Reviews (5)

Nancy Joins The Circus
This review concerns the original 1953 edition as well as the revised 1974 edition. Both books tell a similar story. Nancy is given a horse charm bracelet as a gift; however, one of the charms is missing. There is also a story connected with the bracelet that says that it was presented to a circus performer by a queen who loved horses. The circus performer later had to reluctantly sell the bracelet, but refused to give her true identity and she is in desperate need of help. Later, Nancy goes to the circus and meets a young girl, Lolita, who has a horse charm similar to the ones on Nancy's bracelet. The girl's parents were trapeze artists, but died many years before and she is now being raised by the cruel ringmaster of the circus and his wife. Many people in the circus believe that Lolita's mother may actually still be alive. Nancy is determined to find the truth and hopefully free Lolita from her cruel guardians. Most of this book is pretty good, the mystery is rather interesting and there is quite a bit of action. However, the ending of the book is not good. Everything happens much to quickly, there is little action and it takes all of one sentence for the criminals to be captured. For the most part this is a good book, it just has a bad ending.

Ringmaster's Secret
I started reading the Nancy Drew Series when I was 5. The book Ringmasters Secret was one of my faves because I liked how Nancy's aunt bought Nancy a replica of the horse charm bracelet, that belonged to Lola (, Lolita's mother,) and was supposed to be handed down to Lolita; but Kroon took away the original 100% gold bracelet, and sold it to a jewelry store.

A Mysterious Wonder
This book is a very interesting story. It is a combination of realty and fantasy. Some people can really relate to this book.
I enjoyed this book very much because it was so different from all the other books I have read. I also read this book because it was a real eye catching mystery.
My favoriate character was Nancy Drew because she was the main detective. She had solved many mysteries and was kind and extremly modest.
The best part of the book was when Nancy joined the circus. The reason why it was my the best part was because she had only been stunt riding for a little time and she was doing a wonderful job in the circus.
The ending was ironic because you would never thought that the two characters would ever meet again.

The Ringmaster's Secret
Kidnapping, burgalars, injuries and puzzels. If you like mystery stories, you'll love Nancy Drew The Ringmaster's Secret. It's about three friends trying to help out a trappez girl named Lolita. Lolita was kidnapped and raised by a grumpy man named Kroon. When she found out she was kidnapped, Kroon would not let her escape. Everyone was afraid of him because of his violence. Finally Nancy and her freinds agreed to help her. She did not know at the time that she was not only putting her self in danger, but her friends too. One incident was when Nancy and George were tied up and put on a train headed toward Canada. Another one was when Nancy was stanggeled with a black rope. Kroon knew they were on to him. So he kept planning plots to get them off his track. No matter how bad it was. But Nancy drew out smarted him by contacting Lolita's real parents. Her father was dead, but her mother was still alive. Her name was Lola Flanders. Nancy also contacted the police and told them to meet her there the same time Lola Flanders would. When everyone arrived, Kroon made a run for it. Into the woods he went. Nancy ran after him on a horse named star. She would do trick riding bare back on him. That's when one of Kroon's friends threw a rock, hit her in the head and Knocked her unconscious. Anyways, as Nancy dashed through the forest, the police made a road block on the other side. To find out what happens, read the book The Ringmaster's Secret. Trust me, the ending is really well fitted. I really liked the book because mystery stories are my thing. Also, I love it when I am kept on the egde of my seat. You never know whats going to happen next. And when you get to a really suspensful part, you can't stop reading. I think the Author did a great job of writting the book. She must have really been into mystery stories too, or she wouldn't of written it. If I were to grow up and be a writer, these would be the exact kind of books I would write. Mystery stories. I don't like those other books. lLike the mushy love stuff. Or an every day life. I could'nt handle it.

One of the better ones in the series
This book is a definite standout when I think of the Nancy Drew books as a whole. It has an intricate, delicately handled plot and the indispensable element of suspense.

It tells the story of a girl, searching for her relations against the will of an evil man, who is also the ringmaster of a circus. It is very, very good among its more ordinary siblings . . . as I said before, a definite standout. ... Read more

Book Description

Ezra Jack Keats is widely acknowledged as one of the first people to feature realistic, friendly, multi-ethnic urban settings in his picture books-forever changing the landscape of children's literature in the process. Now this beautiful collection brings together nine of his best-loved stories, including the 1963 Caldecott Medal-winning book The Snowy Day and Caldecott Honor book Goggles!, plus Whistle for Willie, Peter's Chair, Apt. 3, and others. Also included is artwork from an unfinished picture book, The Giant Turnip, published here for the very first time. An introduction by celebrated critic of children's literature Anita Silvey outlines Keats's career and inimitable contributions. In addition, five of the most important writers and illustrators working in the field today share their thoughts on Keats and the legacy he left behind. An afterword describes his incredible life, from his childhood in Brooklyn to children's book legend. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Not as good as the real thing
This book was a real disappointment. Keats's stories are good, but it's his illustrations that make him so wonderful. This book takes his illustrations and shrinks them down -- two , sometimes three, full-page illustrations crammed on one page. And my favorite picture from The Snowy Day didn't even make it in.

I had expected this to be the complete stories, but it's not. You would do better to buy the individual books than to buy this book.

Childhood Favorites
This book contains 10 of Ezra Jack Keats's wonderful stories. This is not cheap. (But worth every dime!) You just can't go wrong with this collection. It is a fine example of Keats's marvelous craft.

One of the things I like about this book (and Keats's books generally) is that it portrays urban settings. As a little girl growing up in a rural Midwestern town, I honestly never noticed that the main character in Snowy Day was African-American, even though none of the kids I went to school with were. That fact was unimportant to me as a child, but I can see the value of it as an adult. Exposing our children to many cultures and races can only improve the way the next generation sees the world. From the bio at the end of the book: "Childhood, in his mind, was a colorblind experience."

Keats wrote over a hundred books. It must have been hard to pick just 10 for this collection. I think you'll love the ones that were chosen, if you don't already. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Alright, But Not One Of The Best
This review concerns the original 1950 edition as well as the revised 1967 edition which is similar to the original, only it is shorter. A friend of Mr. Drew's from Boston, Capt. Easterly, is hoping to buy the ship on which he is currently living. However, the owner doesn't have a clear title to the ship and is unable to sell it. Capt. Easterly asks Mr. Drew to look into the matter since no record of the previous owners can be found. Also, mysterious prowlers have been on board the ship, apparently looking for something. Nancy, Mr. Drew and, later, Bess and George go to Boston to help solve the mysteries. This book is alright, it is written fairly well, the mystery is somewhat interesting and there is some action. However, it is not among my favorite books of the series. I found that many times it was by random circumstance that Nancy picked up important clues. For example, they take the boat out of Boston Harbor and sail to an arbitrarily picked cove. While in a village on the cove, Nancy gets important clues to the real name of the ship and to the location of its lost figurehead. The book is worth reading, but I don't think that too many fans will count this one among their top 5 favorites.

Im not saying it's a bad book but....
Ok, i have to admit that this book wasn't as good as people told me it was. i'm not saying anybody shouldn't read it but well once you start the book it's REALLY boring.this wasn't the most suspenceful books either. it only got good at the end. i would have to say don't buy this book, rent it first from a library and see if you like it.

Wow! I liked this one!
This time Nancy is asked to solve a case to help Captain Easterly uncover the mysterious ghostly prowlers that has been having.

Nancy, Bess and George set out on the ship and take residence on it as they try to solve the mystery. They try to help Captain Easterly find the old, wooden lady that used to go in the front of his boat. The girls try to find information about the wooden lady, but nothing is under the Bonny Scot's name. Going deeper they find out that there is a treausre on-board and the prowlers want it! Hopefully they will find it before the visitors do!

This by far is my favorite book! I really liked this one. It was exciting in a lot of parts and I like stories about pirate treasure! Carolyn Keene did a good job on this one. Bravo!

A WONDERFUL book with a cliff-hanger at every chapter.
As Nancy's father is asked to meet an old friend in Boston, she is told the reason why. Captin Easterly says there has been ghost on his ship. When Captin Easterly was going to buy the ship, the owner finds out that the ship never belonged to his uncle, where he got the boat from. Without proof to who the ship belongs to he is not willing to sell the ship. As Nancy, Bess, and George sleuth they find the original name of th eboat, where the figurehead dissapeared to, and the secret in the boat. Carolyn Keene discribes everything so detailed you feel like your Nancy yourself!

good written mystery !
nancy is asked by captain easterly to find out who his mysterious vistitor is. he also wants nancy to find the lost figure head that was lost many years before . then nancy finds the BONNY SCOT was not the clipper's true name! so now i'll let you read the book to find out what happens next. ... Read more

Book Description

"Martin, a kitten, is branded a `wimp' by his siblings for his friendly

interest in mice.He loves caring for them and can't understand their desire

for freedom.Only when he becomes the pet of a big city apartment dweller does

he realize why his pets deserted him.An engaging animal fantasy with plenty

of humorous insight into the human condition, King-Smith's story has humor and

a fast pace which will appeal to younger readers."--School Library

Journal (starred review)




... Read more

Reviews (13)

Another gentle farm animal story from the author of Babe.
Dick King Smith, the author of MartinÕs Mice, is best known for Babe the Gallant Pig, which of course was turned into a movie that is a lot better known than any of his books. The movie is one of the best childrenÕs films ever, and the book is even better. But it does have one disadvantage. The British dialect in Babe, while charming, is so thick it is difficult for many American parents and teachers to read aloud, and for American children to follow. DonÕt get me wrong. I love Babe and have read it aloud several times. But it is not easy.

What I like about MartinÕs Mice is that it has many of the same qualities that made Babe such a joy, including the gentleness, the emphasis on kindness, and the quirky, understated humor, but without the heavy dialect. There are Britishisms sprinkled throughout the book, but they are manageable with an American tongue.

In terms of plot and character, MartinÕs Mice is not quite up to the standards of Babe. But then how many books are? Like Babe, Martin is a farm animal who marches to a different drummer. HeÕs a cat who loves mice. But he loves them as pets, not as meals. The novel focuses on how he learns to love them more as friends and equals than as pets. Martin is a sweet, gentle character, but there is no denying he does not have the charm of Babe. And the novelÕs plot seems a little disjointed. The ending felt like it sprang on us out of nowhere.

Still, my six-year-old daughter and I both enjoyed the book. If you are looking for a childrenÕs book full of nice, gentle humor and kind characters, this is a good choice.

Martin's Mice
Book Review
By Brooklyn

The book I am reading is caled Martins mice. I relly like this book. I would recammend this book to eneone who likes cats. Is your faviorite animal a cat. In this book Martins mom catches mice but Martin dose not eat mice he keeps them as pets.

Martin's Mice
Book review
NS
The book I'm reading is Martin's mice. Martin is a cat. He has two brothers named Robin and Lark. Martin hates eating mice. He lives in a bath. The mother has twenty babies.They're named one, two, three, four, five, six, seven and eight. The mother's name is Drusilla. She has twelve more babies in the book.

Wow!!!!!!!
This was an excliant book!!! I decided to read this book so I could get points in reading. It looked like a small and easy read. Boy, I would read this book any day. The detail and the way the story flows is amazing!I ahve never read about a cat who dosen't eat mice! After the middle of the story I wouldn't put the book down. I learned all about the mice and that mice are dows and bucks!!! Martain gets this great idea of keeping mice as pets! The first mouse he finds is pregnant, her name is Drusila. After the first groupe off cubs, Martin decides to find her another husband, his name is Cuthbert. The first groupe are all named numbers, the second are months of the year!!! After her gets taken away as a pet imself, he never sees Dursila or Cuthbert on till....

Martin's Mice is a great book!
This is a really good book about a cat named Martin who befriends mice, even though that's not what cat's do. All his siblings call him a wimp, because they say he's afraid to catch a mouse; he knows he's not a wimp! He just doesn't want to eat a mouse! They're nice, why would he want to eat one? Martin keeps mice as pets upstairs in a bathtub. He does everything he can to keep them happy. But when they escape, he doesn't understand why they wanted freedom so bad. Only after he becomes a locked up housepet does he understand and escape himself to go back to his home. THE END ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Wow!
This book is so compelling and exiting I just couldnt put it down. You really should read this! A great ending!

It keeps you on your toes.
It holds a lot of excitement and action. New Year's Evil was the second book I read of the series, and it kept me addicted to it. I went on to collect almost the whole series. There are only 3 that I need. ... Read more

Book Description

Within the walls and under the floorboards of Orchard Farmhouse live three mischievous mouse brothers (a.k.a. the trins) who create constant commotion. "With his customary panache, King-Smith grabs the reader's attention from his opening sentence. And, sustaining his understated wit and rollicking pace throughout this breezy novel, the author never loosens his grip."--Publisher's Weekly. Illustrations. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Amusing !!!
I like this book from the very first page.Mrs. Gray,a widow has given birth to 20 mice.Wow! That's a lot.From her first husband,Mr. Brown,7 and from the next one,Mr. Black,10 more and her deceased husband,3.The rest of her children have left their home and are out earning their living.Mrs. Gray teaches her three trins(triplets actually),Henry,Richard and Thomas to be the toughest mice in the house.In the house,the mice are divided into 4 tribes,the Attic(which is at the very top of the house),the Ups(just below),the Downs and the Cellarmice.These 4 clans never gather together and unite.The Terrible Trins(that's what Mrs. Gray calls them)learn a lot of stuff from their mother.She teaches them that unity is strength.The Terrible Trins manage to get rid of the two cats in the house and make the farmer,Farmer Budge goes angry with everything he sees.On the contrary his wife likes all living creatures including mice.When the farmer is not around,she will spring the mouse traps and throw away the poison.But that is not enough.A lot of mice still get trapped.Will The Terrible Trins be able to get rid of the poison and mouse traps and show Farmer Budge that mice aren't as bad as he thinks? I really love this book.It is so exciting,enthralling and lovable.I bet you will rate this one of the best animal book in the world.

Raed This Story Now
Every mouse wife has a man,but Miss.Gary had one.But then he dead of a mousetrap,the next one dead of a cat,the last one dead of poison! Miss.Gray also had three children and she swore that the trins, the three children, will destroy the famer and the cats.

One day Kevin, an outside mouse,was token into the house,but he got away! The trins then found him and toke him to their home. there he saw Miss.Gray.

So if you want to now what happens nexts read The Terreible Trins.

An outstanding chapter book for children and adults alike!
In this book three little trins (triplets in mice language) were born from the widow, Mrs. Gray. But Mrs. Gray brainwashes them to become the strongest mice around. They try to outwit two cats....Will this be the last of the trins?

Read this book and find out!

A Great Read-Aloud
I am a multi-age 4th grade/ 5th grade teacher. I have read aloud THREE TERRIBLE TRINS (the little mice that sing on the corner of the screen in the movie BABE) to several of my classes. They love it! It reads easily and quickly and really holds the audience's interest. I have shared this book with teachers of younger grades as well, and their classes have loved the book! I highly recommend it!

One of my favorites
The Three Terrible Trins was an excellent book. I liked it so much that I read it twice already. The mice had to work hard and plan a lot of schemes so that their friends and themselves would never again have to face the cats prowling around. I loved the book and highly recommend it. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Essays by a child
I first read this book as an eight year old in the sixties. I found it again about 10 years ago. The young writer gives insight and humor to life on the eastern shore of Maryland a century ago. I especially enjoy her views on comparative religion. Bring back this book! Please!

The Best Yet!
I'm 13 years old and my reading teacher, Mrs. Hunley, is reading us essays in the book. The book is hilarious and great. We haven't finished it yet, but I'm looking forward to hearing more of Virginia's stories. Some of the boys in my class are jocks and they don't want anything to do with reading, I'd be surprised if they've ever read a whole book in their lives, but anyways, even they look forward to reading about Virginia. The whole class laughs non-stop through her essays. I would recommend this book to anyone!

Any time you need cheering up...
Virginia's essays can do it. My husband first learned of this book when a theologian read excerpts of it in a class. He bought it for me and it immediately became a treasure to us both. Little Miss Hudson will have you in stitches as often as you open the book. We have given "O Ye Jigs" as a gift more than once and will again. Our favorite part is 'Sacraments' (Poor little Melvin).

A Must Read
I first read Oh Ye Jigs and Juleps as a high school senior, 35 years ago. Every time I can find it, I buy every copy I can get my hands on and give them as gifts. It should be "required reading" for EVERYone... not "just for Christians." Hopefully, it will be printed again soon.

Unforgettable
This gem was serialzed in an Atlanta newspaper about 1960. I immediately bought several copies and managed to keep one. I highly recommend this intreging story about the innocence of childhood. It is loaded with humor & appreciated by grown-up children especially those who enjoyed living in a parsonage. ... Read more

Book Description

"Open up, Pork Chop! Or I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll flatten this dump!"

Three little pigs are happily working away in their delicious family business -- making the best-tasting waffles in the world. Business is so good, in fact, that the three siblings can live comfortably in their very own homes -- Percy in his straw bungalow, Pete in his log cabin, and Prudence in her brick cottage. Then Tempesto, the meanest wolf on the block, shows up and wants more than waffles for breakfast -- he wants the three little pigs! Here is a zany retelling of a classic folktale from master storyteller Steven Kellogg.

Reviews (6)

Great Book
Once there was a mother Serafina Snow, she had 3 piglets, Percy, Pete, and Prudence. One day Serafina had a brilliant idea to start a waffle making business. Soon her piglets were enrolled at school, played basketball, and were involved in plays. When they grew up the waffle business was handed over to them. Each of them built a house; Percy built a straw house, Pete built a log cabin, and Prudence made his cottage out of bricks. One day they met a wolf named Tempesto who didn't want waffles but wanted to eat them! The wolf knocked down Percy, and Pete's houses and moved on to Prudence's. The three pigs bombarded him with watermelons, pumpkins, cantaloupes, grapes, and pastries. This caught Tempesto by surprise and he was knocked down. The wolf entered down the chimney but was soon turned into a waffle. In the end Percy, Pete, and Prudence married and had kids. I enjoyed this book because it gave a new idea to the story of the Three Little Pigs, it kinda jazzed it up a little and made it a little more interesting.

Wonderfully done!
I've read and reviewed most of the basic tellings of "The Three Little Pigs", as well as most of the variants. Here's my take on it.

This is quite possibly the best telling of "The Three Little Pigs" out there. Although it more or less follows the traditional storyline, it expands it greatly, having the mama pig start a waffle business, making the house of sticks a more believable log cabin, and giving all the characters names and personalities. Humor abounds, particularly in the artwork, such as "Pablo Pigcasso" and a "peopley" bank. It's subtle and may take you a frew readings to notice. Very good, nice twist at the end.

No one gets killed, but still violent.
I had the impression that this was not a violent book from a rview that I read. Even though no one dies or gets eaten up, it still is a violent book. I think this book could have been better if it did not have a house crush the police officer to the ground right before he was on his way to help the pigs. And the wolf being steam-pressed in a huge hot waffle iron and then smothered in butter-- ouch!
I feel it's important to teach children to have empathy for others. Even though the people in the book are cartoonized animal characters, children identify with them. I do not think that the violent situations in this book will teach children fellow- feeling. If this book is read to any child over and over again, the child may get descensitized to these hurtful situations. Not good.

A Bundle of Laughs
Steven Kellogg did a wonderful job. My five year old wants to read it over and over and over and over again. The story and illustrations are delightful.

Kellogg's traditional tales are terrific!
Steven Kellogg has been a favorite author and illustrator of mine since he visited my school library in 3rd grade--17 years ago! Now, as a first year Kindergarten teacher, I am sharing his books with my class, and they have really come alive for me, again. His traditional tale interpretations are creative, intricate and hilarious--not to mention beautiful. My favorite part of his Three Little Pigs tale is the illustration on the back jacket, which shows the wolf retired to a beach in Florida. He wears a tank top that pleads, 'thugs need hugs, too'. Also see Kellogg's version of Jack in the Beanstalk if your children love deliciously scary read-alouds! ... Read more

Reviews (10)

enticing title, suspenseful book
"The Clue in the Crumbling Wall" features Nancy, Bess, and George on the trail of another exciting mystery. Danger surrounds them as they are trapped in the cloister of Heath Castle, while on the trail of Juliana Johnson, a talented dancer, who disappeared several years ago.

There is one scene that could frighten very young readers, as Nancy and her faithful housekeeper, Hannah Gruen, are tied up in their own home. Resourceful Nancy finds a way to escape and to free Hannah, and sets off on a re-invigorated search for the criminals.

River Heights, Nancy's hometown, is the scene of this mystery, and as usual, Nancy, her father Carson Drew, and her chums, cousins Bess and George use common sense as well as a little uncommon intuition to solve the mystery and to bring a happy ending to the victims. Recommended.

One Of The Best Of The Set
This review concerns the original 1945 edition as well as the shortened, revised 1973 edition. Desperately wanting to help a poor little girl and her sick mother, Nancy races against time to locate the woman's missing sister. The missing woman, named Florianna in the original version and Julianna in the revised edition, was a talented dancer who disappeared many years before while engaged to a wealthy businessman. Before the man died, he willed to Florianna/Julianna his large estate, Heath Castle, with the stipulation that if she doesn't come forward to claim the estate within a certain amount of time, it is to be turned over to the county for a park. Nancy now has only three weeks to find the missing heiress, but her efforts are being thwarted by a group of men who have apparently been searching the now overgrown estate looking for something. This book is easily one of the ten best of the set, at least the original version is, I never read the revised edition and, although the books tell the same story, the revised editions lack the vibrant writing which characterizes many of the originals. The mystery is interesting and the book moves along at a good pace. I particularly enjoyed the book from about pages 70-100 in the original volume. At this point, Nancy, Bess and George have gone to Heath Castle to investigate, they become separated and each one has her own adventure. This is an excellent book and a definate must-read for fans of Nancy Drew.

Nothing Special.....
This review concernes the revised 1973 edition. In this volume, Nancy is asked to solve a case as to where Juliana Johonson, a famous dancer, has disappeared to, so she can collect her inherentince, the Heath Castle, in time. One thing leads to another, and, of course, Nancy saves the day once again, not excepting an offered reward. This, like many of the later re-writes in the 70's, is dull, lifeless, and stale. The writing is bland and there is no charector development whatsover. I have read every yellow-spined Nancy and have to say that about only half the set is any good. If you possibly can, try to read the originals written by Mildred Wirt during the 30's and 40's....the golden-age of Nancy Drew, although (most) of the revised and later ones are not bad (some of them classics), the originals are the best....

The Clue in the Crumbling Wall
The Clue In the Crumbling Wall, a Nancy Drew mystery, was one of the best books I read in fourth grade. When I started reading this outstanding book I couldn't stop because visions formed in my mind. It was so descriptive and creative. Also, the author used similes, metaphors, hyperboles and personification. I was amazed at how realistic it was. This story is even descriptive enough to be able to be read more than once. I definitely loved reading The Clue of the Crumbling Wall because everything came to life and this is only one of the very many other great Nancy Drews I read. The story is about, smart as a genius, Nancy Drew, the main hero in the book. Her friends, cautious Bess, curious George, and of course her caring father. They have to find the missing dancer, Juliana. They also go through hard times, being traped, and much more. They find tons of treasures including a huge one. I recommend this excellent book to people who love adventures, turning points and surprises. I enjoyed this book very much.

A Terrific Book
I thought this was a very exciting book, and fast-paced. There are a few places where I think it can be improved, but over-all it kept me hooked. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Between the covers of this elegant volume dwells a thorough and thoroughly engrossing compilation of stories, songs, recipes, artwork, prayers, and commentary on the beloved Jewish holiday, Passover. Eric A. Kimmel, acclaimed author of more than 60 titles for children, including the Caldecott Honor Book Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins, outdoes himself in this mother of all Passover books, going well beyond the typical retelling of the Passover story. Using the seder, the ceremonial Passover meal, as a starting point, Kimmel walks readers through every step of the holiday, using ancient and modern stories and illustrations to explain the legends and history behind the rituals. He includes contributions from writers such as Nina Jaffe, Debbie Friedman, and Rabbi David Schaps (a.k.a. Grandma Tirzah), and stunning artwork that spans 3,000 years and four continents, for a truly beautiful, comprehensive treasury that will be brought to the Seder table along with the Haggadah for years to come. (All ages) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (4)

It's Worth Reading
While staying at a camp, Nancy is asked by an elderly woman to locate a stagecoach which had belonged to the woman's great-uncle. The stagecoach is supposed to a contain a clue to something which would be of great help to the town. This book was alright, it's not one of the best of the series, but it certainly isn't one of the worst. The mystery is okay and there is a reasonable amount of action. I wasn't glued to the book with every page, but it did manage to keep me more-or-less interested throughout. This isn't a book I'd highly recommend; although, it is worth reading.

where is the Stagecoach
The Clue in the Old Stagecoach
By Carolyn Keene
September 20,2002

In the book The Clue in the Old Stagecoach Nancy Drew is a detective. Nancy has gold hair and blue eyes. She is also tall and slender. Her best friend George also has gold hair but her eyes are brown unlike Nancy's George is tall and slender and has a personality just like Nancy. She loves adventure and likes to get things done and over with. Bess is way different from both girls. She has brown hair and green eyes. She is told to be short and stubby.. She is Goerge's cousin and has the same great trate of loving mysteries.

The book The Clue in the Old Stagecoach is an great mystery book. If you like mysteries you will enjoy this book. At the beginning of the book ,all of these girls are best friends and do everything together. One sunny day the three girls were climbing up a hill when they saw an old stagecoach rolling down the road. When they noticed that nothing was pushing or pulling it they started to chase after the old stagecoach. The girls were running after the stagecoach they ran into a truck driver. The truck driver was searching for an old stagecoach in the bushes behind tree's and on the side of everything. The girls told him that they had seen a stagecoach and it was probably the same one. By this time the stagecoach was far out of their sight. When they finally build up the courage to tell the lady that had just bought the coach they find out the coach had rolled its way to her house. When the carpenter she had hired came they replaced the carpet and you won't believe what they found.

My opinion on the book The Clue in the old Stagecoach is that the book isn't all that great at the beginning but near the end it all comes together. I would recommend this book to a mystery reader. I would recommend it to them because there are a bunch of mysteries going on at once. If you like reading mysteries and adventure than this is the book for you.

I think this is a great book
This book has many surprises in it. When you think that she has almost solved the mystery, she finds out that she is on the trail so starts over and reviews everything from the begining . Well I suggest that if you like mysterys, read the clue in the old stagecoach. Also read all the other Nancy Drew books.

Nancy Drew outdoes herself!
This was a great book! In my opinion it deserved 5 stars. Plenty of characters made it an absolute page-turner! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

90210, BABY !
It is easy to see why Maira Kalman's MAX IN HOLLYWOOD, BABY received a citation as "one of the ten best illustrated books of 1991." Those illustrations contain as many wonderful surprises and secrets, double meanings and jokes as the words they sit with. Even the end papers are filled with delightful drawings of dozens of Hollywood superstars from Charlie Chaplin and Fanny Brice to Judy Garland and Jean-Paul Belmondo.

The text is, I guess, written to entertain children but it is just as charming and entertaining to this adult with its story of the "real" Hollywood: Dozens of wacky Show-Biz types appear including the psychic to the stars, Madame Gilzelka; the producer, Bella Broccoli, who insists on drinking a concoction which produces "the secret of youth;" and his "tantalizing" starlet Monica Zitti; The hero is, of course, Max,the dog/movie-lover who becomes Mr. Stravinsky, hot-shot director pining to be a celebrity. ("I won't have conversations, I'll just have monologues.") Can our Max handle the pressure? the pretense? Well, you'll have to read the book to find out. Along the way you'll also discover why Ferrrnando Extra Debonnaire who studied at the Royal Academy of Driving Directors tells Max, "Watch your step in this town. There are some back-stabbing, power-hungry, status-seeking vegetarians here." HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, especially for those readers determined to have a career in the movies, no matter how high the cost.

The Worst Max Book
This is the worst Max book. Max Makes a Million is brilliant. Oh-La-La Max in Love is very strong. But this is just muddled, not easily grasped, and not very interesting. My kids never want to hear this book and I never want to read it.

Max Hollywood is only the begining
Max in hollywood, baby is a great story, the author,Maira Kalman, has a real feel for charactors and is so in touch with Max that she is becoming that charactor, at least to me.If you read this book you will love it so much you will want to read all the Max books. I can speak as one who has read it and I fell in love with this charactor at once,maybe you think I am just babeling but I speak the truth. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

An Exciting Mystery
This review concerns the original 1949 edition as well as the edited 1967 edition which has a plot similar to the original. Bess' cousin Dick asks for Nancy's help when a valuable, old, oriental vase that was on display is stolen from his pottery shop. He also tells Nancy about a pit of china clay that is supposed to be located somewhere around River Heights near a leaning chimney. The clay is used in making fine pottery and could make Dick wealthy if he could find it. Finally, the owner of the stolen vase, Mr. Soong, seeks Nancy's help in finding his missing friend and the man's daughter, who came to America a few years previous, but disappeared before they arrived at Mr. Soong's. This is certainly one of the more interesting books of the Nancy Drew series. The book quickly grabbed my attention and managed to hold it until the final page, which I can really only say happened with about 1/3 of the books in the series. There is quite a bit of action in the book and the writing is very good, at least in the original edition; unfortunately, in most of the revised editions the writing has been dumbed down. I enjoyed this book from beginning to end and I think that most Nancy Drew fans would place this one on their Best Of the Series lists.

Nancy Drew's News
This book is really really good. Instead of a 5 star rating it deserves a 10 star rating. I could not put this book down. It was so bad that my reading teacher had to yell at me to pay attention and stop reading.I read this book in one day because I could not put it down. It was like my eyes were glued to the pages. My friend was doing a book report and she needed a book, she never ever reads so i was like just take this one and she finished it in one day also! The whole collection of Nancy Drew's book are like this, they are all really good,at least a 4.5 rating for all of them.I have only 30 books of the collection and I am still going, I am trying to finish the whole series, Carolyn Keene won't let you down, when it comes to a good book.Ths book is really, really good and i have nothing bad to say about it! Now since my friend read "The Clue of the leaning Chimney," she has asked her mom to get the rest of the collection. This book has action,laughs,thrillers, and much much more. Anyone who reads this review should believe me and get this 5 star rating book!

This book is a brilliant book which stretches your mind.
When I first read this book I couldn't put it down.It was sointeresting and excitable.All the time I couldn't wait to read whatwould happen next.I would encourage anyone who is interested in mysteries and detective novels to read this book, as this is one of the best book I have ever read.

This book is a brilliant book which stretches your mind.
When i first read this book i could't put it down.It was so interesting and excitable.All the time i couldn't wait ti read what would happen next.I would encourage anyone ho was interested in mysteries and detective novels should read this book as this is the best book.

Stolen Chinese antiques + 3 years old mystery = Nancy Drew!
This book is very exciting! Once again, Nancy and her friends helped find stolen Chinese antique vases and helped a Chinese gentleman find his friends, who were missing 3 years ago. Can Nancy find the culprit and get the missing people back alive? Read this book and find out. ... Read more

Book Description

Pinkerton doesn't understand his owner's commands. When told to come, he jumps out the window. When asked to fetch the newspaper, he destroys it. Pinkerton's desperate owner sends him to obedience school, but he flunks out in record time. Then one night a burglar breaks into their house, and Pinkerton is able to put his bad habits to good use.

"Humor abounds in this exuberant tale . . . Kellogg at his best." (Booklist, starred review) ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Classic example of not judging a book by its cover
It's unfair to give this book a bad rating just because it may be a little mature for a childrens' picture book. I first read this story a couple of years ago (I was 27) while browsing through the library. By the time I had finished with the same surprise ending that has everyone in an uproar, I was in tears. The whole point of the story is that Pinkerton's misbehaving turns out to be serendipitous in the end. Anyone who has ever owned a large-breed dog (particularly a Great Dane) will agree that it's often very difficult and tedious trying to break them of their inherently energetic nature and train them to not be destructive and hyperactive. Those condemning this book for the way it turns out are completely missing the point. It's a twist of irony that leads to the happy ending--the bad habits that Pinkerton's owners had been trying to break him of are what keep them from being harmed by the robbery. They end up praising him for his inability to learn commands because it saves their lives. That's how great stories are written. So, all of you namby-pamby moms out there who think this is such a "terrible" book because of its "violent" content need to settle down. It's ignorant of you to dismiss this title on the grounds that it's inappropriate for childen. As parents, it's up to you to determine your child's rate of development and decide for each one when is the proper time for them to experience a story like this. If any of you have a problem reading this to your kids, then it's your own fault for not skimming it before selecting it, not the author's or publisher's. It takes all of three minutes for an adult to read this book, so I would think that you would invest that time if you suspect a story this "intense" is too advanced for your children. Great book! Excellent story for any dog lover. I bought it and I don't even have kids. I agree that it's not for all children, but that's a subjective opinion that can't be evaluated by a book review on a website.

Don't Hide Your Kids From Real-Life Situations!
This book has been my favorite for three decades. I wasn't traumatized by the break-in at the end. We had a Great Dane at the time- this book made me love our dog even more, and know that she would keep us safe. I have read this book to my kids and all of my neices and nephews and never had an issue. I recommend this book for anyone who LOVES dogs. This is not for squemish (cat-loving) Mom's who want to hide their kids from real life....

Quite a surprise!
I went to the library with my 4 year old son and just grabbed the book. We have read Pinkerton stories and have always loved them and I didn't even look through the book or even much at the cover until that night when we settled in for night time stories. I then realized that there was a "robber" with a gun on the cover. I thought to myself, "How did I not see this before?" and by then it was too late. My son saw it and had a zillion questions so we read it. I was shocked by the content! We are very open with our son about anything he asks and I explained that yes, there are "robbers" and yes, people do get into dangerous situations like that. I felt very uncomfortable having to almost outright lie to him and tell him that, "No, noone will break into our house because we lock our doors, etc..." How else do you explain this to a 4 yo at bedtime?! We got through it and son loved the book. I thought it was very cute that Pinkerton was confused but could have done without the break in part. I feel it could have been as cute without that. Very irresponsible in a child's book, but I guess I learned a lesson to read the books before we check them out even when they are written by someone you consider "safe".

Mom held at gunpoint in a picture book? Scary!
My kids love dogs and stories involving dogs, and the other Pinkerton books are no exception. "Pinkerton, Behave!", however, features a burglar creeping into Mom's bedroom at night and holding her at gunpoint! Pinkerton coming to the rescue notwithstanding, this is much too frightening for my children. I would argue that such visuals are inappropriate for children of picture-book age, period. The fun and humorous elements of the plot could easily have been acheived without portraying such creepy and violent image, and I am disappointed in the author as well as the publishing house for their choices in creating this book.

Won't Pinkerton ever learn!
This is a book about Pinkerton...a fun-loving great dane pup that does things his own way. He's fun, he's happy, he's huge, and he doesn't seem to be able to learn a thing. When he's sent to obedience school he helps the other dogs unlearn everything they've learned, and he gets kicked out! (Hope they got their money back.)

But when it's crunch time, Pinkerton's owner knows what to do to help the family.

Join the fun by reading this wonderful book. I read this book LOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG before I had any children of my own...now it's a favorite of the whole family.

5 stars all the way for Steven Kellogg's "Pinkerton, Behave!" It has a great storyline, wonderful illustrations, and is a good time for all. This is the book that made me a Steven Kellogg fan way back when.

I urge you to give it a try. You's love it (so will your children)!

Alan Holyoak ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Absolutely wonderful!
This book-tape set has to be one of the best books on tape that rabbit ears has produced. Jack Nicholson's smooth magical voice is just perfect with predictably great music from Bobby McFerrin. A must for every child's library! ... Read more

Book Description

It's nighttime at the zoo and all is quite and still. Except ...

Who's making all that noise? It's the new baby beebee bird, and he's happy to sing his song ALL NIGHT LONG! But the other animals are not so happy - they can't sleep with all that noise! Can they teach the baby beebee bird that nighttime is really best for sleeping?

Reviews (5)

What's a Beebee Bird?
This is a cute bedtime book. We meet a lot of tired animals in the zoo who are trying to get to sleep when a baby bird keeps them up with his singing. So, to get back at him, all day long they make noise and cause the bird to miss his nap. That night, he is so tired that he doesn't sing and everyone is able to get some sleep. I had fun reading this book to some kids for nap time and they enjoying the silly repeating phrase "beebeebobbi" - especially when I said it the way that all of the different animals would. I did have to take a star away because at times the text can be difficult to read - especially for beginning readers who are trying to follow along while reading over your shoulder. Also, it can be a little bit too exciting when trying to get children to settle down for a nap.

Why 3 stars?:
A fun book with some funny moments, but some of the text can be difficult to read. Parts can be a little too exciting when trying to have kids fall asleep. All in all, a good book that should be used carefully.

Funny for the whole family
This book is funny in a way the whole family can relate to. Parents and siblings who have been kept awake by a baby will especially enjoy the comic view of their predicament. Those who do the waking will enjoy the baby bird's expressing their viewpoint. The artwork is great at showing the exhausted and irascible animals who are kept awake by the cheerful baby bird. The typesetting is very clever, too.

Why only males at the zoo?
This is a cute book, first written in 1963 & reillustrated by the wonderful Steven Kellogg, who has used his talent well here. But I found it disappointing that everyone identified by gender was male: the bear, lion, elephant, the bird and the zookeeper. Sure, it was written a while ago but presumably there were female animals then, too, right?

I've loved this book for 40 years
I still remember the librarian reading this book to us in first grade. I remembered it when my children were born but, alas, couldn't find it in print any longer. So I got it out of the library and photocopied the whole thing (horrors!). My kids loved that black-and-white version so much that, now that I'm a grandmother, my son wants it to read to his own son. Thank God it's going to be republished! This is probaby the only book that our entire family has loved for so long. It is delightful and funny and warm. And it appeals to everyone because nobody gets to escape the problems that the kid with the mixed-up sleep schedule poses. I am still known to roar "Beebee bobby!" like a lion!

My Nine-month old daughter loves this book!
I found an old copy of this book in my Mom's attic and I'm glad it's being re-published. It's a great children's book about a bird that makes noise at night at the zoo and the animals don't like it. Not only does it have lots of funny animal noises to make (which my daughter loves) but its message is about sleeping at night and staying awake during the day. (If only it were that easy!) ... Read more

Amazon.com

"I can't believe it. Me. Max Stravinsky in Paris. Picasso. Paté. The opera.Ballet. The crème de la crème. The city that gleams. That romantic, extravagantic city of dreams. Oh pluperfect Paris, just give me a chance and I'll toast your beauty, oh Paris of France." So begins Maira Kalman's boldly painted, wildly designed, linguistically playful masterpiece Ooh-la-la (Max in Love), the story of a millionaire poet dog named Max who has come to Paris from New York and is staying at a hotel run by the aromatic Madame Camembert.

Moodily meandering, he wanders through the Parisian parks and boulevards with a hangdog expression on his face. After all, c'est Paris in the spring, and love is in the air for everyone it seems, except Max. Along the way he meets an outlandish cast of characters including Fritz from the Ritz (where he quit in a snit when the chef in a fit threw escargot on his chapeau); his French tutor Charlotte Russe (who came by autobus); and Pierre Potpourri, the owner of the noise-soaked, blue-smoked Crazy Wolf Nightclub, where Max finally encounters the piano-playing Crêpes Suzette, the dog he's been waiting for his whole life. The rest is history!

This is one of our favorite picture books of all time ... and for those who are equally mad for Max the poet dog, we can also recommend the hilarious and quirky Max Makes a Million, Max in Hollywood, Baby, and Swami on Rye: Max in India. (All ages, but perhaps especially for adults with stars in their eyes or Paris in their hearts.) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (13)

"Tout Paris is abuzz. Max is here!"
Max is in Paris, the city of light and romance, to see the sights and maybe, just maybe find his heart's delight. "...Who is Max??? Mon dieu! Sacre Bleu! He is the coolest cat, I mean the hottest dog. He is Max Stravinsky. The dog poet from New York. That Bohemian beagle..." He stays at the little hotel run by the "aromatic" Madame Camembert, and tours the city, visiting the Louvre, Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Eiffel Tower, the parks, boulevards and cafes. He eats, he drinks, and takes French lessons from Charlotte Russe. And he walks and walks, meeting a quirky cast of original characters, always looking for love..."It was April after all." He's invited out to the Crazy Wolf Nightclub by owner Pierre Potpourri, to hear the incomparable pianist, Crepes Suzette, and it is there he finds his "raison d'etre", the dog he's been looking for his entire life..... Maira Kalman has authored an ingeniously inventive and entertaining picture book classic, starring the ever-endearing Max, that truly stands alone in a class by itself. Her witty and creative text, part French, part English, begs to be read aloud, and is full of clever rhymes, wordplay and puns, and complemented by her intricately detailed and expressive artwork. Children and adults alike will enjoy poring over the pages, always finding something new and intriguing everytime they open the book. Ooh-La-La (Max In Love) is a masterpiece that will be enjoyed by "children" of all ages, from 5 to 95, and a book to be treasured and shared with friends and family now, and in the many years to come. This is Maira Kalman at her very best. Make sure you get your copy now!

ooh la la, I'm in love!
Maira Kalman is wonderful. I totally fell in love with this book. I shared it with the first graders that I tutor and they adored the zany illustrations and blushed when Max fell for the lovely Crepes Suzette. It was also a great way to introduce a little french culture. They were totally facinated and asked me to find more Max books. Please don't pass this one by because some of the vocab may be difficult for kids to understand. The illustrations are the most amazing that I've ever seen. Both kids and adults alike will be enthralled.

So you think you're an artist...
Max, starry-eyed romantic poet, goes to Paris where everything is absurd and wonderful. This book is like Salvador Dali on mushrooms. Self-confident, smart, and just plain strange, this book is suitable for everyone with a twist. It even made me laugh. ha.

the best book ever
I'll give this book five stars because I just loved the way Mira Kalman used so many details. In this book Mira Kalman uses her creative and funny illustration to express her writing.
I really really liked,no loved this book.You might think of gross ,mushy ,gushy stuff!But Mira Kalman expresses the feeling of love in a calm ,yet sensible way as Max falls in love with the dog of his dreams!

Our whole family loves this book!
It's just like a clever movie for kids that is aimed at the younger set but also includes lots of "inside jokes" for the parents. Other reviewers said it's too wordy for kids. My kids, though, have their own favorite lines. They say them right along with me when I read. I'm always happy when they pull a Max book off their crowded bookshelf. I finish reading with a smile on my face, and with my kids cuddled up next to me to see the pictures (a nice benefit on a chilly North Dakota night). ... Read more

Reviews (6)

An excellent introduction to the care of guinea pigs!
I bought this book for my daughter just before we got her first pets, two guinea pigs! The pictures are lovely and the book covers guinea pig likes and dislikes, as well as their basic needs from vitamin c to clean water. The best part though is the author's continued assertation that guinea pigs love to be cuddled!

Absolutely charming!!
If you don't have a guinea pig, this book will make you want to get one

Exquisite!!!
I think adults can enjoy the book as well. Smith is charming, witty and very knowledgeable about the species.

The most wonderful book on Guinea Pigs I've ever encountered
I do research on every animal I own and this was one of the most informative books I have ever found. The animation is extrordinary and it has made my daughter aware that books can help us all in raising our animals properly. I don't know how many times we have referred to it for one question or another about our guinea pigs. We also love to just go back and look at the pictures because they make us smile. A wonderful childrens book, and if I do say so myself, it is great for adults too. I am so very glad we found this book and bought it. I would highly recommend it to anyone getting or already having a guinea pig. Jackie and Kathy Fisher

Obviously! Who Doesn't?
Warm, richly illustrated with very accurrate yet cartoonish giunea pigs by the same illustrator as "Guess How Much I Love You" and anectotal thoughts from the author of "Babe". Even King-Smith's ramblings are more informative and entertaining than most "learn all about your pets" books aimed for children OR adults. Adult guinea pig keepers tend to find this book FAR more touching and fascinating than kids--I guess because they can relate to King-Smith better. Only complaint--the book is FAR too short ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Kids love tricksters!
Anansi is lazy and he likes to play tricks! This time, turtle outsmarts Anansi. Anansi does all of the work while turtle gets tired. The kids in my class ask to listen to this book and the other Anansi tales, retold by Eric Kimmel, over and over again. This one takes a little bit more thinking to figure out what the tricks are. ... Read more