Tom Thumb

by Margaret Hillert

This collection features 96 books to give primary students varied book choices in a wide range of reading levels. Many of the books by well-known author, poet, and former first grade teacher Margaret Hillert. The series is divided in to four child-centered collections. Reading levels 1.1-1.2.

Genres: Childrens

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1950

About the author

Margaret Hillert has written over 80 books for children who are just learning to read. Her books have been translated into many languages and have helped children throughout the world learn to read. She first started writing poetry as a child and has continued to write for children and adults throughout her life. As a first grade teacher, Margaret realized that the books available for students just learning to read were beyond their comprehension. She then began to write her easy readers and poetry for children. Her first collection of poetry Farther Than Far was published in 1969. Her many awards include the Chicago Children's Reading Round Table Annual Award for outstanding contributions to the field of children's literature. Other honors include the David W. Longe Prize and the Michigan Bookwoman of the Year Award. A teacher for 34 years, she is now retired and lives in Michigan where she continues to write stories and poetry.

Reviews

[Mya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to read for kids because of the great word content that kids can easily follow along with. However, for adults, it is not good at all.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool. Cause. He visited the king.

[Camie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dull - no plot. For early readers, so just repetition of words.

[☼Bookish in Virginia☼ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Time Machine
Built My Kids Reading Confidence, April 19, 2005

I love Margaret Hillert books. My kids find the retellings of classic tales interesting, and the fact that they can 'read' the story themselves, works to build their confidence.

This little book is written for beginning readers. It is at the Kindergarten Reading Level: AR 0.8. The book contains 60 vocabulary words; 296 words total.

The story follows Tom's adventures as various sorts of creatures mistake him for a meal. Tom is rescued from each situation and ultimately ends up with a king that treats him kindly; offering Tom an ornate chair and a mouse complete with saddle to carry him. Tom appreciates these things, but ultimately decides that he must return home where he is warmly welcomed by this parents.

The sentences are better than those of Dick and Jane, but the story of Tom Thumb is definitely not completely explained by the text, so unless your child is familiar with the story you should read or tell them the full version beforehand.

The artwork by Dennis Hockerman is nice and all-in-all this little book is not a bad purchase for a beginner reader if you can get it at a reasonable price.

Recommend for practice. No down side except that children soon move on and are ready for more exciting reading material.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

For a book that is designed as a beginner reader this is good at presenting a limited vocabulary. Unfortunately it is dreadfully dull to read as a parent reading to a child and I question how much of the story children will understand simply by reading this book. The text is so limited that it doesn't tell the story at all. There are very few nouns, so that none of the animals or objects that are the actual focus of the story appear in the text. The words Tom Thumb do not even appear in the text.

On the positive side the pictures are lovely.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 4 year old really enjoys reading this series of books. This one particular was a favorite. Usually when he reads, he is always making deals with me "You read that page, Mom, and I'll read the next page" but with this one he'd read and read, many pages before making a "deal".
He also really loves What is it? same series and author.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very colorful and well thought out adventures. Little people can always find mischieve to get into and must call upon the help of others. Tom Thumb being no bigger than a person's thumb unwilling ventured out but ended up home safe and sound. I liked the full circle this short story takes in the tale of Tom.

[Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am always going to be a supporter of Margaret Hillert's books. She tells fairy tales in an easy reader format that kids understand. They get the gist of the story while being able to feel confident and read every word. The illustrations are usually fabulous as well. If you are serious about teaching your child to read, you are serious about checking out these books from the library.

[Karissa Butikofer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mother and father decide they want a little boy. They get a little boy and he goes through different struggles because he is so little and the world is so big. Finally, father gets him a chair and a mouse to ride. The mouse helps get gold and he takes it back to his mother and father.

[Nicole Holden · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an easy read book that is loaded with site words. In this book it lists site words/ or easy to read beginning words.

[Fjóla · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simplified version of the fairy tale for beginning readers. It's a very easy one to read, so all but the beginners may find the text boring, but the pictures are lovely.

[Kristin King · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't impressed, but our sons seemed to enjoy the pictures and silliness quite a bit.