 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
- By Lewis Carroll
- Genre: Literary Fiction
Common Sense Media says
A classic that both adults and kids love.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that constantly changing predicaments, strange creatures, and the watercolors are very child-friendly. But difficult language, Carroll's nonsense poems, and adult humor leave some children bored or confused.
What's the story?
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?
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.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the strange creatures in Wonderland. Which is the strangest?
Why do you think the queen is so mean? Are you confused by parts of the story? Which parts?
Do you like stories you don't understand right away? Why or why not?
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AGE
a classic that actually is classic
some classics have been around so long that nobody but kids notice that, sadly, they are classics no longer. this is completely not the case with alice. i love it, it is timeless, and i appreciate it on a new level every time i read it.
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AGE
Quirky classic for school age and up
Intriguing, different, funny, a delight at any age. Lewis Carroll's oddball universe stays with you.
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AGE
Everyone with different sense of humor should read this book.
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Kid, 11 years old
August 22, 2009
AGE
For all ages
This book i read when i was 6, i thought i was the best book ever back then, and i still do now.
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AGE
Amazing But A Bit Violent (Very Mildly.)
Alice is a good role model for younger kids because she has quick thinking and she is smart and although sometimes she gets into trouble (like scaring the mouse) she overall is a good and well-behaved child. As for violence: The Queen Of Hearts often shouts "Off with his head!" or "Off with her head!" although apparently it means nothing, because no one's head ever gets cut off. Another violent aspect, although not too violent, is that in the game of croquet, they use flamingos and hedgehogs, which I think is not a good way to play at all. The duchess throws her baby around in such a way that it violently screams and turns into a pig. But overall, most of the characters like the eccentric and well-witted Cheshire Cat to the violent, short-tempered Queen Of Hearts, this book is a classic that everyone will enjoy.
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December 5, 2008
AGE
We're all mad here...
I absolutely love this book. I read it as a teen, and reread it numerous times since. Great for young and old alike!
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AGE
The Best
This imaginative tale is really time less.. and exiting..
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AGE
Greatest book ever
As a kid I really loved this book and it's sequal "Through the Looking Glass". It's the wimsey and surrealism that have always attracted me to these books, I just read them recently and really enjoyed them and I'm 20. Have your kid read the ones with the original art because those are the best. I'd also recomend reading "The Phantom Tollbooth."
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| Author: | Lewis Carroll |
| Illustrator: | Helen Oxenbury |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Literary Fiction |
| Publisher: | Candlewick Press |
| Publication date: | December 31, 1969 |
| Number of pages: | 207 |
| Hardcover price: | $24.00 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 9 - 12 |
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