Book Description

With a gift for irony, the limerick, and an understanding of children, Lewis Carroll set out to write a book of fantastic entertainment. The story has nothing didactic about it and functions solely as a comedy, making use of fantasy and the burlesque. Although written for children, it is entertaining to adults, too.

CliffsComplete combines the full original text of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland with a helpful glossary and CliffsNotes-quality commentary into one volume. You will find:

• A unique pedagogical approach that combines the complete original text with expert commentary following each chapter
• A descriptive bibliography and historical background on the author, the times, and the work itself
• An improved character map that graphically illustrates the relationships among the characters
• Sidebar glossaries

Amazon.com

Bold, block-color paintings of Maisy the mouse and friends make up this very simple, very appealing alphabet book. Maisy is a happy little rodent with a cheeky smile who journeys (in many changes of clothing) through a landscape of other animals. On the first page, she is traveling by "Bb--boat"; she sees a patch of seaweed, which opens like a door to display a hidden "Cc--crab"; her yellow sail folds back to reveal that she is riding with a stowaway "Aa--alligator"; and a pull-tab sends a purple "Dd--dolphin" leaping from the blue water. Elsewhere, insects flap their wings, a kite flutters, Maisy's prominent orange whiskers twitch, and a tortoise and a squirrel strum at a ukulele and a violin while Maisy herself plays the xylophone. This clever, effective use of pop-ups and pull-tabs make this ABC book--and perhaps the ABCs themselves--memorable. (Baby to 4) --Richard Farr ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Excellent book to learn ABC
This book is very excellent. With the cheerful maisy and her friends, my son enjoys learning alphabet,

Wonderful Book to learn ABC
My two-year-old son reads this book bevery night before goes to bed. He enjoys to pull the tabs and tell what maisy and her friemds are doing. The pictures in each page are related. My son not only learns the ABC and can also makes stories with those pictures in each page. This book stimulates small child's imagination. It is a book worth to buy.

My baby loved this book to pieces!
This book was the first to catch my baby's attention. At as early as 9 months, he was selecting this book every night. He loves to pull the various flaps and moving parts himself. I've purchased other Maisy books since then, and while my son enjoys them very much, the ABC book is still his favorite. I'm buying a second copy now to replace the first one he loved to pieces. ... Read more

Book Description

Quick! What color was Miss Mary Mack wearing when she went upstairs to make her bed? And what did Miss Lucy name her baby boy?

Discover the answers to these questions inside, along with more than one hundred fabulous handclaps and street rhymes. From "I'm a Pretty Little Dutch Girl" to "A, My Name Is Alice," every one of them is as much fun to read as it is to sing, chant, or recite.

Reviews (2)

Things Have Changed a Bit
I bought this book because I have so many memories of playing many of these games when I was a little girl, and I wanted to share that experience with my child.

I was a little disappointed because many of the words are quite different from how I learned them. But it is probably unreasonable for me to expect anything different.

If you can get past the fact that these games aren't 100 percent identical to how you played them as a child, you'll find this to be a really helpful guide.

Brings back memories!
This books certainly brings back memories of games played on the playground at recess. Although some of the words are different than I learned them, as expected for such widely used rhymes, I recognized quite a few. One disappointment was that there is no indication of the music to go with each rhyme. The authors did not provide an indication of the notes to sing or even that it sounds like a common song. Also, there are some lyrics that are inappropriate for young children and others that are very sexist or condescending. This book is not for everyone and I would certainly not hand it to a young reader without editing it or carefully supervising the language used by the children. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Maisy's Day at the Farm
If you are the parent of a young child, you probably know who Maisy is. She's a mouse with a duck, a squirrel, an elephant, and a crocodile for friends. Why the crocodile isn't trying to eat the others is beyond me, but that's life in Maisy's world.

Both of my daughters love the Maisy books; there's something about their simple stories and colorful pictures that even appeals to adults. The books are short and easy to read. But, the stories are never obnoxiously simplistic, like so many other books for small children.

Maisy's on the farm and someone has to feed all of the animals. Will Maisy be able to take care of all of her chorse and have breakfast? Will little black cat enjoy a bowl of milk? And just where did Maisy get that tractor? A fun book for small children (and even a few older ones).

My 10 month old loves this
We have many Maisy books at our house, but this one is especially cute! Maisy works on the farm milking cows, feeding chickens, etc. The pictures are adorable and my 10 month old likes us to make the farm animal sounds as we read it to him.

I highly recommend it!

Farm Fun
A classic Maisy book. Simple and gentle, Maisy feeds her friends on the farm. ... Read more

Book Description

Draw me a star. And the artist drew a star. It was a good star. Draw me a sun, said the star. And the artist drew a sun.And on the artist draws, bringing the world to life picture by beautiful picture until he is spirited across the night sky by a star that shines on all he has made. In Draw Me a Star, Eric Carle celebrates the imagination in all of us with a beguiling story about a young artist who creates a world of light and possibility.A remarkable, quintessentially simple book encompassing Creation, creativity, and the cycle of life within the eternal. -- Kirkus Reviews, pointer reviewThis book will appeal to readers of all ages. An inspired book in every sense of the word. -- School Library JournalA fable about the passage through life and its fullness ofpossibilities, children will like the cumulative effects of the tale, the creation of the world through paints, and Carle'scollages flaring with rainbow hues. --The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books ... Read more

Reviews (5)

beautiful
This book is simply perfect. The artwork is wonderful(and very appropriate for children... I wonder if parents shy away from it because there is a drawing of a "naked" man and woman standing next to each other? If so, they are missing out on so much) and the story brings tears to my eyes with its simplicity. It is beautiful.

Good but somewhat inappropriate.
I trully love the works of Eric Carle. However, in this instance I do not believe this is a book that should be labeled for sale to ages 4-8. I am a preschool teacher and believe the graphics could have been more appropriately drawn to make this excellent story suitable for all ages. I love the storyline and the graphics in general. I was disappointed by the "graphic" nature of the book when it is supposed to be for children of the stated age range.

Excellence at many levels
This one of Eric Carle's best works, and can be enjoyed by many ages and at many levels. First, there's the art, which is as bright and bold as his later works (Papa get me the Moon, and Slowly Slowly Slowly Said the Sloth). I think that the rainbow picture in this book would make an excellent print, as well as the flying Artist and star page.

Then there's the simple story of creatures asking for other creatures to be made with child-like associations (dog asks for a cat, cat asks for a bird, bird asks for a butterfly), and the neat cycle of starting and ending with a star.

Then there's the whole creation myth aspect. Not "The Creation Myth" which starts with darkness, but one that starts with the need to create the heavens; darkness comes much later in this story. The Artist ages as the world is being created. Could he be the embodiment of Time itself?

Or is the Artist Mr. Carle? I cannot read this without wondering if Mr. Carle is contemplating his life and work. If so, Mr. Carle, grab that star.

A Heads Up for Parents
I am an enthusiastic fan of Eric Carle's work, and found this book to be unique, touching, and beautiful in its craft. However, when I read it through for the fist time with my two-year-old, I was surprised and a little uncomfortable when we turned a page and found a man and woman introduced to the story completely in the nude and basically anatomically correct! The pictures were tastefully drawn, inoffensive, and certainly appropriate in a creation story, but I wasn't expecting a variance from the usual tunic or fig leaf covering in that is usually present in such stories when the book is directed toward a young audience. Personally, I could have used a forewarning to prepare myself with positive and fitting responses to my child's natural curiosity. Whatever your comfort level is with nudity in art for children, it might be helpful to you to know it is there.

A joy for both parents and children to read.
This book is like a spirtual description of how life began, written at a child's level but inspirational to adults, as well. It also includes a drawing exercise from Eric Carle, as well as a personal letter to his readers at the end of the book. And of course, it is beautifully illustrated. ... Read more

Book Description

Henry Huggins can't wait until he turns eleven years old, so he can have a paper route like his friend Scooter McCarthy. Henry wants to prove to the route manager that he is responsible enough to handle the job right now. First he thinks of giving away free kittens with newspaper subscriptions, and then his advertising scheme helps his class win the newspaper drive. But he still doesn't have a paper route. Will Ramona Quimby, making a real pest of herself, help Henry get the job he wants so much?

Reviews (4)

...a dog and a little red wagon...
This was the first Henry book I read, so it got me into the rest of them. Imagine a ten-year-old boy trying to look like a grown-up while a kitten pokes its head out of his jacket. This book is a delightful voyage into the lives of kids and animals in America.

Funny, wonderful book that I love!
This book is hilarious! I'd give it 10 stars if I could. All the emotions are there -- frustration, longing & joy. While the book is very, very funny, great lessons are taught along the way about perseverance, patience and having high hopes!

Paper
When Henry Huggins has nothing to do, Scooter comes by passing out papers because he has a paper route. But the paper route is a hard job to get, espicially when Henry puts an ad in the paper for the paper drive, and he gets millions of papers! At the end, he gets the paper route.

A Good book
Ten-year-old Henry Huggins wants a paper route, but he has a problem: All applicants must be at least eleven. That doesn't stop Henry. He sets out to show the boss he can do the job, no matter how meny obstacles stand in his way. ... Read more

Book Description

• A good reason to be phobic about oysters and olives?
• That you can step inside a roaring coal furnace and feet cool?
• That Jesus had an older brother?
• How shutting your mouth can help you avoid brain surgery?
• How to avoid cow-pies during your baptism?
• How to survive in the winter wilderness with only a fishing pole and a sausage?

And once you have read about Chris Crutcher's life as a dateless, broken-toothed, scabbed-over, God-fearing dweeb, and once you have contemplated his ascension to the buckskin-upholstered throne of the King of the Mild Frontier, you will close this book, close your eyes and hold it to your chest, and say, "I, too, can be an author."

Reviews (9)

King of the Mild Frontier
If you're a fan of Chris Crutcher's novels and have ever wondered where he got the ideas for some of the crazier things that happen in his books (a seat belt on a toilet seat? getting rid of a zit with a Coke bottle?), as well as his characters' quick wit and colorful language, take a look at King of the Mild Frontier. Crutcher's "ill-advised autobiography" describes his life growing up in a small Idaho town as the gullible, hell-bent for destruction middle son who never seems to come out on top of anything he gets involved with. In addition to relating some of the hilarious escapades of his youth, he also includes his reflections on more serious aspects of life, many of which come out in his various novels for teens. He discusses the fairness of life, religion, heroes, death, and making connections with people. This book will be most appreciated by adults, but older teens will also enjoy the humor and insight he brings to difficult situations. Crutcher has written a very readable, entertaining, and enlightening story of his life.

King Of The Mild Frontier
Wow, what a book. This book is hilarious. The author, Chris Crutcher, is writing about his life growing up in the small town of Cascade, Idaho. I'm from Idaho and let me tell you it is one small town. He talks about all of the times his older brother John would play would play tricks on him to get him in trouble. I like this book because it reminds me of all the family dinners we've had where my mom's brothers would tell similar stories like Chris'.
I like how the author shares his emotions with the readers. The way he writes, the language he uses, is verry real to the language that his target audiance speaks. All in All it was an ok book I think I would recomend it to an older audiance though because I think that they can relate to it more.

King of the MILD Frontier
Chris Crutcher really brings Cascade, Idaho to life in his book King of the Mild Frontier. He explores what it's really like to grow up in a small logging town with a large imagination. Everyone views of his family as "perfect", but Chris takes you behind the scenes of his life and shows you what "perfect"really is.

I learned a lot of valuable advice in this book and had a ton of laughs. I highly recommend this book to teenagers because they can really relate, from growing up or being grown up and looking back. This book captures the funny side of life and the no worry attitude of a teenager, and also manages to capture the serious, complicated side of life that everyone has to deal with somehow.

King of the Mild Frontier book review
King of The Mild Frontier
by Chris Crutcher
published by Green willow

KING OF THE MILD FRONTIER

If you want to read a funny, hilarious, light book, King of The Mild Frontier is the book for you. King of The Mild Frontier is an autobiography written by Chris Crutcher. This book is about 250 pages long and almost every chapter is a story of his life (except for 2). One of my favorite ( and the funniest) stories took place on a rainy day when Chris was trying to win a bike race, (key word is trying) read to find out. A few chapters ahead is a story when he was around 7 years old and his brother accidentally shot him with a bb gun in the temple! Again read to find out. But one of my favorite stories is when he was in tenth grade and he never did his homework. He went into Language Arts class early, (big mistake) and his teacher asked if he had finished his book review or not, of corse he didn't. He quickly made up a story, time was down to the last minute until it was due. Who could be the author? Chris thought. Who? It finally came to him...His plumber. Read to find out the details. All through the book you will find out what awful (but funny) tricks John played on him. All his life, Chris was a cry baby often referred to as a "bawl baby", and a kid who got made fun of all the time. All through the book you're looking back at Chris's younger years. This is one of my all time favorite books.

The characters in the book are Chris, his brother John, Johns "gangster" friends, his mom and dad, and some of Chris's various friends. As I said before, the book takes place during Chris's younger years (6-12), and some of his high school years. As you read the book you will soon find that Chris gets made fun of all the time for being a crybaby. He's one of those kids that has constant tantrums. For example at the beginning of the book, you will find that one time when he got mad he started hitting his head really hard on the bath tub repetitively. Read to find out. Chris's brother John, a couple years older than Chris, is very smart in a bad way, and sometimes mean kid. He's smart in a bad way because all through the book he tells lies to Chris to cover up what mistakes he made. For example, when he accidentally broke Chris's trophy that said JESUS (received trophy for going to church for a period of a year or so straight) and broke the J, so it turned into ESUS. Read to find out what happened. Their mom and dad are a little strict, but they are not mentioned a lot in the book.
Their dad is ofton referred to as Crutch and he works at a popular gas station.

Overall King of the Mild Frontier is number 2 in my top three books. I would encourage anyone who wants to read a light funny book to red King of the Mild Frontier. The book exceeds excellence because it is a book of many feelings. The book is not all funny, it's also mysterious, sad, and it really gets you thinking. I would give the book 4 out of five stars. I would give it that because it could be a big page turner. Overall, the book was great. One of the main reasons I like it so much is that because when you do something stupid or are worried about doing something stupid, the book says to you, it cant be anywhere as bad as Chris Cruthers mistakes.

By: Sam Bacharach

Crutcher captures the joy and laughter of adolescence!!
"Esus Saves," says Chris Crutcher in his absolutely hilarious book King of the Mild Frontier. Crutcher takes on an adventure through Cascade, Idaho and into elementry, high and into college. He shows us that the only way to get through hard times is to laugh. His rage and his obediance shows us that their is grass greener on the other side.

Chris Crutcher was raised in Cascade, Idaho. This autobiography tells us many stories of Chris Crutcher. He had begun his life as a "bawlbaby" telling us that your not the only one that is or has a little brother that cries with or without an absolute problem.

Chris had sit through 52 weeks of church at the Red Brick Church to get what he thought would be some action figure that blew up in you face doll. He got a glow in the dark plaque that read," Jesus Saves" He liked it just as much, his older brother John Crutcher, was messing with the plaque and accidentily broke the "J" of the plaque. It had now read, "Esus Saves" Chris now begun to cry stating that he was going to tell mom. This his said he had a secret to tell him. That Jesus had an older and wiser brother that thought up all the wise stuff. "No way," Chris had said.

"Yeah, his name is Esus," John said. Next Sunday he had told everyone that Jesus had an older wiser brother named Esus.

That was one of the many, many, many incindens he had with his brother and other people he had run amock with. This book is great for everyone who can enjoy laughing. This book got tied for the review of being"just a Young Authour" book. If your anybody, and I know there are some anybodies out there, read this book. It'll make your heart warm and yourself laugh. ... Read more

Book Description

Follow the big red truck on it's cross-country journey in Donald Crew's classic wordless book, perfect for sharing with the very young.

Reviews (7)

Wonderful book to enhance your child's imagination!
This is a wonderful book! I was a bit apprehensive about buying it because it includes no text. However, this has quickly turned into a bedtime favorite at our house. My son received it when he was about 18 months old and a year later, he still requests it by name. We look at the pictures and he is able to tell me what is happening on each page and he often makes up a story about what he sees. This book takes you on a journey across the country with a truck carrying bicycles. You see the truck drive in fog, rain, in traffic and (my son's favorite) through a tunnel. My son has learned some basic traffic signs, shapes and even directions (left, right, up, down) with this story. I highly recommend it!

Perfect for kids who resist reading!
I bought this book when my son was 18 months old. He had NO interest at all in sitting still to look at books. He took one look at all those TRUCKS and was transfixed. From the day I brought this book home he showed a greater interest in his other books and at 3 1/2 he is an avid "reader".

Great, colorful book!
I wasn't sure whether or not my son would enjoy the textless book but it has quickly become his favorite book! It is so bright and colorful and encourages me to make up different stories each time I read it to him.

Beep Beep Beep Beep yeh!
When I ask my 3 year old son Charlie to choose three books for bedtime reading, this book is invariably chosen from his truck shelf of books. The book documents a tractor trailer's trip, using signs, light signals and lots of traffic and highways. He loves it and so do I. This book also won a Caldecott Medal for illustrations when it was first published. Highly recommended.

A great book for pre-schoolers
This small children's book about a large delivery truck traveling on the highways is told without words and was a 1981 Caldecott Honor book (i.e., a runner-up to the Medal winner) for best illustrations in a children's book. Little children really enjoy following the truck to its final destination. ... Read more

Book Description

Louie Banks has it made.

He's got a starting spot on the football team, good friends, and a smart, beautiful girlfriend who loves him as much as he loves her.

Early in the fall, he sees all his ideas of fair play go up in smoke; by spring, what he cares about most has been destroyed. How can Louie keep going when he's lost everything?

Reviews (30)

Running Loose
Running Loose is a phenomenal book. It is a book for a reader that enjoys young adult fiction. Chris Crutcher does an excellent job at combining drama with sports. If you enjoy reading books about sports you should consider Chris Crutcher as an author. The book starts out when a high school football player named Louie is in summer training for football. He exercises every day to get in shape. As the season approaches, he becomes the star defensive back for Trout High School. In the meantime he falls in love with a cheerleader named Becky. When his team is faced against one of the toughest teams in the league, Salmon River, his coach tells one of Louies teammates, Boomer, to take out their star quarterback, Washington. After it happened Louie was upset with Boomer and tried to get is own team a penalty by telling the referee it was an intentional hit. His coach kicked him off the team for the rest of the season and said he will never play another sport at Trout High School again. When he thinks that worse has happened to him, something else worse happens. His girlfried, Becky, is killed in a car accident. Can Louie overcome his problems, or will something even worse happen? You must read this exciting book to find out.

Interesting
Chris Crutcher's book Running Loose was a very good book with very true to life characters. Louie, who's main goals in life are to be a good football player and get a girl, faces many challenges that teens today are faced with. Crutcher grabs the real essence of teens and shows them to us with unadulterated skill. Looking at the plot in this book, a bad call by a good coach, it causes me to look back at my school time (going to a small school like Louis)and realizing that this could have really happened anywhere and probably does to some extent. I am heartened to read about an untypical hero who stands up to fight in the face of adversity.

Crutcher is one for the record books.

sms student
Running Loose, by Chris Crutcher was a great read. It was about a high school boy who is faced with some very tough decisions. His senior year starts out great. He's got a starting sport on the varsity football team, and the girl of his dreams, Becky. Then tragedy strikes. He is kicked off the football team for standing up to the coach. Also Becky gets killed in a car crash. Louie gets help from and support from his parents. Crutcher tried to get across in the story that Louie is an average kid faced with difficult decisions. This book is worth reading if your older than 13 because of different parts in the book. It would not be good for someone in elementary school.

Saved by the Mile
In the book "Running Loose", a high school boy made a stupid decision that could have messed up the rest of his senior year. Fortunately, he found a sport that helped him to clear his mind. This sport turned out to be the best thing for him.
Overall, I thought this book was pretty good. The only thing that concerned me was that the author, Chris Crutcher, didn't quite make it clear who all of the characters were. This book might be just a little mature for sixth and seventh graders. This isn't such a great book for elementary students. I also thought this book had some really funny parts in it. Out of five stars, I would rate this book a 4.

Running Loose
The book Running Loose by Chris Crutcher is the story of Louie Banks' senior year in high school. I think that this book was very well-written. The story dealt with many of today's issues, such as racism and standing up for what you believe in.
Louie Banks lives in a small town where everyone knows each other. The story begins with Louie being on the football team, having great parents, and a perfect girlfriend. However, his near perfect live begin to unravel when he stands up for an African-American football player from another school who was purposely injured by one of Louie's teammates. Louie is thrown off the team by his coach and the school principal. This sets off a year-long feud between Louie, the coach, and principal.
The year progresses, with everything going not so good for Louie. The school principal is constantly trying to get Louie suspended, because he still holds a grudge from the football season. The saddest part of the book is when Louie's girlfriend, Becky dies unexpectedly. Louie does some surprising acts after Becky is killed, such as chopping down the oldest tree in the town's forest, yelling at her funeral, and throwing her memorial plaque into the river where she was killed. He did most of these acts out of anger because of her death or because of the way people were acting. He yelled at her funeral about the minister who said the mass, because he was saying things that were not important about Becky's life. In the spring, Louie joins the track team and does well most of the time. Being on the track team helps him relieve some of his anger and sadness that he had from the loss of Becky.
I think that the main thing that Louie learns from his last year of high school is that being the best at football or having the whole town love you because you "put on a show" are not the most important things in life. In the end, being kind to the people that you love and standing up for what is right and what you believe in is what makes you a good person. I think that Running Loose is a book that all high school students should read, because it gives a message that we all should learn. ... Read more

Book Description

First published in 1968, Ten Black Dots is a counting book, a book of simple rhymes, and a book of everyday objects.

Reviews (1)

Ten black dots that stir the imagination
This is a fun book for young children. With the large pictures and font, the book begs to be touched and held and read! It could be used to reinforce a math lesson on counting objects. Afterward, the teacher/parent could give each child ten black dots, crayons, and paper and have them use their imagination to see what they could make. I think every young child should have a chance to hear or read this book! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Emily
In this story this little girl is curious about her neighbor and this letter her mother recieved. He say footprints coming from her neighbors house to her door. This neighbor hasn't left her house in 20 years. This lady is Emily. Later in the story they decide to go visit her. They went to play music for her. Emily just wanted spring that is why she asked them to play her music n the letter. The little girl keeps thinking about the mystery of Emily when spring has come. This Emily is Emily Dickinson and she is shut in the house for so long because she is writing poetry. She has the little girls mother come to play music becase it inspires her. This is a very good story and might even be true story. I enjoyed it.

An ok mystery book to read
The book "Emily" was an ok book for me because I'm just not into mystery books but you other kids may like it. Its about a myth that a person is living in a yellow house and has never came out for 20 years. This little girl, Emily, has always wanted to go there and give the person some bulbs that grow into lillies in the spring. Will she do it? Who knows? You need to read the book to find out what happens next.

A Glimpse of Emily.....
"There is a woman on our street they call the Myth. She lives with her sister in the yellow house across the road. Her room is the one up on the left at the front. If you stand on tiptoe, you can see it peeping over the high hedge as you pass. She hasn't left her house in nearly twenty years. If strangers come to call, she runs and hides herself away. Some people say she's crazy. But to me she's Emily..." When our young narrator's mother is invited to cross the street and play the piano for the elusive Emily, the little girl can't wait to accompany her. Emily is nowhere to be seen, but Mother sits and nervously begins to play. "When Mother stopped she turned to me. A sound of clapping rippled down the stairs, and then a small voice like a little girl's. "Dear friend, you put the robin's song to shame. Play more. Already I can feel the spring." As her mother continues, the little girl creeps up the winding stairs to investigate, and at the bend at the top, finds a small woman dressed in white, sitting and listening to the beautiful music from below. From her pocket, our narrator takes out two lily bulbs. "I brought you some spring...If you plant them they will turn to lilies." Quickly Emily dashed off some words on a scrap of paper and handed it to her guest. "Hide this away, as I will hide your gift to me. Perhaps in time they both will bloom." And so as spring arrived, so did the lilies, and a young girl's special poem from Emily Dickinson..... Michael Bedard has captured the quiet and intriguing reclusive nature of Emily Dickinson in his well researched historical story. "In writing this book, I went to Amherst to visit the house where she lived. I sat in the parlor with the piano, visited the room where she wrote. I stood beneath her window and she lowered this story to me." His simple, eloquent, and engaging text transports the reader back in time to nineteenth century Amherst, Massachusetts, to spend an afternoon with Emily Dickinson. You can almost hear the piano drifting up the stairs, and the scratches of her pen as Emily dashes off a poem. Barbara Cooney's beautifully evocative oil paintings are rich in period detail, and complement the text with their quiet settings. With an Afterword to complete and enhance the story, Emily is truly a masterpiece of word and art, and a fascinating story that shouldn't be missed.

A charming vignette
This short glimpse of Emily Dickenson, through the eyes of a neighbor child, is kind, gentle and quietly poetic. My daughter, almost seven, gives it a thumbs up. I like it because it tells a nice story of human interaction, allowing for discussion of how people can be different and yet wonderful. It's pictorial illustrations lend detail to the story, and draw the young reader in. What poetry is exactly is a central theme. A nice book to read to a child, or for an older child to read alone.

Touching Story that also Teaches
The story of Emily Dickinson is a wonderful way to introduce students to a great poet in a poet profile lesson. Beautifully illustrated and told simply, yet powerfully, this is one book that will enlighten children to think not only about the poet, but also about the relationships, or friendships that children may have with a special adult (i.e., teacher or grandparent )An excellent gift for children and adults. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Teenagers think they've got it rough. Try being a misunderstood6-year-old! Ramona Quimby is bound and determined to be brave as she weathers first grade, her mom's return to work, and sleeping in the spooky dark all alone. But nothing seems to go her way this year. From a fierce dog on the sidewalk to a copycat in her classroom, Ramona has her hands full.

Beverly Cleary has a real knack for the subtle emotional complexities of young children. Never condescending, she sees children as real people with real feelings. For this, and for her hilarious tales of an imaginative and "spunky gal," Cleary's countless fans adore her. Winner of many awards, including the Newbery Medal, Cleary has written over two dozen books for young people. Two titles in her beloved Ramona series, Ramona and Her Father and Ramona Quimby, Age 8, were named Newbery Honor Books. Alan Tiegreen's witty and lively line drawings have graced many of Cleary's books over the decades, capturing the exuberant spirit of one of literature's favorite heroines. (Ages 8 to 12) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Ramona Is Sweet And Believable, With Plenty Of Funny Moments
Ramona is a truly realistic character that is brought to life by the believable writing of Beverly Cleary.
Still trying to grow up as she proceeds into grade one, Ramona can't help but continue to fall into trouble.
One entertaining, true-to-life moment after another... Reading about Ramona's antics is very enjoyable.
From being embarassed by her older sister, to being embarrassed by her friend Howie in front of her class, to dealing with Copycat Susan and her copied owl, and many, many more funny and frusturating things... You'll have fun reading this book. And you can't say that for a lot of books.
Told in a way that you can really understand this first grader, Ramona The Brave will remind you of when you were a child. And what it felt like.
Readers will pity Ramona when she's upset, they'll understand what she does and why. They'll feel her anger, and her happiness.
Definetly a great book, and definetly worthy of 5 or more stars!
Enjoy!

Ramona is not average even when she is average....
Ramona is a fun loving young one, who does nothing but pester her sister. It is never her goal to do so, it just happens. Although she is now in first grade this still hasn't changed too much.

Ramona now attends the same school as her sister Beezus, and now that shes there she is let down. It isn't what she expected, in fact, it doesn't seem to be any fun at all.

Ms. Cleary's Ramona books are a fun read full of humor, but she never neglects to address the problems that really face school age children. As a child reading these books I remember that it helped put things into perspective for me, although at the time that probably wasn't the word I used.

I would recommend this book to all children, and even to adults with children.

Its a tough life for first graders
I have saved this book to read to my 6 year old who just started going to first grade. As a grownup I liked the way the author deals with real life problems that even adults are not always sure how to handle.

Spunky Little Ramona
Ramona is a little girl who is in 1st grade. She gets into trouble a few times in 1st grade. Mrs.Griggs, Ramona's teacher is not one of her favorite teachers because she is kind of mean to Ramona. The worst part of Ramona's day was losing a shoe because she threw it at a dog. Ramona is also a spunky silly girl who likes to do bad things.

I hope you will enjoy this book. Have fun reading it!

Brave little Ramona
Picking up right where she left off, my favorite little girl has just started first grade. The hole cut into her house to add a new room for her where she must sleep all alone is a source of fear, and also bravery for the adorable star. Being constantly misunderstood is a great challenge for the 6 (going on 37) year old Ramona. Ramona is just like any other child. She gets confused and throws fits. She is such a loveable character because a most wonderful author creates her so deftly and realistically.

The text is appropriate for students in grades 3-6. It also works well in a read-aloud setting with this age group. These students (and teachers and parents as well) will get a kick out of remembering how scary starting school can be. I recall hearing it read to me in 2nd grade and now have done the same with my students. A good laugh was heard everyday from our room.

Why 5 stars?:
Cleary repeatedly made young people reflect upon their own days as an even younger person with a string of books about experiencing the world through the eyes of a curious little girl with a will all of her own. This book is the third in the series and was written in the 1970s. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

An Outdoor Adventure for Angelina Fans
This is a different Angelina book, when she and Henry have an outdoor adventure camping with Uncle Louie. After wandering into the woods, Angelina and Henry have to face their fears after dark. If your child is an Angelina fan they'll enjoy another story with Angelina and Henry. If they are new to Angelina, start with the first story Angelina Ballerina. ... Read more

Book Description

Alex Rodriguez is the one of the most electrifying baseball players to hit the diamond in recent years. Drafted right out of high school, he has suffered none of the adjustment problems that typically plague young players. On the contrary, he has shown the world what it means to be a superstar, not just on the field but in life. His outstanding play with the Seattle Mariners helped send that team to post-season playoff games year after year.Yet never has A-Rod let success and fame go to his head. Alex Rodriguez's commitment to the game and sportsmanship has made him respected and admired by fellow players and fans the world over.This new biography traces Alex's career from the Seattle Mariners to his latest position with the Texas Rangers. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Misunderstandings abound in Ramona Quimby's life. Even at the ripe oldage of 8, she continues to find herself in trouble when she least expects it. It's a time of many changes: Ramona's friend Howie's rich uncle comes to visit from Saudi Arabia, her mother seems suspiciously fatter, and Aunt Beatrice begins dating a mystery man. It's more important than ever for Ramona and her big sister Beezus to be good, but there are so many opportunities to mess up!

Beverly Cleary has somehow managed to remember the intricate workings of a young girl's mind and heart. With several dozen children's books and many awards under her belt, she is one of America's most beloved authors. Winner of the Newbery Medal for Dear Mr. Henshaw, as well as the Newbery Honor for Ramona and Her Father and Ramona Quimby, Age 8, Cleary balances raucously funny childhood adventures with poignantly real circumstances and emotions. Alan Tiegreen's clever line drawings have faithfully accompanied many of Cleary's books over the years.(Ages 8 to 12) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (20)

Compare and Contrast Ramona and Beatrice
We are the students of Mrs. Chaya's Fourth Grade Class, and we would like to say that we enjoyed the book tremendously. We compared and contrasted Ramona and her sister, Beatrice, and we realized that as Ramona is growing up, differences with her sister are lessening. Both are finding more in common, such as sharing the loss of Picky-Picky,disliking Uncle Hobart, and worrying about their mother. Being together after school allowed the girls to work out their differences such as the name-calling episode where Ramona calls Beazus , PizzaFace!!! This misunderstanding happens close to the time of the cat's death but also serves as a stressbuster for both. The sisters come to realize they really do care about one another. Being in a wedding together also makes everyong realize that the girls are growing up and on the way to being lifelong friends. A new baby sister is born giving the girls another reason to be united.

The most heartfelt of the Ramona series
Beverly Cleary has always had a grasp on family dynamics when writing her beloved children's books. In this installment, Ramona Quimby and company face major changes. They include the kinds of situations that are commonplace in many households today (and will probably still be common in the future): getting along with siblings, life/death, friendship, financial problems, etc. All of these issues are seen from a child's point of view, making the story poignant but not quite as heavy as adult or teenage drama.
In all of these books, Ramona is the little girl with the big imagination who would do anything to make sure her family is happy and stays together. Here, she continues to grow and learn. And readers can certainly relate to her, whether she's in confusion or triumph. A child can learn from Ramona's adventures whereas an adult can reflect on their own childhoods and remember when they could be innocent and wide-eyed.
I thought this book would be the last in the Ramona series, not because Beverly Cleary took so long to write the next one (called "Ramona's World"), but because I felt some sort of resolution with this book. If Mrs. Cleary had never written another book about Ramona, I would probably have been satisfied with this conclusion. But Ramona still has room to grow, so I'll happily be along for the ride.

The Best book ever!!!!!
Romona Forever is the best book ever. I read all the Romona books when I was eight. Some of them I remember kind of but some of them I can remember SO well I could tell you right this second what the books about. This book was one of them. I'm Nine and almost ten now and I still think Romona is very good. I like Romona forever just as much as the Harry Potter 5 and all the rest. maybe I like Romona forever better!!

Ramona Forever
I like Ramona Forever Because she is funny.
My favorit part was when she said "Here Comes The Briride Fare Fat And Wide Here Comes The Croom Sciny As A Broom Here Comes The Usher The Old ToletFlusher.
I don't think it could be better.
I read it because it was an assiment.

R.W

probably my favorite Ramona book
How could anything be more fun than a rich, quirky, annoying uncle, a spur-of-the-moment wedding, a new baby, and a dead cat? Maybe getting the door slammed in your face for comparing your sister's face to pizza! Or falling off your friend's bike in front of a bunch of superiority-driven boys!

Or maybe reading a good book like this one on a sunny day. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Unconnected items
While the illustrations are bold and attractive, the book "Teddy in the House" consists of seven unrelated items (a block, a banana, a telephone, a cat, a clock and a bottle, plus teddy on the cover), one per page. It's not clear why it is titled "Teddy in the House".

My six-month old prefers the more complex textures of cloth books such as "Zoo Faces" and "Farm Faces".

Cartuni's review below is, of course, tongue in cheek.

Teddy - Bear's Voyage Through A Human World
This is an outstanding example of an author's ability to take a seemingly innocuous character, a teddy bear, and with minimal words transport the reader into a complex world fraught with challenging and perplexing puzzles. Parents as well as the very young will both find inspiration and a "call to deeper thinking" when sharing this book.

The brilliant juxaposition of a normally forest-dwelling ursus IN a house bears special notice. As I viewed Teddy in the various rooms, I couldn't help but ponder man's place in the universe. We as humans often feel we are entrapped in a "room", but in reality there are MANY rooms, and even, as this author points out in a subliminal technique using background details, DOORS and WINDOWS to the outside (universe).

I highly recommend this book to all ages, for all time.

Teddy in the House
My newborn son absolutely loves all the Lucy Cousins cloth books! He has certain pictures in each book that make his eyes widen and his arms and legs flail with glee! These are very wonderful books that can engage even the youngest baby.

Teddy In the House
My son just adores this book especially the ending. It is a cloth picture book with drawings of things found in the home. The lack of text enables us to use our imaginations to the fullest allowing a different story each time. The pictures, although simple seem to mesmerize my son as he cannot get enough of them. I highly recommend this book for every infant.

Terrific for droolers!
I loved having this book for my baby because I get squirrelly about letting little children have books to drool on or rip when they're too little to know how to handle them properly--but on the other hand I want them to be able to play with books. These cloth books are washable and so vivid and bright that babies will love to handle them--and chew on them! ... Read more

Reviews (17)

This story is what Christmas is all about.
Holly and Ivy was originally published in Ladies Home Journal in the 1950s. My mom clipped the story from the magazine, and read it to me and my sister every Christmas. The lonely little orphan girl Ivy and the doll Holly who wished so much to have a child for Christmas, really touched a chord with us. For me it started a life-long love for Rumer Godden, especially for her doll stories. To fully appreciate the story, you have to hear it read aloud.

--Wishes can come true--
THE STORY OF HOLLY AND IVY is the tale of Ivy a small orphan girl who creates a pretend grandmother and then really tries to find someone who can be that real person for her. She leaves the orphanage at Christmas and is hopeful that her dreams will come true. She also longs for a beautiful doll and sees one in the window of a toy store. The doll's name is Holly and she has also been wishing; however, her wishes are for a little girl who will love her.

This book has everything; a toy store filled with wonderful toys that have personalities of their own, including a somewhat sinister owl named Abracadabra. We also meet Mrs. Jones who is lonely for a child and decides to decorate her house for Christmas as if she was expecting a child to visit. Her husband is a policeman who finds Ivy and brings her home. The book is appropriate for children ages 5-10 and I think that most children would love the story.

This is a very colorful book with lovely illustrations by Barbara Cooney. The author is Rumer Godden who is one of my favorite writers. Over the last few years, I've been locating any of her books that I can find for my library, including her stories for children. I'm writing reviews in the hope that her beautiful stories will continue to be read.

A warm and touching story!
Beautiful story telling! The author beatifully writes how an orphan's wish arrives on Christmas day. This story tells so clearly by use of narration and multiple personage dialogues to carry a chronological event and space. The minute I opened the book and read a few lines, I knew I was going to read it in one breath. One may get a bit discouraged by the large amount of litteracy compared to very little illustration (I felt that when I 1st browsed thru the book), but boy, was I glad to have looked past the 1st impression.

A Christmas tale for all seasons
Holly is a doll who wants a little girl for Christmas -- it is her fondest wish. Ivy is a little girl who wishes for a grandmother for Christmas. Everyone has left St. Agnes's Orphanage for the holidays and she is lonely, so she decides to find her mythical grandmother. Mrs. Jones feels that Christmas needs children. "Couldn't we have a little girl?" she asks. But Mr. Jones thinks she's daft. Add a sympathetic boy and a villainous toy owl and you have a page-turner.

Rumor Godden is the author of many fine and classic books for adults like THIS HOUSE OF BREDE and THE GREENGAGE SUMMER. Her rich and sumptuous writing guides stories full of delightful characters and, in the case of HOLLY AND IVY, little twists to the tale to surprise the reader.

If you're shy about reading "kiddie lit" for fun because you're an adult, find a child to read this to. And no matter what age -- teens will love the whimsy in the story as much as smaller children.

The illustrator is Barbara Cooney, a Caldecott Medal winner who has illustrated over a hundred books. She has captured the characters, setting and holiday appeal of the story in colorful pictures on every page.

Don't wait for Christmas! This is a story -- and a book -- for all seasons.

Christmas of the Heart
I would not think of letting a Christmas go by without reading this story to my grandchildren. I have read this story to my 3rd grade students for 12 years. Holly and Ivy are just right for each other, and good wins out in the end. Despite Abracadabra! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Who knew school could be this much fun? Maisy paints pictures, writes stories, dances like a ballerina, and even adds and subtracts in this interactive book about the cheery little mouse. Pull a tab to make the pencil in Maisy's paw scribble back and forth in her notebook. Lift the lid of a red chest to find costumes for dress-up. And pull another tab to see the fish in the aquarium dart from behind the plant when Maisy tosses food their way. Fans of the lovable white mouse will adore this story from Lucy Cousins, especiallypre-preschoolers who are wondering just what goes on in this mysterious school they've been hearing about. Large print, crayon-bright colors, and thickly outlined pictures make Maisy stories a favorite for the youngest readers (or almost-readers). Catch Maisy and her friends on TV (Nick Jr.), as well as in her many other endearing books, including Maisy Goes Swimming, Maisy at the Farm, and Happy Birthday, Maisy. (Baby to Preschool) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Memorable but less desirable pull-tabs
My son enjoys all the Maisy books. Maisy Goes to School is no exception. When he talks about school and you ask him a question he correlates to Maisy. This to me is a great children's book when a child remembers. However, the "Lift-The-Flap & Pull-The-Tap" was found it to be less desirable. We have had no difficulty in the construction of other "pull-tab" Maisy books (ie "Seasons") but all the "pull tabs" in "Maisy Goes to School" do not withstand a child pulling, mostly the one for the pencil.

Great for toddler/preschool age!
The "peek-a-boo" flaps, pull tabs, action and simple language in this book made it a big hit with our two children -- (one toddler and one preschool age)! The darling mouse, Maisy, does lots of activities at school, such as paints pictures, writes a story, dances like a ballerina, and even adds and subtracts! Like other lift the flap/pull the tab books, your child can interact with this book. My preschool age daughter has even learned to add and subtract from this book and very much enjoys "reading" the book to me! The Maisy books are a huge success in our home...we're ordering four more to add to our growing collection! ... Read more