Book Description

Illus. in full color. "In Seuss's familiar rhymed couplets and illustrations, the Cat in the Hat shows Young Cat some wonderful stuff about reading with both eyes open."--School Library Journal. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

This book was dedicated to my father
I may have a biased opinion, because this book was dedicated to my late father, David Worthen. My father was an ophthalmologist and operated on Dr. Seuss' eyes in the late 1970s. To me, this book is about the importance of sight, which allows us to read, learn, explore, and imagine. I hope that someone will duplicate it in braille so that non-sighted people can enjoy it too.

Brilliant Encouragement for Memorization to Help Reading!
This is a fabulous book that every parent should read with their children!

Researchers constantly find that reading to children is valuable in a variety of ways, not least of which are instilling a love of reading and improved reading skills. With better parent-child bonding from reading, your child will also be more emotionally secure and able to relate better to others. Intellectual performance will expand as well. Spending time together watching television fails as a substitute.

To help other parents apply this advice, as a parent of four I consulted an expert, our youngest child, and asked her to share with me her favorite books that were read to her as a young child. I Can Read with My Eyes Shut! was one of her picks.

To me, the brilliance of this book is in its title. This book encourages children to memorize this book. My four children all began to learn to read by first memorizing books. Then they could begin to match what they had memorized with words on the page. The next step was to then identify the word and be able to say it in an unmemorized book. Finally, they could read alone. Memorization is a key step, and I notice that many first-time parents don't realize that. Dr. Seuss provides the big clue here for children and parents. The choice of long words with funny sounds is particularly clever as a way to encourage memorizing. Who could decode Mississippi, Indianapolis, Hallelujah, Schenectady, and Wilkes-Barre the first time they saw them? Putting the place names on signs on a road emphasizes the child's obvious interest in becoming a driver some day. Brilliant!

Aside from the theme, the book has the great qualities of all Dr. Seuss's books for learning to read. There's lots of repetition. The adjectives can be translated into pictures, and the stories are humorously illustrated. For example, "I can read in red. I can read in blue. I can read in pickle color too." The four color words are all printed in a larger type size in the color described. The Cat in the Hat is wearing pickle color glasses that match the words "pickle color" in the sentence above. The rhyming scheme used throughout also makes it easier to memorize and progress.

The book also has wonderful conceptual material such as left and right examples, being upside down, and how the order of words in a sentence affects their meaning (mice on ice, and ice on mice).

Then lest your child get a subliminal message to ignore what is going on around you, Dr. Seuss points out the advantages of having your eyes open. "You'll miss the best things if you keep your eyes shut."

After you have helped your child to memorize this book and begin to notice these words around her or him, I suggest that you try writing a book like this with your child on the same theme. You will probably have to do the writing down of words, but your child can certainly do the illustrations. In the process, you can begin to help your child learn about rhyming if you want to be ambitious. Afterwards, I suggest that you ask your child to tell you how he or she is learning to read, to encourage more consciousness of the role of memorization. Your enjoyment of poetry will always be enhanced by memorization. I suggest you try some for yourself as well.

Remember this advice!

What Can YOU do with your eyes shut?
What I appreciate about this book is it encourages reading and conversation between parents (or adult) and child who I think would be great to read this one together. It also stretches the imagination: "reading with eyes shut? How does the Cat in the Hat read 'Mississippi' with his eyes shut? Can YOU read with your eyes shut?"

...

Read this one WITH a child (and with creative humans of any age!) and talk about it... stretch the concept.... And see what else will open up with our eyes shut.

a great rhyming book
this book is another Dr. Seuss classic that uses rhyme in it and really catches your thoughts and eyes and makes you wanna keep on reading. It is a great starters book and i loved it

A child's laughter
This book by Dr. Seuss made my child laugh, and it caught her attention. She read it only as a child would, and she understood without question what it meant. An imagination is all you need, and she has plenty.

The words play around. The pictures grabbed at your attention. This is a great book, and I recommend it to every child and parent, as well.

Many thanks to Dr. Suess for enriching my child's imagination and sparking her love to read. ... Read more

Book Description

Wanda G‡g's enchanting tale of the very old man who went off in search of the prettiest cat in the world for his wife and returned instead with millions to choose from has become an American classic, widely recognized as the first modern picture book. First published in 1928, it was a recipient of the 1929 Newbery Honor Book Award and has gone on to sell over a million copies. With its charming illustrations and rhythmic, sing-song refrain, Millions of Cats remains as beloved today as it was when it first appeared three-quarters of a century ago. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Reading Rainbow Classic!
I first saw this book on PBS's Reading Rainbow. I purchased it immediately and have been delighted ever since. The detailed illustrations are absolutely terrific and on some pages you could actually spend hours counting the millions of cats. This book is a true classic as it has been around for generations. An old man sets out to bring back a cat for himself and his wife. Instead, millions and millions of cats return home with him. Their home is soon overrun with felines and some drastic action has to be taken. All of the cats leave except one small kitten. And they lived happily ever after. The Reading Rainbow books are wonderful. After reading this book, I hope you agree. Highly recommended.

Millions of cats
Millions of Cats Book Review

I think you should read this book by Wanda Ga'g because it is a very good book. It tells that some ugly things can be cute. This story is about cats. A man has a hard time deciding which one he wants. They are all cute. After they drank the water, they left. Then he saw one left behind a plant and it was the cutest of them all. So he took it .
He and his wife gave it love and took care of it...

A TERRIFIC BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!
"MILLIONS OF CATS" TELLS THE STORY OF AN OLD WAOMAN AND AN OLD MAN THAT ARE VERY LONELY. THE OLD WOMAN TELLS HER HUSBAND TO GO AND FIND A NICE CAT FOR THEM. SO THEM MAN SETS OFF. BEFORE LONG, HE FINDS A WHOLE HILL COVERED IN WONDERFUL CATS. HE CAN'T DECIDE WHICH IS THE BEST, SO HE TAKES ALL OF THEM HOME TO HIS WIFE. WHEN HE GETS HOME HIS WIFE AND HIM ARE FORCED TO DECIDE WHICH IS THE BEST. SO, TO DO SO, THEY ASK WHICH IS THE BEST AND RUN INSIDE AWAY FROM THE CAT FIGHT. WILL THE CATS DESTROY THEMSELVES?
THIS IS A TERRIFIC BOOK WITH LOVELY ILLUSTRAIONS. IT TEACHESA LESSON: nOT ALWAYS THE TALLEST, SMARTEST, OR PRETTIEST IS THE BEST. NO WONDER IT WAS A 1929 NEWBERY HONOR BOOK!! FOR AGES
3-12.

Beautiful illustrations -- odd story
The illustrations more than the text make this story. If you stop to think about what happens to all the cats it's a bit disturbing. A similar and more delightful book is Cats for Kansas.

Millions, billions, and trillions but not gazillions?
I'm ashamed to say that prior to a children's literature course I took, I was completely ignorant of the works of Wanda Gag and her elegant, "Millions of Cats" until the ripe old age of 25. As it stands, the book is amazingly timeless, accompanied by beautiful pen and ink drawings illustrating each and every scene. There are plenty of details per page for kids to point out on their own and the words will not tax the average child. The daughter of a Bohemian painter, Gag was a superb artist in her own right. Nowhere else will you find this as evident as in "Millions of Cats". It remains one of the best American classic picture books of all time. ... Read more

Book Description

A lyrical creation tale of the Florida Everglades with stunning landscapes by Wendell Minor.

Reviews (3)

A 5th Grade's Class Review
We just finished reading EVERGLADES by Jean Craighead George. The storyteller was a great idea. His words really caught our attention. This book, even though it was about real life, read like a fictional story. We especially liked the way Ms. Craighead George used various synonyms to express just how many creatures were in the Everglades in the beginning. In addition to the colorful language, the incredible illustrations by Wendell Miner made the book come to life. Above all, we learned we should respect nature. A great reading experience!

A spectacular environmental story
Another spectacular picture book from one of today's greatest writing/illustrating teams, EVERGLADES isn't just a story--it's an epic, one begun thousands of years ago, when water carved this spectacular ecosystem in Florida. Jean Craighead George, author of over eighty remarkable nature books for young readers, lends awe-inspiring power to the pages of the book, while Wendell Minor's lush, colorful illustrations beautifully depict this environment, full of wildlife and vitality. The book, like Ms. George's many others, also has an important lesson to tell. In JULIE OF THE WOLVES, we see the importance of Alaska's North Slope to the animals that inhabit this seemingly bleak, barren landscape (this area is now in danger of more oil line construction). In FRIGHTFUL'S MOUNTAIN (third in the MY SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN trilogy), we come to know the threatened peregrine falcon, and the many threats humans have posed to it. In EVERGLADES, one feels a strong admiration toward this magnificent, but, sadly, endangered environment, and those who, like me, have never visited it, will surely long to see it for themselves. The narration is moving and fascinating, as a Seminole Indian describes to a group of children the evolution of the Florida Everglades, and inspires them to fight to help it survive. When one visits the Everglades, they will want to see the alligators, wetlands, and panthers of Mr. Minor's paintings. If you enjoy EVERGLADES, you'll fall in love with other spectacular George/ Minor collaborations, such as ARCTIC SON, the story of Ms. George's grandson who lives at the northernmost point in Alaska. As he grows up, he learns about the Inupiat Eskimos who make their home there and the tundra land around him. Mr. Minor's illustrations are quite lovely, and there's as much snow and ice in ARCTIC SON as there was grass and water in EVERGLADES. There's also MORNING, NOON, AND NIGHT, which focuses on the day-to-day lives of different animals throughout the U.S. The text it written very poetically, and Mr. Minor's illustrations of raccoons, seals, antelope, and birds are full of warmth and inspiration. And next year, a new book entitled LONESOME GEORGE will be published. This is about the famous, oldest Galapagos tortoise. Ms. George has also written a new young adult book about the Okefenokee Swamp, which is sure to be as full of environmental splendor as EVERGLADES. I can't wait to see them.

The Everglades
Jean Craighead George has done it again! What a wonderful perspective and simple telling of the history of the Everglades. As told by a Seminole Indian to the children, this story (and wonderful illustrations) produces a profound respect for the "River of Grass" and its future. As a teacher in Florida, this book was a fantastic read-aloud to my students during our unit on the Everglades. I also used George's other ecological mystery, Missing Gator of Gumbo Limbo, to study Florida's ecology. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The loveable, disaster-prone hero of Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key isback, this time in charge of his attention deficit disorder and ready to greetthe world as a normal kid--with the help of his new and improved meds, ofcourse. Now that Joey has a handle on his actions, he feels prepared to face themost mysterious member of his family--his estranged father, Carter Pigza. Heconvinces his skeptical mom to let him spend part of his summer vacation gettingto know his dad again. The only problem is that Joey's dad is just as wired asJoey used to be: "I looked over at his mouth, which never seemed to close--noteven the lips touched together--and it made me dizzy to listen to him." Carterbelieves that Joey can kick his ADD the way he himself kicked alcoholism--coldturkey. But when Carter flushes his meds, Joey has to decide if being friendswith his dad is worth losing his hard-won self-control. "That old Joey wascoming to get me and I couldn't do anything about it... I closed my eyes andtold myself to sleep while I could."

Jack Gantos's second book about Joey Pigza is just as delightful and soulful ashis first. Joey's attempts to keep the fragile peace in his life intact aretouching, and his intense longing to just be normal will mirror the feelings ofmost preteens, whether they have ADD or not. Joey Pigza may sometimes losecontrol, but he never loses his heart. This is an exceptional sequel. (Ages 10and older) --Jennifer Hubert ... Read more

Reviews (102)

Summer Reading
Joey's dad convinces Joey's mom to let Joey stay with him for the summer. Things go haywire when Joey's dad gets rid of his medicine. This causes many problems. So, will he get his medicine back?

JOEY PIGZA LOSES CONTEL is a great book for a
Gross and funny laugh.

Think about reading it.
Joey Pigza is a kid who is on medicine for his hyperactivity. He meets his dad.His dad doesn't like the fact that he is on meds for his hyperactivity, so he flushes his meds down the toilet. After that day, Joey starts to lose control. Will Joey ever get back on his meds? Read this book to find out. This book is for anyone who wants a good laugh and loves a crazy story. It is a great story; I would read it over and over again.

Six Star Review
The good news, Joey's got 6 weeks with his dad.
The bad news, He's a Maniac!

Yes, Pigza's in for a bumpy ride down crazy town.He's playing hooky, turning himself into the abominable snowman and other crazy things.Can Joey ever pull himself together long enough to escape a madman of his father?

Prepare to bust a gut laughing cause this book is 101%gauranteed to have your family laugh so hard, they'll barf.

The Best Book Ever
Joey Pigza Loses Control
Joey Pigza is not so normal, but when he goes and lives with his dad we find out that Joeys' dad (Carter) isn't normal either. After Carter flushes Joeys' patches down the toilet, Joey does many strange things, from eating 1,000,000 jelly packets to trying to get back to his mom in his dad's car. After a while,Joey figures out that he needs his patches. What do you think will happen? Will he get his medicine or will he loses control?


Joey Pigza Loses Control is a funny book to read, but it teaches you that adults aren't always right about things.

Joey Pigza Loses Control


I kind of liked the story because, it sounded interesting. I wanted to find out if Joey's visit was worth it. I also think that Jack Gantos is a good author.

This book is about a boy named Joey who goes to visit his dad for the first time. His mom always said bad things about Carter, Joey's dad, but Joey was determined to find out the truth and prove she was wrong. So can they forget about the past or will it always be there? Joey has a problem, he can't sit still, and sometimes he can get a little carried away or, he just loses it all together. Carter's problem is he doesn't know how to treat his son and he drinks a lot of alcohol. They both take medicine patches to keep themselves in control but when Joey's dad takes the patches away, do you think the visit will still be the same so-so summer together or will it be a memory to last a lifetime...

In my opinion, I think that kids with similar disorder like A.D.D can relate to Joey and understand things from his point of view. This book is also kind of funny, so it can be fun just to read for school or in your spare time.
... Read more

Book Description

Galdone's dynamic, amusing pictures add much humor to the familiar tale of the industrious hen and lazy cat, dog, and mouse. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Great book!
The little red hen does all the work. She cuts the grass. She baked the bread. She planted the grass. She takes the grass to the miller. My favorite part was when the cat sat down and crossed his arms.

Work Ethic
The Little Red Hen is a wonderful introduction to work ethic and the value of helping and doing things from scratch. It has nice repetitive elements which younger kids love and the step by step story telling much like "The House that Jack Built."

The Little Red Hen
This book teaches kids how they should not be greedy and they should help someone if they want something in return. This book is about a hen who plants, cuts, beats, takes the wheat to the mill all by herself and bakes some bread. Then her friends want some when it is done but since they didnt help the hen eats it all by her self. This book is a really good book i think it can teach kids a lot.

Excellent version of a classic.
I have this exact book from when I was little and now I am reading it to my 2 year old. The relatively simple text and repetition makes it a hit with budding readers. My son especially likes the "Not I" Said the Cat, "Not I" Said the Dog parts because the book incorporates different pics of each animal into the text each time this is repeated. (Making goofy voices for the cat, dog and mouse is a big hit too.) A nice lesson in the pay-back for working hard vs. laziness.

A Great Book
Teaches a valuable lesson about teamwork and helping out. Great illustrations. Easy to read for beginning readers. Paul Gladone has another winner! ... Read more

Book Description

All three pigs set out to seek their fortune, but two of them come to a sorry end. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Great For Trips!
I always loved this story as a child, so it is one that I have inflicted on my daughter (almost 4) in hopes that she would love it as well. We were planning a trip, so I purchased the audio version so she could listen to the story while we were driving. While it is not the PC version where the first and second little pigs get away and run to the home of their brother with the brick home (they are actually eaten as each of their homes is huffed and puffed to the ground)--it is still a great story and provided hours of entertainment. We are constantly finding the value of books with tapes for car travel and it helps a lot when the books are well written and illustrated. This one is all of that and more.

A "back to basics" retelling of the classic story
When my older son became fascinated with the Three Little Pigs after seeing a version of it on Sesame Street, I did some research on this site to decide the best version to buy him in book form, and decided on this one. I was glad I did---as he really enjoyed many readings of this version until he moved onto new interests! It's not for the faint hearted, as the first two pigs do get eaten, and the pictures of the houses falling show sticks all over and pigs flying away, but that's life in fairy tales! The text is straightforward, the pictures are clear and well done. Consider this version!

Awesome!
This version of the Three Little Pigs is excellent. The original tale with the actual eating of the pigs and wolf. My tot is the sweetest kid in the world, and he loves this book. Definitely his favorite for a few weeks. I don't have the audio cassette version, but I recently bought the audio version of Rumplestiltskin, and it's great too. I'm actually on here now to buy more audio cassette books, as many Paul Galdone books as I can find.

My Two Year Old Laughs Until His Sides Hurt
My child loves this book/cassette combo. He loves it more than the so-called 'friendlier', non-pig eatin' versions that currently on the market. This, of course, surprised me...but I guess it shouldn't. This version is richer in conflict; and in turn, more thought-provoking than the other versions. If you think your child would enjoy this type of story line, like mine has; then by all means, purchase this combo for him/her! Only you know what is/is not suitable for your child.

My child fell in love with this combo when we checked it out at our public library. So much, in fact, that I had to find a way to purchase it.

Back to Tradition
This is a wonderful presentation of the original story without the moralisms of Disney's adaptation. There is bad and good luck, cunning, bravery and dealing with tough situations without whining. This leaves room for children to respond to the story and interpret it. My two year old grandson loved it, even if he didn't know what a churn was. The drawings are stylish. I recommend it as an addition to your basic library of classic children's tales. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Beautiful Book
I bought a similar Inga Moore version of this book for my son and we love it. The text has been "sensitively abridged" to make it appropriate for young children and the result is a delightful story that brings small animals to vivid life. Inga Moore's illustrations are what drew me to this book. They are wonderfully detailed and evocative of the beauty of the Thames Valley. ... Read more

Book Description

Walking corpses, dancing bones, knife-wielding madmen, and narrow escapes from death -- they're all here in this chilling collection of ghost stories. ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Don't pass this boxed set up!!!
Most of you that are glancing at this item are familiar with the "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" series, if you are not now is the time to familiarize yourself. These books are great scary children stories and the illustrations are beyond creepy and just as fun for the young adult reader. For those of you familiar with my reviews you know I can be a bit stinchy with my awarding stars to items, but this collection deserves it. The covers are even given a polished off modern look. I didn't like the metallic covers at first as they seemed to ruin the nostalgia, but this little addition makes the boxed set seem more like a collector's item. I'd still have to give the work itself a 3.75 stars so we'll just say 4, but the overall value and revamped look knock this terrific item up to 5 stars. If your a fan of the series or scary stories in general you can't miss this. GET IT!!!

VERY SPOOKY!! IT'LL GIVE YOU NIGHTMARES!!
This boxed set of "Scary Stories To Tell In the Dark" is absolutly incredible! I am now 18 years old and still can't get enough of this spooky stuff. The stories aren't too scary, but the illusions are very scary, morbid, eerie, and will give you nightmares!! Hey, ... these books still give me chills even after all these years. I love 'em. Stephen Gammell has given readers a rare treat with all the spooky and realistic black & white illusions. Alvin Schwartz is a heck of an author! These books are wonderful. Get em' all in this incredible boxed set. Enjoy it.

"Harold" still gives me chills, 10 years after I read it!!
I grew up loving these books, and have many a fond memory of reading them by flashlight at sleepovers and scaring my friends. I even had a scary-story themed birthdy party once, where we sat in the dark and my mom read some of the stories by flashlight and then passed around bowls of peeled grapes (eyeballs) and pasta (guts), even jell-o (brains). We had a lot of good screams that night!

I would reccomend these stories to any kid, or to any parent to buy for their kid. They're terrifying, the illustrations are gruesome, but they fuel the imagination unlike any other kid-themed horror story I've ever read, and I read 'em all in my day. I found that the story "Harold" disturbed me the most, and every now and then my mind will wander to it and I'll shudder. There's something to be said for a story that still has the power to unsettle ten years after it's been read.

So sad.
I had this once and I got rid of it!!!!!! I still regret it and I'm going to order a new one. DON'T pass this up! It's a great book. Has the old stories and some new ones(well, new twists from when it was made). It was a sad, sad day when I got rid of the box set I had. My brother was sad too. I think he may have hated me for a brief second.;)

Super Freaky!
First, of all I didn't give it a one because its horrible, I gave it a one because Alvin Schwartz stories are REALLY creepy. And I agree with danny the illustrations are freaky, those alone would make me want to burn the book. And I've reached the college level age and I'm still affraid of those books! lol I have a very low tollerence for horror of any kind....... Some stories aren't that scary their just pretty weird folklore...Like the story of the WolfGirl in vol. 3. Or the Hog... Though Harold was a freakish story....the pictures are the main reason though... ::shivers:: college student and still afraid...lol ... Read more

Book Description

A stand-alone sequel to My Father's Dragon, in which Elmer Elevator and the flying baby dragon help the king of the canaries find treasure. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

A curious story
I am reading this in my first grade class. I can't wait to get to the next book. People in this story are so curious. Once you start it, you want to get to the end and find out what happens.

great boy's book
I remember hearing these stories as a child and loving them, now my son is loving them too. I would recommend these to kids ready to listen to simple chapter books. The stories are cleverly written so adults can enjoy the reading too. We like to read this series aloud to the kids, and if you read one they will want you to read all of them! Some nice illustrations accompany the stories.

The Journey Home
Freeing the dragon in the first book (My Father's Dragon) was only half the journey. Elmer now needs to get back home. The dragon is so thankful he offers the boy a ride. But when a storm blows them off course, they find themselves on an island with canaries that are dieing of curiosity. Can they help the birds and still get Elmer home in time for his father's birthday?

This book is a fun sequel to the original. It doesn't quite hold up to the nonsensical fun of the first one, but is still a great read. Early readers will enjoy being able to get through the short chapters themselves and should enjoy the plot and characters.

This series is the perfect series to use to introduce kids to reading. They'll be able to handle the story and characters well and enjoy the journey to another world. Pick them up today and start them on the road to exploring other worlds through books.

Don't Forget To Read Elmer And The Dragon!
Elmer And The Dragon by Ruth Stills Gannet

Have you ever ridden on a dragon? This book is about Elmer and the dragon. After Elmer rescued the dragon from Wild Island the dragon was going to fly Elmer home. But a storm hit and blew Elmer and the Dragon off course. They landed on a sandbar a couple yards from an island. The next morning Elmer and the Dragon went to the island. When they got to the island the Dragon said ," I'm stiff." Will Elmer and the Dragon get off the island?

I liked the part when the Dragon ate some tangerine peels and said they were delicious. It was kind of funny because tangerine peels would be gross to eat!

I think the author was trying to show people perseverance. Elmer and the Dragon were trying to go home when the storm hit. Even though they ended up on a sandbar, they still kept trying to get home.

Such wonderful childhood memories
This book, along with the other two, were my favorites around 3rd or 4th grade. They are exciting and fun and emotional. Any child that reads these will remember them forever! ... Read more

Book Description

Today is doomsday for a young Venezuelan Indian boy's beloved rain forest and its animal life—unless he and a visiting naturalist can save it. "George makes drama large and small out of the minute-by-minute events in an ecosystem . . . gripping ecological theater." —C. "An example of nonfiction writing at its best." —SLJ.

Notable 1990 Children's Trade Books in Social Studies (NCSS/CBC)
Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children 1990 (NSTA/CBC) ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Tepui's Challenge
ONE DAY IN THE TROPICAL RAINFOREST
AUTHOR-JEAN CRAIGHEAD GEORGE
GENRE-ADVENTURE/REALISTIC FICTION
PAGES-66

SETTING-TROPICAL RAINFOREST OF THE MACAW
CHARACTERS-TEPUI, DR.RIVERO , A ORNITHOLOGIST, HERPETOLOGIST, MAMMALOLOGIST , AND A BOTONIST.

THIS IS A MUST READ BOOK IF YOU LIKE ADVENTURE OR THE RAINFOREST! IT'S ABOUT A BOY NAMED TEPUI AND A SCIENTIST NAMED DR. RIVERO. THEY HAVE AN URGENT PROBLEM, THERE ARE 11 BULLDOSERS AND FOUR TRUCKS CARRYING 20 CHAINSAWERS THAT WANT TO CUT DOWN THE RAINFOREST FOR FARMLAND. TEPUI AND DR. RIVERO MUST FIND A NEW BUTTERFLY TO SAVE THE RAINFOREST, BUT THEY ONLY HAVE LESS THAN A DAY BEFORE THE DESTRUCTION BEGINS. CAN THEY DO IT?

The author writes very suspenseful, and teaches us valuable lessons throughout the story. We are constantly learning more about the BALANCE of the Rain Forest and the miraculous events going on simultaneously around the main characters. I can't wait to read other books by this author. You can tell she does a great deal of research about her topics and enjoys the outdoors.

Great information Source
This book was a great information source. You can tell that the author did a lot of research for this book. It records a young boys journey through the rain forest in search of the butterfly that will save the rain forest from the bulldozers. During his journey he encounters many animals. The author gave very useful and vivid detail. However there were some points where the book was kinda hard to understand. I can also understand why some people might think this book was dull. It is just a nature book without much excitment. I recommend this book to anyone who loves nature or is doing research on the rain forest!

The gripping story of a remarkable environment
Here is another superb entry in beloved nature writer Jean Craighead George's informative and thrilling ONE DAY. . . series. The award-winning author of JULIE OF THE WOLVES, MY SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN, and more than eighty other wildlife books for young readers does a great job of bringing to life the magical setting of the tropical rain forest. Tepui, a young boy who lives in Venezuela's Tropical Rain Forest of the Macaw, befriends some biologists who are studying the rain forest. To his and the scientists' dismay, the rain forest is scheduled to be chopped down and destroyed one afternoon. The only way to save it is to find a special butterfly that has never before been identified and present it to a wealthy businessman who wants to name the butterfly after his daughter. So Tepui and his friend Dr. Rivero--a lepidoptorist--set out to find the elusive insect. But the human characters are only a small part of the story. The rain forest is alive with thousands of species of creatures--amusing ones like a leisurely sloth, and creepy ones like flesh-eating ants. There are birds of all the colors of the rainbow, mammals like jaguars and tapirs, magnificent tree giants, and, of course, millions of insects. This is a fascinating glimpse, written in a fast-paced minute-by-minute style, into an environment so complex and diverse that there are many creatures who don't even have names, and have never seen humans. It is also an important story that all young people should pay attention to to better understand their natural world and help to preserve its unique magnificent ecosystems. Other titles in the series are: ONE DAY IN THE. . .ALPINE TUNDRA, PRAIRIE, DESERT, and WOODS. Any ecologist will also want to check out Jean Craighead George's Eco-Mysteries series: WHO REALLY KILLED COCK ROBIN?, THE CASE OF THE MISSING CUTTHROATS, THE MISSING 'GATOR OF GUMBO LIMBO, and THE FIRE BUG CONNECTION. These include information on chemicals, the ozone layer, human development, and how these things threaten our wild places and creatures.

We Gave Up on This One!
This book was a reading assignment for my 9 year old son. He could not read many of the words, he found it very dull. I can't imagine that the average 9 year old can read this book without alot of help. Maybe we gave up too soon, but it was dull!

Much good information
An unnamed butterfly must be found today in order to save this chunk of the rainforest. Loggers are already on the way to cut it all down. The premise is exciting, but the execution of the story, particularly in the beginning, is often less than pulse-stirring, weighted down by a thousand facts about rainforests. These facts are, however, by far the most interesting part of the book, and there's even an index. Once I was into the book, I enjoyed it very much. So far I have not been able to get my son to do more than open it, and I think the slow start may be the problem. This would be an exvellent book to have in a classroom during a unit on rainforests. ... Read more

Amazon.com

If I Ran the Circus is a grand rhyming Seussian hymn to every child's grandest and wildest plans. Behind Mr. Sneelock's ramshackle store, there's an empty lot. Little Morris McGurk is convinced that if he could just clear out the rusty cans, the dead tree, and the old cars, he would have no further obstacles to using the lot for the amazing, the world-beating, Circus McGurkus. The more elaborate Morris's dreams about the circus become, the more they depend on sleepy-looking, innocent Mr. Sneelock, who stands outside his ramshackle store sucking on a pipe, oblivious to the fate that awaits him in the depths of Morris's imagination. He doesn't yet know that he'll have to dispense 500 gallons of lemonade, be lassoed by a Wily Walloo, wrestle a Grizzly-Ghastly, and ski down a slope dotted with giant cacti. But if his performance is up to McGurkian expectations, then "why, ladies and gentlemen, youngsters and oldsters, your heads will quite likely spin right off your shouldsters!" Welcome to the big top. (Ages 4 to 8) --Richard Farr ... Read more

Reviews (10)

for circus fans
My 6yr old daughter picked this book out at the library because she saw a poster of it being held by Jonathan Lee Iverson - the ringmaster for Ringling Bros. She fell in love with the circus at age 4 and had to read this book when she saw the poster. She was so upset when it was time to return it that I decided to buy it for her and give it to her when she completes kindergarden. She looks for it every time we're at the library. It's a tongue twister for adults (what Seuss book isnt't) but actually kind of fun as you get into it. Lengthy too but if you have a circus fan I'm sure they'll love it too.

Perhaps the most perfect Seuss!
If I Ran the Circus is a delightful cross between the tongue-twisting Fox in Sox and the classic Cat in the Hat. I read it to my children until they begged me to stop. Then I read it to my wife. It demands to be read outloud with the greatest of enthusiasm, almost child-like glee, drawing out the unique word combinations and stunning metre and rhyme. Fabuluous.

One of Seuss's finest
Absolutely topnotch Seuss--a rollicking, over-the-top display of his art, word play, imagination, and humor. The Foon, the Drum-Tummied Snumm, the Organ McOrgan McGurkus, the spouting whales--all are among Seuss's most delightful creations. This book is bursting with optimism and energy, and to read it well to a child you have to give it your all.

I'm surprised this book is not mentioned very much in the current burst of interest in Seuss (2004 is his birth centennial). It's a marvellous tale and it would be a shame for someone to go through a childhood (or parenthood) and miss it.

If I Ran The Circus
My dad bought me this book when I was quite young and to this day it is still my favorite book. I read it when i'm having a bad day and it always makes me smile. It has something for everyone. As a kid I liked the language and the amazing drawings. As an adult I like the idea of the dream of running a circus, so to speak.

From Childhood to Adulthood
This is the one book I would not let my parents put down as a child and now with my first child on the way I have a new copy to read aloud to him. The book is a fabulous adventure that never gets old. If you need a reason other than the wonderful story and its characters, try challenging yourself to read it all the way through with out getting tounge-tied. My father never could! ... Read more

Book Description

To her small Eskimo village, she is known as Miyax; to her friend in San Francisco, she is Julie. When the village is no longer safe for her, Miyax runs away. But she soon finds herself lost in the Alaskan wilderness, without food, without even a compass to guide her.

Slowly she is accepted by a pack of Arctic wolves, Mid she grows to love them as though they were family. With their help, and drawing on her father's teachings, Miyax struggles day by clay to survive. But the time comes when she must leave the wilderness and choose between the old ways an(] the new. Which will she choose? For she is Miyax of the Eskimos--but Julie of the Wolves.

Faced with the prospect of a disagreeable arranged marriage or a journey acoss the barren Alaskan tundra, 13-year-old Miyax chooses the tundra. She finds herself caught between the traditional Eskimo ways and the modern ways of the whites. Miyax, or Julie as her pen pal Amy calls her, sets out alone to visit Amy in San Francisco, a world far away from Eskimo culture and the frozen land of Alaska.

During her long and arduous journey, Miyax comes to appreciate the value of her Eskimo heritage, learns about herself, and wins the friednship of a pack of wolves. After learning the language of the wolves and slowly earning their trust, Julie becomes a member of the pack.

Since its first publication, Julie of The Wolves,winner of thr 1973 Newbery Medal, has found its way into the hearts of millions of readers.

Winner, 1973 Newbery Medal
Nominee, 1973 National Book Award for Children's Literature
Notable Children's Books of 1971–1975 (ALA)
1973 Fanfare Honor List (The Horn Book)
Children's Books of 1972 (Library of Congress)
Children's Books of International Interest 1972 (CSD/ALA)
Gold Star List 1973 (ESLC)

Reviews (125)

Julie of the Wolves- A real winner!!!!!!
Wow! What a captivating book Julie of the Wolves was! I had my doubts at first though. It seemed as though in the first 50 pages of the book nothing happened. It almost got so boring I was ready to throw it down(that's why I gave it 4 stars), but I'm so glad I didn't! Jean George constructed a story that keeps your attention and displays impotant values and morals. It gives you a sense of understanding between the human qualties and animals. The read also gives you the inspiration of a young girl having the will to survive in the Arctic tundra. These morals remind you of the basic human structure of pesonality and spirit. If you are looking for a book to lift you off your feet away from the daily grind, this is a winner!!!!!

A great book for those who have ever felt they didn't belong
At the age of thirteen, Miyax is running from an unbearable home situation. Miyax is traveling to Point Hope, where she will take a ship to San Francisco to live with her pen pal Amy. She treks across the frozen tundra of Alaska, fighting cruel winters and starvation. She befriends a pack of wolves on her journey. They take her in as one of them. Miyax loves the wolves and she uses her knowledge of wolves, handed down by her supposedly dead father to communicate them. She makes a meal out of anything... grass, leaves, berries. When it is time for the wolf pack to go on, Miyax is forced to continue her journey alone. While Miyax is subconsciously following the pack, she ponders on her life, during dark days and long sleepless nights, Miyax discovers that the Eskimo way of life is gone with the wind, only a few traces of her past life remain. In the middle of the 1900's Americans have Americanized the large state of Alaska, and the life of their ancestors is gone.

This book is a story of survival in the wilderness, of strong strength and the will to go on. This is a great book for individuals who are fascinated with wolves, and the Eskimos. This is a great story of imagination and life, a very spiritual and enriching book for anyone who has ever felt that they don't belong.

Why on earth did this win a Newbery?!
I hated "Julie of the Wolves." By the time I finished, 15,000,000 questions were swimming in my head, one which was, "How on earth did this win the Newbery?" Although Part 1 was good, Part 2 was confusing, and Part 3 was the sorriest excuse for a Newbery award winner I have ever read.
I was expecting some grand tale which ended with the sentence, "And with that, Julie pulled up the covers of her new bed in San Francisco, closed her eyes, and went to sleep." Instead it was, "Julie pointed her boots toward Kapugen."
If you like books with weak plots and confusing sentences you must read four times to understand, then you'll love "Julie of the Wolves."

Why?
Back in 6th Grade I was forced to read this book for a school project. I was never the same. This book showed me that not all literature is good, and that some works are truly horrible. This is truly horrible. I can't understand how it could win any type of award, especially a Newberry. I am still confused as to the point of this book. Most of the time, it read like a boring textbook and what story there was was pitiful and weak. I could not feel any sympathy for the characters at all. I wish there was a rating lower than 1 star, because that's what this book deserves. I saw someone on Amazon selling it for a penny. It isn't even worth that.

Julie of the Wolves
Julie of the Wolves is a novel about a girl and a wolf pack, fighting against nature to survive. It is an inspiering book of how Julie fights for her life, and learns to live with a pack of wolves. It is a good book to read if you love adventures and the outdoors. It explains how well people can connect with nature. ... Read more

Book Description

When a daisy suddenly sprouts from the top of Mayzie McGrew's head, she is

faced with her classmates' taunts, her parents' dismay, and a publicity agent's

greed. How poor Mayzie learns that love is more important than fame and fortune

makes an endearing morality tale for our time--and for all ages. Narrated by

the Cat in the Hat, Daisy-Head Mayzie is vintage Seuss!




... Read more

Reviews (10)

I love this book!!
I love this book because it is funny, and exciting. It is easy to read and it made me laugh. T.J. (4th Grader)

too hard for young children
What everyone is saying that this isn't Seuss's real work, I believe. Seuss uses language that is easy to understand for children, and they used rather big words in this. I do like this book but if I read it to a kid they would only understand some of it.

Dr. Seuss is rolling over...
Dr. Seuss left this book in a drawer when he died. He obviously didn't think enough of it himself to publish it, but now that he's dead I guess anything's fair game. The illustrations are designed to fool you into thinking he did them, but he didn't. Yet this book says "by Dr. Seuss" on the cover just like The Lorax or Cat in the Hat. Deceitful.

Not a typical Seuss, but my daughter LOVES it!
Hands down, this is my daughter's *favorite* Seuss book. At 3 & 1/2, she can practically recite it word for word. I was saddened to see the other negative reviews about the book, because I like the message in it - 1) Your family & friends will always love you, and 2) Fame isn't all it's cracked up to be. The book can be the spark for some interesting & thoughtful conversations on values.

do NOT buy this book
I love Seuss. I think I owe my relationship to language to him. I am now reading all his work to my daughter.

But know this: this book does NOT count as a "real" Dr. Seuss book. The illustrations are PURE trash, and the story may have turned into a real Seuss work, if he'd worked on it further (it sounds like scribbled notes for a story). ... Read more

Book Description

This spooky addition to Alvin Schwartz's popular books on American folklore is filled with tales of eerie horror and dark revenge that will make you jump with fright.

There is a story here for everyone -- skeletons with torn and tangled flesh who roam the earth; a ghost who takes revenge on her murderer; and a haunted house where every night a bloody head falls down the chimney.

Stephen Gammell's splendidly creepy drawings perfectly capture the mood of more than two dozen scary stories -- and even scary songs -- all just right for reading alone or for telling aloud in the dark.

Reviews (54)

Stephen Gammel is a genius!
The first book I read out of the three in the series was "More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark," but this is my favorite one by far. No other scary story book(s) alive will EVER compete with this one and its two other sequels. Like almost everyone has said, it's not so much the stories that make this one and it's counterparts scary, it's the damn illustrations! Now let me tell you, Alvin Schwartz does do a very good job of putting stories of old folklore together with a couple of his own stories that he made up himself, but without the help of Stephen Gammel I highly doubt this book (and the other ones) would be so popular. These books are definitely not for the little ones, well maybe they would be if you don't show them the illustrations because there's a VERY good chance they will have nightmares. I swear though if I could draw and paint like Gammel does I would be a happy man, that's for sure! Anyhoo, let me get to the part of where I tell you why this book is my favorite. Not only does it have the best stories in it (in my opinion anyways) but out of the entire series this one has the most unbelieveably nightmarish drawings. "The Thing" and ESPECIALLY "The Haunted House" are VERY good examples! "The Thing"'s illustration is pretty scary but while reading "The Haunted House," I have to put a piece of paper over the illustration to cover it up while reading the story itself, it's that bad trust me. Overall, while I wish very badly that Alvin and Stephen would collaborate again to make more of these books (and I don't think they will, tis very sad) I am glad I have all three of these books, they are well worth the price. However I very rarely read them anymore, it's not like I'm tired of them or anything it's cuz they're too damn scary! I just read all of them yesterday and I predict it's gonna be another 3 years or so before I read them again. That being said, if you don't buy all 3 of these books ..., plain and simple.

Awesome
I read these books (all three of them) when I was in third grade. They were so popular at my school, the library had 4 copies of each book, and you still had to put your name on a waiting list. The first time i read them, I was totally freaked out (Steven Gammell's illustrations added imensly to the horror that Schwartz weaved), I remember not sleeping well the first night after I read them. Its now 8 years later (I'm a senior in high school) and I had completly forgotten that they existed. I stumbled upon them when I was searching for Stephen King (I've always been a fan of the horror genre) and ordered all three of them. If you're into fokelore and scary stories, these three books (Scary Stories, More Scary Stories and Scary Stories 3) are all must-haves in your collection. Enjoy, they're WICKED good :)

I am still totally creeped out.
So ten or fifteen years ago, when I was in elementary school, this was definitely the NUMBER ONE MOST FREQUENTLY CHECKED-OUT LIBRARY BOOK, EVER. If you wanted this book in your hot little hand for just two days, you had to stand at the counter and wait for someone to turn it back in, just so you could snatch it up before the librarian got it back onto the shelf. No joke.

America's a young country, of course, so our idea of "American folklore" often falls into the sphere of Urban Legend. That doesn't mean this book is any less literary, of course: children will learn what REAL short story pacing is, thanks to Alvin Schwartz's suspenseful collection of concise, tense, and often outright nightmarish stories.

But the real thing that will haunt kids a decade or two later will be Stephen Gammell's illustrations. Yipes! I've asked my peers, and not one of us has forgotten those awful, macabre, dripping-flesh-decay illustrations. Ick! Just remembering this book gives me the creeps!

But parents, don't worry: this book is a must-have for any well-rounded childhood, so long as you don't mind sharing your bed with your kid for a week or two.

Great collection of scary stories for kids
This is the greatest collection of scary stories for kids and pre teens ever. I have collected many scary stories books through out my childhood and this is the only one whos storys have actually stuck with me and the only ones i can remember. Every book in the series , this one , more scary storys to tell in the dark and scary stories 3 are all good. The storys were so creepy i can still remember them to this day and i have recently got the other scary stories books so i can see if they were as good as i remember and they are. I first got this book when i was about 10 years old and lost it over the years then i re ordered a copy and the stories still have same effect and value as i remember. They have great illustrations and even some songs in a couple of the books. I used to stay up at night and read this with my friend and we would read the stories to eachother , i was so excited cause the book was so good and most of the stories gave me chills and i was not one to scare easy. For 6 bucks this is well worth it and the memories and storys will last forever.

Scary Stories to tell in the Dark
My book is the best book ever! It is called Scary Stories to tell in the Dark. Since there is more than one story you can never get bored with it. There is a scary part of about 5 chapters long, and there is a funny part. (It is only one chapter.) One of the scary stories you will love is the White wolf. In this story a pack of wolves keep eating farmers' sheep. Then a butcher says he will help get rid of the sheep even though he has retired from hunting. I will not tell you any more of the story, you will just have to read it. One of the funny stories is the Viper. In this story a widower gets a phone call from the Viper, and he calls about 3 times. Then the widower calls the police. I will not tell you any more, but I will tell one more thing. I highly and truly recommend this book. On a scale of 0-10 I would give this a 9. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Fans of Jean Craighead George's My Side of the Mountain (a Newbery Honor Book) and On the Far Side of the Mountain will be delighted to return to upstate New York's Catskill Mountains for the conclusion of her trilogy, which appears 40 years after the first title's publication in 1959. Written because a young fan asked, "What happened to Frightful?" this volume tells how Sam Gribley's peregrine falcon--that's Frightful--has to make her own way in the world after Sam is forced to release her. Although told in the third person, the story is developed entirely from the bird's point of view. George's narrative follows the falcon through a series of dangerous adventures (involving DDT, electricity lines, and unscrupulous bird traders, to name a few) as she learns to depend on her own instincts. The environmental message is slightly heavy-handed, but it's wrapped in an enjoyable story from a much loved and astoundingly prolific author. You don't need to have read the earlier books to make sense of this one, though it may help. (Ages 9 and older) --Richard Farr ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Great book!
Frightful's Mountain is the sequel to My Side of the Mountain, and On the Far Side of the Mountain. It is about a boy named Sam Gribley. In this book Sam is worried that his falcon, Frightful is so attached him she won't be able to mate, or migrate. Will she be able to live on her own? To find out you must read the book.

Frightful's mountain
In the book Frightful's Mountain Sam's sister Alice frees Frightful from some mean people, but then Frightful gets lost trying to find Sam. While Frightful is hunting for food all of a sudden a male Falcon named Chup shows up and starts to show off by swooping upside down, Frightful mates with Chup and has three babies, Lady, Duchess, and Drum. Lady, Duchess, and Drum grow and learn to hunt by practicing on Frightful and Chup. Later in the story it's migrating season so all the birds go South to a hotter place but Frightful didn't migrate because she has survived through winter wit Sam before. Frightful has no food so she goes to find her hunting partner Mole the dog, when Frightful got there, Mole wasn't there and neither was the owner, So Frightful flies to a nearby house and sees Mole limping and bleeding and Mole had food! Usually Mole shares food with Frightful but this time Mole just snarled at her, Then two men with a net came out of the house and caught Frightful, they took Frightful inside and Frightful wiggled around until she was free at last, Frightful flew out of the house and saw a nearby telephone wire and went to land on it, the telephone wire shocked and burned her, Frightful fell to the ground, a nice man was walking near by and went to pick Frightful up, her feathers were burnt and she was shocked, she was almost dead but that's not the end so you'll have to read it to find out what happens. Peace out ya'll, Sayonara, Bye,Bye.

A Book For When You're Bored
I had to read this book for a project at school and I thought My Side of the Mountain was boring. Then I read On the Far Side of the Mountain and I thought that was better than the first. Then finally I read Frightful's Flight and I learned so much. I learned a lot about falcons and how to take care if them. I enjoyed this book and I thought it was a lot better than the first two. But I still think that this book is better to read when you're really bored.

Frightful's Mountain
" Frightful's Mountain" is a mouthful of adventure. It tells how a falcon tries to survive in the wild. This book is unforgettable. I give great thanks to Jean Craighead George; she did a wonderful job. She did so well you would not be able to stop reading. "Frightful's Mountain" gives a message that tell you that everything happens for a reason and that little animal can do a lot of things. At least I think so. I recommend this book to everyone for all ages, and I give this book a well deserved four stars.

Frightful's Mountain: A Great Book
Frightful's Mountain is about a peregrine falcon that is seraching for her previous owner. She must find out the one tree and the one mountain where he lives. She meets everything from dogs to poachers to other peregine falcons that come in her way. She finally gets back to him, but is then set free to live the life of a wild peregrine.
The reason I liked this book is because of its style. It was very much like the first book of the trilogy, except that it was from the falcon's point of view. I love adventure stories, so it is not a surprise that I believe this is exceptional literature, but this one puts you in the situation and sucks you into the text. I coundn't stop reading!
One other reason I believed this was one of the greatest books of all time is because it was so detailed. Descriptions lurked around every corner. I could almost see what was going on when I was reading! It was also very emotional and i wanted to get a tissue amnd cry into it. It was very impactful.
My favorite part was when Sam, Frightful's master, was trying to save two of her chicks that were stolen by poachers. His dog had crawled under the cabin's foundation and was met by a skunk's spray. The smell seeped through the floorboards and the poachers ran out of the building. Sam snuck in through the back door and collected the eyases in his hands. One of the poachers had run back in to get his gun and saw Sam. The conservation officers had come in just in time and had him at gunpoint. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Bartholomew and the Oobleck easily qualifies as a Seuss classic, first told way back in 1949. And its message--the importance of owning up to your mistakes and saying that you're sorry--is as timeless now as it was then.

Bartholomew Cubbins serves thanklessly as pageboy to King Derwin of Didd, a headstrong man who's decided he isn't satisfied with mere sun, fog, rain, and snow. ("Humph! The things that come down from my sky!") He wants something else, something uniquely his own, so he calls in his royal magicians ("Shuffle, duffle, muzzle, muff. Fista, wista, mista-cuff. We are men of groans and howls, mystic men who eat boiled owls"). Happy to oblige, the magicians tell the king they can make "oobleck" fall from the sky, only nobody--not even the magicians--knows just what oobleck is.But after a night of arcane incantations, everyone in the kingdom gets a taste of the stuff (in the case of the Captain of the Guard, literally!), as the green, gluey goo gums up everything in sight.

Of course, Bartholomew tries to help, but it's up to the king to save the day, as he learns to utter not magic words but simple words with magic in them: "I'm sorry." (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Science is fun, but not always
Bartholomew and the Oobleck is my favorite Seuss. The King wants something new to come from the sky. He's tired of the sun, the rain, the wind and the snow. He sends his magicians to their secret cave in mystic mountain Neekatave. In the morning green sticky oobleck falls from the sky and gums up the entire kingdom. It's great fun watching everything get stickier and sticker. Even the King gets stuck to his throne. Of course Bartholomew saves the day. And the King learns that the right thing to do when you've messed up other people's lives is apologize. Silly me, I'd hoped that my daughter would learn to apologize when she's made a mistake -- if kings can do it --- but she didn't get the message. Still, the book is delightful. I don't see it as an anti-science tale. Yes, lots of folks tried to talk the King out of his experiment, but scientists get that anti-science fear all the time. They have to ignore it or they can't do their jobs. The King didn't fire the magicians. This experiment was a failure. That didn't mean he should give up his throne and quit trying. He apologized, and went on with his life. That's the way life is.

Growing together,

Lois...

The power of two little words!
Boy, this book takes me back when I was very young. I really enjoyed it. And, now that I'm considerably older, I still enjoy it. It is a story about a king who is bored with the things that fall from the sky (for example, rain, snow, etc.) and orders his magicians to make something new. They come up with oobleck, a green, gooey substance. But, when it begins to fall, it messes up everything and the king's page, Bartholomew, teaches the king the power of the words, "I'm sorry." The book was a 1950 Caldecott Honor book (i.e., a runner-up to the Medal winner) for best illustration in a children's book.

A great story for making up voices...
Although "Bartholomew and the Oobleck" is different in style than the Dr Seuss books most people are familiar with, it is still a good story. Bartholomew is pageboy to the king, and apparently the smartest person in the kingdom. When the king orders his magicians make "something new" fall from the sky, with disasterous consequences, which threaten to bury the kingdom under an ocean of green sludge, only Bartholomew takes action.

I love doing different voices when I read stories to children, and this book certainly lends itself to that as Bartholomew runs through the castle trying to alert people of the danger, and get help from anyone, exchanging dialogue with a large variety of people along the way.

I'm only giving this book 4 stars, instead of 5, because it doesn't hold the attention of my kids as well as many of the other books we own, but we certainly have a lot of fun with it anyway.

A timeless classic for children and adults
Bartholomew and the Oobleck begins with the King of Did being irritated and bored with the weather. His page, Bartholmew, tries to enlighten the king with simple common sense. The king ignores him and turns to (literally) magical solutions for his current peeve. When the results turn disastrous, Barthlomew tries to warn his friends in the castle. No one listens to him, being more concerned with their own business and as a result, they all end up worse off. Then, when the king finally listens to him, a ray of hope appears amidst the crisis.

Written in 1949, "Batholomew and the Oobleck", like its prequel, "The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins" hardly feels like a Dr. Suess book. The illustrations look like charcoal sketches (except of course for the green oobleck) and the text lacks the sing-song poetry commonly associated with Suess books. Despite this, the Bartholomew books have withstood the tests of time and tastes because they touch on a subject that is near to the hearts of all children, but which is rarely addressed in children's literature. Many times children find themselves surrounded by adults hurrying about, fixated on their own agendas. When a child is in the thick of such a situation, he or she will often be ignored. After all, why should adults listen to children? BATO tells us why; children can sometimes see situations as clearly or moreso than adults specifically because they are not distracted by adult agendas! The lesson of BATO stands for all generations, and that is what makes it a timeless classic.

Scary!
This was without a doubt my favorite of all Seuss books.l It is different than the others, darker in tone and more daring.

The Oobleck might be a metaphor for nuclear proliferation, but whatever it is, it's sticky, nasty, green and scary. It rains from the sky (fallout?)and it gums up everything.

A brilliant book, and one that has kids shivering and adults wondering at the skill of Dr. Seuss to tell a kid's tale and at the same time, make some acerbic commentary. HIGHLY recommended. ... Read more