This is an absolutely charming book.

I won't bother going into the plot since it's been summarized very nicely in other reviews, but I will say it's a classic DWJ story. Very light, very suitable for kids, and exactly the kind of thing a grownup like me feels like turning to when all the angst and dramatic twists that are written into most stories feel like too much...too much. Kind of the literary equivalent of watching Golden Girls reruns - it's lightly amusing and doesn't evoke any deep feelings, but it's still entertaining and helps you forget just how angsty and dramatic real life can be. It reminded me very much of a fairy tale; it's the kind of thing that you just know is incapable of ending in any way except happily. Where you're more sorry for the bad guys than scared of them.

I should point out that even though it's light (I'm already getting sick of using that word, but it's probably the best one to describe what I mean), there's definitely comedy in the book. I only recall one bit actually making me laugh out loud - who knew seven league boots could be such a challenge? - but I was nevertheless smiling at most of the rest of it.

I can't imagine a kid not liking this book, and if you're an adult looking less for something meaty to sink your teeth into and more for a happy little diversion, you'll enjoy it too. And now I'm going to quit babbling and go hunt down some of my old forgotten DWJ books!
This is an absolutely charming book. I won't bother going into the plot since it's been summarized very nicely in other reviews, but I will say it's a classic DWJ story. Very light, very suitable for kids, and exactly the kind of thing a grownup like me feels like turning to when all the angst and dramatic twists that are written into most stories feel like too much... too much. Kind of the literary equivalent of watching Golden Girls reruns - it's lightly amusing and doesn't evoke any deep feelings, but it's still entertaining and helps you forget just how angsty and dramatic real life can be. It reminded me very much of a fairy tale; it's the kind of thing that you just know is incapable of ending in any way except happily. Where you're more sorry for the bad guys than scared of them. I should point out that even though it's light (I'm already getting sick of using that word, but it's probably the best one to describe what I mean), there's definitely comedy in the book. I only recall one bit actually making me laugh out loud - who knew seven league boots could be such a challenge? - but I was nevertheless smiling at most of the rest of it. I can't imagine a kid not liking this book, and if you're an adult looking less for something meaty to sink your teeth into and more for a happy little diversion, you'll enjoy it too. And now I'm going to quit babbling and go hunt down some of my old forgotten DWJ books!