Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: A Little Princess (Storytime Classics) by Frances Hodgson Burnett, Janet Allison Brown, Graham Rust ISBN: 0-14-131203-3 Publisher: Puffin Pub. Date: June, 2001 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $5.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.6 (218 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Tears my heart out!
Comment: When I was six years old, I somehow became convinced that I was a princess. As a result, I now have a copy of this book inscribed "Christmas 1976...From the Queen".
I hadn't read it before, but it instantly became one of my favorites. I was reading it in bed when I got to the scene where Sara finds out her father is dead; I had to stop reading and cry myself to sleep.
There are other scenes, though, that didn't make me cry then, but they sure do now. "Guy Clarence" giving his sixpence to Sara, so convinced that he's setting her up for life. Sara giving away the currant buns to the real beggar child, and the shopkeeper's reaction: "Left just one for herself. And she could have eaten the whole six. I saw it in her eyes." And the very last scene: "Her name is Anne. She has no other."
Another scene that doesn't make me cry, but is still very moving, is when Ram Dass drops into Sara's attic to retrieve the monkey. That conversation plays on so many levels. First of all, he's respectful because she's white and female: kind of creepy from today's perspective, but OTOH, it's been a long time, at that point, since anyone has shown her any real respect. But, because they are both servants, he can be forthright with her, not just say "Yes, Missee Sahib" as he might have when she was wealthy. And moreover, it's refreshing for her to talk with him about India, which she apparently misses a lot. She was never miserable there, at any rate!
And this scene is crucial, because after he leaves, she is face to face with the realization that her life is not going to get any better (as it stood, without Burnett's plot machinations). She mulls this, then decides, "Whatever comes cannot alter one thing. If I am a princess in rags and tatters, I can be a princess inside." Much more inspiring than that sappy "All girls are princesses" junk from the movie.
Also, I realize now that Ermengarde really is dumb! Early on, Sara didn't need to be told that Becky was hungry, and having so much to spare, she freely shared food with her; nutritious stuff as well as delicacies. But Ermengarde has to be hit over the head with the concept before she timidly asks, "Sara...Are *you* ever hungry?" DUH! Miss Michin breaking up the feast was brutal beyond redemption, but Ermengarde was also remiss. She could have been smuggling food to Sara all along!
My only regret is that my copy does not have the Tasha Tudor illustrations. I have seen them, and they are very fine, but I'm not giving up my copy at this stage!
Rating: 5
Summary: Every girl dreams of being a princess!
Comment: If you remember seeing Shirley Temple in the 1939 "The Little Princess," this is the same basic plot with a wonderful new twist. The story is based on the beloved classic by the same author of The Secret Garden.
The movie opens with some stunningly beautiful scenes from India and all too suddenly Sara Crewe must leave with her father who is being called away for military duties. Sara has to go live in a New York boarding school. Through her experiences she learns to survive in the world and takes each day as it comes. Her vivid imagination is a pure delight and when she tells her magical stories, they are played out in a fairy tale like way onscreen. This contrasts with her real life at the school.
Sara's fun-loving spirit does get her into trouble from time to time. Overall, she is just used to living with her father and being free to do mostly what she likes. In her new school she has to follow many rules. She draws strength from her father's words to help her believe in herself. He tells her that she will always be his little princess.
A wonderful movie which shows that if we make the best of our circumstances, we will be blessed in the end. Five stars for storytelling magic!
Rating: 5
Summary: A Little Princess
Comment: A Little Princess
By: Frances Hodgson Burnett
Reviewed By: J. Lee
Period: P.1
This book is about a girl named Sara Crewe. Her father is a captain, and he is very rich. Sara Crewe is sent to a school so she will be educated, while her father goes on a journey. At first, no one likes her, because she is so rich, but she makes a friend named Ermengarde. There is also a young girl named Lottie, who has no mother like Sara, herself. Sara becomes close with her as well and acts like a mother to her. Sara tells many stories to little children, and they all become to like her. However, Miss Minchin and her sister are not very welcoming. All they care is for Sara's money and inheritance. But on Sara's 11th birthday, a tragic thing happens. Sara finds out that her father died from a fever and his friend lost all of their money. Sara becomes poor and is immediately put into rags. She starts to dwell in the attic, and she runs errands on the worst days. The cooks don't feed her well, and she is tired, however, Sara still has her warm, caring heart. She makes friends with a mouse up in the attic and she provides him and his family with crumbs. Sara now knows how it feels to be hungry and cold, but what she doesn't know is that her father's friend is looking for her. He never actually lost their fortune. It was that he just thought he did. So, he looked and looked for the girl, not knowing how she looked like or even her name. But he found her right next door, at the school, in the attic. He of course, handed her the fortune, and decided to take care of her. When Miss Minchin found out that there actually were diamond mines and that it belonged to Sara Crewe, she was in shock. Miss Minchin acted as she never treated Sara badly, and suggested her to stay at her school. But of course, Sara knew better, and she refused. Sara decided to help the hungry, and the needy, because she knew how it felt to be in that situation.
I liked this book because it had much description in the chapters that I could actually imagine and feel what the author was thinking and writing about. I could feel as if I was in the character's shoes and it was an experience reading this book. The first sentence of this book got me interested in reading this book. "Once on a dark winter's day, when the yellow fog hung so thick and heavy in the streets of London that the lamps were lighted and the shop windows glazed as they do at night, an odd-looking girl sat in a cab with her father and was rather driven slowly through the big thoroughfares." I was able to imagine this scene, and it made the story livelier. Towards the end of the story, Sara Crewe says,
"You know much more why I wouldn't stay at your school." I was shocked when she said this, but I was pleased at the same time. I realized that Miss Minchin got what she deserved. She treated Sara badly, so in return, Miss Minchin didn't get Sara's money. I learned that you should truly act to others as you would want to be treated.
My favorite part of the book was when Sara woke up in the middle of the night and found great things. A warm bed, cozy fire, delicious food, and everything she could think of. I liked this part because Sara believed that it was magical. This is what she really needed, and that night, her wish got granted. Also, I like it when people keep their hopes up high. I realized that those who keep wishing and those who believe that things can come true somehow end up getting what they've needed or wanted. As for the people who just laugh and say, "That'll never come true," never receive anything. Sara kept her hopes high even though she was in a rough situation. She believed that things could really happen and it did.
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
