The Adventures of Pinocchio (Oxford World's Classics) [Paperback]

I bought this for my 6 year old and we have now read it several times together. He loves it. It is strange, mysterious, funny, incredible, fantastic. This is the original story and is far more than a kids story, it is a great work of literature reaching beyond the storyline to comment and observe on life. The illustrations are wonderful, brilliantly capturing the feel of the writing, amply rewarding the young readers attention and providing incredible moments of wonder in the story. My son has favorite pictures that he can't wait to peep at, especially the great shark! Also I can't believe the price this is currently available for - snap it up at once. This is going to be on our bookshelves forever and be a fond memory for my children. It is so much more than the all those slim expensive picture books for children that fill the shelves and do not compare with the enjoyable but sanitised disney version.

The italian fairy tale which has become a world famous classic for children. No more words need to be said.
What I liked most of this edition are the very nice illustrations, somehow it felt like reading a book of Charles Dickens...

This stunning tale is one that brings back memories of childhood and time past, where the consequences of ones actions and the rewards of selflessness are brought to light most effectively. This is the French fairytale that I read first, the book that was handed down to me from my Grandparents and given as a gift to them by a family friend; the illustrator Charles Mozley- who knew my Grandparents intimately. The personal description from (as my mother called him `Uncle Charles') was touching, and the stunning hand drawn illustrations, add that real special element that makes this book so unique.

*unlike the first edition that is listed on Amazon, the copy that I own is the first one made and hand-illustrated by the artist before being put into print*

The tale is about love, friendship, loyalty and honesty and which certainly is memorable as to remain with you throughout childhood and into adulthood with its clear message. Heartwarming, affecting and so powerful this emotive narrative will have you in tears, as you experience such a rollercoaster of events within this compelling read. The love between flesh and blood, father and son is quite remarkable and like most family's it is something that can never be quite equaled to. Nor is the value of knowing right from wrong and understanding the importance of selflessness, thoughtfulness and how in life one should put others first. At times this book I found scary as a young child (around 5 yrs old when my mother first read it to me at bedtime), especially when the young boys who were corrupted were transformed into Donkey's! It is a journey of a lifetime, a character-driven tale with some distinctive characters (i.e. Cricket), dramatic and full of intensity that has you glued to the pages - this is something truly astonishing and heartwarming.

Pinocchio is a young boy and whose egotistical mannerisms and lying, has the most severe consequences; such as being turned into wood and his nose growing longer and longer... His father loves his son so much and only wishes that he could become flesh and blood again, but for this to transpire Pinocchio must learn to be a good boy. As he leaves home and embarks on the most extraordinary, horrendous and unexpected of adventures where he almost looses his life this young boy takes note of the depths of his father's kind heart and the power of love.

This particular edition, 1959, is so special and which is something that shall remain within my family for generations to come. Complete with such stunning illustrations by an artist who was a close friend of my Grandparents (who were also well-known artists themselves), this is something to treasure and which one cannot compare to the printed, contemporary editions of today. The story is something quite unforgettable and outstanding, that which is loved by generations both young and old and which reminds all of us the important things in life. I would recommend this as a first book to read to your children, to your nieces and nephews and for your own personal pleasure...

For when you wish upon a star, dreams really DO come true!