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Grade 3-5-An abridgement of the classic story that makes it more accessible to young readers, while giving them a good taste of the original. Ross treats his material reverently, abridging Carroll's chattiness, but seldom changing his words. The full-color cartoons are unmistakably Ross's, but they stick closely to the composition and content of Tenniel's original black-and-white drawings, with some additional pictures (the nonsense of the last banquet, for instance, proves irresistible). This version has a modern air with the slightly oversized pages and sly, humorous artwork that fits the illogical craziness of the story surprisingly well. This con-artist Walrus is unforgettable, and the empty oyster shells with feet sticking straight up in the air are most memorable. Although one may occasionally miss the flowing, stream-of-consciousness style of Carroll or Tenniel's quintessential Tweedledee and Tweedledum, certainly Ross has done an admirable job of preserving the spirit of the masterpiece for the younger set.

Judy Constantinides, East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

Pruned to something less than half the original (using only Carroll's language), with chess moves, verse, chaptering, and main events intact: an abridgement that may find some use as an introduction, though any child who enjoys it should be steered to a complete edition. It's not true--despite Ross's otherwise sensible introduction--that all the humor is here (where are the six impossible things before breakfast''?); but his forthrightly honest approach (even the title page readsAbridged & Illustrated by...'' in caps) merits some indulgence, while even purists will enjoy comparing his witty, freely rendered caricatures with Tenniel's elegantly limned art--which Ross's frequently parodies. (Fiction. 6+) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.