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Some of the Kinder Planets: Stories
A collection of nine stories by the popular Canadian author, including "The Night of the Pomegranate," "Save the Moon for Kerdy Dickus," and "The Hope Bakery"
136 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1995
4 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
Tim Wynne-Jones
72 books163 followersTim Wynne-Jones (born 12 August 1948) is an English–Canadian author of children's literature, including picture books and novels for children and young adults, novels for adults, radio dramas, songs for the CBC/Jim Henson production Fraggle Rock, as well as a children's musical and an opera libretto.
Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best Juvenile (2001): The Boy in the Burning House
Edgar Award
◊ Best Young Adult (2002): The Boy in the Burning House
Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best Juvenile (2001): The Boy in the Burning House
Edgar Award
◊ Best Young Adult (2002): The Boy in the Burning House
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
October 7, 2009
I was going to give this one three stars which for me means "I enjoyed it, but probably won't reread it," but then I had my husband read my favorite of the stories, "Tweedledum and Tweedledead", when he was stuck in a waiting room, and he absolutely loved it. So on our shelves it stays, and it probably will get reread after all (with the exception of "Save the Moon for Kerdy Dickus", the only real dud in the collection). I do like Tim Wynne-Jones -- his imagination is appealingly quirky, and one wants to be friends with his characters.
May 18, 2017
Surprisingly given the title and cover, this is not science fiction. (Mostly.) It's a really sweet collection of short stories, though, starring a number of Canadian kids who are all curious about the world and figuring out their place in it. I think my favourite was the boy who glued the names of faraway cities to himself (the last one to fall off would be the first place he'd go when he was old enough). The first story (the Mars enthusiast without the resources to make a cool planetary diorama for school), and the one about the family with a futuristic house (for 1993) whose visitor decided they were aliens, were also great. Just a good-hearted book in general.
And in case you were wondering, the author is no relation to Diana of the same surname--at least according to Google.
And in case you were wondering, the author is no relation to Diana of the same surname--at least according to Google.
September 18, 2015
These short stories may be just fine, but I just was not into them today.
October 11, 2021
A bizarre, eclectic, and ultimately bewildering array of stories, this book is a true delight. Marketed as a children's book, for ages 8 to 14, I found it to be every bit as enjoyable as any "adult" book I've read lately. Each of the 9 stories stands alone, and leaves the reader with more questions than answers. Mirroring thr psychedelic experience, at the end of each bewitching tale, I was left left a cosmic shrug and a bemused grin. Apparently Tim Wynne Jones is also the creative force behind Fraggle Rock, as well as other Jim Henson works of art, so the confusing content checks out.
I highly recommend for a fanciful diversion from everyday life.
I highly recommend for a fanciful diversion from everyday life.
October 18, 2023
Original, creative. As others have said, quirky & confusing sometimes, too. Each is a little different... your favorites are not mine nor are they 'hers.' When I was a child I would have read this over & over... so much to think about. I definitely want more by the author, and I want to reread this before saying more about it.
January 10, 2019
As this book is listed in "1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up," I was excited to read this. I really enjoyed the first few stories, but at the end they were more bland and boring, if only in my opinion. However, I will be looking out for Tim Wynne-Jones's books in the future.
October 26, 2024
This book happened to enter my life at just the right time. I can’t explain what these stories meant to me. The simple emotional weight that each story held was breathtaking. I loved every single piece of this book and it will linger with me forever.
May 30, 2017
Anthology of kid stories with a loose theme of finding your place in the world.
A fairly strong collection. I enjoyed almost all of the stories, except perhaps The Clearing which tended towards a ghost story and Star-Taker which was kind of historical. My favorites were Save the Moon about a family so quirky they are mistaken for alien abductors, Tashkent about recovery through geographical body art, and Strangers at the Shore which has some fun zine making. I also was intrigued by the notion in the titular story that terror and wonder can be easily traded. Will appeal to a young geek sensibility.
A fairly strong collection. I enjoyed almost all of the stories, except perhaps The Clearing which tended towards a ghost story and Star-Taker which was kind of historical. My favorites were Save the Moon about a family so quirky they are mistaken for alien abductors, Tashkent about recovery through geographical body art, and Strangers at the Shore which has some fun zine making. I also was intrigued by the notion in the titular story that terror and wonder can be easily traded. Will appeal to a young geek sensibility.
July 18, 2018
After reading book after book with lots of violence, this collection of stories about offbeat kids was just what I needed.
September 28, 2022
Nine stories by a Canadian author--each with its own special twist. Very good reading.
April 22, 2025
Some of the Kinder Planets is nine short stories for kids that focus on the quirky, the unexpected.
Want to read
August 2, 2025Team owns Save the Moon for Kerdy Dickus by Wynne-Jones, Tim digitally.
April 10, 2012
TIM WYNNE-JONES CATEGORY
This book contains nine short stories about different adolescents in different circumstances. The reader meets a girl turning in a school project completed last-minute, another young girl and her family whose unusual lifestyle convinces someone that they are aliens, a boy searching for his lost younger brother, a boy dreaming of traveling the world, several teenagers dealing with the strange names their parents gave them, a boy wrestling with writing his own short story, another boy dealing with moving to a new home, a girl performing in a major play for the first time, and a boy who makes an awesome historical find with his father. I loved the quaint feeling of these short stories and the quick looks at the experiences of these youth. Each of them learned some life lessons, and many of the stories were small moments of coming-of-age. These stories are great and very fun to read.
This book contains nine short stories about different adolescents in different circumstances. The reader meets a girl turning in a school project completed last-minute, another young girl and her family whose unusual lifestyle convinces someone that they are aliens, a boy searching for his lost younger brother, a boy dreaming of traveling the world, several teenagers dealing with the strange names their parents gave them, a boy wrestling with writing his own short story, another boy dealing with moving to a new home, a girl performing in a major play for the first time, and a boy who makes an awesome historical find with his father. I loved the quaint feeling of these short stories and the quick looks at the experiences of these youth. Each of them learned some life lessons, and many of the stories were small moments of coming-of-age. These stories are great and very fun to read.
April 11, 2012
TIM WYNNE JONES CATEGORY
Some of the Kinder Planets is a collection of amusing short stories that are quite creative and engaging. All the stories in this collection have creative little twists that make them fun. They are quick reads, and they give good insight into how some teens deal with issues in their lives. The teens in these stories often confront their situations in creative and off-the-wall ways: Pomegranate and mars, gluing travel destinations to yourself, etc. The characters are ordinary enough to be able to relate to, but they are quirky enough to be memorable and amusing. The book is probably more appropriate for younger teens, but the stories are amusing enough for everyone to find some entertainment in reading them. The stories have a nice variety, so there is bound to be a story or two that will especially click with the reader.
Some of the Kinder Planets is a collection of amusing short stories that are quite creative and engaging. All the stories in this collection have creative little twists that make them fun. They are quick reads, and they give good insight into how some teens deal with issues in their lives. The teens in these stories often confront their situations in creative and off-the-wall ways: Pomegranate and mars, gluing travel destinations to yourself, etc. The characters are ordinary enough to be able to relate to, but they are quirky enough to be memorable and amusing. The book is probably more appropriate for younger teens, but the stories are amusing enough for everyone to find some entertainment in reading them. The stories have a nice variety, so there is bound to be a story or two that will especially click with the reader.
April 11, 2012
***TIM WYNNE JONES***
This book is a whimsical collection of short stories that tell tales of young people dealing with things like belonging, acceptance, identity formation, the paranormal, and artist expression. I really liked the small glimpses I got into Jones' characters' lives, and I found myself smiling after finishing each story. Jones has a vivid imagination, and he tells highly creative stories that people of all ages can relate to, despite the highly improbably coincidences and apparitions that appear in various stories. I would recommend this book to students as young as 5th or 6th grade - this book could probably be labeled as Middle Grade, but the more mature the reader, the more he or she will get out of these short stories. For a read that can either be very light and entertaining OR deeply inspiring, "Some of the Kinder Planets" is the way to go.
This book is a whimsical collection of short stories that tell tales of young people dealing with things like belonging, acceptance, identity formation, the paranormal, and artist expression. I really liked the small glimpses I got into Jones' characters' lives, and I found myself smiling after finishing each story. Jones has a vivid imagination, and he tells highly creative stories that people of all ages can relate to, despite the highly improbably coincidences and apparitions that appear in various stories. I would recommend this book to students as young as 5th or 6th grade - this book could probably be labeled as Middle Grade, but the more mature the reader, the more he or she will get out of these short stories. For a read that can either be very light and entertaining OR deeply inspiring, "Some of the Kinder Planets" is the way to go.
April 8, 2012
REQUIRED AUTHOR TIM WYNNE-JONES
This book was actually a compilation of a bunch of short stories. I didn't know how I felt about reading short stories for YA readers at first. I tend to be a bit of an English major snob when it comes to short stories. But I really truly enjoyed this book. The stories seemed unique and genuine. They followed all different kinds of young aduls and often tied back to the universe, the stars, or the planets. I would recommend this book to any teen, (or adult). It's content is totally appropriate and totally enjoyable.
This book was actually a compilation of a bunch of short stories. I didn't know how I felt about reading short stories for YA readers at first. I tend to be a bit of an English major snob when it comes to short stories. But I really truly enjoyed this book. The stories seemed unique and genuine. They followed all different kinds of young aduls and often tied back to the universe, the stars, or the planets. I would recommend this book to any teen, (or adult). It's content is totally appropriate and totally enjoyable.
April 18, 2012
REQUIRED AUTHOR CATEGORY: TIM WYNNE-JONES
In each of these short stories, kids show how they see truth and accept themselves with all that they cope with in life. From overcoming disease, seeing the truth for what it is, and accepting themselves even if it means they don't turn in the best solar system.
I enjoyed this book for the way it showed the new beginning at the end of each story. It embodied the classification of YA literature well. I would recommend this book all ages of YA readers.
In each of these short stories, kids show how they see truth and accept themselves with all that they cope with in life. From overcoming disease, seeing the truth for what it is, and accepting themselves even if it means they don't turn in the best solar system.
I enjoyed this book for the way it showed the new beginning at the end of each story. It embodied the classification of YA literature well. I would recommend this book all ages of YA readers.
September 29, 2016
My favorite short stories in this collection are “The Night of the Pomegranate” and “The Clearing.”
Huge variety of topics, a wide range of interesting characters using different points of view in each story--first person, third person, omniscient, plus a short story written from two characters viewpoints, and a delightful sense of humor make for a wonderful sampling of short stories.
Huge variety of topics, a wide range of interesting characters using different points of view in each story--first person, third person, omniscient, plus a short story written from two characters viewpoints, and a delightful sense of humor make for a wonderful sampling of short stories.
March 29, 2010
What I learned from this book is that I've been writing short stories all wrong. Because Tim Wynne-Jones takes what I TRY to do and he actually DOES it. So, this phenomenon must be studied more closely.
I need to read more short story collections, I think. They are quick reads, and besides that they're good.
I need to read more short story collections, I think. They are quick reads, and besides that they're good.
October 3, 2015
WYNN-JONES... 9 different stories. Do not judge the book by this cover. I was expecting more science-fiction based on the title and cover. I did not enjoy most of the stories. I enjoyed "The Night of the Pomegranate" and "Tweedledum and Tweedledead" I think did read in one day and think I would like to go back and read it slower.
April 4, 2008
I wish I could have written this book. I wish I were peaceful and kind enough to write such a book.
April 22, 2014
I haven't read many short stories. It was interesting to me that these were little snippets, like dreams, and yet complete. My favorite story was the first one - the pomegranate story.
April 25, 2011
GREAT book to help teach short stories. Many different short stories all in one! Wonderful book for teaching!
October 6, 2013
This book and all the stories within it have always stuck with me. I first read it when I was probably...9 or so, and my friend gave me a copy for my birthday. <3 I'd love to have a copy again.
July 7, 2014
i really enjoyed these. great characters, intriguing ideas.
December 10, 2015
TIM WYNNE-JONES
I didn't understand the point of his short stories. A collection of stories all relating to the planets in some way or another.
I didn't understand the point of his short stories. A collection of stories all relating to the planets in some way or another.
February 1, 2019
This book is timeless.
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April 14, 20172+. 1996-1999
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews