Customer Reviews
Marvellous - By: The Hetton Bookworm, 28 Oct 2008 
A beautiful rhyming story of bygone days with charmingly detailed illustrations. Regardless of what some reviewers say my daughter loved it from as early as 10 months, & still asks for it. As for it being a "stereotypical fairy tale of a 50's family" as one reviewer describes it, yes it is! But what do you want your children to read? True life crime? I think it's a nice introduction to history that Grandparentsin particular will love to share with their little loved ones. A delight!
annoyingly conventional - By: Ms. M. Brown, 02 Oct 2008 
I bought this book from all the rave reviews.. but was surprised at what an stereotypical, 50's fairy-tale of a family it conveys.. the baby peers through the holesin the pages to see his mummy & daddy happily sleeping together, mummy making porridge, daddy bringing coal, grandma hanging washing etc etc. If like me, you don't livein a house like this, you may find it a tad nauseating.
The illustrations are lovely, but my 15th month old is more interestedin the more colourful 'there was an old woman..' & Spot.
An enchanting book for all ages - By: R. Sunderland, 29 Aug 2008 I remember reading Janet & Allan Ahlberg books when I was a child & can still recite sections from memory so was really looking forward to introduing my own children to their books. I have 20 month old twins & it was a real joy to find that they were just as entranced with this tale as I was. Given small children's love of repition it is a delight to find a book which they love & which is actually a joy rather than a chore to reread to them time & time again. The text is lovely & the level of detailin the pictures allows all three of us to find new things to spot each time we look at it. Allin all a delightful book which I could not recommend highly enough for any parents of babies or small children.
Superb book for children - By: Ciaobella13, 10 Aug 2008 excellent book for children to engage with reading. We used for both our girls & they loved it. They would recite the words & that lead onto reading it back to us. Lovely pictures with so much to see & find
Disappointing - not so much fun for children - By: V. Carlin, 28 Jun 2008 A book that a lot of parents tell you is the best book ever for children, but my daughter has not enjoyed it at any age. I agree with the other low-rating reviewers that it doesn't really have any of the things children love about books, the tiny detailed pictures are cute & nostalgic, but children aren't interestedin those things. It's very right-on, just like all their books, but a turn-offin my house.
