how he incorporated lots of fantastical ideas and beings into this novel. I also like how he used these ideas into the plot of the book, and how it has subplots included in the main plot to make a more sophisticated story. He includes characters that are mystical as obstacles for the characters on the adventure to find the gold. Sir. Tolkien uses suspense to make the reader more interested in the book, suspenselike danger. This book is good for people seeking adventure and fantasy. This book takes Bilbo Baggins on an adventure through a world that that has mystical characters like dragons and dwarves.
February 20, 2026
Genuinely one of my favorite books!
November 29, 2025
Wonderfully written, encouraging us in our walk.
I can tell Tolkien was influenced by Scripture, the Iliad and Odyssey, Beauwolf, and Pilgrim's Progress in writing this tale.
Also I can tell that George Lucas was influenced by this book to write Star Wars.
This anniversary edition is illustrated by Tolkien himself, and includes his voice reading the poems.
I can tell Tolkien was influenced by Scripture, the Iliad and Odyssey, Beauwolf, and Pilgrim's Progress in writing this tale.
Also I can tell that George Lucas was influenced by this book to write Star Wars.
This anniversary edition is illustrated by Tolkien himself, and includes his voice reading the poems.
December 12, 2025
One if my top favorite stories! I love it.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews