Russell Hoban Books

I bought these for all of my family members. Am going to send it with little goodies at Christmas to bring them "a little wandering good feeling." We read this when I was a child. The message is powerful.

We found this little wandering good feeling in a library in 1967. The whole family loved it, from the adults all the way down to 4 year old me. The Brute Family's daily feeding of Stick and Stone Stew and Sand and Gravel Porridge became part of our family's vernacular. It still makes me giggle to say the phrases. I was absolutely delighted to find the book again - time had erased the book title and author, but I decided to google "sand and gravel" and voila! I caught that lost happy feeling and ordered my books on line! Enjoy!!!

This book is so simple and sweet. It's pure poetry. I love Russell Hoban, and this is definitely a must if you enjoy the Frances books. Baby Brute finds a "litte wandering lost good feeling" in a field of daisies and she puts it in her tiny pocket. How wonderful.

The Little Brute family lives a miserable existence...even has to eat sand and gravel porridge...but something wonderful happens and the family
undergoes a magical transformation...this book is so well written it will be a family favorite for years to come..Every mother can relate to Mama Brute who stays home to "bang the pots, thump the furniture, and scold the baby."

This book was one of my absolute favorites as a child so I just purchased it for my children who also love it. I'm hoping that it will be one of their favorites when they are adults remembering fond memories of reading books with Mom and Dad. A great message about manners and attitude! You have to love Russell Hoban's books.

My granddaughter was having a very strong reaction to her new baby brother so I gave this book to her. We all about died laughing the day she announced she was moving to Florida, behind the rocking chair, with her 3 bags of toys. Not the dining room table that Frances moves to, but it seemed to do the trick and granddaughter is adjusting well. Seriously, this book really helped her with her feelings about another child coming in to the family. Thank you to the Hobans!

I remember my mother reading Frances books to me when I was little, and I couldn't wait to read them to my daughter. The Frances books are wonderful children's stories.

When I was little, I used to love the Frances books. This is easily one of the best ones. In it, Frances has to deal with the fact that her mother and father are often too busy with Gloria the new baby, to speak to her at the moment. Frances just can't stand being ignored, so she tries all kinds of things. Finally, after there are no raisins for her oatmeal, and her mother didn't have a chance to iron her favorite dress, Frances decides to run away to the dining room. So she packs up her knapsack, and runs away to the dining room table with a box of prunes and five chocolate sandwich cookies. But after her food supply is exhausted, Frances realizes that you can't run away from your troubles! And so she runs back to her mother and father. But I really loved her marching song, which I used to annoy my parents with.

Frances was a favorite of mine as a child, so I bought the books for my daughter who is 2yrs old. She doesn't quite get it yet, but likes listening to it nonetheless, and I've discovered that these stories are fun for the grown-up reading them too.

The Francis series is a wonderful reminder of how parents "used" to parent! It's love, unsullied by the current trend to spoil our kids to death. I loved these books as a kid, and now my daughter loves them, too!

Frances was a favorite of mine as a child, so I bought the books for my daughter who is 2yrs old. She doesn't quite get it yet, but likes listening to it nonetheless, and I've discovered that these stories are fun for the grown-up reading them too.

This is a great book for young children. My 6 year old daughter loves the entire Frances series. There are lessons to be learned and always a good moral to the story. She loves listening to me read them to her. This was her newest one and she loved it.

I remember my mother reading Frances books to me when I was little, and I couldn't wait to read them to my daughter. The Frances books are wonderful children's stories.

I work in a tutoring program for elementary children. Birthday for Frances is a good book to reinforce what the kids are learning at school.

This is a wonderful story, I love Hoban's books as they work well on both the adult and the child levels. This is bascially the story of Frances, a badger who is struggling with the fact that her little sister Gloria is having a birthday. Frances does not say it out loud, but rather through her actions and her little rhymes we realise that she is unhappy about it, that her sister seems to have all the birthdays and she doesn't have as many. Something which almost all children struggle with at some stage or another.

The lovely hting about this book is that the parents are so lovely and patient, and the sub-text is really fun for adults reading it. What Frances does makes for great fun. She borrows two weeks pocket money from her mother to buy Gloria a present, but then she ends up 'accidentally eating half of it - and the other half looks distinctly threatened by her justification.

I will guarantee your family will enjoy this story, and the other Frances stories as well - they are highly recommended as great good fun.

This gem is a great yarn for children - it should also be a compulsory text for technical managers, as it is a parable on the virtues of creativity and freedom of expression. (no kidding, or maybe just a little!)

Resilient (and polite) even under the thumb of the terrible Aunt Fidget Wonkham-Strong, Tom fools around, explores allies and fiddles with stuff until she enlists the dreadful Captain Najork and his hired sportsmen to teach him "the lesson he so badly needs." But Tom has already taught himself most of the lessons he needs: to remain cool in emergencies, to take it easy while competing, to enjoy exploring. This is a brilliant book for both boys and girls, with the single most sensible hero in children's literature.

Although this wonderful book is long out of print, the excellent Hutchinson Treasury of Children's Literature includes it with many of the pictures. The rest of the Hutchinson Treasury's not bad, either, my six-year-old's favorite book.

It's not available in the US, but you can order it from amazon.co.uk ...

This is, quite simply, the best children's book ever written. The story and the illustrations are brilliant. I still own the copy I had as a child, and can't wait to read it to my daughter, once she's old enough to appreciate it. It's hilarious and twisted and clever and wonderful in the way that classic childrens' books should be.

The first time our family set eyes on this book was when we borrowed it from the mobile library that visits our village. It became a classic when the kids were young, and we went on to borrow it a number of times. Phrases from it became part of our everyday language such as lets do some "high up fooling around and low down fooling around", lets play "sneedball", and I think I'll go and "learn the nautical almanac". When our younger son reached 18 years of age we decided to buy him a copy as a joke present.... We wrapped it and presented it to him at our local pub where we were having a celebratory drink on his birthday. It was a present to be savoured. We ended up having a ceremonial reading in the pub, much to our great amusement. All the other customers wondered what all the laughter was about. Had they known they would have been as hysterical as we were. Whenever the family recalls great examples of children's books this is always at the top of the list. Its a cracking read for grown ups as well. I defy anybody not to laugh. We still have the book and still refer to it....

This book was one of my very favorites as a child, and my children adore this book as well (my mother has the original copy and they love for me to read it to them when we visit her house!). My children always giggle when Harvey and Mildred stick their tongues out at each other and call each other "stupid, no-good, loud-mouthed and bossy"! I always wished I could have a secret underground hideout across a lake in the woods, and a raft to use to get there. Two of my other favorites (and my childrens') are Miss Suzy and Miss Twiggley's Tree - fabulous stories and fabulous illustrations!

My grandmother, who was a school principal and also gave me more books than toys, would read this, tirelessly, over and over again from the time I couldn't write out my whole name, until I could read it myself (but still wanted gramma to read it to me). I didn't even have siblings at the time, but I absolutely adored this story! I still have the original copy where I practiced writing my name in the cover, but still couldn't make an S come out right. To this day, almost 3 decades later, I still remember Mildred's beautiful party dress with dirt thrown on it by Harvey, the little picture of an indian Harvey put on the wall of his cave--the tea party Mildred had with her doll (was her name Lucinda?) Those illustrations were amazing. I look forward to reading this over and over again to every child I come in contact with!!!

Living on a farm with no real neighbors to speak of, my little brother and I not only loved this book, but we also lived it. Just like Harvey and his sister Mildred, we fought like crazy but we also discovered that when school was out, we only had eachother. The book made us laugh and also taught us something about being good to your brother or sister.

A childhood favorite! I read my copy to my children every year when we come to visit the grandparents. The book is so worn that it is not longer attached to the binding but my son and daughter love to hear about Mildren and Harvey. They can really relate to the brother sister name calling! They are past picture books but we still enjoy the read aloud experience. I wish it was still in print. I would give as gifts to families with sibling rivalry! a Fabuolus book!

Coming from a family of schooteachers, my mother successfully made sure that I always had more books than toys. I may have resented it as a child, but as an adult, I look back with nothing but gratitude and appreciation. Harvey's Hideout was one of my very favorite books. I read it countless times. It is such an endearing story and I can remember the beautiful, vibrant illustrations as if I saw them yesterday. I loved Mildred, as mean as she was! I loved her independence...her creativity...and her yellow-flowered dress! To me the story showed the importance of family and acceptance and love for one another, even if it's a brother whom you just wish would go away! They say that "Books are your friends" and Harvey's Hideout was one of my very best. If I am ever fortunate enough to come across a copy again, it will have a permanent place in my book collection. A must-read for children of all family structures, in my opinion...a real treasure. ~Enjoy~

i was given this book as a child and absolutely LOVED IT!!! about 20 years ago, i tracked it down again (my childhood copy was long gone) thru a bookseller in morgantown, wv. it was tough, but we found it! now everyone has it so much easier! just click and there it is. every kid should a copy of this book!!

This is a wonderful story for elementary school kids. It is in-between picture book and "chapter book" length-- not a quick read. The story is very heartwarming, and the illustrations are beautiful and endearing.

One of my very favorite Christmas stories! It is worth buying a used copy if that is all you can find (you can find really nice hardback or paperback versions).

This picture book is my favorite "animal" Christmas book. The drawings and narrative are both charming and the story is not sacharine, but,in the best sense, heart-warming.

This superb Christmas picture book deserves a rediscovery! In understatedly witty text, it tells the story of Delver mole, a young mole who lives underground and knows nothing of Christmas. One day he hears about it from a mouse, and wonders if this "fat man in a red suit" will bring him his dearest wish - a telescope so that he can see the stars. (Being very nearsighted as most moles are, he has never seen them.) Risking the peril of facing the local owl, Delver and his family build an above-ground chimney and leave a letter for Santa. They then fall asleep waiting on Christmas eve in the open, and are about to be snatched up by the owl when, in a curious and believable way, the owl finds some Christmas spirit and is duly rewarded by Santa, who also brings the telescope for Delever. The illustrations are memorable and the story is a complete charmer. Highly recommened for kids preschool through grade 2.

I remember reading this book when I was in second and third grade. I checked it out from our school library a million times and would read it over and over again. One thing that I loved about it so much was that I thought that it was a "chapter book" and I felt so grown up for reading it. Great stories are in it; I still remember them 9 years later. The doll, the haircut, the baseball game, and when Elisa was hiding underneath the table during her parent's dinner party. It's a book that is written so that even a second grader can read it on their own, with maybe a little bit of help. Also easy to understand, yet interesting and challenging at the same time. I definitely would recommend this book. (Infact, I now want to buy it because I loved it so much as a child.)

I remember reading this book when I was in second and third grade. I checked it out from our school library a million times and would read it over and over again. One thing that I loved about it so much was that I thought that it was a "chapter book" and I felt so grown up for reading it. Great stories are in it; I still remember them 9 years later. The doll, the haircut, the baseball game, and when Elisa was hiding underneath the table during her parent's dinner party. It's a book that is written so that even a second grader can read it on their own, with maybe a little bit of help. Also easy to understand, yet interesting and challenging at the same time. I definitely would recommend this book. (Infact, I now want to buy it because I loved it so much as a child.)

I remember reading this book when I was in second and third grade. I checked it out from our school library a million times and would read it over and over again. One thing that I loved about it so much was that I thought that it was a "chapter book" and I felt so grown up for reading it. Great stories are in it; I still remember them 9 years later. The doll, the haircut, the baseball game, and when Elisa was hiding underneath the table during her parent's dinner party. It's a book that is written so that even a second grader can read it on their own, with maybe a little bit of help. Also easy to understand, yet interesting and challenging at the same time. I definitely would recommend this book. (Infact, I now want to buy it because I loved it so much as a child.)

Another in a 'series' of Russell Books. My 5 year old begged me to read more. It is a family story centered around a seven year old boy with a three year old sister. This book brings out interesting subjects such as sleep-overs, cutting hair and attending a first baseball game. A young child will endjoy having it read to them - good discussion for parents. This is a humorous, family book that will be of interest to students from K through the 4th grade, as well as parents.

I bought this book for a quarter at a tag sale for my son. Although he's not yet old enough to be interested in it, I immediately fell in love. It is beautifully written, more of a poem than a story. Its just wonderful, there really is no other word. I am sure I will read it over and over (although for the price of it offered here, I will not be buying it for friends and relatives, as planned when I got online tonight).

Love......................Love.................................... the owl looked with powerful intent,Love............. the neon taxi lamp was the most beautiful thing to be ever who, whoed by owl.
This book is the sweetest childrens story an adult will ever read.Our passionless moments in life are all in this splendid book. Something one can digest with ones family.

I can say without exaggeration that this book changed my life. I read it over 15 years ago when I was studying Hoban as a literature student and was stuck by the bitter thread of lonliness that runs through much of Hoban's writing. I think it finds its most perfect and certainly its most concentrated expression in this work. Yes, this is a children's story and my children love it (although not as much as, say, ACE Dragon) but it is also so much more. When I first met my wife ten years ago I gave her a copy of this book. Actually, we had been going out for a month or two and she called me that day to say we shouldn't see any more of each other. She thought our relationship might have a negative impact on her career as we were work colleagues at the time. I wandered into a bookstore at lunchtime and chanced upon a copy of Marzipan Pig which I bought and left with her. Three days later she called me back to say she had made a mistake. Thus I avoided the fate of the clock in this story. Thank you Mr Hoban, many thanks indeed.

Please bring this bizarre yet lovable tale back! I loved it as a kid, and know my kids would too.

Reprint this book! I remember it from childhood and would love to have copies for myself (my old copy is lost, naturally) and to give as gifts. Excellent story.

Somehow I discovered this book in paperback when my (now) 30-year-old son was preschool age. I read the book to him, to his sister who is nine years younger, and to many children with whom I have worked in public school as a speech language pathologist. Finally I gave the well-worn book to my son because he is now a father. It's guaranteed to warm a child's heart. Sister Brute has no one to love until she gets an "ugly kicking dog" and a doll made from a stone. Then she discovers that there are other people to love.

This book is formatted so easily, it took me MUCH less time than I thought it would to prepare a unit on reader's theatre for my class. I used it for my high school theatre class so they wouldn't have to concentrate on large vocabularies, but rather to deliver the story in a simple, easy way. It was a HUGE success of a project and this book made it possible. It tells you how long each story is, what cast you'll need, and what reading level it is!! Yay!!!
The stories themselves are entertaining (even for high school!!!), compelling, and really fun to work with. I am SO grateful I ordered this!

This book was written in clear language. It was helpful to me as a novice.

Aaron Shepard is a generous contributor to the field of Reader's Theatre. This book is no exception. It's well-laid out and chock-full of interesting scripts. I've recommended to several folks interested in RT.