Reviews (5)

Get this and continue the Custard adventure
Another great book about Custard the Dragon! Have just as much fun with this book - My son loved this one!

Gotta love Nash
This is the 1961 sequel to "The Tale of Custard the Dragon" which was written in 1936. Both books are beautifully and imaginatively illustrated by Lynn Munsinger in their 1995 & 1996 publications. As with other works by Nash, the verse and illustrations vie for significance and importance. His couplets are cute with his tongue in cheek. The words and images carry a slightly archaic, old fashioned overtone that is pleasing.

This is not the greatest children's book ever published. However, the nuanced language is intriguing. It has a meaningful moral - that true bravery is not always recognized or rewarded but is a wonderful thing nonetheless. As a result, the "Custard" books have a rather timeless appeal.

My are Children's Book violent?
My twins love to hear Custard's two books, but I wonder why a character always needs to be killed? Is this how we introduce our children to the concept of death? I'd prefer both books resolve their conflicts with an alternative solution, bt I know it's too late for a revision!

Custard to the rescue...
A fanciful turn about a damsel in distress named Belinda, being rescued from Sir Garagooyle, the wicked, wicked knight by her faithful friendly dragon, Custard. The rhymes are fun, how often do you find edelweiss used in rhymes! The pictures are just right, my 4 year old loves Custard. We received this book as a gift and were delighted in it.

Just as good as the first one
For fans of "The Tale of Custard the Dragon" this book is a must. It has the same wit and love of language as the original. My son loves this one even more than the original as it has both knights and dragons. Its a pleasure to read and the illustrations are delightful. ... Read more

Book Description

In this simple, sweet, and very human picture book, MercerMayer's popular Little Critter shows us all the things he can do by himself,from tying his shoes (almost) to pouring his own juice (and only spilling alittle). The wry illustrations often point up the fact that Little Critterdoesn't do everything perfectly, but he makes an effort to do the best he can. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

All By Myself
This book is about a little boy who is trying to do everything by himself but there are somethings that he coldnt't do like at bedtime when he wanted to read his bedtime story. It teaches young kids to do things like get dressed and things like that. I think kids 5 and under would like this book. I thought the book was good i would have liked it more if i was 10 years younger.

One of my favorite books growing up!
I recommend All By Myself by Mercer Mayer to all ages. I'm in sixth grade but I still enjoy reading this book. When I was in fifth grade, I read this book to a kindergartner and he loved it! There is a series of Mercer Mayer's books about the main character, Little Critter's, life. YOU HAVE TO READ THEM!

One of the best pre-school series around.
My four year old grandson loves Little Critter and now has every one of them (that we can find) memorized. He now has a library of over 300 books, but he goes to sleep reading about his friends in Mercer Meyer's land of many and diverse critters.

My children demand it!
I just bought this book for the second time. My girls (2 and 4) have almost all of the books in the "Little Critter" series. Recently, my 2-year-old took "All by Myself" on the road and lost it. Both girls want it back ASAP. (By the way, the age group rating is obviously overstated at 4-years-old since my 2-year old is a big fan.)

All his books are great!
My daughter has many of Mr. Mercer's books and loves everyone of them. They are easy for her to read, have fun illustrations and good messages about how children (and adults) should conduct themselves. ... Read more

Book Description

In the tradition of Beauty and Rose Daughter, Newbery Award-winning author Robin McKinley "lends a fresh perspective to a classic fairy tale, developing the story of Sleeping Beauty into a richly imagined, vividly depicted novel" (School Library Journal)

BRILLIANT...[a] sumptuous world. (New York Times Book Review)

MYTHIC GRANDEUR...with magical detail and all-too-human feeling. (Publishers Weeklystarred review)

Satisfying reading, pleasing in the depth of the weaving andelaboration. (Chicago Tribune)

Rich prose and colorful description...keep readers spellbound. (Rocky Mountain News) ... Read more

Reviews (109)

Pleasant read but....
I have long been a fan of Robin McKinley's books, and was prepared to love it. But it just did not grab me the way Hero/Blue Sword/Deerskin did.

The character development of humans was lighter in detail than in any of her previous books. I felt how everyone feared Pernicia, but never understood why. And I had no idea how she, a mere fairy, made up a searching spell that lasted over 20 years (which shouldn't be possible), a fact the book alludes to but never explains. The story also has a tremendous number of characters both human and animal. Somehow with a few succinct lines, each animal's personality shines through. This makes the contrast with the humans even more apparent. I didn't feel I knew Narl, Aunt, Ikor, Rowland or Peony.

Overall, I enjoyed reading the book as it is true to McKinley's style. It is a great new spin on a familiar tale. For that I can say that definitely rates 4 stars! But I know that McKinley is capable of more....and I hope she gives us another book on Damar.

Excellent--a must-read for fairy tale fans of all ages
Robin McKinley's greatest strength is her ability to frame a familiar story with enough unique twists to make it fresh and interesting. Her second greatest strength is her wonderful descriptive prose that draws the reader into her fantasy world. In "Spindle's End" she displays both gifts to advantage.

We've all heard the Sleeping Beauty story, but Ms. McKinley puts her own spin on it. What if Rosie grows up as a tomboy in a small village? What if her fairy godmothers gave her skin like silk, lips like rubies, and teeth like pearls--but forgot to to specify that she should be pretty? And what if she has the ability to talk to animals? One of the best things about this book is Rosie's beast-speech, in which cats play riddle games, horses are romantics and foxes "talk about butterflies and grass and weather for a long time while they sized you up".

If you already a Robin McKinley, then you already know that you must read this book. If you're not a fan, then you soon will be.

Entertaining
This book is one step away from becoming a masterpiece. While highly entertaining and inventive, there are parts that drag. And the conclusion is so thick with description that it's hard to keep track of just what is going on with the castle. Still, it's a delicious twist on Sleeping Beauty, with a likeable heroine. The characters are well done, though they're outclassed by the animals. And the central theme--of making our own choices despite prophecies, is magnificently done. It's not a book I could read over and over again, but it's still a great book definitely worth reading.

Not like the Damar books, but still a Masterpiece!
McKinley is a writer of world-class status. You can see this from other reviews that other people have written. So many of us look up to and applaud her! And it is true, as others have said, that no one else writes quite like McKinley does. Her characters are real, they have thoughts (often many at a time), emotions, decisions to make, motivation, struggles, hardship, victories, sorrow and joy.

You feel that these characters could just walk right out of the book and into real life and not be out of place. McKinley has a great sense of human nature. She also has a great grasp on language. She has both interesting wording and a feel for telling a story that captivates your attention and keeps you wanting for more. McKinley's characters and stories will stay with you long after you have finished reading. Personally, I wish that she had written more about Damar and Rosie's country. It really is no wonder that Robin McKinley won a Newberry Medal for "The Hero and the Crown". Which leads me to the next point.

McKinley's books are listed in a children and young adult catagory. This confounds me utterly. I am in my 20's and a college student and I still glean knowledge, hope and encouragement from these books! I believe that any of Robin McKinley's books, particularly "The Blue Sword" "The Hero and the Crown" and "Spindle's End" should be mandatory reading for people ages 10-110.

Now for the story, it seems a little boring at first. Almost as though it were a fairy tale for children. But stick with the story! Once Katrina gets to the Naming of the Princess, things start to pick up. I can't tell you any more because then that would reveal too much of the plot of what happens at the Naming. But what you need to know is that this is NOT the traditional Sleeping Beauty story. Only a few elements are taken from it (spinning wheel, evil fairy, etc.) But the rest of the plot, characters, animals and actions are straight from McKinley's imagination.

She is an author for all time, a true storyteller with the gift of imagination and originality. Once the plot gets going, it never dulls. There is not always a ton of action and hopeless quest and the story is all the better for it! There are humerous scenes, touching, brave, adventurous and joyful. The characters are heartening, close-knit and full of believability.

So, buy this book! You'll get much more than your money's worth and will be inspired to get even MORE McKinley books!

Charming to the last digression.
This is Robin McKinley's take on one our favorite tales, "Sleeping Beauty". Rosie, McKinley's Princess, is as far from the original character as we have come to expect. While Rosie possesses beautiful golden curls, it is considered so ill-fitting that she cuts them all off into a bob! But I digress...

This book is charming, and even more so the characters in it. The characters have volume, and in spite of its enchanted setting, readers could identify with Rosie's frustrations; the fairies' fears; the blacksmith's unimposing nature; even the innocence of the animals. While one could say that digressions in the storytelling often occur (and in great lengths too), they are forgivable and maybe even endearing. I dare say that much of the length of this book has to do with digressions, but I suppose I consider that to be part of the charm. Fortunately, all these side-tales are important to the overall outcome of the book. It just takes some time to realize that, is all. The entire tale is fresh and different and exquisite that this will be my favorite retelling of "Sleeping Beauty" for quite some time.

However, I do think that the last part--when the battle between the witch and our protagonists happens--is a little dragging (to put it mildly. Boring, to tell you the brutal truth). Robin McKinley's weakest point has always been battle scenes, which is why her short, precise and almost evasive treatment of it in her adventure books ("The Blue Sword" and "The Hero and the Crown") worked so much better.

I always found Robin McKinley's books extremely well-written. I didn't feel particularly impressed by her version of "Robin Hood" or even her take on "Beauty and the Beast" but there's something that just draws me to her work.

I would recommend "Spindle's End" if you don't mind being bombarded by seemingly unrelated side-tales. I would recommend "Spindle's End" if you want to be surprised by its "Fairy Tale, yet not quite" ending. I would recommend "Spindle's End" if you're tired of the usual fairy tale princesses. ... Read more

Reviews (20)

My daughter loves this book!
And I love it too. My children have no concept of what a nightmare or a monster is and this has made the word "nightmare", nothing to be afraid of. She actually loves going to the closet to look for a "nightmare" to put in bed with her. And, as far as the concept of dealing with scary things....the little boy only says "I'm going to get you!", which is something that is said by our family a lot...while playing. It is sooo non-threatening! The child is only dressed in "little boy" dress up clothes! Don't let that keep you from this charming book! HBO even did an animated movie of it...its darling!

Great Book
My three year old loves this book. He came home talking about a book that his teacher read in class. He was not yet three so when he started talking about nightmar"ers" and shooting the monster I had to ask his teacher about the book. She showed us the oversized version which was great for class and Tanner seemed to love this story. We bought the book and now that we have read it so much Tanner knows every word on each page and can finish each sentence or tell the whole story by himself. It's so cute and a great way to get children on the right path for reading.

A monster as a pal
It's "Patton" for children. No really, it is! Having just finished reviewing "Swimmy", the 1963 predecessor to "Finding Nemo", it seems fitting that I should also review "There's a Nightmare In My Closet", the 1968 predecessor to "Monsters, Inc." Looking like nothing so much as an alternative, "Where the Wild Things Are", Mercer Mayer's late 60s concoction is a tale of how a small boy stands up to his fears and finds them not to be as scary as he had thought.

Told in the first person, the story tells how a young boy, outfitted in those cute footie pajamas with the flap in the back, used to be scared of the nightmare in his closet before going to bed. Each night the boy would close the closet door then hide under his sheets. That all changes the night the boy pops on his general's helmet and outfits himself with a toy canon, toy soldiers, and a pop gun to rid himself of his nightmare once and for all. Sure enough, when the lights are out the monster comes creeping and perches on the foot of the bed but the boy is ready. He threatens it to leave and when he shoots his pop gun the nightmare bursts into tears. It's really a pitiful sight. Relenting, the boy tucks the monster in his bed, closes the closet door, and snuggles down to share the bed with his nightmare. As the boy ends the tale with, "I suppose there's another nightmare in my closet, but my bed's not big enough for three", sure enough, another monster sticks out his head and smiles winningly at the reader whilst the two others sleep blissfully.

When you think of all the mediocre monster books out there, this story really is remarkable. Compare this book to "Go Away, Big Green Monster", for example. There's just no comparison. And for its 1968 publication date, the story really feels very contemporary. The adept pen and ink illustrations combine successfully with the no-nonsense tone of the narration to produce a real class act. The boy in the pictures really does resemble All in all, this is just a nice story about confronting your fears and finding that sometimes they're not as bad as you think. You have to love the illustrations as well. The single shot of the nightmare tucked in the bed gesturing worriedly at the open closet door is so very sad. Any child that's a fan of the aforementioned "Monsters, Inc." will love this story as well. A sweet tale with a lovely moral. I just can't recommend it enough.

A childhood favorite
When I was a young child, I remember my mother reading this book to me, and when my oldest daughter, then age 2 1/2, started having nightmares about "dragons" coming into her room and scaring her, I bought this book for her. "There's a nightmare in my closet" quickly became her favorite bedtime story, which was requested at least once a day, for well over a year. Now that I have another 3 yr old, she too loves the story, and is learning to "read" it from memory.

"There's a nightmare in my closet" tells a story, from the perspective of a young boy, of how a child confronts his fears and learns that they might not be as scary as he once thought. After reading this book to my daughter a few times, her nightmares became much less frequent, and she seemed much more able to handle the few she got.

Since young children always have, and always will be, afraid of something in the night, this book will never become old fashioned. I recommend it to anyone with young children.

Best BOOK
The Best Book ever. i remember the first time my i heard it.
The Pictures are the best too. The Moster and really cool. ... Read more

Book Description

Raven, the Native American trickster, feels sorry for those who must live in darkness, and he decides to help. He flies over mountains, valleys, and lakes and discovers that light is being kept hidden inside the house of the Sky Chief. Using his cleverness, Raven finds a way to bring light to the world. “The physical environment, oral literature, and traditional life of the Pacific Coast Indians come alive in this amusing and well-conceived picture book.”--School Library Journal ... Read more

Reviews (7)

How Raven brought the people of the world the gift of light
One of the recurring figures of myths and legends from around the world is the trickster, known as Zemo the Rabbit in West Africa, Jabuti the Tortoise in the Amazon, and Raven in the Pacific Northwest. Indeed, from the coast of the Pacific Northwest to as far north as Alaska it is Raven who is the central character in many Native American myths and tales as a trickster of a cosmic scale, who might be a mischief-maker but who is also a cultural hero. Both brave and cunning, Raven is a shape-shifter who has magical powers. Sometimes he causes havoc with his mischief, but other times he gives his people gifts like that of fire.

In this Caldecott Honor Book "Raven: A Trickster Tale from the Pacific Northwest," Gerald McDermott retells a story that is told in various versions among all the tribes of the area. When he sees that the world was in darkness and the people lived in the dark and the cold Raven wants to give them the gift of light, but that means he has to find out where the Sky Chief keeps that particular treasure. So he goes to the house of the Sky Chief and, seeing the Sky Chief's daughter, Raven changes into a pine needle that falls into the water so that when she takes a drink she swallows the pine needle. Then the girl gives birth to the Raven as a boy child.

Young readers will enjoy the great length to which Raven goes to bring the people of the world the gift of light as well as the way McDermott contrasts the sharp colors of Raven with the pastels of the world in which he lives and plays his tricks. McDermott has written and illustrated many books on myth, such as the Pueblo myth of the "Arrow to the Sun," and the African tale of "Anansi the Spider." Other books in this series tell other tales of the trickster from around the world, giving young readers and teachers alike ample evidence that this is indeed a universal figure. However, children should be warned that as they find other stories of Raven that he is not always as generous as he is in this particular tale.

glorious, sumptuous and respectful
I get antsy when Native American themes and stories appear in children's books. Too often they reek of cultural misappropriation.

But this beautiful book--gorgeous watercolor backgrounds to the Northwest Native American-style imagery--feels respectful, and does a great telling of a favorite Tlingit Haida tale of how light came into the world.

The illustration of the morphing of the Sky Chief's spoiled grandson back into Raven is particularly effective.And when Raven fills the sky with the sun in his beak, it's very easy to buy into this story as a valid creation myth.

I've now bought three copies of this book for various pre-schoolers I know, and all my grown-up friensd who've seen this book have fallen in love with it, too. This is a definite winner, bound to become as classic in its own way as Robert McCloskey's ``Blueberries for Sal.''

They ask to listen to it again and again!
The children in my Pre-K class cannot get enough of this book. The magic of the illustrations and the text has them mesmerized. Many times, when we have finished reading the story, they want to here it again!

Beautiful Illustrations
This is a wonderful book! My daughter and I really enjoyed the way that this tale was re-told and the illustrations were beautiful!

The tale of the Raven and the Sun.
This book for children is based on the myth of the mischievious Raven from the Indians of the Pacific Northwest and how the Raven discovered the Sun and placed it in the sky. The book was a 1994 Caldecott Honor book (i.e., a runner-up to the Medal winner) for best illustrations in a children's book. Every child I've come across has enjoyed this story and loved the illustrations. ... Read more

Book Description

In this funny, all-too-human picture book, Mercer Mayer's famousLittle Critter dreams of the day when he will be big enough to go to firstgrade, dial phone numbers by himself, camp out in the backyard, or walk to thecorner store. By the end of his energetic daydreaming, Little Critter is sotired he has to go to bed. As he himself admits, "I'm not bigger yet." It's afine and familiar catalogue of what young children yearn for. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

When I Get Bigger
This book is called when I get bigger and it's about a kid that cant wait to grow up and he's talking about all the things he can do. Then in the end he realizes that you can still do thing when you were little than when you are grown up. It teaches you that being grown up isn't always fun. I would recommend it to a 1st or 2nd grader. This is about a 6 or 7-year-old child.

I'm a big girl now
I liked this book because it made me think about what I get and have to do when I'm older. Of course they are different than crossing the street alone and going to the store by myself. This should be good for kids because they get to see what they can look forward to when they become older. This book is short, simple and to the point, just like I like them!

A review!
When I get bigger is another one of my favorite books by Mercer Mayer. In this book It gave me flashbacks on how when I was little I couldnt do the things I can do now. In the book Critter dreams of things he can do when he gets bigger. In the end it says "im going to bed, im not bigger yet". In his own mind he thinks he is bigger but hes not. Most kids dream that they are bigger but there not.

A Great Book to Let Little Kids Know What's In Stored
I really enjoyed reading this book to my daughter. We've had this book since she was almost 3. It talks about all the fun things Little Critter can do when he gets bigger, like crossing the street alone, telling time, camping out, etc. My daughter enjoys knowing that she will get to do all these things when she's truly a "big girl." The ending is a twist because he says he's going to bed now because he's not bigger yet. ... Read more

Book Description

Funny, likeable Little Critter is at it again. In this appealingpicture book about Mercer Mayer's popular character, Little Critter struggles toremember what he is supposed to do each day. On rainy days he remembers hisraincoat but forgets his boots. On school days he gets to school on time butforgets his lunchbox. At home he takes a bath but forgets to use soap. PoorLittle Critter! He tries hard but hasn't quite mastered the art of how to getthrough the day. Every young reader will understand Little Critter's confusionand laugh with him from start to finish. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Everyone forgets sometimes
This was a funny book. It reminded me a lot of myself and how I leave things on or don't put them away on accident. Another part that reminded me of how I am is how little critter said they didn't forget to close the refridgerator he was just not done eating. I always leave the t.v. on in a room and come back to it because I'm still watching it. This book I think was made to say that you never forget the important things and the things that really matter. It also lets kids know that everyone is forgetful.

Good Read
This book taught kids it's ok to forget somethings in life, but it also teaches them they cannot forget a lot of things, like how much they love their parents. but if you forget minor things like washing the dishes it's ok. I enjoy reading Mercer Mayer books, he can really connect with kids and get on their level, I think kids pick up on the morals. You may get into trouble if you forget things, but all kids do..

I just forgot
This book explains to children that it is ok to forget things sometimes most all kids do. But like in the book most kids never forget who or what is most important to them. This book reminds me of me and my brother because we always forget to do our chores but we never forget to tell our parents we love them and tell them goodnight.

Mayer has brought out the joy in children's books!
Mercer Mayer has created another wonderful book in the Little Critter series. He has an uncanny ability to connect with children on their level. This book has wonderfully bright pictures that reach out and grab the child's attention. It will bring a smile to your face as you learn that it is okay to forget, because every child forgets sometimes.

This is an excellent book, I think everybody should read it!
Overall, I was very impressed with the book. It has bright colorful pictures that will immediately grab the childrens attention! I think all young children should read this book. It teaches them that everybody forgets things, and it is okay. The difficulty level was good for young children, it is at a level where they can understand the book and comprehend it. It is a very cute story and I suggest that everyobody takes the time to read it. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Tina Packer, President and Artistic Director of Shakespeare & Company theater and theater education group, brings ten of Shakespeare's most popular works to (abbreviated) life in this big, gorgeous hardcover volume. She retells the plays in a coherent style, incorporating paraphrases of some of the better-known lines for authentic flavor: "Is this a dagger which I see before me…" (Macbeth); "Ingratitude, more hideous in a child than in the sea monster…" (King Lear). Each of the ten tragedies and comedies is magnificently illustrated (one illustration per play) by an award-winning artist, including Mary GrandPre, Leo and Diane Dillon,Kadir Nelson ,Chesley McLaren , and others. A lengthy and interesting introduction provides useful context for readers new to the Elizabethan world of Shakespeare.

Ideally, this book will serve as a lush introduction to the Bard for children who will go on to read--and better understand--the classic plays in their entirety. It sure beats Cliffs Notes. (Ages 9 to 12) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Book Description

Wherever Coyote goes you can be sure he’ll find trouble. Now he wants to sing, dance, and fly like the crows, so he begs them to teach him how. The crows agree but soon tire of Coyote’s bragging and boasting. They decide to teach the great trickster a lesson. This time, Coyote has found real trouble!
... Read more

Reviews (1)

A great book about a funny coyote!
I like it because when the Coyote meets some birds he wants to fly with, all the birds give him one of their right feathers, but he didn't balance. So they each gave him left feathers, but he still didn't balance. And the reason he didn't balance was because he needed one left feather and one right feather. - AMD, Age 7. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The fact that George MacDonald--a scholar as well as a preacher and writer--once read this fairy tale to his students instead of giving them a lecture says volumes about the man and his beliefs. It also says much about his faith in the power of stories. The Light Princess is a simple enough tale, clearly written for children--a princess at her christening is cursed by a wicked witch with lightness (she floats blissfully about the castle all day long, and gets into all sorts of adventures, as one can easily imagine)--yet it holds a powerful spiritual truth. Gravity, weight, sorrow, suffering--all of this the princess misses, but with all of these she misses love, for what is love without weight, without body?What is love without falling? She discovers this truth, of course, only at the last minute when a faithful prince loves her enough to die for her.

Sometimes it's not a ponderous lecture--or sermon--that we need in order to experience what incarnation is about. --Doug Thorpe. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

My most beloved MacDonald book!
When I received this as a gift, I had already read and thoroughly delighted in "At the Back of the North Wind," "The Princess and the Goblin," "The Princess and Curdie," and "The Golden Key." When you read MacDonald, if your heart is right, you feel sheltered--the world he creates for you is as trustworthy and pure as C. S. Lewis's Narnia or Rivendell of Tolkien's Middle Earth. At the same time, you feel challenged to transform your own world and make it more like MacDonald's.

I was expecting another dose of the same awe-inspiring goodness without false piety or preachiness that is MacDonald's literary legacy. In "The Light Princess," however, there was an unexpected ingredient--a sharp wit that pervades the whole book and made me laugh out loud more than once. In a modern world where wit and vulgarity are viewed as conjoined twins, how satisfying a book this is! MacDonald infused delicious humor into his characters without losing the innocence. I fell in love with this book by page three, and it has surpassed "The Princess and the Goblin" as my favorite work of George MacDonald.

The fact that my favorite illustrator of all time, Maurice Sendak, added his talents to this book is icing on the cake. Sendak always grabs the heart and soul of the written work and renders it into drawings too evocative to be believed. The drawing of the prince with only his head above the water took my breath away, and in one fabulous illustration, the hilarious expression on the face of the gravity-deprived infant princess as she floats away reflects the hilarity of the story itself.

If some of MacDonald's other stories have turned you off because they are too long, too "deep" or whatever, don't miss this treasure as a result. It is MacDonald-Light, and by that I mean not only easy to read, but typically illumined with beauty and truth. Plus, it's a love story that pokes fun of its own sentimentality. Anyone not brain-dead and heart-numb ought to adore it.

bad characters, but good story
To start with i would like to say that i loved bothe the princess and the goblin, and the princess and curdie, so i have nothing agains mcdonald in general. i thought that i would love this book, and i liked the beginning, but after that it started to go downhill. the story wasn't bad, but most of the characters were. the king, even though it said he was kind, only showed meaness and cloesed mindedness. the queen was also closeminded and did nothing when her husband bullied her. and the princess only cared about her self. even though that was part of the curse, it still annoyed me that she could be so shallow. i have no idea what the prince saw in her. despite these faults the story still had a good moral and wasn't a totaly bad read, all in all it could have better, but it could have been a lot worse too.

Delightfully Whimsical Fairy Tale
George MacDonald was a Scottish clergyman of the mid-to-late 19th century, now known best for a variety of children`s fantasies, such as The Princess and the Goblin (recently made into a moderately successful animated feature), The Princess and Curdie, and the remarkable At the Back of the North Wind, as well as such adult novels as Lilith. Those are novels, but he also wrote some shorter pieces, perhaps aimed at a slightly younger audience (though very enjoyable for all ages). The Light Princess is one of these. (Another is The Golden Key: both books are available in very attractive Sunburst paperback editions, with illustrations by Maurice Sendak).

It is the tale of a princess who is cursed by a mean, jealous, witch so that she has no gravity. The book is full of puns, so MacDonald makes much both of her weightlessness, and the lack of gravity in her character. Naturally her parents are upset and try to have her cured, but to no avail (although the efforts of a couple of Chinese philosophers to provide a cure are rendered amusingly). However the Princess is quite happy with her "light" state (of course it is in her nature to be always happy). In the way of things, a Prince appears, and falls in love with the Princess. Then the witch realizes that her curse has failed to make the Princess unhappy, so she takes further steps, which are thwarted by the selfless behavior of the Prince, and which result in the Princess recovering her gravity: not an unmixed blessing, but one which her new maturity allows her to realize is best in the long run.

This is a delightful story, told with just the right mixture of whimsy and mildly serious moral comment. The characters are lightly and accurately drawn (the Princess` parents and the Chinese philosophers in particular, are delightful), and the story is predictable but still quite imaginative, with a number of nice touches to do with the Princess` weightlessness. Maurice Sendak`s illustrations are wonderful as usual.

MacDonald Magic
As a connoiseur of fairy tales, I consume en masse, but this George MacDonald classic stands out in my collection. Witty and sweet, this book was as appealing to me as an adult as it would be to any juvenile consumers with a glimmer of pixie dust in their eyes. Any child who loves C.S. Lewis's classic Chronicles of Narnia will delight in the author who fascinated and influenced Lewis in his own writing. MacDonald never writes to condescend, and thus he entertains all who read. The humor and twists in the story excite and enrapture, while the force of honest spirituality give it a lasting impetus and impact. The Light Princess is truly a nugget from the Golden age of children's literature.

Classic Fairy Tale "Light" + a Twist = a Must Read
Are you a George MacDonald fan (as C.S. Lewis was), a Fairy Tale fan (Do you still remember the funniest lines from "The Princess Bride"?), or do you just enjoy a good story? Then you will love this "forgotten" classic.

In this little book, MacDonald uses a classic fairy-tale formula: King and Queen forget to invite The Bad Fairy to the new baby's christening, bringing down the Bad Fairy's ire and a creative enchantment on the little princess - even while the author pokes tongue-in-cheek fun at fairy-tale convention. What complications does this enchantment bring to the royal household? Does anyone figure out how to break the spell? Does the prince (there's always a prince!) who falls in love with her ever have his love requited? Will there be a Hans Christian Andersen ending, a Disney ending, or something even better?

Other authors (such as E. Nesbit) have humorously played with the classic fairy tale plot, resulting in creatively entertaining stories; but none have done so as movingly as George MacDonald. His little story sneaks into the back door of your emotions, as its plot "twists" bring the story more depth than you were expecting.

Fun? Yes. Spiritually true? Yes. It is, in a word, wonderful. ... Read more

Book Description

Mercer Mayer's classic wordless tales of a boy and his animal pals are now available in attractive, low-priced hardcover editions. These delightfully funny books follow a young boy as he romps through the woods, making mischief and new friends along the way. This series launched Mercer Mayer's distinguished career over twenty-five years ago, and is just as fresh and appealing today.

Mercer Mayer is considered one of the creators of the wordless picture book form. A Boy, a Dog and a Frog was his very first published book. Since then he has gone on to create the classic There's a Nightmare in My Closet, the wildly popular Little Critter series, and many more beloved books for children. ... Read more

Book Description

Winnie the Pooh comes to life in this charming CD storybook!

Your child will love hearing Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, and more in these beloved Winnie the Pooh stories and rhymes.Features four favorite stories, eight rhymes, and over an hour of listening enjoyment – all packaged together in one collectable edition.

Features Winnie the Pooh favorites:

- Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day
- Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree
- Winnie the Pooh and a Day for Eeyore
- Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too
- And more!

The perfect collection for little pooh bears everywhere! ... Read more

Book Description

Following the re-release of the first three books in this beloved series, here are the final three classic wordless tales in attractive, low-priced hardcover editions. A Boy, a Dog, and a Frog, the first book in this series, launched Mercer Mayer's distinguished career over twenty-five years ago, and also helped to create the wordless picture book genre. Full of warmhearted mischief and play, the books express the humorous trials and tribulations of friendship and the joy of summertime discovery. Readers will want to collect the entire set. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

great resource for teachers
This is an excellent book for teachers to have- can work with prediction (what will happen next?) and creative writing (older students may write their own "text" for the illustrations).

Beautiful illustrations and very humorous!

frog goes to dinner
Clever story, clearly told with pictures alone. Great for young children to enjoy with adults or by themselves.

If looks could kill.....
The book is as enjoyable when you're 33 as when your 3. I was cleaning a closet and found my original version from '77 and had to sit down (or fall down laughing) to "read" it. The illustrations are definately worth more than a thousand words. Frog's good time is only deterred by the evil looks cast at him by the family. We've all been there. It is amazing the feeling that animation can evoke. "Oh to be that frog".....After enjoying it to the fullest I ordered it for all the kids on my Christmas list from 2 to 102 that I felt would appreciate it. And of course Amazon delivered them on time. ... Read more

Book Description

See the piggy,
See the puddle,
See the muddy little puddle.
See the piggy in the middle
Of the muddy little puddle.

And so begins this rollicking story-in-verse about a determined young pig who absolutely refuses to leave her mud puddle -- much to the dismay of her family!

Charlotte Pomerantz's tongue-twisting nonsense verse -- made even more exuberantly hilarious by James Marshall's illustrations -- is sure to delight both children and adults. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Squishy-Squashy, Mooshy-Squooshy,Oofy-Poofy Fun.....
"See the piggy,/See the puddle,/See the muddy little puddle./See the piggy in the middle/Of the muddy little puddle." She dawdles and diddles. She waddles in the merry middle. She dives and paddles, wiggles and giggles and though she's making the rest of her family very angry, she's having a blast. What's her daddy, mommy and brother to do? No matter how hard they try to convince her to get out of the muddy middle of the puddle and wash up with soap, she always says "Nope!" Well as the old saying goes...If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. And that's just what each of them do..... Charlotte Pomerantz's piggy puddle classic, is as fresh and delightful today as it was when she wrote it over twenty-five years ago. Her joyful, rhyming text, full of silly verse, wordplay and tongue-twisting alliteration is complemented by James Marshall's very familiar, humorous and expressive illustrations and together this dynamic duo will have youngsters giggling and laughing out loud at the antics of this charming pig family. Perfect for early readers, The Piggy in the Puddle makes an even better read aloud story the entire family will enjoy. This is a book to treasure and share now and with each new generation to come. Make sure you get your copy, today!

A great book for children 18 months through 99 years.
My youngest child in now 14. I thought I wouldn't have an opportunity to read "Piggy in the Puddle" again until I had grandchildren. However, having recently started a music enrichment business for preschoolers, I am thrilled to be able to again dig out my well-used copy of this book. Before reading the book in my music class, I explain a little about rhythm and rhyme and have the children start a tapping pattern on their legs and I read the book along to their rhythm. They love the book just like my children did. My older daughter has written a review of this book starting that we have it memorized and we do. The first time my male friend was introduced to "family dinner" at our home, he had to sit through four of us reciting, from memory, "see the piggy, see the puddle, etc.". He now also reads it in the preschool music classes he teaches. And to add another generation, my 77 year young mother reads it to the inhabitants of a nursing home she visits to bring cheer and laughter to them. If you have children (or don't but love fun, giggly books), be sure to order "The Piggy in the Puddle"

Frequent Choice of Two Year Old
I gave this book to my granddaughters, ages three and one, last Fall. Recently I attended a birthday party for the now two-year old. After events quieted, the birthday girl asked me to read a book. I asked her to go pick one from her room and she came back with the Piggy in the Puddle. I read it twice to both girls and they still wanted to hear it again. Their mother says it has been their favorite ever since I gave it to them. I believe they love the lilting, rhythmic beat of the language in the book. And of course--the piggy is a bit naughty!

Do we love it? YEP!
We checked this out from the library a few weeks ago, and it's a hit! I homeschool my six kids and they've asked for this one EVERY day. A first around here. They love it so much, they've assigned parts and we're planning to perform it as a play for our friends (if we can just get our three-year-old piggy to stay in the muddy middle...) This is a treat and I think it my be four-year-olds first memorized story.

silly willy oofy poofy fun!!!
What you need is lots of soap and lots of this book! But, the little piggy said oofy poofy, oofy-poofy nope, actually, yes!!! run out right now and buy this book!! Two curly pig tails up!!!
Why are you still reading? Why aren't you out buying this book?
Go Now!!!! ... Read more

Reviews (9)

One of my favorites & a wonderful read-aloud!
This is absolutely one of the best books out there! I am a teacher and I enjoy reading this book immensely. The story is fun and whimsical to read. While one reviewer was "upset" by how the other characters were not very empathetic to Custard's fears and even teased him, I look at this aspect of the book as an opportunity to discuss it with my students and my 3 children. It's a great springboard into a discussion on kindness and perspective. Whatever you do, don't pass this one up because of that review. I was amazed this book had less than 5 stars. Parents will love reading this to their children. Also, a great discussion on the true meaning of bravery can ensue as a result of this book.

So much fun - made me want a dragon...
"Guess what happened in the little white house/ Where Belinda lived with a little gray mouse,/ And a kitten, and a puppy, and a little red wagon,/ and a realio, trulio, little pet dragon." I personally feel that lyrical poetry is a great tool to help children learn to read. It helps them to feel the rhythms of the English language, they can anticipate what will come next, and then they can memorize passages - it's just a wonderful thing.

So many kids have loved this book - I read a review about some of the characters being "mean" to Custard... I can see what the reviewer meant, but I don't agree - the characters are all sort of larger than life and absurd in their own way. I don't think that they come off as mean - but that's just my opinion...

Mean spirited
Isn't anyone else bothered by how mean the other characters are to Custard? All he wants is to be in his own little cage, safe and sound, but they all make fun of him! He is "teased unmerciful" and constantly taunted by the others.

Even when he makes his wonderful courageous stand, the others end up belittling him!

Yes, the language flows beautifully and I LOVE the description of Custard. But, typical of Nash, the mean-spiritedness of the characters overshadows everything else.

Nash is just so cool
I have always loved Ogden Nash's writing. The words that he chooses paint wonderful images. The sounds are melodic and provide kids with an opportunity to develop an ear for language. I want more of Nash's writing to come back into print. His writing is truly sumptuous.

Timeless Classic
My mother read this poem to us out of a Childcraft book -- we all memorized the story because we loved it so much. I am so excited to be able to buy the book version to keep forever and hopefully read to my own children one day! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

CLASSIC--SUPERB
The standout of this collection is the title story, "The Wise Woman, or, The Obstinate Princess." The princess in question is Rosamund, whose royal parents have spoiled her absolutely rotten. In fact, they are sick of her, she's so disgustingly violent and selfish (thanks largely to their 'care'). Enter the Wise Woman, who steals Rosamund away underneath her voluminous cloak and takes Rosamund to her cottage, which is miles away from nowhere--and bigger on the inside than the outside. Here, for the first time, Rosamund begins to learn that her wishes are not what the world revolves around. Very slowly. Before that happens, however, she enters another world through a picture and takes the place of another spoiled brat, Agnes, daughter of a shepherd and shepherdess. Agnes takes Rosamund's place. The Wise Woman does her best to save both girls, whose (to paraphrase Burke) intemperate minds mean that they cannot be free; their passions have forged their fetters. I can't tell you how the story ends, however. You'll have to find out for yourself.

MacDonald writes in an elegant, leisurely style (he takes three pages to describe a rainstorm at the beginning), and the story is rather long for a story--a 100 pages, give or take a few. But these are not really drawbacks. To adult readers, the story is a rather obvious, but effective, allegory of God's offer of redemption to humanity. To child readers, it is simply a good story; they will probably miss the parallel, but get the message. The story is filled with memorable scenes and images: the little cottage, the Wise Woman's eerie song, Agnes in her bubble (in more ways than one), Rosamund losing her temper with the little child in the boat. These make as much of an impression as the ideas, especially the recurring one that it is not enough to good; that's easily done when one's in a good mood. The goodness that counts is that done against one's inclinations--a hard doctrine that negates most of my good deeds, if nobody else's.

In short, this is a haunting book. It is well-written, it is thoughtful, it stands up both as a strong story and as a sermon, it entertains, it rebukes; it rewards repeated reading with additional meaning.

The Wise Woman is a profound and superb allegory
Next to the Bible, this book has impacted my life more than any other. If one would truly enjoy taking a good, honest look at one's character, this is the book! It is a frightening mirror of our own humanity, yet one that will inspire change!

Something for everyone, the cream of the crop of fairy tales
The Wise Woman, while being a wonderful story also shows amazing insights that the child care specilists seem to just be getting, and it helps parents and the child themselves see cause and effects of different parenting! If you don't have the money to buy it, borrow it from someone! ... Read more

Reviews (28)

This is my favourite book ever.
I can truly call Dragondrums my favourite book that I've read so far in my life. It was poignant, realistic (although it's a sf/fantasy story set on a different world far into the future) and eloquent book, and by far the best of Ms. McCaffery's books. I've read nearly all of her Pern books, and love them all, but this one tops them all. Her choice in words has always seemed to me to be outstanding and aboslutely perfect, and her characters are five demensional. I stayed up until 5:30 AM reading this book the first night I got it. I've read it three times since getting it a couple of days ago, and the only problem I find with it is that it's not longer. If only there were more of it! I disliked Piemur when I first read 'The White Dragon,' but after reading this and Dragonsinger, he became easily my favourite character on Pern, topping Sebell, Menolly, Lessa, and even (though it's hard to believe) Master Robinton - no, I take that back. Nothing can top Master Robinton, although this comes close. I give this book one hundered stars.

Another wonderful McCaffrey book!
This is the third book in the Harper Hall trilogy. The heroine of the two previous books, Menolly, now a confidant journeywoman, does appear and has some wonderful romantic moments, but it mainly revolves around her friend,the charming, young scamp Piemur. He believes his beautiful Soprano voice is his only asset to the Harper Hall. When his voice begins to break, he feels at a loss, but finds out that his ingenuity and intelligence are just as valued by the Masterharper Robinton as his youthful voice was. After a period of rough adjustment and a violent encounter with jealous rival apprentices, Piemur's other talents gain him a fire lizard and take him farther from the Hall than he ever dreamed--all the way to the mysterious Southern continent of Pern. This book allows the reader to glimpse at the hidden side of the Hall. Teaching and entertaining are not the only tunes a Harper can play in Pern!

Not What Expected but Great Read
I was hoping that this third installment of the Harper Hall trilogy would be about my favorite character, Menolly. Instead, the book is about Piemur, Menolly's friend, whose golden voice changes with puberty, and he is forced to reassess his life. Piemur runs away from Harper Hall and finds adventure in the jungles of the Southern Continent. Menolly is mentioned here and there, so we find out what happens to her. Maybe it's because I'm female, but I just couldn't get as attached to Piemur, as immersed in his world. Still a great book by one of my favorite authors.

Dragondrums
Piemur has always known that he is at Harper Hall because of his perfectly perfect voice and that some day his voice will change. But on the day his voice does begin to change he wonders for the first time where he belongs. No longer having the perfectly perfect voice that he used to Piemur is sent to the drummer heights to learn to be a drum messanger. But only when he goes with a journeyman harper to a far off hold and is strangely misplaced to a place even farther away does Piemur begin to understand who he truely is.

This was a marvelous book, although I still really like Menolly, Piemur is a funny character who always has something up his sleeve!

Piemur's Incredible Journey...
Piemur is arguably one of the best singers in Harper Hall. He is eagerly anticipating his performance singing the role of Lessa in a new piece that Master Dominic has commissioned, when his voice starts to change. If Piemur can no longer sing, what role can he play at the Harper Hall? He has no patience for scribing, no skill for creating instruments and he doesn't compose, all he does is sing. Luckily, the Masterharper has a special job just for him. He is to become one of the Drummaster's apprentices and learn the drumbeats that deliver messages over the continent of Pern. Unfortunately, he is not well received in the drummer's tower and barely escapes lasting harm when his fellow apprentices play some nasty pranks on him. But the Masterharper is not done with Piemur yet and quickly sends him out with Sebell to do some unobtrusive information gathering at Lord Meron's hold. Piemur is excited to be of help, but his natural curiosity gets the better of him and he finds some fire lizard eggs. Ever since he started helping Menolly feed her fair, he has desperately wanted a fire lizard egg of his own, a queen, naturally. He cannot resist the temptation and steals one of the eggs. When it is noticed, Piemur is forced into hiding and finds himself on the largely uninhabited Southern Continent. Unsure of who is friend and who is foe, Piemur sets off to make a home for himself and to forge a new life with his fire lizard, Farli, his runnerbeast, Stupid, and his own quick wits to aid him.

Dragondrums tells the tale of Piemur, one of the first harpers to befriend Menolly (Dragonsong & Dragonsinger) when she came to Harper Hall. He was a rascal in those books, but a very loveable character. I gave this book 4 stars because I felt that Piemur changed quite abruptly from that fun-loving boy into a secretive, solitude-seeker, which is completely opposite from what he was before. I know that it is high time that he grew up and changed, but I did not feel that it was in necessarily a good way. I still enjoyed the book and feel that anyone reading McCaffrey's excellent Pern series will not want to miss it because it offers some critical links as to what is happening on Pern in general between Dragonsinger and The White Dragon, but I enjoyed Dragonsong & Dragonsinger (book 1 & 2 of the Harper Hall Trilogy) much more so I was a little disappointed. ... Read more

Reviews (20)

Even landlubbers will laugh 'til they're seasick!
Farley Mowat has been accused of sitting in a Toronto bar while concocting these wonderfully stirring tales of the island rock, Newfoundland. Put your mind at ease, mates, and enjoy the book as a true treasure. I lived in Newfoundland for three years before discovering this book. I can heartily recommend you read it with good appetite! It is a cake mixed with truth skillfully told, covered with a frosting of humor, and served with a piquant flourish.These saltwater tales, revolving around Mowats' titanic struggle to find, refurbish and actually sail a boat determined to sink herself and all hands, are chalk full of laughs, tension, tragedy, and still more laughs. Its truths are better than any fiction.Haul up your anchor and sail away with this master storyteller as he outsalts the famed Royal Canadian Mounted Police, falls into the rummish cluthes of Screech, narrowly escapes icy death, and finds the beautiful maiden."The Boat Who Wouldn't Float" is a worthy vessel in which to sail the seas of leisure time. So fill your cup and drink deeply while the captain spins his tales

The Boat Who Wouldn't Float
Hilarious and Heart-warming! : I first read "The Boat Who Wouldn't Float" as a reading assignment for a literature class in college. That was almost 20 years ago. Since then I have read it over and over again. Each time I have enjoyed it as much as the first. This book will make you fall out of your chair laughing. Farley Mowat has a way of making you feel and imagine what he is going through. I would highly recommend this book to everyone and it is a must for anyone with a sense of adventure.

A Tale of Perserverance and Folly
Farley Mowat is nothing if not persistent. After purchasing the Newfoundland schooner from Hell, badly misnamed as Happy Adventure, he finds he has a boat that leaks constantly, has a compass that doesn't know where magnetic north is, hates to head West, has an engine that works when it feels like it and that is just for starters. Much of the time sailing is in the fog, both real and self imposed. Most sane men would have turned this boat into kindling, but Mowat sailors on, one harrowing experience after another with an assortment of mates and in the process tells us a funny and true story of his adventures as only he can. Written over thirty years ago, the story has lost none of its charm and interest.

Laugh out loud page turner
I have read this book twice and I still laugh when I re-read some of the passages. This book captures the spirit of Canada during Mowat's youth and compiles the voyages (or not so voyages) of his ambitious father. Great book and highly recommended.

An Unexpected Joy
I bought this book for my father, a maritime history enthusiast. I planned to save it for a holiday gift, but I decided to read it myself first. Not being as excited about maritime stories as my father, I didn't have high expectations, but after the first page, I was hooked. My husband could not be in the same room with me because my laughter disturbed his own reading. I was especially enthralled with Mowatt's anectdotes and descriptions of the people residing in the various villages he visited. I felt like I was there with him. This book was sheer delight from beginning to end. I don't think I will be able to wait until Christmas to give this book to my father, I must share this unexpected joy. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

The Worst
This book is the worst book i have ever read. It doesn't make any sense, and very hard to understand. I reccomend this book to no one.

Thrilling !!
Journey comes from a disfunctional family.His mum left him and his older sister,Cat with his grandparents.His father left when he was not even born.Journey misses his mum and longs for her to come back.I feel pity for him as his parents dumped him when he was a boy.When I read this book,I was so angry with his mother that I could have beaten her up in real life.His grandfather takes many photos of them and the surroundings.So,when they are grownup,they can have something to remind themselves about the past.Journey's mum tore up all their photos of the past.What an irresponsible mum! I wish I could pound her to pieces like what she did to the photos.I must consider myself the most luckiest girl in the whole world.

Beautifully written for both children and adults...
This story was written for young readers, but is an incredible story suitable for all ages.

The story is about the life of a young boy named Journey, whose mother left him to live with his grandparents and sister on a rural farm. Journey is faced with the question: why did she leave? He spends the summer searching for answers in photographs from the past and discovering his own family relationships and past through them as well.

I enjoy photography and found that this book gave me an appreciation for the view from behind the camera. It's a touching story of growth, discovery, and the love that binds families together. A great read for all ages, "Journey" is a worthwhile and intriguing novel.

JOURNEY
This book is a book of lots of opinions, because when myteacher read this book for the class, I had lots of opinions about it,Journey was a very social person. He never listened to what other people told him about his mother. But through out the book he really changed from social to general.

A very good book to read.
This is a good book to read even if you are in the third grade. It's a little hard to understand at first, but once you get into it,you'll really love the whole book. ... Read more