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Serendipity
Kartusch
The Furry Eyefulls who inhabit the forest become cranky and grouchy because they are so afraid of not seeing something beautiful around them that they never close their eyes or go to sleep
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1978
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165 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 7, 2025
Discovered on Open Library whilst I was doing a bit of research on nature themed picture books and borrowed (read) because I happened to find the book cover image aesthetically appealing (and as such also suggestive of many potential nature themed delights), well, I really do have to point out that the only reason I am in fact rating Kartusch with a low three and not two stars is that I really and truly do massively aesthetically adore Robin Cole’s absolutely marvellous and visually delightful accompanying illustrations. For yes, Cole’s depictions of nature, they are richly colourful, lushly descriptive and indeed as such appealingly visually stunning (and I also totally appreciate how sweetly cute and cuddly the Furry Eyefuls are rendered and that Kartusch the blind green snake is illustrated as the benign and wise creature he or she obviously is and is not drawn by Robin Cole as in any manner grossly, creepily monstrous or frightening).
But yes, and also a bit sadly, with regard to author Stephen Cosgrove’s presented text for Kartusch, no indeed, I have not found what Cosgrove textually has to say either enchanting or engaging (and in fact rather frustrating). Because albeit the verbal message presented in Kartusch (by the wise snake to the extremely one-sided Furry Eyefuls) that vision is not the only sense of importance for finding and discovering the beauty of nature (that hearing, touching, smelling and tasting also need to be taken equally as seriously as seeing) while this is of course a consideration of much truth and importance, that Stephen Cosgrove has Kartusch explain all of this to the generally very much doubting Furry Eyefuls in a manner that to and for me seems just oh so incredibly one-sided and lacking in nuance, yes that does makes me (both my inner child and also adult I) feel rather evangelised to and preached at (happy enough with the message presented in Kartusch to be sure, but also quite annoyed with how Cosgrove tries to textually demonstrate this, as the rather in one’s proverbial face philosophising of serpentine Kartusch to the Furry Eyefuls really does leave a bit to be desired and has definitely rendered Kartusch not all that textually a pleasure to read and more like a school lesson with only one single and correct answer).
But yes, and also a bit sadly, with regard to author Stephen Cosgrove’s presented text for Kartusch, no indeed, I have not found what Cosgrove textually has to say either enchanting or engaging (and in fact rather frustrating). Because albeit the verbal message presented in Kartusch (by the wise snake to the extremely one-sided Furry Eyefuls) that vision is not the only sense of importance for finding and discovering the beauty of nature (that hearing, touching, smelling and tasting also need to be taken equally as seriously as seeing) while this is of course a consideration of much truth and importance, that Stephen Cosgrove has Kartusch explain all of this to the generally very much doubting Furry Eyefuls in a manner that to and for me seems just oh so incredibly one-sided and lacking in nuance, yes that does makes me (both my inner child and also adult I) feel rather evangelised to and preached at (happy enough with the message presented in Kartusch to be sure, but also quite annoyed with how Cosgrove tries to textually demonstrate this, as the rather in one’s proverbial face philosophising of serpentine Kartusch to the Furry Eyefuls really does leave a bit to be desired and has definitely rendered Kartusch not all that textually a pleasure to read and more like a school lesson with only one single and correct answer).
April 3, 2019
The power of your imagination |_<{¥}>_|
I loved this book because it was about not being able to see but to hear,and feel and it said that your senses is the most beautiful thing and I have to agree <:)
I loved this book because it was about not being able to see but to hear,and feel and it said that your senses is the most beautiful thing and I have to agree <:)
July 3, 2017
I am starting to collect the Serendipity series again for my own personal library for I love the books when I was a younger child or least the ones that were out that I could find. And I don't remember any of them with Kartusch but I must say he is now one of my favorite characters within the series.
In this book Kartusch shows that you don't have to be fully functioning in all your senses to be able to see beauty and that it sometimes can be found just by sitting still with your eyes closed. And also to be able to absorb the beauty that you do need you need just as much a chance to sleep.
The pictures are beautiful and I love how Robin James portrays Kartusch both in this book and in "Gabby".
In this book Kartusch shows that you don't have to be fully functioning in all your senses to be able to see beauty and that it sometimes can be found just by sitting still with your eyes closed. And also to be able to absorb the beauty that you do need you need just as much a chance to sleep.
The pictures are beautiful and I love how Robin James portrays Kartusch both in this book and in "Gabby".
March 13, 2017
I chose four stars because it was kinda long and kinda difficult to pronounce "Kartusch" so I just kept on, but struggled. It did help me to realize you don't just need your sight (snake was blind), you also need smell, hearing, feeling and of course...love <3! This author is one of my favorite authors he is also my mom's favorite to. His stories always have a moral after them like this one "The strongest sense of all is compassion not just seeing, feeling, or hearing". Also the date is set to two different days only because I was slacking on the reading.
June 23, 2015
This book is about Furry Eyefuls and how they always were awake because they wanted to see all the beautiful things the world had to offer. They never slept, so they were always grumpy. A blind snake came by and he taught the Furry Eyefuls how to listen, and they fell asleep.
I like this book because there is text on one side of the page, and there is a detailed picture on the other side of the page. The text and pictures complement one another. There is also a moral to be learned at the end of the story. Which make this book a very worthy read.
I would use this book to teach my children. They would enjoy looking at the pictures, and they would also learn some great life lessons. They would be better kids for reading this book.
I like this book because there is text on one side of the page, and there is a detailed picture on the other side of the page. The text and pictures complement one another. There is also a moral to be learned at the end of the story. Which make this book a very worthy read.
I would use this book to teach my children. They would enjoy looking at the pictures, and they would also learn some great life lessons. They would be better kids for reading this book.
May 23, 2020
The Furry Eyeballs are little creatures who never close their eyes or sleep for fear of missing out on seeing something. They encounter blind Kartusch, who teaches them to 'see' with their other senses and they become fast friends. The images in this book are so classically 1970s and I love every one of 'em but this one's my favorite .
July 23, 2015
This childrens picture book is one that challenges a young readers vocabulary but is very fun to read. After countless phone calls and letters from fans, we've brought back these time-honored tales. Sharing life lessons and memorable morals, the Serendipity books are a seasoned favorite with children and parents alike. So, journey to the magical, mystical land of Serendipity with these four cherished editions featuring newly revised text from the author
December 30, 2019
“I may not be able to see with my eyes but I can see all that I need to see when I listen with my mind.” Kartusch
July 18, 2022
Oh, I really liked this one!! First things first, as always; the artwork is just gorgeous and is the real winner of the show, here. But the story is super lovely as well, and I adore the lesson it teaches!
April 13, 2024
Found this little guy at the thrift store yesterday. Such a cute little book about clearing your mind. Very cute illustrations.
June 11, 2025
Me prestaron este libro en un círculo de lectura y me encantó, me recordó a mis primeras lecturas, quiero leérselo a mis sobrinos. :)
May 24, 2025
Even now, I absolutely adore the illustrations in Kartusch. I saved this book from an old daycare clean-out years ago, not really sure why at the time, but I’m so glad I did. When my kids were born, it was still tucked away in my collection, and it’s become one of our go-to bedtime books.
The Fuzzy Eyefuls are hilariously relatable in their FOMO and their loud, unhelpful commentary. And Kartusch (pronounced “CAR-toosh”), the little blind green snake, is such a gentle, thoughtful character. It’s hard not to fall in love with him. His patient kindness is the heart of the story, and it really does feel like being tucked into bed.
The name is also just fun to say with a little snake lisp. It’s a quiet, comforting story that leaves us feeling warm every time we read it.
The Fuzzy Eyefuls are hilariously relatable in their FOMO and their loud, unhelpful commentary. And Kartusch (pronounced “CAR-toosh”), the little blind green snake, is such a gentle, thoughtful character. It’s hard not to fall in love with him. His patient kindness is the heart of the story, and it really does feel like being tucked into bed.
The name is also just fun to say with a little snake lisp. It’s a quiet, comforting story that leaves us feeling warm every time we read it.
June 26, 2011
Every Serendipity book I have read I have loved. These were introduced to me as a first grader by my favorite teacher I ever had! These books are so well written and illustrated that they take you right into the book itself. I enjoyed having these books read to me and starting to be able to read them by myself. The love of reading that was installed in me in 1985 is still with me today.
April 25, 2008
My kids love this book! Unusual illustrations and a nice message about what we miss when we can't settle and listen.
Read
January 22, 2009JAR4-CosHB
November 10, 2020
Still an absolute favorite. Deals with disability and has a beautiful, accepting message. ^_^
March 16, 2013
Love this series.
September 9, 2014
This story is absolutely adorable, and what a perfect lesson to teach your kids - how to see beauty in the world around them.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews