Reviews (4)

"One is good for a quiet talk...."
Unsurprisingly with a name like One, Two, Three!, this is a counting book, but it isn't the average counting book. This is a Boynton book we are talking about after all. In this book we are counting critters. "One is good for a quiet walk. Two is right for a quiet talk." Just like in Hippos Go Berserk, (another book by Sandra Boynton), we count up to ten, but this time we don't count down again and we aren't only counting hippos, although hippos appear many times in the book. (A plus in my mind.) Just like all those other Boynton books, this one rhymes and flows wonderfully. The pictures are excellent too: cute, bright, bold, and colorful. This book rates high on my list of favorite Boynton books.

Loggie-log-log-log

Good reading selection
I've had this book for my daughter since she was a newborn. She's now 15 months and loves it. The cutout on the front cover intrigues her endlessly. The rhymes are short and cute. She loves to turn the pages herself. This is a book she grabs over and over again to be read.

Wonderful
This is a wonderful book.

I love books for children that have simple pictures that aren't too distracting. When the pictures have too much going on in them, it's hard to get the story. This book has simple pictures.

I love books that lead to other activities using the book- for example, in this book we can count the animals, make the sounds of the animals, act like the animals are acting, etc. Wonderful.

My son LOVES the last bit- Loud Loud Loud! He gets very excited reading that part. I would say that this doesn't work as a night time book for us.

However, this is a wonderful book.

A Boynton classic that should be in your collection!
This book often sits next to "Goodnight Moon" and "Where the Wild Things Are" on our 18 month old's bookshelf, but according to him it's better than those classics. He loves identifying the characters, their actions, and their expressions. We have lots of fun reading this whimsical book over and over...especially the part about "ten makes a celebration LOUD, LOUD, LOUD...and one is wonderful after a crowd" because of the voice range you can use. A definite to have with or without a Boynton collection! ... Read more

Book Description

The tow trucks, cement trucks, and newspaper delivery trucks pictured here all help people and will fascinate small children. This very simple picture book about transportation ‘will delight the youngest, and have enough meat for older preschoolers and beginning readers.’ —K.

... Read more

Reviews (5)

The best book ever! (in my 16-month-old's opinion)
My son has recently started saying "truck," and he says it every time he sees or hears a truck (or any other vehicle, for that matter). So I got this book yesterday, and he's already developed a near-obsession with it. We spent 25 minutes (a long time for a toddler) just turning the pages and looking at it this morning, sometimes with me reading, and sometimes with him just exclaiming "truck!" and pointing to every truck on every page. And then this afternoon we read it, oh, 25 times conservatively speaking. My son really wasn't that interested in books at all before a couple of weeks ago, so his fixation on this book is kind of funny. I think we'll get the Machines at Work book next.

A great beginning book
There really isn't much to this simple board book (other editions are currently out of print)--just some simple, geometric drawings in primary colors with a text consisting of basic words in short sentences. But what a great jump into books!

My two-year-old son loves to read this book over and over. We start with the text and then "read" the pictures. ("Where's the purple one going? In the tunnel? That's right!") My son knows all the words and "helps" me read it, which makes him quite proud of himself--and me of him.

A treasury of trucks for the beginning reader
"Trucks," by Byron Barton, is an educational treat for the youngest readers. A very simple text accompanies colorful illustrations of many kinds of trucks. We see a garbage truck, delivery truck, tow truck, dump truck, cement mixer, and more. The artwork of this book is distinctive: the crisp illustrations have an almost mathematical precision to them, and are rich in contrasting colors. I give the book an enthusiastic recommendation.

Excellent!
My two-year old son loves this book. He knows all of the trucks and can 'read' most of the book. When we are driving, he'll occasionally recite a line from the book when he sees a truck. He also loves Barton's 'Planes,' 'Trains,' and 'Boats.'

My son loves all the different types of trucks in the book.
How wonderful it is to have a book that your child wants to read several times a day! My son loves all the different types of trucks and what it is they are doing. I love that it is starting to teach him things like "over" and "through". Please also try "Trains" and "Boats" by the same author, you will enjoy! ... Read more

Amazon.com

A Ukrainian boy named Nicki wants his grandmother Baba to knit snow-white mittens for him. She warns her grandson that a white mitten will be hard to find if he loses it in the snow, but of course he promptly does just that!What happens next is the surprising part, as a mole takes refuge in the lost mitten, then a rabbit, then a hedgehog, an owl, a badger, and a fox.If you think the mitten might be a wee bit stretched out at this point, just wait: "Then a big bear sniffed at the mitten. The animals were packed in tight, but the bear didn't care. He crawled in anyway." When a tiny mouse squeezes in, her whiskers tickle the bear's nose. He sneezes, and "Aaaaa-aaaaa-ca-chew!" all the animals fly out of their crocheted cave. As the mitten sails through the air, Nicki spots it, reclaims it, and takes it home to show his smiling Baba.

Jan Brett is the illustrator of many well-known folktales, fairy tales, and poems, such as Goldilocks and the Three Bears and The Owl and the Pussycat, by Edward Lear. Her special signature in her detailed artwork is the intricate borders, seen in this book as birch-bark panels with embroidered details and mitten-shaped vignettes offering additional insights into the story line. Brett is at her best when she illustrates animals, and the expressions on the faces of her creatures are a delight. She carefully researched the costumes, furniture, and house in this traditional Ukrainian tale--all are authentic. A fine story to read on a frosty night with a cup of hot chocolate, and if you ever get your fill of The Mitten, you can always try its delightfully original companion book, The Hat, winner of the 1998 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award. (Ages 4 to 8) ... Read more

Reviews (31)

The Mitten
The story of the Mitten begins when a boy named Nicki begs Baba to sew him white, wool mittens. After she finished, the boy went to play with them. Baba said that when he got home, she would check to see if he was alright, then see if he still had the new mittens. Soon, Nicki dropped one of his mittens and lost it. Many different animals found the mitten to be a good place to rest. At the end, Nicki finds his mitten and returns home. The only thing, is that one mitten is four times bigger then the other.
I really enjoyed the book, The Mitten. It was always may favorite when I was a young child. The story really kept my attention, and I could follow it very easily. I liked all the different types of animals. I though the story was very good, and I'm sure you would too.

A real gem!
I was looking for ways to introduce our family's Ukrainian heritage to my son (now 18 months). I was very pleasantly surprised to come across this book. It shows both the young boy and his grandmother in traditional Ukrainian dress. They even call the grandmother Baba (the Ukrainian word for grandmother). But even beyond the Ukrainian stuff, this book is excellent. The illustrations are beautiful. There are small inset illustrations that tell more background of the story along with the larger, main pictures. So this book is both a picture book and a story book in one. My son loves to look at the animals and all but shrieks with laughter whenever we act out the big sneeze that shoots them all out of the mitten. I'm sure this book will be a treasure in our home for years to come!

Small, short and sweet
This is a small handy for the car sort of book. The story is short and a pleasure to read as it reviews the names of different animals found in the forest. This was given to my little one as present from my Ukrainian grandmother whom we call "Baba", I like that we can relate to a few of the books details, like the gramdmother shown an ethnic blouse like the ones worn in the old country, and the boy is called Nick like many Ukrainian boys making the book even more authentic.

A Great Book
This is another great retelling by Jan Brett. I read this book to my second grade class every year. You can download a mitten and the animals from the story at Jan Brett's web site. After I read this delightful story to my class, the children color the animals and cut them out along with the mitten. I read the story again and they act it out with their animals. They take the mitten and animals home to do a retelling with their families. The children absolutely love this story and the activities.

Beautifully illustrated book!
My 18-month-old sons love this book. I have to read this one to them over and over ~~ they love the bright colorful pictures. They love hearing about the animals. And I love reading it to them. It's fun and pleasurable on the eyes as well.

Nicki wants a pair of white mittens and his Baba agrees to make it for him. However, he loses one and a mole decided to rest in the white mitten lying on the snow. He soon is joined by a rabbit, a fox, hedgehog, badger, owl, a bear and a tiny mouse. It's hilarious to imagine all of them in one tiny little mitten ~~ and so fun to read too!

I recommend Brett's books for everyone. She's a wonderful story-teller and her art is beautifully-illustrated. She is an example of how children's books should be!

2-4-04 ... Read more

Book Description

A walk through the Costa Rican cloud forest provides a wonderfully lush setting for Jan Brett's beloved animal illustrations. When Carlos drops his umbrella to climb a tree for a better view of the animals, they all cram into the banana-leaf umbrella as it floats by--from the little tree frog to the baby tapir to the big jaguar and more. It gets so crowded in the umbrella that there isn't even enough room for a little hummingbird! So over the umbrella tumbles, everyone falls out, and poor Carlos comes back wondering why he didn't see any animals all day.

In the spirit of Jan Brett's The Mitten and The Hat, this cheerful tale of escalation will have readers poring over every illustration for the world of details Jan packs in. With its classic story, exotic jungle setting, and brilliantly colorful menagerie, The Umbrella is sure to take its place among Jan's many family favorites. ... Read more

Book Description

This resource is directly related to its literature equivalent and filled with a variety of cross-curricular lessons to do before, during, and after reading the book. This reproducible book presents an exciting approach to teaching well-known literature! It includes sample plans, author information, vocabulary building ideas, cross-curriculum activities, sectional activities and quizzes, unit tests, and many ideas for culminating and extending the novel. ... Read more

Reviews (60)

The Sibling Bond
The Summer of the Swans by Betsy Byars is an emotion-grabbing tale of a fourteen-year-old girl named Sarah who was the only one who really understood her little brother Charlie. Charlie, who was mentally handicapped, developed a very special bond with Sarah throughout the book. Even so, Sarah feels alone and that she has no one to talk to. Sarah's relationships with her siblings and friends play a very significant role in the plot of the book. She thinks of her older sister Wanda as bossy, sassy and rude, as any fourteen year old does to an older sibling. When Charlie gets lost in the middle of the night and cannot be found, it is then she realizes just how much she needs him and depends on him needing her and decides to go look for him on her own. It is then she realizes she is not alone. She finds Joe, a neighbor boy who she thinks is up to no good but was actually her friend she had along; she just wasn't looking for him. Throughout this brave adventure, Sarah realizes how she much she cares for him and she also learns a few things about herself. This emotional roller coaster takes the reader on a ride that has a happy ending.
Sarah's personality is very realistic for that of a fourteen-year-old girl. She wants loved, but wants independence. Wants needed, but doesn't want to be bothered. The story is set in many views to attract the reader. The third-person point of view helps to visualize everything that happened, but there are also views from Sarah and Charlie to help better understand where they are coming from and their thoughts. The stories themes ring over and over throughout the book. The reader is shown that he/she must give everyone a chance like Sarah gave Joe or they will not know what they may be missing out on. They are shown to love and appreciate the things that they have because one never knows when they might be gone.
The plot really brings several ideas together. Byars did a great job at formatting words together that weren't too challenging to make it impossible, but throwing in a few tougher vocabulary words to keep readers on their feet. Her main focus was her themes. In teaching lower elementary, a teacher knows that core subjects are important, but that is also a critical time for establishing values. Byars took this opportunity to work on both.
This book was definitely worthy of the Newbery Medal. It really concentrated on the things a young pre-teen goes through during such hard times as these. The book ends with a happy ending and a burst of confidence so that they are eager to go home and try to help someone also.

Ideas for Activities to use with this book: I would use this opportunity to incorporate family involvement into the picture. Ask the kids to think of a time that something good came out of a bad thing that happened in their life. Have them write a short "book" on it and illustrate it. These would be great for assessments or as a bulletin board demonstration also! Student might also enjoy looking up books to read on topics (difficulties in their lives) they have overcome. Grade-3rd-6th

Summer of the Swans
The Summer of the Swans, by Betsy Byars, is a heartwarming story about the longest day in the life of a fourteen year old . A wonderfull theme emerges from the story that every child should hear.
The story is about a day in Sara's fourteenth summer. She had spend the whole summer feeling sorry for herself. She only saw that she had enormous feet, and impulsive body, and ridiculous hair. She had deep envy for her older sister and really had very low self esteem. She spent her time crying and feeling sorry for herself. Children will likely relate to the exact thing Sara is going through, especially those who are coming of age.
Everything changes for Sara when her mentally handicapped brother, Charlie, comes up missing. During her frantic search for her brother, she forgets her own problems and focuses her energy on something else.
The theme emerges from her discovery. During the worst day of her life, she learns what it means to care more about someone else then yourself. This theme could really change readers way of thinking. It is something that she didn't understand completely until that day. Maybe children will learn the lesson without having to go through such a trauma as Sara's.
Summer of the Swans is a wonderful, heartwarming story that is well deserving of the Newbery award. The characters are identifiable and there is a theme that every child needs to hear and take practice in.

The summerr of the swans
Summer of the Swans
By: Betsy Byars
Reviewed by: Cody Faas

How would you like to stay with your Aunt instead of being with your mom and dad until you forget who they were?
The Summer of the Swans is a realistic fiction story about Sara. She is discontented with herself because she thinks looks are important. One-minute she thinks she has big feet the next minute she doesn't think her feet are big. Sara also thinks Charlie is retarded. Charlie is mentally retarded. Charlie has troubles with suckers because the top of the sucker always falls off. Charlie left in the middle of the night and nobody knew where he was until they saw his bed was empty. Sara, Joe, and Aunt Willie went looking for him. The searched the trees. If you want to find out the ending you have to read the book.
I think this book is good. If you like realistic fiction I think you should read this book. I think you should read this book because you will like the ending. I think this book is good for all ages. I think all ages should read this book because it tells a little bit about patens, age and a kid's life. The author helps us to know the characters by telling us a little bit about each character. Betsy Byars helps us know how much we love our families.

The Summer of the Swans
Betsy Byars gives readers insight on living and coping with a mentally handicapped person in this fiction book. Sara Godfrey is a young girl who lives in a town in West Virginia. Her mother is deceased and her father is almost nonexistent in her life. She lives with her aunt, an older sister, and a mentally handicapped brother, Charlie. Sara is having the worst summer of her life. Her lack of self-esteem and her frustration with Charlie provide the dark clouds shadowing over her life.

Sara awakes one morning and discovers that Charlie is missing. Through her search for Charlie, she learns valuable lessons that enable her to love herself and be more patient with Charlie's disorientation.

Betsy Byars' characterization of Sara as a stubborn, vengeful, insecure, young girl allows readers to empathize with her problems. Young readers can relate to the life dilemmas of Sara and learn to appreciate the small things that make life enjoyable. This is an excellent book that displays life with a handicapped person as challenging, but yet rewarding. Aunt Willie's humorous actions allow readers to laugh and appreciate the silliness of fussing over simple things.

This Newbery Medal book contains humor, suspense, sorrow, and joy making it delightful reading for young and adult readers.

Gold Medal Material!!
Sara Godfrey is a fourteen year-old girl whose mother is dead; she also has an absentee father and a mentally slow little brother. She thinks she has big feet and that she is unattractive. In a nutshell, her life is unlivable. Sara, her brother Charlie and her sister Wanda live with their Aunt Willie who worries incessantly about everything and drives Sara crazy and she is slightly jealous of her sister, even though she would never admit it. However, she is sweet on her little brother. Even though Charlie never talks to Sara, she knows without a doubt that he always listens to her. He is the only one who ever does. Anyone who gives him a hard time has to answer to her.
One afternoon Sara takes Charlie to see the swans that have flown in and settled on the pond out side of their neighborhood. He is so enamored with them that he does not want to leave when it starts to get dark. Sara drags him, kicking the entire way home. The next morning everyone in the house wakes to a missing Charlie. Sara's world comes crashing down around her.
During her crusade to find her brother, Sara grows up. She learns to take life around her more seriously and to stop wallowing in self-pity. She realizes that life is not always easy to figure out and that we are all along on a different ride to the same destination. She even makes an unlikely friend along the way.
This book is a good one to give to any teenager going through the "oh, whoa is me" phase. It teaches us to open our eyes to the lives of others and realize that everyone has problems, some of which are worse than others, and that things usually work out. Nevertheless, even when they do not work out, we have to pick ourselves up and move on because we only get one go around in this ride we call life. ... Read more

Book Description

First published in 1947, this picture book classic has remained one of Marcia Brown's most popular and enduring books. This story, about three hungry soldiers who outwit the greedy inhabitants of a village into providing them with a feast, is based on an old French tale. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

The kindest con
It's funny how a single story changes with the telling. These days the classic tale of how to make stone soup has been told in a myriad of different tellings and versions. But if you harken back a little to Marci Brown's 1947 concoction, you see clearly that the story can be a little more sardonic than its alternate versions. In this tale, villagers are tricked out of their greed and fear into sharing and enjoying life with their neighbors. And it's all thanks to a soup that doesn't even exist.

Three soldiers make their way home from an unnamed war in an unnamed country. Passing a village, the men ask the townspeople for some food and warm beds. Unsurprisingly, the peasants (who, one presumes, have been violently scared into this state of distrust through years of misuse at the hands of soldiers such as these) feign a lack of food or room for the men. Thinking on their feet, the soldiers proclaim that there is nothing for it then but to make stone soup. The astonished town watches and aids the men in their task, providing them with a huge soup cauldron, water, and whatever ingredients the soldiers casually mention. By the end of the evening everyone sits down to a hearty meal and after a good night of carousing the men are given the best beds in town. "And fancy, made from stones!"

The soldiers in this tale are jovial fellows, just as comfortable fooling foolish peasants into acts of selflessness as they are dancing with pretty maids and drinking. That so much joy can come simply from sharing with your fellow man is a moral insinuated from the tale, rather than explicitly spelled out to the reader. Brown's accompanying illustrations encompass roughly four colors; red, black, white, and grey. Though a subtle palette, the figures readily express all the emotions, fears, and energy of the people and their soldier guests. I was charmed by the final throwaway line in the book, written below the peasants as they wave goodbye to the three men. "Such men don't grow on every bush". You could say the same for this book.

Stone Soup
The story is about three soldiers who are hungry and very tired and are looking for a place to stay.
Then, they come across a village one day. The people of the village have plenty of food and places to say, but they don't want the soldiers staying there so the people of the village hide there food and say their beds are all full. Well, that same day, the soldiers get an idea. Why! stone soup of course!

The message that this book sends is that even though you think that some people are bad, you should always try to see whats on the inside of them, not the outside. I think this book is fit for five to eight years of age.

I recomend this book to any child who has a judjment problem, and even to adults who want to show their children a lesson.

The captain and ten eels make soup
I just loved this book when I was a hooligan, I can remember Captain Kangaroo reading this one to the camera back in the day. There's many a valuable lesson lurking in here, and tricksterism galore. Coyote would be proud (as was Mr. Moose). Plus, you'll find a generic but decent recipe for vintage village stew...er, stone soup.

A Perpetual Favorite with a Good Message!
"Stone Soup" is a favorite folktale in our elementary school library. I just had a class of second graders beg me to read this Caldecott Honor book to them, and--of course--all our copies were immediately checked out.

I'm continually surprised--but pleased--that modern kids still enjoy these older illustrations by Marcia Brown, with their limited colors (see cover). This tale is a true classic, and this version has been around for many generations. It's part of the folk tradition in more ways than one. Let's hope we keep "sharing" this tale about sharing for generations to come!

A Timeless Classic That Children Will Always Enjoy
If this book has one downfall, it's that the story is a little long. But that is overshadowed by the fact that the story is so interesting for children and parents, and the illustrations are first-rate.

Watch the hungry soldiers use their cunning and imagination to make a meal out of nothing. They entice the local towns people to share their food in the making of stone soup.

Concepts include: sharing, imagination, the will to make things happen, etc. ... Read more

Amazon.com

What could be better than a magic cupboard that turns small toys into living creatures? Omri's big brother has no birthday present for him, so he gives Omri an old medicine cabinet he's found. Although their mother supplies a key, the cabinet still doesn't seem like much of a present. But when an exhausted Omri dumps a plastic toy Indian into the cabinet just before falling asleep, the magic begins. Turn the key once and the toy comes alive; turn it a second time and it's an action figure again.

The Indian in the Cupboard is one of those rare books that is equally appealing to children and adults. The story of Omri and the Indian, Little Bear, is replete with subtle reminders of the responsibilities that accompany friendship and love. For kids, it'sa great yarn; for most parents, it's also a reminder that Omri's wrenching decision to send his toy back to its own world is not so different from the recognition of their children's emerging independence.

The Indian in the Cupboard is also available in Spanish (La Llave Magica.) (The publisher recommends this book for children ages 9-12, although younger kids will enjoy hearing it read aloud.) ... Read more

Reviews (73)

This book is a magical return to childhood fantasies
One of the best read aloud books ever, Indian in the Cupboard takes us on a magical journey to childhood where fantasies seem real. A young boy is in charge of a tiny, feisty indian whom he keeps in a special cupboard with a key that only he holds. He learns the excitement, value and caretaking responsibility of another human being. The imagination and detail draw the reader right into the story. As a school teacher and mother, I have experienced an emotional bonding with my students and son through this book. My son, 9 at the time, put his hands over his face and said, "Mom, this is my favorite book in the whole world." I felt a surge of joy as I watched my son become hooked on reading. One student unknowingly gave Lynne Reid Banks a wonderful compliment when I attempted to show the class a sketch of a picture in the book..."No! Don't show us the pictures!", and quickly covered his face. The descriptions and story-line of this book make it a DON'T MISS for your child's growing up years! RaNae Palme

probably my favorite kid's book ever
Mrs. Bedwell read this book out loud to my third grade class, and years later as I finish up grad school it still holds a special place in my heart.
The adventure begins when Omri discovers that a magical cupboard given to him on his birthday brings to life plastic toys. When he animates Little Bear, a plastic indian that lived about the time of the French Indian War, Omri's perspective on life changes.
What's special about this book is the how resectfully and seriously it takes the it's young characters and their conflicts. Omri and his friend Patrick discover that Little Bear is no toy, he is a real human being with actual life experiences. He has killed people, eats and sleeps, and remembers his own life and culture. As the two boys deal with the reality of keeping a real person concealed from others, they realize that they can't trifle with others' lives. It is this realization, and Omri's ultimate decision regarding Little Bear that make this a lovely coming of age story. Omri and Patrick learn to repect others and their beliefs.
Although Little Bear, the Native American toy brought to life is called an Indian, this book, I feel, is not chracterized by racism or stereotypes. Little Bear is not a western move redman, he's a real human being with a real human personality, and portrayed respectfully and realistically (as much as he can be, considering the plot).
This book is a definite must read for any kid, or kid at heart, who wonders what would happen if toys came to life.
"The Indian in the Cupboard" is one of four books, thought this one is the best. The final book, in which readers learn what makes the cuboard magical in the first place, detracts from the magic amd mystery of the first three books.

Review of the Audiobook - Educators Beware
I recently purchased the audiobook of The Indian in the Cupboard for use in my classroom. I work with students who struggle with their reading and reading along with an audiobook increases student comprehension of the material. I was disappointed to discover that the author (Lynne Reid Banks) changed parts of the audio version. At first, I only noticed a few changes, such as trousers for leggings. Then I discovered that she completely changed parts of the text by doing adding descriptions and by changing Little Bear's name to Little Bull. I'm not sure why the author felt it necessary to make these changes, but it makes it difficult for students to follow along in the book when the audiobook does not follow the text word for word. If you plan to use the audiobook in an educational setting, be aware of these changes.

On the plus side, Lynne Reid Banks has a very pleasant reading voice. It is enjoyable to listen to her.

The Indian In the Cupboard a review by Curtiss
Have you ever wished your toys would come to life? In the novel Indian

In The Cupboard the author Lynne Reid Banks tells us about a little boy

named Omri and his mysterious cupboard he got for his birthday. Omri then

places an Indian doll into the cupboard.

It is Omri's birthday and he gets an antique cupboard that can bring toys

to life. One of my favorite parts of the story is when Boone gets shot by one

of Little Bear's arrows when Omri, Little Bear, and Boone are watching a

movie about the old western times. In the movie the cowboys and Indians

are shooting back and forth until Little Bear gets frustrated and shoots an

arrow and it hits Boone.

Another one of my favorite parts in the book is when Omri and Little

bear and Boone are in the school . Little Bear and Boone are in a pouch

and Omri's friend has the pouch. Then Omri's friend is getting ready to

show a student Little bear and Boone. Omri and his friend then get into a fight.

If you want to see what happens to Little Bear and Omri, I would invite and encourage you to read Indian In The Cupboard.

The indian in the cupboard
My book I reviewed was the Indian in the cupboard. I liked this book a lot. Its about a young boy named Omri who has a poor family. For his birthday he gets a wooden cupboard for his birthday and finds a magical key to lock it. Omri finds out that the little key and the cupboard turn plastic to life. He puts a little indian in and over night it turns real. The little indian and Omri become friends, but Omri has trouble hiding him from his family and from friends. The setting takes place mostly at Omris house and school. The theme is friendship. I liked the story and i incourage others to read it. ... Read more

Book Description

Byron Barton's best-selling series of transportation books are now available as classic board books.Boats, Planes, Trucks, and Trains feature simple text and vibrant illustrations that are sure to spark the interest of even the youngest of readers.". . . will delight the youngest, and have enough meat for older preschoolers and beginning readers." Kirkus Reviews

... Read more

Reviews (7)

Great introduction for little travelers
When we took our 1-year-old across the country via air, we wanted to prepare him for the experience of riding in an airplane. I sought out a book to show him pictures and came across this simple yet substantial book.

Before we took our trip, I was able to show him the pictures of planes similar to what we'd be flying in. When we were waiting on the plane, he was able to "read" his Plane book and see pictures of all the activity that was happening just outside his window. As we flew, the book entertained him with its colorful illustrations and many details.

This is definitely a favorite to my toddler, who now at almost two adores planes and has flown 6 times in the last 3 months. It has been taken across the country and back and has stood up well, with only a few indications that it is a well-loved book.

I've seen no other book like this, and highly recommend it to anyone preparing their child for travel.

Barton's simple approach is superb
My son is an airplane and boat fanatic(as is his Father). Solution? Byron Barton books! These little gems offer a few pages of pictures (very simple illustrations using primary colors)describing the different tasks an airplane, boat, train, etc. do everyday. I prefer the chunky board book format, which is virtually impossible for toddlers to completely destroy. Check out Barton's books today.

Soaring through the skies with Byron Barton
Byron Barton's "Planes" is a fun and educational book for beginning readers. In it the author/illustrator depicts a jet plane, seaplane, crop duster, helicopter, and other aviation phenomena. A sample of the easy-to-read text: "This is a jet plane with people inside."

The illustrations are basically simplified line drawings enhanced with bright, solid colors. Barton brings a distinctive stylistic flair to this approach. A nice touch is that Barton depicts people of various colors and ethnic appearances. Overall, a good choice for small children.

Couldn't be better
My baby loves this - he's 21 months - be brings it to me all the time to read. Nice illustrations.

simplicy is wonderful
We have the board book version and thank goodness! This book is read many times and is holding up well. Any baby or younger child who likes airplanes will love this book. It would also be helpful to read to children who are getting ready to take an airplane flight.

Cartoonish and simple drawings with thick black outlines and pretty bold colors. Text is very simple "this is a jet plane with people inside". Very simple wording yet NOT annoying. Quick to read through and then my son asks for it over and over and honestly, I don't mind the repetition for this book (unlike some other books we own....) At 3 years old he now has it memorized and sits and "reads" it to himself over and over. My baby also likes this book and carries it all over the house and "reads" it to himself with babbling baby talk.

I can't wait to buy more of this author's books and wish they were all available in board book format as this one gets a lot of use in our home.

I have not seen other books about planes in board book format that are appropriate for baby through the preschool ages, making this is a unique book. ... Read more

Reviews (30)

Double Fudge
You're in for a treat when you read this book, Fudge has a passion for money
not candy. In New York a boy named Peter, his brother Fudge, sister Tootsie and their
Mom and Dad live in a peaceful small apt. Fudge loves money and so his Mom & Dad
Think he should go to Washington D.C to see how money is made. But a coincidence
Happened: Peter's Dad Warren met up with his long lost cousin Howie, (who always
Calls Warren Tubby) his wife Eudora and their kids Funna, Flora and their Brother

Mini. The Howies stay with the Hatchers for what seems like weeks, and the days pass
By.
This book is fiction with a sense of humor. It made me laugh at this part. Fudge's
Bird Uncle Feather gets out of his cage by Mini and he poops everywhere even on Howie's head then he crashes into a window and when he gets to the vet he says...
" bonjour stupid ,bonjour stupid , stupid ,stupid" I think that's funny 'cause who
would ever want to teach their bird that?
I recommend this book to kids 8 and who like to read with their mom or dad.
Never talk about MONEY around Fudge trust me!

Fudge Is a Miser -- ...
Peter and his brother Fudge live in New York with their mom, dad, and sister Tootsie. Peter has a friend named Jimmy and an enemy named Sheila. Jimmy's parents are divorced. Fudge is obsessed with money and he is a miser - he even dresses as a miser for Halloween. Since Fudge is obsessed with money, Grandma decides to take Fudge to the mint in Washington D.C. At the mint Peter and his family meet some relatives, "the lost cousins." The relatives have twin girls and one boy. The girls are close to Peter's age and the boy is 2 years younger than Fudge. The lost relatives stay at Peter's family's apartment and have a lot of adventures.

I like Judy Blume because in her Fudge series she puts in a lot of humor. She knows what kids think is funny (" I'm low on cash" whispered mom. "I have some fudge bucks," said Fudge). I like this book because it is funny and it is different from the other books in the series; a lot of things happen out of the blue, such as the lost relatives appearing at the mint, and it has a lot more characters. Having more characters is good because it gives you more to think about. Judy Blume is my favorite author. Double Fudge is my favorite book.

boy gone crazy
If you wont to read a book with humor and exciting parts then you should read Double Fudge. The author, Judy Blume, really lets you get to know the characters. You can relate in so many different ways to the people in the book. It is a great story to have fun with while reading.
Double Fudge is about a normal family. The family has a mom, dad and three kids. They also have a dog and a bird. Except one of the kids, Fudge, is crazy! He is five years old and loves money. All the boy talks about is money. To try to break his obsession with money his parents bring him to D.C. Instead, he gets even more obsessed with money. When they were in a gift shop, they found their long lost family -the Hatchers from Howie. They had two daughters, twins, Flora and Fauna or the Natural Beauties. Fudge found out they have a four year old boy and his name is Fudge also. When he finds this out, he was furious. Fudge didn't want to share his name with anyone. So Pete his older brother tells Fudge they will call their cousin Mini instead. Fudge has tantrums about almost everything. The family goes and lives with Peter's family for a week. They want to travel all over, New York was their next stop. Right in Peters living room. While there, the twins get to go to Peters school. He hates having family at his school. Also on Halloween the two Fudges are trapped in the knew elevator. Read the book to see if they ever get out.
I would rate this book a four because it has good strong details and is funny. Also after you read the book you are not left confused on what happened. In addition, most people can really relate in good ways and in bad to this book.

"Double Fudge"
"Double Fudge" is a great book. This book is about two boys name Fudge and Peter. Fudge always thinks about money. He even made his own money and called them "Fudge Bucks." He wants to buy the whole world. Peter is Fudge's older brother. Peter doesn't really like Fudge. Peter thinks Fudge is really disturbing. Then one day Peter's grandma have an idea. She told his family to go on a trip to Washington D.C. to see how money is made. So, they go on the trip while they ar eon the trip they meet their cousins from Hawaii. Their cousin names were Howie, Eudora, Flora,Fauna, and Mini Fudge. Fudge has the same name as his cousin, so Fudge gets mad. Peter get mad to because now he has two Fudges that are the same. Read the book and find out what trouble they get into this time. What will Peter do? What will Fudge do to his little cousin? I liked this book because it was really funny. Fudge always gets into trouble. I recommend this book to anyone who likes to laugh.

two Fudges in one apartment
The Hatcher family goes to Washington for a familly vacation, and they meet up with their cousins from Honolulu Hawaii, Howie, Eudora, Flora, Fauna, and Mini Fudge. Fudge and his cousin have the same name. Peter's cousins stay in their little apartment for about 3 weeks. Peter has to put up with Fudge, Mini Fudge, the twins, for 3 weeks. I liked this book because it was very funny and it had a lot of action. It was funny because there was always trouble and it was always wild in their apartment. The house is always a mess. The kids play kickball inside. Mini Fudge even let the birds out of their cages. I have never heard anything like it.

Iwould recommend this book to kids who like funny books, or -- kids who don't like to read for a real long time for something good to happen. It will always make you laugh. ... Read more

Amazon.com

According to one little boy, his dad is just about the coolest thingsince sliced bread. Equally at ease jumping over the moon and banishing the BigBad Wolf, this fearless father, in his hideous brown plaid bathrobe andblue-striped pajamas, seems capable of anything. The awe and admiration in hisson's tone are gratifying; his hyperboles are droll. "He's as strong as agorilla, and as happy as a hippopotamus. He's all right, my dad." Dad appears(always in a robe and PJs) as a weightlifting, goofy gorilla and a frolickinghippo. At other times he's a brown plaid fish ("He can swim like afish"), a placid-faced wrestler ("He can wrestle with giants"), and a tightropewalker (the tightrope looks remarkably like a clothesline, with Dadcircumnavigating rainbow-colored socks).

Anthony Browne, award-winning author and illustrator of Willy's Pictures and many otherwitty picture books, pays bright and loving homage to that most remarkable ofbeings, the dad. Every illustration depicts the world as seen from the lowheight of the little boy narrator and through his starry-eyed gaze, as well.Sure, we might look at this man and see a slightly overweight fellow with fiveo'clock shadow and poor taste in nightwear, but to his son, this is Man. He iseverything. And until that fateful day when the boy begins to roll his eyes athis dad's hopelessly embarrassing ways, Dad should just revel in the divine,unadulterated love of his child. (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Just buy it
Some things in life are best kept simple. This book does it. For any son that loves his father (uh...provided they are under the age of 10)

Good Humored Happy Tribute to Dad
This is a fantastic book, especially to give dad on Father's Day or his birthday. It is a charming tribute to the daddy who is the funniest, nicest, strongest, bravest and just plain best in the eyes of his little girl or boy. It is good humored and happy, written in a style children find very appealing.

fantastic book
My grandson lives a long ways from me. He spent a couple weeks w/me while his parents went on vacation. We read this book every night and he loved it so that he could finish all the sentences on the pages. When he went back home, he could talk w/me on the phone and I'd start the sentence and he would finish it. It made a great bond for us and somehow made the miles seem shorter. He's only 1 1/2 years old and I miss so much. Maybe thru this book he won't forget me!

can do anything!
From the inside covers to Dad's robe to toast popping out of the toaster to showing the Big Bad Wolf the door & walking a tightrope to wrestling giants; to eating like a horse & swimming like a fish; to being as big as a house & as soft of a teddy bear, to singing brilliantly & being as wise as an owl - everything matches Dad's plaid robe, blue striped pjs & red comfy slippers.

With a smile on every page - this is a book forever - about respecting & loving, admiring & encouraging the Dads of this world to unite & win over their children's hearts.

Lovely, lovely book & oh, so true! A charming keeper!

the librarian knows best
I don't own this book. I do, however, have a 2-year old child. Recently, my daughter, along with a room filled with other 2-4 year olds, sat enthralled as this book was read to them by our local librarian. (It makes a great Father's day book!) The kids were all seated on the floor, heads all leaning in toward the librarian, pointing and giggling along with this little boy and his amazing dad. None of the children squirmed around or wandered off or turned around to annoy their little brother. Amazing! For me, that's a sign that this must be a pretty interesting book to kids. Read the other reviews for the story line but, if you're looking for a book that does a great job giving fathers everywhere their due, buy this book now. ... Read more

Book Description

"This is the turtle that slid into the pond and ate the snake that dropped from a branch and swallowed the fish that swam after the frog -- JUMP, FROG, JUMP!" This infectious cumulative tale will soon have the young frogs you know jumping and chanting with joy.

Reviews (2)

Buy, customers, buy!
I was SO glad when this came back in print. This is a cumulative tale a la "House that Jack Built". You can get the children chanting "Jump Frog Jump!" in a few pages. Barton's bright folk-like illustrations fit right in.

A Fantastic Book for young readers!!!!!!
As a teacher and an aunt I highly recommend this book which is a favorite with the kids! It's easy for them to memorize the lines and follow the words (a great skill to develop while learning how to read). A fantastic addition to any child's library of books! ... Read more

Book Description

Readers of all ages will welcome the chance to be reunited with Dorothy Gale and such beloved characters as the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and Cowardly Lion, as well as to meet new favorites such as the Hungry Tiger, whose appetite is never satisfied; Princess Langwidere, who has thirty heads; Billina, a talking chicken; and Tiktok, a mechanical man.

Blown overboard while sailing with her uncle, Dorothy finds herself in the fairy realm of Ev. She sets out with her friends to rescue the Queen of Ev and her ten children, who have been imprisoned by the cruel Nome King. But even Ozma, the wise Ruler of Oz, is no match for the clever king, and it's up to Dorothy to save everyone from terrible danger. But will the Nome King's enchantments be too much even for the plucky little girl from Kansas?

Ozma of Oz has delighted children and adults for over eighty years, and now new generations can enjoy the unforgettable characters and the surprising and funny story in this deluxe facsimile of the rare first edition, featuring forty-two of John R. Neill's full-color plates and twenty-one two- color illustrations, as well as a colorful pictorial binding.

Reviews (23)

The best of a great series
Though I first read this book nearly 50 years ago, it still remains one of the best books I have ever read. Adults may feel that it is a kid's book, and of course it is perfect for kids, but believe me, it can be enjoyed by people of any age. All you need is love of a good story. For many years Ozma was my heroine--I dreamed that I would meet her somehow, somehow be transported like Dorothy to the Land of Oz. Though these dreams faded, I still often think that this book might be the favorite book of my life. Dorothy's new adventures, the rescue expedition from Oz that crosses the Deadly Desert, and the spooky confrontation between good and evil in the caverns of the Nome King. The Oz characters have accompanied me through life. Try them---you will never forget them.

Ozma of Oz- Another great book in The Wizard of Oz series!!!
Ozma of Oz is the 3rd book in The Wizard of Oz series and follows The Land of Oz. In this book, you will be reunited with many well-loved characters and be introduced to characters you will soon love.

Dorothy, who was not in the last book, again comes into this story. After being shipwrecked, she and Billina, a yellow hen, arrive on land. They wander around to see where they are and discover a new friend, Tik-Tok, a wind-up, mechanical man. They also find a castle. Inside, lives the family of Ev, who have been captured by the evil Nome king. Only a princess who can change her heads lives inside. Dorothy, Billina, and Tik-Tok decide to rescue the Ev family with the help of Ozma. --I won't mention who Ozma is because you may not have read The Land of Oz. You will find out in a later review.--

I would highly suggest this book, along with The Land of Oz because of the adventures and fun.

Best of the Oz Bunch
If you've only read the first book and were thinking of trying a second, try the third!

I'm sure no one will be popping into the world of Oz without having read "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," but if one were to do so, this makes a better starting point that the somewhat disappointing second in the series.

This third book is, I think, the best of the Oz stories (which have a tendency to give in to an increasingly episodic nature and abandon storyline completely.)

Dorothy has returned to Oz, and ultimate ends up in the underground Kingdom of the Nome King (a marvelous creation), where her task is to discover whom he has transformed into chachkas, or be transformed herself (honestly, that's the plot!)

It's delightfully full of incident, the villain has real (comic) menace, and call me a heretic, but I prefer the elegant Art Nouveau illustrations of John R. Neill to the Denslow art in the first book.

Note: a 3 star ranking from me is actually pretty good; I reserve 4 stars for tremendously good works, and 5 only for the rare few that are or ought to be classic; unfortunately most books published are 2 or less.

Lovely book
Firstly, if you are new to the Oz series, read The Marvelous Land of Oz before reading this book. Marvelous Land of Oz is what directly follows the original, infamous Oz book.
Believe me they just keep getting better.
This is a lovely book to read aloud to children of all ages. I highly reccomend all of the Oz books for their amusing, imaginitve characters(in this book, The Wheelings and Billinia are introduced) , their fantastical situations (trees with lunch boxes full of food, talking chickens, a shipwreak, all in this one), sweet plot and storylines. These books still stand the test of time (written over 100 years ago!)for good reason.
This book really sets the tone for the rest of the books to follow and in my opinion the best. A must read for every family.

The return of Dorothy. Gotta love it!
After Baum's success with the first book, he penned the sequel "The Marvelous Land of Oz". It was a decent book, but it was missing one important element. Dorothy. He corrects that oversight in this one, and the book (and the rest of the series) is all the better for it. Dorothy makes her second trip to Oz, this time with her chicken Billina (don't worry, Toto would also return in later volumes) and the action is non-stop. If you planned on reading the series and had a tough time getting through book 2, don't stop. They keep getting better and better as Baum develops into a first-rate author. Read them in order and don't stop until you've finished book 14 (and then even dip into the books by other authors, none are as inspired as Baum's, but some of them are pretty good).

And if you've read all the Oz books and are looking for other titles that are just as magical and just as inspired, try the Chronicles of Narnia, King Fortis the Brave or Abarat. All will introduce you to other magical worlds that are every bit as fun to visit as Oz. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

My kids love these books!
I have 2 sons, ages 9 and 11, and they both love Lois Burdett's Shakespeare books! These books make the story lines accessible while providing the flavor of Shakespeare through the wonderful rhyming couplets. I first used one of these books to "preview" the story of MacBeth to my younger son, who was going to be in a children's musical production of the story. He loved the book and often asks me to reread it to him, and we have since acquired several other of the Burdett titles. My sons also enjoy the whimsical illustrations and sidebars done by the children.

Excellent Introduction to Shakespeare
I am a third grade teacher on Long Island. Last year I introduced three of Willaim Shakespeare's plays into our classroom. My children loved Macbeth. We studied Macbeth, The Tempest and Hamlet. The way Mrs. Burdett wrote in rhyming couplets really made the reading enjoyable! I plan on using her books throughout my teaching career. Thank you Lois Burdett! Shakespeare can be fun thanks to you.

-Michael Hynes

Macbeth For Kids: Shakespeare Can Be Fun
What a wonderful way to introduce Shakespeare to children! I used this book as a third grade teacher to teach inner city kids about Macbeth. It was amazing to hear the students discussing all of the characters and their actions. They were proud of themselves for learning about Shakespeare "like high school kids." If you make it fun, they will have fun! ... Read more

Amazon.com

This old-fashioned tale about one little snowplow's determination inthe face of a small-town blizzard has all the charm and moral grit of TheLittle Engine That Could. This isn't surprising, considering that CaldecottMedal-winning author Virginia Lee Burton (The Little House) specializes inbringing the inanimate to life with endearing illustrations and stories offortitude and vulnerability. Katy, a red crawler tractor, "could do a lot of things," Burton explains early on. In the summer she is a bulldozer, helping to build and repair roads in the city of Geoppolis. In the winter, she turns into a snowplow,waiting and waiting for her chance to be useful. Most of the winters, though,the snowfalls are mild and the town doesn't need Katy. But when the big one finally hits, the town is buried in page after page of powder. The power linesare down. The doctor can't get his patient to the hospital. The fire department can't reach a burning house! "Everyone and everything was stopped but... KATY!" Suddenly, the entire community is dependent on one little snowplow. Children love witnessing Katy's shining moment of glory and will inevitably admire her "chug, chug, chug" endurance. (Ages 4 and older) --Gail Hudson ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Hard to believe, I still remember
At 51 years of age and very recently a first time grandfather with the aid of Amazon.com I started searching for my favorite stories from decades ago. All of Dr.Suess and the Little Engine That Could to Thorton Burgess's many publications that make me smile so many years later. Of all my past memories Katy and the Big Snow was one that I checked out of our local Library at least 3 times a month. It taught me that determination is most important in acheiving goals and that good things come to those who wait and endure. These are the types of books our younger generation should be reading instead of what is available on television these days. I hope someday my Grandchildren will come to enjoy this book as I have.

My son loves Virginia Burton's books
I ordered this book for my son for his 7th b'day. He loves anything to do with transportation, and discovered Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel first. He checked that book out of the school library every week for more than a month, then I helped him find Katy and the Big Snow, and he loved it just as much. I remember enjoying these books when I was a child, and I think it is wonderful that books like these still bring enjoyment to the children today.

Perserverance
Wonderful childrens book, enjoyable machinery come to life displaying a snow truck as a child. Lovely illustrations although remincent of the 50's.

Not up to par
My 4-year-old and I both adore Virginia Lee Burton's books. Neither of us can get enough of "Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel," and "The Little House." So we were excited when we ordered this from Amazon. But it lacks the magic of the aforementioned books. There is no "human element" as in the other two books and it lacks the drama. The plot is relatively mundane - you can only get so much mileage out of snow plowing city streets. Having said that, the illustrations, as in her other books, are beautiful. I particularly like touches such as little vignettes around the border of the pages, and a great map of the town. Against other children books, it's still very good, if only for the artwork. In fairness, Burton set the bar pretty high for herself with her other books.
(This review pertains to the Library Binding version of the book)

Katy and the Big Snow by Virginia Lee Burton
Purchased this book from Amazon.com and in short order it has become my 3 year old son's favorite bed-time book. Brady, a tractor fanatic, has the pages worn on this one already. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Again! again! again!
The toddlers in my life love this book and ask us to read it over and over again. Machines at Work follows some construction workers through a work day and through different phases of building. The illustrations are beautifully done - simple to understand what is going on and very interesting to these little persons learning more about the world around them.

I love this one!
Great pictures, colorful, gender-inclusive. My two year old can do this book start to finish from memory. We read it at least once a day, and construction has taken on a whole new attraction. (Makes road trips through those zones much more fun!)

So So
Its is better than some of the "truck" books out there but it's a bit pricey. Most truck books just identify lots of variations on backhoes but this one at least has a little bit of a story. However, to me it seemed a bit disjointed. First they worked on the road and then the building and then the road again. It tried to be sequential but somehow never came together. Also, it was disappointing not to see some final product (a finished building or road, etc). I would not have bought it if I could have looked through it in its entirety. I just relied on the reviews.

hey you guys! diggers and rubble rocks!
2 very different grandsons, each 18 months ADORE this book. one learned 'all the lines' within 24 hours! super illustrations and wonderful words to accompany each page! i've bought copies for every little boy i know!

Barton's books are awesome for toddlers learning to talk
I wish I had started buying these board books when my 2.5 year old was a baby. The text is simple and has a nice rhythym to it, and the illustrations are great. My son memorizes these books after requesting to hear them time after time. I'm sure he'll enjoy these books for a while longer. Regardless, they are great books...just don't wait until your child is four to buy them! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A wonderful way to introduce Shakespeare to kids
As a homeschooling parent I was looking for a way to introduce Shakespeare to my kids (9 and 10) -- they have loved these stories -- which we read aloud and then discussed (plot, characters, themes, conflicts, setting, motivations, etc.) -- the verse is enjoyable and effectively incorporates selected passages from the original in a seamless way. My kids have also enjoyed the illustrations and writing samples (all by 2nd-3rd graders) included in each book. After we read R&J, we watched the old Zefferelli film version and my kids got much more out of it. We've also read the Evelyn Nesbit prose versions but they didn't "feel" like Shakespeare the way these do...I have already purchased the exisitng Burdett versions and hope she has others in mind (PLEASE do Merchant of Venice!). ... Read more

Book Description

3 hours, 9 minutes
2 cassettes
Performed by the author

Catastrophes are nothing new to Peter Hatcher, thanks to his younger brother Fudge.And now there are more surprises in store - a new baby and a move to New Jersey. ... Read more

Reviews (50)

Superfudge
Judy Blume's Superfudge tells of a young boy dealing with some common family issues. Peter is twelve years old and lives with his mother, father and younger brother, Fudge, in New York City. Fudge is a hyperactive child who drives Peter crazy. Peter often thinks about running away, and when his parents tell him they are having another baby, he seriously considers it. Then, as if this news isn't enough, his parents decide to move away from the city to Princeton. To Peter, this sounds like the end of the world. He will have to leave his best friend, his crush, his school and Central Park. Although he will only be in Princeton for a year, he is upset that he will have to make new friends and, worst of all, Fudge will attend the same school. However, Peter and his family make it through the year in Princeton, deciding in the end that they would rather return to the city than stay in Princeton. This story demonstrates family values in a humorous way.
This book appeals to children because all children have problems within their families that they must face. Peter's problems are fairly easy to solve; he just needs to grow out of them. He creates his problems and exaggerates their impact on his life. However, many children have faced problems similar to Peter Hatcher's before, such as having a new sibling or moving to a new town. Judy Blume gives a great example of how these children are feeling inside by telling the story through Peter's point of view. Peter must deal with many stressful situations in this story, such as when he must choose between his two best friends. This book is wonderful for children because it helps them learn positive ways to deal with anger and sadness.
Superfudge was challenged in a school in Wyoming because it was considered to be profane, immoral and offensive. I can understand this objection; however, I do not agree that this book should be banned. I understand why this story is thought of as being immoral because of the way the family functions. They are a very loving family, but they don't seem to be able to control their middle child, Fudge. Fudge is most likely the character that prompted the challenge because he calls his teacher names and shows no respect to elders. The only person he shows any respect is Peter because he looks up to him and wants to be just like him. This is a great book for readers of all ages, even though it is geared toward third and fourth graders. I would recommend Superfudge to anyone who has brothers or sisters and can appreciate the love-hate relationship between siblings.

Gotta Love Judy Blume
After reading "Superfudge" for the second time, the book took me back when I read it for the first time and I remembered how much I love Judy Blume's books. When I first read this and other books by Blume, I was in elementary, during the time which I was beginning to relate to her books. "Superfudge," of course is a book that speaks of a boy who has a younger brother named "Fudge." This book relates to many boys who have to deal with becoming a role model to their younger siblings, even though, like Peter in the previous book "Tales of a Forth Grade Nothing," has no say in becoming an older brother. "Superfudge" deals with the universal human concern of family and finding themselves in that family, for example, Peter at first was the baby, but then he has that family placement taken from him when his brother is born. In "Superfudge" Peter not only finds out that there is to be another family member on the way, but that they are moving from New York to New Jersey. This to Peter is a critical change in his young life and seems like a never ending crisis. I truly recommend this book to young readers, especially those with younger siblings because this might help them understand that they are not alone in this world with the same problems. Because pre-adolescence is a critical stage, for both males and females, any type of change can seem like the world is going to end. Judy Blume's "Tales of a Forth Grade Nothing" and "Superfudge" is a reflection of such feelings in young b