Librarian at Charleston County Public Library Kristin
Stephanie Baudet's adaptation of "The Hound of the Baskervilles" is a wonderful reworking of the classic novel with great illustrations.
Go Buy the Book
This is a superb series, one that I thoroughly recommend to anyone wanting to introduce younger readers to Sherlock Holmes. Unfamiliar vocabulary such as hansom cab is also explained, meaning that these are books that children can read independently.
Richard Latham
This new adaptation of this famous novel is aimed at kids, 7+ and is part of a series of books in The Sherlock Holmes Children’s Collection. The books are made more accessible for the younger reader with quirky original and detailed illustrations throughout the book by Arianna Bellucci. Children finding this series are given an opportunity to read about the Great Detective with fresh eyes and the colourful cover design and illustrations will only improve their reading pleasure. The Hound of the Baskervilles is quite scary when depicted on TV or film; the mists rolling over the moor and the sound of the howling creature are intimidating for adults. In written form this sense of foreboding is also conveyed in the original text. Real skill is therefore needed to make an adaptation for a younger audience and Stephanie Baudet has achieved this without losing the thrust and threat of the story about a frightening beast seemingly out to bring terror and death to the Baskervilles. Having read the original, this is a cool reworking of the story that does justice to the plot and shows the working relationship between Watson and Holmes. I can speak with some authority as this is the second book I have read in this series. I love the effort and joy that contributes to bringing an old detective alive and relevant for a new and younger audience. Allowing the stories to be as close to the originals as possible and therefore letting the works speak for themselves. I am sure a new generation will fall under the spell of these stories and when they read on through teenage years and early adulthood they will progress easily to the original books. For now they will delight our young readers and anything that encourages reading and a love of books is a good thing.
Stitch's Addiction
Once again, Stephanie Baudet has created a fantastic version of an Arthur Conan Doyle classic in The Hound of the Baskervilles for middle grade readers. The story loses none of its wonder or suspense that has made Conan Doyle's work a well-deserved place as a British classic. Instead there is a simplicity to the story that enables young readers to fall in love with the adventures of Sherlock Holmes that are documented by his friend and accomplice, Dr John Watson. With carefully placed information explaining such things as Hansom Cabs and illustrations that are done to show both events and particularly important elements to the tale (letters to Holmes etc) it is the perfect blend to ensure a new generation will be afraid for Sir Henry Baskerville and his life upon the Devon Moors.
Stuck in the Book Loop
This was a fantastic adaptation for children of the classic Sherlock Holmes story ‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’ which is amongst one of my favourite Sherlock Holmes tales. The original stories I could definitely understand as being perhaps a little too difficult for a younger audience, so I think the fact that it has been adapted to cater for younger readers is absolutely brilliant and introduces children to classics from an early age. And it was really done so well! Adapted perfectly. I love that the book included a little info box to clear up any words that may be a little confusing or require clarification (like the older terms for taxis) so there’s not only a learning element but is great for reading comprehension and enjoyment too. This book was immensely fun to read and the illustrations and pictures included on the pages were great and added to an overall enjoyable reading experience. It would be a definite recommend read for anyone with kiddies who wanted to expose them to classics but in a easy way and was a really fun book with an adventure with Dr John Watson and Sherlock Holmes.
Reader review
I thought this was a great adaptation of a British Classic Sherlock Holmes. This was great for young readers for them to experience the story in a way where they can understand and enjoy the illustrations. I think that Stephanie Baudet did a great job capturing the story and made the characters a joy to read.
The Bookish Belle
This was a great adaptation of the classic. Good for kids and easy to read I actually felt that I understood the whole character of Sherlock Holmes better.
