Book Description

A thought-provoking collection of twenty-five stories that reflect the wonder and glory of the origins of the world and humankind. With commentary by the author. “A must for mythology shelves.”--Booklist ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Hamliton rises to the challenge
In this collection of tales, creation stories from around the world are retold by Virginia Hamilton. The book is beautifully illustrated with explanations included (for adults) about the choice of creation stories, and the categories they fall into. Reading this reminded me of the books of Greek myths I once read as a child. However, nothing I've ever seen compares to the beauty found within this collection's pages. Easily concerned parents beware. These stories haven't been rendered politically correct, nor have they been altered for modern sensibilities. In many tales, women are usually the catalysts of any problems with the world and violence occurs with steady regularity. Do not let this put you off. Though different, this is a text that deserves to be seen by all children from all walks of life.

Mind-broadening!
I'm puzzled as to why IN THE BEGINNING is listed by Amazon as a children's book! Perhaps a child would enjoy the astounding pictures, but it would be only a very advanced child who could read or understand the impact of this examination of the religious beliefs of other cultures. It's the perfect book for cultural anthropology students or mythology buffs. It would certainly tweak the curiosity of readers who wonder about the origins of religion.
I found it a book that led me into more exploration into a fascinating field.

Great stories, great artwork!
This is the perfect book to introduce readers of all ages to the creation myths of different religons and cultures. In these days when the teaching of evolution and modern cosmology are controversial, this book provides valuable perspective on the way different people have accounted for the earth and its inhabitants. It should be required reading for all public school administrators, and would be a valuable addition to any school (or home) library. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Misty of Chincoteague
Hi, I would like to tell you about a book called Misty of Chincoteage. The aurther of this book is Marguertie Henrey. This
book has 173 pages. The book is illustrated by Wesley Dennis. The genre of this book is fiction because it's made-up.
The setting is Chincoteague island. THe time is through out the 1900's. Misty of Chincoteague is a wounderful book.It's about a boy and a girl named Paul and Mareen Beebe. There's a horse that they want so badley. The horses name is Phantom. Phantom has a baby named Misty. I don't want to give away the ending.
The three reasons why I liked it are the book had wonderful illustrations, good use of words,and it's appropriate for school. I would recomend this book to fourth grades through out adults. The reason is because it's easy to comprehand.
If you really like horses you should read Misty of Chincoteague. Bye!!

Misty of Chincoteague
Misty is a timeless classic and a must read for all, young and old. Read all of Marguerite's books about the ponies...I now live on Chincoteague Island and love to see the ponies and read the book every year during the Pony Swim to my young children. It is very exciting to really see the ponies swim. Thank you Marguerite for bringing this wonderful story to all of us.

Bring back the old covers!
These were some of my favorite books when I was a child, but these glossy new covers just take me out of the moment! Bring back the beautiful watercolor covers by Wesley Dennis! No Marguerite Henry fan should settle for less.

TRIPLE TREAT
THIS GREAT SET INCLUDES 3 BOOKS. THEY ARE ALL ON CERTAIN CHINCOTEAGUE PONIES. MISTY, THE 1ST BOOK IS MY FAVORITE. I'D GIVE IT 5 STARS!! SEA STAR, THE 2ND BOOK WOULD GET 4 AND 1_2 STARS BUT STORMY IS WHERE I HAVE PROBLEMS. WHAT HAPPENS BETWEEN SEA STAR AND NOW? HOW DID MISTY GET BACK? THIS WOULD GET 3 STARS.

A Book for All Ages
I read this the first time when I was in Elementary School (3rd or 4th grade). I loved it then, and even now, years later, I still re-read it. The book has a quality that makes it worthwhile to read- over and over and over!! I recommend it for readers of all ages. Children will love it, especially horse crazy girls! Well worth the price- it's a children's classic that should last for many, many, many years too come.

It was also made into a movie (titled "Misty" in 1961, hard to find), and has at least two books that come after it. (Stormy, Misty's Foal, Misty's Twilight, and a related but not sequel book: Sea Star: Orphan of Chincoteauge). ... Read more

Book Description

The irrepressible Frances teaches Albert, the badger next door, about friendship. ‘Full of the humor and homely details of family life that make [the Frances stories] beloved by both children and adults.’ —H.

Children's Books of the Year 1969 (CSA) ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Our favorite Frances book
My family is fairly unanimous that this is our favorite Frances book (with "A Birthday For Frances" the likely runner up.) Frances both stands up to being excluded and learns not to do the same thing herself; her anger at Albert is realistic and her "revenge" funny but not cruel; and everyone resolves their conflicts in a friendly way. The wording of the exchanges between Frances and Albert is exquisitely well done, I think: Hoban expresses such nuances in language that gets through to even small children. And last but not least, Frances's little songs are always hilarious and this book has some of the best ones of all, which my 2-year-old daughter has learned by heart.

Big sister Frances
Frances doesn't think she can be friends with her littlesister, but learns her lesson when the two actually become bestfriends.

Sweet story about not excluding one's little brother andsister, the Frances books are just great.

A delightful book.
My children, ages 4 and 5, enjoyed hearing the Frances stories. She is very funny and a delightful, precocious character.

As a child, the "Frances" books were my absolute favorites.
As a child, the "Frances" books were my absolute favorites. My sister would read them to me when I was too little to read for myself. The humerous stories of home life and the gentle illustrations still evoke feelings of great comfort. Now I am buying the series for the children of friends. Many thanks to the Hobans for all of the fond memories they have given me! ... Read more

Book Description

One day Thelma tricks Frances into buying her old plastic tea set. Thelma says there are no backsies on the bargain. Can Frances come up with a plan that will change her friend's mind?

Outstanding Children's Books of 1970 (NYT) ... Read more

Reviews (11)

"Frances" series is a family favorite!!!
This series is charming and sweet without being too saccharine, and this is my personal favorite of the bunch. As far as the infamous $3 tea set ... if you can suspend disbelief enough to believe in talking badgers, it's only a stone's throw from there.

Finest I Can Read Book Ever
Despite its unlikely-looking cover, this is perhaps the finest I Can Read Book ever written. I had no idea it was a treasure when one of the kids grabbed it off the shelf at the local library. Written by Russell Hoban and illustrated by Lillian Hoban, it hilariously tells the story of a sweet and trusting little racoon who keeps getting the short end of the stick from a certain playmate.

When that playmate swindles her out of her savings, Frances doesn't go home and lick her wounds. No sir. She devises an ingenious plan to set matters straight and re-establishes the friendship on a more equitably basis.

Moms, if people tend to take advantage of your child (or someone else you know), this is a must-have book. Frances' resolution of the problem still thrills and inspires me every time I read it.

Rather enlightening!
I like this book, because it's written for a young child to read herself . My kids are able to read this one by the time they are 7, which is nice. It has a lot of pages, lots of story to it - which is hard to find in books that are written at the young reader's level.

What really surprised me about this book is that it addresses what happens when one has a friend that isn't very nice, and it really went into the situation in detail. The heroine of the story didn't become a martyr, and neither did she just turn her back on her friend altogether.

When my daughter first read this book, she'd had some bad experiences with a friend - who is remarkably like Thelma, Frances's friend. I thought it was a nice tool for us - we discussed how sometimes a friend might not be very nice, and what the options are in dealing with this type of situation.

This is a very good early reader for girls and a nice story for any girl who has a friend they really can't trust. (Although I don't believe every similar real-life situation is handled so simply!)

TIMELESS TREASURE
THIS BOOK IS MY ALL TIME FAVORITE! IT IS SO NICE TO SEE IT STILL IN PRINT. IF YOU HAVEN'T SHARED IT WITH YOUR DAUGHTER (S), GET A COPY AND DO SO. MY TIMELESS CLASSIC IS 34 YEARS OLD AND IT IS STILL AS HUMOROUS NOW AS IT WAS THEN. MY MOTHER AND SISTER AND I STILL FONDLY REFER TO ICE CREAM AS q-p-m.

Tea For Two
I absolutely loved this book as a child! It was a great inspirational start for my love of tea sets! I could not remember the name of this book for years after, so I decided to go to my old elementary school, but to no avail I could not find it. Over the xmas holiday I received my first Blue Willow Tea Set at 29 years old from my boyfriend, whom remembered me telling him of this storybook tale. It brought back memories of my search for this book, so I looked up the age group in Amazon.com and found it in a matter of minutes. Wow, what a relief! Of course, I ordered the book immediately and I can't wait to receive it to complete the story of having my own Blue Print tea set. ... Read more

Book Description

Library of Congress Children's Book of the Year

When Pa was taking Jim to school for the first time, Jim said, "Will I have a friend at school?" "I think you will," said Pa.

But even his father's gentle reassurance doesn't make Jim feel any better. The other children in kindergarten are scary strangers to him. He's sure that he'll never find a friend...until naptime, when he discovers someone who feels the way he does. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A classic that's still true today
For over thirty years, this book has answered one of a young child's most important questions about starting school: will I have any friends? Walking to school on the first day with his father, that's the question Jim asks. His father smiles down at him and says, "I think you will." Jim's a little intimidated at first. "All the boys were making noise. All the girls were laughing. Where was his friend?" Like my two oldest kids, Jim stands at the edge of the action and waits for someone to invite him to join in. It takes awhile. He hasn't found his friend by snack time. He hasn't found his friend by rest time. Where is his friend? After rest time, the boy who was lying down next to Jim shows him a toy truck. Jim promises to bring his toy gas pump. He's found his friend! I wish my parents had shared this is a straight-forward, slice-of-life story with me when I was a shy three year old starting nursery school. It wouldn't have made me more outgoing, but it might have made me a little less nervous.

An excellent book to help preschoolers with friendships.
This is a great book for preschoolers about making friends. I thought the scenario was very similar to what many preschool children encounter when they enter a group of strange children and try to make friends. Jim wonders who will be his friend in his new school (which could also be a daycare); some early encounters with other children are disappointing, but eventually he forms a bond with another boy. This book can help three to five year olds anticipate social situations at school or child care. ... Read more

Book Description

"Tales and Sketches" offers what no reader has ever been able to find--an authoritative edition of Hawthorne's complete stories in a single comprehensive volume. Here is everything from his three collections, "Twice-told Tales," "Mosses from an Old Manse," "The Snow-Image, and Other Twice-told Tales," his two books of stories for children based on classical myths, "A Wonder Book for Girls and Boys" and "Tanglewood Tales," and sixteen uncollected stories. The unique arrangement by order of publication charts Hawthorne's evolution into one of the most powerful and experimental writers of American fiction. From familiar but always surprising works like "Young Goodman Brown," to masterly fables like "My Kinsman, Major Molineux," to lesser known gems like "The Wives of the Dead," these haunting stories of love and guilt, of duty and licence, of the fateful ties of family and nation, show why Hawthorne is a great artist, and an astonishingly contemporary one. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Excellent
An excellent book
A treasure of Hawthorne
A must have for any library

My personal desert island book.
If Library of America had never published another book, this one alone would have justified their existence and earned them the gratitude of readers everywhere. Nearly 1,500 pages of what is arguably the best prose ever published by an Ameican writer.

I am sappy enough to enjoy Hawthorne the most in old editions, the older the better. But the stories are the same, no matter whether you're reading them in a dusty 19th century edition of _Mosses from an Old Manse_ or in this state-of-the-art omnibus edition, which includes all of Hawthorne's tales and sketches arranged chronologically, with brief bibliographic and biographic essays and a few explanatory notes. Take it on vacation with you some summer and experience it for yourself.

All or Nothing at All
This is the best selection to buy of Hawthorne's short stories because it is NOT a selection, it is complete and, if you believe the editor, it's actually more accurate in its assessment of what is and is not a Hawthorne story than some complete collections because he did not include here some stories that his co-editors on the Hawthorne Centenary Edition did want to include. (Hawthorne spent much of his career as an underpaid and unsung magazine writer and some of his work went with no byline and without reprinting at his own choice, so what he wrote is no easy matter to decide.) The stories are, you probably know if you're looking up this book, stark and wonderful. But some of them are also twee and a little fanciful and not so wonderful. That too is instructive. One very useful thing about this volume is that it includes a listing of when each story first saw print in magazine form and when in book form. In that way the reader can chart Hawthorne's development as a magazine writer and a professional which in every possible sense of the word he determined to become and despite some difficult odds finally was. Some of the most beautiful and terrifying stories in the language and a beautiful object to hold in your hand. Expensive, but if you can get it - this is the one to buy.

The Authoritative Hawthorne Collection
The only complaint I have about this book it its paper, which is "bible thin." The tales and sketches from all of Hawthorne's collections are included here, along with 16 previously uncollected stories. If you've read any of Hawthorne's more popularly anthologized tales, you will be amazed at the eloquence and quality of these lesser known jems. ... Read more

Book Description

Sticks and stones
may break our bones,
but names
will break our spirit. ... Read more

Reviews (31)

Five Stars from this ol' Misfit :)
This book is wonderful. It's a very fast read; I finished it in just a couple hours. Yet those few hours were amazing, as I was transported into the long-forgotten world of middle school, and enjoyed a few moments of laughter, some tears, and a truly warm feeling in my heart. Honestly, I don't think your time will be wasted if you pick up this amazing work.

The narrator of this story is Bobby, a 12-year old who describes himself rather bluntly: "A boy like me is fat." His story centers around some major events in the 7th-grade year for him and his three best friends: Addie, who's tall and smart; Joe, who's a little "too creative"; and Skeezie, who resembles the greasers of old. None of them are popular, and all of them have been given numerous nick-names by their fellow classmates.

When student council elections are announced, Addie is determined to start... This book just gives me hope that new generations will do better than ours, and not have to face the cruel truth of Bobby's slogan: "Sticks and stones may break our bones, but names will break our spirit."

If you have time, and don't mind strolling down memory lane a few decades ago, I think you'll enjoy it. For younger generations, slow down a bit and just see where this takes you. Hopefully, you'll feel the same way.

Mrs. Comforts review
The book The Misfits by James Howe was a great young adult book. the books basic plot was about a school election one group running, the misfits, are the main characters. One is a rebel, the others are chubby, to smart and gay. They are all best friends and decide to run to support the other misfits in the school. The book has a satisfying surprise ending. Besides the book being funny it has a bit of puppy love and drama.

I would recommend this book for girls and boys in the jr. high. This book had a good theme which was, stick up for yourself and names don't matter they are just something to be called by. I would recommend this book. Though this book is fun to read it is not very changing and does not use high vocabulary.

Over all I think this book was great. James Howe did a great job making the characters act like seventh graders. The problems made me reminisce of the seventh grade. I highly recommend this book for a quick and easy read.

The Misfits
Fatso, Dough Boy, Spaz, Roly-Poly...Fairy, Queer, Mutant, Tinkerbell...Greaser, Dummy, Freak, Scuz...Beanpole,
Big Mouth, Godzilla, Einstein...

As four twelve-year-olds go through Middle School, you remember how much you just wanted to get through the seventh grade. Bobby Goodspeed, Joe Bunch, Skeezie Tookis, and Addie Carle were the same way, but it was harder than it looked. Going through the hallways of Paintbrush Falls Middle School getting called names was just a regular day for them. They each thought that they didn't belong; they were the outcasts, the weirdoes, and the ones who wanted to flee from their godforsaken hometown and forget about their pasts. So each one found each other, forming the Gang of Five, even though there were only four of them to keep people on their toes. The Misfits was a very intriguing book that I would suggest to anyone who would attempt to read it. You are drawn in and enthralled by the plot of four "misfits" trying to fit into their middle school and create a new political group, the No-Name Party. The new group would help the students in middle school get along better and relieve pressure on the ones who get called the worst names. They have each gone through a troubling childhood, getting called names from Nerdette to Twinkletoes and from Blubber to Hooligan. From the beginning of their story to the end, you get attached to Bobby, a "fluffy" boy who thinks he is fat that works selling ties, Joe, the one who is a little too feminine and who only paints his pinky, Skeezie, a boy that never washes himself and chews with his mouth open, and Addie, the tall smart one that gets on almost everyone's nerves. No matter what they look like or how they act, you listen to their realistic problems, like boyfriends and girlfriends, not getting the rights each and every seventh grader deserves, and their peers, flinching at every nickname they are called. James Howe keeps you on your toes and on the edge of your seat with every conflict with Ms Wyman, and her tearing your liver out, and each vote that would make the No-Name Party the winning one, no matter what the definition of "winning" you have. I would recommend this book to anyone who would learn that making friends is more fun than name-calling. I really enjoyed this book, and I think that it would benefit everyone who read it, whether a bully, popular student, or a "misfit." I give this book five stars for it's colorful, yet understandable plot that brought a smile to my face and a twinge in my heart. With every new character and personality, you understand how each Misfit was torn down inside with a name that would stick to them for the rest of their lives, because as their slogan says, "sticks and stones may break our bones, but names will break our spirit."

Pork Chop, Lardo, Fluff, Geek...Girl, Wimp, Josephine, Nerd...Slimeball, Grease ball, Dork...Show-off, Know-it-all, Nerdette

The Misfits unabridged audio book
Want your middle-schoolers to listen with rapt attention? This audio version of THE MISFITS by Full Cast Audio is fabulous. The characters, read by talented young actors, leap to audio life from page one until the very end. There is even an interview with the author. My students are completely absorbed!

What I thought of my book.
I liked this book and I enjoyed reading it, eventhough some of the characters were younger than me and I can't relate to them as much. I liked this book because it shows how true friends help each other out and how to have good communication. It also teaches you that teasing others is not fun at all and it can be hurtfull to people. It hurts wether you are joking or playing around. You can also learn that you can make friends easily by not even trying but most importantly not to forget the ones you already have.

I didn't like the way the author ended the book it didn't end as I thought. What I did like is that it tells you what happened to the characters over the years and who they became. The introduction caught my eye because the main character describes his friends and personalities in one chapter.

The story elements I thought were the most vivid were the author described each characters personality, feelings, image, and what they said or acted. You can almost see and comprehend the characters. Another element I liked was the characters conflicts. Their conflicts they each have are realistic ones such as with teachers, family, frinds, e.t.c. They have problems that make you appreciate the things you have. ... Read more

Book Description

Help Spot learn to tell time in this new, interactive format. Complete with movable clock hands, follow Spot through the different times of a typical puppy's day. Whether it's breakfast time at eight o'clock, nap time at two o'clock, or play time at three o'clock, children can help Spot determine what time it is as they learn to tell the time by themselves. Both fun and instructive, this tell-the-time format is very timely indeed! ... Read more

Reviews (24)

My daughter's FAVORITE!
My two-month-old daughter got this book for Christmas. I thought she was too young for it. Boy, was I wrong! It is her absolute favorite!! Now at nine months old, she is lifting all the flaps and turning the pages. She gets so excited when I open this book. I cannot recommend it enough. The pictures are bright, the words repetitious, and the flaps sturdy -- a perfect combination for babies and toddlers! From now on, this is the book I am going to buy whenever I need to buy a baby or toddler gift. No one will be disappointed with Where's Spot!

Spot Rules!
This is a great book for preschoolers. My son, who's 3, loves lifting the flaps and knows most of the books by heart. The bright colors and simple language keep younger children interested to the very end. I highly recommend this and all of Eric Hill's other Spot books!

Where's Spot? ***VIDEO***
I am confused looking at the reviews here. They are all for the Spot book. The book is very good too, but the video (here on this page) is also great. I have it for my niece and also for my daughter, and am buying another copy for a baby gift for someone.

This video is great for a baby's first cartoon/TV to watch. It is not too "busy" (or too long) for babies like other cartoons can be. I noticed my daughter *really* watching it and smiling and laughing at it around four months old. And she has enjoyed it ever since (and is now 3). It's cute and simple - perfect for babies and toddlers.

With my daughter interested in Spot, it gave me time to do some dishes or read the day's mail - uninterupted! I highly recommend *ALL* the Spot videos (although the longer ones, like the Christmas one, my daugter didn't get into as much until she was about two). "Where's Spot" and "Spot at the Farm" are her favorites. And she enjoys the books too.

Also - I recommend Kipper the Dog videos too. They are also the same simple shapes/characters and sceneries and stories, just like Spot. And Maisy Mouse videos and books. I never see any babies and toddlers who don't like Spot, Kipper, and Maisy.The Baby Mozart videos are also excellent. Kids are drawn to them. None of the above are wastes of money - and they enjoy them from babyhood into toddlerhood.

Wonderful Fun for Little Ones
This sturdy little book has gotten much use at our house. It became my daughter's favorite "lift-the-flap" book. The drawing style and gentle story engage children to participate in the search for little Spot the dog. Perfect for 1-3 year olds. All of Eric Hill's Spot Books are cool but this one is a real favorite. Enjoy!

DECEMBER #4
I read the book wheres spot because it is a great picture book for little kids. The kids like this book because the pictures interest them and they cant wait to see whats on the next page. They like to pull the pop out thing on their own because they are so interested in it. I think it helps kids with their imagination and their senses.I enjoyed reading this book again because it reminds me of going to the kolb library when I was little and in elementary we all use to want to rent this book. ... Read more

Book Description

For nearly a century and a half, Hawthorne’s masterpiece has mesmerized readers and critics alike. One of the greatest American novels, its themes of sin, guilt and redemption, woven through a story of adultery in the early days of the Massachusetts Colony, are revealed with remarkable psychological penetration and understanding of the human heart. New introductory Note.
... Read more

Reviews (309)

A wonderful classic story!
Nathaniel Hawthorne's prose in "The Scarlet Letter" is slightly complex at first but his description of Boston and of the people during the Puritan era is vivid and strong. I disagree with an earlier reviewer that the book was boring. The description of the characters and of the situations they were undergoing was helpful. It made the story much stronger. The last three or four chapters were surprisingly suspenseful. It is a fantastic read.

Moreover, "The Scarlet Letter" is a classic example of why social oppression is such a terrible thing. Thanks to the oppression of those times a child grew up without her father and a man died without ever having a real relationship with his daughter. One can't help but to think about the type of oppression (ie. sexual) that goes on today. This novel is a stark reminder of why oppression of any kind is really not worth it. When oppression exists in society, good people are always bound to suffer and all because of rigid, inhumane, socially conservative beliefs. Within its own context (Puritan era), the novel delves into this topic in a very powerful way. I highly recommend it because its subject matter still applies today.

"The Scarlet Letter"
Like many reviewers here, I was "forced" to read this book for my English Composition class. However, unlike many reviewers here, I have a much different view of the story. As some people have said before, Hawthorne's book takes a good deal of concentration, effort, and strength to understand. Not only to understand, but to finish. The story can drag sometimes, it is true, and Hawthorne's style of writing occasionally leaves something to be desired (I don't think I've ever seen that many commas, 15 letter words, or page long paragraphs before), but we simply must look past these minor issues. Overall, the plot is highly creative and intense, despite the writing.\

Ok, ok, I agree that the first chapter, "The Custom-House", was pretty bad. In fact, it was so bad and boring that I drifted off to sleep several times while reading it! The first chapter has little relevancy with the story, so, unless you have to, I would suggest skipping that part of the text. The rest is exceptionally good, and the quality of the plot cannot be overlooked. My advice is to just lay off the first chapter; that way you'll be able to enjoy the rest of the book without difficulty.

The story itself deals with sin and adultery, a subject that isn't very popular right now. Hawthorne does an excellent job of telling us about this, but he leaves the reader with many questions floating around in his mind at the conclusion. At the end of the story you're not 100% sure if Hawthorne was condemning the Puritan society, or if he was commending it. He leaves that for the reader to figure out, which is a thing authors seldom do. That's a major reason I believe this work is so unique and timeless.

The story involves a women named Hester Prynne, living in the New World in the late 17th century. She has committed adultery with someone unknown, and, since the Puritan society considered the Bible to be their ultimate source of law, the punishment was quite severe for such an act. Hester is forced to wear a scarlet "A" (for adultery) on her attire at all times, as a sign to everyone that she has sinned deeply. And so she must carry out the rest of her life this way. That's the major gist of the plot, although there's much more. I won't give it anyway, though, you'll have to read the book to find out.

Let's face it: at some time or another we all are going to probably have to read this book, voluntarily or involuntarily. Shouldn't we try to make the best of it? Read it for its enjoyment, anything else would be missing the point.

Strengths and Weaknesses
This story has been synopsized repeatedly on this item page, and I'll not be redundant. Instead, I'll move directly to explaining the four-star rating I gave it.

Strengths
1. It is, from a technical standpoint, very well-written.
2. It paints a clear picture of the era.
3. It describes, and questions, the social mores regarding infidelity and adultery.
4. It describes the consequences of adultery, not just for the unfaithful spouse, but for all affected parties.

Weaknesses
1. "The Scarlet Letter" is very detailed and descriptive, and can be boring at times, especially in the beginning.
2. Many adults think this is a great book for teens to read. Most of the teens I've discussed this book with do not agree; they find it boring, wordy, and irrelevant.

A classic for all ages
"The Scarlet Letter" is one of those books you start out reading because you had to finish it for a class assignment; or because you never got around to reading it in school but you feel you should because it's a so-called "classic", and end up getting hooked and realizing it's a classic for a good reason: it's a timeless story that resonates as much in our own time as when it was written, centuries ago. At the center of the book is Hester Prynne, a young wife in puritan New England, trapped in a loveless marriage with a man old enough to be her father, sent ahead of him to the new world while he takes care of business in the old. But before he can join her, she falls in love and into an affair, and nine months later, the result is born for all to see. In colonial New England, where religion controls every aspect of everyone's life, Hester and her lover have committed a horrendous crime, never mind a sin, for which they could both be executed; the powers that be feel they are being lenient with her by condemning her to wear a scarlet letter A, for adultery, prominently displayed on her clothes. Hester shocks the whole village by embroidering the scarlet letter with gold thread and wearing it like a badge of honor. Is this her way of spitting into the eye of the village, or is she making her public dishonor deliberately more shameful as a penance?

And who is Hester's lover? The village demands he show himself; Hester, out of pity, love, or contempt, or more probably a mixture of all three, isn't saying. We know early on it's the reverend Dimmesdale, a young preacher beloved and respected by all, but if he doesn't have the courage to come forth himself, Hester will keep his secret. The story isn't a whodunit, who done it is obvious almost from the beginning. The book is about love vs. lust, courage vs. cowardice, and the hypocrisy of public piety covering up a shameful secret. Reverend Dimmesdale can flagellate himself all he wants in private; we can't help but feel contempt for him for not having the guts to share Hester's public humiliation.

But as bad as things are for Hester and Dimmesdale, they are about to get infinitely worse with the appearance of Hester's husband, Roger Chillingsworth, who arrives in the new world to find he has been cuckolded by his wife, who has given birth to another man's child, and wants his honor avenged.

Hawthorne tells a compelling tale which captures our imagination as much as it did when it was written. We realize these star-crossed lovers don't stand a chance in the uptight society they lived in. The book moves slowly, but in doing so it gives the reader time to think about the timeless issues of love, betrayal, deception, and the social mores that controlled the protagonists lives. Hawthorne raised plenty of questions; the readers will find their own answers.

Great story...difficult to understand.
I purchased this book because I was told that in junior year it's required to read this novel. Instead my teacher showed us a movie version that follows the book exactally, but I decided to read the book for fun. If it wouldn't have been for the help of my English teacher I never would have understood this novel, but from what I did gather it had a great story and wonderful moral. If you are good at reading Hawthorne's style of writing, I suggest you read it because it is good, just hard to follow at times. ... Read more

Book Description

"Move over, Dracula!" could the bunny really be a vampire? The Monroes found him in a movie theater while Dracula was playing. Now all their vegetables are turning white! Chester, the Monroes' cat, sets out to save the world from the vampire bunny. Harold the dog tries to stop Chester before it's too late! And the rest, as they say, is history.

In the twenty-five years since the publication of Deborah and James Howe's Bunnicula, the book and its five sequels have become contemporary classics. Now the first three books are available in this handsome boxed set for the series's millions of fans. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

WOW!
As a teacher, I can not tell you enough how fabulous this book is! It not only has beautiful illustrations it also has a beautiful message! I use this whenever I teach my butterfly unit, and this is always the kids favorite book that I read! Buy it - you will not regret it!

I Wish...
This is the story of a little cricket who comes to realize his true beauty after being helped by a wise old spider. The little cricket lives in Swampswallow Pond where most of the other crickets are happy spending their days fiddling. This little cricket is not happy. He has been told by the frog at the edge of the pond that he is ugly. He envies all the other creatures that live in Swampswallow Pond. The cricket questions several of the creatures about his beauty, but it isn't until he comes upon the wise old spider that he is able to find his own beauty. Follow Up: Ask students what they think about the story. Students will brainstorm ideas about wishes. Students can write about their own wishes and dreams.Make a class book. Students will write about some things they like about themselves. Draw a different student's name each day and have everyone write the student a letter telling them what they like about that person. Perform this story as a reader's theater.

Wonderful and inspiring!!
I am a senior in high school, and our English teacher shared this story with us, and had us to look for a deeper meaning. It is wonderful and inspiring. I want a copy so I can share it with my children one of these days.

It was an inspiration !
My son has 6 years old and he is starting to learn the best knowledge in life : to read. Every week he brings a book from his school's library and it is a very special moment for us when we sit together and I read for him. I really enjoy it but this last week was more than special because this book had an important message and it was an inspiration for both of us. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

An entertaining juvenile biography of John Hancock
You have to wonder what John Hancock would think of the way his entire life as one of the Founding Fathers has been reduced to his oversized signature on the Declaration of Independence. In this entertaining juvenile biography, Jean Fritz and illustrator Trina Schart Hyman tell the story a little boy who grew up to be the richest man in New England and was as well known for his vanity and charm as his ambitiousness and successes. Those who already know some of the key details of Hancock's political life will be impressed that Fritz covers how Hancock's signature was already pretty big before he signed his name on the Declaration of Independence so large that King George III did not need his spectacles to read it (Don't you wonder if the king ever saw a copy of the Declaration, let alone one with copies of the signatures? Hancock's purported boast is always repeated, but I do not think I have ever seen any documentation on what the king did or did not see regarding the Declaration of Independence). There is even a page devoted to the evolution of Hancock's signature over time.

You have to appreciate the humor with Fritz tells Hancock's story, and which plays a part in the cover art for this book, where Hancock impishly looks out at the readers while the other Founding Fathers stand around and watch him write the most famous signature in American history. However the fact that Fritz manages to work in all the key biographical details of Hancock's life along with the humor is equally impressive. "Will You Sign Here, John Hancock?" is one of a series of biographies about major figures of the American Revolution including "And Then What Happened, Paul Revere?" and "Why Don't You Get a Horse Sam Adams?", so there is no reason to stop with this book if young readers are interested in learning about the Founding Fathers in an informative and enjoyable way.

Nice little biography
John Hancock was a true American patriot. This is a well-researched biography of the first signer of the Declaration of Independence outlining his childhood, all that he did for himself, and what he did for Massachusetts and his new nation. Once the richest man in New England, Hancock also wanted to be liked by everyone. However, when King George started issuing taxes to America, he refused to pay them. He went on to become the president of the Second Continental Congress. A very colorful and flamboyant character, he signed his name nice and big on the Declaration of Independence so King George could read it without his spectacles!

A Fun Book to Stimulate Interest in History
This is a fun book that should help your youngster develop an interest in American History. It is easy to read an has great illustratiions. You will not be disappointed with this purchase. Look for others by the same author.

It is a good biography of his life.
It is a good biography of his life. It shows good times and bad times and what happened when and little odds and ends that happened in his life. It has good stuff in it. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Flight 714: Non-stop entertaining adventure
Yet again, we get a glimpse of Herge's creative genius in this action-packed Tintin adventure. This Tintin adventure is unlike any other simply because it has hints of being based on some sort of a magical success-formula, not unlike one that would ensure a James Bond movie box-office hit! In sort, it features an eccentric millionaire, an airplane hijacking, a secret island base of Tintin's archrival- the evil Rastapopulous, the return of Captain Haddock's nemesis- Allan (from "The Crab with the Golden Claws", "The Red Sea Sharks"), and also the return of a friend-Skut (from "The Red Sea Sharks"), lot's of gunmen, volcano eruptions, and even a mysterious alien encounter. The plot is quite simple: Rastapopulous wishes to obtain millionaire Lazslo Carreidas's fortune by kidnapping him and getting him to, rather willing fully, reveal his wealth-related secrets- of course with the aid of a scientist's "truth formula" injection. However, getting Tintin, Captain Haddock, Snowy, and Professor Calculus into the picture changes the simplicity of the equation. The artwork, as is the case with the last Tintin book (Tintin and the Picaros), is simply outstanding among all Tintin books-which are already top quality in the first place! One scene I fondly remember is that of Allan catching sight of a monkey and then trying to recall who it reminds him of (based on the shape of its nose), and then realizing that it reminds him of none other than his boss-Rastapopulous. Herge's drawing of Allan's facial expressions (and even Rastapopulous's, as he seems to realize what's in Allan's mind) in this sequence, yet again, displays how effortlessly he could make his characters "talk" to the reader. It is peculiar to note how different this adventure is to its preceding one-The Castafiore Emerald, in which, our heroes don't even leave Marlinshire. Perhaps, Herge himself longed for Tintin to go on another exciting adventure. Definitely, one of the best Tintin stories, great for all ages and very entertaining!!!

A little bit of everything in the penultimate Tintin tale
"Flight 714" is sort of the generic Adventure of Tintin, with a little bit of everything that Hergé put into his stories to make this one of the landmark comic book series since Cortes discovered pre-Columbian picture manuscripts in 1519. A Qantas Boeing 707, Flight 714 from London touches down at Kemajoran Airport in Djakarta, java, last stop before Sydney, Australia. Disembarking is our hero, Snowy, Captain Haddock, and Professor Calculus. As they stretch their legs the good Captain spots a forlorn figure and slips a $5 bill into the man's hat. Of course no good deed of Haddock's goes unpunished and it turns out the old man is Mr. Carreidas, "The millionaire who never laughs." Well, Professor Calculus quickly takes care of that and Carreidas insists on flying Tintin and his friends to Australia on his special jet. Haddock is looking forward to a pleasure trip, an ordinary flight and no adventures, but fate has something else in mind.

"Flight 714," which actually does not have a single panel of the titular plane being anyplace other than on the ground, offers up a hijacking, a cutting edge prototype means of transportation, an exotic island in the middle of nowhere, an evil scientist with truth serum, a gigantic stone head pagan idol, a threatening lava flow, the return of an old familiar villain, a space ship, and Tintin running around a lot with a gun. Pretty much all of these elements have popped up in the previous twenty Adventures of Tintin that Hergé had told over the previous decades. For that reason this particular adventure strikes me as something of a curtain call for Tintin and his friends, even though this is the penultimate tale and the Thom(p)sons are no place to be seen. The chief charm is that Calculus has somebody new to tangle with in Carriedas, thereby relieving Captain Haddock of the responsibility for testing the eccentric professor's patience. So I see "Flight 714" as being an average offering from Hergé, which still means it is an above average comic book adventure. I only have one Adventure of Tintin left to read and I want to treasure the moment when I choose to find out how it all ends.

An excellent Tintin book ...
Cutting-edge bizjets ... hijackings ... pirates ... kidnappers ... volcanos ... aliens ... what's not to like about this story!

Tintin and crew happen upon their old friend Skut (from The Red Sea Sharks) who is now the chief pilot for an eccentric millionare while transiting flights in Sydney.

Offered a ride on a prototype bizjet ... Tintin and friends are thrown into a devious plot to steal the millionare's fortune ... by none-other than the evil Rastopopulos (also Red Sea Sharks) ...

Throw in some aliens and an active volcano and the recipe for action and adventure is complete.

A big fan of all these stories when I was a kid ... I still enjoy readingthem 20+ years later.

Definitely in my top five!
Flight 714 (Vol 714 Pour Sydney in French) is the ideal Tintin adventure. It has all the elements that a good Tintin story needs: wonderful art, a gripping plot with interesting twists, good dialogue, but above all its best feature is the fantastic interplay between the characters. The one scene where Lazslo Carreidas (the diminutive billionaire who never laughs - a great character) has an argument with Rastapopoulos over who is more evil, is terrific. Along with "Tintin in Tibet," "The Castafiore Emerald," "The Calculus Affair," and "Tintin and the Picaros," this one is definitely in the top five.

Gangsters, terrorists, volcanoes, UFOs, telepathy...
At Djakarta International Airport, Tintin, Snowy, Captain Haddock and Professor Calculus, make acquaintance with Laszlo Careidas, the eccentric millionaire, and accompany him on his private aircraft, en route to Sydney, Australia.
But they are hijacked by his staffs, who are in the pay of Tintin's old enemy Rastapopulous
As captives on a. wild and dangerous Indonesian Island, they must battle Rastapopulous and his villains,
But vents are to grow stranger, with a strange expert in extra terrestrial phenomena and telepathy, to cross their path.
Gangsters, terrorists, volcanoes, UFOs are just some of the dangers our friends must deal with.
This
Tintin adventure has a certain eerie quality, and the hypnotic scenes near the end , include several magnificent psychedelic , 1960's style illustrations. ... Read more

Book Description

Share these animals
and their babies with your baby.
It is never to early
to look and talk together!

Reviews (1)

A good book for infants
Babies generally like two kinds of books: ones with photos of other babies and animals, and ones with solid black on white illustrations. I experienced my own frustrations in trying to get my infant daughter interested in books with bright colorful illustrations, and she just didn't perceive them as something worth looking at. But then I remembered what I had been told years before in a children's bookstore, and when I switched to the two categories above, she got very excited. This is a sweet little collection of black animal shapes on white backgrounds, with no text at all. It's a good book for a few months, but as soon as your child gets past this stage, it quickly will get put in storage (until the next one comes along, or for the next baby shower gift). ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Our household's all-time-favorite toddler book
We have six children, and this is/was the hands-down favorite of all our children as toddlers. We received it as a gift when our 13 yo was a baby, and now our toddler twins are enjoying it. I believe our children learned their color names from this book. They also like Hoban's "Black on White." I wouldn't hesitate to buy this for any under 2's you might have.

Not as Popular the Black/White Books at Our House
As my son grew older and more interested in colors, I looked for a book that would delight him as much as "Black on White" (also by Tana Hoban) had when he was an infant. I thought this book would fill that description, but it didn't quite fit the bill. It has great photographs, but no text.

Despite the catchy, rhyming title, each page shows only a picture of the item: No rhyming text is involved. Although my son likes the brightly colored pictures, he is more interested when I read books with rhythmic texts, such as "Blue Hat, Green Hat" by Sandra Boynton.

Great baby or toddler book
My daughter really enjoys this book. It is simple and gives toddlers a chance to learn their colors. We've read it so many times my daughter who is two can now read it herself!

A winner!!!
This book is a favorite at our house! The durable book has one large, colorful photograph of a common item on each page. The item's name and color are printed at the bottom (yellow shoe, red clock, black cat, etc.). It's easy for little hands to turn the pages as well as focus on each page. So many children's books these days seem to have TOO much information on each page. This book finds a way to attract the reader in a simple way with its beautiful photographs. ... Read more

Book Description

Share these familiar objects with your baby. It is never too early to look and talk together! ... Read more

Book Description

Celebrate Spring with Spot and his friends in this brand-new lift-the-flap edition!Kidscan still lift the flaps and experience new things with Spot, but now their favorite puppywill be featured in a colorful new design. For the first time since its publication this lift- the-flap will have a full-color cover and spine that displays the title and author’s name. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

One of our favorites
My son loves Spot and this is one of his favorite Spot books. There are balloons and animals in costumes, which make him giggle. ... Read more

Book Description

Spot has charmed parents and children for decades. The Spot books are the ideal first books for young readers-helping them learn to read and learn basic concepts. Now old fans and new will be thrilled to see their favorite puppy in a colorful new format!For the first time since their publication, these six best-selling lift-the-flaps will have full color covers and spines that display the titles and author's name. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

My 2 year old's favorite!
This is amongst my 2 year old son's favorite books, many of which are Spot books. He can recite the entire thing. It's a cute story about Spot meeting his friends, playing with them, losing his ball in the park, and encountering a new friend who is able to retrieve the ball. We love it! Five Stars!

Spot Goes to the Park
The Book is about Spot the dog. In the book he goes to the park and meets some of his friends there. Spot and his friends play with a ball, and while playing with the ball it hits someone, and it also goes into the water. The ball got them into a little trouble, but they now need to get the ball out of the water.
The book teaches you that you need to be careful when playing. The age level is about 2-4 years.

not much park vocabulary
My son, almost two, likes this enough to read it, but it is not a favorite. I was disappointed because there's not much "park" vocabulary in it at all, which is what we were looking forward to.

Spot Goes to the Park
I am a Mommy and Me teacher, and I teach over 100 children per week ages 4 months to 4 years in my Fitness n' Play program, I read this book in my Story Time and the children just love it, I own just about every Spot book ever written, they are the greatest!

Not the best of the Spot Lift-a-flap books.
Our daughter really enjoys the Spot Lift-a-flap books. This one, however, leaves much to be desired. The primary surprises under the flaps are dialogue - which a pre-schooler can't read. The other Spot books have pictures under the flaps. Still, we reach for these books night after night! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Good, but not a great classic...
Well, I read this in my Intro to Lit class. It was right after Frankenstein, so perhaps that made me like the book more than I normally would. Or maybe it was just Hawthorne's writing style. He tells us the story of Hester, a woman forced to wear the scarlet A for adultery in early Puritan America. How did they know she committed adultery? Her husband had not yet joined her in America and suddenly, she's pregnant. She refuses to reveal the father of her child. For the next couple of years we follow Hester, her daughter Pearl as she grows up isolated, and Pearl's father as well as Hester's newly returned husband...who has a new identity. Sometimes Hawthorne got so descriptive he went off-track, but for the most part, it's quite an interesting, almost soap opera storyline.

Putting Morals to the Test
The Scarlet Letter puts even the most morally secure people's beliefs to the test. The line between what is really sin and what is "different" in this novel is one that most cannot define at the end of finishing this book. It makes the reader think about the choices in their own life, and the choices they would make in situations such as those of Hester Prynne, Dimmsdale, and little Pearl. The Scarlet Letter has a wonderful way of depicting the exclusiveness of the early Puritans that is not outwardly horrible, but chips away at the patience of the reader until their feelings towards the Puritans are nothing but distain. The novel uses light and dark in ways that subconsciously show what is Godly and reverent and what is evil and sin. So many elements in The Scarlet Letter just capture the reader into wanting more, and I recommend this book to anyone who wants to challenge their beliefs.

A Great Classic
I first read this book in high school, and i didn't like it much, which was surprising because i really enjoy Hawthorne's short fiction. i again picked it up recently, and found that loved it. There no doubt that it is a difficult book to read, Hawthorne requires the reader to think as he reads. everything is symbolic of something in this book. Hawthorne has a mastery of the language that you just don't see anymore. think this is one we should re-read every few years, as we mature. I got the Norton edition, which helps a little with understanding the story, but most of the articles were not that helpful.

The Scarlet Letter
This was an interesting book. I liked the plot, but the author really needed to wrap up those words that I didn't understand. I mean, I can define any one of the words in the book, save few, but using about 5 of them in one sentence just makes me too confused to try to get into the story like I normally do.

Hawthorne's novel deals with issues that face all of mankind
The Scarlet Letter is one of those novels which richly repay a re-reading every 5 years or so. While most of us are first exposed to this great work in high school, few of us have the depth of understanding at that age to do the novel justice. Hawthorne's study of the human mind and heart, of the nature of evil, and his exploration of relative morality is a constant revelation to me. His symbolism and understanding resonate more deeply every time I pick this novel up again. A close reading of his language is especially rewarding. One of the great ironic, symbolic and passionate novels of all time. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Like so many exceptional children's books, Russell Hoban's The Mouseand His Child clearly wasn't intended only for kid consumption. It certainlyqualifies as a fantastic story for children: the characters are entertaining andmemorable, the images powerful, the pacing tight, and the message unique andlasting. But this sweet, melancholy fable about a wind-up pair of tin mice--adancing father and son joined at the hands--explores so many different themes ofhope, perseverance, transformation, and the nature of existence (while stillmanaging to be quite funny at times) that it's the sort of book that demands tobe kept around for a lifetime of rereading.

The father and son's redemptive quest to become "self-winding" takes themthrough all sorts of trials, from the toy store to the dump to the swamp andback again, and all along the way the pair runs afoul of Hoban's well-realizedand often menacing menagerie of characters, including the slave-driver MannyRat, the distracted thinker Muskrat, and Crow and Mrs. Crow and their Caws ofArt Experimental Theatre Group. (These last provide some of the best scenes inthe book, getting a surprising amount of philosophical meat out of a play calledThe Last Visible Dog: "What doesn't it mean! There's no end toit--it just goes on and on until it means anything and everything, depending onwho you are and what your last visible dog is.")

If you're only familiar with Russell Hoban from his Frances books (Bread andJam for Frances), this gripping, sometimes disturbing, occasionally evenviolent novel might come as something of a surprise. But if you've read any ofHoban's later work, like Pilgermann or The Moment Under the Moment,then you know what this sophisticated and extraordinarily graceful writer iscapable of, and why The Mouse and His Child deserves praise as one of themore profound children's works ever written. (Ages 9 to adult) --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Reviews (20)

One of the best unread books for children!
Russell Hoban has been cranking out some of the best literature for all age groups over the last 30 years, and yet during that time he has failed to acquire any recognition here in the states. Most of his books are continuously out of print despite their critical acclaim. The very first of these was The Mouse and his Child, and it lays the ground work for a lot of his other books. His masterpiece, R