Amazon.com

Inspired by correspondence from Wind in the Willow's authorKenneth Grahame to his young son, award-winning illustrator Michael Foreman tookup paint and brush to follow Mole, Ratty, Mr. Badger, and Toad through anotheredition of this well-loved kids classic.

Grahame's time-honored story, an adventure-filled idyll that meanders across alovingly described English countryside, cemented its status as a masterpiecegenerations ago. But this newest edition adds some noteworthy extras: theunabridged text includes two chapters that don't appear in some modern versions("The Pipers at the Gates of Dawn" and "Wayfarers All"), and the book closeswith reproductions of two of Grahame's actual letters to his son Alistair ("Mydarling Mouse") in 1907, written on ornate, old-timey stationery from twoCornwall hotels and recounting one of Toad's first adventures (which Toad fanswill recognize as the train-assisted escape of a certain "washerwoman").

These inclusions alone might merit a new edition, but Foreman's illustrationsstand shoulder to shoulder with those of previous Winds artists (amongthem Ernest Shepard, the original illustrator, and Arthur Rackham, both of whomForeman modestly stands "in awe" of). The lively, full-color illustrationsappear generously throughout the book, as they convincingly capture both thestory's small moments (like the washerwoman's weeping, for one) and moreexplosive events (like the storming of Toad Hall). (All ages) --PaulHughes ... Read more

Reviews (1)

MR. TOAD RIDES AGAIN
What a difference a month makes. Just a few weeks ago I pronounced Seastar Books' new edition of "The Wind in the Willows" the best gift edition of the 1908 children's classic since illustrator Ernest Shephard's classic version, due to the glorious acrylic and watercolor paintings by Mary Jane Begin ("The Porcupine Mouse," "A Mouse Told His Mother"). Yet surprisingly, it has already been surpassed, so I must pass the trophy to Harcourt's new unabridged edition. It's beautifully presented in a wide, landscape format with a satin ribbon bookmark to keep your place when the stories dutifully fulfill their destiny as bedtime reading. The notable source of the book's special appeal, of course, is the charming new artwork by extraordinary English watercolorist Michael Foreman. The pages are filled with gently expressive mixed-media paintings, from the end-papers map of Wildwood and its surroundings, to a rollicking train ride, and the wild rumpus at Toad Hall. And the illustrations are generously plentiful: nearly every two-page spread contains at least one color sketch. The sheer number of illustrations tremendously enriches the story, and the Foreman's light-handed technique, previously apparent in "Michael Foreman's Mother Goose," "Joan of Arc" and "Arthur, High King of Britain" -- is a lovely tribute to the similar style of Shephard himself. Well done. ... Read more

Book Description

Illus. in full color. The Cat in the Hat challenges readers with seemingly silly questions: Do pineapples grow on pine or apple trees? Do roosters sleep on their backs or sides? Kids will pick up a host of oddball facts, have fun juggling sense and nonsense, and exercise their imaginations. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Everybody Passes . . . and Learns Thinking and Reading, Too!
This book clearly deserves more than five stars, and is one of the very best Dr. Seuss books for beginning readers. The only thing that's missing are the rhymes!

"Here is Ziggy Zozzfozzel with his sister Zizzy."

"They got every question wrong.

Are YOU smarter than a Zozzfozzel?"

Aw, if school had only been full of challenges like that, everyone would have focused on learning instead of grades. Some may object that by setting the standard low, accomplishment is stilted. I think it is enhanced, because children will want to get as many more right as they can versus the Zozzfozzels.

By the way, although this is a book of quiz questions (nicely feeding into the mania of shows like Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?), this is the teacher's edition. The answers can be found on pages 58-62.

Let me begin by praising this book as a beginning reader. Each item is well illustrated so that a child can associate the words with the images. There is a lot of variety in short words (only a few words are long, like the nonsensical name, Zozzfozzel). So a youngster can learn more words from this book than from 2 or 3 of most beginning readers. That makes the book more valuable. Also, the context of asking questions makes the words and images more vivid and memorable, which should speed memorization and learning. Your child can clearly grow into this book over a period of time. The book has mostly pre-school words, but it also has words up to about 2nd grade level.

What just bowls me over about this book is the discipline in the quiz questions. First, there are lots of them. So for most children, you will take just a few at one sitting. You could probably work on this book for a week or more the first time you go through it, doing a little bit every day. By the time you pick any page up again, it will seem fresh.

Second, the questions test a variety of thinking methods. Mostly the quizzes fall into these categories:

Common sense -- Are freckles catching?

Spatial puzzles -- gears, ropes, and mazes to study

Observing -- Do eyebrows or mustaches grow faster?

Word meaning -- How many kings are women?

Nature facts -- Which ends of a bee does the stinging?

Games -- On a tic tac toe board, who will win?

What If? -- Imagine that you jump up in the air and don't come down. What should you do?

As you can see, these kinds of questions are perfect for using a few Socratic questions to help guide the youngster down a thinking path that can lead to a correct answer. This means you have a chance to help your child with problem-solving strategies. You can also introduce learning resources (like pictures of a bee in a book) as ways to locate a correct answer.

Further, you will get a sense of where your child takes to things like a duck to water . . . and where it is harder for her or him. Then you can spend more time on those trickier areas to boost skill and confidence.

Although the questions hardly make the book into a Mensa qualifying test (for high IQ people), many of them are interesting enough to keep the adults alert. Also, there is a lot of potential for more than one correct answer (especially with the "what if" questions). This provides a chance to exercise imagination and to expose ambiguity.

After you have exhausted and worn out this quiz, you can go on to create new quiz questions for one another. I suggest that you keep it a competition against getting them all wrong, rather than indirectly setting up any other kind of comparison.

Now, where do pineapples come from (besides the grocery store)?

Classic Cat
One of my earliest memories is going to the library and checking this book out, My older sister and I would sit and look at this book for hours and hours and although the quizzes were easy enough to solve they were so amusing that you didn't mind repeating them time after time. I imagine that we must have worn that poor book out with all the love and attention we gave it which is just the kind of fate any great book deserves.

good more than once
True, once you have read this book once, you will already know the answers to the questions. This is no worse, however, than knowing what happens next in any other Suess book. The rhyming and the wonderful Suess pictures are still there. I still find it entertaining to read again and again, and so does my 5-month-old son. ... Read more

Amazon.com

"Just suppose," said Ted "Dr. Seuss" Geisel, "there was a little kid who didn't speak words but only weird sounds?" Thus Gerald McBoing Boing was born, brought to life by a studio called United Productions of America as an animated cartoon. This delightful, rhyming story went on to win an Academy Award in 1951, and was briefly made available as a book at the time of the movie's release. And now it's back!

When Gerald McCloy turns two, he doesn't start talking like most children--he says "Boing boing!" instead. His George Jetson-style father, turning gray, rushes to call Doctor Malone, who decrees there is no cure. In time, Gerald only increases in volume, shouting "Boom!" like a big keg of exploding powder. School is no help, either. He cuckoos and honks in the classroom, "And as little Gerald/ grew older, he found/ When a fellow goes BAM!/ no one wants him around."

Outcast, forlorn, he runs away from home. But just as he is about to board a slow-moving freight, the owner of the BONG-BONG-BONG radio station accosts him by the tracks. "I need a smart fellow/ to make all the sounds,/ Who can bark like a dog/ and bay like the hounds!/ You're GONG is terrific,/ your toot is inspired!/ Quick come to BONG-BONG-BONG,/ McBoing Boing--you're hired!"

This fun and funny picture book--soaked in muted Fiestaware colors--lilts and bounces and boings like a good read-aloud should. Children will discover that sometimes it's our quirks that end up making us special. (Ages 3and older) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (16)

GRADE A+ BOOK FOR KIDS!!!!!
As an elementary school teacher I not only know and appreciate a good book, but I am even more amazed when a book offers some type of character enhancement. As a child, my mother read this book to me, and thirty years later it is still my favorite. I now read it to my kids, and love the message that "it's okay to be different."

Sing-songy noise-making fun!
This book caught my eye when I saw "Dr.Seuss" on the cover, but also because of the fantastic artwork by Mel Crawford. I absolutely love the rhymes and making all the various sounds which accompany the text. I have a 2 year old daughter who looks forward to each sound with eager anticipation! It's easy to slam this book for being trenched in 1950's family life, and to condemn it for painting Gerald as universally unaccepted. Reading to your child is supposed to be fun. Hopefully it will also foster a desire to learn to read. This book was not written to demonstrate to children that our lives can be unfair and unequal. If after reading this book you feel uneasy about its subtext then a few things are wrong: 1) you are reading too much into the book 2) you should examine your own relationship with your child and 3) you missed the point of the book -- to provide fun and lively reading material that just might inspire a child to pick up a book on his or her own.

I'm a boing-boinger
Cool book, can't wait to see the movie.

Cute Sounds, Bad Message
This book has fun noises and cute pictures. The story, however, is much to be desired. Basically, the story says that if you are different, no one, not even your parents or teachers like you or accept you, unless or until you become rich and famous. Only when you become rich and famous for the difference for which you were once scorned, punished, and ostricized, do your parents and other people like you. Perhaps it reflects reality, but it is not a good message for kids.

An enjoyable read-along
My 10-month old son loved this book. He enjoyed the rhythm and laughed at the strategically placed onomatopoeia through the entire story. As a special education teacher, I appreciate the message of celebrating differences coming from a reknown author such as Dr. Seuss. The characters are slightly dated and simply drawn, but the message is universal. ... Read more

Book Description

The alarm sounds. Fire! Fire! Big trucks roll out of the firehouse and race to the scene. Out come the soft hoses and aerial ladders. Whether the fire is in the city or in the country, on the waterfront or in a deep forest, firefighters are on the scene in moments, ready to attack the blaze.

Reviews (3)

My son's all-time favorate fire fighting book -- mine too!
My son judges a bookstore or library by number and quality of fire engine books. This book is our favorite. There is information in this book that is not in any other book we've read (and we have read many) and still it is an easy read. Gail Gibbons does a great job packing information into 4-8 year old bite sized pieces.

Fire! Fire! Awesome! Awesome!
I purchased this book for my 3 year old son with the intent to acquaint him with exactly what firefighters and their apparatus do.

I recently joined our local volunteer fire department and my son has been afraid of the sirens of our nearby station for a while now. This book was a big hit with him and me!

This book organization of this book gives it 4 sections for paid (city), volunteer (country), forest and harbor departments. My son loves the illustrations and sits and listens intently to the descriptions. Each page contains illustrations displaying smoke detectors, hoses, personnel, and fire equipment that are all well labeled.

This is a must buy if you need a firefighters book for your child!

All kinds of fire fighters!
My 5.5 yr old son LOVES this book! He renewed it for four weeks at the school library before they made him turn it in, and then cried about it. The book teaches kids about different kinds of fire fighters. Most of us think of a fire fighters down at the fire station but it also encompasses smoke jumpers, water front fire fighters and more. I found it interesting to read to him too. ... Read more

Book Description

Teeth–they come in handy when you chew or smile! In Dr. Seuss’s hilarious ode to teeth, little ones will laugh out loud as they find out all the things teeth can do and how to take care of them so they last a lifetime! All the fun and charm of the original book are in this new board book version for the youngest readers. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Theo. LeSieg on the importance of caring for your teeth
You start off reading "The Tooth Book" wondering why Dr. Seuss, writing under his Theo. LeSieg pseudonym, is taking so much time answering the question "Who has teeth?" That is because the answer seems rather obvious and even more so when this book gets to the importance of teeth to chewing, smiling, speaking, and trapeze artists who are supporting their partners by something they are holding on to with their teeth. Then the book touches on a few animals that do not have teeth, and again you find yourself asking "So what?" At which point the book springs it trap and we find out that "The Tooth Book" is not only entertaining, it is (surprise, surprise) educational as well.

The final section of this book is devoted to the idea of protecting your teeth because you only get two sets. Even though kids will lose their first set of teeth, they do not get the same deal on their second set so keeping them in good shape would be a good thing. Some of the advice is, as you would expect from Dr. Seuss, a bit absurd (do not use your teeth to chomp down trees like beavers), but most of it is on target, even if the book does not go into much depth. The illustrations, as is usually the case with "LeSeig," who writes more about the real world than Dr. Seuss, is by a different illustrator than the author, in this case Roy McKie. Dr. Seuss does wonderfully strange animals and people, while McKie illustrates them in a more conventional manner.

"The Tooth Book" is one of the Bright and Early Books for Beginning Beginners. However, obviously you want to pick your moment before introducing this particular book to your young child. Even when you kid starts losing their baby teeth it might be too soon for them to read this one, but certainly when you are teaching them to care for their permanent teeth this is a book that will be helpful in giving them an idea of what to expect. "LeSieg" does not provide specific things for kids to do to help keep their teeth in good shapes, but that information can certainly come from other sources. But he does at least get beginning beginner readers to think favorable about dental care (and even dentists as well).

Great Book
My 3-year-old loves this book! It gives the youngsters the idea of baby teeth and permentent teeth. The pictures are cute and the text are fun too. My son giggles every time we read it to him.

illustrations are not multi-cultural
You get a view into 60's white america. The only people of color in this book are a policeman, and a caricature. I don't have a problem with other Seuss books where they are set in fantasy land and the whole world is make believe. This is set in everyday life, and I think its best left on the bookshelf, it has nothing to offer my child who has and who lives in a world where folks have brown eyes and black hair, not to mention various shades of skin colour. The rhyming is also not entertaining enough to enjoy and makeup for this one-dimensional "white" depiction of the world.

Preschool Reading Education About Teeth and Teething!
Adults can quickly forget that children spend much of their time from ages 2 through 10 either getting teeth or losing their baby teeth. It is seldom a pleasant experience (except perhaps if a generous tooth fairy is involved), and must make a child feel like it will never end. Dr. Seuss (writing under his pen name of Theo. LeSieg, an anagram of Geisel) has created the world's best book for helping children learn about teeth, teething, and how to read. What a great gift for each generation of youngsters!

The book is conveniently organized into the kind of questions a reporter would ask.

Who has teeth? These include red-headed uncles, policemen, zebras, unicycle riders, camels and their riders, and little girls named Ruthie.

Where are there teeth? You will find them on mountain tops, in the air, underground, east, west, north, south, and in a lion's mouth.

Why are there teeth? "They come in handy when you chew." But they are also useful for smiling, work (especially if you are an acrobat and hold someone by your teeth), and speech.

Who doesn't have teeth? The snails and jelly fish are sadly bereft.

What about peoples' teeth? You will grow 2 sets, with 32 in the second set. And you will not get any more, so you'd better take care of them. So don't chew trees like a beaver, or use your teeth to open bottles, or eat sweet junk food ("Billy Billings [has] fifty fillings.").

For you, they will always be "handy when you smile. So keep your teeth around awhile."

"And never bite your dentist . . . your teeth's best friend. Bite someone else instead."

The humorous treatment of the tooth subject will help intrigue your child. You can expect to get questions about why all of these toothy things occur, so you should probably look up the answers before you introduce the book to optimize the educational opportunity. Or talk to your dentist or dental hygienist on your next visit.

The illustrations are not by Dr. Seuss in this new edition, but they are wonderfully done. The teeth are large, in the center of your attention, and beautiful. This serves to underscore the message of having teeth be a positive part of everyone's life.

As a prereader, this book is good for repetition. The words "tooth" and "teeth" are almost everywhere. This can help your child learn to identify those words. When that identification can be done, you can point to the words in the story when you come to them and your child can "read" them to you then aloud. You can eventually add other words that are repeated like "smile" and the articles like "a" and "the."

The illustrations can add clues to allow you to help your youngster identify other words like "red" and "trombones."

After you have finished enjoying this story, I suggest that at some point you begin to ask parallel questions about other parts of the body. This approach can help expand your child's awareness of what makes humans different and what is good about that.

Sink your teeth into this learning opportunity to become a better parent . . . and you'll have a real mouthful! And your child's mouthful will be healthier and your child more literate, too!!

The Wonderful World of Dr. Seuss
My son was brought up on Dr. Seuss Books! He is now 15 and they were the only kid's books he wouldn't let me give away. As for the tooth book, the pages are mostly ripped out. As he was teething, and in great pain, I later found his 'beloved' tooth book with almost every page torn in half. You can figure out why. It is a wonderful book. ... Read more

Book Description

In 1957, Ted Geisel, a.k.a Dr. Seuss, wrote a book call The Cat in the Hat. It was fun to read aloud, easy to read alone, and impossible to put down. It was the first Beginner Book.And that's exactly what it did. It began to change the way children learn how to read--to make learning to read a joy, not a task, to make reading for pleasure the best way to learn.

Please Try to Remember the First of Octember!
By DR. SEUSS writing as THEO. LESIEG
Illustrated in full color by ART CUMMINGS

Question: What do you get the kid who wants everything? Answer: Please Try to Remember the First of Octember!, the wonderfully exaggerated LeSeig Beginner Book that gently pokes fun at the green-eyed monster in all of us. Reissued with a new cover taken from the interior, this backlist classic is a parent's wish come true! ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Please try to Remember the First of Octember
Please try to remeber the First of Octember is one of my favorite Dr. Seuss books. The book teaches children how to be patioant with something. The book says that you will be around when the first of Octember comes around. So with that being said I think that your young ones will love this Dr. Suess book. I rated it a 5.

Great for the imagination
This is my favorite Seuss book. As a child I knew there was no 1st of Octember, but I loved to imagine all the things I would ask for and get if that day really existed. =)

This book will inspire kids to learn the months of the year
I have a working hypothesis that says the rationale behind a Dr. Seuss book being written by Theo. LeSieg rather than Dr. Seuss has to do with how real the world needs to be for the story being told. Dr. Seuss the artist only illustrates books written by Dr. Seuss the writer, while books by Theo. LeSieg are illustrated by somebody else; in the case of "Please Try to Remember the First of Octember!" that would be Art Cummings. While the story talks about such fanciful things as the new sport of Hock-Zocker, played on a Hock-Zocker court, or something as simply as a pair of green kangaroos, the young boy who desires such things looks like a normal kid. This needs to be the case because whereas it is highly unlikely in the real world that a cat in a hat might come through the door when your mother is out and try to tempt you into doing all sorts of things that would be fun but wrong, terribly wrong, every kid wishes for something extravagent.

Or, to put it another way, every kid wants something that they are never going to have and pester their beloved parents for a new skateboard TV or rockets to shoot or whatever. A parent can only say "No" so many hundreds of thousands of times before they are going to want to take a different approach, which is why I really think "Please Try to Remember the First of Octember!" is more for parents than for kids. That is because the point of this delightful little volume from the Beginner Books series (I Can Read It All By Myself) is that a kid can have everything they want, but they have to wait until the First of Octember.

The idea of the First of Octember, the day when all of your most outlandish wishes and dreams can come true, will certainly make Christmas seem like a third-rate holiday to young readers, who will be movitated to learn the months of the year so that they can find out exactly when the First of Octember comes each year. LeSeig's story does not offer many clues, beyond noting that May is too early and June is too soon. As always we have the simple words, catchy rhymes, and funny pictures that are the trademarks of the stories of Dr. Seuss (or LeSeig), and as young readers learn to read this on their own they will also catch on that their is something sort of funny about the impossible things for which they wish.

The Perils of Excessive Materialism
Most everyone is familiar with the kid who has a Christmas list that is pages and pages long. This book is about a similar child.

In this book the narrative voice (the parents), through clever rhymes, instruct the boy that all these things may come to pass, but not until the first of Octember (in school we used to hear similar tales about November 31st).

Using this phrase is much like saying, "when pigs fly", "when the cows come home", "when a certain-hot-place freezes over" or any other impossible time.

The only reason I did not give this book more than four stars is that at the end the boy still has hopes that there really is a first of Octember (but then some children may thing pigs will fly).

Clear illustrations and clever rhymes may make this one a favorite.

October+September
Please Try to Remember the First of Octember is an interesting book...it is about a kid who thinks he will get everything he wants on Octember the first, the things he wants could be beyond your imagination but i think it can relate to all the kids whos parents have said "you will get want u want on teh second tuesday of next week!" ... Read more

Book Description

Available for the first time since 1970, this quirky tale is vintage Gorey. Poor Donald has a splinter in his foot. His mother distracts him, urging him to think of markets, strings, and battles. But when she treats the wound with alcohol, Donald's difficulty reaches a whole new level. Gorey's ominous, inimitable artwork is captivating to both children and adults, and Donald's difficulty is sure to be intensely felt by all. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A classic restored to us
Haven't seen this book since I was a boy myself, but its republication is one of the great events in the publishing world of 1970. Gorey is, of course, well known for his quirky antiquarian drawings and his bizarre sense of black humor, but his work with Peter Neumeyer isn't as familiar as the stories he wrote on his own. Collaboration didn't make Gorey's particular genius any less strange; indeed it sharpened the wit and the eerie conceptualization of these drawings.

Little "Donald" is rather a creepy boy himself, but he's downright appealing next to his mother, who spends the entire book picking a splinter out of poor Donald's leg with a needle and tweezers, and then seeing to the aftermath of his wound with alcohol and a very large pillow. She will remind you of the part Katharine Hepburn played in LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT.

Hooray for Donald, Gorey, Abrams and Neumeyer! ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Scary Stories 3: More Tales to Chill Your Bones
I think this is one of the best book that Alvin Schwartz has ever written. I really enjoyed his last two books so I decided to read this book and I was not disapointed. I really liked the short story form for the book because it left me wondering what would happen next. Some of the stories are some what alike. But all of them were still fun to read. I really enjoyed all the stories because they were really funny. I would recommend this book to everyone. I would especially recommend this book to people who has read the other books by Alvin Schwartz.

Still Scary, but not as rich
Scary Stories 3 offers up more tales of terror and madness, but it seems to me Schwartz has gone to the urban legends well for what should be the last time. While many of the stories are still suspenseful and scary, the same impact does not hold up against the first two volumes. Gammell's artwork is still wonderfully morbid, but I felt like I was reading stories which were only being written for another paycheck. Not as much heart. Don't get me wrong, I did still enjoy the book and WOULD recommend it to other readers, but feel, unfortunately, that a fourth volume would hold little for horror fans of all ages. Then again, maybe I just grew up.

The best of scary stories
Well, by the title you can probably tell what the book is about. This book is about scary stories.
There is an very interesting part of this book it is called Hello Kate! It is about a ghost named Kate. She had died last year. Tom Conners was going to a dance. He was walking through the woods when he heard a strange sound. When he turned around he saw Kate. Then all of a sudden he remembered Kate was dead. He turned back around again but faster this time and didn't see her.
People who would like this book best would be teenagers,people that are older, and older children. Little children who don't like scary stories would defiantly not like this book.
I would give this book 10 out of 10 stars because it is a very scary books is a good but scary book.

The Best Of Scary Stories
Scary Stories More Tales To Chill Your Bones by Alvin Schwartz
Well, by the title you can probably tell what the book is about. This book is about scary stories.
There is an very interesting part of this book it is called Hello Kate! It is about a ghost named Kate. She had died last year. Tom Conners was going to a dance. He was walking through the woods when he heard a strange sound. When he turned around he saw Kate. Then all of a sudden he remembered Kate was dead. He turned back around again but faster this time and didn't see her.
People who would like this book best would be teenagers,people that are older, and older children. Little children who don't like scary stories would defiantly not like this book.
I would give this book 10 out of 10 stars because it is a very scary book. This is a good but scary book.

so scary i couldve sworn my hair was turning gray!!!
this book is basically a bunch of stories by Alvin Schwartz that tell stories of ghosts,Haunted houses,poltergeists,and some funny/scary stories. my favorite one was the one called "A true story" it is about......well, if i told you it would give away the best part. if you like this one which i know you will if u like horrors, read the other two books by Alvin Scwartz, "Scary Stories to tell in the Dark" and "More Scary Stories to tell in the Dark. ... Read more

Book Description

When a dragon is discovered up on the Downs, the Boy is not in the least surprised. He's always known the cave there was a dragon cave, so it seems only right for a dragon to be living in it.

The Boy decides to pay a visit to the cave, and he thinks he knows just what to expect. But this particular dragon is not a bit like the ones in fairy tales!
... Read more

Reviews (6)

Wag the Dog.
This delightful story tells the tale of a boy who meets a kindly dragon on the edge of town. The boy and the dragon become friends and start spending a lot of time together. Then the people of the town find out about the dragon and send for St. George. The boy meets with St. George and takes him to meet the dragon. All three soon become friends and find themselves in a quandry. George doesn't want to kill the dragon and the dragon has no desire to kill George. A plan is hatched and at the end of the story everyone lives happily.

It's really great reading this to younger children. It's got a great message about not prejudging others. It also shows how people can sometimes get everything they want, without anyone having to get hurt by it. That doesn't happen often, but it's nice to be reminded now and again that it can.

A Treasure!
Author of historical fiction.

This book is a treasure for your library. It brings endless pleasure, and is the kind of story that spans all ages.

It is the tale of a boy and his dragon who lives up on the Downs. In spite of the bad reputation dragons have, the boy and he become quick friends. Saint George shows up to do battle with the reluctant lizard, and the boy arranges a mock battle, unbeknown to the villagers that pleases everyone.

Andrew's book Report
(...) THE BOOK IS ABOUT THIS BOY WHO MEETS THIS DRAGON AND THEY
BEACOME FRIENDS THE DRAGON TELLS THE BOY STORY AND NONE ARE
TRUE. BUT ONE IS TRUE THE DRAGONS FAUTHER DIED WHEN A KNIGHT
FOUND OUT ABOUT HIM WHEN THE DRAGON WAS LITTLE. THE KID
HEARS ABOUT A KNIGHT NAMED ST. GEORGE HE TELLS ST. GEORGE
ABOUT THE DRAGON. THE NEXT DAY THE KID SHOWS ST. GEORGE THE
THE DRAGON THE DRAGON DID NOT WHANT TO FIGHT. THE NEXT DAY
ST. GEORGE TOLD SOME OF THE DRAGONS TALES TO THE VILLAGE.
THE TALES WHERE ABOUT KNIGHTS AND DRAGONS FIGHTING. THAT
AFTER NOON THE DRAGON HID IN THE CAVE AND ST. GEORGE FAKED
TO KILL THE DRAGON AND WAS FAMOUS.

(...)

But who Illustrate's This Version - Marlene Ekman?
I love this story but am interested to know the illustrator. If it is Marlene Ekman's illustrations in the hardcover version then it is the best publication. Her pictures add real life to this wonderful child's story.

Reading level is age 8 and above
This is a wonderful story that can be enjoyed by all ages. But because of some of the archaic phrasing I would not recommend it to students under the age of 8. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Beautiful drawings, breath-taking narrative
My husband and I love this book -- fortunately our son (age 4 yrs) is finally able to listen to the whole story. He has shown great interest in the story and how it relates to his obsession with the transcon railway. (We call our son Train Brain).

He has been moved to draw after we have shared the book and we think that is wonderful, since it doesn't involve trains.

Seriously, it is a wonderful story and very well illustrated. We will probably donate this book to our son's classroom library later this year. We are grateful to have recieved it as gift from the artist in our family.

Story of an Indian boy and how he saves his tribe.
This book for children is about a young plains Indian boy who hears a folk tale about how buffaloes are formed at the bottom of a lake far to the south of the boy's village. He goes in search of the lake and, in so doing, saves his village from an attack by an enemy tribe. The book was illustrated by Stephen Gammell and it was a 1982 Caldecott Honor book (i.e., a runner-up to the Medal winner) for best illustration in a book for children. Any child will love to have the story read to them. ... Read more

Book Description

The timeless tale of how the true spirit of Christmas captured the heart of the irascible Grinch is retold in Latin in Quomodo Invidiosulus nomine GRINCHUS Christi natalem abrogaverit.This edition features the original artwork of Dr. Seuss and a translation that echoes the word play and rhythmic narrative of the world's best-selling children's author. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Classic story of inspiration
Having been read by children of all ages and even made into a movie, the story of the Grinch is a familiar and beloved tale. The timeless triumph of love and goodwill retains all of its charm in Latin, especially because the authors retain rhyme and meter, even throwing in new wordplay.

The pictures from the original Dr. Seuss book help the reader follow the storyline, and the glossary in the back has every word in the book. Especially in modern context, the Grinch in Latin appeals to us by giving hope when even a grinch can be won over by sincere faith. Thus, while this book is wonderful as a gift to those studying Latin or looking to study Latin, it is also perfectly suitable for those who simply want a good story.

Latin alive and fun!
The glossary included in this book is awesome. You will not find a word in the story that is not included. The classic favorite has all of the illustrations we remember from childhood - while the Latin text allows you to practice, and keep building your vocabulary and reading skills. What a wonderful way to bring Latin to your children!

First Pooh, and now the Grinch?
Imagine my surprise when this showed up one day from a friend of mine. He gave it to my wife and me because she was a religion major and I'm a theology student working through my latin. There is nothing quite as fun as trying to make sense of something you already know, and the Grinch is a story I've known for years! The flow and cadence are even preserved, making the translators into linguistic artists beyond compare! Just be sure to pick up Winnie Ille Pu as well, and read to your kids in a language that is, to quote Python, "not dead yet!"

"The Grinch Who Stole Christmas"
When I first saw the book I knew it was what I was looking for. The idea of putting children's books into Latin is great because books in Latin are very few and far in between. I liked the book because it is colorful and easy to translate. Also the book makes a great gift for Latin students and teachers because it makes Latin a fun and interesting langauge.

One of the most interesting and fun books to read.
"The Grinch Who Stole Christmas," in Latin is one of the greatest Latin books I have read. I am a student of Latin and it is hard to find interesting books to read and translate. The translation is not hard and with the glossary, it makes reading very easy. ... Read more

Download Description

Jack's diary helps him deal with his problems which include dog-eating alligators, a terror for an older sister, a younger brother who keeps breaking parts of himself, and next-door neighbors who are really weird. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Heads or Tales Brings You Back
I loved this book and have had lots of fun sharing this book with my 6th grade students. They laugh at all the parts of the story where I think they should or might and then they laugh at me when I'm laughing at the story. I love reading the scene where Jack rides his bike after the mosquito fogger and whipes out.

I recommend this book to anyone. It is very humorous.
Jack Gantos wrote a half fiction and half biography book. It is filled with many small stories , all tying together in some way. grab it while you can.

A great book!
Though not the best I've read, it's not the worst, either. I think it's a great book for ages 7-14. He's really got something here! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Just a little bit more
Gail Gibbons book on the planets contains just a little bit more information than most young children's books on the subject. From information on how and why planets and stars look differently in the night sky to the distances of each planet from the sun, there's more for curious minds to ponder.

The book begins by explaining a few difference between stars and planets. It continues with how the planets were named and the later discovery of the outer three. Then our solar system, orbits and rotations are discussed.

Each planet is then explained in detail. The book does a nice job of choosing facts to present and keeping the topics consistent from planet to planet. Each planet's distance from the sun, relative size, length of day and year and are included. When appropriate moons are mentioned. Unlike many other young children's books on the planets, information on some of the more well-known moons of other planets is given. Considering the target audience of the book, the information is nicely comprehensive.

Toward the end of the book astronomers and space craft are very briefly mentioned. No information on space travel is included. As the title implies, the book focuses on information about the planets.

The illustrations are nicely done; the book contains no photographs. The drawings, however, are very detailed and present the planets in a nice perspective. They are very well done. ... Read more

Book Description

In an unusual blend of fiction and nonfiction, A Pioneer Sampler chronicles one year in the lives of the Robinson family. Illustrated historical notes enlarge on the social history and describe activities related to the stories, from churning butter to predicting the weather. Young readers are invited to try their hand at these tasks to experience a bit of pioneer life. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Great , engaging book about pioneer life!
I loved this book. I read it before I gave it to my daughter. It is a fictional family, but all the information is true to life. Interspersed with the story of the Robertsons, you can learn how to make your own cheese, dip a candle, or learn to tell the time from the sun.
This book will add to your library, and is a nice complement to Laura Ingalls Wilders books. Homeschooling familys will enjoy it, I know we did.

this is a fanntastic book
The Pioneer Sampler

The Pioneer Sampler is a fun and fascinating book. It tells about a pioneer family. Can Nekeek and Willy catch fish by hand? You'll find out. This is a fun book.
I'd give this book a five *...

Experience pioneer life!!!
Barbara Greenwood has written a wonderful book that is as much fun for adults to read to children as it is for the children to read themselves. She doesn't just 'tell' about the Robertson's, she 'shows', drawing the reader into their lives...a pleasant place to be. I especially love Granny's story about how she came to America,on a ship, from Scotland.

The book is beautifully illustrated...all the way through...by Heather Collins. The pictures are so well done that, even as an adult, I would like to step into the scene!

There are instructions for simple, fun activities such as growing a potato plant, dyeing fabric using an onion, or making a cardboard jumping jack; pioneer games that will even entertain today's children for hours such as shadow shapes or knucklebones; and recipes that are easy for children.

Reading this book to a child is a great 'stress releaver'...it's like a little escape from the treadmill of life!!!

A wonderful book on pioneer life for children ages 6-14
I've read many books on pioneer life, and this is by far the best one for children. The book is about the Robertsons, a fictional family living in the west. While the family is fictional, the material is all drawn from real life.

The story takes you through a year in their lives, each chapter being its own story. After each chapter, the author provides explanatory material, giving detailed information about events and activities from the story. For example, there is a chapter about the children searching for a bee tree in order to find honey. In the explanatory material following the chapter, the author discusses beekeeping, division of labor among the bees, how the honey is actually made and the importance of honey to the early pioneers.

Unlike most books, we found the explanatory material every bit as captivating as the stories. In addition, the author suggests some activities children can do in order to learn more. Yesterday we conducted an experiment to see how the sap in the maple trees resists freezing because of its high sugar content. Today we made butter.

All in all, an excellent book. Thumbs up from [this family]

Excellent teaching resource book!
I love using this book in the classroom because of the way it takes each aspect of everyday pioneer living, and provides a non-fiction type short story along with more information about the job, skill, etc., along with an acitivity for the children to do. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Penguins - Another Gail Gibbons Masterpiece
As with "Whales" Gail Gibbons continues to distinguish herself as one of the premier authors of non-fiction books for the young. Graceful illustrations of every kind of penguin plus interesting and new facts for even the most seasoned adult viewers of the Discovery Channel. Large print, along with thoughtful pronunciation guides, makes it easy for younger readers. An absolute joy to read! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Pumpkin Book
The Pumpkin Book will be a sure hit with teachers doing theme planning around October events. Ms. Gibbon blends factual information with enough interesting tidbits to keep the attention of even squirmy 2nd graders. Excellent color illustrations, and recommended for K through 3rd grades, as well as for the teachers. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A simple yet appealing book about the life cycle of trees
Written and illustrated by Gail Gibbons, Tell Me, Tree: All About Trees For Kids is a simple yet appealing book about the life cycle of trees for beginning readers. The informative text is enhanced throughout with color illustrations teaching young people about the parts of the tree and how it grows, as well as how to identify some of the more common trees of North America. Tell Me, Tree is a very highly recommended and educational book of fun facts for grades 1 through 3. ... Read more

Book Description

In this sweetly humorous book, Stella and her brother, Sam, explore the wonders of the natural world. A vast luminous sky, the sun, the stars, and the rising moon form the backdrop for their nocturnal expedition. As they encounter raccoons, fireflies, tree frogs, and bats, Sam wonders if the moon can swim, if the sun wears pajamas, or if he can catch shooting stars with his butterfly net. Stella, as always, has an answer for every question. Marie-Louise Gay's whimsical prose and enchanting illustrations capture the joys of young children making their first discoveries of the world around them. ... Read more