The Adventures of Isabel [With CD]

"Isabel met an enormous bear, Isabel, Isabel didn't care; The bear was hungry, the bear was ravenous, The bear's big mouth was cruel and cavernous." Thus begins Mr. Nash's poem about brave little Isabel. A girl who is not put off or frightened even when she faces fierce bears, wicked old witches, hideous giants, troublesome doctors, AND horrible dreams! In each case, Isabel uses her imagination and conquers. For example: The bear said, "Isabel, glad to meet you, How do, Isabel, now I'll eat you!" Isabel, Isabel, didn't worry, Isabel didn't scream or scurry. She washed her hands and she straightened her hair up, Then Isabel quietly ate the bear up. Four Stars. Great, not-scary artwork by James Marshall that is colorful and fun. As a read-aloud it is a little challenging, but practice draws out the proper cadence. My two kids like this book (they are boy and girl; 4 and 6); and I like that it suggests to them that they can solve their own problems, even scary ones.

I'm fourteen and I still remember this book so clearly. Its a classic. Everyone should own this book.

My son is 4 and loves this book! We have read it every night this week, at his request. It is a wonderful book for learning new words (cavernous, scurry). It taps into my son's sense of the absurd. The theme of a child conquering big, scary things is very age appropriate. I highly recommend this book!

We got this book because we thought it was WRITTEN by James Marshall. Oops. Was told it was a good "positive book for girls" etc. kind of stuff. Yeah. Its okay. The rhymes just aren't very in-sync. Sorry, but its just okay. Some of the phraseology is not easy for younger children to understand. Since this book apparently is supposed to flow, by rhyme, taking time to explain (why Isabel gave the doctor a cure by giving him his own shot in the butt, for example) each new rhyme on each new page of Isabel's weird adventures makes it unappealing. I haven't been asked to reread this book since I bought it. PS. James Marshall does a great job illustrating, though! :)

This is absolutely my favorite children's book. Every little girl should read and enjoy it. I recommend it for big girls too. It's the best!