Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
by Lewis Carroll
Classics, Fantasy, Fiction, Young-Adult, Literature, Adventure
“I can’t explain myself, I’m afraid, sir,” said Alice, “Because I’m not myself, you see.” When Alice sees a white rabbit take a watch out of its waistcoat pocket she decides to follow it, and a sequence of most unusual events is set in motion.
Recommendations from Common Sense Media
Age Recommendation: 9+
What Parents Need to Know:
Parents need to know that constantly changing predicaments, strange creatures, and the watercolors are very child-friendly. But difficult language, Carroll’s nonsense poems, and adult humor will leave some children bored or confused. Still, it’s a classic well worth the trouble and particularly fun as a read-aloud.
Educational Value: 3/5
Exposes kids to wordplay, crazy riddles, and nonsense poetry, as well as Victorian language and customs and a little French.
Positive Messages: 3/5
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is more nonsense and dreamscape than moral lesson. But it does imply the advice to, when in crazy, confusing, or challenging situations, try to keep your head (even when someone is constantly yelling “Off with her head!”) and not be intimidated by outrageous characters who are insulting and threatening you and causing you trouble. In short: Roll with the punches.
Positive Role Models: 4/5
Alice is polite, friendly, open-minded, and resilient as she navigates the chaotic world in which she’s landed. She encounters all sorts of characters, some of whom are confusing, such as the White Rabbit, the Mad Hatter, and the Cheshire Cat, and some are mean, such as the Queen of Hearts.
Violence & Scariness: n/a
The Queen of Hearts frequently shouts “Off with his head!” and “Off with her head!” She orders the execution of the Cheshire Cat and threatens the Duchess and Alice with execution. The Duchess’ cook throws dishes.
Sex, Romance & Nudity: n/a
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Language: n/a
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Products & Purchases: n/a
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Drinking, Drugs & Smoking: 1/5
A blue caterpillar smokes a hookah.
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