The Tall Book of Make-Believe

Rating:
Summary: Yep, It's time to reprint this classic for a new generation!
Review: "The Tall Book of Make Believe" is the perfect name for this collection of imaginative short stories and poems. I've had my original copy of this wonderful book since the very early '50s. Captain Kangaroo used to read stories from it during his TV show quite often, and I'm convinced that's why my Mother bought it for me. The stories range in date from 1922 to 1946 and include classics such as "The Sugarplum Tree," "Somewhere," "The Land of Counterpane," "The Very Mischief," and "Georgie" from authors like Eugene Field and Robert Louis Stevenson, to name a few. When I thought I had lost it, I hurried to find a copy for my daughter. Luckily, I was able to find one, only to find my own copy (which I had tucked safely away) a little while later. This is a "must have" book for me. Now we need to bring this classic book back for another generation to enjoy along with us adults who still have a little child inside.

Rating:
Summary: A window on the world of imagination.....
Review: I just dug out an old copy of this book that I have had for over 40 years. ..This was one book I kept by my bed when I was growing up--from my earliest years on up into my teens. Everytime I opened it, it seemed fresh and new, and it still does. It is a wonderful collection of poems and quirky stories selected by Jane Werner, with beautiful illustrations by Garth Williams. His pictures are not just great looking--they pull you into the scenes. Some of these pictures I kept in my head for years in my 20s and 30s--sometimes pulling the book out to take a look at the real thing. Many of the poems I still know from heart, simply from having read them so many times. In fact, I think my love of poetry started with this book. Hopefully TTBoMB will be brought back into print. It is one of the finest pieces of childrens' literature that has ever been published.

Rating:
Summary: The Tall Book of Make-Believe
Review: I loved this book, it was given to me as a child and I foolishly gave it away when I was in my teens and regretted it ever since. The illustrations are fantastic, you don't see illustrations like this in todays cartoon type novels. This is sheer poetry, fantasy and escapism into the wonderful world of make believe. The pure look of the book in its elongated "tallness" is unique and different, my favourites are Georgie the Ghost and Bad Mousie. You can never be too old to be enchanted - if you are, you've lost your magic....

Rating:
Summary: Memorable
Review: I've got a copy of this- it's a great book. My grandma gave it to my mother and her sister in 1957, and it's still with us....a little battered, but still there. My mum used to read it to me and my brother, the illustrations are beautiful and they sparked off my imagination many times. It's a wonderful collection of original stories- I wish they'd do a reprint so children today could enjoy it.

Rating:
Summary: My own personal bible
Review: The haunting and imaginative poem, Walter De La Mare's "Somewhere," serves as your welcoming into this utterly perfect collection of poems and stories, illustrated by the brilliant Garth Williams. The entries are all as obscure as they are beautiful; gems normally neglected in your usual gatherings of verse for children. "The Very Mischief" is a nearly Pythonesque tale of domestic madness. And I could stare at Williams' picture for "Moon Song" for hours on end. The fact that this wondrous volume can be out of print for so long is a sad testimony to our society's ghastly habit of bogging down its vast library of cultural brilliance in copyright snafus and commercial demands. If the copyright holder refuses to publish it, then for god's sake have a soul and sell it to someone who will!

Rating:
Summary: My own personal bible
Review: The haunting and imaginative poem, Walter De La Mare's "Somewhere," serves as your welcoming into this utterly perfect collection of poems and stories, illustrated by the brilliant Garth Williams. The entries are all as obscure as they are beautiful; gems normally neglected in your usual gatherings of verse for children. "The Very Mischief" is a nearly Pythonesque tale of domestic madness. And I could stare at Williams' picture for "Moon Song" for hours on end. The fact that this wondrous volume can be out of print for so long is a sad testimony to our society's ghastly habit of bogging down its vast library of cultural brilliance in copyright snafus and commercial demands. If the copyright holder refuses to publish it, then for god's sake have a soul and sell it to someone who will!

Rating:
Summary: Most Memorable Book from a 1950's Childhood
Review: The Tall Book of Make Believe holds the most lasting memories of all the books I read as a child. The illustrations by Garth Williams are amazing, whether a little bunny pouring tea or a large robust owner of a lollipop store. The text is a wonderful selection of poems and short stories that encourage kids to use their imagination.

I am so sad that it is no longer available. I bought copies in the 80's and surprised each of my siblings with new copies at Christmas time. I'm so glad that I replaced them when I had the chance. Will Harper's bring it back? Please!!!!!!!!

Rating:
Summary: My most cherished book
Review: There was something magical about this book when I was a child, back in the late 50's/early 60's that still exists when I hold this book in my hands. I read every story hundreds of times and studied the illustrations as if they would jump off the pages. I read my favorites to my own children when they were young, and I look forward to sharing "Bad Mousie," "The Very Mischief," and "The Little House" to my grandchildren someday, and hope that they, too, will be filled with wonderment and innocent imagination. This is truly my most cherished book.

Rating:
Summary: Why is this book out of Print???!!!
Review: This is a wonderful, imaginative collection of stories and poems for kids. "Bad Mousie" and the story about the girl who lived on the flying city were two of my favorites from this collection. The illustrations are marvelous. This was one of my favorite books as a child, and it is strange that it is no longer available. It is such a timeless classic...

Rating:
Summary: The Tall Book of Make Believe
Review: When I was young, my mother read those few stories and poems to me. Now, I have them memorized by heart. My mother had that book when she was young, but her family lost it. My aunt bought it for my brother when he was born in 1981. Those stories are absolutely wonderful, and I know that if you get this book, you will grow to love them too.