What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that constantly changing predicaments, strange creatures, and Oxenbury's watercolors are very child-friendly. But difficult language, Carroll's nonsense poems, and adult humor leave some children bored or confused.

Families can talk about the strange creatures in Wonderland. Which is the strangest? Why do you think the queen is so mean? Are you confused by parts of the story? Which parts? Do you like stories you don't understand right away? Why or why not?

Common Sense Media Review
Though there are many video versions, and a lot of simplified retellings, all kids deserve to know the story as Lewis Carroll wrote it. But it takes a particular kind of child to enjoy this -- complex language, nonsense, and the lack of a sensible plot are not to every child's taste, especially these days.

Wonderland has no rules, not even the decrees of the Queen. Alice simply accepts her situation and plays along, and that's all readers need do. The difficulty and complexity of Carroll's writing and ideas mean that the book needs to be thoughtfully read aloud by an adult; few children will read this through on their own. When read aloud, the rhythmic poems can delight kids just for their sounds and silly images.

Oxenbury's new illustrations, both black-and-white drawings and watercolor paintings, give Alice a more modern look. Adult purists will miss the original Tenniel pictures, but kids will like these just fine. This deluxe edition also has heavy paper and a friendly typeface.

The book works on two levels: as a delightful children's fantasy and as an impish poke in the eye to adults. Alice's strange new world remains just enough like the polite society of Victorian England that we can recognize it. But the crazed subterranean civilization isn't terribly polite, allowing adults to understand much of the book as satire.

Of course, kids usually don't see satire in the book. They just enjoy the nonsense. If you've forgotten how to do that, Alice can help you remember.