Book Description

Winner of the Newbery Medal
Winner of the National Book Award
Winner of the Boston Globe/Horn Book Award for Fiction
An ALA Notable Book

Mayo Cornelius Higgins sits on his gleaming, forty-foot steel pole, towering over his home on Sarah's Mountain. Stretched before him are rolling hills and shady valleys. But behind him lie the wounds of strip mining, including a mountain of rubble that may one day fall and bury his home.

M.C. dreams of escape for himself and his family. And, one day, atop his pole, he thinks he sees it -- two strangers are making their way toward Sarah's Mountain. One has the ability to make M.C.'s mother famous. And the other has a kind of freedom that M.C. has never even considered. ... Read more

Reviews (27)

The great book of M.C.
I had to read this book when I was doing a book project for my school and I thought it was great! I thought that the plot and charecters were very developed and the setting was very nice. I thought that most parts were suspensful, exiting, or joyful, but others that were kind of boring.

What is the plot?
As I listened to this book on tape, I continually wondered when something would happen. Characters are introduced, but nothing happens to these characters. When I reached the end of the book, I was still wondering what the point of this book is. I am surprised it won the Newberry Medal. Perhaps it is fun for children.

M.C Higgins the Great
Virgina Hamilton I Didnt like the book to much because it didnt have any exciting points that i liked.So the next book you write please have some good points in the book.Otherwise than that the book was great.

Get Serious M.C.
What I think of this novel is that it was exciting but I was not JUMPING out of my seat to read my. At some point of the book were all right but I lost instead in the book after M.C. and the strange girl had the BIG conflict in the woods. Hamilton must have better books than M.C.Higgins,the Great. Than I will read than.

BORING...............!!!!!!!!!!
SO BORING!!!!!!! This book is so boring....it was an assignment in class and I could barely keep my eyes open during the time we waisted to read it.I mean this book was better for like 4th 0r 5th graders and it clearly didn't make much sence. i would not recomend this book to anyone under the age of like 11 or 12.Okay, listen the seeting of the story is like the mountains and you wanna know where the story ended up ? NOWHERE!!! the whole book was about a bunch of odd people in some little valley and some freakish boy that could see the future about some spoil heap falling on his house. which his room was in a cave . ... Read more

Book Description

An enduring classic about how a little boy's stuffed dog is lost and found again, first published in the United States as David and Dog. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Repeat after me. " I must buy Dogger . I must buy Dogger."
I have given over 15 copies of Dogger to friends and family when they have an arrival of a second child.Every one of them...every.one.of.themhas loved it and weeks/months/years later, I still get glowing feedback on this book.

The way the older child (Bella) helps out her little brother (Dave)when he looses Dogger makes me and anyone I've ever given the story to sniffle at the beauty and kindness of text and illustrations.

Face it, when you were little and you miss placed your favorite toy/lovey, you basically went to DEFCON 5 alert status and nothing was right until your lovey was found. Now as a parent, you know if your child loses their lovey, nothing in your house will be settled until it is found and you would do anything ( beg, bribe and possibly liquidate your IRA to make your child happy (and sleep through the night) again. Bella is every mother's heroine.

She teaches the selfless act of helping and giving better than I ever could.

This book is getting harder to find, so buy it right now to help keep it in print. I need more copies for the next round of friends having children.

One of our three kids' favorite books
They particularly like the bit about the big sister helping out her little brother.Normal kids helping each other.Good book to share with siblings.

This book is special
I love Shirley Hughes, her illustrations are realistic and detailed enough to allow plenty to pore over.But the story is what shines in this book.David loses his "dogger" and Bella, his sister, helps him get it back.Very few children books model the kind, caring side of a sibling relationship.This one shows kids how a good family can help each other out.I, too, get a tear in my eye every time I read it and my children ask for it again and again.It is in no way sappy or sentimental, it simply rings true.You will not go wrong with this book, and if you have more than one child--it's a must!

The older sister makes a sacrifice for her brother
This book has an engaging story, and charming illustrations. And the way that the sister shows love for her brother rings true - children really act like this, when they're at their best. Any child who has a favorite stuffed toy will get caught up in the story, in the suspense, and in the happy ending. Shirley Hughes is a British author, and an observant reader can see that the setting doesn't look like America. This book,as well as other Shirley Hughes books, could be used for multi-cultural education, though the differences that can be found between Britain and America are subtle.

great for kids and grownups
My family loves this book. Every time I read it, I almost cry when Bella helps her little brother get Dogger back. Wonderful, loving story! ... Read more

Book Description

Hare today, Gone Tomorrow

Bunnicula is missing! Chester is convinced all the world's vegetables are in danger of being drained of their life juices and turned into zombies. Soon he has Harold and Howie running around sticking toothpicks through hearts of lettuce and any other veggie in sight. Of course, Chester has been known to be wrong before...but you can never be too careful when there's a vampire bunny at large! ... Read more

Reviews (11)

A mysterious good book
The title of my book is The celery stalks at midnight.The book is about
three pets named Howie,Chester,and Harold.They are finding a rabbit
named Bunnicula.He is a rabbit that is a vampire and sucks the juices
out of living things.One night bunnicula escaped from his cage and went
out to suck juices out of vegetables.All three of them went to find him.They keep looking and looking.Finally they found him and took him
home to his family.The three of them went home and relaxed.I think the

book is great. Other people should like it too.It's a great book.

Bunnicula the vampire bunny is on the loose.
Bunnicula is a vampire bunny and he is on the loose. The Monroes, the family who owns Bunnicula, really don't have a clue about his escape. Bunnicula's pals Harold, Chester, and Howie are there to track him down in order to stop disaster. Chester has a theory that if Bunnicula bites the vegetables in everyone's garden they will turn into vampire vegetables and then attack the town. The message to the readers relays that ones mind can jump to many conclusions from the simple to the bazaar. Chester's idea of what may happen is defiantly leaning towards the bazaar. I like Celery Stalks at Midnight because the author told the story using animals which creates a hilarious picture in my mind.I recommend this book to all ages because of the animals and the mysterious happenings.

Buy it because of Bunnicula, keep it because of Garber
Bunnicula is one of those great series of books that treats kids intelligently and therefore is fun for kids-at-heart adults too.

I love Victor Garber's interpretation of each character's voice. Quite versatile at changing up intonations and pitch, he seemlessly moves between teenage boys, goofy Howie and the more prim and proper Chester. I cracked up everytime Garber said 'Uncle HAHrold' in Howie's voice. VG also delivers the straight narrative parts in a nice rhythm that reflects the author's amusing sequences of puns with colorful imagery.

Great Book!
I loved the book and if your thinking about buying it go for it.However if you haven't read Bunnicula and Howliday Inn your really missing out on some great books and you should get those too!

The Best Bunnicula Book!
This is the best Bunnicula book written. I have read the whole series and this is the best! ... Read more

Book Description

An elegant 12-month keepsake calendar designed to help parents and family members record every detail of baby's first year.

Beginning with baby's birth and leading up to baby's first birthday, a family can record all of the milestone events in the new baby's life. Full-color stickers are included to commemorate those extra-special moments, such as baby's First smile, first word, and First step. Adorned with artwork from the best-selling classics Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by Clement Hurd, this beautiful calendar is a unique way of recording baby's development.

Reviews (1)

a fun and low-stress way to mark the first year
I highly recommend this calendar or one like it for you and for all your pregnant friends. I never could get around to keeping one of those pre-fabricated "baby's first year" journals, but this calendar is easy, flexible, and fun to keep. Especially nice are the make-your-own stickers to supplement the many stickers they include. We added, for example, "first airplane trip," "first bike ride," and, unfortunately, "first headcold." ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (1)

a grat learning book
This book is a great book for learning your numbers! You should read it for your own sake. It will definitely help you learn your numbers. If you have kids buy this book and read it to them you will not be sad about what you did. It will help their memory and give them a few tricks for counting. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Almost fearless Sheila Rae, of Sheila Rae, the Brave fame, isback... this time with a peppermint stick. This peppermint stick is "long. Andstriped. And thin. And sweet." And it's all hers. But then along comes SheilaRae's little sister, Louise, hankering for some of that spicy sweetness."Please?" she says, ever so hopefully. Sheila Rae, in the quintessential way ofbig sisters, proceeds to taunt, torment, and tease her younger sibling. "You canhave one lick if you can guess how many stripes there are." Smugly, she waitsfor Louise's answer of "Thirteen-seven." Readers of the earlier Sheila Rae titlewill not be too surprised to see this mouse heroine get her comeuppance onceagain, and everyone will rejoice at the happy, win-win finale.

Kevin Henkes, creator of Lilly'sPurple Plastic Purse and many other award-winning and beloved picturebooks, creates a charming pair of characters in this simple, very amusing storywith a familiar theme. The small board-book format--Henkes's first!--is perfectfor the tiny hands of young readers. (Baby to preschool) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Greatest Board Book EVER!
Don't even think about it. Buy it. My 2 year old makes me read it over and over and over again. She's memorized it and I am thankful that it's short and sweet and striped and thin. It's fun to read for the adult and child alike!

Long and striped and thin and sweet
Sheila Rae's Pepperment Stick became an instant favourite at our house. Our 18 month old son has to take it everywhere with him... in the car, into the grocery store, into bed. I like it, too, because at the very end, I always get a big hug and kiss.

My concern about the book is the portrayal of the classic interaction between an older and a younger sibling: teasing with that edge of clever nastiness. I've now become somewhat immune to it but during the first few readings I cringed, wondering if taunting needs to be modeled even in charming books. My husband and I, however, are careful to leave that tone (how easy it comes to us!) out of our voices as we read Sheila Rae's responses to Louise.

All in all, it is a fun book and wonderfully illustrated. It is great to see Sheila Rae being a good sport when she is foiled by her own game.

Sheila Rae, You Gotta Love Her.....
Sheila Rae has a peppermint stick. It's long and striped and thin and sweet. But most importantly, it's all hers. When little sister, Louise, asks for just a taste, one little lick, Sheila Rae does her best, big sister style, to torment and tease tiny Louise. "You can have a lick if you can guess how many stripes there are." And of course poor Louise doesn't have a clue. But when Sheila Rae's second challenge backfires, the two sisters work out a winning compromise that leaves Sheila Rae, Louise and the reader, happy..... Nobody captures the ups and downs of sibling relationships quite as well as Kevin Henkes. His easy to read text and dialogue are down to earth and true to life and his characters are so real they could live right next door. Youngsters will easily identify with Sheila Rae and Louise, since they're sure to have played out many similar situations with their own brothers, sisters or friends. Add Mr Henkes charming and expressive artwork and you have the makings of a terrific little book that's perfect for pre-schoolers and emerging readers. This is Kevin Henkes' first board book and it's sure to join his many classics as a new family favorite. Sheila Rae's Peppermint Stick is a winner!

Sheila's back!
Sheila Rae of "Sheila the Brave" is back again. This time, she's received a long peppermint stick that she doesn't want to share with her little sister Louise. Sheila continues to promise Louise the stick, if only she can guess a series of questions Sheila thinks Louise will never be able to answer. Much to Sheila's chagrin, Louise bests her. When Sheila refuses, Louise grabs the stick, and it breaks in half. Peppermint sticks for everyone! "Sharing" is probably the moral of this story, but Kevin Henke's unique story-telling makes it much more fun than a finger wagging Aesop's Fable. This book is available in board form, my favorite for younger kids- they're virtually indestructable. My son threw one into a tub full of water, and apart from a little warping, the book still looks and works fine. Enjoy! ... Read more

Book Description

Something strange is going on at the Dew Drop Inn.

The hand-lettered wooden sign dangles from a broken, rusty chain; the lawn is overgrown; the paint is peeling; the whole place looks forlorn and abandoned. But one of the boarded-up windows of the old inn has been forced open, and Sebastian and his friends decide to investigate.

What will they find?

Nervously, they follow the flickering beam of Sebastian's flashlight to the only open doorway. They huddle together as the light bounces eerily off objects in the room. Then it catches something...

There's a body on the bed!

But by the time the terrified sleuths bring the police back to see their horrifying discovery, the body is gone! A dead body can't disappear -- or can it? ... Read more

Reviews (6)

The Mystery of Dew Drop Dead
I think that Dew Drop Dead by James Howe is a fantastic book. It was very mysterious and suspenseful. In this book Sebastain, a young boy, and his friends decide to investigate an abandoned inn. They find a dead body in a second floor bedroom. When the group finds the police and comes back to the inn, the body is gone! Can a dead body disappear? The story takes was you on an adventure to find the truth behind the disappearing body. The adventure is so suspenseful that you never know what is going to happen next. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the book, not knowing what to expect when I turned the page. Dew Drop Dead is on my top ten list and I recommended it to everyone who enjoys mysteries.

Dew Drop Dead
This is an 11 yr old reader.I read this book and it caught my attention after the first chapter.I likes it so much I finished is less then a week.I must say out of all of the mystery books I have read this one is the best.I mean once u start readin it is to hard to put back down!

Dew Drop Dead
I really liked this book because it was a mystery novel and those are my favorite! I also felt so much suspense all the way from beginning to end it was like the coolest book! The novel was a fiction one and I really like those because they tell a little bit of truth and the rest is mostly make bileve. The best part in this book was when the boy and his friends went inside the broken down, old restaurant and went to look around. They finally got the guts to go upstairs to see inside the bedrooms and then found the body! That was the most suspenseful part and my favorite. The two story elements that were most vivid to me were the scenery and the plot. Scenery was one because it told a lot of detail where they were and what they were doing, it got a really good mental picture in my head. The plot was also very specific in that it gave me great detail on the steps on who did it (the person who broke in) and what happend to him.

It Gets You Thinking!
This is one of my favorite mystery books. Right away I found it difficult to put down the book. The plot was the most exciting and grabbed my attention. It kept me thinking trying to solve the mystery even when I was not reading the story. I was interested and involved throughout the book. It was very descriptive so that I could picture everything. I plan on reading more stories written by James Howe.

good but aliitle boring
its a good book but the suspence does not build quickly anough its a ok book i dont think the plot is realistic anough and i dont like it how corrie is always kinda the perfect one and she is also the only girl wiitch annoys me alot i tink that the hole thing with rebeca and davids father is stupid because the point is not there is not them its adead body and i think that is stupid for this kind of book ... Read more

Reviews (4)

4 1/2* Hide and Seek at Spot¿s Birthday Party
Spot plays hide and seek at his birthday party in Eric Hill's great series for both young and slightly older toddlers. The guests are hidden under flaps, but both Spot and your reader can find clues to who's hiding even before lifting the flap (e.g., a silhouette, a banana peel, his mom's tail sticking out from beneath a table). Bright colors and a variety of uncovered animals make this a fun book, though the title is a bit misleading. The book really has very little to do with Spot's birthday until the very last page, when all the animals are shown bringing presents. The bold black text also makes this a nice book for the beginning reader. 22 pages.

Its spots birthday
its spots birthday every one and he is having some friends over and they decide to play hide and seek he finds bear be hind the curtin snake is hiding in the cabnit but he cant seem to find monkey then he finds him and they party Happy Birthday Spot

First Graders LOVE Spot Books!!
Our names are Jacob Kwoka and Javeon Tomlinson. We LOVE all the Spot lift-the-flap books! Our Favorite books is Spot's Birthday Party. We like when Spot and his friends play hide-and-go-seek. We hope Eric Hill writes lots and lots of Spot lift-the-flap books!!!!!

Inappropriate for the Baby/Preschool age, as recommended
I was disappointed with "Spot's Birthday Party" because the format was totally inappropriate for the Baby/Preschool age-group I searched/purchased under. The inside pages are paper (which, believe it or not, isn't an issue even tho I have 2-year-old twins). The problem isn't the paper, per se, but that it's paper pages WITH FLAPS for the kids to open and close. My kids are gonna want to open those flaps, and since the pages/flaps are flimsy paper instead of cardboard, those flaps are going to stay on for only two or three readings--max. [Suggestion: the only lift-the-flap books that you recommend for this age-group should be cardboard books with cardboard pages.] ... Read more

Book Description

What color do you see? Red? Yellow? Blue? Here is a concept book young children can grow with, as they explore colors, sizes, shapes, and relationships with the master of the photo-concept book ' Tana Hoban.

Reviews (5)

That's right. All the colors of the rainbow.
Any book of color photographs runs a very great risk of being dated. Color photographs fade so easily, and styles change so quickly that this book could easily be shunted into the realm of forgotten children's literature. But take a look at it, even once, and your perceptions will change instantly. This book is about color. And its photographs fairly throb with life and vitality, the like of which you'll have great difficulty finding in any kids books published today.

The book begins with a key. Red, yellow, blue, orange, green, and purple are arranged next to corresponding circles of the same color. As you flip through the book, these circles appear at the bottom of the page, indicating what colors can be found in each individual picture. As the kids go through the book, they can flip back to the key at the front to determine what the name of each color is. As they use this book, they will learn their colors, and eventually be able to use the text without constant flipping backwards and forwards.

And the photographs? As an artist who has shown her works in the MOMA, Toban's photos are best described on the back of the book as, "an artistic statement as well as an introduction to reality". The shots are of city scenes, brimming with color and action. The children caught in these pictures are multi-ethnic, playing and running and posing. Regardless of where a child lives, this book will inspire any kid who has ever wanted a look at a beautiful multi-colored America. You could do worse than to buy this book for your kids. And you could certainly do no better.

Wow - pictures of the city...
and they're luscious! This is the book that first awakened my daughter (at 19 months old) to speaking about color. But regardless of color concepts, I would have wanted to share these photographs, which make me love things like a broken umbrella in a trash can. It's art for toddlers: She was absorbed.

Great for visual learners
I've used this book in my early childhood art classes. The children love to find the items in the photographs that match the colored circles on the bottom of each page. With few words and many visual surprises, this book, as with so many of this author's works, helps us to become more visually aware of our surroundings. I highly recommend Tana Hoban's concept books to parents, early childhood educators, and all who delight in re-discovering the familiar. Her photography skills, powers of observation, and visual wit help us to see the world anew!

Has color but not many pages
I would not highly recommend this book, has colors but not enough pages, not worth the price.

See other review on book with Fruit, Alphabet and Color - that is a better book.

Sydney's Favorite
This book has brought the bright colors of the world alive for my 18 month old daughter Sydney. We first read the book together at a friends house, we new then that she had to have it! As a parent, I appreciate the help that the book gives in teaching my daughter how to recognize colors. This is one of those books that will be a night time favorite for you and your child to share. ... Read more

Book Description

Now Spot's Lift-the-Flap concept has been brought to a new story in a new format-a cloth book, perfect for both reading and snuggling.

Toddlers are curious, just like Spot. Join him on an adventure through this cushiony and interactive book. Young readers will follow Spot as he meets cute little animals, hiding beneath the cloth flaps, and greets them "hello!" And what better way to end storytime than with naptime, as this cloth book can double as a pillow.

Soft, interactive, and irresistable, Hello, Spot! has all the kid-friendly charm we have come to expect from Spot. ... Read more

Book Description

For active toddlers exploring their world, this energetic book bursts with the noisy sounds children love to imitate.Honk! Honk! Beep! Beep! Zoom City zooms with cars—and dogs!— on the go. Active toddlers, busy exploring their world, will love this energetic book that’s filled with the noisy sounds they love to imitate.

Honk! Honk! Beep! Beep! Zoom City zooms with cars—and dogs!— on the go. Active toddlers, busy exploring their world, will love this energetic book that’s filled with the noisy sounds they love to imitate.

... Read more

Reviews (9)

Zoom City rocks
When my daughter was 18 months old, she could recite this book. When her little brother was 2, he could recite this book. If either one is concerned about the speed with which either parent is negotiating a curve,we hear "Watch out! Too fast! CRASH! Disaster!" It's a real favorite at our house, even at 5 and close to 3, and we haven't had a problem with the crash issue. (When I read it, I add editorial comments, like "OH NO!" that might have helped)

Is a Car Crash an Appropriate Topic?
Clever colorful drawings and fun noises to read aloud, but as other reviewers have noted, I'm not sure I want to read this book to my son given its subject matter. Maybe I sound like an overly fretful mother, but there are so many great books out there, it might be best to forgo this one.

not a hit with my daughter
I received this book when my daughter was about 18 months. She sat through a reading but never requested a second reading with her trademark "Again!!!!", which she usually utters enthusiastically after almost every other book we read together. I also didn't like the crash scene that occurred after the car was driving too fast - not the action to be imitating. For sounds, she much preferred a book like "Mr. Brown Can Moo. Can You?" and for pictures, she liked books with lots of children, like those in Gyo Fujikawa's books (those books have some odd text but great pictures). This book is an easy read, only a few words per page, but I rated it based on my daughter's reaction to it.

Hands-down favorite baby book
This was given to us as part of a basket of books for my newborn son, who was an avid story-listener from two months on, and it was his favorite for well over a year. My daughter, who just turned one, is far less interested in books in general, but her face lights up with delight when we bring out Zoom City. The bright graphics and sound effects engage even the youngest babies. My husband and I can recite it by heart, which comes in handy since both kids like to hear the words even when the book's not around. I always include a copy of Zoom City with every "new baby" gift I send. I can't say enough about this book.

bright illustrations and fun words
I will start with my complaint, since no other reviewer has mentioned a complaint: the crashing. There is a scene where the cars are going too fast and they crash and the tow truck comes to take the car to the repair shop. Until this point my 1 year-old toddler knew nothing about crashes. Immediately he began crashing his toy cars, planes, boats, trains, into each other and furniture, etc. destroying things and scratching furniture and walls in the process. (He never did crashes before and he seems to think crashes are fun and harmless.) This book basically caused us a big discipline problem! The book portrays crashes as nothing bad--and I had to try to explain that real car crashes are not fun, they are dangerous and sometimes people get hurt, etc. Other than the crash issue, I enjoy this board book. The scenes are bright, the text very sing-songy, and it is a quick read that is requested to be repeated many times. My son especially loves the repair shop which has several kinds of tools, and I am to name each one over and over. I don't think that crashing belongs in a book for one year-olds, which is the age the publisher indicates is appropriate for this book. Publishers take note: we need more books with "tools" as the main theme!

Addendum: We've been reading this book for 5 years now and both of my sons love it. I have learned once they learn of crashing toys they never stop; I've seen it in boys other than my own as well and their start on crashing was not due to reading this book, it came from just playing with toys. My kids also love to talk about the tools in the book; it is hard to find books for toddlers with tools in them.

My kids like the cadence of the text and they memorize it. As my firstborn got older and changed developmentally, he came to see that car crashes are not a good or happy thing. A good way to teach this is to point out accidents we pass while driving on the road or to point out smashed cars we pass in at auto repair shops. Also when we hear an ambulance I wonder aloud if someone was hurt in a car crash and that I hope they are alright and not too hurt. ... 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 (3)

My Toddle's favorite!
My son Ryan is 3 and still loves this book. The predictability and flaps make it very fun and interactive for him. He has loved it for 3 years now!

Great 1st book for baby!
This was the first book my son read from cover to cover! He loved the hidden animals under the bed, in the closet, etc. Would crack up when my husband and I would make the animal noises when he'd lift the cover. You won't regret buying this favorite!

A Real Gem
This is a wonderful book, and not just for very little children. As a reading specialist in an elementary school, I have found that children in all the primary grades love to search for Spot with his mother. Children have the fun of lifting the various doors, lids, etc. trying to find Spot, while parents can encourage prediction of just where the little guy will be found. I have seen children request this and other books in the series over and over again. I'm buying it for my first grandchild - high praise from me. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Like its sister holiday, Christmas, Easter has become a cultural event as well as a religious holiday. And because traditional Easter customs also represent pagan celebrations of spring and renewal, there is much information for children to digest this time of year. Recognizing and sorting these diverse and fascinating elements in an Easter anthology is quite an ambitious task. Fortunately, renowned illustrator Michael Hague (of The Velveteen Rabbit, The Teddy Bears' Picnic, and The Wizard of Oz) pulls it off with great success. In fact, there are three key reasons why this anthology will become a lifetime keeper. First, the anthology is sensibly divided into four sections: "A Time of Faith" speaks to spiritual belief in a time of death and darkness; "A Time of Rebirth" celebrates the themes of resurrection and renewal; "A Time of Celebration" explores the traditions of eggs, baskets, and bunnies; and "A Time of Love" glorifies nature's wonders and the renewal of a season. Second, the selections are exquisite, with beloved classics such as Oscar Wilde's "The Selfish Giant," William Blake's "Spring," and F.E. Corne's "Whythe Easter Bunny Lays Eggs." Third, Hague's generous pastel-and-watercolor illustrations are child-pleasing and versatile--shadowy and somber as Mary mourns the death of her son, and joyfully sunny for stories such as"The Boy Who Discovered Spring." This fine treasury is a wonderful resource for any family that celebrates Easter. (All ages) --Gail Hudson ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Great For a Family Tradition
...This one caught my eye for several reasons. Michael Hague is a British illustrator who usually illustrates fairy tales and classics like Peter Pan. He's not my "all-time favorite" in terms of style, but he does a good, quality job.

What really got my attention was the table of contents. The book is divided into four sections, each one starting with one of the four resurrection accounts (note: the "sacred art" is not that great on some of the pictures - a little scary!). Then there are stories, hymns and poems grouped according to four themes: "A Time of Faith," "...Rebirth", "...Celebration," and "...Love."Stories include "The Selfish Giant" by Oscar Wilde, "The Maid of Emmaus," "The Boy Who Discovered Spring," "Why The Easter Bunny Lays Eggs," "Bramble and Buckwheat' by Ethel Pochocki (note: who also wrote "Once Upon A Time Saints," a book we had growing up), "The White Blackbird" by Padraic Colum (great author), and "The Rat-Catcher's Daughter." Lots of poems by William Blake, Rossetti, Hopkins, and Aileen Fisher. Well, I bought the book this Christmas...I remembered to bring it out this Easter. It's about the size of a kid's picture book, but thicker (133 pp), and the cover is beautiful! So are the title pages and contents. We started reading it on Easter afternoon (I always cry at "The Selfish Giant's" ending...note: my kids (age 7-down) really liked the "Selfish Giant!") I really liked the hymns and poems. And most of the illustrations were really good (like I said, the resurrection ones weren't that great). The kids have been looking through it over and over. Even though they can't read the stories, they love the pictures. Oh, there's also a section on Easter customs from around the world that I look forward to reading.

So we'll be looking forward to bringing out this book in our home as an Easter tradition, and I recommend it for other families who are in the market for the same kind of book.

Not-too-happy Easter
I was hoping from its description that this book would offer a sort of Unitarian Universalist explanation of Easter and its symbols - one my young children would be able to understand and appreciate, without being scared. Unfortunately we started with the Oscar Wilde tale of the scary giant who eventually meets a boy with big holes in his wrists and immediately dies. Uh...what? Not good bedtime material. We tried some others that were more factual, but unfortunately they either completely blew the cover off the Easter bunny or read like dry essays. The illustrations are pretty, but I'm sending this one back.

Beautiful stories, beautiful artwork
The stunning illustrations will draw you and your children in to this book, where you'll find wonderful stories -- some of which have overtly spiritual themes, some which explain Easter traditions, and others which are just fun. The shorter poems can be read to younger children. I would have given this book 5 stars except that it quotes from the King James Version of the Bible - please, authors, give us more kids books that use age-appropriate versions of the Bible. ... Read more

Book Description

Movie men have come to Chincoteague to film the annual Pony Penning, and Paul and Maureen are thrilled -- until they learn that the producers want to buy their beloved Misty. Reluctantly, they agree to sell in order to send their uncle to college. But how will they ever fill the lonely place that Mistyleaves behind?

Finding an orphaned colt helps Paul and Maureen deal with their loss, and they soon discover that little Sea Star needs them just as much as they need him. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

The Myrtle Cure
Although author Marguerite Henry had not envisioned a sequel to MISTY, she found herself touched by the real plight of a tiny orphan colt whose mother had died at Tom's Cove. Those plucky youngsters, Paul and Maureen Beebe, make the ultimate sacrifice: they decide to sell their beloved Misty in order to finance their uncle's education at Seminary. But when the Lord cloes one door, he often opens a window somewhere else. In this case the starving little type whickers his way into the children's grieving hearts, giving them something positive to work for: finding him proper nourishment.

If you enjoyed MISTY OF CHINCOTEAGUE, you will love this tale as well. There is more of Grandpa's blustery horse sense--for children, as well as for the animals on Pony Ranch. It is also a treat to experience
Grandma's warm support for empty stomachs and aching hearts. Readers will relive the excitement of the roundup on Pony Penning Day, as the firemen of Chincoteague hold their annual fund raiser (capturing and selling the wild ponies of Assateague Island to Mainlanders). This year a movie crew is on hand to film the tumultuous events. The conflict of human versus equine will is played out on a salty stage of splashing waves off the Virginia coast. Sea Star will quickly capture your interest, along with world-famous Misty. A light, heart-warming read for kids of all ages.

A great book!
This book kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I felt like i was right there with Paul and Maureen. They are the two main charecters that found Sea Star on the beach. This book explains the little ponys struggle for life and how Paul and Maureen helped save the ponys life. The author explains everything so well that you dont want to put the book down, ever. If you like animals then you should read this book. The author did a great job explaining and keeping you on the edge of your seat the whole time.

From one horse-lover to any others out there.
I liked reading Sea Star by Marguerite Henry. It had wild horses with wild manes and flaring nostrils. Mares and foals of all types, pintos, bays, snow whites, and pitch black stallions galloped across the marshy plains. The book kept me on the edge of my seat and I was right there with Paul and Maureen, the two main characters when they found Sea Star. I was transported in my mind to the island of Chincoteague where I was flying across the sandy beach on my mounted steed next to them looking for the starving, tiny foal. Sea Star was my favorite book in the series of three books that I have read by this author.

Why I Chose Sea Star
Why I Chose Sea Star
By: Marguerite Henry
Reviewed by: J. Park
Period: P.5
Paragraph #1
Sea Star is one of my favorite books. It gets me interested on how horeses really do have feelings. Everyone has told me that I should read this book, because I love to read about animals. I thought that it would be very boring bacuse of the front cover and I shouldn't have judged the book by it's cover so I read it, then I thought that sane was very true. Once I got to the conflict I couldn't get my eyes off the book. It starts out like an ordinary book with little, small details and then they have surprise news that wakes you up. You are halfway dead when all of a sudden you are more than alive. This book is great becaus eit is very detailed so I understand so well that I can grow and share this with my kids, and you can't take your eyes the book.
Paragraph #2
The way they described the story was very different from how other books, that I have read, had explained the story. They make a sentence like: Let's go eat! Into like a describtive sentence like this: Let's go enjoy a meal by filling our hungry stomachs with a big and nice samdwhich! I love how they describe every single, little thing they talk about. It's like, if they don't write so that we can't understand, they aregoing to quit writing the book, they do their writing so well! I know what is going on and I am interested in what is going to happen next.
Paragraph #3
The way they explain the story is that they take a hard story to explain into a easy kingdergarten book. I can memorize the book word by word. (exaderation) I had a time where I had got mad at the book because it was getting all interesting until they made it so confusing I didn't get it. I was so frustrated that I got mad at the book. This book is always more than understandable. Everyday I read this book, I forget things very easily, I can remember this story from where I started to where I ended everyday. To tell the treuth this book had got me hyptnotised into it.
Paragraph #4
Whenever I read books I always get into trouble for not reading it a lot, but this book I get into trouble for reading it too long. This story is a very continuous story that if you take your eyes off for one moment you miss a whole apple tree in a garden. I enjoy howq there is something going on everytime and everyday. Many people don't know the feeling of horses. While reading this book you enjoy and learn at the same time. I would tell everyone that doesn't like to read and give them this book. Last of all the ending, the ending has a whole different side to everything I said. The ending is the most saddest part ever, even though it is a happy ending. The book ended! I hate it when books end, it seems like your adventure had ended and you have to start all over again. You never know whaty kind of books are as interesting as this. Your book fun time is over. I enjoyed this book and I had learned a lot from it.

Why I Chose Sea Star
Sea Star is one of my favorite books. It gets me interested on how horeses really do have feelings. Everyone has told me that I should read this book, because I love to read about animals. I thought that it would be very boring bacuse of the front cover and I shouldn't have judged the book by it's cover so I read it, then I thought that sane was very true. Once I got to the conflict I couldn't get my eyes off the book. It starts out like an ordinary book with little, small details and then they have surprise news that wakes you up. You are halfway dead when all of a sudden you are more than alive. This book is great becaus eit is very detailed so I understand so well that I can grow and share this with my kids, and you can't take your eyes the book. The way they described the story was very different from how other books, that I have read, had explained the story. They make a sentence like: Let's go eat! Into like a describtive sentence like this: Let's go enjoy a meal by filling our hungry stomachs with a big and nice samdwhich! I love how they describe every single, little thing they talk about. It's like, if they don't write so that we can't understand, they aregoing to quit writing the book, they do their writing so well! I know what is going on and I am interested in what is going to happen next. The way the explain the story is that they take a hard story to explain into a easy kingdergarten book. I can memorize the book word by word. (exaderation) I had a time where I had got mad at the book because it was getting all interesting until they made it so confusing I didn't get it. I was so frustrated that I got mad at the book. This book is always more than understandable. Everyday I read this book, I forget things very easily, I can remember this story from where I started to where I ended everyday. To tell the treuth this book had got me hyptnotised into it. Whenever I read books I always get into trouble for not reading it a lot, but this book I get into trouble for reading it too long. This story is a very continuous story that if you take your eyes off for one moment you miss a whole apple tree in a garden. I enjoy howq there is something going on everytime and everyday. Many people don't know the feeling of horses. While reading this book you enjoy and learn at the same time. I would tell everyone that doesn't like to read and give them this book. Last of all the ending, the ending has a whole different side to everything I said. The ending is the most saddest part ever, even though it is a happy ending. The book ended! I hate it when books end, it seems like your adventure had ended and you have to start all over again. You never know whaty kind of books are as interesting as this. Your book fun time is over. I enjoyed this book and I had learned a lot from it. ... Read more

Book Description

For 25 years, children have been looking for Spot. Is he in the piano?Is he under the stairs? This special anniversary edition of Where'sSpot? will introduce Spot to a new generation of readers. Alldressed up with a shiny silver cover, this perennial favorite is likelyto become a collector's item in addition to being a children's classic. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (2)

Why was this book written?
There seems no point to this book's existence. I know it is only a book for toddlers but shouldn't we respect their ability to comprehend and learn, however small we may think it is?

In this book, Julius' mother tells him not to eat the cupcakes. Great! So he thinks he'll count the candy corn. Well, after counting to one, there are no more numbers. So you can't really call it a counting book.

Aside from "counting" the candy corn, Julius eats all the candy corn. This is later justified by inferring, "At least he didn't eat the cupcakes." There is no retribution for his eating the candy corn. None of his friends are disappointed that they do not get a candy corn on their cupcake. His mother does not scold him for his malfeasance. So you can't really call it a morality tale.

Education and morality are pretty much the cornerstone of any good children's book. Therefore my conclusion that there is no purpose to this book.

But it may be encouraging to those who would like to get into children's publishing to know that even this sort of dribble is considered publishable.

I am a bibliophile, but this book is getting tossed.

FUNNY
My children love Kevin Henkes's books. This is a funny story about Julius and how he counts cupcakes and eats all the candy corn. Sweet but not sticky. ... Read more

Book Description

The coins are shiny. But they are also round, and there are five of them. One is over another, and one is under. The tree is rough. It is also brown and tall. And how about the stones? And the turtle? And the cotton candy? All the objects in this stunning book are textured -- they are rough, or smooth, or shiny, or sticky, or wet, or furry. But they are also lots and lots of other things. The more you look at the pictures, the more you will see. How much can you tell about each photograph? Once you start, it will be hard to stop!

Amazon.com

Children enamored with the notion of fairies will drink up Kathleen andMichael Hague's lush picture book like nectar. When a mother is asked by herchild about how fairies spend their days and nights, she embarks on a dreamyaccount of these mysterious, magical creatures. For starters, fairies hang thestars in the sky each evening "so every child will have a night-light." Theyalso teach birds to sing, paint the wings of butterflies, comb mermaids' hair,and sleep "on leafy beds in secret gardens." The wondering child falls asleep tothese poetic musings, welcomed to dreamland by the fairies.

Lyrical colored-pencil and watercolor illustrations, filled with elaboratedetail, accompany this gentle bedtime story. Readers are challenged to find andcount all 321 winged fairies in the book, and to look for the red-capped fairyhiding on each page. The author-illustrator team has paired up on severalbestselling titles, including TenLittle Bears and Alphabears. (Ages 3 to 7)--Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Captivating
My 3 yr old is enamored with fairies and this is by far her favorite book. The illustrations are outstanding, appreciated by both adult and child. She loves to hunt through and find all the hidden animals and faces in tree trunks, some lovely but some scary (she loves the scary ones!). With the attention span of a gnat, she is easily bored with long stories, but even the pages with the most writing hold her interest, besides there is great variety in each page. It captivates her imagination and she refers to often when walking in the woods and looking for fairies. This is the kind of quality book I miss from my childhood and is too hard to find in modern publications.

Whimsical and Magical - What Could Be Better!
Welcome to a wonderful tale of fairies. To a book of pure magic. 'Good Night, Fairies' takes you away to a magnificent land where fairies comb mermaids' hair, paint butterflies' wings and teach unicorns to fly. The story line on each page is short, thus even very little ones stay entranced in the fantasy world of fairies. It is a book, that even as an adult, you will be mesmerized by the beautiful pictures of fairies sleeping on leaves in secret gardens, dancing in the moonlight in spider's silk and hanging stars in the sky so children will have a nightlight. Children, afterall, are the closest thing to fairies! So what could be better than fairies welcoming little ones to dreamland as they drift off to sleep.

Bedtime on Fairies' Wings.....
There is nothing so wonderful as the magical, whimsical world of fairies. Join mother and child at bedtime, as she lulls her little one to sleep with enchanting details about these tiny winged creatures who help make the world a special place to live. Fairies hang the stars in the sky at night, so that every child will have a night-light, paint the colorful wings of butterflies, teach birds to sing, and unicorns to fly. They comb mermaids' hair, draw rainbows to cheer up the dark rainy sky, make the spring flowers bloom, and scatter the autumn leaves. But most of all, fairies love little children. "Of all the world's creatures, there is nothing so like a fairy as a child....." Husband and wife team, Kathleen and Michael Hague, have authored the perfect bedtime story. Everything about this picture book is elegant, engaging, and exquistite, from the beautiful script font, and quiet, soothing prose, to the marvelously intricate, lush, and expressive illustrations. Together word and art offer a gentle, sweet, and lovely trip to dreamland. Perfect for youngsters 3-7, with 321 little winged friends to discover and count, and a special red-capped fairy hidden on every page to find, Good Night, Fairies is a masterpiece, and a reassuring bedtime treasure to share and enjoy every night of the year.

Pure Magic!
Husband and wife team, Kathleen and Michael Hague have done it again! I have long been a fan of Michael Hague's lovely evocative illustrations and Kathleen's gentle prose for children but this book really is the perfect combination of their extensive talents. In a flowing script-like font the story takes us on a journey to Fairyland when a child asks his mother to tell him some things about fairy ways just as he is getting tucked into bed for the night. The mother knows lots of secret things about fairies. In Kathleen's light-hearted, kindly prose the mother explains that among many other things, they teach the birds how to sing, gather and care for all the toys that children have lost, comb the mermaids' hair, and dance in the twilight dressed in spiders' lace. Richly colored and filled with exquisite detail the double page illustrations are on every page so there are no dull pages with only text. Beautiful fairies and whimsical little gnomes and pixies crowd each page and engage in the many magics of the fairy realm. Mermaids of different races and ages relax and luxuriate in an ocean cove. There is one tiny fairy with a red cap that is hidden on each page so that a child may have the fun of pouring over the colorful details and searching to find him. The Hagues tell us that there are a total of 321 fairies in this book and challenge us to find all of them. This is a wonderful book to share with a child. I highly recommend it. ... Read more