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Bambi
Bambi's First Day
"He came into the world in the middle of the thicket, in one of those little, hidden forest glades which seem to be entirely open but are really screened in on all sides." So begins one of the most beloved nature stories. Felix Salten wrote A Life in the Woods in 1923.It was translated into English in 1928, becoming a Book-of-the-Month Club hit. Though not originally written for children, the film rights were sold to the Walt Disney studios and the animated movie was released in 1942. Taken directly from the first chapter of Salten's original tale, Bambi's First Day depicts the early moments of the fawn's life in the safety of a forest glen and the shelter of his mother's embrace. Lush oil paintings by Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen showcase the beauty of the natural world and tenderly bring to life the heartfelt devotion and love of a mother for her child.Felix Salten is the pen name for Austrian writer Siegmund Salzmann who wrote short stories, plays, novels, and essay collections. Artist Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen has illustrated more than 20 books with Sleeping Bear Press, including the bestselling The Legend of Sleeping Bear; Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot; Friend on Freedom River; and his popular Hazel Ridge Farm stories. Gijsbert lives in Bath, Michigan, with his wife, Robbyn. They both travel to schools in the Great Lakes area.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published April 21, 2008
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About the author
Felix Salten
322 books114 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 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 19, 2021
Reviewer's note: I was today years old when I learned that Bambi was based on a book.
The Plot: The fawn Bambi is born, and in the peaceful forest that is his birthplace, he experiences his first moments--being bathed by his mother, and learning how to nurse--all while the usual business of the forest takes place around them.
The Text/Words: Given that this was originally published almost 100 years ago, the dialogue is perhaps a little more formal and dignified than what we may be accustomed to seeing in a children's book, but it's not off-putting. And overall, the text evokes a sense of peace and a solid sense of place, especially in descriptions like "through the thick foliage, the early sunlight filtered in a golden web."
The Illustrations: Gorgeous oil paintings depicting realistic imagery
Theme and Subject: Birth, Nature, Deers, Birds
The Plot: The fawn Bambi is born, and in the peaceful forest that is his birthplace, he experiences his first moments--being bathed by his mother, and learning how to nurse--all while the usual business of the forest takes place around them.
The Text/Words: Given that this was originally published almost 100 years ago, the dialogue is perhaps a little more formal and dignified than what we may be accustomed to seeing in a children's book, but it's not off-putting. And overall, the text evokes a sense of peace and a solid sense of place, especially in descriptions like "through the thick foliage, the early sunlight filtered in a golden web."
The Illustrations: Gorgeous oil paintings depicting realistic imagery
Theme and Subject: Birth, Nature, Deers, Birds
December 8, 2024
Beautiful illustrations! Storybwas short and just the beginning of Bambi's story. But it didn't feel like a plot since it did cut off. It felt unfinished but at the same time it probably was a good point to stop if going for Bambi's first day.
Overall cute and enjoyed revisiting Bambi's story, even if it was just the beginning ☺️
Overall cute and enjoyed revisiting Bambi's story, even if it was just the beginning ☺️
September 6, 2020
This is the first chapter from Salten’s chapter book.
May 2, 2009
This children's picture book is the first chapter in the complete,
. Read this in B&N the other day when I was there with Mom and Dad. Charming! The original, Bambi A Life in the Woods -- according to Mom -- was very different from Disney's version. Hope to read that soon.
. Read this in B&N the other day when I was there with Mom and Dad. Charming! The original, Bambi A Life in the Woods -- according to Mom -- was very different from Disney's version. Hope to read that soon.
November 2, 2025
I am in love with the painted canvas illustrations of this story. They were so beautiful. There were moments, looking at the artwork, that it seemed possible to reach out and actually touch the animals within the story. I can see young ones loving the artwork here.
The story as a whole was less awe-inspiring. It was okay, but it was not what I was expecting. I was hoping for a little more, but it was a rather mild take in a fawn's first day. Although, I can understand the choices for some of it, I was hoping for me. Overall, it's a good story, and I am sure students will enjoy the story if you were to read this to them during story time.
The story as a whole was less awe-inspiring. It was okay, but it was not what I was expecting. I was hoping for a little more, but it was a rather mild take in a fawn's first day. Although, I can understand the choices for some of it, I was hoping for me. Overall, it's a good story, and I am sure students will enjoy the story if you were to read this to them during story time.
July 23, 2024
"Not originally written as a children's book" sums up this book fairly well. The words are taken from the first chapter of a book written in 1923 and translated into English in 1925. I did not read all the text simply because I could not see myself wanting to read it to children, nor can I see the children asking for this title to be read to them. Perhaps there is a niche audience for this one.
February 25, 2020
A pleasant story, beautifully illustrated.
January 16, 2013
This book is a sweet tale of the first day of baby Bambi's life. My 6 year old is very interested in deer, so this was a perfect book for him.
November 2, 2014
Read with Emma using the Reading Rainbow app. Rating is hers. Beautiful descriptive language.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews