Book Description

Some mornings, Annie's mother's smiles are as bright as sunshine as she makes pancakes for breakfast and helps Annie get ready for school.

But other days, her mother doesn't smile at all and gets very angry. Those days Annie has to be a big girl and make her own breakfast, and even put herself to bed at night. But Annie's grandma helps her remember what to do when her mommy isn't well, and her silly friends are there to cheer her up. And no matter what, Annie knows that even when Mommy is angry on the outside, on the inside she never stops loving her. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

EXCELLENT BOOK - HAS HELPED MY CHILD
I'm a person who has BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder) and my house is chaotic -- screaming, shouting, but then there are times when I'm the good mom I want to be. My child and I read this book together just because we grabbed it from the library with a stack of other books. After reading the book, I very much recognized myself and my child in it and began to question her about it. I asked if the mommy in the book reminded her of anyone and she said it reminded her of me. I put the book in a stack of books to be returned to the library, but my daughter retrieved it and took it back to her room and re-reads it constantly, so I've decided to purchase it for her. She's 7 years old and says the books makes her feel better when I'm not in control of my anger. I would recommend this book to any parent who is suffering from Personality Disorder or any other mental illness that causes moodiness and displays of anger. Your children deserve this book as much as they deserve your going to therapy for treatment, which I myself am doing. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (11)

WOW, even better than reading the "adult" version!
Over the years, I have thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Herriot's wonderful stories. When I found this book for my 7 year old daughter, I wasn't sure if she'd be able to follow along. What makes this book stand out is the fabulous drawings--they are full paged drawings, with not too much writing on each page. Each drawing is very detailed, perfectly matched to the accompanying text. I can't get over the talented illustrators (this book has two different ones, although the drawings are similar in appearance). I've loved re-reading these familiar stories and sharing them. This is one of the best books we've read this year, and I would wholeheartedly recommend it for a permanent library collection.

My children were mesmerized by these warm stories.
My children have loved this book for years (they are now five and seven). Because the stories use words from far-away places, and an earlier time, reading them together has been a painless way to introduce many new and wonderful words into their vocabularies. If you are a parent who likes to read to your children, buy this book! The beautiful illustrations and language will keep you interested as well as the kids.

Settle in for a Great Read!
James Harriot's story telling style conveys the life of an English country vet in vivid language at a pace that makes you and your little ones settle in for sheer enjoyment. His word choices connect with the reader on multiple levels engaging the mind and emotions. The illustrations are both beautifully realistic and immaginative. My children love the stories and frequently ask to hear them again. As a read aloud, it is appropriate from 3 years-old and up. Neither you nor they will ever tire of reading these stories.

All time favorite book for any age
This is our family's all time favorite book. James Herrriot's true stories paired with magnificent illustations make this a wonderful book to read to a variety of ages of children; adults find the stories equally enjoyable. We have frequently given this book as a "family gift"(a spread of ages and boys and girls), gift to siblings of a new baby and even to babies who have everything, but will later appreciate this lovely book.

James Herriott.. the most wonderful writer
I think I have not had a more pleasant reading experience than sitting down next to a burning fire place, listening to my favorite antique clock ticking.. the patter of rain on the window panes and reading James Herriott. It is a memory of that afternoon that all these years later I have never forgotten. James Herriott is the most pleasant, relaxing, refreshing writer. Forget all the worries and cares and escape for a few minutes into a quiet world where the animals speak their own language.. A wonderful book, a wonderful writer. Thank You James Herriott for the memories. ... Read more

Book Description

Where do rocks come from? When Ms. Frizzle asks her students to bring rocks to class, almost everyone forgets. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Rocks, Rocks, Everywhere!
"The Magic School Bus: Inside the Earth" immediately picks up where its predecessor, "At the Waterworks", left off. At the end of each book, Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen provide a subtle clue as to the nature and content of their next collaboration - a sly wink to those of us who catch such details.

"At the Waterworks" concludes with Ms. Frizzle looking at a map of a volcano, which tells us the next book in the series will probably be about our world's physical structures. And that's where "Inside the Earth" steps into the spotlight. Written in 1987, Cole and Degen prove in their second effort that there is no such thing as the dreaded sophomore jinx. This story is just as, if not more, educating and entertaining than "At the Waterworks."

The book starts out with the kids in Ms. Frizzle's class appearing restless over their current learning topic, animal homes. They've been researching the subject for almost a month and "were pretty tired of it." So the class jumps for joy when the Friz announces they're starting something new. "We are going to study about our earth!" she exclaims.

However, things don't go exactly as planned. Only four kids actually bring their homework to class the next day - "Each person must find a rock and bring it to school," said Ms. Frizzle. So she decides to take them on a field trip to collect rock specimens . . . and that's when the fun begins!

Ms. Frizzle lives up to the expectations she set in "At the Waterworks." By the time this field trip is done, her class has learned all about the physical features of the earth. The kids discover how rocks are made of minerals. They delve deep into the ground, getting up close and personal with Earth's crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core. Ms. Frizzle educates them on the three classes of rocks - igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary. She relates to the kids how processes inside the earth take millions of years. She even takes them on a tour through a volcano! All throughout the field trip, the class receives hands-on experience with various rocks - basalt, granite, limestone, obsidian, pumice, sandstone, shale, etc.

And these details are only scratching the surface of what Cole and Degen, not to mention Ms. Frizzle, have lined up for readers in this book. Blending comedy with truth, this is a welcome addition to any children's bookshelf, either in the classroom or at home. And just as they did with their first story, Cole and Degen use the final pages to distinguish what things were accurate in the story and what things were made up.

As is her fashion, Ms. Frizzle leaves readers a hint at what is to come in her next adventure. My guess is that it has something to do with the human body. Talk about an inside-job!

Cole and Degen surpass the benchmark they set in "At the Waterworks" with "Inside the Earth." There are facts and figures, hilarity and humor, bursting from every page. Don't miss out on a chance to ride the magic school bus.

As Ms. Frizzle herself would say, "This way, class!"

Inside The Earth
This storyis about a class of students that is bord then one day they all go on a journey inside the earth and the kids have all these questions that all get answered. the reason I like this book so much is because it tells so much about the earth in a way that is fun for the students.

Awesome Book
This book is a great book to teach kids about the inside of the earth, and other scientific stuff. It gets your imagination flowing! Its fun and interesting; I always loved the Magic School Bus series! Ms. Frizzle is so funny!

Review
This book was about Miss Frizzle's class. Miss Frizzle's classes are always taking wild journeys everyone. On minute they are in the classroom like a normal class, the next they are somewhere very unusual. In this book they traveled inside the earth to study about it. The book talks about all the things inside the Earth and there are great explanations to many questions that children might have about the earth.
I like this book because it teaches children a lot about what the earth is made up of and it does it in such a way that children will stay interested and amused. A lot of children are really fond of science and things and this book teaches them about science in a fun way. Even children that don't really enjoy science would like this book because it's a fun book. Things happen that wouldn't really happen in real life so in a way it is fantasy like and a lot of children would like that.
I think the author was trying to teach children something and do it in such a way that it is fun. They will enjoy the story of the class traveling into the middle of the earth but there is a lot of science in there for the children to learn also.

The Frizz Does a Jules Verne
This best-selling children`s science series is excellent for reading aloud, while older kids (and parents) will appreciate the range and depth of information, as well. The story-text of the original series is at once humorous, engaging, and packed with facts. Lively and amusing illustrations include cartoon bubbles, as well as "reports" by the students in the story. Ms Frizzle is a Mary Poppins-like teacher with oomph, and a wardrobe to match, who challenges and leads her students, recurring characters who reflect the multicultural nature of the US, on amazing fieldtrips.

In INSIDE THE EARTH, the fabled bus turns into a steam shovel, provides the kids and the Frizz with workclothes and digging equipment, to explore to the earth`s core, Jules Verne-style. Along the way, they learn geology, but with the Frizzle spin. ... Read more

Reviews (32)

Miss Rumphius
Miss Rumphius is about Lady, who when younger traveled all over the world just like she told her Grand-father she would. After she traveled many places she hurt her back, so she moved into a house by the sea(also like she told her Grand-father she would), she also planted Lupines(which she loves) and just lived life to the fullest. She was told that she also had to make the world more beautiful.

This is a very good story that says that the simplist things make your life and world a better place. I would recommend the book to everyone, it is a very good read.

Lynsi

Magical simplicity for a more beautiful world!
Miss Rumphius is everything that a child's book should be! It is filled with the beauty of simple things and simple acts that have magical results!

I always think of Maine when I read this book, and plan to give it as a gift to our out of town friends this summer as they share our daughter's Maine wedding by the sea with us! I will ask each of them to share Miss Rumphius with a child. Bravo to Barbara Cooney!

My Favorite Book of All Time
I received this book on my 8th birthday & begged my mom to read it to me over & over again. It has left such a lasting memory with me. Now 26, my 3 year old daughter begs me to read it to her. I of course, jump at the chance. Every little girl needs to have this book in their collection.

Miss Rumphius
Miss Rumphius is a very good book. It is about a little girl named Alice who lived in a city by the sea. She told her grandfather that when she grew up she would travel around the world and live in a little house by the sea. Her grandfather said that was all very well but she would also have to do something to make the world more beautiful. When Alice got older she traveled all over the world and saw many different things and did many neat things too. Then she bought a little house by the sea, but she still had not done anything to make the world more beautiful. One spring she was ill. When she looked out her bedroom window she could see the lupines she had planted the summer before. They were so pretty, she wished she could have planted more. When she got better, she went outside and found lupines all over the hill. She knew the wind must have done it. Then she had an idea; she would sprinkle lupine seeds everywhere she went. That was what she would do to make the world more beautiful. And she did.

My Favorite
This will always be my all-time favorite book. This story spans four generations as we first meet Alice as a young girl who helps her grandfather. As a girl she proclaims, "I too will travel the world and come home to live by the sea." Her grandfather informs her that there is a third thing she must do, "something to make the world more beautiful." After a time of being "grown up" it hits Alice (Miss Rumphius) that she has not yet seen the world and she sets off at once. (I love this part - as that is exactly what happened to me and other 'world travelers' I know). She then returns home to live by the sea and next she must think of a way to make the world more beautiful. The story is narrated by the great-neice of Miss Rumpius so told from a child's perspective. This book has multiple beautiful messages for people of all ages. I have even given copies to freinds who are adults. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Olivia would be Eloise, if Eloise were a pig.She is good at singing 40 very loud songs and is very good at wearingpeople out. And scaring the living daylights out of her little brother, Ian,particularly when he copies her every move. She is also quite skilled atreproducing Jackson Pollock's "Autumn Rhythm #30" on the walls at home. When hermother tucks her in at night and says, "You know, you really wear me out. But Ilove you anyway," Olivia precociously pronounces, "I love you anyway too."

The New Yorker artist Ian Falconer's endearing charcoal portraits of hisporcine heroine are spotted with fire-engine red gouache in all the rightplaces--perhaps a tribute to Hilary Knight's red, pink, white, and blackcelebrations of Olivia's human counterpart? When she dresses up, the bow on herears, her red lipstick, and her high-heeled shoes are all red. (The only timeher shades-of-gray body is pink is when she is sunburned and the area where herbathing suit was is white!) Falconer does a fine job of letting the spare textset up the jokes for the visual punch lines--a dryly humorous interplay thatadults will appreciate as much as children.

Preschoolers (and their parents) will see themselves in Olivia--a typicalhigh-energy, over-the-top kid who likes the beach and Degas paintings, but hatesnaps. On the other hand, she combs her ears and is unusually gifted atsandcastle building. While we are certainly reminded of Eloise, Falconer'sportrait is simpler in scope, less demented, and,as a result, less adult. Bottom line: precocious is fun, and we're tickled pinkto have Olivia join the parade of, let's just say, individualisticyoungsters. (Ages 4 to 8) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (100)

When I Need A Quick Laugh I Read Olivia
The cover caught my attention. Olivia was written big and boldly across it. A white piglet wearing a red dress with a black bow tie and zebra stripped stockings. It begged me to read it.

Author and Illustrator Ian Falconer has written a funny book about a little piglet named 'Olivia' who has too much energy. My favorite part of the book are the first four lines: "This is Olivia. She is good at lots of things. She is very good at wearing people out. She even wears herself out." The reader is shown (on two pages) a series of drawings in succession of Olivia jumping, running, standing on her head, yelling, playing ball, etc. and finally (the last drawing) she is flat on her back exhausted.

You can see her driving her mom crazy. She's adorable to read about but if she were my daughter she'd drive me crazy also. In my baby name book 'Olivia' means 'holy'. Not quite Olivia I thought. I got the dictionary and read through all the definitions for 'holy'. There it was at the bottom 'holy terror, a troublesome child'. Bingo! Now that's Olivia but in a funny way.

As I read through the book I could hear myself giggling. Laughter is good for the soul, so go ahead and get a heavy dose of Olivia. I recommend it. It's good for you!

The Quintessential Children's Book!
FIVE STARS! Ian Falconer comes up with a children's book that no matter how many times I read through it, it is incredibly pleasing. The storyline about an imaginative young girl named Olivia is simple and captivating. Whether looking at art, building sand castles, or dealing with her copycat brother, Olivia is charming. The humor in Falconer's work is contagious with its harmonious blend of illustration and text. The illustrations are done in a "limited" palette of black white and red with an occasional brown thrown in. Please do not make the mistake of thinking that this book may be handicapped because of its limited palette. It merely serves to increase the reader's delight in Olivia and her world. Olivia is one of the finest reading encounters that I have run across in my life. Olivia is quite simply... perfect.

Crazy James

Trying to be objective
It seems that people either love or hate this book, so I thought I'd try to throw out an objective point of view. When my four year old daughter picked Olivia out at the library, I could not figure out why. The illustrations are basically black and white with hightlights of red. I prefer bright, primary colors, especially for young children, so my first thought was that it was boring. I read it to my daughter and found the story to be cute. It draws you into the pictures because the text is incomplete without them.

I noticed that some people with boys didn't seem to like the book. I'm not surprised. Olivia is mischievous, but she is definately a girl, and therefore probably appeals to girls much more than boys. Of course, I have three girls and no boys, so I don't know exactly what appeals to boys.

No, Olivia is definately not a good role model, but do all of our kids' books have to show perfect role models? After all, what child is really like Emily Elizabeth of Clifford, and what parents are really like Caillou's? (PBS shows if you don't know.) Poor role models offer us the opportunity to discuss with our children what behavior is proper and what behavior is not proper when they are not misbehaving and therefore are much more receptive to hearing it. Not that they should be allowed to read anything and everything, but I believe that it's important to show them real life, too.

The important thing to me is not what other people think of the author or the book. Rather, do I approve of the book, and do my children like it. In my case, it is yes and a resounding yes (my daughter asked me to read the book so many times that I was glad it was a library book so I could return it!) Truthfully, if it was up to me I'd give the book only two stars. But since my daughter liked it so much, I had to go with four. But just because we like it doesn't mean you will. I'd recommend (as some others suggested) check it out from your library. Then you'll know if it's worth your money.

You Must be Kidding, This book is Horrible
I agree with one of the other reviewers who said that it's for the hip mommies and daddies, I don't agree that this book is wonderful however. This book is written more to impress the adults reading the book than it is written for the child listening. The illustrations do look like they belong in the New Yorker, and the last time I looked that magazine was not for children. There are alot of wonderful , beautifully illustated books out there for children , spend your money on them and let the adults read Olivia.

The most charming pig since Wilbur himself
Ian Falconer has done many an amusing cover for "The New Yorker" in his day, so it is only fitting that he be responsible for the most New York-inspired children's book since Eloise decided to wreck havoc in the Piazza. For those of you who have never met the charming Olivia, this is probably the best book to begin with. Less pretentious than its sequels, in it you meet Olivia, her family, and her penchant for extravagant imaginings. Drawn in beautifully shaded black and white, this particular tale is dotted with brilliant flashes of Olivia's red belongings. Her adventures are quite tame. Following the day to day adventures of an average child, the viewer views Olivia going to the beach, into her closet, to the museum, and at last to bed.

Reviewer Dwight Garner recently noted in his New York Times Book Review that, " 'Olivia' is one of those kids' books... that hip mommies and daddies like to give to the children of other hip mommies and daddies in order to demonstrate, yet again, what delightfully hip mommies and daddies we all are". There's no denying that this book is decidedly hip. I've yet to see a mom in a children's book look as particularly metropolitan (read: New Yorkish) as Olivia's black clad momma. And when Olivia creates a castle, she doesn't go halfway. She creates a sand-skyscraper. Mr. Garner does bring up an interesting point, though. Is "Olivia" something kids actually love and hold dear to their hearts, or is it something that parents love and hope their kids will get into? Who doesn't want their children to be inspired by a character that reads about Maria Callas before she goes to bed?

I don't know how kids feel about the story. But what I do know is that it's a quality piece of work. The art is beautiful. The story sublime. Plus it's a riot. Olivia stuffed into one of the legs of her mother's pantyhose is a black and white joke hidden in the corner of a colorful montage of Olivia wearing her full wardrobe (love the ballgown).

"Olivia" is not going to change the world of children's book publishing. And perhaps it's only ever going to be fully appreciated by people over the age of 18. But with all the crummy two-bit picture books out there ("Love You Forever" anyone?) sometimes it's just a small slice of heaven to read something to your child that's enjoyable to them and fun for you as well. ... Read more

Amazon.com

There is a house,
a napping house,
where everyone is sleeping.

"Everyone," in this case is a snoring granny, a dreaming child, a dozing dog, asnoozing cat, a slumbering mouse... and a wakeful flea! Uh-oh. Looks like thenapping house won't be napping for long. With their very own brand of humor,Audrey Wood and Don Wood create an appealing bedtime book compatible withMargaret Wise Brown's classic Goodnight Moon. This small,square board book, with its rhythmic, repetitive text and witty pictures inshades of ever-brightening blues and greens (as the night turns to day), is sureto be a winner with preschool insomniacs. The sleepy household congregates onGranny's bed, slowly building a very relaxed pile of bodies in shiftingpositions. Young readers will enjoy tracking the critters as they make theirway, one by one, to the bed--and then guessing what will happen when the wakefulflea joins the heap. Be sure to look for this author-illustrator team's otherhilarious collaborative efforts, including Piggies and Silly Sally. (Baby topreschool) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (46)

Beautiful art and peaceful story make a great combo
The Napping House covers a whole family falling asleep: granny, child, dog, cat, mouse... until the wakeful flea bites the mouse... and then everyone wakes up! Audrey and Don Woods have written a gentle bedtime story pre-schoolers will want to hear over and over. The text is easy to read and repetitive, perfect for young children. The gorgeous, expressive and detailed illustrations, provide enjoyment to children and to adults alike. It's fun to sit and just look at the pictures and point out the details that are there. My kids love that! This is a classic book and is a wonderful addition to anyone's library. I've used it sucessfully in children's literacy programs - kids never seem to get tired of reading it and looking at the pictures.

A Must Read at Bedtime
This is the Napping House, where everyone is sleeping. It's dark, raining and very subdued. First there's the cozy bed, followed by the snoring granny, the dreaming child, dozing dog, snoozing cat, slumbering mouse and finally, the wakeful flea. And then the wakeful flea bites the mouse... The team of Audrey and Don Woods has put together a wonderful, gentle bedtime story pre-schoolers will want to hear again and again. With easy to read, repetitive text and beautifully detailed, expressive illustrations, youngsters watch the ever growing pile of sleeping bodies move, change position and then slowly lighten and brighten as one by one, everyone wakes up. As the book ends, the last page shows the napping house where no one is sleeping. It's sunny and cheerful with a rainbow in the sky. This is a classic the whole family will enjoy and a must for all home libraries.

A Book My Son & I Love
I think alot of great things have been said by the reviewers that have come before me, but I want to add my two cents! My toddler son just loves this book. He particularly loves to search for the flea and the mouse on each page--even though he now knows where they are! He never tires of hearing it and I never tire of reading it. A great purchase.

great book!
This is the story of a house where everyone sleeps in one bed
and how they all wake up, when the mouse sneezes.

It is a great repetitive book that children relate to and they can follow very easily.

The Napping House
I really liked this book. It was a good book for sequencing. I thought the pictures were very colorful. ... Read more

Amazon.com

"When I was quite young and quite small for my size, I met an old man in the Desert of Drize." The old man looks like a cross between a cartoon granddad and a swami; he sits on top of a cactus, and tells his young listener that the best way to get over any sadness is to imagine all the ways you could be worse off. "Suppose, just suppose, you were poor Herbie Hart, who has taken his Throm-dim-bu-lator apart!"This has a more hurried, formulaic feel than the best Seuss, and it seems to showcase a less acute grasp of child psychology than usual. (Does it really make a child feel better to think of poor Harry Haddow, who, "try as he will, can't make a shadow," or Gucky Gown, "who lives by himself ninety miles out of town"?) But the illustrations alone make this morality tale a minor classic. (Ages 4 to 8) --Richard Farr ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Everyone Should own This!
Adults as well as children appreciate this book. The message that we should all consider how lucky we are is delivered in classical Seuss style with rhymes and nonsensical words - but is still a powerful message that most of us need to hear now and then. I consider this one of his best works because it not only delivers a good message, reading it is delightful entertainment. Read it aloud to both young and old.

One of my favorite Seuss books.
When one mentions 'Dr. Seuss' the cat in the hat, Green Eggs and Ham and of course, the Grinch who Stole Christmas come to mind, yet this has always been considered a classic. Why you are asking, just why is that? Is it because it is good, or bombastic? Why is this book considered a classic? Could it be it's marvelous jokes, or it's enjoyable little mischevious pokes, at the world around. Is it because it is so implausible, in fact applausible, in it's own right? Could it be that it is more fun to read at night? Why isn't it here or there? Why isn't it anywhere? The content of the book at charge, is amazingly hysterical, the enjoyment was large. If I had to choose one book by Seuss, this would be the only one to NOT say, vamous. It is philisophical, optical, practical, and factual. It can be enjoyable for 3-year-old Sally or 30-year-old Sam! After reading such a great book, I personally took a second look, at how lucky I really am.

Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are
This was, by far, my favorite book growing up. I loved trying to figure out how to say the strange words and eventually, I could almost recite the entire book from memory. I still can the first few pages. I don't know that I was helped psycologically, but it sure was and is a fun book!

and you think YOU have it bad...!!
Theodore Seuss Guisel is, of course, one of the best known children's authors today. Though he left us in 1994, his legacy lives on and his books are still produced, bought and loved as much now as anytime in the past. When we think of him, we immediately think of "The Cat in the Hat" or "How the Grinch Stole Christmas", but we can easily forget some of his wonderful, lesser-known works. "When I was quite young and quite small for my size I met an old man in the Desert of Drize..." So begins "Did I Ever Tell You..." where the narrator finds an old man sitting atop a prickly cactus in the middle of the desert. The man tells the boy narrator that whenever HE feels like his life isn't going well, he reminds himself how lucky he really IS. He could be, for example, a construction worker on the impossibly rickety Bunglebung Bridge, where workers are toiling over the water to finish the impossibly crooked structure. Yes, things could be far worse!! You could be a Poogle-Horn Player who has to honk away on your complex, tuba-like Poogle-Horn while descending a flight of stairs... on a two story unicycle, no less!! The absurdness of people less fortunate splash across each page, Seuss-like, as Mr. Bix wakes up at 6 in the morning to find that his Borfin has schlumpped over, or Mr. Potter who has to dot i's and cross t's on endless, miles-long spools of paper! Yes, things could be far worse than they are, Ducky, so count yourself lucky! Published in 1973, "Have I Ever Told You..." is a wonderfully funny book with some subtle messages. Written during a period of time when parents were still forever admonishing their children, "you're so lucky to be able to eat those Brussels sprouts!! Why, there's children starving in Africa..." the book can be seen as a lesson in morality and thankfulness OR as satire of those very parents who encourage children to think of those less fortunate than them when they crank about life's inequities. Satire or morality play, "Have I Ever Told You..." is classical Seuss at his best. The illustrations are properly absurd and colorful, splashing across the page in Seuss's perennial style. There's humans assembling bridges as well as odd creatures getting stuck in 4-way traffic jams. The illustrations are uncluttered and the text is easy to read, making it an excellent choice for beginning to intermediate readers. A wonderfully fun book, and highly recommended!!

Stick to the book and don't bother with this one...
What is the point of the "video of the book" if all it does is repeat the pictures in the book? What passes as animation here is practically non existent -- a slow succession of static images in which only the occasional detail is animated (and only in the most basic of fashions at that). John Cleese's narration is fine, but the rest is inexcusably cheap and pointless. ... Read more

Book Description

Illus. in color. "The Great Birthday Bird guides us on a birthday trip. The multicolored excursion is a festive one."--School Library Journal. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

An Awesome Book about Birthdays for kids of all ages!!!!!
I have loved this book since I was old enough to look at the pictures. It brings back great memories of my childhood and my family and all the birthdays we have celebrated together. This book is a classic and an excellent, different present for anyone who's having a birthday!! I have been searching for this book to give to my children for years.....now I have finally found it. Classic in all the Seuss ways, exciting, fun and thought inspiring, I recommend it for all of your friends and loved ones having a birthday! Start a tradition!!!!!! They will thank you, if not now, later in life!!!!! Just imagine celebrating your birthday the way they do in the book!!!!!! What a blast!!!!!!!!!!!! :-)

Truly a classic
There was a rule in my family: you didn't officially turn a year older until "The Birthday Bird" (as we called it) was read to you. This tradition continued with my brother and me, even in college. This is a great feel-good book. As usual, Dr Seuss chooses an important, serious "theme" - having kids understand that they are important just because they "are" - and adorns it with tongue-twisters, great characters, and the outrageous celebrations of the Katroo Happy Birthday Associ-i-ation. Start a tradition in your family and have the Birthday Bird come to YOUR house each year.

Worlds Best Affirmation!
I remember this book vividly from my childhood, and made sure to buy it and read it to my children. There is enough positive, personal affirmation power in this book to give a kid a dearly needed boost of importance and remind them that they have a right to be here, a purpose, and that the world is glad that they are here.
I also recommend If I Ran the Circus -and- If I Ran the Family !

Forget Birthday Cards
After one reads and delights in Dr. Seuss' book, Happy Birthday to You!, one will see the giving of birthday cards in a much colder and more sterile light. This book should be given to anyone celebrating a birthday who could use a snack from a Hippo-Heimers back (and, quite frankly, who could not). It is a book for all ages through the ages, entirely timeless in its zany approach to that special day. It will have you shouting "I am I" which is the purpose of birthdays and even better is having someone with whom to share one's birthday to shout "We are we". A delightful book which should replace birthday cards and be attached to any gift or even be the gift itself.

Best Children's book ever
I have loved this book ever since I can remember. It has positively ruined me for my birthday every year, I do absolutely nothing I don't want to do. I eat cake for breakfast if I want, and I never go to work that day. What a positive and creative book this is, it totally convinced me that everyone is worth spoiling rotten at least one day a year. And the pictures are so emotive and beautiful - that last image of the child bundled up safely on the flying platter is so comforting. Both my sons love the book and request it read often. The copy from my childhood is missing both covers now and some of the pages are separated, but we still love it! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Surely among the most lovable of all Dr. Seuss creations, Horton the Elephant represents kindness, trustworthiness, and perseverance--all wrapped up, thank goodness, in a comical and even absurd package. Horton hears a cry for help from a speck of dust, and spends much of the book trying to protect the infinitesimal creatures who live on it from the derision and trickery of other animals, who think their elephant friend has gone quite nutty. But worse is in store: an eagle carries away the clover in which Horton has placed the life-bearing speck, and "let that small clover drop somewhere inside / of a great patch of clovers a hundred miles wide!" Horton wins in the end, after persuading the "Who's" to make as much noise as possible and prove their existence. This classic is not only fun, but a great way to introduce thoughtful children to essentially philosophical questions.How, after all, are we so sure there aren't invisible civilizations floating by on every mote? (Ages 4 to 8) --Richard Farr ... Read more

Reviews (34)

On the 15th of May, in the Jungle of Nool...
My favorite Dr Seuss book as a child, and now a favorite of my kids.

There are so many messages in this book, but they are never forced upon the reader. You are free to read it as a gentle story, a discussion of politics, a moral tale about the role of the individual in a community, or simply some of the catchiest poetry ever written. And who couldn't love Horton, hate Vlad, and cheer at the young kangaroo's last "me too"?

The fabulous story deserves to be in the center of any family's children's collection...and should be in with the grown-up books too.

Even one little voice can tip the scale
A great book with a lot of positive lessons.

Horton, an elephant, is the only animal who can hear sounds of life on a little speck of dust. Other animals think he is crazy and want to destroy the speck. But Horton sticks up for the inhabitants of the little village on the dust speck. He urges them to scream as loud as possible to prove their existence.

There are a lot of lessons in the story. It teaches kindness and determination; it teaches to care about others, even if they are as small as creatures on a speck of dust. But for me, the most important lesson is that EVEN ONE LITTLE VOICE CAN TIP THE SCALE! Upon Horton's request, all the inhabitants on the dust speck start crying out as loud as they can. But Horton's friends still cannot hear their little voices. The inhabitants of the dust speck were all screaming together ... all but one. Only when that one little voice was added to the "chorus", animals were finally able to hear them crying out. And so is in our lives: each voice, each good deed, counts, and each good deed can finally tip the scale for good in the world. The book teaches that if you want the world to be a better place, as small as you may be (just one person out of millions?), YOUR "VOICE" COUNTS!!!

Perhaps his best one
People are valuable no matter how small. No matter how powerless and no matter how little influence they have.

A good message and written as a moving story that even little kids can follow along with even if they can't grasp the entirety of the message.

I don't know if Dr. Suess meant this story to be a pro life message, but it certainly works for that cause. He makes a compelling arguement for one, in this case Horton, to fight against the odds and disfavor of the group for the cause of a single insignificant and unknown person.

I highly recommend this book.

Seuss at the top of his game
The best (in my opinion, of course) Dr. Seuss book. It has all of the music of his other writings, but (unlike some of his books) a compelling story as well. And what better message for your child to learn than "People are people, no matter how small."?

"Big" enough for kids to understand!
If you've never read this story, you and any children you read it to, are really in for a treat!

This is one of those children's stories that introduce really huge concepts and really important things to think about - wrapped in a wonderful tale.

It's a "big" story - an elephant with a big heart and his willingness to sacrifice for others.

We learn that size of one's body doesn't matter - it's the size of one's heart that really counts. ... Read more

Book Description

Defeat Team Aqua and Team Magma!
·Tips for winning the Pokémon Contests
·Locations to all Secret Bases and Battle Towers
·Thorough Pokédex, featuring Ruby and Sapphire Pokémon, with locations, statistics, and skills
·Strategy to win all 2-on-2 battles and beat all enemy Pokémon Trainers
·Complete walkthrough of the vast new Pokémon world, including all cities, towns, streets, and dungeons
·Detailed moves list
·Tips to capturing, evolving, and customizing your Pokémon
·Detailed charts for Technical and Hidden Machines ... Read more

Reviews (34)

A much superior product than their first Gold/Silver guide
Prima's previous Pokemon Gold/Silver guide was not their best effort; it was rushed and most of the Pokemon were not even pictured in the book. This Ruby/Sapphire guide more than makes up for their last guide.

The guide takes the time to describe the new features of Ruby and Sapphire, all the new info you need on capturing, types, status problems and evolving, and it even details the differences between the old Gold/Silver features and the new Ruby/Sapphire features; an "In" and "Out" list, e.g. the clock and Pokegear from Gold/Silver compared to the new Pokenav in Ruby/Sapphire. The breeding section is very helpful, but not thorough or detailed enough for those who want to raise pokemon with special egg moves; it is possible with some work, but it will be great if Prima does another book dedicated to breeding and inheriting special moves like their Master Pokedex for Gold/Silver.

The walkthrough is organized quite nicely, and the screen shots are crisp and clear in beautiful full color. The item list takes a different approach; rather than state exactly where each item is, there are "checklists" where you can check off the items you obtain as you find them in that region. I didn't find this too troublesome. Prima has opted not to list each trainer and their bench of pokemon; I am not thrilled with this omission, but the guide is so well put together, I am willing to grudgingly deal with it, I guess the company wanted to provide players with the element of surprise, so make sure you have a diverse or strong team with you at all times. I am however grateful that the pokemon appearances and frequencies are listed, as well as which one appears in which version when applicable, including appearances in the water when fishing or surfing. The gym leaders and their pokemon benches are still detailed, along with very helpful tips on beating them, the badge won and its effect and the TM provided. I also like how each major and minor event or task is numbered, but you can still complete each task in any order you like. I love the pokedex and how straightforward and streamlined it is; everything you need to know from the nature(s) of each pokemon to its evolution(s) and its branches, but they make a mistake on Wurmple's evolution stating that it depends on the time of day. Wurmple's evolution to Silcoon or Cascoon is entirely random.

The best feature of all is the Pokemon Contest, to which the book dedicates its own section. A bit of the information is a little confusing, but carefully read will give you all you need to know, including what berries to mix to make the best pokeblocks and their effects when used. They included the battle moves and contest moves, even the contest move combos! The item list is as complete as anyone could ever want. Overall, this book provides a good balance of information to beat the game without revealing too much. I still would have liked to see the trainer data but Prima's guide will deeply satisfy most players wanting to get the most out of the game. You'll be glad you bought this book!

An Essential!
Not having a vast variety of player's guides to choose from, I compared this guide to one other, the one offered by Brady Games. The most essential difference that I could notice between the two guides that made me purchase this one by Prima instead is the lack of a Pokedex.

The Pokedex is highly detailed, describing the various strengths and weaknesses of 200 Pokemon (obviously not including all the ones found in the various Pokemon versions, but only the ones found in Ruby/Saphire versions). The Pokedex also describes every move a Pokemon can learn, and at what level it learns the move and what level it evolves to it's higher form. Some of the old favorites such as Geodude and Machop can only evolve to their final form through a link cable with another Pokemon player. Fear not, if you have no buddies around that have the game (or that can admit to having the game), yet you still want to "catch 'em all", you could just focus on catching all the Pokemon specific to your version of the game.

The guide also has a nicely detailed walkthrough, saying what Pokemon can be found in what areas of the game and telling you the easiest method of getting through the basic premise and heading on to battle the Elite Four. It also gives you handy guides on the items and and their prices offered by each town that you pass, so you can just turn to your guide to find the item you need, rather than FLYing from city to city trying to find that specific item.

But wait, there's more! (Sounds like those tv ads, huh?) Well, I thought the guide very handy for Pokemon Contests, as I find the Contest Hall a fun little place to compete in every now and again. You'll also find detailed descriptions of every field move that a Pokemon may use, and also descriptions of how these moves work during Appeal Time in Pokemon Contests.

I can't imagine another guide comparing to the quality of work I've come to trust from Prima. To truly master the game (you'd be surprised how many things are so easy to miss), you need this guide. So what are you waiting for? Click "Add to Shopping Cart!"

RUBY AND SAPPHIRE GUIDE
THE REASON I RATE THIS GAME GUIDE A 5 IS THAT IT HELPED ME GET REGICE, REGSTEEL, AND REGIROCK AND REYQAZA THE STRONG POKEMON ALSO IT TELLS ME HOW TO DO ALOT. CAUSE OF IT I GOT RAQAZA TO LEVEL 97 AND BLAZKEN TO LEVEL 100 BUT HAVEN'T QUIT CAPTUERED LATIOS CAUSE HE KEEPS ON FLEAING BATTLE. ALSO ANOTHER THING NOT COOL IS THAT RAYQAZA CANT ENTER BATTLE TOWER LEVEL 100. SO THEY NEED TO MAKE A FEW ADJUSTMENTS

Very good and detailed...
Cons:

-Fully detailed maps that tell where trainers are, which trainers will be added to your Trainer's Eye, items, and sometimes a number. When you see a number on the map, there will be another number somewhere on the page that tells you what to do there (or what happens, etc.)

-Tells where to find items,tm's and hm's,rare and common pokemon, how and when pokemon evolve, the abilities,attack and tm and hm moves they can learn, as well as "egg moves".

-Complete walkthrough of the game, as well as little side quests such as catching Rayquaza.

-Shows every move's damage, accuracy, pp, and effects, as well as what they do in pokemon contests.

Cons:

-Some ability summaries aren't specific.

(This one might not be a con to some)-It doesn't tell how to catch the Regi pokemon, instead, it just has the braille alphabet to help.

-At first, the part of the guide that shows you when pokemon evolve and when they learn moves MIGHT seem complicated...

Overall:5 stars, it's worth it!

A Pretty Good Guide
I bought this guide not a long time ago and I have to admit, it's really good. It has a map of almost all areas in the game, a Pokedex at the end, and some helpful tips, too. The reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because of a couple mistakes in the Pokedex and missing items in the maps. ... Read more

Amazon.com

How do you talk to your children about your divorce?How can you best handle their responses?Here's a children's book and parenting tool rolled into one. It's Not Your Fault, Koko Bear is a picture book designed to be read by parents to their children. Koko Bear's parents are getting a divorce, and Koko, a preschool-aged unisex bear, isn't happy about it."I don't like this divorce. I don't want two homes," Koko says. Koko Bear's story doesn't minimize kids' pain, but it doesn't wallow in it either. The message is positive: children are reassured that their feelings are natural, that their parents still love and will care for them, and that the divorce is not their fault. At the bottom of each page, there are bullet points for parents that give information and advice about what the kidsare going through, and the best way to handle each issue as it arises.(Ages 3 to 7 and parents) ... Read more

Reviews (12)

A must-read for pre-school kids of divorce!
This book hits home the message that divorce is not a child's fault, and that parents still love them, though now they are a family apart. My child was only 18mos. during that difficult marriage problem/separation period, and two years later raised many questions why Mommy and Daddy were divorced. This book helped to answer those important questions, and gave me excellent "talking points" to utilize.

A must have for 5yrs. and under.
It's Not Your Fault Koko Bear, is an excellent read aloud for a younger child. The fact that Koko is not gender specific makes it appropriate for all children and answers questions that many of the children will have. It is a lovely story and parents, grandparents,or councelors could make use of it. I can see this book being one of the books a young child will want read over and over. I especially loved the "bears blessing" that the mamma and pappa bear recited at night for Koko.

Indispensable book for young children
This is a wonderful book and I am grateful that it was written and published. My kids have had this book read to them by both me and my ex-wife at both of our homes, and it made a difference to them. It teaches them that the divorce is not their fault, which is a surprisingly tenacious thought pattern. I read it to my kids 3-5 times a week for several months, and still remember my daughter's exclamation when she truly processed that the divorce was because of the parents and not the kids, "Ohhhhhhhh!"

I am purchasing this book for a second time because after not having read it for many months, I passed it on to a friend with a youngster who is divorcing. We then moved to a new house and my 8 year old is going through many of the divorce emotions again, and she specifically requested this book and said "I love that book".

There is one excellent page with nothing but drawings of Koko Bear showing him feeling different emotions. Instead of asking your child how they feel, which they often cannot explain (heck even adults have trouble!), you can have them point to a picture of Koko Bear and then talk about that emotion.

This book will not make the pain of divorce go away, but it provides a good way to learn that what they are feeling is normal and appropriate, that they are not alone in feeling the way they do, and that life will be okay even if it is not what we want.

Too direct and too much details about divorce.
I've recently bought this book to help my three year old toddler understand about his emotions. But the two times I've read it to him, he always seemed uncomfortable, which I've never seen him experiencing this before. He couldn't stay still each time I read this book to him. This book is too direct, and too much details about the divorce issue that they're making my toddler uncomfortable each time I read this to him at bedtime. I don't think this book is helping him much with easing his emotions at all. He likes the "Mama and Daddy Bear's Divorce" book instead. And each time I read that to him, he'd always ask me to read that book over again. He's comfortable with that book.

A Sad Example
As a psychotherapist, I got this book to work with children who were struggling through divorce. This book normalized and legitimized divorce. It at no time emphasized adult problem solving nor that marriage is a contract of two consenting adults through good and bad.
Children are misled to believe they can identify a short term resolution of the horrible feelings of divorce (by a child). As a therapist it is always a lifelong scarring that is not resolved.
Indeed the first 11 year old girl I read this with, remarked that it made no sense and at no time was realistic to the process she had gone through years earlier. A sad example of political correctness run amok. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great fun, and educational, except for an occasional error.
This game is exceptionally diverting for boring car trips and waiting time for medical appointments. The kindergarten game does seem more appropriate for 4 year olds rather than 5-6 year olds if the child has had a lot of exposure to letters, colors, shapes etc. There are a few dreadful lapses in accuracy, among the worst being the placement of a penguin next to an Eskimo and igloo. The Eskimo/igloo cliche is annoying, but the transposition of that poor little penguin from Antarctica is inexcusable. Our pre-schooler concluded the penguin must be just visiting.

educational and somewhat challenging in a fun format
My son has used the preschool version and the Kindergarten version and loves both of them. It is a wonderful quiet activity to do together and portable enough to take on the road to the doctor's office or on a car trip. The questions are age appropriate and teach well. The characters are cute and engaging. A wonderful gift for boys and girls. My son learned a lot from these cards, and we had a great time together. He would also look through them by himself too. I would recommend these to anyone. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel Mary Anne make quite a team. Theinseparable duo digs the great canals for the big boats to travel through, cuts through thelarge mountains so trains can pass, and hollows out the deep cellars for the greatskyscrapers in the city. But the introduction of gasoline, electric, and diesel shovelsmeans big trouble for Mike and Mary Anne. No one wants an old-fashioned steam shovellike Mary Anne when a modern shovel can do the digging in half the time! Forced totravel far out of the city to look for work, Mike and Mary Anne find themselves in thelittle town of Popperville. Mike and Mary Anne make a bid to dig the cellar for the newtown hall, promising the town that if they can't dig the cellar in just one day they'll acceptno payment for the job. Will Mike and Mary Anne be able to complete the job? Thewhole town of Popperville turns out to watch. Virginia Lee Burton, author of such classicchildren's books as The LittleHouse and Katy and theBig Snow, offers a touching portrait of love and dedication while commentingon the modernization that continuously shapes our lives. Hamilton's wonderful crayondrawings bring Mike and the indomitable Mary Anne to life. (Ages 3 to 6) ... Read more

Reviews (53)

I Loved This Book!
Like so many other reviewers I have fond memories of reading this book as a child. I fondly recall being a child in the 1970's and of having had this book read to me and when I got older and could read on my own I read it myself and I enjoyed the story of Mike Mulligan and his beloved steam shovel Mary Anne and recall this book having positive messages as well as being an entertaining book for children. Mike Mulligan is a steam shovel operator who has named his machine Mary Anne and they have worked very hard for many years digging canels, etc but times have changed and with steam shovels being replaced by electric, gasoline and diesel shovels Mary Anne is thought of as being obsolete but Mike is a very positive and determined man who knows that he and Mary Anne still have what it takes and to prove that he agrees to dig the foundation for a new building but has to do it in one day but he knows that they are up for the challenge. Mike Mulligan And His Steam Shovel is a wonderful book for children and I think it's good for both boys and girls and I very highly recommend it.

A classic story with warm, active pictures
The cover of this book is the same as my old, dog-eared copy from my childhood 30 years ago. A Caldecott Award winner, the pictures drive the tale as much as the plot. An excellent book from cover-to-cover.

Re-reading it now brings back great memories and fascination of how Mike Mulligan and his beloved steam shovel worked hard to accomplish a fantastic task. Whenever people watched them dig, they always worked a little better and a little faster.

A modern John Henry, Mike faces the challenge of new technology. Undaunted, like the famous hammer-driving tall tale hero, he struggles to meet the task. Can he dig a hole faster than the new machine? Can he and his mighty red-metal friend do it by the end of the day?

A great story of perseverence and hard work, I fully recommend "Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel." Place it on your shelf next to "Make Way for Dcklings" and "Where the Wild Things Are."

Anthony Trendl

I loved it as a child, my childern love it too.
I couldn't wait until my twins were old enough for Mike. They're now 2 1/2 and love hearing about Mike and Mary Anne. A great story of friendship, taking pride in one's work and problem solving. Never mind the 1939 date, this story works forever. I now get to read it at least twice a day and it never gets old.

A Tale of Two Friends
Just thinking about this delightful book makes me smile. I remember Captain Kangaroo reading it on his television show, and I checked it out from the Bookmobile with my own library card.
Mike Mulligan and Mary Ann are best friends and co-workers. They might be running out of work soon, though, since Mary Ann runs on steam--not as efficient as the diesel shovels. A bargain with the town of Popperville gives the twosome one last shot to strut their stuff, and as the town gathers, a few residents at a time, Mike and Mary Ann prove that friendship lasts, even when diesel shovels take over.
This book is equally appealing to boys and girls, and it will forever occupy a favored place in my memories. It's as wonderful a story today as it was when published in 1939. God bless Mike and Mary Ann.

Nobody can do it like a steam shovel
I tend to bring a lot of picture books into my home. My husband doesn't mind, but neither does he show an inordinate amount of interest in them. Enter "Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel". Suddenly my husband was elated by the appearance of this book. "This was the only book we had in my Kindergarten class!", quoth he. After he'd picked through it once more, I had my chance to glance through the story. Admittedly, I did not know of the adventures of Mike Mulligan or trusty Mary Ann until rather late in life. But looking at my hubby's gleeful expression on seeing it again, I know that this is one of those classics that sits in the back of the memory for years and years and years.

Mike Mulligan (Irish, according to the book flap) runs a delightful steam shovel named Mary Ann. The opening spread shows Mike waving at the viewer, while meticulous arrows indicate every lever, cog, and line in Mary Ann's hull. In a rather John Henryish turn of events, Mary Ann is eventually determined to be obsolete in the face of the fancier gasoline, electric and Diesel shovels. Mike refuses to give up his precious steam shovel, however, and a race to prove that Mary Ann can dig as much in a day as a hundred men can dig in a week explodes in a riveting (ho ho) finish.

Books about trucks, construction equipment, and planes is commonplace today. But such modern day classics as "I Stink" owe a great debt to the path that "Mike Mulligan" paved. Here we have a beautifully illustrated (in color at that!) story about two of the best friends in the world. Those kids interested in the technical aspects of steam shovels will be in heaven. And those that just like a rip-roaring yarn about a race against the clock will have a ball as well. Interestingly, author/illustrator Virginia Lee Burton chooses not to close up on Mike Mulligan's face at any point. When we do see him, he's usually viewed at a distance, waving, weeping, and smoking to his heart's content. It's Mary Ann that get the full frontal treatment, and she's a joy. Who could have thought a steam shovel to be so eloquent and emotional? That's the joy of this story and the genius of Virginia Lee Burton's masterwork. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

MUST HAVE BOOK
Great gift from Grandmother. Children love this book. It's a great book for anybody learning the English language. EVERY class should have this book. This is a gift that everybody appreciates. Get the book down for the child to look at and learn. Great teaching tool! Exceptional pictures! I always buy two--one for the new grandchild, and a copy goes to the school, when they start school. You have my vote for the VERY BEST.

Eye-catching dictionary that promotes learning
Learning should be an interesting and fun-filled exercise be it at home or at school. This excellent dictionary promotes that. It serves as a good resource not only for children, parents and new learners of English but also for adults that need reinforcement. Highly recommended.

Best for Second Graders
We needed a good dictionary for our second-grader. This fit the bill. Our cover looks slightly different (e.g., "DK" instead of "Darling Kindersley"), but it is the same ISBN. I looked at ALL the appropriate dictionaries, probably 40 in total, and this was the best. There are 5,000 main entries (related words bring the total to 12,000 words), including most of the ones that our child uses in class -- he wanted to make sure they were there. The alphabet runs down each page with the current letter highlighted in color. Each word tells what type it is (noun, adverb, etc.), but it is unobtrusive. There are 2,500 pictures, which many of them being incredibly descriptive -- good pictures for words like "lose", "guess", "shrug", "zigzag". Many of the words not only have the definitions, but a sample sentence that uses the word clearly. This is definitely a best-buy for our second-grader.

Why can't all dictionaries be this much fun?
Young readers will not only love the 2,500 full-color photographs and illustrations, they will find this dictionary easy to understand. When you look up the word "wave" you not only find the description, you will also find a picture of the wave.

Not all the words have pictorial explanations, but in many cases the word is used in a sentence. For example, "every" would have a sentence using the word and state: "Every" space in the parking lot was full.

The 12,000 word entries are explained through clean definitions, examples and usage. This is an invaluable reference book for young readers and writers. It was developed in consultation with experts in the teaching field. The vocabulary lists are up-to-date and includes entries such as compact disc, biodegradable and word processor.

The introductory section encourages dictionary skill. This book will help to build a child's understanding of language and will help them to improve spelling and grammar skills.

Now, could they please make a dictionary for adults that is this fun! :)

The Dorling Kindersley Children's Illustrated Dictionary
The DK Children's Dictionary is the best dictionary I have used in working with students in our school's ESL (English Second Language) program. Often, in working with ESL kids, word explainations are not enough, you need a picture. This dictionary provides quality pictures and lots of them. This is a great resource! ... Read more

Book Description

A is for Atlas

B is for Bagel

C is for Chrysler Building

An ABC book that pays tribute to a child's view of New York City

An ABC book unlike any other, ABC NYC reinvents the genre using an alphabet unique to New York City. From subway signs to building graffiti, NYC's letters are represented everywhere you walk: M is for Manhole cover, T is for Taxi. A child's guidebook to life in New York, ABC NYC beautifully captures the visual vocabulary of the city kid with bold black-and-white photographs and vibrant letters found in some of the most surprising places. Perfect for the youngest set learning the alphabet or collectors of New York memorabilia, ABC NYC is as striking and energetic as the city it reveals. AUTHOR BIO: Joanne Dugan is a New York based photographer whose work has been shown in museums and galleries throughout the United States, Europe, and Japan. She hand prints her limited edition fine art photographs in her darkroom in New York City's Union Square district. She is also the photographer behind the best-selling book Taxi Driver Wisdom and two fine art monographs. Pamela Hovland is a designer and educator whose work has been recognized by numerous national and international design organizations. Even though she learned her ABCs while growing up on a farm in Minnesota, she has lived and worked in New York City and Connecticut ever since. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Kids & NY-philes will love this
This is a beautiful and novel twist on the alphabet primer that will make learning the A-B-Cs more fun for both parents and kids.The compelling photographs capture the unique character of New York's letters and landmarks, and the "urban grid" design brings the photographs and text together perfectly.If you are a city parent with young kids or you just love New York, this book belongs in your home.The only trouble is you may not be able to decide whether it belongs on your child's nightstand or your coffee table. Bravo to author Dugan and designer Hovland!

this book gave me goosebumps
This book is a gorgeous tribute to New York City and raising kids there. I highly reccomend it for any parent of a young child living in New York, or in fact, any urban city. Finally, an ABC book that is fun to read aloud, beautiful to look at, intelligent and relevant to city kids. I just bought 4 more for gifts. Thank you Joanne and Pam!
... Read more