Rating: 
Summary: What a Treat to See How Many Love this Book
Review: I "borrowed" my old Weekly Reader Book Club copy of David and the Phoenix from my parents' library a couple of years ago. Like many of the other reader/reviewers here, I first read it around 1958 and was transported. But after repossessing it this time, I never actually picked it up to reread it. Until last night. I had finished a monster novel I love for the third time, and wasn't going to sleep, so I turned to this one. Pretty certain and nearly afraid that it couldn't possibly be as wonderful as I remembered it being. AND IT IS! What struck me particularly was how elegant the prose is. Nothing fancy, but clear and intelligent. Three chapters in, and still not sleeping I went on the web to see if anyone else cared about David and the Phoenix. Boy did I get my answer! Sweeter than sugar cookies.
Rating:
Summary: a childhood joy
Review: This was one of my favorite books as a child. Like another reviewer, it came to me via the Weekly Reader book club, along with "Follow My Leader," "The Pink Hotel," and various others. I enjoyed the other books, but this was the one I read over and over again and kept even as an adult. All good children's literature has an emotional resonance that goes beyond the level of the plot. The sense of discovery and wonder that David experiences and his sorrow and powerlessnes to prevent the phoenix's death reflect universal themes and emotions, as does the glimmer of joy that he feels seeing the phoenix resurrected. I cannot recommend this book too highly.
Rating:
Summary: An old friend
Review: I originally read this book in 1958 when I was in the third grade. Now I am teaching third grade myself. I have always loved David and his friend the Phoenix and decided to read it to my class this year. They, too, love David. I was delighted to see that it has been reprinted.
Rating:
Summary: flying with the phoenix
Review: This was one of my favorites back in 1959. The tale of a solitary boy who climbs a mountain in his back yard and discovers a phoenix on the top, it foreshadowed the rage for fantasy that erupted a few years later. Edward Ormondroyd's book introduces the reader to all manner of strange creaturs (including a witch with a smoking gun). Lots of humor and adventure here. Children will love it, and grown-ups will find this an excellent read-aloud book. I am glad to see it back in print; it's an excellent story.
Rating:
Summary: MaybeThe First Book I Ever Read (1958)
Review: I'm not going to review the book. I'm just going to say that I have carried this book with me throughout my life. To Japan and elsewhere. Just this one book. I haven't re-read it in years, but I keep it close by. I contacted E. Ormandroyd about 12 years ago and got a nice reply from him, which I keep inside the book. I'll quote some of what he wrote. "The book that I wrote as a jeu d'espirit when I was less than half my present age apparently strikes a resonant chord in many readers. I don't know whether to be more amazed or pleased by that." Well, it is nice to see it back in print.
Rating:
Summary: Fun and Entertaining
Review: Author of THE REBEL'S PLEDGE and the soon to be published THORNS IN EDEN. This wonderful, fanciful story was passed down to my sons from a friend. When they were little we read this book time and again. The Phoenix bird is absolutely comical, especially his use of Latin. Full of kooky characters this book is a must in a child's collection of good books.
Rating:
Summary: As timeless as the Phoenix itself
Review: David And The Phoenix is a classic novel by Edward Ormondroyd and written for a grade school through young adults readership. It's an engaging fantasy tale about a boy who befriends a phoenix near the end of its 500-year eternal cycle. They share adventures with different fantastic beasts, and evade a greedy scientist, until at last the Phoenix's fiery destiny calls. Illustrated with simple line drawings, this story of friendship, loss, and rebirth from ashes has endured the decades, as timeless as the Phoenix itself. Enthusiastically recommended!
Rating:
Summary: Upon Stumbling Onto 'David and the Phoenix'
Review: I stumbled upon this book one night while book-browsing over the Internet. The brief summary, along with the poetic title of the book, enticed me to purchase this story. I am very pleased that I did. I own the 1958 hardcover edition of this great classic and, though I am 21 years younger than it, I will never let it leave my memory. Thank you Edward Ormondroyd for the fantasy, the reassurance of justly believing in that one can enjoy life and friendships with simplicity; that the intellect is not only a weapon for war, but also a bed for peace. The Phoenix legend symbolizes all of this.
Rating:
Summary: Long Before Harry Potter......
Review: This is a fantastic children's adventure fantasy along the lines of Harry Potter. David creates a bond with a magical creature and begins a wonderful adventure. When I was younger, my father gave me his old copy from the 1950's in an effort to increase my reading. What a good choice. I couldn't put it down. This is just a wonderful book and I'm glad to see it in print again. Give this book to your little Harry Potter fan.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Story Handed Down From Dad!!
Review: This is a fantastic children's adventure fantasy. When I was younger, my father gave me his old copy from the 1950's in an effort to increase my reading. What a good choice. I couldn't put it down. This is just a wonderful book and I'm glad to see it in print again.
|
