Frankenstein

by Rosie Dickins (Adaptor), Victor Tavares (Illustrator), Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (Creator)

Victor Frankenstein dreams of doing what his scientific peers called impossible; creating life from death. As lightning flashes across the sky, his creature stirs. But will it be the perfect being he imagines, or a monster?

Genres: Classics, Horror

64 pages, Paperback

First published September 26, 2008

Reviews

[Kayla E.]

Mary Shelley’s work is a personal favorite and I was interested to see this early reader version. Though well written for the intended audience with nice illustrations throughout, the book is disappointing. Unsurprisingly, the complex themes of humanity within the original are not fitting for a child’s story but I was surprised to see Victor made to be “good” despite his actions, deceit, and failure to take responsibility. The monster declaring ending his life to right his wrongs in the end was an unnecessary inclusion for a book meant for upper elementary students. There’s too many parallels to the original that are just misplaced especially paired with the shift in lesson.

Overall, I would skip this version and share the classic with readers when they are able to appreciate the story fully.

[Karenina (Nina Ruthström) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jag älskar Mary Shelleys Frankenstein, blev glad över att kunna läsa den för mitt barn. Tyvärr kom ju skräcktemat med morden att hamna i fokus framför andemeningen om att mästra naturen likt Prometheus, hur människor reagerar i möte med det som främmande, den självuppfyllande profetian och berättarnivåerna. Men den var bra i alla fall.

[Angie Simmonds · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have wanted to read the original Frankenstein by Mary Shelley for a long time but too many new books come out that look so good that I never get a chance to visit the classics, and truthfully I'm not a classic book lover anyway. So when I saw that Usborne Books and More had a short, paperback illustrated version of it I thought, why not?
I thought it was really well done. This version is based on the story written by Mary Shelley and because I haven't read the original I really can't compare the two, but I liked that this book had the backstory of Victor Frankenstein, that it had a little bit of an edge to it but wasn't too scary, and the illustrations were great. The illustrator, Victor Tavares draws Frankenstein not with the bolts coming out of the side of his neck like he is so often portrayed but more like a greenish mismatched corpse.
Reading this book made me even more interested in reading the original. I believe this book to be suited for the ages of 9-12.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Review: Since Frankenstein is my favorite book and I make it no secret, Munchkin has been wanting to know what it was all about, so I set out to find the perfect young reader edition for him. This one did a really good job of condensing the story and getting across a bit of the story without being overly scary for a young reader. It didn't quite convey the concept of there being multiple forms of monstrous behavior but it is a concept that might be above the average young reader's abilities. I think this would be great for readers (or parents reading to them) between the ages of 6 to 9. The illustrations really added a nice element to the story and helps young readers stay engaged in the story and understand it as well.

[Andy Hickman · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Frankenstein” (3.3 Young Reading Series Three) by Rosie Dickins, Victor Tavares (Illustrator)

Handy little chapter book that introduces kids to the overarching narrative of this phenomenal story. ***
“Victor spent the rest of the night pacing up and down in the darkness, drenched by rain and tortured by nightmares.” (p15)
“Being blind, at least he wouldn’t hate the sight of me.” (p29)

[Alexis Hilgert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute retelling!

[Sarahs Reads ToKids]

Layla, Logan and Lydia all read this version of Frankenstein and all said that it was scary. They recommend not reading it before bed time.

[dromoman · Rating 4 out of 5]

ah good to read to know how Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein movie has swayed from Mary Shelly's original masterpiece.

[Indie Swift · Rating 4 out of 5]

He made a monster and it stabs him in the back