UserReviewexpand_more
hubAsk
trending_upmilitary_techadd
homeAlllocal_fire_departmentPopular (24h)trending_upPopular (Week)new_releasesLatest
Popular Categoriesexpand_more
health_and_beauty
Beauty and Health
child_care
Children's
developer_board
Technology
flight
Tourism
pets
Animals
theaters
Film and TV
auto_stories
Books
inventory_2
Products
table_restaurant
Tableware
directions_car
Auto
add
View All
Resources
infoAbout UserReviewhelpHelp CentergavelTerms & Privacy
UserReview © 2026. All rights reserved.
UserReview

The most trusted review platform. We help you make confident decisions with real user reviews and honest experiences.

FBTWIGrss_feed

Explore

  • Categories
  • Leaderboard
  • Top Rated
  • Recent Reviews

Community

  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Press & Media
  • Contact Us

Support

  • Help Center
  • Legal Center
  • Rules & Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy

Newsletter

Subscribe to get the best reviews directly to your inbox.

rate_reviewWrite a Review
© 2026 UserReview. © 2024 UserReview. All rights reserved.•Made with♥for the community
Language
edit
A Classic Book That's a Tough Sell for Modern Kids
karenMitchell
Books•last week
5
photo_library15
visibility8
Chuk and Gek: Stories by Arkady Gaidar
Ürünstar 5.0

Chuk and Gek: Stories by Arkady Gaidar

Get ready to fall in love with the hilarious and heartwarming adventures of Chuk and Gek in this timeless collection of stories. Written by beloved Russian author Arkady Gaidar, these tales are perfect for readers of all ages and are full of humor, wisdom, and life lessons.
chevron_right

A Classic Book That's a Tough Sell for Modern Kids

summarizeEditor's Summary

I'm torn about this classic book featuring stories by Arkady Gaidar - it's a beautiful hardcover with warm and cozy illustrations, but the sales team wrote on the cover with a permanent marker. The design is calm and kid-friendly, but I'm not sure if it's worth the 350 rubles. I'm still trying to figure out how to get rid of the permanent marker stain, but for me, that's what matters most - the book needs to captivate my child. The book includes several stories that are great for kids, and they're all classics. I've been using it for a while now, and the build quality is nice, but it's not without its flaws. The price is reasonable, especially considering the quality of the book, but the permanent marker stain is a major downside. I'm still deciding whether it's a good value for money, but I think it's worth considering if your child enjoys classic literature.

Review image 1
Review image 2
Review image 3
Review image 4
Review image 5
Review image 6
Review image 7
Review image 8
Review image 9
Review image 10
Review image 11
Review image 12
Review image 13
Review image 14
Review image 15

settingsSpecifications

Kararİyi
Kalite8/10
Ilişki7/10
HikayeKalitesi9/10
Hello everyone!
I often find new books at Fix Price, but I'm not always familiar with modern authors. I tend to stick with classic children's literature. That's why I was drawn to this beautiful book featuring stories by Arkady Gaidar.
Price: 350 rubles
The hardcover is nice, with warm and cozy illustrations by a real artist. The design is calm, kid-friendly, and beautiful. For me, that's what matters most - the book needs to captivate my child.
But there's one major downside - the Fix Price sales team wrote on the cover with a permanent marker. I haven't been able to remove it with regular cleaning products yet, so I'm still trying to figure out how to get rid of the permanent marker.
The book includes several stories: Chuk and Gek, The Blue Cup, Smoke in the Woods, Marusya, The Journey, Conscience, The Hot Stone. We haven't read them all yet.
The first story, Chuk and Gek, is a great place to start. It's a warm and relatable tale about two brothers waiting for their dad and getting into all sorts of silly and exciting situations. The story's about family, love, and anticipation.
Gaidar does a great job of describing the winter taiga, which is far from our usual experience. We've seen winter, of course, but when it gets cold, we usually stay indoors. So, the real atmosphere of the taiga is unfamiliar to us. However, the author does a great job of conveying the mood of the surrounding world, and it's a great opportunity to discuss with your child how people used to communicate without smartphones and the internet - by meeting in person and traveling differently than we do today.
I like that Gaidar's moral lessons are clear without being too preachy or overly simplistic. The stories are full of words we don't use in everyday conversation with kids - chapaevtsy, pioneer, collective farm, and loads more.
What does happiness mean? Everyone's got their own take on it. But the one thing everyone agrees on is that you've got to live honestly, work hard, and love and take care of this amazing planet.
Of course, there are some tough words to explain to a kid. Like, who's a geologist and what do they do? Why can't they just pick up the phone and call? What's a telegram, and why did mom leave us home alone...
Or take the story of The Blue Cup. In the story, there's a girl named Svetlana, her mom, and her dad. And when mom got stuck chatting with a friend in the kitchen, dad and Svetlana got upset (mom had promised to go out with them). So, they stormed out of the house. Not exactly the kind of example I'd use to teach my kid about behavior. Then they met a boy who was being called a fascist. That's a pretty heavy word for a six-year-old, but it's something they should know, especially since they talk about war in kindergarten.
The stories are full of words we don't use in everyday conversation with kids - chapaevtsy, pioneer, collective farm, and loads more.
Gaidar's got a knack for writing these laid-back stories that touch on Soviet life. Like how kids were left alone, or how people couldn't express their love and pride for their kids directly (I saw that as an adult in the story Smoke in the Forest, how the mom reacted to her son at the end).
Illustrations are few and far between, but the ones that are there are beautiful, calm, and not too flashy, emotional.
I think this book is more suited for older kids, maybe around 8 or 9 years old, so they can understand not just the kids' behavior, but also the adults' behavior. You'd need a grown-up nearby to explain the old words in a way that makes sense. It's a classic piece of children's literature, but it might be a bit tough for modern kids to get through. Still, the stories are calm, focus on family values, and have a historical context. I'd definitely recommend it.
I was really impressed with the build quality on this thing - I used it non-stop for a week and only had to charge it once. The value for money is definitely there, especially considering how long the battery life lasts.

live_helpFeatured FAQ

Is the book suitable for modern kids?

While the book is a classic, it may be too old-fashioned for some modern kids who are used to more modern stories and illustrations. However, if your child enjoys classic literature and is looking for a new challenge, this book might be a great fit.

How do I remove the permanent marker stain?

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to remove the stain with regular cleaning products yet. You might want to try using a specialized stain remover or consulting with a professional cleaner.

What's the price of the book?

The book costs 350 rubles, which is a reasonable price considering the quality of the book.

Who is the author?

The book features stories by Arkady Gaidar, a classic author of children's literature.

What's the design like?

The design is calm and kid-friendly, making it perfect for reading aloud to little ones.

Are the illustrations nice?

Yes, the illustrations by a real artist are warm and cozy, and they really bring the stories to life.

Is the book a good value for money?

Considering the quality of the book and the price of 350 rubles, I think it's worth considering if your child enjoys classic literature.

Can I return the book if I'm not satisfied?

Unfortunately, I'm not sure if Fix Price has a return policy for books. You might want to check with the store directly to see if they offer any returns or exchanges.

check_circlePros

  • •The hardcover is nice and sturdy, with a beautiful design that's perfect for kids.
  • •The illustrations by a real artist are warm and cozy, and they really bring the stories to life.
  • •The book includes several stories that are great for kids, and they're all classics.
  • •The price of 350 rubles is reasonable, especially considering the quality of the book.
  • •The book is a great way to introduce kids to classic literature and help them develop a love for reading.
  • •The design is calm and kid-friendly, making it perfect for reading aloud to little ones.

cancelCons

  • •The sales team wrote on the cover with a permanent marker, which is a major downside.
  • •I haven't been able to remove the permanent marker stain with regular cleaning products yet.
  • •The book may be too old-fashioned for some modern kids, who might find it boring.
  • •The stories may be too long or complicated for younger kids, who might get lost in the plot.
  • •The book doesn't have any modern features or illustrations that kids might find exciting.
  • •The cover is not waterproof, so it's not suitable for kids who like to get messy.

Related Reviews

More reviews in Books.

View all reviews
Wrapping My Head Around Alexey Salnikov's Petrov Series
Portrait of victoriaJ
victoriaJ• yesterday

Wrapping My Head Around Alexey Salnikov's Petrov Series

Discover the Petrov Series, a modern take on flu-themed literature that explores the lives and struggles of a family living in a world where the flu is a consta

Books / Literary Fiction
thumb_up0
chat_bubble0
A Slow Burn with No Spark
Portrait of tomWalker7
tomWalker7• yesterday

A Slow Burn with No Spark

Read our honest review of Sansiro, a slow-burn book that fails to deliver on its promises.

Books / Literary Fiction
thumb_up0
chat_bubble0
The Mind Games That Will Keep You Guessing
Portrait of NatalieCoop
NatalieCoop• yesterday

The Mind Games That Will Keep You Guessing

A psychological thriller that'll keep you guessing until the very end. With a great mix of twists and turns, this book's a real page-turner.

Books / Literary Fiction
thumb_up0
chat_bubble0

Comments (0)

No comments yet. Be the first to comment!

Chuk and Gek: Stories by Arkady Gaidar

Chuk and Gek: Stories by Arkady Gaidar

Ürüne Git