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The Indian in the Cupboard #1-3

The Indian In The Cupboard Trilogy

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The Indian in the Cupboard Trilogy Three bestselling stories about Omri, and his friend Patrick, who turns his plastic Red Indian, Little Bull, into a real miniature person.

543 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

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About the author

Lynne Reid Banks

89 books364 followers
Lynne Reid Banks is a British author of books for children and adults. She has written forty books, including the best-selling children's novel The Indian in the Cupboard, which has sold over 10 million copies and been made into a film.
Banks was born in London, the only child of James and Muriel Reid Banks. She was evacuated to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada during World War II but returned after the war was over. She attended St Teresa's School in Surrey. Prior to becoming a writer Banks was an actress, and also worked as a television journalist in Britain, one of the first women to do so. Her first novel, The L-Shaped Room, was published in 1960.
In 1962 Banks emigrated to Israel, where she taught for eight years on an Israeli kibbutz Yasur. In 1965 she married Chaim Stephenson, with whom she had three sons. Although the family returned to England in 1971 and Banks now lives in Dorset, the influence of her time in Israel can be seen in some of her books which are set partially or mainly on kibbutzim.

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5 stars
556 (40%)
4 stars
459 (33%)
3 stars
277 (20%)
2 stars
50 (3%)
1 star
21 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
Profile Image for Rachel.
1,436 reviews154 followers
June 21, 2020
3.5 stars.

Ohh I really enjoyed the original first story as a kid. So to revisit the characters was such fun. The 2nd and 3rd books in this trilogy were equally as entertaining. I had always wondered what would have happened if the story had continued and now I know.

If you are a fan of the original (which is also a movie but most 90s kids will know that!) Then you are sure to like this as a series.

What's hooked me the most is that the end of the 3rd book, ends like it's the actual end. Yet I know there are 2 more books in this series so I'm quite interested to see what they are about one day.

This is such a classic middle grade story for any kid of any age.
Profile Image for Kari.
284 reviews35 followers
July 23, 2011
I loved the Indian in the Cupboard when I was younger. I remember when I was little crying when I finished the book as I enjoyed reading it so much that I didn't want it to end! Banks is a great storyteller and it is a magical and imaginative story that will have you lost in it till the end.
Profile Image for Liz.
1,100 reviews10 followers
March 29, 2019
I loved this series as a child, and just learned about books 4 & 5!

Omri receives a unique birthday present - a cupboard that his brother found. In conjunction with a beautiful key his mother had, Omri discovers that the key can magically transform any cupboard or trunk into a transmogrifier that turns plastic toys into tiny, flesh-and-blood humans.

Though there are some cringe-inducing dialectical choices (the cowboy's un-enunciated English alongside the pronounless English of the Iroquois Native American), Banks pivots in political-correctness by book 3 and has Omri correct those who would treat his tiny people as less than human.
Profile Image for BOOK BOOKS.
826 reviews27 followers
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July 10, 2020
DOES ANYONE REMEMBER THE INDIAN IN THE CUPBOARD BOOKS? THEY WERE CONSIDERED SUCH A CLASSIC WHEN I WAS A BB MEMER AND OUR TEACHER READ ONE OF THEM ALOUD TO US IN CLASS, AND IN RETROSPECT THEY WERE A RACIST DISASTER.

ABSOLUTELY, I REMEMBER LIKING THEM AND I FEEL ASHAMED.

IDK THAT THAT'S SOMETHING TO FEEL ASHAMED ABOUT, BB. YOU KNOW BETTER NOW, THAT'S ALL.

I DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS A SERIES.

Y, THERE WERE LIKE 4 OR 5 AND THEY MADE A MOVIE OUT OF THE FIRST ONE.
30 reviews
July 6, 2018
I like how Lynne Banks describes the tiny people because if you just told me that they were tiny people I wouldn't be able to picture them in my mind as easily.
7 reviews
July 24, 2020
Loved it

Page turning. Suspenseful . I Enjoyed reading the books. Could not wait to see what happened next in the book.
Profile Image for Esta.
158 reviews
January 13, 2022
I remember really really enjoying this when I read it. retrospectively I am left wondering if it may potentially have been slightly racist but idk not done any investigation into it
Profile Image for Zareen.
235 reviews18 followers
September 18, 2023
I enjoyed it very much. I was compelled to finish reading the trilogy today. At one or two points I had to suspend disbelief & also there were some inconsistencies.

Profile Image for Kristie.
647 reviews1 follower
September 19, 2019

La historia comienza cuando Patrick le regala a Omri, nuestro protagonista, un indio de plástico. El chico esta un poco decepcionado ya que tiene muchos, así que se lo guarda en el bolsillo y se olvida de él, hasta que su hermano le regala un armarito al que le falta la llave, su madre guarda tantas que entre todas ellas una consigue abrirlo.
Es un armario como tantos otros, uno blanco, con un espejo en la puerta y una cerradura, pequeñito donde ponían las medicinas, pero a el le encanta, aparte se emociona tanto que no sabe bien que guardar en él, hasta que su madre le recuerda el indio, lo pone dentro lo cierra y se va a dormir.
Por la noche oye unos ruidos procedentes del armarito, lo abre y el asombro es mayúsculo, el indio es real!!! Vale, es un indio en miniatura, pero real...
Omri apenas puede hablar, pero Toro Pequeño, que así se llama el indio, le empieza a exigir cosas, y a Omri no le queda más remedio de ir poniendo cosas en el armarito, y lo que al principio le hacía gracia poco a poco se le fue yendo de las manos!
Y es que Omri decide contárselo todo a Patrick, y aunque al principio es una buena idea compartir un secreto de tan magnitud, no podrá llegar a imaginar la de aventuras que ello le causará.

Imagina que gracias a una llave puedas traer a la vida a tus juguetes, pero serían personas personas pequeñas, pero personas que vienen de sus lugares, con un pasado, con sus vidas....
Me puedo imaginar perfectamente lo que siente Patrick cuando le llega la tentación de poner más muñecos,o cuando Omri descubre que son seres vivos y que no se tiene de "jugar" con ellos.
Luego poneros en situación de esa figurita, verse de pronto en una época extraña, con unos gigantes, yo pensaría que he cogido una cogorza de mucho cuidado! jajajaja
Puestos en situación, todo sería una aventura contaste, no os parece? Este libro esta lleno de aventuras, desde que Omri abre el armario y posa sus ojos ante el indio de 8 centímetros que tiene delante, hasta que se ve cara a cara con un autentico vaquero!

Como curiosidad, este libro fue llevado a la gran pantalla en 1995, os dejo los primeros minutos de la película, para aquellas personas que como yo no pudieron disfrutar en su día de ella, aunque mirándola me he dado cuenta de que mis personajes en mi mente son completamente distintos, jajaja.
En definitiva es un libro que lo recomiendo a todos aquellos que aún tienen a su niño interior, ya que de verdad nunca has deseado que tus juguetes cobrasen vida??
Y ahora si me disculpáis voy a mirar si encuentro alguna llave, ya que no es por nada pero veo a Ken demasiado mustio, ya os contaré si mi llave es mágica!
Profile Image for Joel Dávila.
5 reviews1 follower
April 29, 2017
No me termino de convencer aburrido por ratos ,esperaba mas de esté libro
Profile Image for Katherine Hayward Pérez .
1,345 reviews75 followers
March 5, 2014
I loved the first of these books as a child, and first came across it when I was read it by my junior school teacher years ago. I was obsessed with this book, and bought a copy of the paperback whilst on holiday in the USA . My paperback copy is so dog-eared I just had to buy the ebooks and was waiting for them to come out. I'm glad to have the 3 books though, as I have less of a memory of having read the other two. The idea behind the books is a magical adventure involving Omri and his friend Patrick as they embark in adventures after Omri is given what seems like an ordinary cupboard for his birthday . These books will stay with people for generations to come. The books are every bit as visual as the film . Highly recommended!
621 reviews7 followers
June 13, 2013
We liked this series and moved on to book #4. The stories are quite different, although the characters are the same. That is nice. I also like the way Omri grows to understand that his actions have consequences on others, although I think the consequences in book three are quite severe for a grade school age boy. I think it creates a great discussion, though.
Profile Image for Ruth.
47 reviews4 followers
May 7, 2007
These books just get darker and darker and sometimes better, think the second one is my favourite. Not really kids books after the first one, seem to remember the later ones really freaked me out as a kid.
Profile Image for Jessica Hartzell.
102 reviews
August 2, 2008
I remember loving this as a kid and want to read the series to my kids for sure this summer. I have heard the movie is pretty cute but I'll save that tidbit of info until they've heard the whole thing. I'm so excited!
Profile Image for Val.
215 reviews13 followers
July 4, 2008
I read the Indian in the Cupboard years ago and it has long remained one of my favorite children's books. Imaginative and insightful, it provides a lesson without being preachy.

I don't remember the sequels very well but I do know I liked them.
6 reviews
February 3, 2009
I have read Indian in the Cupboard and I LOVED IT!!! It is hard to put down and a great adventure. It's about a boy named Omri and a magic cupboard that brings plastic figures to life. When he places his plastic indian inside it he embarks on a great adventure!
Profile Image for Naomi.
4,726 reviews142 followers
June 10, 2010
I read this book when I was young and remember it for its' "magicalness". It didn't really stand out even at my young age for something that was really in my reading likes and thought it was much more of a "boys" book. I guess I still feel that way.
Profile Image for Gracie.
42 reviews37 followers
September 17, 2012
I imagine this might seem quite dated now, as I seem to recall some of the terms being archaic at the time I read this. It was still wonderfully imaginative and these books were delightful to read when I was a kid. They also make excellent read-aloud books for even younger children.
289 reviews5 followers
January 23, 2013
There are apparently five books in this 'increasingly poorly named trilogy.' (Prize goes to whoever gets where that line is from). These were fun children's books. I'd be intrigued to re-read them now knowing what I do about tactics and Native American history.
Profile Image for Keeley.
193 reviews
February 20, 2008
I read these as a young girl and was completely captivated by them. I have read them several times andwould reccomend them to anyone.
Profile Image for Brianne.
10 reviews1 follower
March 21, 2008
This series came alive to me when I was a kid. I can still envision the scenes that played in my mind. I wouldn't mind reading them again.
Profile Image for Vanora.
57 reviews3 followers
October 12, 2008
I read these books to my son, it was such an enjoyable time spent with him! An incredible experience we shared :)
Profile Image for Lindsay.
1,329 reviews20 followers
July 10, 2008
A great children's book. It has a lot of depth, and unlike many recent fantasy books the main character isn't 'the chosen one' which is a refreshing change.
44 reviews
February 1, 2009
One of the first books which really got me into reading... fond memories...wish i was that lucky
Profile Image for Josh.
235 reviews2 followers
April 16, 2009
I kinda forgot about these until recently. I've lost two of them but I still have one. I need to replace the other two. Awesome.
2 reviews
September 11, 2009
The indian in the cupboard was a pretty good book. there was some parts that were pretty funny.and there some parts that were kind of cheesy. tords the end it got pretty axiting
Profile Image for Teri.
183 reviews12 followers
September 14, 2009
I read all three of these books when my kids were in school and while I worked at the school book fairs. I absolutely adored these books and wish Lynn had written more.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews

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