Book Description

God’s Kids Worship is a new collection of today’s top Praise & Worship recordings produced for and sung by kids 8-14 years old. Each all-new recording of God’s Kids Worship: Blue, Green, Red, and Orange will feature the most popular songs kids are already singing in church today. Included on these recordings are all of the top 25 and most of the top 100 of today’s most popular Praise & Worship songs as established by Christian Copyright Licensing International. Each recording also includes at least six hymns and traditional songs. Perfect for at home listening or sing-alongs at Sunday School, children’s church, small group, and backyard Bible clubs.Produced by four-time Children’s Album Dove nominee and multi-platinum Grammy nominee, Bob Singleton.

Songs included on God’s Kids Worship: Red

1. Celebrate Jesus
2. Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
3. Thy Loving Kindness
4. Amazing Grace
5. Ah, Lord God
6. Open the Eyes of My Heart
7. His Name is Wonderful
8. I Will Sing of the Mercies
9. Trust and Obey (When We Walk With the Lord)
10. He is Lord
11. Wade in the Water
12. Lord, I Lift Your Name on High
13. He is Exalted
14. Peace Like a River
15. Mighty is Our God
16. Praise Him, Praise Him
17. Alive, Alive
18. Great is The Lord
19. I Stand in Awe
20. Wonderful Words of Life

Reviews (2)

a loving Mom
It is essential that every child and mother should own Wee Sing Bible Songs!

Great Collection of Childrens Christian songs.
In preparing music for childrens programs, this book/cd collection is a great way to get started. The book contains the music for many traditional childrens songs. It has guitar chords and melody notation for all songs. For songs in a difficult key for beginng guitarists, it has alternative chord combinations to make playing easier. I purchased the CD version of the package so I can listen to a particular song without having to search for it on the tape.

One of the things that children really enjoy about this collection of songs is the hand motions/actions for many of the songs.

This was a great collection for an amature guitarist like myself to use to prepare childrens music for a variety of programs. ... Read more

Book Description

Read by the author and a full cast
8 hours 55 minutes, 8 CDs

The universe has broken wide, and Lyra's friend lies dead.Desperate for answers and set on revenge, Lyra bursts into a new world in pursuit of his killer.Instead, she finds Will, just twelve years old and already a murderer himself.He's on a quest as fierce as Lyra's, and together they strike out into this sunlit otherworld.

On this journey marked by danger, Will and Lyra forge ahead.But with every step and each new horror, they move closer to the greatest threat of all—and the shattering truth of their own destiny.

In this stunning sequel to The Golden Compas, Philip Pullman continues His Dark Materials trilogy and confirms it as an undoubted and enduring classic.

AWARDS AND HONORS
ALA Best Books for Young Adults
Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
Horn Book Fanfare Honor Book
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Blue Ribbon Book
Book Links Best Book of the Year
Parents' Choice Gold Book Award
American Bookseller "Pick of the Lists" ... Read more

Reviews (522)

Extraordinarily good fantasy writing . . .
Many trilogies suffer from having a weak middle volume, but that certainly isn't the case here. Where THE GOLDEN COMPASS told the adventures of young Lyra Belacqua, at the beginning of this volume we meet Will Parry, a boy of our own world with his own quest. The two connect in Ci'gazze, a third world adjoining their own universes, a place haunted by Specters and mobs of vicious children, torn asunder by Lord Asriel's bridge-building. But we also find out what Asriel is really up to: He wants to reopen the war between Mankind and God, to liberate Man from the Authority. And Lyra's nemesis, Mrs. Coulter, is aligned with the Church on the other side. We find out what Dust is in our terms, and why it (and the Specters) are attracted to adults but not to children. And we meet both Dr. Mary Malone, physicist and specialist in "dark matter," and John Parry, explorer and shaman in the world of Ci'gazze. The strong characterization and narrative vigor of the story are remarkable and you'd better have Volume Three ready to hand when you finish this one.

His Dark Materials Book Number 2
The Subtle Knife is the sequel to The Golden Compass. It is about a boy named Will, and a girl named Lyra who go on a wild adventure. Will finds an opening to a different world and goes through, all the while looking for his lost father. He meets Lyra, a scrawny little girl who is looking for Dust particles. Together, they loose Lyra's alethiometer, or truth teller, gain the subtle knife, Will looses two fingers, Will finds his father, but something terrible happens to him shortly there after. If you want to find out exactly what the subtle knife is and how this story ends, you will have to read the book for yourself. By the way, the trilogy is The Amber Spyglass so I suggest that you start at the beginning so that you get the full picture. I would definitely recommend this novel for many reasons. First of all, it has very good descriptions, and many times when I was reading it I could just see myself in the book. Second of all, the characters were very well developed. Sometimes I could even tell what they were going to say before they said it. Third of all, the plot was very elaborate. The book was a bit confusing at first, but once you got into it, it was really easy to understand. And fourth of all, it wasn't one of those books where the first half was boring and then it got exciting. This book was exciting from the very first chapter.

More gripping.
This is the second book of His Dark Materials (after Northern Lights, or The Golden Compass in the US, and before The Amber Spyglass).

Will Parry is a twelve-year-old boy living in Oxford with his mother, who's suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder, and his cat Moxie. His father, an arctic explorer, has gone missing almost since the boy was born.

Will's mother has been facing more and more crises of late, and strangers have been harrassing her repeatedly, asking questions about her husband, about the letters he sent her twelve years ago. Will decides to send her to his old piano teacher's house to keep her safe, but when these men come back and search their home, Will accidently kills one of them. Not wanting to call the police because they would put his mother into hospital, he takes his father's letters from their hiding place in the sewing machine, and flees.

But walking on the side of the road, he sees a cat much like Moxie suddenly disappear. Examining the patch of grass more closely, he discovers a window, resolves to cross it, and finds himself in Cittàgazze, a sun-drenched, palm-treed city on the sea shore, in another world.

The city looks as if everyone just left in a hurry though, and when Will is looking for food in the recently abandoned cafés, he stumbles onto a lost young girl, Lyra. Although shocked to see a human without a daemon, and after asking her alethiometer for advice, she knows she can trust Will, and they finally decide to help each other.

The rest of the book describes how they travel back and forth between worlds, Will searching for his father, Lyra gathering information about Dust, both making new allies as well as meeting new enemies, facing new, more deadly dangers.

I liked The Subtle Knife more than Northern Lights (US title: The Golden Compass), was more gripped by it as a whole. I particularly enjoyed the connections between Lyra's and Will's (our) Oxford, when Lyra discovers what is similar, and what is not, to the place where she grew up. There's still a rather mystic edge to the story which I don't quite get, but I guess everything will clear up in the last chapter.

Good middle book
The Subtle Knife is a good middle book of a trilogy and in some ways a good 'link' book-not quite as good as the first in that you lose some of the novelty.Though Pullman makes enough changes for it to be still quite fresh;New Worlds,new good/bad guys etc while still having our mainstay links through the book in Lyra,Mrs Coulter,Asriel,Byrnison.It's a compulsive read-I read this very quickly as I did the first.Again,good fun and an easy read.Better than the Harry P books (for me) and,very readable for an adult.I do think that when reviewing childrens books that the reviewers should put their age down as I think it's no good a kid reading my thoughts on it to help them decide (I'm 40 yrs old)-and likewise no point in an adult using a ten year old to help himself decide if to get the books.I wish when I was a kid though,that at school,they made you read books like this rather than shakespeare etc.I would say,if you're an adult with kids,buy it,read it,and lend it to them!

Great Book! Great Series!
The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman Is amazing. It is and interesting fantasy novel that has tons of action.This book includes Magic, Battles, Science, And Friendship. This also a great series. The reason i would choose this book over the amber spyglass is because the amber spyglass had so much action and things going on that it got tiring. Also it was very long. The Subltle Knife is about two children, Will and Lyra, That embark on a fantastic journey that takes them through many worlds. They meets outragous enimies and allies such as angels, witchs, talking war bears, and small bug-like Gallivispian Spies. This book was great and is a must read! I Would Give It 5 STARS! ***** it is also a great series. I think it is destined to become the next Harry Potter. ... Read more

Book Description

Unabridged Audiobook. 6 CDs - 6 hours, 42 minutes

Mole was happy with his life until one day, in the middle of spring-cleaning, he emerges from his hole at Mole End and starts meandering the English countryside. Everything is new for the simple, but stalwart mole. Never before had he seen a river, taken a boat ride, or encountered the woods.

But this is nothing compared to what awaits him when he gets tangled up in the escapades of the indomitable Mr. Toad, the society-hating Badger of Wild Wood, and the easy-going Water Rat! Motorcars, gypsies, jailbreaks, and a weasel rebellion are all in store for these intrepid animals. Beyond mischievous life adventures, the story conveys the typical turn of 20th century life in Britain and the struggle between the noisy, common way of life and the genteel. ... Read more

Reviews (89)

One of the Greats
Only Kipling's Jungle book, rivals this as the classic talking animal book for children. With his beautiful prose, Grahame evokes laughter, suspense, pleasure and even awe. Water Rat, Mole, Badger, Otter, and the insufferable Toad quickly gain our interest and sympathy. If you buy it to read to children, beware! You may not be able to resist reading ahead a few chapters after you put them to bed. This is a book not to be missed. The scene in which Pan appears as the animals' protector inspired a song by Van Morrison, and a mention in Jane Goodall's book, A Reason for Hope. From it a child of any age will get fun, wonder, and a demonstration of the beautiful possibilities of the English language.

Charm
Kenneth Grahame wrote this for his son and published this in book form in 1908. He has simply created a masterpiece, not just in children's literature, believe me many adults read this one with pleasure. The chapters follow the doings and adventures of Mole, Rat, Badger, and of course Toad. The prose is lyrical at times, the stories hilarious, and charm and wisdom flow from Grahame's pen. There has been many illustrators for different editions of this over the years. I like Rackham and Shepard and recommend the editions that have one or the others illustrations, or get two copies of "The Wind in the Willows" and you can have both of these fine illustrators work to enjoy. I read this book when a child and I come back to it again and again.

A primer on friendship
The Wind in the Willows is a delightful children's classic that touches upon many things; wonder, pastoralism, but most of all friendship between individuals very different from one another. One of the hallmarks of this classic is that the adventure stories remain entertaining to this day. A must read for any child.

Check your Text
In response to the 5 star reviewer, I encourage her to check her text's publication date. I used the Scholastic version of The Wind in the Willows for years and up until 2 years ago it was an unabridged version. That older version has been replaced by the Miles version, however, which is not unabridged. I discovered this by accident when I ordered it for my classes--believing I was getting the old Scholastic version--and found that the version my students received bore little resemblance to the one I had. Hence my warning about this text. The Miles version is NOT the one Scholastic used to offer and it IS drastically altered.

Uneven Version
"Wind" is the charming story of four friends living near the river bank - Mole, Badger, Rat and Toad. The story follows their adventures in the Wide World, and how true friendship keeps them together through "thick and thin."

Unfortunately, the story loses some of its appeal in this video version. It tells the tale well enough, but it just doesn't have the feel of a "classic." Sometimes, you have to read the book to fully appreciate it!

Good, not great. Three stars. ... Read more

Book Description

Four cassettes, 6 hrs

Artemis Fowl is a one of the greatest criminal minds the world has ever seen. He is heir to the Fowl family empire—a centuries old clan of international underworld figures and con artists. He is arguably the most cunning Fowl of all. He is also twelve years old.

Artemis' interest in mythology and an obsession with the Internet leads him to discover proof of the existence of "The People"- otherwise known as fairies, sprites, leprechauns and trolls. He learns every fairy has a magical Book. If he can find the Book, it will lead him to "The People's" vast treasure of gold.
With his brutish sidekick, Butler, he sets his plans in motion. Artemis tricks a drunken old fairy woman into loaning him her Book, a tiny golden volume, for thirty minutes. He scans it with a digital camera and emails it to his Mac G6 computer. Back in his mansion in Ireland, he is the first human to decode the secrets of the fairies.

Artemis needs a leprechaun to help him with this plan. He and Butler hunt down Holly Short, a tough, female LEPrecon, part of a gung-ho Fairy commando unit, who is on a reconnaissance mission.
He kidnaps her, and a major battle begins. It's satyr against gnome, man against elf, and for the first time in his life, Artemis must decide what he values most.

For fans of J.R.R.Tolkien, J.K. Rowling, and Philip Pullman, Artemis Fowl is a high-tech fantasy, mixing faries, leprechauns, and computers, in a brilliant, thrilling story that is destined to become a cult favorite. ... Read more

Reviews (599)

I raced through it!
This is a very fast-paced book indeed. There is something happening on every page so that you never get bored. I read 90% of this book in one sitting and the rest the next morning (I needed my sleep). There is no over-description or indulgence here. It's a story told quickly and smartly.

And I really cannot understand any of the negative reviews here. There are no REAL good guys or bad guys in this book. Everything is rather evenly balanced. So when people moan about Artemis Fowl being a nasty little boy and a villain and so on it really puzzles me. This book is written to be accessible to all ages, so when adults cannot get into the story it's a bit odd.

The plot twists, while intelligent and clever, are NOT hard to follow. You'll be almost oblivious to them practically if you turn the pages as quickly as I did. I like the idea of setting it in Ireland and a 12 year old boy as the lead makes it appealing to kids moreso. My fave character tho was Foaly, the gadget-fixated centaur. I worry tho that maybe the presence of so much super high-tech gadgetry might date the book badly in a few years to come. It's cool to see fairies using plasma screens and surveillance cameras but the original Star Trek series looks badly dated now in retrospect and I worry that the same thing might befall Artemis Fowl. It's a shame because this really ought to be a timeless book.

I'm certainly looking forward to the sequel. And if you like fantasy novels or intelligent fiction for all ages then quickly pick up a copy of Artemis Fowl. I got the hardback copy with the glittering sparkles all over the cover. And it looks way cool.

Interesting!
Contrary to some of the opinions that have been expressed, one of the things I liked most about the Artemis Fowl was the lead character himself, 12-year old Artemis. His ingenuity and brilliance combined with an appalling ruthlessness makes him one of the most fascinating characters I've read in a long time. Artemis is the sort of anti-hero you would despise in real life but root for in a story. In that sense, he reminds me of Carmen San Diego who proves to be just as big a challenge to her adversaries as Artemis is to the LEPrecon unit.

Also, I have to add that comparing Artemis Fowl to the Harry Potter series doesn't really help since the two books are different in so many aspects. First of all, Artemis is definitely NOT Harry. He may be young but he's far from innocent or well intentioned. And I really wouldn't recommend him as a role model for young kids. Secondly, while the Harry Potter series is about the battle between good and evil (to put it simply), Artemis Fowl's story is about a battle of wits between the humans and the fairies where each group tries to outsmart the other. No one side can be simply classified as good or evil (although some people out there would probably disagree and promptly classify Artemis in the latter category). There are many other differences between the two but so far the only thing in common I can find for both Artemis Fowl and Harry Potter is that they both belong to the fantasy genre which really doesn't provide much of a basis for comparison.

All in all, I'd say Artemis Fowl is a pretty good read. The story is inventive and interesting with an exciting pace and an intriguing lead character to match. While it's probably not the best reading material for young impressionable kids out there, I'd definitely recommend it to young adults and everyone else interested in fantasy and sci-fi.

one of the best books ever
Artemis Fowl was fun and exciting. I couldn't put this book down. Who knew fairies could be so tricky, especially the LEP officers. These aren't your regular fairytale fairies. I was so enchanted by it that I immediately started book 2 in this series. I have to know what happens next!

A magical and brilliant parody
People have been known to look for gold in the strangest of places. But the twelve-year-old Artemis Fowl, a brilliant criminal mastermind, decides to beat them all. Everyone knows that faeries possess a lot of gold, and they are exactly from whom Artemis wants to steal it away. But to accomplish his evil scheme the young master Fowl will have to learn the laws and rites of those long forgotten People. He has first to get a hold of one of their Magic Books. When one day his faithful servant Butler brings him a message from their sneaky contact Nguyen Xuan it seems that they finally found what they were looking for. And indeed, what better place is there to start their search from than Ireland, the land of Goblins and Faeries?

First of all an important message: stop comparing this book to Harry Potter! It is like comparing it with Shakespeare, just because it also is published on paper. If you cannot resist comparing it to any book, then take a book written by Terry Pratchett. Maybe Artemis Fowl is in a way more a parody of life than it is a fantasy novel.
But then again, Artemis Fowl is quite unique. Contrary to the older generation of adolescent novels, it treats its readers as a smart, intelligent audience. It is refreshing to see a story unfold where the difference between good and evil is not necessarily defined on the first pages.

Although the novel is action packed and can easily be classified as a page-turner, in the end the complexity of the story is not its biggest asset. Like most first novels in a series it pays more attention to getting the characters and settings in place than it is concerned about the storyline. Even more reasons, I would say, to run to the shop and buy its sequel - something I will definitely do, right now...

Perfect!
This is great! It seems the author is a mastermind too! ... Read more

Book Description

Originally published as Gonna Sing My Head Off!, this big, colorful songbook is now reissued for the first time with a 23-song CD created especially for it. The book includes 62 of the best-loved American folk songs, with all the lyrics and easy-to-play musical arrangements of the tunes everyone remembers although they may need a little help with the words. From Maine to California, here are ”Michael, Row the Boat Ashore,” “On Top of Old Smoky,” “Home on the Range,” “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad,” “This Land Is Your Land,” to name a few–songs that represent the American spirit and history. With each beautifully illustrated song is a note about its origin. ... Read more

Book Description

read by Judi Dench, Stephen Fry, et al One cassette Runningtime: 1 hour ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Say "Ho" for the wonderful Pooh!
This amazing dramatization of the Pooh books is performed by a marvelously talented group of British entertainers who truly bring the Pooh characters gently and lovingly to life. As for this tape, I finally got this figured out. This is part of a four-tape program that represents the complete two-book Winnie-the-Pooh story collection, except the stories are out of order (probably so that they would fit equally on the tapes). Book 1, "Winnie-the-Pooh," is represented by "Pooh Goes Visiting" (stories in order: 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10) and "Piglet Meets a Heffalump" (stories: 5, 6, 7, 8). Book 2, "The House at Pooh Corner," is dramatized by "Tigger Comes to the Forest" (stories in order: 1 2, 4, 3, 9, 10) and "Pooh Invents a New Game" (stories 5, 6, 7, 8). When stories that depend on previous information are out of order, it gets confusing. My suggestion: Get the "Winnnie-the-Pooh" / "The House at Pooh Corner" gift pack, which is also four tapes (the same recordings), but in the proper order.

Best Version of Pooh Available
If you have a small child, there simply isn't a better way for them to enjoy the magic of these stories as they were meant to be heard. The truncated, illustration-heavy Disney books, which seem to be everywhere, simply don't tell the stories.

Other notable versions, such as Lionel Jeffries's excellent reading, are no longer available, and Charles Kuralt's, while clearly in the right spirit, can be a little dull for smaller kids.

Sephen Fry is wonderful, and Jane Horrocks's piglet is a delight. Judy Dench and Geoffrey Palmer also bring excellent characterizations to the stories. My 2 year old and I love this version, and it makes her want me to read the book to her. There is no higher recommendation than that from a child!

A whole new Pooh.
This tape represents a whole new Pooh. The readers create an elegant experience that is gentle and at the same time fun and adventurous. My favorite Pooh reader was always Lionel Jeffries, but as those tapes seem to have disappeared from the face of the earth, the Stephen Fry series may become my new favorite. The talented people involved in this production make it a true classic. I have listened to this over and over, and it doesn't lose its freshness. Take it along on your next car trip with the kids! (or without them!)

Edward Bear as he was meant to be heard!
Dame Judi Dench and her husband Michael Williams warmly and with great humor narrate several Pooh stories, with the hilarious Stephen Fry as Pooh, and their daughter Finty making a squeaky cameo appearance as Roo. Geoffrey Palmer has found his niche forever, as far as I'm concerned, as Eeyore. A more forlorn and world-weary Eeyore has never and will never exist! Add to this a delightful piano accompaniment underlying the "hums" and you've got the best Pooh tape ever. When will there be more? ... Read more

Book Description

Catchy melodies, drill and student involvement make multiplication tables to twelve very memorable. A complement of self quizzing music tracks allows students to quiz themselves. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Absolutely the best multiplication resource I've ever tried.
I purchased this for use with my third grade class and I have to say that we played it so much I had to replace the tape! This collection of songs was put together with a great deal of thought. Each melody is different, very musical and very catchy. NOT the usual rap sounds that I had expected to hear. As a matter of fact, the tunes are so catchy they almost have a hypnotic effect. Even adults find themselves singing the times tables after class. (Looks a bit crazy, I know!)

What I especially like about these songs is that they also teach skip counting. The chorus of every single song is actually skip counting. So, not only do students learn all of their timetables, they can count by 6's, 7's, even 12's with no problem! The use of skip counting makes this tape perfect for grade three students as a primer and for grade four students as a resource and review.

The flip side of the cassette allows for students to test themselves.

I have had many students tell me that they do well on their tests because of these songs! I often recommend this cassette kit for home use as a fun way to review. ... Read more

Book Description

Read by the author
approx. 3.5 hours
3 CDs

Since its publication in 1952, Charlotte's Web has become a beloved classic! Always a favorite for family sharing, the audio, lovingly read by the author himself, will now be available in this special commemorative CD edition, re-mastered with a bonus audio track.

The Charlotte's Web 50th Anniversary CD Edition will be a treasured keepsake for the entire family. ... Read more

Reviews (306)

among the best in children's literature
As we all know, there are those certain books in the world that literally every single child in the world should read, and "Charlotte's Web" is a perfect example of must-read literature. It's such a classic story, not to mention a beautiful one. E.B. White creates such memorable characters and describes them very well. When a little girl named Fern hears that some baby pigs have been born in the barn, she is terrified to hear that her father plans to kill the littlest one, the useless "runt." Fern talks her father into letting her adopt the pig. She names it Wilbur and treats it as her own. Then the time comes for the pig to be more on its own, so Fern is forced to sell him to her uncle, who owns a farm. Wilbur feels lonely and out of place until he meets Charlotte, a kind spider who befriends him and, eventually, saves his life. Beautiful, beautiful story of friendship and courage. It contains characters and a fun plot that any child can enjoy. I read this book for the first time when I was in fourth grade, and I recently helped a little second-grader that I baby-sit for with her "Charlotte's Web" comprehension questions. It brought memories back. This is one of those books that you remember for the rest of your life once you've read it. It's excellent, and well worth the money.

'O best beloved'
This is a book which should have ten stars, not just five.

Faced with the impending slaughter of Wilbur, the runt piglet she has saved and nursed to health, Fern is appalled that she has fattened him for the axe, and commits herself passionately to save her beloved animal. So, too, is Charlotte, the spider who inhabits the barn with him, and woh turns her web into a sort of billboard/oracle which astonishes (and admonishes) the community by weaving words that inform them that this is no ordinary pig! She recruits Templeton the Rat and the rest of the animals in her battle for Wilbur's life...will they succeed? or will Wilbur be a nine-days' wonder? and what will be the ultimate cost?

This is the best present I can imagine to inspire a young reader; it's a wonderful tale of courage against the odds; it's warm, sad, and delightfully funny, and 30 years after I read it in fourth grade, I still get a lump in my throat thinking about it. A special, special book. (With wonderful original illustrations!)

A Great Book about Friendship
I must confess that having just read "Animal Farm" shortly before reading this book, I was a little hesitant about excepting this as a pure children's story without any hidden political agenda. I kept expecting the talking animals to rise up behind the pig and take over the farm. Rest assured however there was none of that, as E.B. White does a good job of keeping the story at a purely kids level.

Wilber is the runt in a litter of pigs, and Mr. Arable the farmer is going to take him out back and have him slaughtered since as he says, "He is small and weak and will never amount to anything." His young daughter Fern who is eight, hears this and requests that her father give the pig to her to raise instead. The father wishing to prove a point to her, allows this so long as she promises to do all the work to take care of it. To Mr. Arable's surprise Fern does an excellent job of raising Wilber and he turns out to be "Some Pig", proving that even though he was very small he still could amount to something.

As Wilber grows bigger the Arable's can no longer support feeding him, so Mr. Arable has Fern sell Wilber to her uncle Mr. Zuckerman who has a farm down the road. There she goes and visits Wilber every day. Being young I guess gives you the ability to sit and listen to the animals more intently than adults, and by doing so Fern is able to hear that the animals can actually talk and she understands them. (Being the father of two girls who are 7 and 5, I'd have to disagree somewhat with this logic as my girls never sit still, and certainly have a hard time listening at times, but for the sake of the story we'll just give them the benefit of the doubt.)

Anywise Wilber meets all the other animals in the barn who are very nice, but none of them are really his close friend. He becomes lonely and wishes for a friend. A gray spider named Charlotte answers his prayers and after introducing herself, she becomes Wilber's best friend.

When the other animals tell Wilber that Mr. Zuckerman is just fatting him up to eat him for Christmas, this makes him greatly disturbed. Charlotte being a great friend promises to do all she can to make Wilber so important to Mr. Zuckerman that he would change his mind. She sets a plan in action to weave messages into her web proclaiming how great the pig is, and by doing so she hopes to trick the adults into believing it as well. With the help of Templeton the rat she obtains some newspaper clippings and begins her work.

Each new message in the web is looked upon as miracle, but rather than looking for any religious connection, the folks in the town just believe they have a very famous pig on their hands and accept it at face value.

The suspense builds as Zuckerman takes Wilber to the Fair. If he can just win an award there, Charlotte knows his life will be saved. Charlotte and Templeton have to stow away in Wilber's crate just to accompany him to the Fair, and then when they get there the pig in the stall next to Wilber is twice as big and looks to be a shoe in for first prize.

This book was obviously written at a much simpler time in history. At the Fair grounds the adults send the kids off on their own. Besides Fern who is 8, she has a little brother Avery who is only 5. After giving them all kinds of warnings such as not to eat too much, and to stay out of the sun, to not get dirty, and to be careful on the rides, the mother stops and says to the husband, "Do you think they'll be all right?" and he responds, "Well they have to grow up sometime." (None of the warnings were about staying away from strangers.) Of course when the kids returned they hadn't stayed out of the sun and were hot, and completely dirty, but they had fun.

Fern meets a boy at the Fair, and starts to grow up a bit as playing with him starts to seem like more fun than talking to bunch of animals.

It is a great book about overcoming obstacles even though you are very small, growing up, and most of all friendship. My girls loved the book as well, and especially seemed to like the illustrations by Garth Williams.

Quality literature for children
A spider saves the life of a friendly pig by spinning accolades about him in her web, thereby producing a miracle that impresses people for miles around. This is a beautifully written little story for children that has real literary quality. The prose is excellent. Note in particular the simple but lovely descriptions of the passing seasons that Mr. White writes. The themes include friendship, coping with the loss of loved ones, and the realization that life goes on, changed but still worth living.

Best book ever
I think this is a really good book.It was about a pig and a spider who were vary good friends. My favorite part of the story was when they went to the Fair. The book was great. ... Read more

Book Description

The first volume of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, revised and with a new foreword and an index by Professor Tolkien. The trilogy recounts the War of the Ring, in which the Third Age of Middle-earth came. This volume opens with the discovery of the Nature of the Ring. "Destined to outlast our time." -- New York Herald Tribune ... Read more

Reviews (714)

Finally a "real" unabridged recording of LOTR
I am not one who usually buys books-on-tape (or CD as in this case) but I have long wanted to obtain the Lord of the Rings so as to hear this incredible story over and over. After having read it several times, my book is in tatters and so I searched for an unabridged audio recording. Many of those that I have seen claim to be "unabridged" but the fact is that they are not complete! They give parts of the books in full but leave out many sections or chapters. This set by Rob Inglis is COMPLETE!!! It is very well read with no drastic voicing of characters. Characters are easily distinguished and thoroughly enjoyable. This set is not full of sound effects and music, so if you are looking for that this is not for you. However, I personally prefer the fact that this is not an over-production and is rather quite focussed on what I wanted in the first place, the characters and the story. Inglis does a marvelous job and I am very happy with this set. Again, not to harp on it but, this is a "complete" package well worth the money!!!

A grand beginning to the supreme fantasy of our time
There is, as Simon Cowell says, "no question or doubt" (or "no question a doubt", danged if I know from his accent) that this is one of the greatest works of Western literature the world has yet seen. That was beautifully proven with the movies. Now, after reading the tedious "The Hobbit" and witnessing Peter Jackson's timeless adaptation, I was finally ready to pick up Part One of LOTR. I'm glad I didn't wait another second. Tolkien's first brainchild is timeless, a flawless blend of rousing adventure, memorable (and often quirky) characters, hypnotic fantasy, good vs. evil, and social commentary. If you are willing enough to read the lenghtly introduction, don't be fooled by Tolkien's explanation that this is just a book for your basic reading pleasure. It can be read on so many thematic levels it's unbelievable. There is a chapter in the book that was cut from the movie. The chapter "In The House of Tom Bombadil" provides a pause in the increasing tension of the novel (the hobbits have had a close encounter with death from a terrible enemy) and introduces us to Tom Bombadil and his lovely wife. In the book, the pause works, but it was best left out of the movie, where the pace was much quicker. That brings me to another point of the book: the pace. Tolkien did not write this to satisfy children. This is fantasy for those with very long attention spans. He goes into long, at times tedious, detail of what the Fellowship had for breakfast, if one of them ate more than the other, etc. And the romance between Aragorn and Arwen is not present in the book as it is in the movie. No matter. Both the movie and book are excellent and stand as perfection in their genre. Buy both immediately.

Brillance from the Grandmaster of Fantasy
The Fellowship of the Ring is beautiful and rich in texture, character development, and writing style, and in my opinion transcends the realm of "book" and "fantasy", becoming true literature and a classic. The book should not be confused with the movie, as the two are aimed at different audiences with different expectations. Fellowship is without a doubt dated. As some reviewers have pointed out, Tolkien may spend 80 pages walking down a road, or 2 pages in a song. He may spend pages developing a character's style, then mere paragraphs describing an action scene. Tolkien wrote to a British audience back in the 30s and 40s who didn't mind this and actually expected it. An audience who were not as rushed as we are today, who did not expect the instant gratification TV and computers bring and were used to pure imagination to visualize action scenes. An audience who had 2 or 3 hours a night to become absorbed in a book and who were willing to put forth the sustained effort to delve into complex character development. The movie in turn is geared towards maximum action and gratification in a short time period. There's nothing wrong with that; in fact I think the movie is brilliant, a visual feast. But that is not, nor can it be, the aim of the book. The point of this book is to close yourself off to the real world and lose yourself entirely in Tolkien's fantasy. If a sentence has to be reread a couple of times, or only 20 pages are read in an hour or two, than so be it. This is not a novel to be rushed.

Not a fantasy fan
I am not a fantasy fan but wanted to read this anyways- I didn enjoy it but it was just a bit slow at points. It took sometime getting through it but made me appreciate the movies that much more. Probably wouldn't have gotten through the book if I hadn't watched the movie first.

best book ever
"The Lord of the Rings" is the greatest piece of literature the world has ever seen and will ever see. Nothing can replace it.

Now I have a little something to say to someone named "alcar" who gave this wonderful book one star. You are an idiodic freak!!!!! No one can insult J.R.R. Tolkien. And yes, he wrote this. You must be pretty stupid not to know that the book came before the movie. The way you wrote your review, you made it seem like you thought the movie came before the book. WELL YOU COULDN'T BE MORE WRONG!!!!! The end credits of the movie clearly state "Based On The Book by J.R.R. Tolkien". You are an idiot. (please write another review so you can reply to me.) ... Read more

Book Description

Ever the resourceful young criminal mastermind, Artemis has found a way to construct a supercomputer from stolen fairy technology.Called the "C Cube," it will render all existing human technology obsolete.Artemis then arranges a meeting with a Chicago businessman, Jon Spiro, to offer to suppress the Cube for one year in return for gold, his favorite substance.But the meeting is a trap, and Spiro steals the Cube and mortally injures Butler.Artemis knows his only hope to save Butler lies in fairy magic, so once again he is forced to contact his old rival, Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon fairy police. Miraculously, Butler is healed, but there is a catch: he has aged fifteen years.Thus, Butler's infamously ditzy sister, Juliet, is called in as Artemis's bodyguard.Together, they travel to Chicago to steal back the Cube and ensure that Jon Spiro is put out of business-permanently. ... Read more

Reviews (149)

Artemis Fowl The Eternity Code
Artemis Fowl, Eternity Code
By: Eoin Colfer
Reviewed By J. Poupongtong
Period: 6

"Artemis Fowl,The Eternity Code" is a great book for ages 10-13. It gets complicated at first, but then it starts to clear up. This book is about a thirteen year old boy who has a family record of criminals. His father has a serious injury that can only be healed by Holly Short, a lep officer. The lep is an underground organization that is made up entirely of fairy creatures. The healing that Holly Short performed changed his father's personality and made him care less about his stocks and more on his family. Artemis is changed by that and is about to go straight just after he pulls of his biggest crime yet. This crime started when a meeeting with Jon Spiro, an american industrialist and also head man of Fission Chips, a stock company that is only trailing Phonetix. They were arguing about the C-Cube, a micro computer that Artemis made out of stolen Lep circuits. This argument ended when Arno Blunt, Spiro's bodyguard, shot Butler, Artemis's bodyguard. Butler was in need of a healing and Artemis called Holly Short for the healing. The healing toook some life force from Butler, making him about 50 years old. Now the quest is on to get back the C-Cube, but Artemis will need backup. Aided by only Mulch Diggums, a dwarf, Holly Short, an elf, Butler, Butler's kid sister Juliet(who is also training to be a bodyguard), can Artemis get back the C-Cube?

I liked this book a lot. You can see that this is clearly an adventure book. But this is also a science fiction, comedy, and action book. So you can also see that this book has many genres. This book's dialog is also funny. When Artemis says that quote" I'm here because this odious little man threatened to crush my skull between his teeth" is one of the funniest and smartest jokes that I have heard in all the books that I have read thus far.

The dumbness of pex and chips, two bodyguards working for Blunt is also very humerous. When Chips said" Wanna know why they call me chips" and pulled out a bag of chips AND pex didn't know why chips was called chips was very funny. Also this books has a very high level of vocabulary. The system that I've read at Fission Chips is very advance. Also, the vault that keeps the cube has five diffrent defences. There are a weightsensitive, thumbprint, voice, and eye scans. Also they have live security in an air tight room.

My favorite part was when Holly was trying to subdue four goblins. Eoin Colfer making the goblins have the ability to know how to launch fireballs was very suspending. The lep have a wide variaty of weapons including a Nutrino 2000, a nonleathal handgun, and a camfoil, an invisability cloak. My least favorite part was when Butler almost died. That part was also very suspending. I'm waiting for the fourth book and if you read this book, I think that you would to.

Fun brain Buster for kids
The Eternity Code is the best book out this year. Butler has made a C- cube out of fairy technology that was left over from the time that the fairies tried to raid the fowl mansion. It is at least 50 years before schedule in the technology industry and mafia man Jon Spiro has to have it. When Artemis has a meeting with Mr. Spiro he falls right into a trap. Even though Artemis gets out alive, Spiro's main man Blunt mortally and physically wounds his dear and close friend Butler. Artemis has to think on his toes to save Butler and save his C-cube. Artemis has deciphered a brilliant plan to storm Mr. Spiro's high tech research building but it requires a little bit of help. Artemis has recruited the notaries Mulch Diggins, Butlers little sister Juliet and Holly Short. This book is a great read for children and grown-ups alike. One of the best books of the year is out and about!

Not as entertaining as 1 & 2
I see that Colfer has left himself a wee opening for an Artemis Fowl #4 and if there were one, I would read it. The Eternity Code's pacing is slower than books #1 and #2 but it's just as tight and almost just as entertaining. While on the one hand I was glad to see Butler make it through to the end, the book would have been stronger in many regards if he hadn't. I was also suprised to see Artemis' parents suddenly absent after they were Artemis' raison d'etra in books #1 and #2.

Good Dad, Bad Dad
In this third Artemis Fowl tale, Artemis gets into a jam when he tries to sell a tricked up piece of hardware cobbled together from technology he's filched from the fairy world. In an uncharacteristic lapse of judgment, he tries to sell it to Chicago Bad Guy Jon Spiro. Artemis's dad is back from the Artic, but he's changed. Artemis doesn't know what to make of this different dad, so maybe that's why he tries to go into business with Spiro. Spiro calls Artemis "Arty"-just like Artemis's dad does. Spiro is the bad old dad that Artemis was used to (and deeply misses). Spiro is also an omen of the kind of person Artemis will turn into if he doesn't change his ways.

As usual, the LEPricon police have to pop in and help Artemis save the day-but this time, they exact a price for their services. Their exasperation with Artemis is perfectly understandable. When will Artemis get the message that he can be his own worst enemy? Another engrossing Fowl book.

Good, but not needed.
(...)

I thought the first book was great, I LOVED the second one, but this is probably the most disappointing. Not bad, but disappointing.

I really thought the second book pretty much wrapped up the series by itself. All the unfinished subplots were resolved, and it was satisfying to see Artemis 'redeem' himself and make peace with Holly and the Fairies, and find his father.

I was hoping that third novel would close up in an even trilogy. Eoin Colfer actually said that there would be three books, but its obvious he changed his ideas. (For one thing, he said the final two volumes would be called "Artemis Fowl Jr" and "Artemis Fowl the second", and that the third book would take place a day after the third, which did not happen, obviously) Instead, there are so many unresolved twists in this one, that there's bound to be more.

There are two plot twists that will probably hurt the series (or change it radically). (...)

The villain of this piece, Jon Spiro is not as nearly as interesting as Opal Kaboi was, or Artemis Fowl when he was a villain himself in the first book. His henchmen are hillarious, but thats about as far as it goes.

My thoughts about this book are really complicated, so it didn't get translated too well. Get the book, its still good, just not as good as the first two. ... Read more

Book Description

DISCLAIMER: The long term effects of listening to this audio are unknown. Scientists have detected slightly higher rates of panic, fright and free-floating anxiety amongst listeners to this audio than that found in those listeners who engaged in more pleasant listening activities.

Dear Listener,

Like handshakes or housepets, many things are preferable when not slippery. Unfortunately, in this miserable volume, I am afraid that Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire run into more than their fair share of slipperiness during their harrowing journey up -- and down -- a range of strange and distressing mountains.

It would be best not to mention any of the unpleasant details of this story, particularly a secret message, a swarm of snow gnats, a scheming villain, a covered casserole dish, and a surprising survivor of a terrible fire.

Unfortunately, I have dedicated my life to researching and recording the sad tale of the Baudelaire Orphans. There is no reason for you to dedicate yourself to such things, and you might instead dedicate yourself to letting this slippery audio slip from your hands into a nearby trash receptacle, or deep pit. With all due respect,

Lemony Snicket

Reviews (123)

MiSs.OoOo!
The Slippery Slope by Lemony Snicket is a nice adition to the series of Unfortunate Events. In this book, the Baudelaires are seperated in the beginning. Using Violet's superb, mechanical mind and Klaus's amazing knowledge of books and words, they get through many problems. Only this time that had alittle help from Quigley Quagmire- the triplet everyone thought was dead. Quigley had amazing information on V.F.D that he picked up traveling in the footsteps of the Baudelaires. My favorite part in the book was when they escaped from the clutches of Count Olaf and his evil crew when Carmelita Spatz attempted to push them off the mountain. Although there was a tragic ending (as always) that i won't reveal, I know we'll be hearing more about the adventurous yet sad life of the Baudelaires. Lemony Snicket is an extremely talented author who makes it easy to understand what's going on in his stories by using situations that relate to us. His books have opened my mind and made me think about what he is trying to communicate to us. It's amazing how everything he writes fits in so well and all makes sense. I really enjoy reading Lemony Snicket and I encourage you to read all of his books!

The Slippery Slope
The Slippery Slope
Written by: Lemony Snicket

This is the tenth book in "A Series of Unfortunate Events". The main characters include the Baudelaire children, Count Olaf, and Esme Squalor. Sunny is the youngest of the three Baudelaire orphans. She is only two years old but is courageous and demands independence from her siblings. Sunny has sharp teeth, a very limited vocabulary, and a strong will. Klaus is the middle child. He is 12 years old, loves to read, and is very intelligent. Violet is the eldest of the siblings and is 15 years old. She is imaginative and loves to invent things. Violet's inventions are well known among her admirers. Count Olaf is a wicked old villain who is out to get the Baudelaire's fortune. Esme is the evil girlfriend of Count Olaf. She is the "in and out girl". This means if it is in-style she'll embrace it, but if it is out she'll despise it.
The plot of the book is about the adventures of the Baudelaire children as they try to find out if one of their parents is still alive and try to find their kidnapped sister, Sunny. They encounter many obstacles and disappointments in their journey.
The setting takes place on the slippery slope of Mortmain Mountains. The mountains are freezing and are infested with evil insects called snow gnats. These insects will sting anything and everyone. It is a miserable place to be.
The theme of the book is about realistic trials and their outcomes. Unlike many stories this story does not have a happy ending.
I liked this book because it has unpredictable twists and turns. The author has a very unique style of writing! It will most definitely capture your attention.

slippery slope
the slippery slope has an exciting twist of happiness and sadness. i enjoyed this book because it kept me asking for more and so i wanted to keep reading. this book gives you chills in one chapter and the feeling of relief in another. i enjoyed this book along with the rest of the series.

The Best ASOUE Book Yet!
It was humorous at many parts what Sunny said (such as Busheney, which means an evil heartless man with no care for others, does that sound like a mixing of our president and vice president's names? Looks like another politician ^-^). Anyways, there are many surprises, and, of course, disatrous events anyone will love. READ IT NOW! If you haven't read the others, do so!

Great Book!
If you haven't bought this book yet, I suggest you buy it. It is the longest book yet (over 300 pages), but in this case, bigger is better. In this tenth sequel to one of the most popular book series out there, the Baudelaire kids reunite with old friends, and are seperated from Sunny by Count Olaf. Violet, Klaus, and their two friends have to find Sunny in the wilderness. Meanwhile, COunt Olaf and his troupe forces Sunny to commit to chores an average baby cannot do. And you might be quite surprise at what Sunny SAYS.

As usual, Snicket keeps you guessing at the end of every chapter. And even more suspensful, the note to the editor is even harder to read than past books, which you may or may not like. The book is a little slow-moving, but is well worth your money. Go out and buy this book that keeps you guessing from page 1 right now! ... Read more

Book Description

Dear Listener,

The word carnivorous means meat eating and this carnivorous volume contains such a distressing story that consuming any of its contents would be far more stomach-turning than even the most imbalanced meal.

It would be best if I didn't mention any of the unnerving ingredients of this story, particularly, an unruly crowd, a wooden plank, and Chabo the Wolf Baby. I also shouldn't mention the features of the interactive CD, which include:

Perplexing word games
Photos from The Lemony Snicket Archives
Art from The Brett Helquist gallery

Sadly for me, I continue to research the lives of the Baudelaire orphans, but your time might be filled with something more palatable. With all due respect,

Lemony Snicket

Performed by Tim Curry

Reviews (123)

Dark Humor, Misfortune, Despair, and False Hope
Unfortunately, for the Baudelaire orphans bad luck seems to follow them wherever they go like a nefarious, gloomy, gray cloud. Their many attempts of escaping the vile, and filthy Count Olaf have been hopeless since he always seems to track them down.
In the ninth installment of A Series of Unfortunate Events Lemony Snicket once again creates a dreadful scenario filled with dark humor, suspense, mystery, and a shred of small hope, if that is even possible. The Baudelaire orphans find themselves forced to disguise themselves in freak costumes and submerge themselves into different identities. Instead of clearing up the mystery that encircles the anagram of V.F.D. they find themselves with more questions than answers. So very close to finding the solution they were until, once again, they lost their chance.
This book, as well as the series are a good read for anybody who wants to have a good time, laugh, or in very rare cases...cry. There's a feeling of impotence as one believes that maybe, just maybe the Baudelaire's might have a happy experience for once but then you find out that this is as unbelievable as ants that can talk. Lemony Snicket's literary voice is unique and worthy of recognition as he creates a ghastly storyline that hasn't been seen before. Seriously, when was the last time you read a book with a sad beginning, middle, and end? I am a mere fourteen years old yet I really delight in hearing his mind perplexing stories with great vocabulary words, and strange yet funny baby talk. These book are great for any age.

sometimes the carnival is no fun at all..........
Justin Pergolini
Room 22

I am a fifth grade student at Waldron Mercy Academy(JP).The book I am reviewing is THE CARNIVOUROUS CARNIVAL by LEMONY SNICKET.PLEASE RUN FOR YOUR LIFE.THIS REVIEW IS DANGOURUS AND MUST BE ERASED. You could not possibly want to hear the horrible events in this book...that is what Lemony Snicket whould say if he was typing this. Unlike Lemony Snicket this book is one of the best books I've ever read. Trouble has struck again for the Bualdeluares. Our story begins with the Bauldeluares in the trunk of Count Olafs long black car. The Bauldelaures are three orphans named Violet,Klaus,and Sunny whose parents died in a horrible fire. Count Olaf is a greedy man who has followed the Bauldelaures everywhere they go trying to steal the orphan's fortune and has faked his own death and blamed the poor Bauldelueres for the murder. The Bualdelueres have left their recent ''home'' at Hemlich Hospital, which I am sorry to say is no more, and found a small glimmer of light in its library of records.............

The Bualdelaures arrive at Calarigi Carnival (which I am sorry to say is no more either) where they hear of a fortuneteller who is telling Olaf where the orphans are all the time. The Bauldelaures disguise themselves as freaks to get a job at the carnivals house of freaks. It's horrible there as the Bualdelares are treated harshly on stage. They are in even more danger when Count Olaf announces the next big attraction at the carnival:feeding some lions one freak a day that is randomly selected from a hat. But that night the Bualdelares find out a little secret about the fortuneteller...

But I am afraid that tragedy strikes again for the Bauldelares and this dark road is very long indeed...........

one of th best
The Carnivorous Carnival is definently one of the best Lemony Snicket books i have ever read. This time the kids hitch a ride in the back off Count Olafs car to the Hinterlands. I the story the kids desquise themselves from him as freaks. Sunny dresses up as a wolf baby and Violet and Klaus dress as a two headed person. throughout the story the kids end up finding out something they really want to know but dont find out if it is 100% true. the end of this story is the most sad of them all. so i think that yu should read the book to find out what turns out to happen in the end.

One of the best of the series
I really love the Series of Unfortunate Events. This one is one of my favorites of the series along with the Wide Window (3), The Austere Academy (5), and the Hostile Hospital (8).
These books are very good. I was very suprised by many things in this book.
Read them!

responce to literture
In the book The Series of Unfortunate Events The Carnivorous Carnival there are three children's names are Klaus, Sunny, and Violet. They are three children who are very unlucky and get into stuff they shouldn't get in to. Olaf captured the kids and what's to get the Baudelaire fortune. Violet, sunny, and Klaus find disguises and put them on. They dressed up like a two headed person and a bay wolf. Olaf finds out who they really are and tries to put them in a pit of hungry lions. Violet tries to escape but does it work read the book to find out. This book is very interesting and I think every one should read it. ... Read more

Book Description

Read by the author
6 hours, 52 minutes
6 cassettes

William Golding's classic novel of primitive savagery and survival is one of the most vividly realized and riveting works in modern fiction.The tale begins after a plane wreck deposits a group of English school boys, aged six to twelve on an isolated tropical island.Their struggle to survive and impose order quickly evolves from a battle against nature into a battle against their own primitive instincts.Golding's portrayal of the collapse of social order into chaos draws the fine line between innocence and savagery. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Lord of the Flies
Lord of the Flies is an imaginative novel that I recommend to all patient readers. I believe in this novel, like others I have read published in this period, has a slow paced plot that does not have incredible amounts of action. In this book, it is sometimes necessary to read two chapters before something exciting accure. For this reason I feel the book may leave something to be desired among the new generation of readers. However, I feel that William Golding does a great job of creating the beautiful, yet traitorous terrain and characters on the island. Overall, this book deserves its crown as one of the best books of its type in the 20th Century.

THIS IS ONE TO HEAR OVER AND OVER AGAIN!
It's often a distinct pleasure to listen to an audio book read by the author, as the writer of a story can bring an added depth, a richness that eludes voice performers. Such is certainly the case with this reading by the incomparable Cornwallian William Golding, the recipient of the 1983 Nobel Prize for Literature.

"Lord of the Flies" has become a contemporary classic since its publication in 1954. Who can forget this thrilling adventure of British school boys marooned on a tropical island? After their plane is wrecked on a deserted spot the boys must manage to survive.

Initially, the boys use their only resources - themselves, as there is no adult supervision. They make their own rules and way of life. But camaraderie is short lived as some of the boys follow Jack who would rather swim and play, while others are drawn to Ralph as he attempts to bring about order and delegate responsibility.

Throughout the years "Lord of the Flies" has been called a lesson in politics, a parable, and even a myth. Whatever the delineation it is timeless.

William Golding recorded his tale in a London studio in 1976. We're fortunate it has been remastered and re-released for our listening pleasure today. It is not a recording to be played and tossed aside; it is one to hear over and over again.

- Gail Cooke ... Read more

Book Description

Dear Reader,

"Rare" is a word which can mean either "not burnt to a crisp, and likely to make you ill" or "slightly harder to find." I'm sad to say that this rare edition of the bad beginning fits both of these definitions. In this alleged box, you will find the following:

1. A woeful story entitled the bad beginning, featuring a disturbing new cover.
2. An entire chapter of previously unpublished author's notes, which are arguably even more woeful than the tale itself.
3. An alarming portrait of the heroes and villains of this tale, ready to display in a souvenir frame. You may prefer to display your own, less disturbing, 4" x 6" image.

It is my sad duty to provide these miserable materials to the public, but you are free to look for something easier to find and less likely to upset your stomach.

With all due respect,

Lemony Snicket

Reviews (675)

a deliciously dark delight!
suspend your disbelief for a moment and imagine that tim burton, edward gorey, and charles dickens were locked in a room for a brainstorming session to create a new series of children's stories. this is what i can easily see when sitting down to read any of the books in lemony snicket's dark, humorous, and cleverly written series.

they are not harry potter. the comparisons alone are ridiculous. they're not even remotely similar. apparently, a "reviewer" can find two books in the same store, one of them being harry potter, and proceed to lambast the non-potter book solely on the fact that they co-exist. i just have to roll my eyes, shake my head, and write a review whenever i see this.

by now, you know the plot of these books. yes, they're pretty much the same, and yet they're different. i think you need to gauge your own child's sense of the morose before opting to read these to them. older children, i think, will delight in them, particularly those with a slightly twisted sense of humor.

i, personally, will continue to read each book in the series, if for no other reason than to see how count olaf will turn up next!

Okay, I can't understand what all the hype is about!
First of all, I want to state that I am very passionate when it comes to 'good' children's books. The HARRY POTTER books are some of my favorite books of all time (my top twenty list). The Newbery Awards were all given to deserving books that I have adored. For a while everywhere I went, the Lemony Snickett books were being lauded as fabulous children's literature. After seeing a segment on CBS Sunday Morning, I went out and bought the whole 'shebang' (is that even a word?) at my school's book fair (I'm the counselor)! I was terribly disappointed with the first book. Yes, it is easy reading, and yes, it does introduce new words (even though my parents always said, "Go look it up, you'll remember it!"). But the content of the story is so depressing and so unhappy that I was miserable the entire time I was reading! Character development was so poor that I wasn't even sad when horrible things happened to these children. Normally I cry when a baby is kidnapped, bound with duct tape (even over her mouth) and put in a birdcage to hang from the top of a tower! Well, I didn't bat an eye (and I become a sprinkler when reading a Patricia Polacco book).
There are eight books left in my crowded library to read; I'll keep you posted if they get any better!

Very Original!
A very interesting, original story about all the bad things that happen to the 3 Baudelaire children. I absolutely loved the way this book was written and seems to flow smoothly.

However, I think that some of the situations in the book were depressing, and may be scary for very young children. Otherwise this book was wonderful, and I found myself rooting for the Baudelaire children, and despising Count Olaf and his friends.

pointless
Maybe if I hadn't heard so many wonderful things about this book (as well as the entire line of follow-ups) I wouldn't be reviewing it so harshly.
This book is nothing but pointless, weightless children's fluff. Amusing if you are under 10 years of age & looking for some light (ULTRA light) reading, but completely unsatisfying if you crack the cover expecting something more along the lines of 'Harry Potter'.
The plot is very thin, and I can only assume it's due to this being one of a series, and thus the overall tale of the Baudelaire orphans is spread over the 10+ novels that have since been released. But this left the first book with very little substance, and left me feeling like I didn't care enough to give it another go with the second installment.

The Bad Beginning
I thought that this book was one of the best books I have ever read. Lemony Snicket's writing style is interesting as when there is a complicated word he tells you what it means. I thought that there was some humorous parts where he either tells you not to continue the book or he takes you away from the book and mentions some thing irrelevant to the story. ... Read more