Book Description

Mother Bear is in for a breakfast surprise when Little Bear and Father Bear make their famous flying flapjacks. Join father and son in the kitchen as they create a delicious treat!

Reviews (1)

time for breakfast
It's breakfast time at Little Bear's House. Little Bear wakes up Father Bear very early. He wants to cook a surprise breakfast for Mama Bear. Little Bear helps make the flapjacks. Mama Bear is very pleased and surprised when she wakes up.

The book is a good story for early readers. The book is made of sturdy board pages and will last through many readings. The size is just right for little hands.

I would recommed this book to others. Fans of the Little Bear show on Nick Jr. will enjoy reading about their favorite characters. Even my sister (13 months) enjoyed hearing this book. She turned the pages herself and pretended to read it. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Playful poet Jack Prelutsky and the beloved Petra Mathers (Lottie's New Beach Towel)take youngsters from the heart of South Dakota to Monterey Bay in thisextraordinary collection of poems and paintings that belongs on the shelf nextto Ride a Purple Pelicanand Beneath a BlueUmbrella. As ever, Prelutsky's meter is flawless, and you absolutelyread his poems aloud, even if you're sitting in a room by yourself. This is notthe gross-out fare that Prelutsky so delightfully dishes out in Awful Ogre's Awful Day and someof his other books. Here are 28 nonsensical, often somewhat geographical poemsfor preschoolers and early readers about a tiny baker who bakes a tiny cookie, agranny who lost her footing and fell into pudding, elephants who sit in treesand sneeze, and a small hen who is stuck at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Withthe lightest touch, Petra Mathers adds new dimensions and quirky subplots toevery poem in endearing two-pages-per-poem watercolor paintings. Young readerswill adore this colorful collection of quiet surprises by two of our favoritecreators of children's books. (Ages 2 to 6) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Fun for reader & readee...
My nearly 2 year old daughter has us read this to her over and over. Last week at a restaurant she spontaneously started reciting "Peanut Peg & Peanut Pete". It's fun to read cover to cover or just a few. And I can see her reading it for many years to come.

Definitely a good addition to your child's library.

Happy Mom
My son is about to turn 4 and LOVES this book. We make up songs to many on the poems, act out the different siutations and went in search of red suspenders for him. The poems are simple but visual and evocative of seasons, moods and fun. I highly recommend it!!!

More enchanting chldren's rhymes from Jack Prelutsky
The frog wore red suspenders
and the pigs worse purple vests,
as they sang to all the chickens
and the ducks upon their nests.

They croaked and oinked a serenade,
the ducks and chickens sighed,
then laid enormous spangled eggs,
and quacked and clucked with pride.

Earlier generations had Edward Lear, Dr. Seuss and Tom Lehrer to introduce them to the wonders of what some might disparage as mere "nonsense" verse. To the list of those for whom words are mere play things, we can add Jack Prelutsky, who presents these poems about people and animals set off in such exotic locals from Monterey to Winnemuca. These poems, intended for children age 5 and up, will introduce young readers to Peanut Peg and Peanut Pete of Atlanta, Spotter and Swatter two talented otters, and an elephant perched on a sycamore tree in Indianapolis. Plus, wait until you see what happens in Tuscaloose, after dark.

"The Frog Wore Red Suspenders" includes over two dozen poems, illustrated by Petra Mathers in a sort of American primitive style that young child will find comforting (my favorite is her painting for "In Minot, North Dakota," where the snowmouse blows away). But the chief charm of this book are the funny verses, especially if the kids happen to find one about the city in which they live.

"Read it again!! Read it again!!"
This is a wonderful book! My nieces would not let me put it down. They kept shouting "Read it again!". The illustrations are so nice and I love how the auther incorporates names of cities (Tusculoosa--what a great word!) and famous places into the poems. You will want every child you know to have a copy.

A Total Delight for Young and Old
Shopping for a birthday present, I came across this book. I have never been big on poetry for children (don't ask why; I guess because I didn't like it as a child), and I almost didn't open this book. What a mistake that would have been.

Every single page of this wonderful, fanciful and subtly geographical collection is better than the one before. Here we have a poem that extolls the virtues of Indianapolis (one doesn't see too many Indianapolis poems!) in a ridiculous but so- sweet poem. There are elephants in trees, and frogs in suspenders, and all the other lovely ideas that children can accept and love without question.

The drawings by Petra Mathers make the book. I can't list a favorite; each one, so colorful, so fanciful, and so very endearing, compliments the poem it illustrates.

What I like best about this book, however, is that it encourages a love of the English language without ever letting the child know it is doing so. The wonderful tongue-rolling combination of words, the silly (but not really) images the words evoke, and the simple joy in every poem are tailor-made to enchant a child and encourage him or her to read more.

Highly recommended!! ... Read more

Book Description

Rene loves to play "pretend." After convincing her dad to build her a playhouse, a play barn, and play farm animals, Rene feels something is missing--people! She wants a play mommy and a play daddy to go along with her new playhouse. But Rene's parents don't like the idea, and so she creates cutout-parents from cardboard instead. Her parents cleverly put a stop to Rene's bossiness when a playdaughter takes Rene's place at the dinner table! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great book but creepy conclusion
Robert Munsch is a fantastic childrens' author. His books with illustrator Michael Martchenko are some of the most creative and enjoyable picture books out there. Unfortunately, this one starts well but doesn't succeed like their other joint productions.

In this book, a little girl asks her dad to build her a playhouse, and he does so in grand style. This playhouse looks like a guest cottage. But instead of revelling in her storybook wonderland, the girl gets more and more demanding. Most kids would assume she's going to get a come-uppance for her bratty behavior, but the way it's handled isn't going to make your kids comfortable.

Among the "more, more" things she demands are a play dad and mom for her playhouse. When her parents finally balk at her suggestion, she just makes them herself. Her parents do the same thing back to her. Maybe some kids might find that funny, but I think this is somewhat creepy. Kids don't want to feel they'll be replaced with a similacrum, even if they started it. Classic fairy tales of changelings usually had some sort of resolution; this story ends with a swapping rather than having it lead to the adventure attempting to put things right.

If a child gets a come-uppance in a kids' book, it shouldn't come at the hands of their own parents, and that's probably why this one just doesn't work. There's just too much of a moral to this one, and it's not done with his usual light touch.

Don't buy this one blind. Usually you can rely on Munsch and Martchenko, but this one is one of their rare misses. ... Read more

Book Description

It's a child's wish come true. Mercer Mayer's famous LittleCritter character has brought home a puppy. HIs parents will let him keep it ifhe takes care of the puppy himself. Little Critter agrees. He feels he is doinga good job, but the funny illustrations make it clear that the puppy is a lot ofwork -- and even a lot of trouble. Does Little Critter think ithe puppy is worthit? Yes, yes, and yes, again. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Just me and my puppy
This is a very cool book. I would say that kids ages three to nine should read this book. This book is about a boy whos parents let him get a puppy. It has great pictures that illistrate how the boy takes care of his puppy. This book teaches kids that they should take care of there pets. They should always do things with their animals like walking and feeding it.

Another Little Critter Winner!
This story (about a boy who brings a puppy home) is told from the boy's point-of-view, but the illustrations are another matter!

The boy says, "I am teaching my puppy how to heel" and we see the boy wrapped in the leash... the puppy straining to break free and play. The boy says, "...he already knows how to fetch" and we see him throwing a stick. On the following page, an angry lady is chasing the puppy... who is running away from her with a lady's hat in his mouth!

The story ends on a sweet note.

I really love how the Little Critter books focus on events that are real to children, and focus so much on the family in such a positive, light way.

And my children love this book.

Very Cute
I thought this book was very cute. My daughter who is 3 loves it. She wanted us to read it every nite for the first week. I would highly recommend this book to anyone with small children. It portrays all the responsibilities that come along with having a puppy in a very amusing way. ... Read more

Book Description

Amy will not wake up for school!After trying everything, her family carries her -bed and all- out the door, down the street, and into her classroom! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Zzzzzzz....
Amy the nightowl stayed awake to watch the Late Show. Then the Late, Late Show. Then the Late, Late, Late Show. THEN she watched the Early, Early, Early, Early Show. FINALLY, she went to bed.

You can imagine the consequences of this: she couldn't wake up the next day. Her family tries to wake her up (her brother even blows her hair off her face with the volume of his voice), but to no avail. What to do?? Brother has to go to school & mom and dad have to go to work, she can't stay home! So, they take her to school in her bed!

Now the fun REALLY begins!! Her teacher can't get her to wake up, no matter how loudly she bellows. She doesn't wake up through gym. She doesn't wake up through lunch. She doesn't even wake up through recess!! Finally, she's carted off back home in her bed where she sleeps through the night.

You can imagine what happens when she comes to school the NEXT day!!

Robert Munsch has written over 20 books, including the very popular "Love You Forever". His fun, fast-paced style will hold readers' interest as well as the bright, fun illustrations by Alan & Lea Daniel, the husband and wife team who have illustrated other works by Munsch.

The illustrations will rope readers in as quickly as the story when they see the teacher teaching reading in Amy's bed (the students hold a copy of "Get Out of Bed!" themselves, creating a fun reflection-in-the-mirror effect that sharp-eyed readers will love), Amy's nose being painted during art class, and the wonderful paintings of Amy's teacher trying to WAKE THAT GIRL UP!!

For any child who is a night owl (or, at least not an early bird) this book is a must.

Get Out of Bed kept us laughing during storytime for weeks!
This book was a hit at my house. My boy wanted it read every other night for weeks. It was funny and showed silly consequences of not going to bed. Kids won't want to end up like this child and at school in there bed! ... Read more

Book Description

Zomo the rabbit, a trickster from West Africa, wants wisdom. But he must accomplish three apparently impossible tasks before Sky God will give him what he wants. Is he clever enough to do as Sky God asks? “The tale moves along with the swift concision of a good joke, right down to its satisfying punch line.”--Publishers Weekly“Wildly exuberant, full of slapstick and mischief, this version of an enduring Nigerian trickster tale, featuring a clever rabbit, is a storyteller’s delight.”--Booklist ... Read more

Reviews (4)

He is not big. He is not strong. He is fan-freakin-tastic
Is there any higher praise an author/illustrator can receive than to hear a reviewer say, "Well, I never really loved anything else this person did, but I think this book is bloody brilliant"? Probably. But I for one feel that Gerald McDermott (who I've always respected but never felt any real affection for) really hit the nail on the head with this book. "Zomo" has the near impossible task of being both amusing and informative. So many African folktales relayed in children's picture books end up being a little dry and dated. For example, the book "Zomo" most resembles in plot is, "A Story, A Story" by G. Haley. Yet that book is a dour dull creation when compared to this amazing little concoction. This is a book that every child should read at least once in their lives.

As you open the book you see a clever little rabbit all decked out in kinte cloth. The text reads, "Zomo! Zomo the rabbit. He is not big. He is not strong. But he is very clever". When Zomo decides that being clever is not enough and that he wants wisdom as well he quickly requests it from the Sky God. To attain wisdom's secrets, the Sky God commands Zomo to fetch him the scales of Big Fish of the sea, the milk of Wild Cow, and the tooth of Leopard. Zomo immediately sets out to fulfill these tasks. For the fish he plays a catchy tune on his drum, so entrancing the sea dwelling creature that it dances its scales off. The Wild Cow is lured into a tree and, while stuck, Zomo milks it. As for Leopard, some of the slippery scales dropped into slippery milk cause the feline to slip and knock out a tooth. When Zomo presents these items to the Sky God he is instantly told that wisdom consists of courage, good sense, and caution. Zomo has thus far had the first two, but now with three new enemies he should exercise the last for a while.

I think what I loved best about this book was Zomo himself. This is a remarkable thing too. Too often the cocky hero of a tale (especially a trickster tale) is too brash and self-important to garner any real love from the reader. But Zomo's different. He's sprightly and a joy to follow. From the geometric patterns of his face to the energetic dancing of his little black furry feet, he's a pure pleasure to watch. The illustrations themselves are so bright and cheery it puts such similarly colorful stories like, "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" to shame. But best of all is the narration. I've given you the first sentence of the book, but the rest reads just as well. It's catchy and delightfully placed upon each and every page.

Some books you pick up and groan when your kids want you to read them forty or fifty times in a row. Other books you wish they'd ask you sixty or seventy times more. "Zomo" is in the latter category. A fun filled romp with a delightful West African base, the book is one of the best I've ever had the pleasure to peruse. Highly recommended from here to the sky and back.

Do you think Zomo the Rabbit is Bugs Bunny's ancestor?
One of the universal figures in mythology is the trickster, from Hermes of classical mythology to Iktomi of the Indians of the American plains. Zomo the Rabbit is an example of an animal trickster and is often at the center of many of the traditional tales of West Africa, while other cultures tell similar stories about the Spider and the Tortoise using guile and trickery to outwit their larger foes.

In "Zomo the Rabbit: A Trickster Tale from West Africa" Gerald McDermott knows that he is clever but wishes to acquire wisdom. But before he can earn wisdom the Sky God gives him three impossible tasks and requires Zomo to bring him the scales of Big Fish in the sea, the milk of Wild Cow, and the tooth of Leopard. The question is whether Zomo's cleverness can make up for the fact that the is not big and he is not strong. Well, of course, he can, but that does not necessarily mean that gaining wisdom will make his life any easier out in the jungle.

McDermott's colorful artwork is influenced by African designs and he tells the tale with simple, rhythmic language that will appeal to the youngest of readers. The author and illustrator has been studying the trickster motif in folklore and mythology for some time, having earned a Caldecott Honor for "Anansi the Spider," another tale from Africa. "Zomo the Rabbit" will obviously remind many young readers of another rascally rabbit, which will help establish the idea that the trickster has been around for a long time in many different, but similar, guises.

Unique vibrant illustrations
Zomo is a rabbit who is "clever" but wants "wisdom" so goes to SkyGod, who tells him he must do "three impossible things:" bring him "the scales of Big Fish in the sea, "the milk of Wild Cow" and "the tooth of leopard." Zomo tricks the fish into dancing to his drumbeat until his scales fall off, tricks the cow into ramming the palm tree until she's stuck so he can milk her (reminds me of Brer Rabbit and Sis Cow), and then trips the leopard on the slippery scales and milk to get the tooth. Unique, vividly colored illustrations accompany the simple story. I will say I don't quite get the ending where he earns wisdom, and all he does with it is run very fast (wasn't he doing that already?). Overall however, the illustrations and clever rabbit make a great story for my toddler.

McDermott Masterful Again
With Zomo the Rabbit : A Trickster Tale from Africa, Gerald McDermott demonstrates again why he is our favorite when it comes to children's books. The tale is clever. The illustrations are spectacular, as always. McDermott's books are the favorites of my 7-year old, who reads them over and over again. My 2-year old also loves them. ... Read more

Book Description

Martha's back and this time she's talking up a storm on the telephone! When she wins a free weekend for her and her family at the Come-On-Inn, the trouble really begins. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Dramatize with your student musicians
What kid wouldn't love this book? In my music classroom, half of the kids play the stair climbing sound effects on the xylophones, while the others take on the roles of Mortimer, Mortimer's father, mother, brothers and sisters, and police. Lots of fun and I'll guarantee they'll understand the concepts of upward and downward melodic direction when you're done! Plan to laugh a lot!

Music education
This book is great for helping music educators teach direction of pitch. I love to use it with a tone bell ladder or other instrument that actually shows the high and low pitches. The children LOVE to play up and down the ladder as Mortimer travels up and down the stairs. There are many giggles as we play. The children can certainly relate to the story!

Is sooooo funny
Bing Bang rattle bing bang.... I'm gonna make my noise all day!!! It's so cute. My son loves it. He sings the silly song over and over...

A book review by a 9 year old girl.
This book isn't the type of book where the beginning ties you into the story, but I CAN assure you that by the fourth page (last paragraph) you'll be chanting along with the toon of the song! (I was!) Well, I have my teacher to thank and you're probably wondering why right? Good question! I'm thanking her because she's the one who read it out loud to my whole class of 44 kids and I loved it. Just remember, Mortimer is a small, but strong, "Entertainer."

A book review by a 9 year old girl
I gave this book a rating of three because it didn't have an exciting beginning and it wasn't really my kind of book. But I like it a little bit when he sings, but I wasn't really into the book that much. I think someone else would enjoy this book. ... Read more

Book Description

"Something's Alive In There!"

She was just a little girl, with a tiny horn in the center of her forehead, funny-looking feet, beautiful silver hair, and several curious powers: the ability to purify air and water, make plants grow, and heal scars and broken bones. A trio of grizzled prospectors found her drifting in an escape pod amid the asteroids, adopted her, and took her to the bandit planet Kezdet, a place where no questions are asked and the girl might grow up free.

But Kezdet has its own dark secret. The prosperity of the planet is based on a hideous trade in child slave labor, administered by "The Piper" -- a mystery man with special plans for Acorna and her powers. But free little girls have a way of growing into freedom-loving young women, and Acorna has special plans all her own. . . ... Read more

Reviews (71)

another aspect of of Acorna the Unicorn girl
The fact that I found this book to be of quality that is to be expected from Anne Mccaffrey is at the moment irrelevant to my comments. I am a long time fan of Anne Mccafrey. The Restoree is one of my all time favoroute books. I enjoyed Acorna from an aspect that is not enjoyed by your avarage english speaking readers.I happen to come from from Hungary. My native language is hungarian. Most of the book takes place on a planet called Kezdet. Kezdet is the hungarian word for beginning. In the beggining when I started to read this book I thought it was just a coincidence. I wasn't.I really enjoyed how the writers used the hungarian language and expressions in writing this book. I am about to provide a little dictionary for anybody who reads this review. anyag-material czerebogar- a particularly loathsome kind of beetle. farkas-wolf maganos-lonely And of course these are only a few examples. My favourite happens to be the name of one of the minor characters. The girl called Irodalmi Javak. The literary transaletion happens to be: Irodalmi- Litarery Javak-patents Essentiall her name means literary patents. The fascinating part of it is when reading this name the feeling of it not unnatural. All I could see in my minds eye is a fragile but strong girl with a name that suits her admirably. Incidentally most of the names of the characters from that planet actually probably came from hindi not from hungarian. I could recognize the origin because I lived in India also for a little while. I was at that time busy learning english so I could not understand those names that came from that source. I would love to learn their meanings also. My review does not have very much to do with the undoubted quality of this book but it added a lot to my enjoyment of it that I wanted to share with other readers. I do not know how long I can wait for the second part of it to come out in paperback so I can afford to buy it. I hope that by an incredible chance Anne Mccaffrey would be able to read a very personal message from me to her. All my life I wanted to write books. I never tried to publish anything that I wrote because I did not feel that they were up to a standar that I would expect from myself but you are definitely one of my stars to steer by.

Misadventures of a unicorn girl
A trio of good-natured space miners picks up an errant escape pod which happens to contain an orphan girl of an unknown alien race. Her features are slightly equine, and she has a horn growing from her forehead. They name her Acorna and raise her as their own. Unfortunately, they have trouble keeping her under wraps, and they find themselves having to prevent her from falling into the hands of everyone from the scientists who want to study her, to a "collector" with an interest in rare creatures.

Taking refuge on the planet Kezdet, they make the acquaintance of a wealthy businessman of Chinese descent, who recognizes Acorna as the Kirin of ancient mythology. He is on a mission to end Kezdet's underground child slave trade, and when Acorna gets involved, she makes her most dangerous enemies yet.

I used to be a huge McCaffrey fan, and I've read a considerable portion of her work, including much of the Pern series, The Ireta Adventure, the Crystal Singer trilogy, and the original Ship and Pegasus novels. I've moved away from her work in recent years, but the beautiful cover on this one drew me in (Ignore the cheap CG background.) While not abysmal like Crystal Line was, Acorna is definitely one of her weaker efforts. The characters don't have much depth - the title character least of all - and any personality traits they are given are repeated to the point of cliché. (I lost count of how many times one character "blushed the color of his beard.") The story itself isn't particularly gripping. The confrontation with the book's chief villain towards the end is hugely anticlimactic. Even the reality of child slavery is watered down, though the thematic cries of "the children, the children!" did grow wearisome. This is safe SF, basically a comfort read. If you like a little edge in your reading, you may be bored, as I was at times. I didn't dislike it entirely, but it is highly unlikely that I will read the next book in the series. A mediocre effort from an author who is, perhaps, past her prime.

Note: While there is no cliffhanger ending, and while the major conflicts are resolved by the last page, there are several threads left open for exploration in the books that follow. I am content to depart from the series after this first installment, but be aware that the overall story is not truly complete.

Acorna
Acorna's parents died to give her a chance to escape the Khlevii invastion. They sacrificed themselves and set her on a space pod out for someone else to find her. That someone is Calum, Gill, and Rafik. They are three space miners out mining when they find a strange pod floating randomly in space. Taking it aboard they learn to love Acorna as their own, but there are those who would wish to hurt her as she is the only one of her species ever made known to the world. For Acorna has special unicorn powers. She can heal people, she can detect poisons, and a few other abilities. Acorna also has the softest heart around, she can't stand to see other people in pain. So when Acorna hears that children are being abused with hard labor on a planet called Kezdet it's Acorna to the rescue. But how can she help when there are thousands and thousands of children in need and she can't get to them?

This was a wonderful book, I couldn't stop reading to the very end.

Disappointed...
As a fan who has been enjoying McCaffrey's stories for over 10 years, I found this book to be far below what I've come to expect from her writing. The various series she has published - from Pern, The Rowan, Crystal Singer, Dinasour Planet, even Freedom and Brain Ships - are all well written and utilize a similar style and level of competence. The stories on Acorna, however, seem to be written by someone else entirely (her son, perhaps?). I don't know how to describe it other than by saying it is far below her usual standards, with childish dialogue, nonexistant plot, and flat characters. If you don't like this book, don't give up on her; go read one of her other series (Dragonsinger is a great intro to the world of Pern), because she really is a talented writer.

Yay another Anne McCaffrey world to adventure in!
I'm a devoted fan to Anne McCaffrey despite her tendency to skim over details that might make her fiction more substantial. She's fun, heart-warming, and tells a good tale. Plus, she lets the girls be the heroes of her stories. My favorite is still the Dragonriders of Pern (read it four times now), but this book was good enough to get me hooked on this series. Acorna is a light read, a sweet protagonist, a new world to explore. ... Read more