Alice in Wonderland: Down the Rabbit Hole product reviews

When I saw this book pop up for review - I was excited - a retell of a classic story ( 150 years old this year - 2015 ) - and something that I had always said I needed to buy and own a copy of, so I was delighted to be chosen to review it.

At first glance and feel - I was immediately captured by the illustrations. They have altered a little from the classic Alice in the blue dress and white apron, and I love it! She is modern and fresh - and my eldest immediately recognized her, even with the change in attire. The book is beautifully made and something to absolutely treasure.

What I enjoyed most about the book was that it has taken a wonderful and whimsical story of craziness and simplified it, without losing any of the intended message and meaning. It stays true to the original in most senses, and introduces the wonderful characters that were created so long ago - with my favourite in this book being the White Rabbit. Whilst there are some changes to phrases, I do not think this detracts or changes the story, and even the biggest Alice fan will enjoy it.

I enjoyed reading this the first, second and tenth ( and more ) times with my girls, and talking about what it would be like to be in a world like that. We had many giggles about what other crazy things could happen in the Alice World. Whilst the story ended before the tea party - it was alluded to with the map at the back, so I envision there is another installment to come soon.

This book is good value for money I think, it is a hard covered book and beautifully retold, to commemorate 150 years of a classic story. It has been requested many many times already, and as we know, kids are the toughest critics!! My Mum was delighted to FINALLY find this on my bookshelf for the children ( and me! ) she said - so Nanny has given the stamp of approval too.

I start this review with a confession. I don't really know the story of Alice in Wonderland. The truth is it is a classic story whose characters are often referred to in other stories or appeal at teddy bears' picnics and the likes but the story itself is not that well known. For this reason I thought it would be good for me and my daughters to have a copy if the book. Alice in Wonderland:Down the Rabbit Hole is a modern retelling of the story.

My daughters (5 and 6.5 years old) were excited to hear the story. They worked out immediately that the girl on the cover was Alice even if she wasn't dressed in the classic blue dress with the white apron. Also on the cover was the White Rabbit with his trusty pocket watch. The end pages of the book is a map of Wonderland with the far end pointing To The Tea Party.

The part that my girls liked the best was when Alice ate or drunk something that changed her size. Miss 5 was in hysterics when Alice became so large her limbs were poking out each window. I have to admit it did look rather funny. I was disappointed they had changed While Rabbit's famous line "I'm late, I'm late for a very important date." I suppose with a retelling there will always be changes you like and don't.

The animals in the book are all very colourful and makes Wonderland a place that children would love to visit. The story ends with Alice continuing to walk on which leads neatly into the rest of her story which I hope will follow in another book soon. My girls were waiting for the tea party

I thought for a hard-covered copy of a well retold classic story it was very good value for money. It is the type of book that I would like to keep on my bookshelf to read to my grandchildren in about thirty years time. My girls are happy to listen to it over and over and I am happy to read it repeatedly which is a sign of a good kids book. 2015 marks 150 years since the original story was written and it is still going strong.