The Seven-Year-Old Wonder Book

by Isabel Wyatt, Alyson MacNeill (Illustrator)

When the king's son found gems in his horse's mane, he wondered, and still held his peace. But that night he withdrew early from the feast and hid himself in the shadows of the stable. Presently in came Cordita, her beauty shining through her rags...These magical tales take us through the highlights of the year, through festivals and birthdays.

Book PaperbackPublication 1/1/1997 160Reading Age 6 and Up

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Fairy Tales, Magic, Short Stories

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1958

About the author

Isabel Mary Wyatt was an English children's author, and a well-known collector and re-teller of stories for children. She spent many years teaching young children and was co-director of studies at Hawkwood College in Gloucestershire until her retirement in 1965. Some of her best-known books include The Seven-Year-Old Wonder Book, Legends of King Arthur, Magical Wonder Tales and The Kingdom of Beautiful Colours.

Reviews

[Arie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read this since I was tiny, but tempted to again just to bring back the memories. Sweet and gentle, perfect for young children, especially those on the cusp of age seven (hence the name)

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The current bedtime storybook for my six year old. This sweet story is a classic! It reminds me of some of my favorite childhood books, too bad it is only popular in Waldorf circles or it would have been one of my favorites I am sure! A little girl named Sylvia has magical adventures and hears enchanting stories told each day by her mother or the dear old woodsman who lives nearby. Each night the fairies draw a picture in her Wonder Book and write a little poem. It is such a warm, sweet story full of love and innocent adventure.

[Eric Schreiber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely Waldorf-style book, about a six year old's progress through the year, culminating in her seventh birthday. Each chapter covers an important part of her year, paired with a story told to her by her mother or friend. I had the pleasure to read this to my oldest daughter as she turned seven, and I've now just done the same with my middle daughter. The delight that Sylvia shows in each chapter is contagous. My only complaint is that there's no Dad involved, with the focus squarely on the Mother plus an occasional visit by the Old Woodsman.

[Branigan Reed · Rating 1 out of 5]

Filled with a shocking amount of subtle and not-so-subtle racism. Had to stop it as my class read aloud. I learned my lesson and will always read books cover to cover myself before aloud to students, no matter who suggests them to me.

[Julie G · Rating 5 out of 5]

An almost perfect read for the imaginative, sensitive or spiritual 7-year-old girl in your life.

[Lyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the stories are delightful and richly imaginative and I could see the children listening with care and enjoyment, so that was great. What isn't so great is quite a bit of sexist and racist language. It's always challenging, when reading aloud, to be improvising on the spot as you go, but in this book you have to be on the lookout constantly for such bits.

[Charlotte S · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book reminded me of why I should always preview books prior to reading them to my kids. Hailed as a Waldorf classic, I was excited to read this to my 5 and 7 year old; however the racist themes very quickly dampened my enthusiasm. Yes, older books usually need some verbal editing to remove outdated/offensive language, but this was beyond that. I had to stop reading half way through the second story.

[Alaina Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some rather odd stories and some stories that could really use updating. But, overall, my seven year old loved it and connected with several of the stories.

**Also, near the end of the book, Sylvia, the main character turns SEVEN. So nearly the entire book she is SIX. It was very odd to end the book with her turning seven as I gave it to my child when he turned seven and then, since we spaced the book out over the year, right before his eighth birthday we read about her turning seven. Now I feel like the title was misleading and that it should be made more clear.

[Deana · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5!! —— This was a spectacular multi-season read-aloud, covering the autumn and winter Waldorf festivals as a child steps through the seven-year change. I found it utterly charming and both my 8 year-old and 4 year-old were so engrossed with the magical sub-stories and overarching themes, whimsy, plot, and poetry.

There were some mild editing errors early on in the print text, but it was otherwise my favorite extended reading experience with the kids in memory. We can’t wait to read more of Isabel Wyatt’s extended young adult works!

[Genevieve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember this was one of my favorites as a child. I don't recall the details now, except for taking a silver ladder out of her bedroom up to the moon, and a strawberry bandaid for her injuries and her inured stuffed friends.

[Jeanine · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mother read this to me when I was 7, and I loved it. I still remember some of Sylvia's adventures, but I would like to read it again.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so beautifully written. The stories are enchanting and really captures the imagination. Not just for seven year olds.

[Anna LeBlanc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Waldorf-y read aloud. Both my 7yo daughter and 9yo boy enjoyed the stories!

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

My six year-old LOVES this book, which I suppose is the most important criteria. It's very Waldorf-y, with lots of fairies, mysterious spells, elves, talking animals, rituals, dreams, nature, etc., which I do like and is so engaging for this age group. That being said, my husband and I both found the author's writing style quite tedious to wade through at bedtime compared to other chapter books.

[Charlie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can imagine being seven and finding this book a delightful realm for the imagination. Short stories, fairies, imps, rhymes, all so lovely.
I am not seven.
Still a lovely book. Truly made for a seven year old though.

[Marmot · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was ok, not as good as I had expected given it is hailed as a classic by "Waldorf types". I found the structure repetitive and lengthy. Thought it was better than "The Book of Fairy Princes" by the same author, which bordered on tedious.

[Ryara Toft · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book mwas good when I was seven, but I don't really like it anymore.

[Veronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading again...now to my newest almost seven year old...Let's start a wonderbook of our own when we are done.

[Ella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tough to understand for a seven year old reader! Mom helps me with the meaning of the stories. We like the one where Cupid's arrow becomes the first Christmas Tree.

[WSL Library]

X2

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful, fun story. My young boys loved it.

[Hannah Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book for 7 yr old boys and girls alike. We read the chapter about Sylvia loosing her first tooth when our son's first tooth was about to come out. He loves all the stories.

[julihawk · Rating 5 out of 5]

first chapter book.

[Katie (BooksRUs) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved listening my mom read this when I was younger!

[Tova · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book ( or more like my mother read this book to me) when I was 7. Perfect I know. The glory of homeschool.

[Lekeshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful story! Sylvia is a well loved child with a community grounded in love. I wish I had discovered it before my daughter turned 7. There were several typos and grammatical errors that bothered me but I was able to push through and read aloud to my daughter.