BEAUTIFUL BOOK - A CLASSIC ALREADY
930700
GET IT, BUY IT, READ IT, TREASURE IT. This will become the classic pictorial history book on magic. Highly recommended, and sure to rise in price when it is out of print and hard to find.
3816122
I received this as a gift.

I was interested in the particular book as it is the complete Grimm Fairy Tales, which I have been wanting to read since I was in high school.  It's nice to be able to read more original works rather than following the new age, watered down versions of the stories (not to say that I don't love Disney's take on some of these classics).  The stories themselves are beautiful examples of story telling that are exquisite.

The book itself is beautiful in every possible way.  I love the look and feel of everything about this book.  The cover work is absolutely stunning and I love the golden edges of the pages.  The way this book is done makes it look like a wonderful classic that you may find on the shelf of an older library, it's absolutely breathtaking.
3781403
What a beautiful book - both the story and the artwork!!
1749035
This book is a wonderful addition to a Christmas (or anytime) book collection. The text is the familiar story from the Bible, accompanied with beautiful illustrations; my small children are captivated by the images, facial expressions, animals, and settings.
For parents who want to read the biblical text of the Christmas story to their children but want an illustrated form to read with their family -- or for anyone who appreciates gorgeous artwork accompanying the story -- this is a cherished book to have.
2382124
This is a beautifully illustrated book that will both engage young ones and enchant the young at heart. The narrative is deceptively simple, the charming friendship between Monkess and the Puffin and the elements of adventure and discovery is delightful and worth many rereads.

I can't say enough how much I love the art in this book and the creativity that went into making such a lovable character.

If you want a fun book to read with a child, buy this. If you want a beautiful peace on your coffee table to make your visitors jealous, buy this.

Just take my word (and the other reviews for it) and buy this now.
2315963
simply stated, this is a beautiful book.  Enrique Fernandez breathes new life into this classic tale.  If you love fantatic and very original work- this book will not dissapoint...just take a look at the cover, the interior illustrations only get better!
1013513
I purchased this as a baby shower gift, since the mom-to-be asked for books instead of cards. Rather than go the traditional baby book route, I decided to go for a classic chapter-a-night story. The illustrations are amazing, and the pictures of this book do not do it justice. The cover writing is actually gilded and embossed cloth. My only complaint is that despite signifying this as a gift purchase, the price tag sticker was left on the back cover. Thankfully I had it sent to my home and was able to remove that before gifting it.

This is an amazing bargain for a timeless classic. I will be buying another one for my own personal library.
2815283
I read this a few years ago to my young son and it quickly has become one of my favorite children's book. I finally purchased my own copy. It's a beautiful story for everyone, but especially the book lover. The Oscar winning animated short based on this book is just as wonderful. This is an instant classic.
4644208
The only disappointment (seriously a minor gripe because it is still just as adorable) is the book jacket and hard cover is not as shown on here (which is how I remember the now lost hardcover books I had as a little dude).

I bought this primarily for me (23 years old) and secondly for my yet to be but very very soon nephew. The book is beautiful and has a great weighted feeling. They are colored in the most pleasant way and all the illustrations that are beside the stories are in Black and White (just like I remember them as a kid)! This book is gorgeous and I'm going to keep this in the family for a generation.

This is not the disney version but the real deal! :) <3

I'll have a permanent smile on my face because of this book and because I will finally get to know Christopher better from " The World of Christopher Robin: The Complete When We Were Very Young and Now We Are Six " The only story set missing is "The Return to Hundred Acre Wood" if your are really after all of it.

I also recommend the Tao of Pooh and The Te of Piglet for those who like a bit of philosophy, humor, and childhood. It displays a slight spin on Pooh that you would have missed, even if you looked for it. That's somewhat of what Taoism and its wisdom. Check it out here:

http://www.amazon.com/Tao-Pooh-Te-Piglet/dp/0413691608/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=
2147157
I couldn't believe this book hadn't been reviewed more than once, so I had to write in.  We just got this from the library, and believe me, we'll be purchasing our own copy very soon, as well as checking out other books by this author.  There are only one or two short paragraphs per page, so there's not too much text for my three-year-old, but it's written so poetically that we can talk about the meanings of new words.  I can easily see older children enjoying this book as well.  Or I can just ad-lib the story by pointing to the beautiful illustrations that show how the various forest flora and fauna benefit from the dead wood and help reduce it to rich forest loam.  It's a great story that shows the cycle of nature, the seasons, forest ecology, decomposition -- all in a poetic and beautifully illustrated book that a three year old can easily grasp, and which I know will be a favorite of my daughter's for years to come.
1604197
This is a beautiful version of the classic tortoise and hare story. The illustrations were so beautiful and I spent time going back over them. The illustrator uses pictures where re-occuring characters appear (the frog and snail that follow the tortoise and hare)

I thought of many ways I could use this with my classroom as a read aloud. Discussing the value of slowing down and enjoying things, the value of really enjoying a book and the pictures, and the value of time well spent together. I never heard of the author, and stumbled upon the book looking for another, and fell in love with the story twist, the pictures, and the sweetness of the characters. Would also be an excellent bedtime story, since the characters are going to bed and reading a story together. I shared this with a few other elementary teachers and it is a new favourite.
2358536
This is a beautifully illustrated take on a classic novel.  The text has been re-written specifically for children and yet does not talk down to them.  The pictures are lovely and enhance the story.  Any child or adult would love this book!
4328169
This picture book is so well executed that I am torn between thinking of it as a children's book and a coffee table book--it's really both.  Please, whatever you do, don't waste your time buying the Kindle version as that couldn't be a more wrong format for this masterpiece.  The scale of the book is ginourmous: 10"x13", which is the perfect canvas for the beautiful photographs and the heartwarming story line.  I purchased this for a two year old and on second thought, she is a bit young for it, so I will be holding onto it until she is old enough.  That is, if I can bear to part with it...  For anyone who has a strong love for the city of Paris and a special doll, this will bring tears to your eyes!
2521094
Gorgeously illustrated! Will make book lovers say "This is a beautiful book".
2929821
I don't know how you could not give this book 5 stars. It has beautiful drawings. It makes me want to read the book over and over again. There is not a single white page... everything has either ink drops or drawings or something. These would be perfect for reading to your children, or letting them read to you (as the case may be). I have already preordered Chamber of Secrets, and I can guarantee you that every other book will be in my collection as they come out. The pages are a nice weight and have a gloss, but not too high of a sheen. This is the full text. The book isn't that thick (but I can't imagine what some of the later books are going to look like since they are so thick anyway). This is the original version. So please keep in mind that though it has been changed from Philosopher to Sorcerer, you may see some other words that are a little more British.
4793119
Absolutely beautiful illustrations.  Incorporation of artwork and text is especially appealing.  The size of the book is a great plus for sofa reading time with young chilren.  This book is a timeless edition and definitely one to add to your reading library.  The little cherubs at my house love it!
511291
I have put this, not new, but still beautiful book, on the reading list for a class I am teaching, Into The Heart of Art. This book stirred a lot of controversy when it was first published, because it's a brazen and obvious portrayal of the life of the well known artist, Gauguin, borrowing so unmistakeably from his life and yet, not at all Gauguin, because the artist portrayed has a very same but different life. The beautiful old copy of this book, which I got from Amazon, has lovely prints of Gauguin's paintings within, and if you can get it, I heartily recommend this particular edition! Somerset Maugham is a wonderful writer. The book itself makes us all ponder the nature of the creative spirit that pushes a person to the extremes of giving up so much that is "comfortable" to pursue his or her art. The Gauguin portrayed in this book is not a sympathetic character, and yet, he is pursued by his Muse. There are beautiful, memorable quotes about art in this book. Purchase it. Find them. Enjoy!