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Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Book Summary

Reviewed by Monica Wyatt

What strange and marvelous creatures will Alice find down the rabbit hole, and what amazing thing will happen next? The inventive language and charming fantasy make this a classic that both adults and kids love. Older ones will appreciate the satire, but some younger children are confused or bored. New illustrations are appealing to children.

Is It Any Good?

4

Though there are many video versions, and a lot of simplified retellings, all kids deserve to know ALICE IN WONDERLAND as Lewis Carroll wrote it. But it takes a particular kind of child to enjoy this: Complex language, nonsense, and the lack of a sensible plot are not to every child's taste. The book needs to be thoughtfully read aloud by an adult; few children will read this on their own. Read aloud, the rhythmic poems can delight kids just for their sounds and silly images.

The book works on two levels: as a delightful children's fantasy and as an impish poke in the eye to adults. Alice's strange new world remains just enough like the polite society of Victorian England that we can recognize it -- but it isn't terribly polite, allowing adults to understand much of the book as satire. Of course, kids usually don't see satire in the book; they just enjoy the nonsense. If you've forgotten how to do that, Alice can help you remember.

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