Ophelia's Shadow Theatre

by Michael Ende

Elderly Miss Ophelia, the prompter in a failed theater, collects shadows that do not belong to anyone and teaches them to perform the greatest comedies and tragedies of the world. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0879513713
• ISBN13: 9780879513719
• Release Date: September 1989
• Publisher: Overlook Juvenile
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Grades 1 to 3

Customer Reviews

Spiritual story with beautiful illustrations

Always expect the impossible with Ende; as the Neverending Story fascinates and expands the concept of reality for chlildren, even 5 year olds, this story too moves us beyond the expected. The story is touching and mysterious, and it reaches a point that could be the end, but the author instead takes us into the afterlife. Younger children who have not dealt with the concept of death may find the plot twist disturbing, but most great fairy tales (especially German ones) aren't sugar coated, afterall. The illustrations are dramatic and beautiful, and the story is inspiring and transcends expectations.

Kindly old woman takes in unwanted, homeless shadows

Kindly old woman loses her job and place in society when she loses her job as a prompter in a theater. She begins taking in unwanted, homeless shadows because she knows how they feel. Teaches about love, compassion and substitute families. Beautiful, dreamy illustrations show the frailty of Ophelia and the light within the shadows. Not for everyone, but will speak to the heart.