The Angel and the Soldier Boy

Book review by Mark Nichol, Common Sense Media
The Angel and the Soldier Boy Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 2+

Two toy dolls star in thrilling picture book.

Peter Collington Friendship 1987
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Parents say

age 4+

Based on 1 review

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this book.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that detailed and sweetly drawn illustrations make it easy for children to follow this wordless story.

Community Reviews

SarahEccles31
SarahEccles31 Adult
February 14, 2013
age 4+

memories

i actually would check this book out at the library when i was 5. we had a dress up day at school,to be any character we wanted,and i went as the angel from the story. im 28 now and i have a 5 year old who i know would love this book.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
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What's the Story?

In this lively wordless picture book, two valiant toy dolls recapture a coin stolen by storybook pirates. THE ANGEL AND THE SOLDIER BOY demonstrates that loyalty and affection can inspire even little people to muster the courage to accomplish great things.

Told entirely in pictures, this tells of thieving miniature pirates from a little girl's bedtime storybook who come to life and steal her special coin. When the child's soldier doll demands that they return the treasure, the pirates take him prisoner aboard their ship. The soldier boy's friend, an angel doll, heroically journeys through the sleeping girl's house to rescue the soldier boy and retrieve the coin.

Is It Any Good?

This book is full of affectionate moments. The little girl's mother reads her a story and kisses her goodnight, and the girl falls asleep with her favorite dolls placed beside her. Later, one doll is distraught over the other's disappearance, and when she rescues him, he gallantly kisses her hand. The story closes reassuringly with the little girl clasping one of them in each fist, and all is once again right with the world.

To us giants, a child's world seems simple and sheltered. But for little ones, something as seemingly routine as the loss of a favorite coin can be traumatic, and a friend's steadfastness or betrayal can make or break a child's day. In THE ANGEL AND THE SOLDIER BOY, true friendship is put to the test.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about friendship. How is each of the dolls a good a friend to the young girl, and to each other?

Book Details

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