The Good Master (Puffin Newberry Library)

I’ve always loved this book and I was thrilled it had been reprinted so I could get my kiddos each a copy

Brought back memories of when I had read this book in my childhood. I hope my granddaughter will be equally inspired by the adventure.

Loved this story of a family on a Hungarian farm. We did this as a read out loud book with 10 and 4 year old. We all enjoyed it.

When you are moving from picture books being read to you to reading books with pictures this book gets your attention right away and you don't want to put it down. Being 6 isn't always easy when you are being compared to others your age and you don't even know you have dyslexia. I was privileged to have folks that spent the time I needed to grow a love of books. The author Kate Seredy does her own illustrations. She was such an inspiration to me. I give this book to kids in hopes they might be inspired as well. One hard cover copy actually was shipped to me from Budapest, Hungary where the author was born.

A LOVELY STORY WITH LOVELY ILLUSTRATIONS. I HAVE A FIRST EDITION HARD COPY MY PARENTS GAVE TO ME WHEN I WAS VERY YOUNG, (GAVE TO MY GRANDDAUGHTER ). PARENTS WERE HUNGARIAN AND I HAVE MY MOTHERS DOLL COMPLETE WITH AUTHENTIC HUNGARIAN COSTUME, I NAMED HER KATE, OF COURSE. BEING ISOLATED FOR 10 MONTHS NOW, I'VE BEEN GOING DOWN MEMORY LANE. I ORDERED THE PAPER BACK, LEAVE IT IN THE CAR AND READ IT WHILE RUNNING THE ENGINE. QUITE A CHANGE FROM THE OTHER BOOKS I'VE BEEN READING, A DELIGHTFUL CHANGE.

I was delighted to find a copy of this book with illustrations by Kate Seredy - Her choice of color based in traditional Hungarian design is as much a part of the pre WWI story of life on the plains of Hungary. I read this story as a child after I first read 'The Singing Tree.'During 1939 and 1940 we were hearing bits of what was happening in Europe and the story in 'The Singing Tree' although about an earlier world war, brought the news down to my eight and nine year old level - I admired how the women and children kept life going until the Uncle returns. Then I had to read 'The Good Master.'There are many publications of 'The Good Master,' a story about life on the Hungarian plains, with a cover illustration taken from inside the book. However, for me it was not the same until I found a copy of the original illustrated cover with all the color and tradition of Hungarian folk art to pass on to the child of a friend.Also, there is something special about giving a gift of a used book. There is wonder in knowing someone had read the story and you are following, holding a book just as they held the book while reading the same story.

The Good Master is a classic story of 2 children who are sent to live with their grandparents in another country. The children are self-centered andjudgmental when they first arrive. But they learn that being in other surroundings with other people can open them up to new learning and new opportunities. The children find that old Grandma & Grandpa have many skills and new things to teach them, The children learn many new things and learn to love the new life.It's a great book for showing children the benefits of exploring their world andstaying open minded to learn from others who may seem different from us. This book was read to me by my grandparents in the1950's and is just as relevant and wonderful today! I love when the kids learn about hanging sausages up to cure and the picture of the kids, sitting high on the rafters, eating sausages! I also love the story and illustrations of the children in the native costumes of their Grandparent's country and the famous horsemen standing atop 2 horses as they gallop! ADVENTURE & FUN!

The rave reviews of this book are true. Kate Seredy (prounounced SHARE-ed-ee) did a wonderful job on this book. My children (a girl, 9, and a boy, 6) both really loved this book, and it's not always easy to find stories that suit both of them at the same time. To tell the truth, I think my wife and I fully enjoyed the book as much as the children. Buy the hardcover, because it's likely to become a well-worn favorite.I really can't praise Seredy enough on her work in this book - it's full of life, makes good points and lessons, is fun and humorous, a well-told story, and has beautiful charcoal illustrations by the author. (I only wish these drawings were presented in a finer fashion, as befits them. One can only hope this will be remedied in a future edition.)Apparently, Seredy started out as an illustrator of children's books, and only began writing late in her career. Too bad, because she is a master of both crafts, and one suspects there is a strong autobiographical element in the charming but mischievous character of Kate. Whatever its genesis, this is a spellbinding tale. Buy this book - your children will love having it read to them, and you will love reading it.

I love Puffin classics and this book is very easy to read but rather childish. Its sequel,’the singing tree’ is a lot more serious but very sad.

It is sixty plus years since I read this and it remains just a pleasant read about a way of life on the Hungarian plains now long gone (early last century) . Definitely a feel good book, nominally for kids and though not in the modern vein of sci fi monsters, robots , witches and wizards etc still probably great for children and fine also for normal, not highbrow adults!

I was given this book when I was about eight, and still love it at 71. I would recommend it to anyone as an unforgettable tale of life on the plains of Hungary in the opening years of the 20th century. Any child who loves horses and strange tales would enjoy this, with its gentle happy ending.

The Good Master (especially) and The Singing Tree have always been and still are amongst my favourite books. I was reviewing something else and saw this, which has reminded me to re-read them. Lovely - what a treat for an OAP!

Classic childrens book