Book Description

Serious silliness for all ages. Artist Sandra Boynton is back and better than ever with completely redrawnversions of her multi-million selling board books. These whimsical and hilarious books, featuringnontraditional texts and her famous animal characters, have been printed on thick board pages,and are sure to educate and entertain children of all ages. ... Read more

Reviews (38)

My son just read it to me
My son is almost 3 and is just learning his ABC's but with only a few days of reading this book he "read" it to me tonight for bedtime, barking correctly for each of the dogs and howling at the moon "like a coyote". My son enjoys the book and I think the simplicity is part of his attraction. For me the fun of this book is barking together. It's a great little book, but not recommended for people that can't ham it up a little. Also, if you get bored reading repetitious books, check it out from the library instead of buying it so you can take it back when you get tired of barking.

My son "wuffs" it!
I purchased this book when my son was 10 months old. He wasn't interested in it back then... NOW, he is 15 months, and he makes us read "Doggies" over and over and over again. You can't be shy reading this book to children, otherwise, it would be quite boring. It's a fun book and although I get tired of reading it to him a million times, I love the fact that my son is excited about reading and books. Thank you Sandra Boynton.

My kids love it!!!!
My kids ages 1 and 3 love this book. The pictures are wonderful and they love all the different sounds that the dogs make. I enjoy reading this one to them. My son, age 1, asks for this one over and over again.

Here a ruff, there a woof, everywhere a bow wow
My two toddlers love - and I mean LOVE - being read this book. I, however, am not as keen. It's a good book, great even. I give it five stars! It's just that a true rendition of this counting book by dogs and their number of barks can be a little wearing on the adult reading the book. But it's well worth it when it's all said and done just to see the huge smile of my kids as I'm barking, woofing or ruffing. HELPFUL HINT: hide this book for special occassions! otherwise be prepared because your kids will always pull this out out for bedtime reading......

It freakin' rocks my world
Maximum barkage! Mega canine action takes counting to a whole new level. Oh yes.

My 9 month old daughter thinks it's the fizzle shizzle. To top it all off there suprise ending that will blow your freakin' mind!

Prepare for lift-off. ... Read more

Book Description

My fellow Americans:

It is our pleasure, our honor, our duty as citizens to present to you Duck for President. Here is a duck who began in a humble pond. Who worked his way to farmer. To governor. And now, perhaps, to the highest office in the land.

Some say, if he walks like a duck and talks like a duck, he is a duck.

We say, if he walks like a duck and talks like a duck, he will be the next president of the United States of America.

Thank you for your vote. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

So the grass isn't truly greener on the other side.
This is a very entertaining children's book. I was surprised to see so many references to current events -- events that children most likely will not understand. Those remarks are made for the adults who will be reading to their children. In an election year, this is an important book to help children understand the importance of living within our democracy. But there is another lesson, too: Duck kept getting tired of the position he was in, going from being a worker, to someone in charge, to governor, and then president. In the end, the Duck realizes that he just wants to go back to what he was doing. So the grass isn't truly greener on the other side. He goes back to what he was doing. Isn't that something we all can learn from?

Michael

Delightful
A wonderful example of storytelling with wit and charm. Younger children may miss the humor but not the cuteness. Adults will appreciate the election humor. I laughed out loud at some of the pictures and the speeches that "only ducks would understand". The last page is priceless, especially since I first read this today, the day Bill Clinton's book was released. Duck won't be any funnier than today!

In this book, Duck teaches a few lessons: he runs for office to escape work but as he moves up the political food chain, he isn't happy. Sometimes the simpler pleasures are all we need. Sometimes its okay to dream, but be careful what we wish for because we may get it. All great lessons, wonderfully illustrated.

I can't quite understand the comments about the electoral system, taking issue with its exclusion from this book. Children most likely won't understand the electoral college, so why bring it up? Most adults are too ignorant of the process to begin with. All I can figure is that some folks have gone a little crazy due to the stress of the times. Remember that a child's world should be magical and trouble-free, and we adults must sacrifice our impulses and control ourselves to make it that way. So relax and try to put yourself in your child's place. You'll probably be happier anyway.

Cutest Book Ever
I love this book. The pictures are sweet, the illustrations are beautiful, and the message is really clever.
I am 24, and I love this book.

Very fun - but ducks a key issue...
This book is delightfully written and illustrated, and very amusing. Far from depressing, the electoral overthrow of the despotic farmer is empowering! Well... of course it turns out that running things is hard work, and politics is the hardest work of all in many ways. This too is a good lesson. However, Ms. Cronin loses a star for ducking (sorry) the fact that presidential elections are not decided by the national popular vote. In the wake of the 2000 election, I would have thought the electoral college was worth a nod, even in a kids' book.

I love this book- but...
I love Doreen Cronin's work, and this book is no exception- I absolutely loved Duck for President, as did my parents, and my little sister (who is in high school). Cronin's humor is quirky and fun, and her books are always as enjoyable for adults to read as for children.

The reason that I didn't give the book more stars is this: My 6 year old niece, who loved Click, Clack, Moo and Diary of a Worm was somewhat less than enthusiastic about Duck for President. I don't think she quite got the humor of it. I still think it's a great book... But- for the age group that it's aimed at, it's a little off the mark. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

A memorable, exciting, educational book...and now abridged!
"What Do People Do All Day" is really a one-of-a-kind book. As a toddler and older child, I was enthralled by Scarry's colorful and highly detailed pictures and his fun characters, and I especially recall the sections on water treatment and electrical power generation. This book, unlike any other, certainly stimulated my early interest in a career. Speaking from experience, a kid can spend hours poring through this book, and he can remember details from it for years. Unfortunately, it seems that a few boneheads at the publisher don't share my exceptional feelings for the book and have abridged it, removing the two sections I have mentioned and more. Shame on them!

One of the best books of any kind
Like some other reviewers, I am disapointed the unabridged version is not available.

But, even abridged, this is one of the funniest and most absorbing books in print. This book is full of delightful cutaways showing the internals of houses, streets, and factories. Like most Richard Scarry books, this one explores and explains a world which is fun, colorful, comprehensible, and full of well meaning people.

Five stars is not enough.

Best Children's Book Ever
Wish I could give this 10 stars. I discovered this book as a preschooler in 1968. My mom would take me to the local library every week. I checked it out from the library and I was hooked. I wanted to check it out at every visit, so my mom had the library order a copy for me. I remember even before I could read the words, I completely understood the story from the illustrations. I still have that original edition. It is tatered but still intact. I bought another copy this year for my preschool sons. They absolutely love it as well as the other Scarry book I had as a child, Busy Busy World. The newer book is the abridged edition. The abridged edition has 63 pages as compared to the ~95 pages in the original. They removed 4 stories from the original: busy (stay at home) mom, water treatment plants, electricity and how we get it, and Sgt. Murphy the Busytown policman. Why? Somebody at the publisher must have had a lobotomy. Anyway, we keep the original up in a closet to read only with adult supervision. The new one is on the shelf, readily accesible to the kids.
This book (even the abridged edition) is an absolute classic.

Great pictures needs a bit of updating
I, like many other readers, remember and enjoyed this book as a child.
Now- with my own 3 year we are rediscovering the great pictures; the mechanics
of how things work and are built and what people do all day.

This is where I think it needs some updating. As a historic record
for the 1950's, it might be accurate. But what takes me one
tick down in the rating in re-reading this to my son is the overt
sexist roles. There are precisely 3 careers allowed for women in this
book- homemaker, nurse and secretary. I've taken to changing some of
the gender of the workers to make it a bit more realistic-

Don't get me wrong- the concept is great, the stories serve that
purpose of how things work- and my son loves this book- I just
get a bit tired trying not to perpetuate stereotpyes that didn't exist
when I was a child in the 1960's (at least in my family).

careers in Busytown examined
Set in Scarry's Busytown, this busy, colorful book is organized into eleven chapters that examine its citizens' jobs: Everyone is a worker; Building a new house; Mailing a letter; Firemen to the rescue; A visit to the hospital; The train trip; The story of seeds and how they grow; Wood and how we use it; Building a new road; A voyage on a ship; and, Where bread comes from.

Effective use of color and cross-sections can be confusing for very young kids, but is informative and enjoyable for the curious, and the funny pictures appeal to all. Also, everything is labelled, which is very nice for beginning readers. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The crafty barnyard crew from Click, Clack, Moo: Cows ThatType is back, and this time Farmer Brown has decided to take a vacation.But not to worry--he's leaving his brother Bob to mind the farm: "I wroteeverything down for you. Just follow my instructions and everything will befine. But keep an eye on Duck. He's trouble." Of course, fans of Doreen Croninand Betsy Lewin's last brilliant book already know to keep an eye on thatmanipulative mallard. Now, wait a minute... what's Duck doing eyeing thatpencil?

Poor Bob has no idea what he's in for, and Duck and friends have shrewdly seizedthis chance to move on from collective bargaining to outright subterfuge: "Bobgave Duck a good long stare and went inside. He read the first note: 'Tuesdaynight is pizza night (not the frozen kind!). The hens prefer anchovies.'" Well,seems like strange way to run a farm, but... "Twenty-nine minutes later therewas hot pizza in the barn." Giggle, giggle, quack, indeed.

Clearly, Duck and his cow pals aren't the only ones around to have mastered thepencil and the keyboard. Cronin and Lewin have put their talents to good use yetagain, offering up another simple but clever story fit for kids and grownupsalike. Lewin seems to snicker throughout her playful watercolors (gotta lovethose monogrammed towels: "FB"), and Cronin has a ball with the animal cast andtheir human patsy. (What do the cows pick on movie night? "The Sound of Moosic,"of course. Giggle, giggle, moo.) (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Reviews (22)

Farmer Brown has a NEW problem
Farmer Brown has gone on vacation, leaving his brother Bob to watch the farm, but he doesn't know that Duck has found a pencil and is giving Bob brand new (and need I say "animal-centric") instructions! Pizza for dinner, bubble baths for the pigs, and movie night in the house are probably not what Farmer Brown had in mind, but the animals seem to be enjoying themselves, giggling all the way to their electric blankets.

This is another fun story from the creators of "Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type", with hilarious watercolor pictures augmenting the text. If your child has a sense of humor or thinks farm animals deserve a break, s/he will undoubtedly enjoy this tale of farm animals living the good life.

All of your animal friends are back!
"And watch out for Duck, he's trouble!" warns Farmer Brown to his brother Bob who has come to watch the farm so Farmer Brown can get a much needed vacation. This book follows the same formula as Click Clack Moo in that the animals get the upper hand on a human, in this case Bob. Bob does his best to follow what he thinks are Farmer's Brown's notes but they were really written by duck. The animals have traded their typwriters in for pencils and now they are running poor Bob ragged. With Duck doing the dictating bubble baths with Farmer Brown's good bubble bath and the movie the sound of Moosic are on the itenerary. The giggle giggle quack in the title refers to the sound the animals make as they get their scheme over on Bob. Of course all good things must come to an end. Farmer Brown catches on to what the animals are up to when he calls and duck answers the phone. If you loved Click Clack Moo you will love this book. Click Clack and Giggle Giggle are my two favorite books to read to my daughter. I never get tired of reading them to her and she loves them just as much. Even though the recommended reading age says 4+ my two and half year old daughter finds these books humerous and enjoyable. I would recommend this book to everybody.

Wish I could give it 4.5 - a real charmer
We started with Click, Clack, Moo but I like this book better. This one has the same warm and funny illustrations, the same wit, and it's not boring to read to your kids over and over and over again. The downside to CCM was its political/union overtones. The only downside to Giggle, Giggle, Quack is the ending kind of fizzles unlike the charming and unexpected ending in CCM.

Entertainment for everybody!
I became a big fan of Cronin and Lewis with "Click Clack Moo, Cows That Type." "Giggle Giggle Quack" is every bit as hilarious. It is one of those books that you don't mind reading to your child over and over because it entertains the grown-ups, too. If you fall in love with Cronin and Lewis, too, don't miss "Duck For President" (that darn Duck is at it again) or "Diary of a Worm."

Early Christmas Gift
I recently purchased this book for my 3 1/2 year old nephew with the intention of giving it to him for Christmas. Well, needless to say after reading the book to myself shortly after it arrived, I just HAD to give it to him! This book was really, really funny, and I was incredibly excited to give it to him and I realized I just could not wait until Christmas. When I gave it to him, he was in a bit of a cranky mood, but as I was reading it to him, he slowly inched his way over to me until he was nestled on my lap. He loved it! He had the "Hey, I know that's not right" look on his face the entire time I read it to him (especially when the pigs got a bubblebath). I highly recommend this book for any toddler, especially one who has a really great sense of humor. Enjoy! ... Read more

Reviews (39)

Review of Blueberries for Sal
This is the story of a little girl that goes blueberry picking with her mother. She is helping her pick blueberries but she is more concerned with eating them then she is with keeping them so her mother can make things with them. At the same time a mother bear was picking blueberries with her cub too stock up for the winter. The cub was doing the same thing as Sal and eating the blueberries faster then he was picking them. The cub and Sal did not follow their mothers. They just wondering off eating there merry way around the mountain. Eventually Sal and the cub end up all mixed up and with the wrong mothers and they set out to get with the right ones again.
I love this book. It is a great tale and it is so much fun to read over and over again. The pictures are great and so realistic. I think this really is a good book for children to read and I think it is one that they would really enjoy reading too. This is definitely a book that I want for my class collection and I think the author did a really good job at making this book fun and full of adventure.

An adorable classic adventure story
It's a classic case of mistaken identity when, while on a hunt for blueberries, two very different mommies and two very different children get separated and all mixed up. Or are they really that different? With McCloskey's incredible eye for natural detail from a child's point of view, this story tells a hilarious tale about a human mother and child (the eponymous Sal) who go blueberry hunting and run into their bear counterparts, who are storing up food for hibernation. Not only are the sound effects hilarious (my son loves to chant the KERPLINK! KERPLANK! KERPLUNK! part along with me) the story also teaches a lot about comparing and contrasting characteristics in the natural world, and the striking and original blue-and-white illustrations make this book unique. Your preschooler is sure to delight in it, and your first grader is still going to love it and be able to draw more sophisticated comparisons and conclusions from the story. Sure to be a bedtime favorite for many years - it has been in my househould!

The Beauty of Simplicity
Both the story and blue-ink illustrations are simple but charming. There's nothing mythopoetic here, but there is something magical about just being out in the wide-open country picking berries (we're going to pick wild blackberries today!). An excellent short bedtime story of the "light reading" variety.

A Much Loved Classic
For our family, each summer we read "Blueberries for Sal" together. Then we drop the blueberries that we've bought (sadly not picked) into a tin bucket to listen to the kuplink, kuplank, kuplunk, and end with making blueberry jam to put aside for winter.

It's something my older children remember with delight, and something my youngest is newly excited about. The illustrations are beautiful, especially of Sal and Sal's Mother in the kitchen.

Classic
This is a story that you were probably read as a child. It is one of those wonderful stories, so rarely written in this day of commercial tie-in books like Bob the Builder and such, that both the child and the parent can enjoy together and even both get a good chuckle out of.

If you are looking for a fun children's book with great illustrations, this is for you. ... Read more

Book Description

What could be better than a misadventure from that rambunctious flock of sheep in board-book form? Two! Now sized perfectly for even the smallest hands, two of Nancy Shaw and Margot Apple's enchanting titles from their sheep series are board books. In Sheep in a Jeep, the hapless flock goes for a drive in the country. In Sheep in a Shop, the sheep are off to the store in search of the perfect birthday gift. With these muttonheads, a normal outing is sure to turn into a joyous lark. Rhyming text and disarming illustrations make these shear delights! ... Read more

Reviews (43)

Rhyming, glorious rhyming...
My mom and I have a theory: childrens books that rhyme are automatically double the price of those that don't! Not that we mind paying for wonderful books like this one, but there are just so many childrens books out there that aren't that fun or interesting. Enter, Sheep in a Jeep! We absolutely love this book. My son is 7 months old and he already loves the cadence. It's fun, cute and creative! I would highly recommend this book for babies and toddlers. They can chew and suck on the pages and the pages are the thick kind so they can turn the pages themselves - which my son already loves to do. The drawings are great. You won't regret your purchase!

Lots and lots of fun
Talk about clever! This is a wonderful book---one which will amuse your toddler and one which you will be able to read (and re-read and re-read) without growing bored.

These sheep are wonderful---their adventures (told in Shaw's great rhyming style) are tremendous fun and Apple's illustrations really bring those trouble-ridden sheep to life.

I have bought this book for lots of newborns as a baby present and I can't recommend this highly enough. Most of my friends (the babies' parents) have told me that they have enjoyed reading the book over and over again---long before their child was old enough to appreciate it.

2 yr old boy funny favorite!
My son who is a major wheel enthusiest 'reads' this book over and over. He loves to laugh at it as a bedtime story too. Highly recomended awesome artwork and fun verse for adults too. Yes, there is a real muddy jeep in our driveway.

Sheep are funny
My son and I picked this up at the library and ended up enjoying it enough to get a copy for ourselves along with copies of Sheep in a Shop and Sheep on a Ship. They're short, fun rhyming books with lovely illustrations.

Great for older toddlers, not babies
The story and pictures are cute but too subtle for my 15 month old to understand. Better for an older (2+) child. ... Read more

Book Description

Curious George, the beguiling little monkey, is one of the most beloved of all children"s book characters. Now this collection of four board books featuring Curious George is available in a sturdy, reusable, carry-along box. Brightly colored and suitably scaled for the youngest readers, the books feature art from the original storybooks by H. A. Rey. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Childhood Favorite
I added this book to my registry because Curious George is a book I remember loving strongly when I was very young. Curious George is a classic, and I wanted to share that enjoyment with my little one, when she becomes old enough to understand it more.

This set comes in a sturdy box that buttons to close and contains four different Curious George books inside. The books are all board books and each one has the bright and delightful cartoons that I remember inside.

While my baby is still too young to get the gist of the stories, she does enjoy chewing on the book, hehe, and the bright colors keep her attention. This is an awesome gift set, especially for the good price. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (2)

Good, but what happened to the old Ga'Hoole?!
This book's pretty good, like the other books in the Ga'Hoole series. The stories have a new main character, Nyroc, the son of Kludd and Nyra. Nyroc is destined to become the new leader of the Pure Ones, but his own strange gift, called the fire sight, reveals to him that the Pure Ones, and his mother, are just as evil as in previous books. He and his friend Phillip (remember Dustytuft from The Burning?) must choose to stay with the Pure Ones, or risk everything and leave.

The only bad things about this book are that it is a little duller than the other Ga'Hoole books, and, most importantly, there's hardly anything about Soren and the band! There's only a brief little thing about Otulissa, but you never find out what Soren and the gang are doing now! I missed hearing about the Ga'Hoole Tree, and I hope it's included in the next book, The Outcast.

Gaurdians of the Ga'hoole Series
This is the best series of books I've ever read. I never liked to read but ever since I started reading this series i couldn't stop. The first book set a amazing story, it made me want to keep reading. When ever i get board now i'll just go pick up one of the books and start reading. It's like I never want to put in down. Most of my class is reading it to. We are always waiting for a new one to come out. Right now we are waiting for the 7 book to hit the shelves. This book series is amazing i hope it nver ends. Kepp them coming my class will always be waiting for a new one to hit the shelves. ... Read more

Book Description

As soon as they say good night to Mama, the five little monkeys start to jump on their bed. But trouble lies ahead as, one by one, they fall off and hurt themselves. ... Read more

Reviews (25)

Too much fun for bedtime!
Yes, this book WILL get the kids trying to jump on the bed. It's a lot of fun, and much laughing is heard whenever we read it. There is a lot of detail in the pictures - I love watching the doctor, and Mama gives us a great ending! I picked this up when my younger son was asking for us to play "monkeys on the bed" (the rhyme with hand motions)over & over & over - my fingers were tired. We've been reading ever since! Have I mentioned that the board book format is a great, sturdy idea? Definately a good buy, and highly recommended.

Monkeys are the best!
I have been reading this book to my son since he was 3 months old. The first time we read it he actual laughed out aloud. He is now 10 months and still loves this book. We read it every night before bed and are even painting monkeys on his wall because they are his favorite. Those monkeys are very cute and babies love them.

Five Little Monkeys Jumped on a Bed
This is a very good book this was my favorite book when I was little. It is a really good book for kids, and I don't think that you would be disappointed if you bought it. It is easy to follow along with, and it is even better because it involves monkeys.

Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed
In this book there a five little monkeys that have to go to bed. So the monkeys all get in the bath, put there pajamas on, and brush their teeth. The monkeys say goodnight to their mama and are supposed to be sleeping, when all of the little monkeys start to jump on the bed! One of the monkeys falls off and bumps his head. The mama called the doctor and the doctor said, "NO MORE MONKEYS JUMPING ON THE BED!"
This book teaches mainly only one lesson and that is that you shouldn't jump on your bed because you can get hurt by falling off. The age level for this book is 3-7. I have liked this book since I was little and I would definately recommend this book to little kids!

Love the Monkeys
You have to love the monkeys. My 17 month old does. She will ask for my husband and I to read the book 10 times in a row. She never tires of hearing it and is now learning to do the motions with me. The pictures are great and I expect we will still be reading this one for years to come. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

My baby loves these!
My baby loves his cards. We use them many times throughout the day. They are usually all over the place as he uses them to communicate with us as well (we saw fish at the aquarium and he pulled out all the fish cards). I wish we had purchased these sooner. My son is 12 months old but would have enjoyed these months ago. They are especially interesting if you have the accompanying DVD's.

We use these cards almost everyday.
I love that the cards are made of heavy paper and the pictures are very colorful. We own the whole series and use them almost everyday. The one thing that I did notice is that we seemed to lose them after they would get thrown everywhere. I solved this problem by single hole punching them and then using a binder ring to hold them all together. Now my son and I can just flip through the pictures.

The pictures are brilliant!
I love these cards! The pictures are great and the information on the back is wonderful. I only wish that the author had put the names of the animals in different languages as she did on the Language Discovery Cards. One small point, I am not sure why she has some broad category animals, such as "dog" and then more specific ones, such as a particular type of fish. ... Read more

Book Description

I am your parent; you are my child.
I am your quiet place; you are my wild. . . .

A day in the life of parent and child-full of smiles and giggles, messes and meals, boundless energy and well-earned naps. Not to mention lots of love.

Illustrated by Satomi Ichikawa ... Read more

Reviews (50)

My 2 year old's favorite book
I am astounded at the Publisher's Weekly review - way off base. What a sourpuss! My 2 year insists that I read this book to him 3-4 times a night and he still hasn't had enough. We've read it over 100 times and he never tires of it. This is my third child and never before has a book captivated any one of them at this age the way this one has - not even close. I am going to buy it for every new parent I know. The illustrations are well done - with four little animal dolls emulating the child bear and his parent - and my son picks out something new every night we read it. I do think the bears look male, but perhaps it's just that my son and I are male and I want to identify with them. The rhymes are captivating for him, and touching and clever for me. I highly recommend this book. If 2 year olds could write, you would see even better reviews.

If you read ONE book to your child it should be this one!!!
I am totally and utterly disgusted with the publishers weekly review above. My mother bought me this book for my 3 year old. We both wept after reading it. My daughter LOVES the book. After reading it the first time she walked around asking everyone, "am I your giggle?". When we would reply, "well of course", she would run around giggling! Because we both get so excited about reading this book we now have put this book in her "special" book pile that contains now only 4 books, all her most favorites. I NEVER get tired of reading this book to her because it conveys exactly how I feel about her, in her way of understanding. My 6 month old son also likes to listen to us reading it, he gets excited because his sister laughs at every page. With each page she asks, "am I your wild?" or "am I your wiggle?", and so on. I can't wait for him to be old enough to understand the words and the message, "YOU ARE MY I LOVE YOU".

You Are My I Love You
This book is just the best!! I'm buying it for all the new parents I know...what a great book to include with a baby gift.....I'm also giving one to my high school senior who will be graduating in a few weeks....no matter what the child's age....I want her to know the she is my I love you!!

I am your way home, you are my new path
My mother gave me this book for my birthday last week. Being on the other end (the receiver of the book) my mother expressed more by giving me (her young adult daughter) this book than she could have said in any card. It is a toast to the parent/child relationship. I will treasure this book forever, because it has given me a sense of how parents feel of thier children. It feels very good! Every parent should buy thier child this book.

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS TO SHARE W/ YOUR CHILD!
The publishers review is way off!! This book is an endearing tale of the parent-child bond. It tells a quaint story of how our roles as parent & child vary. And I feel it shows how our view of the world as a parent differs from that of our child. Whenever I read this book to my son, I feel am expressing how special he is to me in a way that he can understand. This book is definitely one of my favorites!!! ... Read more

Book Description

"Allie the Allergic Elephant" helps children learn about food allergies and how to be a good friend when you can't share snacks. "Allie" explains peanut allergies in a way that parents, teachers, and children themselves can talk about allergies and understand them better. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

From a kid whose been there, done that
awesome book! zeroes in on the key parts of having an allergy! great book to read to little kids. I personally have a life threatening allergy to peanuts and all tree nuts. thank you for your time.

Librarians loved it!
I bought the first edition for my nephew with a peanut allergy. He enjoyed it because it addressed his difficulty in explaining his allergy to his classmates.

I bought 2 copies of the second edition and donated them to elementary schools where I volunteer in the library. Both librarians were excited to receive the book and were anxious to read it to their students. One librarian took the book immediately to the Kindergarten teacher because a student had arrived that day with a peanut allergy.

I like the book because it explains how an allergic child must be "excluded" when it pertains to peanuts, but wants to be "included" in everything else. I can't wait for the author to write more books about other allergies.

Brings Compassion to a Clinical Subject
With three children in my family, all of them know people who can't eat nuts. At first, they think it's wierd. "What? No peanuts? Why can't you eat peanuts?"

Allie helps those with the allergy understand, and Allie brings compassion to those who live with, work with, and play with an allergic child.

As the author of three non-fiction books, I appreciate a good tale. And Allie's tail is precious.

Charming story -- Important message
I purchased this book as a gift for a friend with an allergic grandchild. He told me it was a special delight to read the book together with his grandson. The story is charming, and effectively communicates an important message about acceptance and coping... in a way even a very young child can grasp. The wonderful illustrations (by a gifted young artist) captured the boy's imagination and brought the story to life.

Excellent book for kids with food allergies
I bought the 1st edition over a year ago and the teacher in his classroom has said that the children love it. They like to hear it read to them. They love the pictures! She said after a year it was well used as they play with it alot. A book needs to hold up with kids at this age. I just purchased the 2nd edition feeling that it was different enough to own it. I am glad I did. The pictures have changed a bit and look wonderful, but the message is still excellent and kids can understand it. Most messages are lost with kids at this age when dealing with serious issues such as food allergies. Geat job! Even though the book is 100% focused on peanut allergies, which is why I got it, the rules remains the same with all food allergies in how they relate to other children playing with the children with the food allergy. I would recommend any parent that has a pre-schooler or a child in K-5 or thier school to buy this book! ... Read more

Book Description

Illus. in full color. Brian finds a salamander and takes him home. "Where

will he sleep?" asks his mother. Her "inquiries are answered with imaginative

solutions that will be familiar to all those who have tried to convince a

parent to let them have a pet. Johnson's lush, shadowy paintings depict each

addition to the cumulative scenario as Brian's cozy bedroom is gradually

transformed into a dark green forest that overflows the pages as the fantasy

becomes more elaborate. This is a beautifully designed mood piece."--School

Library Journal.




... Read more

Reviews (10)

good story - great pictures!
This is a simple story of a child who finds, beneath the leaves, a bright & lively creature & brings him home where his mother asks him how he'll take care of his newfound friend.

If a picture tells a thousand words then Steve Johnson's speak volumes. Vivid, compelling & so very magical & real, Brian's adventures & dreams fill the pages with the familiar & the whimsical. I loved the bed Brian made for his friend in his nightstand drawer & the moon & stars on his headboard. Unloading leaves with his dump truck & when the salamander peeks out of Brian's bedroom window, oh, you know you've seen that kind of energy, exhileration & anticipation!

A wonderful book of heartwarming visions with a simple, important story to tell about the responsibility & fun of bringing home wild creatures.

A great book
This gentle story about a boy's desire to make his room a good home for a salamander is one of our family's favorites. The boy's imagination runs wild as he creates the perfect environment for the salamander - and for himself, as well. This book makes a great bedtime story for parents and children alike.

I need to buy a hardcover edition ...
... because I've worn out the paperback reading it to my kids. It is a favorite with my son (now 7). Wonderfully illustrated. Wonderfully imaginative. Get lost in "The Salamander Room" today.

A Salamanders Home
In this amazing book for children a young boy named Brian is exploring in a forest and finds a little salamander and takes it home. His mother is worried and keeps asking him how he is going to take care of this extraordinary creature. Well his mother comes up with more and more questions, while Brian keeps coming up with more and more answers.
As the story progresses Brian's bedroom begins to change, and the more questions he answers, the more his bedroom changes.
Near the end you begin to see what his bedroom is changing into.
At the end of the story his bedroom is filled with a multitude of animals and his room is now a forest but he and his salamander friend are happy and tired and they fall asleep.
This interesting book was written by: Anne Mazer and illustrated by Steve Johnson.

I love this book
I don't normally read children's books, but this one is wonderful! The story and writing are very moving, the illustrations are beautiful. And the message!!!!! The message is wonderful, about dropping the walls that separate us from the natural world, inviting nature into our lives. I cannot recommend this book too highly. ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Sweet Story, Beautifully Illustrated
My two year old son loves The Very Quiet Cricket; and this book, along with "Brown Bear, Brown Bear...", have been his bedtime favorites for months. Toddlers and parents alike will enjoy the repetitive and rhythmic nature of the verse (my son heaves a very dramatic sigh every time I read "...but nothing happened, not a sound." The simplicity of the tale lends itself nicely to parental embellishment, which is great for those who like to add a bit of their own drama to a story. I love the fact that I can tailor my reading of it to suit the hour or my son's mood, making it shorter or longer, exciting or soothing. Eric Carle's illustrations alone make this book a worthy addition to any child's library.

I agree with the reviewer who complained that this is not "first reader" material, but I would add that "The Very Quiet Cricket" is more about the joy of reading than about teaching the mechanics of sounding out simple words.

Attention getting illustrations
The Quite Cricket book is another favorite from Eric Carle. I have almost every book he has written. My favorite is The Very Hungry Caterpillar but this is a tie for second.. I loved how he illustrated all the other insects in the story especially the dragonfly. The large drawings would hold the attention of a young child. This isn't a book for a new reader some of the vocabulary is a little difficult. The only draw back to this book is when the battery that makes the cricket sound dies, it is rather expensive to replace.

Great Illustrations & Story, but...
My 8 1/2 month old is fascinated by the wonderful artwork and the chirping sound. I expect he'll enjoy the story when he can understand the words. However, there's an inconsistency in the text that drives me crazy. The three crickets are referred to as "he" and "she," but the praying mantis and worm are referred to as "it." Argh!

Our child loves this book!
We received this book as a gift and Grandma ended up getting the board book version for our daughter because she loved it so much (and wanted to look at it more often than we did)! The illustrations are great, like in all of Eric Carle's books.

She loves getting to the end of the story, but will also turn back to look at favorite pages.

We have a few of the other Eric Carle books and enjoy them as well, but this one stands out right now and it doesn't look like her interest is going to fade any time soon.

Very Provocative Bugs
The Very Quiet Cricket is a great book, and while difficult, I suspect most children will like this much more than their parents suspect. Like all of Eric Carle's books, my son (2 ½) loves The Very Quiet Cricket. The art is, as always, amazing, and he really enjoys repeating the phrases on each page. The formula seems to draw out his inquisitiveness; this book nearly always stimulates more enjoyment than others do. In particular, he enjoys the chirping sound the book makes when you turn to the last page. He'll ask to have the book read to him as many as four times in a row.

This is a challenging book for young kids, more so than many of Carle's others. I think the interesting insects and provocative words and sounds are part of why my son likes it so much. It may be some time before he really masters that vocabulary, but I love that Carle challenges his young readers in this way. I can unconditionally recommend this book. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Lois Ehlert, beloved illustrator of Chicka Chicka Boom Boom andmany other bold, beautiful picture books has outdone herself with this gorgeous(seriously breathtaking) celebration of butterfly metamorphosis. "Out in thefields, eggs are hidden from view, / clinging to leaves with butterfly glue. /Soon caterpillars hatch. They creep and chew. / Each one knows what it must do."As the gentle rhyme unfolds, we turn the small, partial pages that form thelarger spread of fabulous foliage in this lush, oversized book. Before our eyes,the eggs turn to caterpillars, the caterpillars to cases, the cases to lovelybutterflies. "They pump their wings, get ready to fly, then hungry butterflieshead for the sky." The colors become increasingly dazzling, each butterflyspringing to life with Ehlert's color-soaked cut-paper magic. Several pages ofbackground material conclude the book, labeling different kinds of butterfliesat different stages of development, from the buckeye butterfly to the paintedlady to the monarch. A "Butterfly Information" page clearly labels butterflyanatomy and answers basic question about these fascinating fluttery insects, a"Flower Identification" page showcases butterfly-attracting flowers such as thepurple coneflower (echinacea), phlox, and lantana, and the last page offers afew pointers on growing a butterfly garden. (Ages 3 to 6) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Elegantly beautiful.
This is not a storybook, but it is a book to be loved. With interesting art in vibrant colors, the book describes the life cycle of the butterfly in poetry and then presents more detailed information on moths and butterflies -- and about which flowers will attract them. The inventive art, on odd-size pages, is outstanding. Some of the art is geometrical, some looks like paper cutouts layered to look three-dimensional. And don't worry about the dust jacket -- if it rips, just pitch it -- the gorgeous art is repeated on the book cover itself.

Waiting For Wings Soars!
This delightful story explains the life cycle of the butterfly in a clear, enjoyable way that young children will understand. The rich language with many action verbs and the author's clever use of rhyme make this book appealing to young children. The size of the illustrations are consistent with the story grammer as the pictures are largest at the point of climax in the story- when the butterflies are ready to fly. The illustrations are very brilliant in color which will appeal to young children. The end papers and title page are illustrated and a part of the story. The cover opens up to a large flower garden with the title on the right side. Descriptions of butterflies, flowers and how to grow a butterfly garden are included.
This book will help young children gain a better understanding of nature and enhance their early literacy skills at the same time.

Toddlers and Babies, too!
I have a three year old daughter who must be read to before sleeping. I also have a three month old baby girl who is often in the bed with us while we read. Often, the baby is restless and cries before we finish our books. Waiting for Wings is a fabulous solution. I find this interesting AND educational for my toddler. In addition, the colors are bright and contrasting, allowing my baby to be entertained while the book is read.

Just O.K.
... I was disappointed when I actually got the book. It may be good for the 1-3-year-old set, but my 4-year-old is much more sophisticated about butterflies than this book addresses. For the same money, there are alot of other books that have more beautiful artwork. Don't waste your money-check this one out from the library instead!

My daughter loves this book!
My 3 year old daughter loves this book! Beautiful drawings of flowers and butterflies. The drawback was that for a couple months after getting this book, we had to read it every night, and we had to name every butterfly on every page. "What kind of butterfly is this?" "That's a Monarch butterfly." "What kind of butterfly is this?" "That's a Tiger swallowtail butterfly." I'm sure that's good in the long run, but holy cow, she was obsessed with this book! :) Thankfully, the obsession dwindled a bit, and now we can enjoy our occasional readings of the book together. I do recommend this book! ... Read more

Book Description

Mountain gorillas are fierce, playful, territorial, curious, and beautiful. They are also one of the most endangered species in the world. For many years, these gorillas have faced the threat of violent death at the hands of poachers. In order to protect the gorillas, funds are raised through "gorilla tourism,"bringing people into the forest to see these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. This tourism is vital, but it has brought a new threat to the mountain gorillas: illness and death by human disease.

The Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project is a group of courageous and talented veterinarians working to save the mountain gorilla population in Rwanda and Uganda. They study the effects of human exposure, document the daily lives of the gorillas, and even act as foster parents to an orphaned gorilla baby named Fearless. Through engaging text and stunning photographs, Pamela Turner takes readers on an exploration like no other in this gripping tale of science, nature, and the conservation of life. ... Read more

Book Description

Illus. in full color. "In this gentle, moving story, Elfie, a dachshund, and

her special boy progress happily through life together. One morning Elfie does

not wake up. The family grieves and buries her. The watercolor illustrations,

tender and warm in color and mood, suit the simple text perfectly."--School

Library Journal.




... Read more

Reviews (14)

Still Has The Same Magic
As a little girl I read this book when my dog was dying. It truly helped me deal with his death and realize that is okay to be sad. It is a wonderful tool to help children understand death a bit better. Few books since my childhood have made such an impression on me as this one, and it is the only book from my childhood I still keep on my shelf as a college student. In fact, my cat grew very sick of cancer and I read this book again to make myself feel better about the situation. And I have never forgotten to utter Hans Wilhelm's words into my pets' ears. And right before my cat died, I whispered "I will always love you" just as the little boy in the story did.

A wonderful book...
There are some books I think should be in every household, and if you have both children and pets, this is one of them. Dealing with the death of a beloved pet is difficult enough for anyone, let alone a child, but this book helps. In fact, I would recommend this book to adult pet owners as well. Nothing will stop the pain of the loss of course, but "I'll Always Love You" helps bring back the happiness and lets the healing begin. I have been a booster of this book for years and hope it NEVER goes out of print. Do yourself a favor and buy this warm story of Effie, "the best dog in the whole world" and her boy....

The perfect book for all ages
This is the perfect pet loss book for all ages. A good gift to give when words do not seem appropriate. Similar to Boomerang - A Miracle Trilogy, about the short but miraculous life of a remarable Boston Terrier. And, how through love, all things are possible.

Great for Saying Goodbye
I got this book to help my daughter deal with the loss of our dog who had become sick and had to be put down. I liked the way the book was to the point and very sweet at the same time. The book also stays away from taking a religious stand point which I was greatful for. My daughter is too young to have to deal with that aspect of life or death. This book teaches that sometimes something you love will go away forever, but even though they are gone, you can always love and remember them.

Heartwarming
Such a touching and heartwarming read. What a wonderful way to help children and adults deal with the pain of losing a beloved pet. Especially helpful for anyone with an old or ailing dog, and the heartache of "anticipatory grief". As Boomerang would say, as part of his Kindness Network Bylaws, "See with your heart, what may be invisible to your eyes."
Arlene Millman, author of BOOMERANG - A MIRACLE TRILOGY ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Wonderful, classic children's instruction book.
As a kid, I loved to draw, and I loved this book! The author provides simple, step-by-step pictorial guidelines easy enough for young children to follow: if they can read the instructions, they can draw the animals in the book. At each step, there is a basic instruction such as "make a green triangle" or "add two squiggly lines." The instructions are accompanied by both a drawing of whatever it is to be added and a drawing of the animal-in-progress as a whole. Not only is this book fun for children, it's great for book reports and other school projects. Even adults will appreciate the ease at which this book helps them to produce realistic-looking animals while also enjoying the author's humorous style. This favorite book of childhood has become a cherished adult possession.

This is a wonderful book!
I remember owning and using this book constantly when I was a kid. I recently got it for my two young ones and now they are drawing all the time! They would get so frustrated when they couldn't make something look like it was supposed to, but with this book it is easy and teaches them about using basic shapes to draw anything. It is so easy to follow, my two are both five and are doing great! Looking forward to getting some more of his books for my kids to use and enjoy.

A Champion of Creativity
Those wretched art classes to which we were all subjected as children left me in daily agony - and of course wouldn't my older sister just have to be a spectacularly gifted artist. My mother took pity on my suffering and bought me this wonderful book when I was six. It was a balm to my artistic handicap and an immeasurable boost to my confidence when I finally drew the dragon! Looking back now, I believe that Mr. Emberley's books would benefit any child, whether naturally artistic or crying over watercolor class. In an era when children's imaginations are saturated with Disney and TV cartoon notions of art, Mr. Emberley can give them simple tools with which to carve a path back to their own creativity.

Excellent book that kids will love
I too loved this book as a kid, as opposed to other art books, this is easy to follow. I was imersed in every one of his art books and my greatest accomplishment in the 2nd grade was drawing that dragon! It took hours.

Ed Emberley's Drawing Book of Animals
Emberley's dedication of this book reads "For the boy I was, the book I could not find". I could not find a better description of this book if I tried! My six year old son longed for art books that would teach him how to draw. This book more than satisfied that longing. Emberley's animals are fanciful, fun and easy to draw. I have just ordered two more of his books. We can't wait to get out the colored pencils and start drawing! ... Read more