The Amazing Animated Life of All Things Inanimate (The Family Goes on Vacation Book 1)

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Feb 12, Kaille rated it really liked it. I still remember this book, and I haven't owned a copy in almost a decade. The idea of dolls being alive should be childish and silly, but in reality, it's quite a haunting, dark story. The Mennyms are incredibly human in their worries and lives and conflicts, and I really came to empathize with them. Each family member is distinct and memorable, and I often found myself torn between what I wanted to happen.

Past the second sequel, the series isn't quite as well done, but I still think this is an I still remember this book, and I haven't owned a copy in almost a decade. Nov 26, Craig rated it it was amazing. I think this book explains postcolonial Britain pretty cogently. Forced to turn back to methods of domestic production, a family of dolls stands in as an allegory for the British who are concerned that their methods of enchantment will fail without their history of empire.

Furthermore, the landlord, visiting from the former penal colony now a post world-war melting pot threatens to hold the old mother country economically responsible for debts incurred on its former colonies. Where's the line I think this book explains postcolonial Britain pretty cogently.

Where's the line between stodgy old tea parties and brute colonial force? Does a child's imaginary, fertile and untainted, hold the key to stitching a new postcolonial patchwork? A children's fantasy involving a three-generation family of rag dolls who have been created some forty years before. The characters are believable enough, unfortunately, they are just not very endearing or even likable. Instead they are self-centered and for the most part surly with one another. Soobie, the teen brother ventures out to find hi A children's fantasy involving a three-generation family of rag dolls who have been created some forty years before.

Soobie, the teen brother ventures out to find his runaway sister, wanders into a church, and has a heartfelt conversation with God. I've lost count of how many times I actually read this book, both in Italian and English. It's the first book I've bought second hand because I really wanted to know how it sounded in the original version.

It's where I got my nick from. This book was published in Italy in And I fell head over heel in love with it and with Soobie of course. I love the idea of this life-size dolls who could talk and feel. But I wasn't that fond with the character of Appleby.

Sep 02, Mara Vetters rated it it was amazing Shelves: This book was really amazing. I loved all of the depth and levels that are hidden within the story. On one level this is a cute little adventure about a family of living dolls, but at the same time it has a lot to say about being human. I highly recomend this book to anyone, but come prepared to think!

Apr 24, Deb rated it it was amazing. CLM introduced me to this series by kindly giving me one of her extra copies, and I adored it. Geo and Holly love it too. There's nothing quite as "just right" as British fantasy for tweeners, is there? Recommended to me by Emma, I totally ate them all up. View all 4 comments. Jul 26, Mary rated it it was amazing Recommended to Mary by: I'm not sure where this book has been all my childhood, but I'm glad it's here now.

But I'm not sure I've ever seen a more clear depiction of pure humanity. Props to you, Madam Waugh! The story is an instant classic; an instant essential part of my childhood memories the ones I was born with For a story that rarely leaves one house, there are surprisingly many plot layers, I'm not sure where this book has been all my childhood, but I'm glad it's here now.

For a story that rarely leaves one house, there are surprisingly many plot layers, many character layers, many emotions and many philosophical symbols to ponder every time I reread. Any good book leaves us looking at our own self; trying to figure Me out. Now the only question remaining is; why isn't this book out there and common like The Borrowers or other magical secret families?

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I'll have to buy the series because my library doesn't even have them. Poor me, cry me a river at having to buy another book. Jul 11, Susan rated it really liked it Shelves: The Mennyms are a family of dolls who have come to life. The family consists of grandparents, parents, five children, and a friend--and, later, another child. It's a book about family relations and the problems of being a doll--you can't go out in public because of your button eyes or blue skin; you can't eat or drink.

I didn't like the way the family members treated each other. They really didn't seem to love each other, and the teenage girl was allowed to be a real brat. But it's a cute little The Mennyms are a family of dolls who have come to life.

But it's a cute little story. I really like this. It passed me by as a child - it was a Carnegie Medal winner when I was loitering in the young adult and classics section of the library - but a loving review by a friend encouraged me to read all about the Mennyms. There's some lovely philosophical one-liners in this, but the family and interpersonal dynamics make it both timeless and engaging.

Now I'm left with the question to consider, who is my favourite Mennym? Soobie, the blue Mennym who rejects pretends? Appleby, who em I really like this. Appleby, who embraces pretends and takes them to the extreme?

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Vinetta, capable, considerate and thoughtful? Jul 02, Gerlinde rated it liked it. From the blurb this sounded brilliant. However, it's good to read kids' books regularly, it helps to think like a child. One of those books I don't remember ANYthing about. Based on the reviews here I think maybe I should revisit? I love this quirky story. Apr 17, Gale rated it liked it Shelves: Three generations uner one roof experience the typical stress and trauma of complex interpersonal relations.

Cleverly disguised when they must venture forth into London they communicate with the real world by and the telephone. The cast of characters who vie for the role of protagonist and secondary characters includes: Teenage son, Soobie, prefers reading and hates Pretending with a passion; tart-tongued Appleby,, is cheeky to all but still her grandfather's favorite: Last on the roster: The catalyst for conflict occurs when a letter arrives from a mysterious cousin in Australia named Albert Pond, who states that he has inherited the home where they have paid rent for 40 years, and is eager to visit them.

This throws the entire adult household into a tizzy of fear and creativity, as it seems impossible for them to pull off the extended farce of being human. How to handle this impeding disaster? Their daily real Pretends fade into memories of former peace of mind, as they are forced to cope with Albert's letters and his insistence to meet his British cousins. Relying on Appleby's cleverness Sir Magnus appoints her to respond to Albert, but family dynamics are strained as tension increases. As if this did not provide enough plot twists, there is a stunning surprise awaiting them all in the dusty attic.

The adults cope with truculent teenagers and the wistful yearning to be human, while Soobie is disgusted with their ridiculous Pretends. How can the female "dolls" gain long-overdue respect in a male-dominated household? A cute and interesting read--even if you don't play with dolls. I welcome dialogue with teachers. Sep 06, Shoshanah rated it it was amazing. Growing up I used to reread books all the time. This could be off, but I'm guessing I've read this one book 6 times at this point.

Except as I've gotten more and more into book blogging and as my to-read pile grows exponentially I feel far too guilty to do much rereading. But I miss it, which is why on my in list I included rereading 3 of my favorite childhood series as something I wanted to do. I have several I could have chosen, but decided for my first to go with The Mennyms. The Me Growing up I used to reread books all the time. The Mennyms are a family living in modern day or 90s modern day when the book was written, which basically means pre-internet England. There are two grandparents, two parents, two teenagers, year-old twins, and a baby all living in the same house.

They're a pretty normal family with money woes and teenage angst, except one thing is a little different Life-sized rag dolls that realize how much of a novelty they could be to others if they were ever found out, but that doesn't stop them from finding a way to navigate the world around them through tricks they've learned. I've heard of others going back and rereading childhood favorites to find they don't quite had the magic they remember, but thankfully these do for me.

I do think it's interesting reading them before and loving Appleby their teenage daughter the best, but now it's really Soobie their teenage son that stands out. I do think it's a testament of how well the story is written that there's so many different characters, yet you really feel like you know each and every one. I think the main observation I can make from reading these books so many times is how easily I notice the foreshadowing. I have to wonder if I read them for the first time now, would I have quite figured out the plot twist or would I have been just as surprised as I was reading these in elementary school?

Se qualcuno si fosse mai chiesto dove ho pescato il mio nome, ecco la risposta. Per parecchio tempo ho addirittura usato il ritratto di Soobie della copertina come foto del profilo. Avevo 11 anni quando ho letto per la prima volta Occhi di bottone. E l'ho letto ancora e ancora. La piccola me era stata conquistata da questo libro e dal mondo che l'autrice aveva creato. E soprattutto, la piccola me aveva trovato un'anima affine: In una famiglia di bambole a grandezza intera che riuscivano a Se qualcuno si fosse mai chiesto dove ho pescato il mio nome, ecco la risposta.

In una famiglia di bambole a grandezza intera che riuscivano a passare per umani, Soobie era l'unico fatto con della stoffa blu.

What can I do to prevent this in the future?

Era l'unico a non poter uscire di casa, costretto a guardare il mondo dalla finestra. I do not know who I really am or what I really am. I am never satisfied to pretend. I cannot pretend that you are listening to me. I can only give you the benefit of the doubt.

And it is a massive doubt, I can tell you. I do not know whether I believe in you, and, what is worse, you might not believe in me. But I need help and there is nowhere else to turn. The flesh-and-blood people who come here have something they called faith. Please, if you are listening to a rag doll with a blue face, let the faith of those others be enough for you to help me. I must find my sister, or my mother will be the first of us to die. Feb 01, Kay Carman added it. Looking through the glass partition into the nave, he saw that there were three or four individuals sitting, or kneeling in silent prayer, well-separated from one another, very private people in a very private place.

He knelt before the statue of a lady with a child in her arms. Appleby was not there, but the prayerful mood of the place gave him another straw to clutch at. Being Soobie, always honest to himself, he was prepared to be no less than honest to God. The flesh-and-blood people who come here have something they call faith. I must find my sister or my mother will be the first of us to die. Dear God, I don't even know what that means! After he had said it, two things came to his mind. First he knew now just why he had to find Appleby. Secondly, he had the feeling, and it was no more than a feeling, that someone somewhere had heard his prayer.

I absolutely loved this book. The thing is, I think anyone, of any age, would really enjoy this book: It is written simply, but by no means in a plain or boring language. The story is interesting, and the book has quite a few surprises for the Men I absolutely loved this book. I liked that no Mennym was perfect, though their characters are very clearly defined which makes them easier to identify , and whilst there is no "personal growth" of characters, it is the way is meant to be i.

In short, a recommended read, easy to enjoy, and that lives a good feeling once one has finished it. Dec 06, Karen Miller rated it it was amazing. Remember what it was like to play pretend? The Mennyms are rag dolls who live on a quiet street somewhere in England.

The Amazing Animated Life of All Things I...

The rag doll Mrs. When Mother Vinetta prepares tea, and the family just pretends to nibble at cookies. Overview Music Video Charts. Opening the iTunes Store. If Apple Books doesn't open, click the Books app in your Dock. Do you already have iTunes? Click I Have iTunes to open it now. View More by This Author. Description In every household there are inanimate objects we use daily; the television, dining table, couch, blender, toaster and spatula just to name a few.

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