Book Description

If You Made a Million

Have you ever wanted to make a million dollars? Marvelosissimo the Mathematical Magician is ready, willing, and able to explain the nuts and bolts -- as well as the mystery and wonder -- of earning money, investing it, accruing dividends and interest, and watching savings grow. Hey, you never know!

An ALA Notable Book A Horn Book Fanfare Selection A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year A Teachers' Choices Selection

Reviews (2)

If You Made A Million
I strongly think you should read this book because it is funny. It has a wizard that does magic and he helps kids learn how to save their money. You should extremely like this book because the kids make things and they get money. They also babysit a giant baby for one thousand dollars. A boy makes a bridge and they do their chores. They also do incredible things.

It teaches children about money.
The illlustrations are fun. The text talks about situations to which kids can relate. The book gives some good lessons about money and how to use it. Yet, the book never bogs down. Children find it interesting and fun. ... Read more

Book Description

"It is almost Friday night. Outside, the dark is getting darker," and here and there around the city ninety-two men and thirteen women are getting dressed to go to work. First they bathe and put on their underwear. Then they don special black-and-white apparel. Then when the one hundred and five people are completely ready, each takes a musical instrument and travels to midtown. There, at 8:30 tonight, they will work together: playing.

In these pages Karla Kuskin and Marc Simont combine their talents to give us a delightful and unusual inside view of one way an orchestra prepares.

Nominee, 1983 American Book Award
Notable Children's Books of 1983 (ALA)
1983 Fanfare Honor List (The Horn Book)
Outstanding Children's Books of 1982 (NYT)
A Reading Rainbow Selection
1983 Teachers' Choices (NCTE)
Children's Books of 1982 (Library of Congress)

Reviews (11)

The Philharmonic Gets Dressed
I am a music teacher and I was purchasing books for my classroom. I was very disappointed with my purchase. The illustrations would not be appropriate to show in any classroom without causing quite a few laughs.
I think I could share the book with my own children , but would not recommend this for any teachers out there.

Inspired description of the hidden world behind work
My son began to show an early interest in music as a baby, and we've been delighted at the wonderful storybooks about music. This one focuses on how the musicians prepare for their evening at work. The illustrations are charming and full of the personality of each individual musician depicted. This book does a wonderful job of showing that the "show" is not the only thing, and that many hours of preparation go into getting ready for work! I highly recommend this book for children who already love music, for teachers of music who want to show that there is an opportunity for people to "play" for work, or for professional musicians who have heard, "What do you do for a living?" one too many times.

Friday night fun.
This is a terrific book for adults and children that follows the ritual of a number of people who are getting ready in different ways to do one thing together. To make music.

I love the quiet humour and the little details in the illustrations.
I had a copy of the book as a child and loved to look over it and observe something so different from my own experiences of being a second grader in a small town.
The book just radiated glamour to me and still does.

This book is equally sophisticated and sweet.

The Title Says It All
This is a great book for toddlers and preschoolers who are learning to put on their clothes. It is not a book on music, but on dressing, just as the title states. My son enjoys looking at the different ways people shower and put on their clothes and comparing how he bathes and puts on his clothes.

surprisingly good
I am a music lover not a musician, so some years ago, when I thought of buying "The Philharmonic Gets Dressed" for my kid who was starting music lessons, I passed it over, thinking it was not about music.

Guess what? I was so wrong. My offspring, now a teen who has been in an advanced orchestra for years, went out bought it for self. Absolutely loves it. "This book rocks, mom, why didn't you buy it for me? The picture at the end says all there is to say about makig beautiful music." ... Read more

Book Description

Read by Laura Linney
approx. 3 hours
2 cassettes

Nancy believes her friend's guardians are trying to steal her inheritance.As she investigates, she has a perilous experience near the deserted bungalow. ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Still great after all these years!
What a teriffic book. It got me hooked on Nancy Drew books for many years. I found my original a while back...it is still a wonderful book. You are all in for a great treat!

an exciting adventure
This book was one of the best Nancy Drew books. It captivated your interest and was suspenseful. It was a story of friendships made and renewed. You'll like the surprise ending and how Nancy goes about solving the case.

Boring title, Good book...(*** 1/2 stars...)
I read the 1930 version of this book. The title is boring, tho somehow caught my intrest as well; what in the world could be so mysterious about a bungalow? The book is a pretty good installment in the series, anyway. The part where Nancy hides inside the dark bungalow is suspenful, and is one of the rare moments is a Nancy Drew book where I was on the edge of my seat!

The Bungalow Mystery
The Bungalow Mystery is exiting and thrilling!Nancy Drew and Hellen Corning,are invited to Lilac Inn to help there friend Emily plann her wedding, but then strange things begin happening at Lilac Inn,as always Nancy Drew takes the case! The It is one of my favorite books of the series of Nancy Drew! It is pretty intriging and exiting!

A Very Original Plot
This review concerns the original 1930 edition and the revised 1960 edition which follows a similar plot to the original, with a few changes. Nancy becomes friends with an orphaned girl named Laura when she rescues Nancy and her friend Helen after their motorboat sinks during a violent storm. Upon meeting Laura's new gaurdian, Nancy immediately dislikes him. After Laura runs away from him, Nancy's suspicions of him are aroused even more. Nancy goes to confront the man only to discover that Laura's gaurdian is not who he seems to be. It's unfortunate that this book has the title that it does because I imagine that very few people were enticed to read the book based on its title. Those that passed over this book missed a very interesting and original story for either this series or the Hardy Boys. The book is very well-written (the original version, anyway) and from chapter 10 onwards is hard to put down. Something that I particularly liked about this book was that Nancy actively had a hand in capturing the criminal (criminals in the revised edition). Don't passover reading this book because of its blah title. I believe that most people who read this book will enjoy it. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Great Source of Historical Information
This book is excellent.... EL Konigsburg describes the apprentice Salai's service to Leonardo very well... It seems as if you are watching it take place before you, instead of in reality reading it. The Mona Lisa has always been a mystery, how Leonardo labored painting a merchant's wife whilst other noble families begged him for theirs to be done [such as Isabella d'Este]. The thing that really fascinated me throughout this book was that, it was all based on something real. This book was supposed to be a book report, ended up being my spare reading book that I read when I had spare time. Ahh....Thank god for book reports...

Why I Recommend This: by a teenage book lover
I picked up this book mainly because I saw that it was written by E. L. Konigsburg, a given that it would be a good read. Let's just say it was, in that sense, not disappointing (especially the beginning & middle). I didn't really know that much about Leonardo DaVincci (forgive my spelling errors) before reading this, except that to describe him as a genious would be an understatment, but by the end of the book I felt as if I knew him and understood him both as an artist and a person. And I will never look at The Mona Lisa or any other of his artwork the same again. But to tell you the truth I found the end a bit disapointing. I suppose that was really my own fault though. I had forgotten that this book was based on reality and in my amnesia imagined, or to put it better had no doubts, that there would be some miraculous surprise ending. I EXPECTED a fairy tale ending. It never even occured to me that anyone would die for real! (You see I thought that the death was fake -- a scam to fool the public. Yes, I know I have a wild imagination.) I disliked the ending because I was unprepared for it. I didn't realize I was on the last page until I was literally on the last page. You know how you can tell you're getting to the end of a book because you feel only a few pages in your right fingers? Well, that doesn't work with this book -- there are pictures of paintings by DaVincci (?) in the back of the book. I turn the last page expecting to find the next chapter but find instead that the book is done. I believe "That's it?" were my exact words. I have to say though that the end made the story even more real -- as in it would've happened in real life. The story was excellent despite my immature need for a happy ending. But I AM consistent (I felt the same after Romeo & Juliet). I think that if I had to categorize this book I would place it in the "star-crossed lovers doomed for tragedy" section rather than the "historical fiction -- Leonardo DaVincci" section. Only because the story it really about Leoonardo, eventhough you do learn a lot [of accurate stuff] about him. I believe the story is more romantic, more about true beauty, than anything else. How can I not recommend this book?

Who was Mrs. Giaconda?
The Second Mrs. GIaconda is a magnificently written book by a favorite author, E.L. Konigsburg. Intially the story begins in Milan, Italy, but as it progresses the characters travel to many other locations in sixteenth century Renaissance Europe.

The main character, Salai, is a young thief at the age of thirteen, with hair as curly as a pig's tail. Renaissance man, Leonardo da Vinci, befriends Salai and makes him an apprentice. The only real talent Salai possesses is his ability to make Leonardo laugh. The pair reside in Milan with Duke Il Moro and his wife Beatrice de Este'. Beatrice possesses great inner beauty and they come to love her deeply. A compelling series of events lead up to Leonardo's painting of a mere merchant's wife, the captivating Mona Lisa.

This is a wonderful book filled with a little action, some adventure, some tears and a host of big laughs. It is a wonderful read for any person over the age of ten. The Second Mrs. Giaconda is a story you may want to read again and again!

Who is the Mona Lisa????
I wasn't very interested in this book because it is about the 19th century and Leonardo Da Vinci. It's a mystery about who the Mona Lisa really was. The mona lisa is believed to be a lot of people; Leonardo Da Vinci painted himself as a woman, The second Mrs. Giaconda, and Beatrice (a character in the book) are a few of the suggested.

The Second Mrs. Giaionda
The book tries to solve the mystery of who the Mona Lisa was and why Leonardo painted her. The book also allows you to glimpse the day to day life of Leonardo, the man, artist and inventor. ... Read more

Book Description

Spectacular, full-color watercolor paintings by the late American illustrator Don Daily bring this new presentation of the classic story to life in an exciting new way. Readers aged 4 to 8 will delight in Barrett's faithful retelling of Kipling's beloved nineteenth-century tale as they follow the boy Mowgli and his wise animal friends on their journeys of adventure and discovery in the jungles of India. This illustrated Children's Classic, with glorious, evocative art, includes a full-color, imaginatively illustrated gatefold that renders Mowgli's travels even more fantastic. ... Read more

Book Description

Marvelosissimo
the Mathematical Magician
measures magnificently!

Your favorite wizard is back -- and ready to explore the invention of length, weight, and volume measurements. How tall is Moonbeam, the unicorn? How long are the whiskers of Jello, the cat? And just how heavy is that darling hog? Tons and teaspoons and ounces and feet and yards and miles ... what a headache! With millions of things to measure, wouldn't one standard system be simpler?

With another wave of the wand, Marvelosissimo introduces you to the world of metrics and makes it easy to understand the basic pattern of meters, liters, and grams. And with Steven Kellogg's playful and delightfully detailed illustrations, measuring has never been such a blast!

Reviews (1)

Measuring Made Easy and Fun.....
"There are millions of things-and many ways-to measure. Let's fly back in time and see how people measured many years ago..." Marvelosissimo the Magician's takes the reader from prehistoric times to the present on an entertaining and informative tour of measurement. Author, David Schwartz's engaging text, written in an easy to read, conversational style, tells the story of length, weight, and volume, and is rich in history, fun facts, and trivia. Illustrator, Steven Kellogg's cartoon-like artwork is bright and playful and each busy page is filled with humor, eye-catching, expressive detail, and clever asides. Youngsters will revel in all the easy to understand, measuring fun. A terrific explanation of the metric system concludes this little gem of a picture book, and both students and teachers will find hours of fun practicing and using the concepts they learn here. ... Read more

Book Description

Contains:
#1 The Secret of the Old Clock
#2 The Hidden Staircase
#3 The Bungalow Mystery
#4 The Mystery at Lilac Inn
#5 The Secret of Shadow Ranch
#6 The Secret of Red Gate Farm ... Read more

Reviews (6)

There are 2 versions of the Nancy Drew mysteries!
About 1959 these stories were edited and re-published and some of the language was edited out or removed. Recently Applewood Books has re-released the old Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys mysteries with the original language. In the new versions Nancy was increased in age from 16 to 18 because it was not thought to be a good idea to have a 16 year-old girl riding around River Heights in her own blue roadster. The original versions refer to black people as Negro or colored and the role of women and minorities is very different from what it is now. In "The Secret of the Old Clock" there is one black person who is the only one in the whole book who talks in slang such as "Sho' 'nuff Miss Nancy." Everyone else in the book is white and is portrayed as talking in correctly spelled English. However I enjoy the original versions more than the cleaned up ones and it gives me a picture of what life was like before World War II in my mother's and father's time. Look for these versions in the Original Nancy Drew series from Applewood Books.

Read this if you like mystery books
The book that I read was Nancy Drew and The Secret of the Old Clock. I think that you should read this book if you like exciting mysteries. Here is a summary about the book. The Secret of the Old Clock is about a girl named Nancy Drew. She loved to solve mysteries. Her father Carson Drew was one of the best lawyers. There was a man that was named Josiah Crowley. He mde a will that was the first will but everyone believed that there was another will. He had a lot of people that he promised money to. That's why everybody thought that there was another will. Nancy Drew thoguht that if anybody had it, it would be the Tomphams but they didn't. The Tophams are the oeople who asked Crowley to stay with them thinking that all of his things to them. Nancy met a lot of people on the way. Nancy met the Turner sisters that told her who to talk to. She talked to some of this cousins, and the Hoover sisters. She also talked to Abby Rowen. She told Nancy a lot of information. Then, Nancy went to find the notebook. Abby Rowen said "old clock" and then her memory went blank. Then Nancy went to the Tophams to ask about the clock. They told her that it was at their bungalow house.When she went there, there was no furniture in the house. Then she heard voices and foot steps coming up to the house and hid in the closet. After a short period of time she sneezed and the men opened the door. Then they closed the door and locked her in the closet. She started to yell... I hope that this summary makes you want to read this book!

Excellent
I enjoy mysteries so i thought i might give these books a try. I always thought they looked dumb and so i never picked one up, but they are really good. I would recomened it to anyone and everyone.

Nancy Drew is the best!
I myself read the starter set for Nancy Drew and I found it very exciting and good. It kept me reading and reading. I could not stop! Nancy Drew books are interesting and make you wonder what is going to happen next. When I first read my very 1st Nancy Drew book, I thought it was boring. Until I started to get really into the book. Now I am on the 9th book. Well, going to read the 9th book. I would recommend this to all children 10-12 years old. It is a excellent book and a great book that will make you keep on reading. Until you read them all!

YOU HAVE GOT TO LOVE THEM!
You have got to love all of the Nancy Drew books! I know I do. I own them all. If you haven't ever read one try it and then look me in the eyes and tell me that you didn't like the book. I bet you can't!

~Kathleen age 11~ ... Read more

Amazon.com

"Trains are trips. And trips are adventures. And adventures are newideas and romance and you can't ever know what in the world will happen which is exactly why you are going." This is precisely the species of serendipity that bounces and leaps through the pages of Maira Kalman's picture book Next Stop Grand Central, a charming tribute to New York's Grand Central Station by the artist whose murals currently spice up the historic terminal. Kalman--brilliant creator of Max the millionaire poet dog in Ooh-la-la (Max in Love)--not only reflects the vibrant nature of the busy hub, she paints comical portraits of the folks behind the scenes who make it all happen: ("Etha delivers the mail--a letter to Mr. Pickle cannot go to Mr. Schnikle.") We're also introduced to the people who "zip and zap and whiz" through Grand Central as passengers: ("The woman with the blue pancake hat is going to Chinatown to buy Poo Nik Tea.") Snapshots of "things you'll see" in the terminal include someone waiting patiently, someone waiting impatiently, and someone looking up. Things you won't see? Einstein sailing and the pyramids of Giza. Next Stop Grand Central is a compassionate, quirky view of a cross-section of humanity--and that, Kalman seems to be saying, is what Grand Central Station is all about. (Ages 5 and older) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Just Another Day at Grand Central.....
Author Maira Kalman takes us on a fascinating and entertaining whirlwind tour of Grand Central Station, "the busiest, fastest, biggest place there is." Meet some of the people who work there from Lenny Maglione who's in charge of the whole building, Wanda who hears complaints, Ed, the lightbulb changer, and Marino Marino who makes oyster stew at the Oyster Bar, to Audrey in the information booth who will answer your questions, Melvin Johnson who helps you find the right train and step aboard, and Frank Chidester who runs the Lost and Found. And watch the travelers, waiting, looking up and down and all around, rushing, eating, and going to work, or play, or appointments, or visits. The action never stops at Grand Central because people need to come and go all day and all night long..... Ms Kalman's creative text is full of wordplay, puns, energy, humor, and fun that will send imaginations soaring, and is only outdone by her bold, busy and engaging artwork. Kids will love poring over all the marvelous detailed illustrations and are sure to find something new and exciting each and every time they open the book. Perfect for youngsters 5 and older, Next Stop Grand Central is an innovative smorgasbord of fast-paced action and fun that transports the reader to this very "grand" place for the adventure of a lifetime. "Trains are trips. And trips are adventures. And adventures are new ideas and romance and you can't ever know what in the world will happen which is exactly why you are going." Jump aboard and enjoy!

It's like Grand Central in here...
This book rules. I work at Grand Central TERMINAL (not Station!) and Kalman captures the marevelous energy and wackiness of the building. I can think of few places that offer such a great opportunity for people watching, and "Next Stop Grand Central" portrays this in a bright and colorful way that adults and children alike can enjoy.

FORGET BARNEY AND RUGRATS -FINALLY A DECENT BOOK FOR KIDS
Not since Roald Dahl has a writer spoken to kids with such respect and imagination. When I read this to my 4 year old she was filled with questions and ideas and that is all I need to know. Some people have an unconventional style that fits both children and adults and Maira Kalman is certainly one of those people. This book and the Max series will be included in the lives of all the children I will ever know and they will be the happier, more imaginative and more creative for it.

Inappropriate for any age level
The artwork is unappealing, and seems as though she is ridiculing people. The tone is too bitter for children, and the book lacks any emotional truth that might appeal to a teenager or an adult. Like most of Kalman's work, this book generally is pointless; like when a college student feels embarrassed after making some vapid comment, and so pretends that it's an "inside" joke.

Wonderful literature for young kids
Maira Kalman's books are full of wonderful wordplay, visual play, and ideas -- a perfect antidote to all the treacly pap that one finds for kids. This book about New York's Grand Central Station is no exception. Highly recommended! ... Read more

Book Description

"The sky is failing! The sky is failing!" Chicken Little and her feathered friends are all aflutter when she gets a mysterious bump on the head. Steven Kellogg's hilarious retelling and irresistible illustrations bring fresh delight to this timeless classic of chain reaction panic. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Chicken Little in the Brave New World
This version of Chicken Little is too convoluted and politically correct for my enjoyment. I enjoy a twist on an old tradition sometimes, but this was too different for me. It was a brand new story.

Hilarious romp
No, this isn't the traditional version of Chicken Little. It is, however, sly, funny, and well written and illustrated. As an adult, I really appreciate children's books that have a sense of humor and a vocabularly that's not "dumbed down." Our copy of this book goes in a bookshelf in my room so it doesn't get ripped up any more than it is already--I want to make sure I have a copy of this one for keeps.

Kellogg's version of Chicken Little deserves to be as much a classic as "The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig." It makes a great gift--too many kids have bookshelves filled with colorless Disney rehashes that parents dread reading aloud. Books like this one are one of the best ways to help kids learn that reading is entertaining and satisfying.

Modern Version of Henny Penny
If you are looking for the old fashioned "The sky is falling, must tell the King" then don't buy this book. The book you are looking for is titled "Henny Penny". Both books depict the same chain reaction of hysteria and are both well written. But, if you want the one that you remember from many moons ago, get Henny Penny.

It's not the one your parents read you 30 years ago!
I expected the same story from when I was a child. It was one of my favorite books. I was disapointed to learn how it has changed. Chicken Little is hit with an acorn instead of an apple. He runs to tell the police, rather than the king. It just seems to be lacking that fairy tale quality about it that I loved. ... Read more

Book Description

The 19th in the Nancy Drew Mystery Stories series, this is a facsimile reproduction of the original book, which was first published in 1942.

Reviews (5)

A Fun Adventure
This review concerns the original 1942 edition and the revised 1969 edition which is an edited version of the original. Nancy becomes involved in the search for the missing half of a treasure map and investigates the mysterious happenings at a cottage on an estate just outside of River Heights. This is a pretty good book; more deserving of 3 1/2 stars. The story is intriguing and well-written. One thing that I like about this story is that there are numerous dishonest people also searching for the missing half of the map and you don't know if they are working together against Nancy or if they are working seperately. This is an enjoyable adventure and is highly recommended.

A fun book to read - a review by OF
I like this book a lot. I like it because of the people in the book and because of what happens in the book. Lots of people in this book are very nice, they try to help each other as much as possible. People that I like in this book are : Nancy , Hanna Gruen , Ellen ,Mrs Chatham , Mr Smith , Mrs Smith and Ned. This book is fun.

This book is about is about a treasure. Nancy and Mr and Mrs Smith want to find a treasure. They had two maps of the treasure. One day, a man stole one of the maps at Mr and Mrs Smith's house. Nancy and Ellen were trying to stop the man and they couldn't. Nancy had the other map, and one day someone stole the other one from Nancy when she was walking.
One day, they tried to make a map with their imaginations because they had to find the treasure. It took them a little while to make a map. But they found the treasure later.

MY review for the book
In this story, Nancy again solves a treacherous mystery. nancy becomes friends with a girl named Elle, who is trying to get a job babysitting a small 7-year old. her only problem is she is scared of the city in which Trixie, the little girl, lives in. Then Ellen tells Nancy about a map that shows treasure left by Ellen's grandfather. Her father has only half the map. His long-lost twin brother has the remaining half. Nancy is anxious to find his brother and the lost map, and find where the treasure is hidden. She finds many clues before she concludes that the second half of the map was right under her nose. While she is trying to get the two maps together, another couple is also trying to steal the maps from Nancy to get to the treasure first. Once again, the wise Nancy Drew outsmarts the thieves and gets the two half maps together. They all go together on a trip to get the treasure. Everything turns out just fine at the end, with Nancy rewarded as a hero.
I enjoyed reading this book very much. It was the third Nancy Drew book that I ever read. I like to read mystery and suspense stories where you just can't figure out who the thief would be. It is fun to read the end of mystery stories and finding out who the culprit really was. I have read "The Boxcar Children" books before and also enjoyed them because of the mystery and suspense. My least favorite part is how in real life suspects are usually smart enough to escape, but in the nancy Drew books, the thief is never smart to get away. However, nancy always completes a mystery fairly making sure the right person is punished. When I first started it, I couldn't put it down. My favorite part in this story was when Nancy and her two best friends Bess and George go to a park to have a picnic. They borrowed a small ship model from a man named Mr. Trumbull in which they believed had the second half of the map. They were being followed by the mysterious couple. When Nancy, Bess, and George got to the park, they put the ship moel in the car, and left the door unlocked on the way to the picnic. That was the couple's chance to take the ship. So they sneaked to the car and stole it. When the three friends were done, they came back to the car only to find out the ship was gone. Nancy laughed at that and said, "I took the map with me when we left the car." This was my favorite part because at first I thought, why is Nancy keeping the map in the car when she knows there are thieves after her? nancy wouldn't do anything like that. I loved this book very much and hope you will too.

You've got to read this book!
This book is great! you'll love it just like you love all the other books you've read of Nancy Drew! If you read the first page you will become involved with this book and you won't be able to put it down. You'll feel like the great sleuth your self and will just have to read the rest of the series! It's an awesome book and you have to read it!

I JUST LOVE NANCY DREW BOOKS!
I love Nancy Drew because she uses her common sense, herintelligence, and her knack for seeing the significance of small cluesto solve mysteries. In THE QUEST OF THE MISSING MAP, Nancy comes home from school and the housekeeper (Hannah) is on the telephone with a woman named Ellen Smith. Ellen claims that her house is haunted. Nancy immediately jumps on the case and soon is involved in a quest to find answers and to figure out the mystery of this haunted house. Along the way, she encounters goofy characters and many puzzling events. But in the end, she's smart enough to figure things out. Although I would have enjoyed some more details about some of the characters and why they act they way do, all in all I think this is a good book and I recommend it to anyone who likes Nancy's style. END ... Read more

Amazon.com

Being on a sailboat in the warm waters of the Pacific with a bunch of kids the same age could sound like a vacation dream come true. However, when this month-long trip is part of a strict program called Charting a New Course, and each participant--or inmate--is there for disciplinary problems, things don't look quite as rosy. And then, of course, when a big storm strikes, and the captain and first mate disappear, and the boat seems to be sinking... the whole idea becomes less and less appealing. Still, for Luke, Will, Lyssa, J.J., Ian, and Charla, this is the way the cards have been dealt, and whatever problems they may have with each other, however much they don't want to be there, it's time to start working together to save their own lives.

The first book of Gordon Korman's exciting new trilogy introduces readers to the six troubled kids who will become unwitting partners in their desperate bid for survival. A steely captain and a gruff first mate who calls every boy "Archie" and every girl "Veronica" keep order and attempt to turn their charges into young sailors--an effort that may pay off more than any of them ever anticipate. A hint of menace permeates Shipwreck, along with humor, angst, and mystery. Readers won't want to miss the continuation of the riveting saga in books 2 and 3, Survival and Escape. (Ages 9 to 13) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (28)

ISLAND Book One : SHIPWRECK
This book as one of the most adventuress novels I have ever read. It was most exciting when Captain Callahan died because of all of the chaos that went on. The reason that I rated this book only 4 stars was because the ending was not very exciting, they got on the island and that was it the end. I think it would have been better if the author would have made some mention of Will regaining his consciousness. I also think it was very good when the villain, Mr. Radford, left the kids marrooned on the sinking ship, because that is when the kids had to depend on themselves for survival instead of some other person. I really enjoyed this book and recommend this book to anyone who likes adventure from 10-16.

Six kids are about to have the most unforgettable summer.
Luke, JJ, Ian, Will, Charla, and Lyssa are six kids on a ship 'camp' for one reason - they're from troubled backgrounds, and this is how they'll have to spend their summer. Instead of having a fabulous sunny summer, they'll have to depend on teamwork and do some labor, something any kid would dread of doing for their summer. Even though they'll have to make the best of it, and avoid their bossy ordering adult "Rat-face", they don't know that their fates are about to play out the way they could have never imagined. When a sudden storm hits the ship, sending the kids and the other boarders on the ship scrambling, they have to not only depend each other, but survive. They'll have to save each others' lives no matter what, because if they lose even one kid's life, there may never be hope in store for them in the terrifying sea. Island #1:Shipwreck is the heart stopping and funny adventurous first book in this amazing new trilogy by the wonderful Gordon Korman. Though it is more of a serious adventure story, Gordon Korman, who I'm not surprised at, added some hilarious humor here and there in the story. Gordon Korman fans and readers of Peter Lerangis's ANTARCTICA two-book epic story will undoubtedly savor his latest adventure-filled, danger-filled book, though I wish it was a little longer.

Exciting adventure
My 9 year old 3rd grader (girl) read this book and found it thrilling. (So of course I had to read it too!) She can't wait to read the 2nd book. A bit reminiscent of "Holes" (though not of the literary quality/depth), a group of kids, each with a unique situation, is sent on a sailboat trip to learn teamwork. Disaster (after disaster) strikes and they are in a struggle for their lives.

Island
This book Island is a good book to read.The characters are J.J, Luke, Ian, Will, Lyssa, and Carla. Carla is a aflet, Will and Lyssa are related,Ian is small,Luke and J.J are rivals.
Its were these kids who are bad go.They`re on a ship and the ship sinks. An they are shipwrecked on a log in the ocean.They haven't had food or water in days. They want it to rain because they want fresh water.
If you like survival books you should get this book. this book is nonfiction.

ALL ALONE
Author: Gordon Korman
Pages: 128
Genre: Adventure
Setting: Unknown Island

The setting of Island is on a deserted island in the middle of the ocean. The characters are Luke, J.J., Will, Lyssa, Charia, and Ian. Luke likes to make fun of people. He has tried to abandon the team by escaping. Their main problem is that a big storm on a boating trip hits them and the kids are the only ones to survive, but they are shipwrecked.
They need to work together to think of ideas and ways to survive. Will comes up with an idea to get logs and spell HELP. Then they start a fire because the smoke will direct airplanes and helicopters to the island.
This series is predictable because the main characters always seem to live and have a happy ending. I can guess that book three's ending will be when the team gets rescued. The sequel title would be The Shipwreck Curse! I would recommend this book to any book reader that enjoys adventures. Korman's other series, Everest, was also a thriller! My favorite part is when Luke scares J.J.
I like Korman's style of writing because it is exciting and intense. If I was the main character I would have started a fire and draw a picture in the sand of people getting shipwrecked so they know what happened. This book reminded me of the movie STRANDED. ... Read more

Book Description

Daggie Dogfoot, the runt of the litter, is in danger. The pigman, who takes all runts from their pens, is coming for him! But Daggie is a pig of remarkable qualities, and he's not about to let the Pigman get him. Instead, he runs away and decides to learn how to fly. But when he tries leaping off a cliff, he discovers another talent— a talent he'll need to save the entire farm ... Read more

Reviews (9)

SUCH a good book!
This was my *favorite* book growing up, and I still read it once in a while for kicks. It has a little bit of everything - drama, humor, action, and some good ol' fashioned moral lessons. Very entertaining for kids and their parents - definitely a must!

My thoughts
I just finished a great book called Pigs Might Fly. When I saw that Dick King Smith wrote the book I had no intention on reading this book, but I did.
This book was a lot better that I thought. By the look on the cover, it looks like a baby story but once you read it you will relies it is a book for all ages. " There is nothing worse than being the smallest, the shortest or the last." It is not fun.
I think being who you are is the theme in the story. I think even though it doesn't look good it is a lot better than you think.

A Super book
I thought that this was a great book, I could hardly put it down. This book was about how a pig wants to fly, but can only swim. My favorite character was Daggie Dogfoot, because he was a very cool character to read about. My favorite part of the book was when Daggie saved his owner. I think that you should read this book if you like fun and adventure.

Very Funny!
I just finished reading this book out loud to my 11, 9 and 6 year olds and we all laughed out loud. I read it changing voices for the different characters and they just loved the very humorous Otter, "Izack". I think they will be mimicing him for many days ahead! It was a very heartwarming, family book that keeps you routing for the underdog. (It was also perfect for bedtime, nothing scarey or spooky here.)

Pigs Might Fly Review
Pigs might fly was an OK book. It ended up to be better than I thought it was going to be. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

"What a strange moss-covered--" KPOM!
My kids (ages 8 and 5) think this book is hilarious -- I just now finished [re]reading it to my daughter, who made me repeat the schtick between Anansi and the little mule deer about six times in a row, ending up with us acting out the two parts. A little boisterous for bedtime, maybe, but we had a ball. The idea of a strange moss-covered rock that knocks out anyone who says "what a strange moss-covered rock!" is pretty surreal, but if you suspend your disbelief the rest of the tale, and its moral lesson, follow like clockwork.
The illustrations are well done, too. Some of the animals are a little too cartoony-cute, but Anansi has an intriguingly zig-zag shape, and it's a nice sight gag to see them using ceiling fans and aluminum lawn chairs. Also, if you flip back through the book you can find little mule deer peeking out from the background on nearly every page, which is a huge bonus as far as the kids are concerned.
A previous reviewer condemned this story as violent -- but it's not suggested or shown anywhere in the book that the rock hits the animals on the head. Instead it's just "KPOM!" and the animal falls in a faint. My kids and I hadn't even considered the being-hit-on-the-head theory at all: they just figured the rock was magic. Maybe they just haven't watched enough Bugs Bunny cartoons...

Anasi a West African Trickster
Eric A Kimmel cleverly retells the an story Anansi folk tale in his book Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock, which is illustrated by Janet Stevens. It is a clever story based on the folk tradition of West Africa with Anasi the spider as a trickster hero. Anansi is a true mischief maker and after finding a magic moss-covered rock decides to use it to his friends disadvantage. In the end it is Anasi who is taught a lesson, maybe.

Anasi books and tales are a wonderful way of exploring the rich traditions from West Africa. He is derived from the Ashante who are skilled weavers and story tellers. Anansi is associated with both the Ashante traditions of story telling and weaving. He is an intriguing character whether he is spinning a web with words or with thread.

For parents and teachers introducing this story to children it is important to consider your own beliefs and views on violence and teaching lessons through violence. The trick of the moss-covered rock is that it hits animals on the head and knocks them unconscious. While children frequently delight in this kind of slapstick humor and may not take the use of violence as condoning it, the adult should consider their own conscience in introducing this book.

Great for reading or telling
Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock is a staple in my storytelling repetoire. Small children appreciate the repetition; older children appreciate the humor; adults enjoy the pure playfulness of the tale. In short, this is another example of folktales being excellent (or not surviving).

The book is well written and well illustrated - I hope it becomes a children's classic as it deserves to be

Enjoyable, well illustrated story.
I find this book useful in teaching teachers about the folk lore of Africa. It also is useful in showing teachers an interesting way to introduce and discuss values with young children.

Thoroughly Delightful and Enjoyable
My second graders loved it! Kimmel is an expert storyteller. His Anansi tale is humorous and utterly delightful! It also teaches children a valuable lesson, as do all tales of this type! This is definitely a book for which children of all ages will sit still.The illustrations are colorful and eyecatching. It adds the perfect touch to this wonderful little book. I can only hope that the author, Eric Kimmel, continues producing stories of such high quality. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

My Review
Nancy Drew and The Clue in the Old Album
By: Keene, Carolyn
Reviewed By: R. Gandhi
Period: P.1
Nancy is seated in a theater and witnesses a purse snatching. She runs after the thief and retrieves the purse, however, she isn't able to retrieve the items in the purse. Then the owner of the purse, a doll collector, asks her to do some spying. One of the most important clues is a picture in the old album. There is a doll that looks like an actual person. Later in the book, Nancy touches the actual doll and it is warm. This doll is given to the doll collector. When Nancy finds this doll, she also finds the doll collector's son-in-law. He is a gypsy with a dead wife and young daughter.
I enjoyed reading this book. It was full of mysteries and twists. When it quoted, "The woman carefully placed the dolls on the nearby bed. Then she left the trailer." When this happened I thought it was safe for Nancy to get the doll. However, when Nancy touched the doll, the woman came back in and kidnapped Nancy.
The only part I disliked was when they said, "'We must find the other part of the paper.'" That whole section was so slow. I was getting a little annoyed. There was no mystery and it was becoming boring. However, as soon as the chapter ended it was back to the mystery again.
My favorite part of the book was when Nancy found the doll. It was so intense and it got better after the bad-doer caught her. Nancy was then kidnapped. I couldn't wait until she was found by Mr. Drew, her cousins, and the police. This part was my favorite because it was extremely exciting.

Nancy Drew Strikes Again
The wonderful mysteries of Nancy Drew are still part of our lives today, filling us with suspense and more. Solving any crime, she never gives up in this book. Getting many warnings and being poisoned by a doll, she will not stop. Trying to catch a thief, she will attempt anything. turning pages you will not want to stop. Truly this is one of the best books I have read. It keeps you wondering and trying to figure out the mystery. I recommend this to anyone.

Reviewing The Clue In the Old Album
This mystery takes place in River Heights, a carnival, New York, and in a gypsy camp o a big mountainside. Nancey Drew is a character who is very brave, smart, and a good detective. Gus Franky is a minor character in the mystery who was a taxi driver. He drovee a suspect to the the suspect's home. A problem occurs when the gypsy group Nancy is after, keeps moving away whenever she tries to contact them! The scariest part of the mystery is when Nancy is captured by the gypsies!! I really like this book because it was full of action and excitement!

An Average Nancy Drew Book
This review concerns the original 1947 edition as well as the revised 1977 edition. While at a concert, Nancy witnesses a man stealing a woman's purse. She chases the thief, but only manages to recover the purse, not it's contents. Nancy befriends the owner of the purse and the woman offers Nancy a mystery to solve. Nancy is to locate the gypsy father of the woman's granddaughter, Rose; the man apparently abandoned his wife and Rose when she was 8 years old. As well, Nancy is to search for a doll which, on her deathbed, Rose's mother hinted contained a secret concerning Rose. I found this book to be alright. It was fairly well-written and has a moderate amount of action. The plot is interesting, but not terribly exciting. One thing which truely disappointed me about the book was the ending. Most of it is fine; however, everything is wrapped up much to quickly and uneventfully. Everything goes from doom-and-gloom to sunshine-and-roses (no pun intended) in a matter of one short, boring paragraph as the police just happen to come along and round all of the bad guys up. Unfortunately, this is the case with most Nancy Drew books and particularly the later editions. Having said this, the book wasn't that bad and most fans of the series would probably enjoy it.

clue in the old Albun
This is a trully wonderful book. It is full of mystery and romance. Nancy gose to a place were she can hear a gypsy play a violin.But while she is listening she sees someone snatch a purse. She gets the purse back but is unable to retrive any of the contents. The onwer of the purse gives Nancy an invitation to a mystery!Nancy has one clue, a note that reads: "The source of light will heal all ills , but a curse will follow him who takes it from the gypsise." it is up to Nancy to find the wommens gypys son-in-law who seemed to of dissapeared! But near the end the reall clue comes from a Album. Nancy is thretend many times, almost has a bad car accident by an enamy and is possined by a... I wont give it away! But Nancy wont give Up! She is determended to bring a small familly happiness. Enjoy reading! ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (1)

A CLASSIC TALE BROUGHT TO VIVID LIFE
A much sought after illustrator and writer Leonard Everett Fisher gives vivid life to this classic tale. The producer of over 200 children's books, his bold full-color pictures are unforgettable images of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza.

This hallmark of Spanish literature by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra was written in 1605 and published to great acclaim. Obviously, it has endured for centuries and will for centuries to come.

As most know, it is a tale of a rather ordinary fellow who has immersed himself in so much literature about knighthood that he believes he can be a knight. The story has become a much heralded Broadway musical, and the stuff of which dreams are made.

Sancho Panza, a neighboring farmer, is the rotund companion chosen by Don Quixote. He, too, has become very much a part of our culture as a faithful follower.

Kimmel, speaking for Don Quixote closes this version of his story with "Our names and the stories of our matchless deeds will resound through the ages." And they have.

- Gail Cooke ... Read more

Reviews (10)

I Can Fly
I am 53 years old and my parents read this book to me. I loved it and always asked for this one to be read to me over & over. I was just about 3 yrs. old and had heard the story so many times, I could say it word for word by memory. During the years while moving, the book was lost. I always wondered what happened to my book. In 1975, after I had children I wrote a letter to Golden Books to see if I could get a copy, but they couldn't help me. About 6 yrs. ago, my sister-in-law was at a flea market and found a copy for me. I now read it to my grand daughter. I still enjoy the book, and love the illustrations.

She Can Paint, Too!
Fans of the golden age Disney films and animation in general are very familiar with the brilliant career of color genius Mary Blair, one of the most important graphic and commercial artists of the century, and some of her best work is found right here between these covers. These beautiful illustrations are among the warmest and most engaging she ever did. "I Can Fly" is one of the very earliest (and best) Golden Books, and this miniature edition seems to be complete, unlike the more common modern reprints which are severely truncated. The color reproduction isn't a hundred percent accurate, either, but unless you want to spend considerable time at the swap meets or on eBay, this is your best bet. For more about Mary Blair (as well as Golden Books hall of famer Gustav Tenggren and many others) see John Canemaker's excellent book "Before The Animation Begins". Oh, yeah, and if you're a real little kid you'll find it much easier reading than this slightly pompous review.

Watch out for abridged versions! Amazon, take note...
A note to all fans of I Can Fly -- most editions are abridged, and they DON'T say so. In fact, the page quoted in Amazon's editorial review ("Crunch crunch crunch/ I'm a goat out to lunch") is one of many pages NOT in the hardcover version of the book. False advertising, dudes! If you want to read I Can Fly in its full original glory, you have to get the "library binding" edition.

About a little girl who is full of energy and imagination
Winner of a Picture Book Honor at the 1951 Spring Book Festival, I Can Fly by Ruth Krauss is a happy and upbeat easy reader story about a little girl who is simply full of energy and imagination. The impressive full-color illustrations by Mary Blair depict the little girl imitating her animal friends ranging from cats to rabbits. I Can Fly is a simply delightful work that has lasted through the test of time and is now available to a whole new generation of children ages 2-5.

I Can Fly
I grew up on this book, and I loved it. It says that everything is possible for a child with imagination. "I can be anything--that's my way." (That's from memory.) Now that I've found it again,I'm getting copies for my niece and nephews--and one for myself! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

An Intriguing And Exciting Mystery
This review concerns the original 1951 edition. Nancy is approached by a young college professor who tells her about a treasure that he and some other professors were searching for in Mexico. They had found a stone tablet which they believed would help them locate the treasure, but before they could translate it, the tablet vanished along with one of the professors. Did he steal the tablet or was he kidnapped? Nancy is asked to help find the missing professor and the tablet and to guard a valuable, black, half key which together with another 2 1/2 similar keys would unlock the treasure. This is probably one of the 10 best Nancy Drew books. The mystery, though a little implausible, is quite interesting. The book has a lot of action and suspence and was well-written. I was hooked from beginning to end. This is a very good book and every Nancy Drew fan should have this one in their collection.

A Dreamy Mystery
I'm a 9-year-old in fourth grade named Britany. This book was a challenge for me because it made me predict what might happen in the next chapter. When I was at school I couldn't wait to read this book. I was so interested in the story that when I got home from school I read way over the limit I am allowed to read. Nancy Drew has a life I would like because I like doing mysterious types of things. When I was sleeping at night I had dreams about the book. I mean when I was asleep I'd see the characters move, talk, and do the scenes I had read. In this book there are three black keys and this guy named Jurez Tino who wants all three of the keys to get the treasure. The problem is he only has two and a-half-keys because Nancy Drew had the other half of the key. He is looking for it so he could get to the treasure. There was a house that Nancy and her friends found and they went up to the front and knocked on the door, but no one answered so they knocked again and still no one answered. Then one of her friend's found a window that was open and her friend went inside but she didn't. I don't want to tell you the whole story, but you should get this book and read it. If you like mysteries you will like this book.

A very thrilling book to all Nancy Drew fans
I liked this book alot, because it really is a mystery. I still gave it four stars because it was not THE best, even though I liked it. It was about Nancy, and she goes to solve a mystery, with black keys. There are some people who want to get the keys because they are supposed to unlock treasure. They want to get the treasure themselfs.

Clue of the Black Keys( Nancy Drew mystery)
This book was good because when I got into the book, I coudn't put the book down. It's about Nancy Drew and her finding this black key to a set of keys, and the one she has opens a trunk of jewels and valueables. But the trunk is in cuba. The villians , a tricky gang of thieves,will do anything to get the key.They will harrase,kidnap, and fight to get the key. Find out how Nancy and her friends outsmart those evil gang members.And how Nancy saves the treasures, and how she saves the life of a young Cubain boy, in the thrilling, suspensful book by Carolyn Kien, "The Clue of the Black Keys". ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Wow
Max Makes a Million is far and away my favorite book to read to my kids. The rhythm of its poetry is remarkable. Its drawings are fresh. Its story delightfully different. I have read many other Kalman books, and this is hands down the very best.

a book kids of all ages love!!!
The pictures are great, fun and colorful and it keeps the readers interested. Mine want to know what Max will do next!

good good good
If you like e.e. cummings, this book, along with the three other Max Stravinsky books i know, is for you. And your kids might even like watching while you read it to yourself. If you don't like e.e. cummings, you should.

A delightful, creative book!
This is a delightful, creative book full of energy, imagery, and language. I think it is more for adults than children and would make an excellent gift for any artist or writer who must work at his day job while dreaming of "Paree"! Kalman's visual images are imaginative and fun. ... Read more

Book Description

Is it time for bed already? Before a young child settles down for a peaceful sleep, she must bid her surroundings -- bear nose and dinosaur toes alike -- an affectionate goodnight.

This classic text by Ruth Krauss, originally published as eyes nose fingers toes, is brought to a new generation of sleepyheads by the best-selling illustrator Jane Dyer.