3.5, last book was less interesting ( )

This edition compiles the four original Eloise books--Eloise, Eloise in Paris, Eloise at Christmastime, and Eloise in Moscow--along with a "scrapbook" by Marie Brenner, which tells a brief history of the Eloise books and provides lots of photos of the author and illustrator. I was new to Eloise--I'm sure I'd seen her image before, but I didn't know much about her and certainly never read any of the books before--and this collection was (mostly) a delight. The scrapbook was interesting, and I loved loved loved the first book, Eloise, which tells of Eloise's life living with Nanny in the Plaza hotel in the fifties. It's part absurd, part adorable, part silly, and all wonderful. I also liked Eloise at Christmastime very much. The other two books didn't do as much for me, but Eloise in Paris was a good deal more enjoyable than Eloise in Moscow, which I wrinkled my nose at and actually said, "I don't get it." Perhaps, more than the others, it was a product of its time and doesn't translate well to someone born twenty-five years after it was written. So though I cawn't quite unequivocally say, "Oooooooo I absolutely love Eloise," I will recommend checking her out if you've never met her. Just skibble down to your library and get a copy. But maybe skip the trip to Russia. ( )

As aventuras de Eloise no Palace Hotel. ( )

The precocious, rawther pseudo-sophisticated Eloise was the brain-child of Kay Thompson. There are four books in this Ultimate Edition. Each story contains the amusing, childish antics of six-year-old Eloise.

Eloise lives at the Plaza Hotel stomping and sneaking throughout, creating her own brand of mischief with her daring high jinks and fantastic imagination. Her English, live-in Nanny is her only connection to the warm love that she misses from her own absentee mother. She finds herself preoccupying her loneliness with her best friends, Weenie the pug and Skipperdee the turtle. Each book is a vibrant, fun-filled, touching story of Eloise and her adventures. From New York, to Paris, to Moscow, she travels from one place to another when her mother calls for her company.

The most compelling book was Eloise in Moscow. For current readers, I believe there will be a bit of a disconnect. But when the book was originally published in 1959, Eloise in Moscow was a brow lifting, gasp-worthy story. In order to fully appreciate Thompson's story, it is necessary for the reader to do a little historical analysis on post World War II America. The 1950's was a suspicious, communist fearing, Cold-War era. Kay Thompson brought a humorous and glaring insight into the bias of a nation that was still understandably apprehensive and skeptical. Eloise brought her own childish brand of confusion and misapprehension. It was an exquisite display of the author's ability to address a serious issue, and at the same time, laugh at everyone in general.

After all, what's the point of humor if you can't laugh at yourself first?

At the heart of it all, I can't help but feel a sense of pity for the over-indulged child. Eloise never complains. She craves acceptance and attention, often finding herself in troublesome situations at her own well-meaning naughtiness. She waits in anticipation for the next time she will see her ultra rich, extremely busy mother. Eloise is brash and adorable, creating artful worlds and adventures at the horror of countless hotel guests and staff.

Find the complete review here:
Bookend Chronicles ( )

Eloise: The Ultimate Edition, includes Eloise, Eloise in Paris, Eloise in Moscow, and Eloise at Christmas. Eloise is an amusing six year old who lives at The Plaza Hotel getting into adventures with her puppy, Weenie, and turtle, Skiperdee. This is an enlightening collection of stories that inspires creativity and imagination int he minds of children. ( )