Book Description

When the train arrived in Cottondale, the summer at Bigmama's house in Florida began. Donald Crews brilliantly evokes the sights, sounds, and emotions of a memorable childhood experience. "A very special book by a superb artist and storyteller."--Horn Book. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A warm oportunity to reflect on special people and places.
Donald Crews departs from his usual simple text about such things as trucks and boats to share his childhood memories. The bold and colorful illustrations we usually find in his work are replaced by soft gentle colors and lines. Perhaps my endearment to this book stems from my own fond memories of riding the train back to my grandmother's home in Davenport, Iowa. Yet, there is more to this story than shared memories of days gone by. Even young children have memories of warm moments with someone special. As a first grade teacher I share this book with my students. It is a delight to see the special smiles that illuminate their faces, like the sweet smell of Spring, when they think of their special someone. For some children they think, like Crews, of grandma and her special cooking, for others their thoughts are of a visit to mom in a distant state. There thoughts are not meloncholy, like Crews, they are pleasant reminders of the treasures we find in each other. ... Read more

Book Description

One fine morning, a rooster sets off to see the world. Soon he's joined by two cats, then three frogs, then four turtles, then five fish. But one group by one, his new friends decide to head home, leaving the rooster alone again -- and ready to return to his own comfortable home as well. Bold, colorful collage illustrations, a beguiling story, and a simple introduction to number sets, addition, and subtraction combine to make Rooster's Off to See the World a delight for Eric Carle's many young fans. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

The Roosters Off to see the world.
I rate this book at a five. It teachers childrenhow to be nice, and care and treat others with respect. Any child I think could read this because what it teaches is a good lesson to young ones.The book to me was actually pretty good.

Beautiful book but the story is a little sad *sniff*
I recently purchased a six pack of Eric Carle books because my six year old loves his illustrations. Included was the story Rooster's Off To See The World. The colorful artwork is visually stunning and captivates both of my children who insisted I read it NOW!

The story tells the tale (with lots of repetitive text) of an ambitious rooster who sets out to see the world. He leaves his cozy home safe behind to embark on his trip. On each page he picks up a few new friends who are also seduced by the temptation to "see the world". Unfortunately, rooster isn't all that bright and he forgets to make plans for basic necessities like food and shelter. So when the sun goes down rooster and his new friends are cold and hungry. They all begin to complain. Soon, rooster's fair weather friends begin to desert him (the turtle's even leave without bothering to say goodbye!). Before long poor defeated rooster is left all alone. A dejected rooster ponders his mistakes, takes a short nap and heads back out to his cozy home without seeing much of the world at all and the book comes to an end.

Both of my kids lingered on each beautiful page instead of rushing along to see what happens next in the story as they usually do. My sensitive four year old said she felt very sad when this story came to its end because Rooster's so-called friends left him alone but my six year old enjoyed it. He particularly enjoyed counting all of roosters new friends who appeared in little boxes in the upper corner of each page and said he'd like to read it again so it's a keeper for my son, anyway. ~ Laurie Shallah

A Book Children Love
The book "Rooster's Off to See the World" by Eric Carle is a great book for childern. It gives them a chance to read and have fun at the same time. It has colorful pictures and also is a good reader for kids to read on their own. It also helps your childern count by knowing what number of animals is going to come next. When I was young I owned this book and I always enjoyed to read it, and I think its a great book to read to your children.

A book that children enjoy.
Extremely fun to read with your child before bed. The entire collection of books by Eric Carle provide many hours of stimulation. This book provides a colorful way to teach counting skills to very young children. ... Read more

Book Description

At first, Maggie is just being contrary when she tells her parents she doesn't need to learn cursive. Then her teacher, Mrs. Leeper, says Maggie's cursive is so untidy her name looks like "Muggie," and Maggie decides she will never, never read or write cursive. Nobody can make her. But when Mrs. Leeper appoints Maggie class mail messenger, the notes Maggie must carry are in cursive. Maggie can't read the notes, but she suspects some of them are about her. Now she really has a problem!

Reviews (20)

Maggie prefers the computer to squiggly-wiggly cursive.
Muggie Maggie is a book about a 3rd grade girl named Maggie Schultz. In the book, Maggie does not want to learn cursive writing. She'd rather write on the computer or print. After days of not paying attention in cursive class, her teacher, Mrs. Leeper, picks her as a message monitor. She finds out her name is in almost every letter that she must deliver. But when she peeks at the letters, she can't read them. In the end, she gives in and learns cursive. I would recommend this book to kids everywhere who are learning cursive. But you must know how to read at least some cursive or you won't understand the concept. You can find it at local bookstores under Cleary. I hope you read it. (Kristina Weber/3rd Grade/University Elementary School)

Muggie Maggie by Beverly Cleary
This is a wonderful story of a young girl and the obstacles she has to overcome to read and write cursive. Beverly Cleary takes Maggie on a journey everyone must go through early in school. Maggie confronts the conflict within herself to fight the desire to learn cursive. Maggie does not want to learn cursive because her teacher said to; she wants to learn in her own time. Maggie does some changing through the story and finally does find the joy of reading and writing cursive. Third graders learning cursive can relate to Maggie and the struggles she experiences. A must read for all young readers!

great book
This book got me interested in cursive handwriting when I was in the first and second grade. I was in a classroom mixed with first and second graders. Everyday for writing, the grade 1's would practice printing and the 2nd graders would practice handwriting, which looked very hard and I dreaded second grade. But when I reached transferred to another school in second grade, the teacher read Muggie Maggie to the class and just in time too. I also liked looking at the cursive writing included in the story and found it to be rather beautiful, and slowly I began to learn it once we started, and soon enough, I was able to master it. In Maggie's case, she felt as if she didn't need to learn how to do it because she preffered writing notes on the computer, and at the same time, she felt as though cursive challenged her gifted and talent capabilities, but would not admit it. The school did the "write" thing by having her be the class monitor and deliver messages to the principal written in cursive writing, and when she was curious to see what the notes said she realized she couldn't read cursive writing, and sure enough, she got the hang of it and practiced it secretly, and all was well at the end. But this book also has a lot of humor and captures the essence of the characters in this book. Beverly Cleary is like a child at heart and has a great understanding of putting herself in children's shoes, and that's why she has written great story books that are still being read by today's generation, whether it's Henry Huggins or Ellen Tebbits books that came out almost 50 years ago or all of our favourite character Ramona's books that have lasted for what seems like forever. I hope to read another book from Maggie in the future if Cleary continues writing.

Muggie Maggie
Muggie Maggie
By: Beverly Cleary
This certain person is a girl with problems like a normal kid.

Maggie is a smart girl who has a serious problem. This problem is she doesn't want to write cursive and she can't read it.

One day Maggie was called to be the school monitor. The teacher wrote a note to send to the principal.

I think people who like humor and realistic fiction would love this book because, it catches their attention.

I think The best Christmas Pageant Ever is a lot like Muggie Maggie because this girl doesn't like cursive and in the book The Best Christmas Pageant Ever some kids didn't want to do some things too, so I think there similar.

Read the book and find out!

By Matt Hart

Motivating Muggie Maggie Review
Beverly Cleary is amazing and truly gifted when it comes to relating to children, and the reader will find these to be very realistic problems presented in her books.

In Muggie Maggie, Maggie's conflict is with Maggie's parents, teacher, and even peers who try to help her, but are having a difficult time recognizing her position. Maggie is scared to learn a new, difficult skill, which is something any person at any age can relate to. Although this seems to be the best conclusion as to why Maggie was so stubborn about learning cursive, for a young audience reading the book, it might have been better told through Maggie's eyes and thoughts versus those of a storyteller/narrator.

In addition, there were important elements between her parents, teacher, and principal deciding how to address this situation that would have been missed, if the story was told by Maggie.

The behavior of the parents and school staff was very realistic. The parents were put in the awkward position of trying to support her, recognize the situation she was in, but try to give her the pressure to succeed with this skill. Her teacher and principal were in a similar position, but had to develop subtle techniques to successfully, motivate her.

Very good story! ... Read more

Book Description

Dillon is living with the painful memory of his brother's suicide -- and the role he played in it. To keep his mind and body occupied, he trains intensely for the Ironman triathlon. But outside of practice, his life seems to be falling apart.

Then Dillon finds a confidante in Jennifer, a star high school basketball player who's hiding her own set of destructive secrets. Together, they must find the courage to confront their demons -- before it's too late.

Reviews (27)

My Opinion
Chinese Handcuffs, written by Chris Crutcher, is a good novel for the young adult age group. It is written about two teenagers who have to suffer through life. The main character, is Dillon has to go through life after watching his brother commit suicide. The female character in the story is Jenn, who has to go through life without trying to tell people that her dad is abusing her. The novel is written in the way that a normal teenager would talk. Chris Crutcher knows what a teenagers emotions are and tries to express them in the kind of explicit language that some teenagers would use. I think the book is best for kids who are around the teenage years. I also think that some adults should read it to see what some kids go through. I rank this book a four because some of the details are very shady, and I did not like the ending of the story very well. On a final note, I would like to say that this book is pretty good and I would read it again if I ever get the chance to do it.

An Outrageous book about real life
When I read Chinese Handcuffs by Chris Crutcher, I couldn'tbelieve how realistic it was. I think that is why I like ChrisCrutcher's books. He takes problems that a person would have in real life and crams them all into one little book. One of my favorite parts of the book is how Dillion and Jennifer cope with her problem. Jen has to go through her whole life getting molested, also Dillion has to deal with his brother's suicide. I also like how he has your mind going in twist and turns throughout the book. One of my least favorite parts of the book is at the end, because I think he should have ended it differently. But besides that I thought that it was with reading. I really don't like to read, but I liked reading this book. Because it is filled with emotional things, For example, Dillion goes through watching his brother kill himself. It's full of action. For example Dillion chases after Jen when she climbs up the water tower. I recommend this book to every one who likes these things in a book. If you like books that are easy to read and that are also relevant to today's society, I would recommend this book.

If You Think You Have it Bad....
This is an incredible book. Dillon Hemingway is a triathalon star who hopes to qualify for the Ironman. It seems he has everything, but he holds a terrible memory inside of him. Dillon's brother, Preston, killed himself right in front of Dillon and now Dillon writes letters to Pres to let his feelings out. Jennifer Lawless is a star basketball player who holds a dark secret that she is too terrified to share with anyone. One night, she runs out of a tournament basketball game, intent on committing suicide. Dillon rushes out after and stops her just in time. Together they must find a way to bring the secret out into the open and save Jen from her feelings inside.
This book makes you realize that your life isn't so bad. you could have it much worse. It made me feel thankful that I have the life I have.

sms student
I recently read the book Chinese Handcuffs by Chris Crutcher. The book was pretty good. I could easily relate to it. It is about a boy (Dillon Hemingway) and that his brother killed himself right in front of him. Also it's about a girl (Jenn) who is one of the best basketball players in the state. But jenn also has some secrets that will blow you away. Dillion and Jenn both know each other. Dillon is a big part of her life as you'll find out throughout this book. This book is great for anybody who likes suspense. I hope you enjoy it.

Overcomming Obstacles
One of the many wonderful novels that Chris Crutcher has written is titled "Chinese Handcuffs". Crutcher has written various books about teens, athletic sports, and the problems that follow. These intense and exciting novels discuss how some kids deal with their problems, whether they solve them or not. "Chinese Handcuffs" is just one example Chris Crutcher writing style where teens overcome obstacles.
The two main characters in the book "Chinese Handcuffs" are Dillon Hemingway, and Jennifer Lawless. Jen has had a tough life since she was eleven when her dad started to harass her, and Dillon had his brother recently kill himself. Together they learn to become friends and get through tough times and solve each other's problems.
Overcoming obstacles is a major part in this book that every character faces. For Jen, she needs to learn how to trust someone, that will get her help, but it's not that easy, there are other factors standing in the way of her wanting to get help. Dillon already went through a big downfall in his life watching his brother kill himself, but he is determined to become a family again with his father and even the family members that moved away; his mother and sister. Dillon and Jen relate in more ways than imaginable, and most people can't understand them, or what they're going through. Jen helps give Dillon confidence and trust while Dillon gives Jen the sense of security and someone to talk to that will help her. Everything seems to be getting better in Jens life until her mom comes home and announces something that would change Jens life forever in the worst kind of way. She becomes so enraged that she is willing to die rather than live though this, and Dillon finds out and almost kills himself trying to help her.
I like the style that Chris Crutcher wrote in, and the way the book was laid out. In the beginning of the book, it told Jen's side of the story, and then it told Dillon's side of the story, and by the end of the book their lives combined into one story. And then it became easier to read becasue it didn't jump back and forth anymore. I didn't like how the setting was vague; the book only mentioned the name of the town once or twice. I really liked the book because it was a mix of action and romance.
The theme of "Chinese Handcuffs" is to keep on trying to solve a problem, because the resolution may not be right around the corner, you might need to search for it. In order to overcome obstacles you need to put effort into it and really want to accomplish it, because if you don't try your hardest, then the solution may not be as obvious or ever be found. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Excellent Lift-the-flap book for Todder
Like the Maisy book, Lucy Cousins used vibrant colors and bold black outlines to present the Katy Cat. My 2.75 years old son loves this book much more than Maisy books. It teaches the concept of shapes, pattern, numbers and colors. The items under the flaps always give a surprise. For example, when you lift up a flap with prickly in shape, you will see a porcupine. My son loves the last page very much. After lifting the flap about the number of animals / insects, he would go to the opposite page to hunt for the exact number of creatures. Compared with Maisy, I found Katy Cat book is more educational and fun. Quite disappointed that there is only a few Katy Cat books.

All-in-one.
"Katy Cat and Beaky Boo" has all you need to stimulate your child's speaking-ability: well-known things and animals to name, numbers, colours, patterns, sizes, acts, prepositions, a short and simple text, and it can all be combined. I use the book every day in my work as a speak- therapist working with children suffering from dysphasia. They love reading it and lifting the flaps (which are mended more than once!) and they want to return to it even when we have had other exciting things on the programme. (My own 8-year-old daughter broke the code of reading knowing this book by heart, and it's the book she prefers to read aloud to a younger friend.) The drawing-manner is simple yet recognizable, the colours clear and cheerful. As a grown-up reader you're amused by its artful humour. Every time you read it you experience a new conversation with your young co-reader, still on a higher level. The pace in respect of the child. If you'll buy only one book for your young child, this should be the one.

Excellent Toddler Book
My 2 1/2 year old still loves this book. We've had it since she was around 18 months although I think it would be a good book for even younger babies. The book takes you through a series of comparisons that show Katy Cat doing something on the left hand page and a series of lift the flaps on the right hand page that ask you to find an analogy for Beaky Boo. One example is 'Katy Kat lives in a house' (the page features a very animated picture of Katy in her house) on the opposite page it asks where Beaky Boo lives. Each flap shows some type of living structure and underneath the animal that lives in each structure. Your child will enjoy the book on different levels as they get older. My daughter by now has memorized where Beaky Boo is on each page and gets a kick out of uncovering it as quickly as possible. It's also a good exposure to some uncommon animals. Lucy expands beyond the standard farm collection and includes things like sardines and squirrels. It also has sprinkles of color matching, counting and similarity choices. But the best thing about it is it's fun to read (Katy Kat and Beaky Boo just kind of roll off the tongue) so you won't get bored as they say 'again, mommy, again' ... Read more

Book Description

The Dark is rising in its last and greatest bid to control the world.And Will Stanton -- last-born of the immortal Old Ones, dedicated to keeping the world free -- must join forces with his ageless master Merriman and Bran, the Welsh boy whose destiny ties him to the Light.Drawn in with them are the three Drew children, who are mortal, but have their own vital part in the story.These six fight fear and death in the darkly brooding Welsh hills, in a quest through time and space that touches the most ancient myths of the British Isles, and that brings Susan Cooper's masterful sequence of novels to a satisfying close. ... Read more

Reviews (23)

Silver on the Tree was really good, but I expected more
Everything in the Dark is Rising Series was really great, eapecially The Dark is Rising. Everything up to The Grey King built up tremendously. When I finally read Silver on the Tree I was somewhat disappointed. I was really happy the the major characters got together, but they weren't together long enough. I expected all five of the kids to do the journey together, and I also thought that the Drews didn't get to participate enough in the story, and Merriman was bearly in it! But I was really disappointed at the ending. I really didn't see the point of what all of them went through if only they were going to forget it in the end! It would have meant MORE to them and the story if they would have been able to remember. But all in all, the book was good. And I thank Susan Cooper for bringing us this excellent series.

A fabulous ending to a magnificent sequence.
A couple months ago my very dear friend said "You have to read these books by Susan Cooper" Since she usually likes the same books I do, I checked out the first one. I was hooked! Just a few days ago I finally finished the last book, Silver On the Tree. Fantastic. Really, if any adult doesn't read this because they think it's a kid's book, think again. I know many kids my age (13) who wouldn't get the subtle hints that go throughout the series.

Susan Cooper is such an excellent writer. She can make totally realistic, everyday, family scenes, and then turn around and write about journeys through fantastic fantasy worlds. She is also really good about writing descriptive scenes that let you picture something so exactly.

I can't decide whether this ties with The Grey King as the best book in the sequence, or if Grey King is a bit better.

The ending wraps things up just right. Except, I don't think the Drews & Bran should have had to forget. That's was probably the only complaint I can think of.

Goes through the motions
This last book in "The Dark is Rising" Sequence goes through the motions of being dark an mysterious, and does so effectively, but the feel is about what you'd expect to get rereading "The Dark is Rising" (book 2 in the sequence). It manages to wrap things up, and could be turned into a movie without some director mutilating the plot to slip in CGI shots. The final battle is pure CGI gold. Overall, I am satisfied, and do not feel cheated in any way by the latter four books of the series (although I hated the first one, and I'm glad I read the second one first, or I would have never continued).

A satisfying ending to a spectacular series
The old one, Will, and his friends are on their final adventure together to save the world from the rising dark. Will start off with his brothers at a picnic and he discovers that the old ones cannot slack off and let the dark take over. Merriman tells Will to pick up the blet of the signs to ward off the dark for the final moment. Meanwhile, Jane, Simon, and Barney are vacationing in Wales near where the mountain of the Grey King was. They meet Will at a cliff and they meet Bran, the mysterious albino boy. Together they solve the last piece to the puzzle of the rhyme, the lost city. They find the lost city and enter it to find the crystal sword, the final weapon of the light. Then it is the race to the midsummer tree. Prophesy has it said that the first one to cut off the silver from the midsummer tree will rule the universe. There are lots of surprises in the book and the plot changes ever so slightly. Everything flows together.
I like the book because of the interesting plot, how each book and each event in each book flows into one another. I also happen to like King Arthur and his Round Table so this makes the book very appealing. I like how Susan Cooper uses real language and real places to explain the story which makes the whole story more believable.
My favorite part was when Will and Bran received the crystal sword from the unhappy king. I've always wondered why did the king decide to torture himself with his own thoughts. The book says the Dark has no power to harm but it can contribute to changing a person. Then can't the king resist the Dark's influence? Why must he suffer because he did something right? Great book overall!

The Dark is Rising Sequence
This series is very unique. Susan Cooper has done a great job of writing an awesome story line with the King Arthur legend mixed in between. She also does a great job of creating a good against evil plot. The characters are unbelievable. If you like fantasy I highly reccomend this series, but hold on. It's one wild ride. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

More than just pictures!
I picked up this book, expecting to find essentially a picture book. However, this book is so much more...and it is lovely.

The book begins with an introduction by Leonard Marcus, the children's book reviewer for Parenting Magazine and a well-known book critic and historian.

Following this is an autobiography with many personal photos. I found the story of Carle's early years interesting: how he was born in the United States but then his parents returned to Germany when he was six. His father was drafted into the German army during World War II and Carle never saw him again for 8 years, when he emerged from a Russian POW camp weighing 80 pounds. Carle was a lackluster student, mainly because his creativity was stifled, but he did have some empathetic art teachers in Germany. In his early 20s he returned to the U.S. where he was promptly drafted into the army!

The next section of this book was by Ann Beneduce, the first editor to publish Carle's work. She first commissioned him to illustrate a cookbook. After that, she decided to publish his first book "1,2,3 to the Zoo" but could find no one in the United States who could satisfactorily produce it, so she had it done in Japan.

Next, Viktor Christen, a German editor, wrote about Carle's vision and what it means to children.

Takeshi Matsumoto, the director of an art museum for picture books in Japan, wrote an essay about Carle's use of color.

The text of a speech, entitled "Where Do Ideas Come From?", given by Carle at the Library of Congress was the next section of this book. He gave this speech to librarians and educators in 1990 at the International Children's Book Day Celebration.

Next was a photo essay on his technique of paper coloring and collaging, which also explained why he colors white tissue paper rather than buying pre-colored papers (they fade with age).

Lastly was a section of illustrations from his books, in chronological order. I found it interesting to see how his art had changed and become much more detailed in 30 years.

Eric Carle's books "do special things" read all about them!
Inspiration is the first word that comes to mind after reading about Eric Carle's successful life as an author and illustrator. This book contains information about his childhood, his books, but most important his art. I especially enjoyed reading the section about where he gets his ideas. What is so special about Eric Carle's books? Many people all over the world could answer that question. My favorite answer is from a little boy named Paul, he said: "One reason I like your books is they do special things." ... Read more

Book Description

For Henry Huggins and his friends Robert and Murph, a clubhouse is a place where they can do as they please, without being bothered by girls. The sign that says NO GIRLS ALLOWED -- THIS MEANS YOU especially means Ramona Quimby. Lately Ramona has been following Henry on his newspaper route, embarrassing him in front of Henry's customers. The day Ramona follows Henry to the clubhouse, she wants to teach him girls aren't so bad, but she almost puts an end to his newspaper career forever.

Reviews (5)

Building a good book!
Henry always gets five stars from me, but when I was a kid my favorite thing about this book was the very idea of building a real clubhouse. It seemed like such a fun and cool thing to do. I like that the kids in this book take the initiative to have fun rather than expecting adults to provide all of their amusements, as so often happens today.

This book is the Best Book
I used to read this all the time and sometimes I still do.When i was young like Henry I thought about how girls shouldnt beallowed too, and even though i know its silly now, I remember. And thats why its good. I was a lot like Henry Huggins. And thats good characterisation. But i didnt have a dog. But I had a clubhouse. It was my garage and it smelled like paint.

This book is the best! I will buy it for all my kids someday, if they're boys. Girls arent allowed! ... just kidding girls.

It's, realy great!!!!
I read Henery and the Clubhouse by Bevrely Cleary.And I want to tell you that it was great! This story is about Henery Huggens and his friends, Robert and Murph who ars building a clubhouse in Henry's backyard. Henry, also has a paper rout to look after. Will Henry be able to build his clubhouse and deliver his papers? Well I am not telling you, you have to find out by reading this book!

A 6th grade boy and his friends build a clubhouse.
Ramona Quimby is Henry's friend's sister,who is a pest. She is real hilarious because she makes a mess out of everything. It's a superb book for kids to read because it's funny. Beverly Cleary wrote another fantastic book.

A great book for anyone to read!
This was a fast- paced, funny book that I would reccomend anyone to read. There wasn't a dull moment and once you read a chapter of the book, you won't want to put the book down ... Read more

Book Description

Jane Purdy tells herself this as she begins an afternoon of babysitting. Luck is on her side, too -- for whom should she meet but Stan Crandall: good-looking, friendly, and brand-new in town. And he wants to take Jane out! But Jane, just an ordinary girl, is filled with doubts. Suppose her parents won't let her go? What if she makes a fool of herself? Or worse -- what if her father embarrasses her in front of Stan? Jane has finally met the boy of her dreams. Is she ready for him?

Reviews (63)

A Classic from a Simpler Time
I was so happy when I saw that preteen girls are still reading this book! I didn't think it could still be as sweet, as heartwarming, as absolutely perfect in this modern day of bras at 8 and significant others at 12.

"Fifteen" was my hope when I was a gawky preteen girl, positive that I would never have a date in my life. So thinks Jane Purdy, our heroine, a nice, ordinary (in her eyes) babysitter who gets good grades and has a reasonable enough life--except at 15, she has yet to date, yet to be kissed, yet to unlock the mysteries of just what one is supposed to do on a date!

Along comes just about the most popular boy in the entire class, Stan, who not only asks her out, but who TAKES her out. Jane is excited beyond belief, but so nervous, she is sure she has flubbed her chances of every seening Stan--or any boy--again. I could relate completely when I was a preteen, and even now, Jane's anguish rings so true!

I won't give away the ending, but suffice to say that it is absolutely perfect. If there is a young girl in your life, buy her this book. She might make noises about "old-fashioned" and "in YOUR day..." but I'll bet she reads it--and loves it.

For the "Hopeless Romantic" in each of us
"Fifteen" takes us back to 1959 - back when milk was delivered to your door and dogs ate horse meat and girls didn't call boys on the phone. Babysitter Jane Purdy resolves that "Today, I will meet a boy." And, by golly, she DOES! Stan Crandall, doggie meat delivery boy, strolls into her life as she's having a nightmarish time babysitting an eight-year-old monster (actually, I know kids like that one -- not much has changed since the fifties). How many 16-year-old boys today can date a girl for months without even asking for a kiss? How many 16-year-old boys today (or 30-year-old men, for that matter) are gentlemen enough to wait for the young lady to be seated before sitting down himself? Stan is perfect. And after some miscommunication and misunderstandings, they finally connect. And it's absolutely beautiful. A "must read" for all romantics, ESPECIALLY the hopeless ones.

Loved It
I read this book in the 70's. I loved reading young adult fiction set in the 50's and 60's - life seemed a lot simpler and more innocent then. Jane is the heroine of "Fifteen" - and most young girls entering adolescence would be able to relate to her fears, embarrassments (such as the cat seemingly deliberately licking his bottom in front of company), and her hopes of requited teen-age love, or at least "going steady". To me, a realistic look at one ordinary girl's summer experience.

The exact life of a 15 yr. old girl
This book was an amazing book by Beverly Cleary. It talks about Jane a fifteen yr. Old girl who is just struggling with regular teen age problems. She meets a boy named Stan and they start dating. She doesn't know what they are... like boyfriend/girlfriend, just friends, or dating buddies so she gets really confused. Her trials between her parents meeting her new friend and the anticipation of if Stan is going to call again for another date makes this book exciting and having the reader wait for what's going to happen next.

A Charming Tale of First Love
Today, I'm going to meet a boy, this is what Jane Purdy repeats to herself over and over again, as she walks to her babysitting job. And for once, luck is definitely on her side, for she does meet a boy. A very handsome, and special boy, named Stan Crandall, who just happens to be new in town. Stan invites Jane out on a date, which Jane thought she wanted, but soon her head is filled with all sorts of worries and doubts. What if her parents won't allow her to go? What if she doesn't know what to say? Jane never realized that going on a first date would cause so much stress in her young teenage life.

This was my first TALE OF FIRST LOVE by Beverly Cleary, and I was not disappointed at all. Cleary makes the thoughts and worries that go through Jane's head about her date with Stan so realistic, and relateable. Even now, in the year 2003, I feel that teenage girls will be able to sympathize and relate to Jane's situation. A charming tale of first love to give to any teenage girl in your life.

Erika Sorocco ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Good stuff
Matt Christopher is one of the best baseball writers for young readers out there. This is another notch in his belt. Pick this up.

great moments
I found this book to be very good. Its reading level is 9th grade or so but that didnt stop this 41 year old from enjoying it. The book talks about 9 great moments in baseball and shares a few interesting perspectives on the game. Every fan should know of these charming and touching moments. If you love the game check it out.

Nine great baseball moments from Wambsganss to Abbott
Matt Christopher's "Great Moments in Baseball History" is an interesting collection of nine stories stretching from Bill Wambsganss unassisted triple-play in the 1920 World Series to Jim Abbott's no-hitter in 1993. In between young readers will learn of the day Babe Ruth hit his final three homeruns, Joe Nuxhall making his major league debut four days after D-Day at the age of 15, the catch Willie Mays made off of Vic Wertz in the 1954 World Series, Ted Williams hitting a home run in his final at bat, Reggie Jackson's three home runs on three swings in the 1977 World Series, Dave Drevecky coming back from bone cancer to pitch again in the majors, and Kirk Gibson's pinch-hit home run in the 1988 World Series.

This is a rather diverse collection of great moments, four of them coming in the Fall Classic and three representing the final great moment of a player's career (as Dravecky's ironically turned out to be; there is an additional irony given the epilogue to Dravecky's story and the fact the final story here is about Jim Abbott). Certainly young readers will want to identify with being a big league picture while still basically a kid when they read about Joe Nuxhall. If there is any sort of theme to these nine stories it would be that, as a general rule, then tend towards the inspirational, with several of the players overcoming physical limitations such as being old (Ruth and Williams), having bad legs (Gibson), having a bad arm (Dravecky), or having only one hand (Abbott).

These are certainly baseball stories that young fans should know about, because they are part of the game's lore, which is one of baseball's greatest aspects. If young fans have never heard of Bill Wambsganss or Joe Nuxhall, or do not remember Dave Dravecky or Kirk Gibson, then this book will fill in the gaps in their baseball education. For me the best stories in the book are those that focus on a specific play, such as when Christopher explains everything Wambsganss was thinking before he made his unassisted triple play, everything pretty much everybody in the Polo Grounds was doing when Mays started running after that ball, or the details of Gibson's one time at bat in the 1988 World Series. After all, we know the bare facts of what each player accomplished, but it is the details that make the story come alive.

Finally, I want to note something interesting about the front cover of this book, which has Glenn Harrington's illustrations of the nine baseball players whose stories are related in this book. Both Reggie Jackson and Jim Abbott are depicted as California Angels although both of their great moments are from when they were playing for the New York Yankees. Meanwhile, Babe Ruth is shown as a Yankee although he hit his last three home runs for the Boston Braves. I am also pretty sure that Dave Dravecky is shown with an "SD" on his hat for San Diego instead of "SF" for the team he was playing with at the end of his career, the San Francisco Giants, but I could be wrong. I certainly have been before.

A must read for young ball players
My boys (9 and 14) have read many of Matt Christopher's books. All are good, some are great treats. I gave a copy of "The Kid Who Only Hit Homers" to each boy on my baseball team last year. They loved it! This year I am giving each player a copy of Christopher's "Great Moments." I read this collection of great moments (an unassisted triple play in the World Series for example) to my boys and enjoyed every page. We re-read some of the stories they were so much fun. This is a must read for all young/new baseball fans. ... Read more

Book Description

With her reluctant student, Arnold, the Friz slips through a mysterious trap door -- and ends up in the Middle Ages! There, they explore a medieval castle, meeting the people who live there and learning about everyday life within the castle walls. When the castle is threatened by invaders, Arnold and the Friz don chain mail to lead the defense. They repel the invaders just in the nick of time, then they joust and feast before returning to the 21st century. With their careful research and trademark wit, Cole and Degen introduce the many facets of medieval life. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

reallygood
We liked the story. It was fast-paced as all the Magic School Bus books are.The subject was well covered, lots of information on how germs harm the body and how our natural defenseshelp conquer them. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

the bbbbboooook!
I thought the the book was great! Tiger is a great athlete and has a great attitude!The way dat matt writes da book makes it cool. I think u should read it!

On the course with tiger woods
I thought that the book was great!I think that Tiger is a great athlet and has a great attidude. I think the way Matt Christopher puts the book makes it easy for kids to read. I think you should read the book because it it phat!

The book tells you about his life and things that happened.
Tiger is a very fast learner. He even learned when he was 8 months old. He went to many tournaments. His father was even in the Vietnam war. I liked this book because it tells about his cool life. ... Read more

Book Description

String beans, spaghetti, ZOOOOP, roast beef, fresh fish, chicken and ice cream are the delicious fare during the week in this popular children's song. Until Sunday. Then, all the world's children are invited to come together and share in the meal. Celebrated artist Eric Carle brings new energy to these much-loved verses as lively animals parade across the page, munching on favorite dishes, and introducing young readers to the names of the days of the week. Both art and song invite children to join in the procession and sing along. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Bizzare fun
This book is a little bizarre. The foods chosen include a chicken that looks alive as it goes down, BUT it's a fun book with the colorful, creative illustrations that are the author's trademark. I highly recommend it since it had my toddler glued!

Today is Monday
This is cute book that teaches the days of the week with different foods in the form of a story and a song. It also uses different animals and the text is repetitive. Note to teacher: This can be used to teach math skills, different animals ,and foods. The repetitive text builds memory and can implement body movement.

A keeper for your child's library.
My Daughter and I love this book. It helps her remember the days of the week. We giggle and laugh and sing out the words. I highly recommend this book for any child just learning to read. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Maisy the colourful mouse
These Maisy books are so colourful and have very simple pictures that are great for my 16 month old. It also has really bold brilliant colours to help toddlers learn their colours! ... Read more