Elves Books

My first grade class at St. Theresa School really enjoyed this story. It's a great way to explore the seasons and holidays!

Elton the Elf is an outstanding book. It's fun for my class to help Elton through the various holidays and find the holiday he belongs to. The children are able to see many holidays that are celebrated throughout the year. They want to read it again and again.

This book was absolutely wonderful. The story is adorable, and the illustrations were splendid. Traveling through the holidays was great fun. I highly recommend this unique book!

Elton the Elf is a wonderful book for young children. I teach at a preschool and this book tells about an elf who goes through the whole year trying to find his holiday. The story beautifully explains what happens to the elf as he travels through the year until he finds his home. The book illustrations along with the story shows the children what happens at each month from January to December. The young children love hearing about the elf (...).

Elton the Elf is a wonderful storyline about a little elf who finds his way home after traveling through various holidays. The unusual idea of traveling through holidays is a unique one. Both the author and illustrator, who has bright and colorful illustrations, mesh their talents together creating a children's book that will bring a smile to both adults and children's faces.

Victoria Randall takes an ancient legend and makes it relevant for today's reader. Her retelling of 'The Ring of the Nibelung' is compelling and real. I was riveted by the machinations of Odin, thrilled by the exploits of Sigurd, and chilled by the treachery of Albric. Truly, this is a tale that has been told thousands of times by thousands of scribes, bards, and artists. Few have captured the intensity and power of this mythology as well as Randall. I highly recommend this outstanding novel -- from beginning to end, a modern classic. Wil Radcliffe - author of Noggle Stones.

Even though I am a fan of all things Norse and Viking, I was a bit hesitant to read this book, mainly cause my brother was pushing it on me. But he was right!! This was a wonderful book! I didn't put it down, until I was more 3/4 of the way through it and that was at 5 AM. A really good job by Victoria Randall

I really enjoyed The Ring of Dark Elves. I was effortlessly sucked into the story by the second page. The Norse Gods are familiar, and Mrs. Randall fleshes them out with wonderful, relevant touches. There was just enough humor and romance to keep me jolly, and the pace was perfect! I was able to pick this book up, and put it down again effortlessly. The storyline moved seamlessly, and kept my interest level high. I got a kick out of the Gods aging rapidly, at the beginning, and I loved everything to do with the lovely and luscious Brynhild! A great book for a busy person to get lost in, without disturbing their routine. I'd read another book by Victoria Randall.

The Ring of the Dark Elves is the latest novel by author Victoria Randall, and this award-worthy offering is a fantastic read. The story is a retelling of the Norse myth of dragonslayer Sigurd Fafnirsbane. She adroitly weaves together a story that is part epic fantasy, part mythology, part romance, and full of heart-rending tragedy.

The plot is prodded on by Odin One-Eye, the leader of all the immortals who dwell in Asgard. Strong as he is, he cannot escape the strands of fate which have decreed that the end of the world, the dreaded day of Rangarok, is coming to engulf them all. His willingness to sacrifice anything dear to him to put off this day as well as his need to enforce the laws of the world cause grief for god and mortal alike.

Soon the dark elf Albric manages to oversee the formation of a magical ring. Now, new events are set in motion, for it is an object of beauty and power like no other. Odin and Loki manage to steal the ring by treachery, and Albric lays a curse on the ring and whoever bears it. The troll turned dragon Fafnir manages to win the ring from Odin, and Odin must swear that neither he nor anyone under his command will try to recover the ring.

Undaunted, Odin now turns his attention to the Volsungs, the race of humans whom he both loves and torments above all others. From there, aloof, he must direct their development into mighty warriors, which is not always to their benefit. Sigund is the last of the Volsungs, and the only man ever to be completely without fear.

Randall�s prose is a joy to read. One gets the sense that she has spent a great deal of time on the work, choosing each word carefully. When she can�t seem to find the perfect word, she makes her own compound words. The reader immediately knows both what she was trying to say and that the word is the perfect fit for the situation. Thus, we read about the �puddles gleaming with reflected starshine� the time when �cold-bladed fear struck his
heart� or when Brynhild was �heartscalded within by grief and wrath�

This is one of the best fantasies that I have read in years. In the tradition of the Brothers Grim, these fairy tales are more for adults and older children. The story is marked by violence, sexual situations, and heart-wrenching sorrow. Although not as well-known as some other tragic myths, Randall�s new retelling will do much to make the story of Sigund as cherished as that of Oedipus, Romeo and Juliet, and other tragic heroes.

Reviewed by Bill Pottle, Author of DreamQuest

The Ring Of The Dark Elves is a work of fantasy by Victoria Randall who draws from Norse legend for her story. Utilizing the same mythic conflicts that drive Richard Wagner's immortal operatic cycle, "The Ring of Nibelung", The Ring Of The Dark Elves tells of Oden's efforts to hold off the onset of Ragnarok by ensnaring Sigurd's service and using him to regain the ring of power from the ruthless dragon Fafnir. An epic, enthralling tale, The Ring Of Dark Elves is entertaining and imaginative storytelling and a highly recommended addition to personal and community library Science Fiction & Fantasy collections.

I was so disappointed to find she has not written any more- The trilogy was full of everything you could possibly want in any story- The twins made the bridge and I just wanted to keep climbing it........... who knows if I'd still be in Midgard~

The Bridge, Forrest�s third and final installation in the story of Tomas the Rhymer, presents a game of intrigue, a game that will determine who controls the pivot-world Midgard (earth). Elfland sickens as it continues to drift from Midgard. The elves grow weaker. On earth, Loki assumes the name and identity of Lucifer. While Loki seeks to sever all ties between Midgard and the other eight realms, Tomas and his allies strive to create a permanent link between the worlds. Owein and Fraine�the twins of the Elves Prophecy�use their unique capabilities to create a bridge that ties Midgard to the other eight realms. This bridge becomes the focal point of conflict. Unable to destroy the bridge, Loki turns to manipulation. The game boils down to a single choice for those who oppose Loki: love or duty? Both bonds cannot be preserved.

A bittersweet novel about choices and perspective, The Bridge brings the story of Tomas to a satisfying end.

For the past week I've been so mesmerized by Jodie Forrest's magical world that I've scarcely been able to concentrate on my work. I love her vivid imagery. I love her rich characters, who seem to be real people, and so much more. I loved the interplay between Tomas and Moira, between Tomas and his twin children, and between the twins themselves. Their relationships were complex and compelling, filled with love and trust and mistrust and rebellion and misunderstanding. This is a book that makes you think about your place in the natural world, in the spiritual world, in your family, among your friends, and in the span of your life.

"The Bridge: The Book of Necessity" is a remarkable, even magical read that satisfies on every level. It surpasses the two excellent earlier volumes of the trilogy, which were also immensely appealing to this journalist whose "fun" reading typically consists of more realistic material. If more fantasy writers had Jodie Forrest's command of language, vivid imagination and ability to develop characters and plots, fantasy would probably become my favorite genre. In addition to its ample entertainment value, Forrest's book feeds the mind. Never "preachy," it gracefully weaves into the narrative issues of the environment, spirituality, the masculine and feminine and more. It's a thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding read that goes beyond entertainment to enchantment.

Well, Jodie Forrest did it again-she kept me awake all night reading. "The Bridge" is even better than the first two books in this series! There's an evil Loki and a bad elf queen who are lots of fun to hate and a good elf queen where you're never really sure if she's good or not and it's all set in history in a way that's easy to believe in spite of the magic. The main character from the first two books, Tomas the Rhymer, seems older and smarter now, but you don't see him as much as before. The action has sort of shifted to the children he and the elf queen had, but those characters are really cool as well. They're not sure if they are human or elves and so you see a lot about their different points of view, and a lot about the way Christianity collided with the old religions. It's not a "Christian" book though, reallly pagan instead! Mostly it's just a really good story. It says its a trilogy so I guess this is the last one. I wonder if Jodie Forrest's audience will make her write more like they did with Stephen Donaldson and the "Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever" books. I hope so. If you like fantasy that seems real, you'll love these! -Brad Snipes

It is astonishing that this author has not received more acclaim than she has. The Elves and The Otterskin is a superbly written and unique book with a piquant sense of humor. All of the usual elements are here: heroes, swords of power, characters struggling towards great deeds, magic - the faithful will be happy. What makes the books so different - and thus refreshing to longtime devotees of the genre - is how well it is written, how well the characters in the book develop from being a rather fractious band of moronic elves into something rather more powerful, and how it stands the usual conventions of the genre on their heads - all done with a twinkle in its eye. This is decidedly a modern fable - the characters do not seem to have the the God-given assurance of an Aragorn or a Gandalf. Instead Ivarr, our clueless witches' assistant must stumble his way, with grit , determination, a little luck and some ridiculous companions, towards the rescuing of a famous sword from a horrible pit, the slaying of a legendary Dragon and the final defeat of an evil and powerful Necromancer. Comedy and seriousness are balanced beautifully into a tasty, light-hearted and very pleasing offering. Overall: a fabulous book - order it and keep it if you can still find it.

This book was absolutely amazing! I bought it not expecting much but I received one of the greatest works of writing. I defiantly recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy books.

I picked this title up in a used bookstore on a whim, and it quickly became one of my favorites. It has a sense of humor that few fantasy novels have, and it's own, unusual setting (very Scandinavian, by the way). One of the few fantasy authors I've read who doesn't rip off Tolkien. I highly recommend this book, though it might not be for everyone. Check it out from a library first, if you can.

It's a wonderful book. I am surprised, like the people who wrote reviews below me, that the book is not very much noticed. My favorite character was Gizur.. and because of him, my only complaint of this book. If one reads the book, they'll understand. This is one of my all-time favorite books.. (my favorite series in all books that I've read is Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings) If you can find this book, and read it, you'll enjoy!

I have found this book exceedingly brilliant. The characters are rich in their own idiosyncrasies and persuasive humour. What I liked about the book was the detailed distinctions between the enemy and the heroes.At times fantasy writers are taken aaway a bit by their won cleverness and weave too intricate a taperstry more than the story warrants. I like the magical confrontations between Lorimer and the rest. What I particularly enjoyed was the battle with the fire jotun and Regin. It was in such beautiful detail i could feel my own facial hairs being signed! Added to an otherwise dire moment, humour was thrown in with precision. Who would expect bumbling Alfars to summon a comet to smash the jotuns?? Elizabth H Boyer will remain one of my favourite writers and i hope she continues the tradition of good fantasy. P.S. What truely amazes me is that most of her novels are stand-alone, yet they are cohesive to the rest of her genre.

I have read all three of the first books to my K-1 students and they love them!! They are great read aloud books for this age level. The books are well written and the kids love to see the trouble Moongobble gets into. The characters are engaging and the humor is perfect for 5-7 year olds. There are some recurring themes throughout the series that the kids just love. The only problem is that there are only 4 books in the series so far. I highly reccommend these books!

My seven year old loves this series, he truly can't put them down once he gets started. They are fun and exciting, with adventure, but at an appropriate level for a second grader. We are moving on to other Bruce Coville books as his reading level increases, have not yet been disappointed.

We love all the Coville books and the Moongoble series is great fun. Good for younger children perhaps. 5-7

Bruce Coville has once again written a story quite suitable for young fantasy fans. I read to my 5 and 6 year old sons and they always enjoy the magical follies of the less than competent magicians. The scary parts in the Moongobble series are not really scary, which is a plus, compared to Spiderwick where menacing goblins kill pets and dwarves, and some characters die. The very young boy, Edward, being the hero makes it all the more interesting for children. Also the language is much gentler than in Spiderwick. (...) As aways, the drawings added to the appeal as did the handsome production values with a volume sized perfectly for small readers' hands. After the happy ending there is a great picture with all the kids' favorite characters, plus the opening for additional books even after Moongobble has fulfilled his Mighty Tasks. May we hope for more, Mr. Coville?

Bruce Coville has written a wonderful trio of books for the beginning reader. The characters in this story are amusing, especially the Rusty Knight, and the talking frog. Edward is a bland main character, but serves a purpose as the straight man around whom all the magic takes place.

I will be using the book in my 2nd grade classroom this year, and feel that the short chapters and solid story will prove to be big hits with my students.

The Moongobble series is an excellent introduction to the world of fantasy, and should prove to be a gateway novel for younger readers that will eventually lead them to the Secrets of Droon series, and from there to Harry Potter.

I have read this Christmas story since I was 6 and have continued to read it every Christmas Eve for 20 years. It is a beautifully illustrated book, with great imagery and discussions of what happens at the North Pole before Christmas. It is by far my favorite Christmas book and I continue to share it with everyone I know.

This is my favorite christmas story. I have read it every Christmas for 20 years. The illustrations are wonderful. Everytime you read it you find something new in the pictures.

This is the best book our family has ever seen about Santa Claus!! I vote it ten stars, not just five. This book is truly off the charts for its cleverness, terrific illustrations, inventiveness and sheer Christmas joy. I do not know why some US publisher has not bought the rights and made it into the classic it deserves to be, and is in our family. My Son was given this book at his first Christmas. Both he and my daughter and I, their Mom, have enjoyed this book every year since then. I would love to be able to obtain more copies of it to hand down to my grandkids and so on. It gives very detailed and often quite funny "true" information about Santa and his whole village at the North Pole. It is quite an operation, believe me! Santa has his sleigh but also has a fleet of red airplanes with reindeer logos on them. The drawings are so full of detail and funny things going on that it keeps both kids and grown-ups exclaiming and laughing. For example, birds sit on elves' noses. Baby elves suck pacifiers. The elf band is playing "Ob-la-di, ob-la da"; the printer elves tie up their beards around their heads so they do not get them in the ink, and in the carpenter shop, there is a sign saying, "safety first." There are even elves who spray paint the toys. So hilarious, as a little animal watching this gets sprayed too. The elf children's classroom often was intently examined by my kids. The book is Scandinavian in origin I think, and that is why it is so hard to find now here in the USA. The outfits and scenery, houses and huts are Norwegian or Swedish, and the costumes have all sorts of decorative Nordic touches. Each elf seems to have a different personality. My kids always liked the picture of the elves getting ready for bed--in their bunk house they are bedding down, and one is reading the newspaper, one is watching a portable TV, and one is about to brush his teeth. The loner elf likes to sleep in a simple haystack--"to each his own," my kids would always chime in with the narrative. This book is so clever and if you can ever find it you will want to keep it forever. It has a humorous charm that even very tiny children will enjoy, and it will win your heart. It is unlike any other Christmas book I have ever seen in the US. My kids are now 19 and 16 and they still get it out every holiday season to enjoy the pictures and simple story once again. It is simply precious!

I HAVE BEEN READING THIS BOOK TO MY CHILDREN ON THE EVE OF CHRISTMAS EVE SINCE 1982. THEY LOVE IT AND SO DO I. THERE IS SO MUCH TO LOOK AT ON EVERY PAGE.

My son was given this book by his German grandmother for Christmas, and it's the most interesting Christmas book I've ever seen. It explains everything kids need to know about where Santa Claus comes from - but in a modern approach: there are high-tech elves, Santa distributes presents in planes because his sleigh can't cope with the magnitude of presents anymore and parents have to buy some gifts for their children at the toy store because he doesn't have the facilities to make them.
I especially love the book's explanation of why many Europeans are visited by Santa on Christmas Eve (as was the tradition in my German family), and Americans and other nations open their gifts on Christmas morning - Santa does have to fly further from Finland, after all, so he doesn't get to the US until the middle of the night. Ingenious - my son will never be confused again!
The illustrations alone are worth a look, every time you open the book you'll see something new!

This a beautiful version of one of my favorite stories. It is just perfect for read-aloud. Must have!

I have always loved the story of "The Elves and the Shoemaker" and have searched and searched for an adaptation that evoked the memories that I carried from my childhood. (As children, my sister and I fell in love with the Scholastic version which, sadly, is off the market.) But this version is as good, if not better! The pictures are simply beautiful ~ so full of color and expression and detail! And the story is told in a simple yet profound way so that children as young as three but as old as eight or nine will be able to find meaning and enjoyment. I can not recommend this book enough! In my mind, it deserves a space on every child's bookshelf!

The illustrations in this book are wonderful. A true artist. Very cleverly hides the elves in each page and its much fun for a 3 year old to find them and the mice and birds too.

Everyone knows the story of the elves and the shoemaker - the poor cobbler who is visited by a pair of elves who (for reasons that are purposefully never revealed) help him out by crafting exquisite pairs of shoes. After the shoemaker is made wealthy, he and his wife stake out the workshop and discover their secret benefactors. Seeing how poorly they are dressed, they make for them tiny clothes and shoes, and delighted with their gifts, the elves leave forever as mysteriously as they came.

It is an unforgettable story of anonymous charity and giving, and children all across the world love it for its simplicity and mystery. Jim LaMarche is utterly faithful to the old Grimm's version of the tale and using vibrant colour throughout his illustrations.

Jim LaMarche's illustrations are lovely when depicting the old shoemaker and his wife, as an old and loving couple in the warmth and cleanliness of their little shop. However, the elves themselves were not quite to my taste, though I have no doubt they'll appeal to most parents reading to their children. Rather than show them as miniscule adults, they are portrayed as small children with pixie-features. However, to my eyes they looked very modern, especially the girl who actually reminded me of a Jan McLean doll.

However, this is a personal gripe due to memories of my childhood version of the tale in which the elves looked adult, mischievous and vaguely wicked, making it all the more interesting that they were helping an elderly couple in need. Anyone else who picks up this book will be certain that they've found the definitive version of the famous Grimm's fairytale.

This book is a wonderful companion to any collection of classic fairy tales. The illustrations are lively and charming; the tale is retold simply and well. This book also does an excellent job of conveying what a cobbler does, if you are looking for some books to bring history alive. Not many children now think twice about where their shoes come from. Above all else, the illustrations really bring the tale alive. The quality of the expressions on each character's face is truly incredible and any small child can easily "read" along by seeing the delight on the faces of the customers, the patience and careful work done by the elves (you can practically hear them whistle as they work), the astonishment and gratitude felt by the shoemaker and his wife. This heartwarming story is a must for any preschool or first grade classroom.

Three little children, a magic whistle, an elf named Nasturtium, turn the key and open the door to a world of fairies, dragons and adventure. Beautifully illustrated. Wonderful book for children and parents to enjoy reading together.

Each chapter is a complete story in itself, taking the reader on a new adventure with the elf Nasturtium. The author has a rich imagination presenting stories that are clever, amusing and told with a gentle hand. The illustrations are marvelous. My children (8 & 11 years) and I have read the stories over and over again. This book will certainly set the record straight on the Valentine Castle, the Tooth Fairy, the Weed Fairy and where snowflakes come from.

The book was very creatively and cleverly written. The author shows a true love and understanding of children. Each story takes the children (and adults) on exciting adventures, often to faraway lands.

This book will delight adults as well as children. There are many "life lessons" to be learned and the beautiful illustrations bring the book alive with each new story. The author allows us to escape into a land of make believe, while instilling us with compassion for others.

This is the rare children's book that will entertain adults as well as the little ones. Each of the 12 chapters is a unique adventure led by a magic elf (is there any other kind?) named Nasturtium, and three children. While this book is decidedly in the fairy tale genre, it is not the saccharine-laced fare that elicits an inaudible groan from Mom or Dad when the kids choose it (again) for their bedtime story. Adventures include a visit to the Tooth Fairy's castle, an encounter with Mary Sugar Sweet (did you know there is a patron saint of weeds?), and a Honey I Shrunk The Kids adventure on a model train layout.

Thirty exceptionally well done b&w illustrations provide a launching point for young imaginations to fill in the visual details. My four year old listens as raptly to these tales as does my 13 year old niece read them. Call this book the thinking-child's fairy tale.

7" x 9" hardback edition, color cover

This is a must-have for fans of Drew Hayes' "Poison Elves" comic. This single volume collects the first 20 self-published issues of Drew's cult smash, and features reprints of the original "I, Lusiphur" #1 and #2. At about 480 pages, the book is a bargain, and I imagine would appeal to anyone interested in the (dark and violent) fantasy genre. This collection is an absolute godsend to all Johnny-come-lately PE fans, 'cause these issues just aren't out there anymore, and if they are, prepare to hand over your paycheck.

drew hayes has developed a fully convincing and original fantasy world here. nothing like you've seen in popular movies or books. lusiphur is on par with john constantine for the greatest anti-hero ever. check this out, you won't be disappointed.

wow. this was just an excellant book. kept me wanting to read on. it really was a good choice. i highly recommend it.

Uh...since I received a message to review this... Ok. This is a compilation of the first 4 volumes of Poison Elves. My wife actually had the other 4 separate (not in one collection), and the first volume had the re-done version, where Drew actually wrote out the details, like a book, instead of comic. While I loved that, I do think it's really cool to get a look at the comic-version originally shown. But, this book is a good deal for Poison Elves fans, and who could resist having 4 volumes crammed into one book? Plus, it's not too big. Not too much crammed in, but quite a lot, in a good way!

This book (obviously) showcases Drew Hayes' early work. At first, he begins as the King of Crosshatching, but as one reads through the graphic novel, the art style truly begins to evolve into cleaner lines. I give four stars rather than five because, while I love this book, and the series, I don't feel that The Mulehide Years really is Drew Hayes' best work. It is a great, well-paced read and the characters are complex. He has a gift for mixing one-liners into otherwise dark moments. I do highly recommend it if you're curious about Poison Elves, because, as any fan of the series will tell you, even the minor characters are going to show up again. Also, the interview with the main character is well worth the price.

It is hard to put this book down once you start reading it! I'm actually reading it through for the second time, and I STILL can't wait to read what happens next. The story is well crafted, the characters are people I want to know (well, except for the evil King), and I definitely want to live in the Elven Realm. In the meantime, I want the sequel!

A truly epic tale that made a lasting impression on me. I identified with the disillusionment with modern industrial culture that the main character, Earth woman Kassanderae, experienced. The beautiful elven race resonated strongly with my values of reverence for the earth and all beings, and their way of compassionate stewardship for life. The heroic journey of Kassanderae brought out my own inner hero and I found myself ready to step out courageously into the world, facing whatever may come, all for the greater good. This book is full of insight on many levels and sure to inspire anyone who reads it. In the past I haven't "found the time" to read books. Now I find myself eagerly awaiting the next book in this series!

I loved this book so much. I was truly hooked immediately because I connected with the characters deeply. I wish they all existed in real life because I would just love to hang out with them!!! I recommend this book to everyone. You will be on an adventure till the end of the book and then excited to read the sequel!!

Reading this book is like going and seeing a movie with a really good story. You know -- the kind where you're so entertained you never stop to wonder how it's going to end. I like the suspense of a woman in a foreign place addressing un-heard of challenges. And the characters are interesting and complex. The heroine, Rae, is a dynamic woman with a lot goin' on. Plus, she's HOT! And the elves are cool, gentle warriors. I found the Gate of Galithonel an exciting, page-turner with intrigue, mystery, and suspense. I couldn't put it down.