The Rupert Annual 2016 Hardcover – January 1, 2015

Have purchased the Rupert annual since 1992. I used to get it as a present as a kid and always enjoyed it. I did not realise that it was still appearing. I note how THIN it has become and no longer printed in the UK. Still, it continues to be presented, which I welcome.

A childhood favorite never to be forgotten.

Excellent condition - could not be more pleased!!!!!!!!!!

Buy these every year as my mother did!

Too bad the publisher is too cheap to pay Stewart to do the full annual these days. So, every year we only get one new story and the rest is filler from the past. Cheap bastards. Yet, the price doesn't go down. In that regard, it's very much a rip-off. Otherwise, the physical aspect of the book is very nice quality, like all the rest.

Pompey's Praise:(1) An attractive cover.(2) A return to six stories after a run of four and even three on one occasion.(3) A superb back endpaper illustrating all eighty Rupert Annual front covers.(4) An excellent front endpaper - a Bestall classic.(5) Half the six stories are illustrated by the superb John Harrold.(6) Good to see Billy Goat on the (back) cover.(7) A pleasing mix of seasonal tales.(8) Stuart Trotter's new story of the Coral Crown is an enjoyable yarn.(9) An interesting selection of puzzles - mainly from old annuals with one dating back to 1954.(10) A substantial book commemorating a tradition of eighty years.Scrogg's Scowls:(1) The price increase of £2 makes it far more expensive than comparative children's annuals.(2) The figures on the cover (including Rupert) all have pasty pink hands.(3) Two classic tales (Fireworks and Christmas) by Harrold but a rather weak one (artistically & dramatically) about the Mulp Gulper.(4) The Coral Crown yarn jumps about between Sandy Bay and Nutwood with one moment Mrs Bear on holiday but then home rather suddenly.(5) An odd order of tales with the Carved Stick holiday tale after one on Bonfire Night.

I really enjoyed the annual as it reminded me of my childhood. I am 73 years old and every Christmas in my childhood my grandparents or my god parents would get me the annual for Christmas. This may seem silly but there is a feel to the stories, illustrations, origami and games that make me feel good that there still is something gentle and interesting for children to enjoy as much as I did

As someone who grew up with Rupert books in the 1970s and 80s, I'm pleased that Rupert is still going strong today and that the annuals retain the quality and character of the original Bestall annuals that started in 1936. This annual, like some of the previous recent editions, contains a mixture of stories reprinted from earlier annuals, and stories by newer artists. Although I have to say, that to the discerning Rupert fan like myself, the newer stories aren't really of the same calibre as the earlier ones. Perhaps that is unfair to say, as the modern artists do strive to recapture that magic time.

I absolutely love the delivery turn around time from the UK to Canada. It was very fast! Book was in perfect condition.