J.R.R. Tolkien

by Alexandra Wallner

J.R.R. Tolkien by Wallner, Alexandra [Holiday House, 2011] Hardcover [Hardcov...

Genres: Biography, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Juvenile, Childrens

Hardcover

First published August 1, 2011

About the author

Alexandra Wallner was born in Germany. Not able to speak English when she immigrated to the United States, she almost flunked first grade. But with the help of comic books--Uncle Scrooge, Donald Duck, Katy Keene, Little Lulu--she learned her new language. Words and pictures together lit the spark for her future career.

After graduating from Pratt Institute’s Fine Art Program with an MFA and enjoying a brief stint in magazine design, she started collaborating with her husband John in creating children’s books.

Not limited to a love for children's books, Alex and John have a passion for renovating and working in old houses. In Woodstock, N. Y. they renovated an 1850’s farmhouse. They restored an 1865 townhouse in Philadelphia and remodeled a 1920's Maine island cottage.

During the long Maine winters, Alex started taking notes for a story about Sylvia and Max Saltwater and their encounters with island folk. The notes evolved into PINOCCHIO ISLAND.

They started thinking about warmer places to live when Alex became weary of slipping on ice. Breaking precedence, they moved to a warm climate into a newly built Florida house. Unfortunately soon after, they experienced three hurricanes in six weeks.

Continuing their gypsy ways, they moved to Merida, Yucatan, Mexico where they restored a mid-nineteenth century casa and added two studios in the back of the garden.

They care for an elderly Jack Russell, a family of cats, a rambunctious iguana, and a sprinkling of geckos.

Alex threw out the moving boxes and swears this is her final home.

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 1 out of 5]

Although Alexandra Wallner's picture book biography of J.R.R. Tolkien reads easily, flowingly and for the most part engagingly enough, the rather massive amount of text presented makes it definitely more suitable for older children above say the ages of eight or nine. And truth be told, personally, I definitely would have appreciated a bit more detail on Tolkien's academic career (as an Oxford professor) and his personal vision of Middle Earth (and that with The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion, and even The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien was, in fact, attempting to create an entire world, with a detailed mythology, history, as well as multiple complex languages), but that is likely above and beyond the scope of this book, as J.R.R. Tolkien is of course primarily geared towards children and not academically inclined adults like myself. And finally, the time line, Tolkien quotation source references and short bibliography at the back of J.R.R. Tolkien are much appreciated (and increase the teaching and learning potential and value), although I do indeed wish that the author, that Alexandra Wallner had also stated within the text proper of J.R.R. Tolkien which of the three works cited in the bibliography she actually used for her information (with quotes and footnotes/endnotes). For since Alexandra Wallner does manage to acknowledge the literary sources of the Tolkien quotations featured within the narrative, she should really also do the same with the specifics of the biographical information itself.

Now I do have to say that I do not AT ALL enjoy (and really, actually even much despise) John Wallner's accompanying illustrations. For although bright and colourful, for me, they present themselves as neither complimentary nor complementary to the author's, to Alexandra Wallner's featured narrative (and by extension equally to J.R.R. Tolkien as an author, perhaps even as a person), as they are simply much too pink and pastel hued, too cartoon like and for all intents and purposes "Disneyfied" (and thus more suited for a princess type fairy tale for young girls than for a serious biography). And that entire concept of illustrating Tolkien's biography as some sort of "Game of Life" type board game, now in my opinion, that is not only childish and shallow, but actually more than a bit insulting to Tolkien's literary and linguistic legacy (and indeed also to his intelligence). And in fact, without the illustrations, I most definitely would be rating J.R.R. Tolkien with three stars (readable, informative, though not spectacular), but with John Wallner's to and for me oh so very gaudy and yes also aesthetically unsuitable illustrations, I can and will consider but one star (as the illustrations are truly very much a personal affront to my eyes and to my aesthetic tastes).

[David Goetz · Rating 2 out of 5]

The telling of Tolkien's life was adequate but mostly uninteresting. The art was weird and, in my judgment, unattractive. Why use a game board to depict his life?

That said, Tolkien's habit of inventing languages piqued my 5-year-old's interest, and the book as a whole made her want to read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, so we'll call it a win.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Like other reviewers, I don't understand the choice to have the illustrations resemble a board game when it doesn't relate to Tolkien's work at all.

Considering the author was writing about such an imaginative and creative subject like Tolkien, the book's text felt flat and distant. Very much lacked excitement or a feeling of passion for Tolkien's work and life.

[Megan M · Rating 1 out of 5]

Blah. While the information is good and accurate as far as I could tell, the art is totally lame. The idea of following along Tolkien's life as though it were a game board? Who's idea what that? Just not sure that Tolkien's life translates well to a picture book biography.

[Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good biography on the life of J.R.R. Tolkien. The illustrations are interesting because the whole concept of the book is that his life story is told as a board game with even a couple codes to solve. I was definitely more intrigued by the presentation than the narrative.

[Janeill Banks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Biography

This book makes about J. R. R. Tolkien fun and interesting. If any child wants to learn more about this author, this is a fantastic way of telling what his life was like and what influenced him to write his most popular books.

[Ammie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit dry, but love having access to a kid friendly bio on a favorite Author.

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good information but I did not like the illustrations at all.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can’t claim to know enough about Tolkien to judge the contents of this book, but my children and I enjoyed reading about him.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the illustrations better in book I read earlier this week, but this one had some interesting biographical details included I enjoyed.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

It still amazes me to note how long the stories and books written by this man continue to be read and loved by generation after generation. This partial picture book biography provides a simple introduction to the life of J. R. R. Tolkien, author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Readers with some familiarity with his books will find this title more intriguing than the uninitiated readers although the title may prompt some to seek out his books. Clearly, the twists and turns in his own life--the early deaths of both parents, membership in school writing clubs, a delayed courtship, the loss of comrades during WWI--all combined with his vivid imagination and love for words and language to become part of the memorable stories he ended up telling. Backmatter includes a Timeline of Tolkien's life events, a Bibliography, and Source Notes.

It's high time this master storyteller was the focus of a picture book biography. I especially liked how the watercolor, colored pencil, and ink illustrations feature a path resembling a game board that meanders across the pages with cards that could almost have been pulled from a Tarot deck with "Heart Break," "Secret Place," and similar headings. The illustrations blend the reality of the writer's life with his brilliant imagination. Long may his books be read!

[Hilary · Rating 3 out of 5]

More than half a century has passed since audiences first read and enjoyed the epic fantasies written by John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (which include “The Hobbit,” and “The Lord of the Rings”). Alexandra Wallner introduces youngsters to the intriguing details of Tolkien’s life -- the early deaths of both parents, involvement in school writing clubs, romance, and the deaths of friends in World War I. Combined with Tolkien’s love of language and words and his penchant for storytelling, these events are inextricably woven into the author’s masterworks.

John Wallner’s illustrations beautifully meld with the text. The watercolor, pencil and ink illustrations resemble a game board wandering across the pages (the illustrator dedicates the book to the “Game of Imagination”). Children will like the “cards,” which resemble those found in gaming packets.

Carefully researched, the volume provides an attractive, interesting introduction to J.R.R. Tolkein. Readers who have not yet read Tolkein’s works may be prompted to peruse them; those who are familiar with Tolkein’s stories will find details that provide further insight into his work. This is a solid choice for primary biography collections.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this engaging biographical picture book, children can learn about the man behind one of the classic fantasy tales of the 20th century. I don’t know many younger elementary students who have read The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings (or Tolkien’s other books), but by later elementary school and middle school, many have. The book will be best appreciated by those familiar with his writing, but the book itself is written at about a 4th grade reading level and therefore might not have as wide of an audience as desired. Outside of a concern about the audience, the book is very good. The factual information is presented in readable narrative fashion and the illustrations are fascinating. Not only do the illustrations capture the fantastical imagery of Tolkien’s imaginative creatures, people, and worlds, but they are presented on each page as if each event in Tolkien’s life were a space on a game board that includes the ups and downs and promises and pitfalls of life. Tolkien lived an interesting life and this book will surely be appreciated by fans of his work or by young people who enjoy learning more about famous authors.

[Katie Voss · Rating 4 out of 5]

As far as illustrated children's biographies go, this one is a new favorite. The illustrations are lovely and soothing but full of colorful details. Each facet of Tolkien's life is described with accuracy and care, yet I feel the vocabulary wouldn't overwhelm a small reader. The depictions of elves and Gandalf within the book were magical (even though Gandald should have been wearing gray or white, not blue and green). My only issue is the board game theme throughout the illustrations. It would say things like, "Write a story, move ahead 2 spaces." The handlettering and illustrations were skillfully drawn but I don't understand the point of the board game, since the life of Tolkien was more story-central than game-central. Overall an excellent book, one that I hope to share with children in the future.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well told tale of “Ronald” Tolkien’s life. This one is set up like a picture book, and the illustrations are beautiful, plus the layout of the pictures makes it interesting. It is set up to look like a board game.

This is not your usual picture book because there are a lot of words on the page so you will probably lose the younger listener, but second grade and older should be able to pay attention.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short, sweet and simple picture book biography. It covers the main events of Tolkien's life and some of his inspirations for famous characters. The illustrations are rather an old-fashioned collage style incorporating a game-board theme throughout. I think 4th graders on up will appreciate this one.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this would be a good introduction for my grand-daughters to the author of 'The Hobbit", which is one of the great books that I hope they will pick up to read soon. They are still young (6 and 7 yrs), but the older is turning into an avid reader. It may be a few years, but they will get around to it. "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy will follow, I am sure.

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an interesting introduction to the child and the man Tolkien, and how he wrote the Lord of the Rings, created languages and Hobbits. The book's illustrations are based around the fields of a board game, his life presented around it.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introduction to Tolkien's life for younger readers.

[Joann · Rating 3 out of 5]

learned a lot about Tolkien, interesting

[Donalyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice introduction to the man who brought us The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings and shaped modern fantasy.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

The language was pedantic and the taro-like cards were interesting. Not sure why the story took place on a game board.

[Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to JRR Tolkien for children.

[Angel B · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are beautiful and run through the whole book like a game board! This book does a great job of showing children what it is like to be a writer.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This will be good to go with the new movies of The Hobbit coming out.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

G: She didn't draw the LOTR characters accurately. OTherwise great book.

[Stefanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for learning about J.R.R. Tolkien!

[Erica Hendrickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book was illustrated in an intriguing fashion. It looked almost like a Chutes and Ladders game board across the pages.

[Jean-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good picture book biography to introduce children to J.R.R. Tolkien, author of "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of The Rings" trilogy.

[Mary Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The game board illustrations were a distraction for me.