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Summary: Thank you, Edward Ormondroyd
Review: This was my favorite book growing up. Hands down. (2nd place was "Follow the Leader" by James Garfield.) I was probably eight or nine when I first read it over 40 years ago. I have a copy somewhere in the house (yellow hard back if I remember). I was curious to see if it was still in print. After all these years for some reason the book entered my thoughts tonight - and I was amazed to see this book rereleased just this past week. What kind of "magic" does Mr. Ormondroyd perform on his readers? Does he reach out telepathically to his (now much older) young readers? Wouldn't surprise me - what with the hold this book had on me for years and years. See, this kid moves into a new house and finds that a mountain exits right in his own backyard. He's just got to climb that mountain and what he finds when he gets to the top...You'll just have to read this book. It begs to be read aloud to children. My youngest boy, Jesse, is eleven and I've got to dig out my old copy to read to him...better yet, I think I'll plunk down the cash on the limited edition. My way of directly thanking the author for the hours of pleasure he gave to me so many years ago.
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Summary: A wonderfully imaginative tale of adventure and growth
Review: I first read "David and the Phoenix" in 1958 when it became a selection of the Weekly Reader Chilren's Book Club. I loved it then and I love it still. I cannot think of another book which quite so filled me with a sense of wonder. Edward Ormondroyd's vivid descriptions paint bright scenes of characters and places in the reader's imagination. It is the kind of book that a child takes to heart, where it very well may remain ever after. I know that, even before reading the recently reprinted edition, I could recount virtually every episode in the tale, with Joan Raysor's simple pen sketches still providing the framework for my mind's eye recreation of the story. The book is full of humor, adventure, wonder, and gentle wisdom. This is a genuine classic of imaginative children's literature.
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Summary: Five Stars Is Not Enough
Review: I am also one of the Weekly Reader veterans. And I danced and sang when I saw that David & the Phoenix had been re-issued. I don't either sing or dance that well, but I tried!You must read this book. You must read it to your children, you must read it for yourself. It has that element that is so strangely missing from most kids' adventure stories: humor. Yes, there is threat. Yes, David must help his friend escape the threat, even though it costs David dearly. But mostly, this is a very funny book! If you can get through David's first encounter with the Phoenix without laughing --? Well, you need a vacation! It's funny, it's wonderful. For so long, I thought it had vanished forever. Now it's back. Please, anyone, read this book. (And "Follow My Leader" was awfully good, too. Has some bright person finally figured out to go back to Weekly Reader? Can I hope for Danny Dunn?)
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Summary: The Best Children's Book Ever
Review: My second-grade teacher, Mrs. Osborne, had a yellow hard-cover copy of this book and, as was the custom at the time, read a chapter a day to the class just after lunch. It is because of the yellow book that I will never forget Mrs. Osborne. This book was long out of print and I went to a lot of trouble finding a copy in the used book market. I had to have a copy to read to my daughter so that she would have the same wonderful experience with David that I had many years before. The adventure is remarkable, the characters are alive and the story is top-notch. I now look forward to reading it to my grandchildren and I will do it, too. Do yourself and your children a favor and buy two copies. Put one in the safe deposit box in case it goes out of print again. Or, better yet, buy one copy for each of your children and one for the safe deposit box. That way, many generations will have you to thank for one of the best literary experiences that they will ever have.
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Summary: Absolutely fantastic, have never forgotten it and never will
Review: I was never much of a reader. However, the summer of 1975, just before seventh grade, I picked my mothers old worn copy of the book that she had had since her childhood from her shelf and began to read it. I was enthralled immediately and was unable to put it down. I have never forgotten the excitement I felt while reading of David's adventures. Not only did this book launch me into a wonderful, unforgettable journey with David and the Phoenix, it put reading and fantasy into a new light. I have loved reading ever since and will never forget the book that showed me you can see without pictures. This book is exciting to all who read it and is definately a classic. Unfortunately my mother no longer has her copy of the book, but I am determined to get another. I have children of my own now and it would be a terrible loss not to be able to share this story with them. "David and the Phoenix" is an unforgettable learning adventure for all ages!!
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Summary: Legends Become True!
Review: David is a boy who has just moved to a new house. David sees a mountain up close for his first time. David climbs the mountain. David climbs the mountain and on top there is a burrow. When David looks in the burrow and he finds a Phoenix practicing Spanish verbs!
The Phoenix is taller than David is, it has a red crest on its head, and blue feathers. David startles the Phoenix. The Phoenix tells David to go away because he thinks David is pesky. David says sorry and starts to walk away; the Phoenix calls David back. They become friends and do stuff together.
There is a scientist that wants the Phoenix, dead or alive, to study him. He is a skinny, tall scientist that is very mean. The scientist saw the Phoenix one day. He has hunted him ever since. The Phoenix first lived on a mountain somewhere else, but he has moved over to this side because the scientist has been tracking him.
David and Phoenix decide to catch the scientist! To catch the scientist they have to make traps. They need money to make the traps. They go to the sea monster (one of Phoenix's friends) to ask for some of the money the monster has in the ground. The sea monster gives them two coins to use. They use the money to get the things for the two menacingly dangerous traps that are going to remove the scientist from play.
They don't catch the scientist. The Phoenix's 500th birthday is the next day. The next day Phoenix makes a pyre and burns himself. David feels so sad that he goes and cries. Many hours later out of the ashes comes a new Phoenix. David feels better but he knows that he will always miss Phoenix who was a good friend.
I really recommend you read this book!
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Summary: Lasting Impression
Review: I have an original 1958 copy of the Weekly Reader hardcover by Ormandroyd,from my childhood.I recently began reading it to my youngest child,who has never shown much interest in chapter books.Now he is relentlessly begging for just "One more chapter please".I am enjoying rereading what was one of my very favorite childhood books and am delighted that my son can't wait for me to read him the next chapter.After the first 3 chapters my son noticed the "In which the ..." beginning of each chapter title, and we started joking about it with me saying to him "In which it was time to turn off the light and go to sleep" I am curious whether Ed Ormondroyd was an Ornithologist in real life.I wish he had continued the series,I did and do love the book.
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Summary: I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!
Review: When I found out I was pregnant, I want to get my baby a copy of books that I grew up on. This by far is one of my favorite books. I can still remember having my 5th grade teacher read this to the class. This book instilled in me my love of reading. BUY IT FOR YOURSELF, YOUR CHILDREN, YOUR GRANDCHILD, who ever you want to.
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Summary: still one of the best stories ever!
Review: this wonderful little book has been tugging at the back of my mind for weeks now. Over 15 years ago, probably 20, as always scouring tag sales for books that would fit my youthful budget, I picked up a copy of this, possibly the original weekly reader release. The cover alone intrigued me. When I sat down to read it I was captivated... this book (and maybe my dad's love of Star Trek) probably began my love of sci-fi and fantasy... I knew there was a reason I keep hearing the part about when the newly born Phoenix brushes David across the forehead, which he feels "burning cooly" afterwards, in my mind... to come here and find out how many other people adore this book! Parents, this book is a must for your childs' collection... I would recommend it for adults, too - if for nothing else than to escape for a while back to our childhoods... now you must excuse me while I frantically look for my copy!!
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Summary: Long Remembered, Long Awaited
Review: This is a book for all ages with serious life lessons from Chapter One. Just read it to my 84 Dad convalesing, a pleasure to both of us. This book is real yet magical and a great "revival" as we enjoy Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings. Treat yourself and your child. Read it when I was ten or eleven, and so is the protagonist. This book is everything I remembered from my childhood and much, much more. Enjoy the brave reprint by Purple Press.
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