"This is how it all began..." From 'A Necklace of Raindrops' to 'The Patchwork Quilt', here are eight classic stories to treasure and enjoy. Beginning and ending with a birthday, this spell-binding collection conjures up a world filled with magic, where wishes can come true. A necklace of raindrops that keeps its owner dry in the heaviest rainstorm; a tiger that runs faster than the wind; a huge floating apple pie with a piece of sky in it; a baker's cat who swells to the size of a whale when his mistress feeds him yeast; a house that stands on one leg - these are just some of the objects and characters that figure in these delightful stories.
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Review
"Magic has never been more elegantly shaped than in these effervescent short stories . . . The flight of imagination is delicately captured in Jan Pienkowski's accompanying silhouettes" (Julia Eccleshare Guardian 2009-12-12)
"A Necklace of Raindrops is something that should be on every child's shelf" (Amanda Craig The Times 2009-11-07)
"A little dark and often surreal" (Lydia Fulton Financial Times 2008-05-24)
"Jan Pienkowski, whose magical silhouttes were never so finely matched as with the wonderful Joan Aiken's fine short stories . . . A treat" (Evening Standard 2010-01-17)
"A Necklace of Raindrops is something that should be on every child's shelf" (Amanda Craig The Times 2009-11-07)
"A little dark and often surreal" (Lydia Fulton Financial Times 2008-05-24)
"Jan Pienkowski, whose magical silhouttes were never so finely matched as with the wonderful Joan Aiken's fine short stories . . . A treat" (Evening Standard 2010-01-17)
Book Description
A beautiful new edition of Joan Aiken's captivating collection of much-loved modern fairytales, now reissued with Jan Pienkowski's original and iconic silhouette illustrations.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
48 of 48 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
One of the best possible books to give to a child, made even more magical by the exquisite silhoueete pictures of the Polish artist Jan Pienkowski. The ifrst story, about a little gilr, Laura, who gets the North Wind as her godfather after her own father untangles him, is one of the best. Laura gets a new raindrop each with a magical power to do with water (not getting wet in the rain, beoing able to make the rain stop etc) but when she takes it to school a wicked girl steals it. How Laura gets the necklace back and finds new friends is perfect. The other stories also delightful. Also thoroughly recommend Tales of A one-Way Street and A Harp of Fishbones. Older children will adore the WOlves of Willoughby Chase sequence
27 of 27 people found the following review helpful
By Kat
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Amanda Craig's right - Jan Pienkowski's illustrations are truly magical, which makes it unbelievable that they'd be replaced by the bland ones of this edition.
Joan Aiken's stories are perfect bedtime reading - both adult and child. They're exhilirating tales of good and evil, but tinged with an other worldliness that makes it impossible to be anything other than completely captivated. Needless to say, this is a damn fine book and you'd be an idiot not to get hold of a copy. Just try and get the Pienkowski illustrated version: they really play up to the text and make reading these lovely stories even more of a pleasure.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By Fitz
Format:Paperback
I've been a primary school teacher for twenty five years and this has to be the all time number one favourite at story time! Children never seem to tire of it. The stories have a magical quality to them appealing to ages 5/6 upwards. The title story is the best one of the collection and has proved the most popular story in the book, but the others are still very good.
If you're new to teaching (especially Years 2 and 3) buy this book! You'll have your class in the palm of your hand!
Mums and Dads - brilliant bedtime stories - magical without being scary!
If you're new to teaching (especially Years 2 and 3) buy this book! You'll have your class in the palm of your hand!
Mums and Dads - brilliant bedtime stories - magical without being scary!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
I read this book as a child. Two stories in the book have children with the same names as myself and my best friend of that time. My book is falling apart, I cannot wait to get the new copy so i can read it again.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
'Necklace of Raindrops' is an extremely endearing collection of children's stories by Joan Aiken. Joan Aiken is a wonderful story teller who takes you on journeys across the oceans and across the skies (on pies). There's plenty in 'Necklace of Raindrops' to capture the imaginations of both child and adult. Definitely a treasured addition to any bookshelf.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This really is the most wonderful book. Joan Aitkin's stories combined with the mystical, beautiful illustrations by Jan Pienkowski really are unforgettable, I read them 20 yrs ago when I was small and they made such an impression, I can't recommend this enough!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By C McGowan
Format:Paperback
As a child I wrote to JA (and got a friendly reply!) saying that she was my favourite author. Now I am rereading her books with my son and I remember why.
Her stories are not only full of wonder but also full of beauty, so rarely found in children's books. They are enthralling without being 'thrilling' and I still just love them. So does my 7 year old son, who struggles with nearly all modern books, which always seem to have to be scarey or provocative.
One End Street is also fantastic for this age group.
Her stories are not only full of wonder but also full of beauty, so rarely found in children's books. They are enthralling without being 'thrilling' and I still just love them. So does my 7 year old son, who struggles with nearly all modern books, which always seem to have to be scarey or provocative.
One End Street is also fantastic for this age group.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
I remember this book from my childhood, and loved it so much that I keep a copy as an adult. Beautiful silhoutte drawings accompany a delightful collection of short stories, about a girl whose necklace of raindrops is stolen by a jealous girl, and even about houses on legs. There couldn't be a more memorable set of stories. The book would make a beautiful gift for anyone between 5 and 9.
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4.9 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
relive childhood memories
I bought this book for my children, as I loved it as a child myself. It did not disappoint! Wonderful pictures and strange, captivating tales. Read more
Published 1 month ago by j p
5.0 out of 5 stars
just as I remembered
I remember this book from my childhood, it didn't disappoint. Its just so magical, a perfect addition to my collection
Published 1 month ago by lil cru
5.0 out of 5 stars
Necklace of Raindrops
A lovely selection of short stories for children. Very imaginative indeed and certainly one I would recommend for reading aloud or for children of 8-12 years
Published 2 months ago by Mr. R. K. Chivers
5.0 out of 5 stars
Childhood Gold
Every child should read, have this read to them. The collection of tales are both charming and whimsical and captured my imagination when I was a child. :)
Published 3 months ago by Miss N S Chowdory
5.0 out of 5 stars
Magical
This is a wonderful collection of short stories. I had the book since I was small, but it fell apart from over use and old age. Read more
Published 3 months ago by De Bruyn 78
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love this book.
I bought 2 copies for my grandchildren, one to replace a well used paperback. This is a hardback copy with really lovely magical silhouette drawings by Jan Pienkowski to illustrate... Read more
Published 12 months ago by J. Holmes
5.0 out of 5 stars
A timeless classic
I first read this book over 30 years ago, in fact, I think my Mum used to read it to me, too. I remember the stories well and now I have 3 children, I want to share them with my... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Pam Cowling
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Necklace of Raindrops
Was looking for a different book and bought this for my 8 year old grandaughter and she has been enjoying the stories and illustrations very much.... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Gran
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good book for 6 year olds
My niece loved this book. A good start for kids before they move on to Harry Potter books. short stories withlots of magic and my niece loved it!!
Published on 2 May 2011 by LJ2007
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great quality copy and still magical
I enjoyed this book as a child but my copy disappeared many years ago - I wanted to get one of the original publications as I loved the illustrations (unusual for me as I like my... Read more
Published on 1 May 2010 by Miss S P
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