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Product Description
Review
‘The best recent picture book is the The Magic Paintbrush by Julia Donaldson . . . it is beautifully illustrated by Joel Stewart and wonderful to read aloud’ Daily Telegraph
Product Description
An inspirational read from the master of story-telling.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
126 of 126 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
After discovering “The Gruffalo” by chance, our entire family was hooked on Julia Donaldson. All her books have strong, simple rhymes which are easy to read aloud – something other children’s authors could learn from.
“The Magic Paintbrush” carries on this tradition, but is altogether different. This time the illustration duties fall to Joel Stewart, instead of Donaldson’s long-time collaborator Axel Scheffler.
Stewart’s beautifully stylised illustrations bring a fresh and timeless feel to the story. It could appeal to a much older child than the bulk of Donaldson’s work, although younger readers will also be delighted.
The story itself is wonderfully simple and inventive. Shen, a young Chinese girl, is given an enchanted paintbrush – everything she paints becomes real. Without giving the story away, Shen cleverly puts the paintbrush to good use, refusing to let it be used by greedy people.
Like “The Smartest Giant in Town”, “Room on the Broom” and “The Gruffalo”, Donaldon’s message is handled with a light touch. Children don’t feel patronised and parents don’t feel they’re hammering home a point. After all, bedtime is for winding down – not moralising.
If you’re a fan of the author, please bear in mind that this story doesn’t use humour in the same way as her other books. That’s not to say there aren’t funny moments – but the overall feeling is that you’re reading a timeless fable rather than a modern “entertainment”.
Just three days in, it’s already destined to become a favourite in our household.
52 of 52 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
My family have been big fans of Julia Donaldson since discovering 'The Gruffalo' two years ago.
The book is another very good book from Julia Donaldson but is quite different in style and content from the books that made her name - Gruffalo, Room on the Broom, Smartest Giant in Town etc
This time the illustrations are by Joel Stewart, rather than Axel Scheffler. In many ways the illustrations are even better than usual: they are beautiful and will appeal to children of all ages but they do not have the humour of Scheffler's work.
The story itself is wonderfully simple and engaging (as I read it I wondered if it was based on a traditional folk tale). As usual (for Donaldson) the story is told in verse with a simple rhyming scheme and a great rhythm that makes it a joy to read aloud.
For me, this book never hits the magical heights of her best work but it is still a wonderful book. It still satisfies the younger readers but it also appeals to a much older child.
55 of 56 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If you're expecting The Gruffalo, think again! This is a touching and thought provoking tale, but told with a very light touch. It has a powerful message, yet never preaches.
My 4 year-old adored it from the first reading. She just saw the wonderful story and (as ever with JD's books) the fantastic rhythm of the verse. Older children will spot the value of the moral.
The illustrations are beautifully appropriate to the oriental story. The dragon is stunning!
My 4 year-old adored it from the first reading. She just saw the wonderful story and (as ever with JD's books) the fantastic rhythm of the verse. Older children will spot the value of the moral.
The illustrations are beautifully appropriate to the oriental story. The dragon is stunning!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
It's nice but doesn't enthral my daughter.
Okay I like that it's cultural and the overall theme of the story is ok, but I do find it a bit dull really. Takes a good 'performance' to get little ones attention.
Published 2 months ago by Mrs. N. Page
Original and different!
Beautifully illustrated, I enjoy reading this to my children and they love the story. As usual, the clever rhymes from Julia Donaldson take it above the ordinary children's book.
Published 3 months ago by glosmum74
Lovely Story
A lovely story of a young girl and the power of her magic brush~
Teaches a good lesson/morale too, with beautiful illustrations too. Read more
Teaches a good lesson/morale too, with beautiful illustrations too. Read more
Published 5 months ago by beamary
great book!
I recieved this book the next day and was astonished how quickly it was delivered. Even though I purchased the book as second hand it was in really good condition. Read more
Published 7 months ago by jannah
A lovely Chinese story in Chinese drawing style.
This is a very lovely story with beautiful illustrations. Bear in mind it's a Chinese story; hence the Chinese water colour style is totally appropriate. Read more
Published 16 months ago by M. Saltara
Dimensions
Fantastic piece of poetry that moves adults and children to beatiful dimensions. I have most of Julia's kiddies books, and though a bit more advanced my 3 and 1/2 year old loves it
Published 21 months ago by Marcelo
Not that magic
I bet this is originally a Chinese story.Everything is good but the picture is far below Julia Donaldson's standard.Lydia Monks would bring it more lively.
Published 22 months ago by Lovereading
Enchanting story
The Magic Paintbrush is a lovely fable-like story about a girl with a paintbrush that I'd like to have! Read more
Published 23 months ago by Beau1
Anjelo and Alex
I couldn't wait for this stunning book called the Magic Paint Brush to come out. It has incredible rhyming words. It's absolutely brilliant. Read more
Published on 1 Dec 2009
Book review
Fabulous book, my daughter has just read this in class and couldn't wait to have a copy for herself. Fab book, great story. Well packaged, fast postage - no complaints at all!!
Published on 30 July 2009 by Ms. Deborah James
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