Fifty Famous Stories Retold (Yesterday's Classics) Review

Manufacturer: Yesterday's Classics
Author(s): James Baldwin

ISBN: 1599150069 EAN: 9781599150062
Binding: Paperback
Pages: 200
Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Average Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Retail Price: ~~$9.95~~
Online Sale Price: $9.95
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No book is better for introducing children ages 6 to 9 to legendary historical figures than this collection of stories admirably retold by James Baldwin at the beginning of the last century. Selecting the best of our literary heritage, Baldwin cast it into a form that delights children of all ages. Beginning with stories of heroes from British history, including King Alfred and the Cakes, King Canute on the Seashore, and Bruce and the Spider, the book moves on to tales of other lands. From Ancient Greece come stories of The Brave Three Hundred, Alexander and Bucepahlus, and Diogenes the Wise Man. Introducing the history of Rome are the Story of Cincinnatus, Horatius at the Bridge, and Julius Caesar. The stories of William Tell, Arnold Winkelried, and Robin Hood impart a bit of the flavor of the Middle Ages. Rounding out the collection are a number of timeless tales that show heroes in action: Damon and Pythias, The Sword of Damocles, Picciola, and The King and His Hawk. Children naturally take a deep interest in such stories. The reading of them will not only give pleasure but will help to lay the foundation for broader literary studies since nearly all are the subjects of frequent allusions in poetry and prose. Young children will enjoy having these stories read to them, while older children will delight in reading them to themselves.

User Submitted Fifty Famous Stories Retold (Yesterday's Classics) Reviews

August 26, 2008
Great book to learn from
We use this book as part of our home school curriculum (Ambleside Online) and love it... the stories are short, some illustrated and have historical significance (pulled from many sources, greek and roman history, bible, great figures in American and European history etc). James Baldwin's book are a SURE Thing when it comes to value for dollar. He write so simply, but yet, there is no "dumbing down" as it is called. He doesn't substitute easier words for the harder ones and my children's already large vocabulary expands every day we use any Baldwin book. Other books by him are highly recommended to help round out more "liberal" educational systems.

April 27, 2008
Excellent for Cultural Literacy but Weird Hyphenation
"50 Famous Stories Retold" provides an excellent and age-appropriate introduction to many of the well-known tales from Western Civilization especially Greek and Roman history.

The one thing I found odd about this particular version is that there are extraneous hyphens all over the place. It happens several times per page.

December 6, 2007
An important book
This wonderful little book was first published in 1896 (at least that's the one I have). It contains fifty short stories that were originally considered indispensable for the education of truly literate and well-rounded children. The fifty stories are classics of American culture, and as such are almost completely forgotten in today's America.

The stories teach such lessons as perseverance, self-sacrifice, compassion, diligence, and much more. And they star such once-well-known people as King Alfred of Britain, Pocahontas, Sir Walter Raleigh, Leonidas and the 300 Spartans, and Socrates.

So, if you have a young person who you would like to read truly educational stories to, then you really should consider getting this book. It was an important book then, and it is an important book now. I give it my highest recommendations!

November 9, 2007
All about male heroes
Looking at the table of contents, this book is almost exclusively about male heroes and adventurers. Not good inspriation for young girls?

October 12, 2007
Great resource for history
We use this as part of our homeschooling cirriculum and the kids always love the stories. So do I! I'm often telling my husband about what we read in the evenings.

July 8, 2007
Wonderful short stories
Great wholesome short stories that are also educational. A joy to read aloud to my children.

May 15, 2007
Fifty Famous Stories Retold
I have been reading these stories to my preschooler. She has such a adventurous spirit and loves stories of "heroes". This is a perfect collection to inspire true heroism while opening her mind to beautiful stories of Julius Caesar, King Alfred and others. Each story is short, but well told. I am very happy I bought this book.

January 11, 2007
Improve reading skills and historical knowledge.
This book has many short stories that are written in such a way that students in my first grade class like to read this, despite the fact that it has no pictures. The stories help students appreciate and want to learn more about history. It's a very exciting book which keeps childrens attention and helps build reading skills.

November 9, 2006
Interesting stories
This book is interesting to adults and children alike. Some stories are familiar, and some, though old stories, will be new to modern readers. It is an easy read and a nice read-aloud, also.

September 9, 2006
An Excellent book for Homeschooling too!
I'm using this book for my 1st grade son as part of our home school program. The stories are short and quick to get through so you can have short lessons. These stories and figures are so often referred to our in literature, sayings and culture that it's a great book for children to read.

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