Book Description

Is Mommy behind the chair?

Is Mommy behind the plant?

Join baby as he plays hide-and-seek with Mommy. The sturdy format and easy-to-lift flaps in this delightful interactive book are perfect for parents and children to share. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

My daughter started crawling because of this book!
My 7 month old daughter loves this book so much that the first time ever she started crawling was to come sit near me while I read it to her! She always laughs and giggles whenever I take this book out and she comes over to sit next to me. Other books, don't hold her attention and she wanders off after a few pages! I definitely recommend it!

One of Katz's best!
I have had this book since my daughter was almost a yr old and we still read it now at 25 mos...she never tires of the bright colors, the big flaps that are easy to lift....at the beginning just lifting the flaps was exciting for her but now she is understanding the concepts and gets all excited at the end when the boy finds his Mommy...then she turns to me and says Mommy! and hugs me! : ) The book also teaches concepts like in, behind, under etc. and also teaches vocabulary (duck, tub, chair, table etc..)....It is a book that can grow with your child. I think it is one of her best.

Another favorite by Karen Katz
I started reading this to my daughter when she was about 7 months. Listening her language and reasoning develop with each passing month is just incredible. She went from knowing when to say "no" and "yes" (after revealing Mommy's hiding spots) to knowing where Mommy is hiding, and naming all the things that Baby encounters along the way. I had to buy a second one because the first one was used and chewed and the flaps were all torn off. (You could say she ate it up.) She's now 21 months and still loving this story.

Great Book
I bought this book for my daughter when she was 4 months. She has loved this book from the beginning. She is now 9 months old and gets excited when it is time to read this book. We have to read it 3 or 4 times in a row and sometimes that is not enough. Absolutely her favorite book.

Our son absolutely loves this book!
We received this book as a gift when our son was 4 months old and we have been reading this book to him ever since. He loves this book! He loves turning the pages and lifting the flaps. We have read this book so many times that I have had to glue the flaps back on several times. He is over 10 months old and this is still the book that he reaches for first. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (41)

Radiant and moving
"On the day you were born a forest of tall trees collected the Sun's light in their leaves, where, in silent mystery, they made oxygen for you to breathe..." Radiant and moving, it doesn't get much better than this explaining what went on in the Universe the day your child was born. A book that I highly recommend. A child will feel and know that they are a significant part of Universe. A beautiful book to give as a gift.Although this book is recommended for the 4-8 group, a child of 12 months will be fascinated and held captive with this book and grow along with the book.This is a beautiful book celebrating the joy and wonder when a child is born. It describes how everyone, from animals to people to Earth itself, celebrated when 'you'were born. A child can't help but feel loved and very special when this book is read to them. And the parent, who is reading the book, can't help but realize how wonderful bring a new baby into the world really is. This is an ideal gift for a family when a child is born.

This book will make parents cry and toddlers read.
Any parent who has read this book will tell you that it can move you to tears. What makes this an outstanding book is that it uses science in a magical way. It is an inclusive book -- regardless of one's values and the place of religion in one's family life, this book fits in neatly. Since it does not make relationship associations, it can be read to children whether they are your birth child, adopted, foster child, grandchild, godchild or friend. The tone of the text provides positive affirmation of a person's individuality. It is written for babies, but can apply to everyone regardless of age. It does not condescend, either by tone or language. The use of paper illustrations with their clean, bold lines and colors captures and holds my 18-month-old daughter's attention every time we read it, making it easy for her to point out various shapes and objects. It is easy to read this one many times without becoming tedious. I applaud Debra Frasier for her effective celebration of life. If you are a book giver, and looking for a gift for a new baby, or even a toddler, this is an excellent choice. Or even if you are a grandparent, or just have small children visit you, what an excellent addition to your own library this book will be.

Great book for Birthday tradition
I received this book for the birth of my first son almost 5 years ago. It was put on the shelf until his first birthday...when I read it to him at bedtime for the first time. I was moved to tears. He was captivated by the pictures as well. We have read it to him at bedime on every birthday and it has become an important family tradition. We started the tradition with our younger son as well. I look forward to it every year. My son loved it so much by the time he was 3 years old that he started requesting it all the time. And tonight, my youngest second birthday, he sat and stared at the beautiful pages without one squirm (which is unheard of around here). It is a wonderful gift!

This book is horrible!!!!
Not for toddlers at all!! This book uses way too many big words, it's hard to read, the words just don't flow easily. I thought this book would be much more entertaining for toddlers but it isn't.

Wow!
This is actually my favorite book in our children's private collection. At first I was not too thrilled with the pictures but over time they have grown on me...now they seem just perfect for the story. I noticed some reviews down the book because they feel it is too advanced for the age range suggeted; I personally disagree. In my opinion it is never too early to impart knowledge to our children. I particularly like that it involves the child in the story line so that they ASK what these things mean. I am surprised to see some (very few, yet some none the less) feel so differently about the book but I wanted to post in defense of the book because I feel it really is a true treasure. (Not that it really needed it at 4 1/2 stars...I just think it is 5 star worthy!) I also noticed one reader refer to the text as freakish. Wow! I am still trying to figure out how the text could be seen in that light!

The intire book is full of text such as:

On the day you were born the moon pulled on the ocean below, and, wave by wave, a rising tide washed the beaches clean for your footprints...
...while far out at sea clouds swelled with water drops, sailed to shore on a wind, and rained you a welcome across the Earth's green lands.

I have never seen science explained in such a way for a small child and I think it was HIGH TIME!

I just LOVE this book, and quite frankly, so do my 2 kids age 2 and 4! ... Read more

Book Description

The complete collection of Beatrix Potter's 23 original books is available in this brand-new 100th anniversary presentation box. There has never been a more attractive way to keep and display Potter's classic tales. This luxurious box features spot lamination and a full-color, decorative scene inside the top. It holds all 23 little books, each of which has been redesigned and features improved reproductions of the illustrations. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

aesthetic integrity
By printing each tale as a separate book, this boxed series presents Potter's tales in the form they were originally published. The format allows each story to unfold with a deliberate pace, as the turning of each page reveals a fresh illustration alongside a few sparse lines of text. In contrast, a so-called "complete tales of" volume I looked at totally destroyed the aesthetic integrity of Potter's work by squeezing entire stories into 2 or 3 11" x 8" pages. Furthermore, the illustrations no longer followed the storyline in a linear fashion but instead looked like haphazard afterthoughts. I would recommend this series for preserving that almost undefinable "charm" of the originals.

Family Treasure
My children grew up reading these beautiful little books. Our set is identical to the one pictured, only we bought ours in the early 90s. Now with one in college and one who is a "punk rocker" I can *still* get them both to curl up with me and read Tom Kitten or Jemima PuddleDuck or The Roly-Poly Pudding or their favorite...Ginger and Pickles. Amazing, but true. Both my kids treasure this collection in its lovely case and the set was a very wise purchase. After all, stories like this keep your kids close to you, it is almost a ritual, and a good thing! Other editions of these stories are fine, but there is something about the little books and the special case that creates a sort of magic. Well worth the expense...I *promise.*

An old world approach to children's books
These books were great back in 1909, but now they don't talk to children about their world. They don't even talk about a world of yesteryear in a way that is useful or entertaining. The illustrations are good and can be used to make up a story that is more interesting and understandable to children, but why should this be necessary?

Tales That Span Generations...
This Peter Rabbit collection is a tiny world of parables, stories and lessons for children and adults of all ages. The beauty of the books is greatly enhanced by their encapsulation in a darling box, and they are just the right size for small hands to look through and admire. The simple pictures tell the story even without words! They are a wonderful addition for the bookshelf of your child, and the lessons they teach are most appropriate today- in a world where trouble exists and ethics are compromised.

Corrections to Editorial Review
This is a great boxed set, but the Editorial Review must be about another set. This one does not have a lock and handle and it has 23 books, not 12. Just so you know... ... Read more

Reviews (82)

A delight for "poopers" of all ages and species
"An elephant makes a big poop--a mouse makes a tiny poop." These straightforward observations mark the beginning of Taro Gomi's wonderful picture book "Everyone Poops." Not only is this beautifully illustrated book a great way to teach kids about a basic body function, it's also a wonderfully funny treat for adult readers.

I imagine that some prudish parents will be put off by Gomi's explicit (but charming) pictures of animals and humans taking "poops" of all shapes, sizes, and colors. But Gomi's basic message is sound: relieving one's bowels is a normal part of our everyday lives. In a world where too many people are too embarrassed to ask their doctor about colorectal cancer and other "poop"-related health problems, Taro Gomi's book is especially valuable. If the child (or parent) who enjoys this book feels less squeamish about discussing colorectal health concerns at a later time, than Gomi will have done more than just entertain; the author may have also helped save a life. So buy "Everyone Poops" and share it with the ones you love.

One of my two-year-old's favorites: "Poop book! Poop book!"
My daughter first found this book while using the bathroom at my friend's house. It was part of the "bathroom literature" collection there. She loved it so much that she made me read it three times to her while she sat there. (She was toilet-trained early).

So, for her second birthday, my friend got her this book and she loves it. She makes me read it over and over. It's a favorite bedtime story and she really gets a kick out of it. When the book shows a snake and asks "Which end is the snake's behind?" She says "This!" and points. When the book asks "What does whale poop look like?" she answers "Stinky!"

I am less intrigued by this book and find the pictures somewhat freaky, but since I'm not the target audience anyway, who cares? If you're trying to teach your children not to be embarrassed or ashamed of bodily functions, it's a great book. The "everyone poops" message is definitely communicated and my daughter seems to get some satisfaction knowing that she is just like everyone else.

even my therapist loves it
thank god for this book. i used to only poop in jars in the safety of my dark closet and then i would quietly hide the jars over the ceiling tiles in the northwest corner of the house.
my therapist gave me this book and now i can use a bedpan without fear of retribution. once they write a book on urine, i'll be all set.

Cold Hard Truth
A wonderful book for the entire family. Great for children!

A Potty Literature Classic
i think any child beginning potty training should have this book. it's humorous, has appealing illustrations, and (i think) teaches we shouldn't be ashamed of natural processes. it's a good supplement to other potty literature. ... Read more

Book Description

A toddler's graduation from diapers to the potty is always a veryimportant moment--and one to make parents and toddlers proud! In this book,Hannah needs to have her diaper changed so she can go out and play. Then Mom andDad bring a big box home, and Hannah is anxious to open it up and see what'sinside. Is it a rocking chair? A bed for Teddy? No, it's a potty--which meansit's time for Hannah to graduate from diapers. This gentle and humorous littlestory is charmingly illustrated and told in verse. Little girls will enjoylooking at the pictures and having the story read to them. Meanwhile, they'llstart getting the idea that it's time for them to grow up, exactly like Hannah.So that at last, they'll be able to say: "I'm off to the potty, No more diapersfor me! And I feel great, I am proud of ... ME! Here's a pleasant and effectivenew way to begin a child's toilet training. Barron's also publishes a potty bookfor a little boy, starring Henry. (Ages 1-4) ... Read more

Reviews (27)

My daughter loves it!
This is a fun, easy to understand book for young girls. It is a cute story that covers the basics. It took my daughter about 2 months to warm up to the book, but now we must read it about 3-5 times per day -- usually in the bathroom. I like the fact that the character does not "play" with her potty, like in many of these types of books. The child's name in the book is Hannah, so this was also a plus for us, since that is our daughters name.
That being said, the quality of the binding is not what I expected, we are very careful with our books, yet it is coming apart in the middle.

Corny but effective
I bought this book after returning home from a business trip to learn that my 2 1/2 year old daughter had regressed in her potty training desire! So far, the book is very effective. We read it once a day and she listens actively. We talk about the little protagonist, Hannah, and what she's doing as she learns about the potty. I'm so glad that there are books out there for little kids, because the understanding that my daughter is gaining by reading this book seems to be working. It seems that presenting potty training in an intellectual (as opposed to simply behavioral) manner is helping with our toddler.

success
Before my daughter got into the bathtub every morning, i put her on her little potty and read her this book. At times, we would read it twice -- she loved it! (i replaced Hannah's name with her own). After 2 weeks of patiently reading it and going thru our ritual, the light finally went on and she knew what needed to be done -- pee pee! promptly, we laughed and clapped, just as Hannah does in the book. we had a 20 minute celebration and she kept looking inside the potty proudly. i give full credit to this book for helping my daughter understand the potty concept more easily. yay!

A Good Introduction
Hannah can eat her breakfast, brush her teeth, and even dress all by herself. Her biggest hurdle? The potty! As with most potty training experiences (mine included), Hannah and her parents need plenty of patience...and paper towels!

Reality check. I had two minor issues with the book: Hannah easily removes her diaper. My girls struggled to get theirs off (at least at first). And Hannah seems to graduate instantly from diapers to underwear after only one successful potty. In my house that meant instant mess!

Otherwise, readers will chuckle over Alyssa Capucilli's delightful rhyme, rapped by Hannah herself, and Dorothy Stott's hilarious antics of Hannah's potty partner Teddy the bear.

We have read almost every potty book available on the market as of 9/2003 (over two dozen!). Most fit into two categories: INSTRUCTIONAL books that introduce the skills needed to master the potty; and those that are primarily ENTERTAINING, for children who understand what is supposed to happen on the potty, but need extra time to make it happen.

I think The Potty Book for Girls fits more in the INSTRUCTIONAL category for the following reasons:

1) It identifies the purpose of the potty.
2) It specifies bodily functions such as "poop" and "pee."
3) Shows the transition from diapers to big kid underwear.
4) Includes the hand washing step.

For other potty books that are instructional, check out What to Expect When You Use the Potty by Heidi Murkoff, You Can Go to the Potty by Martha Sears, or My Big Girl Potty by Joanna Cole.

My daughter loves this book.
My daughter is 22 months old and is interested in potty training. This is her new favorite book. What I like about it is that it is clean... no pictures of anatomy like in Once upon a Potty. That's a little much for a toddler in my opinion. What is great about the book is that it lets children know that potty accidents are OK and that they should just keep trying! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Sesame Street veteran and Emmy Award-winner Mo Willems returns with a fast, funny follow-up to Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!--only this time, the short-tempered pigeon faces his perfect foil in a "special guest star" duckling.In the previous Pigeon book, author and illustrator Willems expertly distilled the escalating emotions of preschoolers all too anxious to get their way. The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog--also a simple and sparsely illustrated story--explores the flip side of that coin, exposing the poker-face persuasive powers of young negotiators. The pigeon just wants to greedily eat the hot dog that he's found: "Oooooh! A hot dog! Yummy! Yummy! Yummy!" Then along comes the duckling, "scooty scoot scoot!" with his insistent questions about hot dogs: "What do they taste like?...Would you say that it tastes like chicken?...Hey, I'm a curious bird." At first, the pigeon entertains the duckling, "Each morsel is a joy! A celebration in a bun!", but then he soon suspects the little bird might have designs on his delicious dog. In the end, of course, the clever duckling gets his way--and half of the hot dog: "You know, you're pretty smart for a duckling." (Ages Baby to Preschool) --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Reviews (7)

What luck!
Poor Pigeon. He has the good fortune of finding a hotdog. It's just sitting there. So what's the problem? (Special guest star) Little Duckling won't give Pigeon a moment's peace to eat the hotdog. "Does it taste like chicken?" Duckling asks. The discussion escalates until it is finally resolved with a happy ending and a fairly understated lesson. Mo Willems' lively pastel colored drawings are simple but still expressive. A thoroughly enjoyable, excellent book. Karen Woodworth-Roman

HOT DOG THIS BOOK IS DE-LICIOUS!
I was shopping today for my nephew's birthday. I already had picked out an armload of children's picture books when I spotted The Pigeon Finds A Hot Dog. Not only did I laugh hysterically out loud in the middle of the regularly quiet bookstore, but I was also very impressed with the story dialogue and the simple, but unique style of illustration. At any rate, I put all the other books back on the shelves, and rushed to the counter to purchase the book. Now, I'm debating going back and buying a few more copies, one for my collection and a couple more for some friends. I highly recommend adding this to your library.

Great lesson in simple words.
Who couldn't like the pigeon and now we meet a new friend. We weren't as thrilled with this book as we were with "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus" but the lesson at the end makes up for that. Mo Willems has made two very lovable characters with strong personalities!! It's amazing that a book with such little dialogue can catch your heart. I miss the interaction of the first book but the lesson of sharing is one that you can't beat.

A New Comedy Team Kids Will Love
From Abbott and Costello to SpongeBob and Patrick and everyone in between, all great comedy duos have worked with a simple but effective formula: The straight man who sets things in motion, and the source of comedy who is either easily furiated (such as Costello in the "Who's on First?" routine) or dumber than the straight man (such as the bumbling starfish Patrick). Now, animator Mo Willems adds another duo to this long list: Pigeon and Duckling.
Pigeon was the star of Willems' first book for children, DON'T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS!, in which he interacted with the reader by constantly pleading to drive a bus. Now, he has someone else to play off of, the cute but annoying Duckling. Duckling plays the part of the straight man as he approaches Pigeon, who is ready to greedily eat a hot dog he has found. Duckling distracts Pigeon by asking him a number of silly questions ("Would you say that it tastes like chicken?") Will Pigeon give in? Is there a possible solution to this conundrum?
There is a simple lesson to be learned from this book, but it is also unique in its comedic style. An easily angred character such as Pigeon isn't seen very often in books for young children, and is a refreshing change from the goody-two-shoes, Dick-and-Jane type characters who always do the right thing. Children (and their parents) will most likely enjoy this simple story featuring a new comedic team who are sure to go far. Abbott and Costello were able to make audiences laugh with a routine about a baseball team. A routine about something as simple as a hot dog doesn't seem that far off.

The pigeon flies again!
This clever story is sure to delight fans of Willems first book as well as newcomers to the pigeon character. The book has simple illustrations that children love to draw with each character having its own unique charm. In addition to this the story will make both the young and young at heart laugh out loud. Six time Emmy award winner and Caldecott honoree Mo Willems looks to have the right mix to gain further recognition with this new book The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog. This is a must have for your childrens library. ... Read more

Book Description

In the forty years since Max first cried "Let the wild rumpus start," Maurice Sendak's classic picture book has become one of the most highly acclaimed and best-loved children's books of all time. Now, in celebration of this special anniversary, introduce a new generation to Max's imaginative journey to where the wild things are.

Winner, 1964 Caldecott Medal
Notable Children's Books of 1940–1970 (ALA)
1981 Boston Globe–Horn Book Award for Illustration
1963, 1982 Fanfare Honor List (The Horn Book)
Best Illustrated Children's Books of 1963, 1982 (NYT)
A Reading Rainbow Selection
1964 Lewis Carroll Shelf Award
Children's Books of 1981 (Library of Congress)
1981 Children's Books (NY Public Library)
100 Books for Reading and Sharing 1988 (NY Public Library) ... Read more

Reviews (195)

A Great Children's Book, in Many Ways
Max puts on a wolf costume and feels mischievous. He breaks some rules and is sent to bed without supper. From there, his imagination takes over, a jungle grows in his bedroom, and he goes on a magical journey of (self-)discovery. The world he explores is populated by colorful, scary, and somewhat silly monsters who all get tamed by Max.

This book is beautifully illustrated, the story flows rapidly and flawlessly, and the language is simultaneously simple and loaded with meaning. While it is unlikely to happen, watch out for your children trying to write like Sendak, with his trademark run-on sentences.

This is the first book I remember reading by myself. It holds a special place in my heart.

Wow! I think that any child can sympathize with Max as he just wants to do what he wants to do, and then gets in trouble for breaking the rules. We also can understand how his frustration and anger cannot be sustained in the face of parental clarity, consistency, and calm strength. He works through his anger during his "journey" through the "jungle" and tames himself as he tames the monsters. Along the way, he discovers how lonely he is and how much he dislikes disapproval. The ending is simple, happy, and realistic.

This is a great book to read with your children, and then turn over to them to read on their own. It opens the door to discuss many simple but crucial issues of childhood. Please buy this book and use it.

Wild About Wild
Maurice Sendak is one of those great children's book creators who could write and draw. He helped me dream as a young boy, and I should pay him credit for helping me imagine things today.

When I was little, I'd stare at the page long after my mother finished reading it to me. Sendak seemed to have found my creative pulse, as he drew me in to wonder about his world of pretend monsters. The monsters are not quite so terrible, and could be considered friendly.

Max and I are both boys, and it must ordinary for we boys to get in a terrific amount of trouble in the process of playing. I related to Max. He sounded like a real boy. I was never quite sure what a rumpus was, but I knew it sounded like a lot of fun.

The pictures are cool. There is a rich, full-of-flavor tension in the art. The expressions and poses of the characters come across as genuine.

Don't be fooled by the amazing pictures. You'll enjoy the carefully laid story just as much, and your child can close his eyes and imagine his own version.

A wonderful book. A classic. If you've got kids, or if you read to your family's or neighbor's kids, this is one book which will be dog-eared from numerous reads.

I fully recommend "Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak.

Anthony Trendl

not as good as new books
I am almost 7 and my teachre said we have to say why we like a lot of books or do not like a lot of books this summer on amazon and then print out them and give them to our new teacher next year So I am starting with this book.

My dad reelly likes this book because he said it was good when he was a kid. I dont like it. The pictures are boring and the story is not long. My dad reads this to me a lot and I like the books that are newer. New books have pictures that are pretty and the storys are funner and longer. This book has pictures that look old. I wish my dad would read this to himself and let me read something diferent. Nichole

the book I loved best as a child.
My love affair with Maurice Sendak's "Where The Wild Things Are" goes back further than I think I can remember. I fell hard for the vibrant prose and unbelievable illustrations. It is a beautiful book throughout and it has absolutely withstood the test of time.

I am twenty-four years old now. I love this book as much as I did the first time I read it. This book speaks to places in the heart and the mind that you sort of forget about as you age. It's a magical book, it never fails to transform me.

Long live King Max....and all of his beautiful monsters.

Great book!!
I took a children's literature class a few years ago in college and I am now expecting my first child and I remembered this book and have recently purchased it. It's absolutely wonderful!! ... Read more

Book Description

Countless children -- and their parents -- can joyfully recite the familiar words of this beloved alphabet chant. The perfect pairing of Bill Martin Jr and John Archambault's lively rhymes, and Caldecott Honor artist Lois Ehlert's bright, bold, cheerful pictures made Chicka Chicka Boom Boom an instant hit and a perennial favorite.

This full-sized, quality paperback edition will bring even more fans to this endearing, enduring classic.

Chicka chicka boom boom!
Will there be enough room?

There will always be room for Chicka Chicka Boom Boom on every child's bookshelf! ... Read more

Reviews (75)

Go ahead and emphasize the rhythm!
"Chicka Chicka, Boom Boom! Will there be enough room?"

The simple, rhythmic text of this book just begs to be chanted as you read it to your young child. Go ahead and lose your self-consciousness and do it: Your child will love the book and learn the alphabet to boot!

The story line is simple: the lower case letters pass along the word that everyone is going to climb to the top of the coconut tree. Just after z makes it up the tree, "Uh-oh! Oh, no! Chicka chicka BOOM BOOM!" The uppercase letters come along to "hug their little dears and dust their pants." I understand this is where the board book version of this story ends, but I would highly recommend that you buy the regular version instead.

In the full-length version, the lower case letters get up from the jumble with all their bumps and bruises and head home. But after the sun goes down, "a gets out of bed and this is what he said, 'Dare, Double Dare! You can't catch me! I'll beat you to the top of the coconut tree!' Chicka Chicka Boom Boom!"

If you have fun with it, your young children will love to listen to it. The alphabet is printed in its entirity (upper and lower case letters) in the fly leaves of the book, and these are great to point to while singing the alphabet song or play a quick game of "What's that?" before or after reading the book. And your child will quickly start to chant the story along with you, I'm sure!

I, for one, was thrilled when my two-year old started bringing it to me and saying, "Read it, Mommy! Read it, the Boom Boom!" He's learning his letters and having fun. For what more could I ask?

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
This is hands down the best book for children age 3 and under that I have ever encountered (and we have over 1,000 children's books in our home!). I began reading it to my oldest child when she was 2 months old, and by 16 months, she could recite the alphabet AND identify all 26 letters of the alphabet-- upper AND lower case! I give most of the credit to this wonderful book (but keep in mind, we read it EVERYDAY, often times, several times a day!) My youngest child picks this book out of the shelf first and foremost. He is only 13 months old, but he absolutely loves this book and prefers it over most toys. Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault have more than a classic here, not to mention the great illustrations by Lois Ehlert. If you're looking for the perfect book to teach your children the alphabet or you just simply want an entertaining book that is sure to be a hit, look no further. This is it!

Toddler's Loving it!!!
This is now our regular nighttime read. My 18 month old daughter gets an absolute kick out of it! She says the BOOM, BOOM! part when we get to it. While I read the part "up the coconut tree", I walk my fingers up the tree. It really seems to get and keep her attention. Every parent should own this book!!

Ellamennow P
A word of warning. If you haven't a rhythmic bone in your body, you'd best not be reading "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" anytime soon. This book is arguably the best known alphabet book on the market today. Telling a tale of alphabetic foolhardiness, a troop of lower case letters (all of them, in fact) go bounding up the nearby coconut tree for a variety of reasons. When the tree can no longer support their weight the little letters find themselves splayed out on the ground. Fortunately the big letters come along to comfort the little ones, though it's obvious by the end that not all have learned their lesson.

Verses of the letters' exploits are intermixed with chants like so;

"Chicka chick boom boom!
Will there be enough room?
Here comes H
Up the coconut tree"

The text has a nice rhythmic quality to it. A kind of onomatopoetic elegance. And the illustrations, while not particularly stunning, fulfill their purpose excellently. It's a good read-aloud story for kids learning their alphabet, and would fit into any storytime excellently. A fun feisty book.

alphabet
this book is great for little children because it teaches them their alphabet. the author of the book did a good job rhyming words that match the letter. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Attention!
This book will grab your attention as you are drawn into the details of a story without words. I have used this book with primary aged students and they are delighted in the depth of the details in a story without words. Really gets them to look at things a little more closely!!

VideoBook
It may take a while to understand HOW the book actually works, but that's only part of the story, the transitions will make your child imagine how they happened. The book works in several levels, provoking thought and commentary from its reader, or in this case "visualizer".

This is an excellent coffeetable book!
I was introduced to this book last night when it was given as a gift to my 50 year-old cousin. All of the aduts present were intrigued with this near-wordless masterpiece. None of us read the inside jacket before 'reading' the book and that is the way it should be read to be truly appreciated. I think the book would be 'wasted' on very young children who would see it as just another picture book. Excellent gift. I'm ordering them for all my (grown) children this minute!

Cool! Unique! Fun for all ages
What a unique, thought provoking book. Just shows what you see is not "as it appears". LOVED IT! Giving it to everyone I know at Christmas.

You never know what your going to get!
My friend recently brought this book to school. She got it off of here. I loved it! Your always wondering what you'll find next. This book is definitley a "page turner" and thats what people like the best.

P.S. I'm 13 and I loved it so take away that 6-8 age limit because your losing ALOT of customers! ... Read more

Book Description

The author/artist creators of How I Was Adopted present this child's-eye view of family life, deftly describing the joy of welcoming a new sibling into the family. A companion volume to I'm a Big Sister. ... Read more

Reviews (29)

Good for older toddlers, preschoolers
I bought this book to help my almost-three-years-old son adjust to the idea of a new baby brother or sister. He loves it and asks to read it about four times a day. The text is easy to understand. It explains some of babies' limitations ("Too little to walk. Too little to talk.") and also talks about why babies cry, etc. The illustrations are really sweet and everyone is smiling, even the kitty cat.

The one thing I don't like about this book is that it assumes the mom will be bottlefeeding. There are bottles in several pictures (one shows the brother giving a bottle). Since we breastfeed, I would have preferred a book where the mother nurses the baby. However, this hurdle was easily overcome by some quick mommy text improvisation. ("Babies like to nurse," instead of "Babies like to drink milk"). All in all, it's a great sibling book and one I don't hesitate to recommend.

What a great little book!
I bought this book for my 6 year old son just before the birth of his brother. We loved it! It is short for kids who need an introduction but might not want to dwell on the subject, very positive about all the family relationships - especially about being a sibling, friendly and engaging. The reason I really like the Big Brother/Big Sister difference is that the sibling-to-be spends a couple of months hearing that he or she will be a brother or sister and this book follows right along! I did enjoy the breastfeeding illustration, unobstrusive and just as easily a cuddling illustration, which is something many books skip right over. If there was anything disappointing about the book it's the fact that our Big Brother had no interest in looking at it once the baby was here. But, hey, why should I be upset with a book for answering all my son's questions so soon and so easily? ... it was well worth what he got out of it for 3 weeks' worth of reading. I recommend this book highly!

a nice preparation for the new baby
My 18 mo son will sit and listen to this book, and it's the most I get to discuss the "new baby" with him. If I try to point to the new crib, or my burgeoning belly, he just says "no baby" and goes back to his cars and trucks. I agree that the book should have a nursing mother, in this breastfeeding age, or at least say "some babies have Mommy's milk and some babies have milk from bottles," or whatever. But I like that the little boy in the book is unflaggingly positive about his new sibling, and how much his parents still love him.

Great book for Big Brothers
We bought this book to help my son get ready for his little sister's arrival. It has simple text and really highlights on the differences in big kids vs babies. Gets him excited about the big kid things he already gets to do without wanting to regress. I also liked the way the book touches on the nurturing side of the big brother and the parents towards both children. The pages are a little thicker if you have a toddler prone to ripping pages, mine hasn't yet. They are holding up well. A great book that is asked for atleast twice a day by my son! I recommend it.

a much-requested story
this book is one of the favorite stories of our 18-month-old, so much so that we're able to quote the story during regular conversations during the day. we have yet to find out how well this book does for preparing our son for his little brother, but at least he knows that there are some things that big kids can do that babies cannot. i like the fact that the book emphasizes that a big brother can be very helpful with the new baby and is still very loved by his parents. ... Read more

Book Description

Warm, loving pictures accompany this upbeat look at how a family grows when a new baby comes home. A companion volume to I'm a Big Brother. ... Read more

Reviews (24)

"Big Sister" Endures
We received this book shortly after our son was born, and our 2-1/2 year old daughter loved it right away. She still asks to read it, 7 months later. She loves being a big sister, and the book reinforces it in a very positive way. She identifies with the character, down to wanting to get hair bows just like in the illustrations. We like that it is gender-specific as to the "big" sibling, but not the baby.

Great book for toddlers
My daughter is 26 months old and we are expecting our second child in another month. She immediately took to the book and has asked to have it read to her almost everyday. Before this book, we would talk to my daughter about the baby, but we weren't sure how much was sinking in. This book has really helped! After just a couple of weeks, my daughter is much more focused on the baby, and talks about how certain things will be for the baby, such as the infant seat, bouncy chair, pacifier, things like that. She also wants to see my belly all the time and will act like she is feeding the baby, or she will give the baby hugs and kisses. It is very cute, and it really seems like she understands a lot more what to expect when the baby comes. I am sure there are other good books out there, but this one seems especially appropriate for kids in the 1 to 3 year old range. It is straightforward and not too complicated, and has good illustrations. I highly recommend this book!

Nice book with one drawback
I bought this book when my son was born for my 2 year old daugther after reading all the good reviews. I like it a lot - except for the bottle feeding reference. As a breastfeeding mom I would have preferred it if the author simply left feeding out. There are plenty of other things that a big sister can do.

Good, even for young sister-to-be
Our daughter was 17-months-old when she became a big sister, and this book was the only one out there that helped her understand the concept of having a little sister.
It is written very simply, talking about what the little girl can do and how she is a big girl. It talks also about the baby and what the baby can do, what the baby needs, etc. It is very reassuring, I think, to the older child that they are still loved because they are special.
The drawings are very cute and appealing to my daughter - she loves to see the big sister and the baby, the dolls and bears, and the mommy and daddy.
I think it really helped her understand the concept and I would really recommend it for any age!

What a wonderful book
We got this for our daughter (2 1/2) to let her know she's going to be a big sister, and SHE LOVES IT. It has QUICKLY become her favorite book and like to repeat the big kid things she can do. I would HIGHLY recommend this to anyone who's going to have a new big sister in the house! ... Read more

Book Description

How many kisses does a tired baby need?

along with this bedtime book, now in a sturdy format perfect for the youngest readers. ... Read more

Reviews (23)

Sure to put Smile on Baby's Face!
I bought this book for my daughter when she was four months old. From the first day she was absolutely captivated by the bright, colorful patterns in the pictures of this book. The story is so much fun and what baby could resist all those kisses? Now at ten months old she loves this book so much that I only have to recite the first line of the story, "My tired little baby, do you need a kiss..." or show her the cover of the book to elicit a huge, cheesy grin! After buying this book I was motivated to purchase several other books by Karen Katz. Her talent has made her my daughter's author/illustrator. Her books are the first chosen every time!

Love and numbers
My daughter is not quite two and she loves this story - she always pulls it out of her bookshelf - especially at night. The pictures are so big and bright. It really appeals to her on a lot of different levels:
- She can point to her own body parts to show where the baby is getting her kisses.
- She can count along with each page.
- She can identify many characters in the book (mommy, daddy, baby, puppy, etc).
- And she loves the kissing!
The store is just so much fun - even if you don't do the kissing bit with your own child there is still so much to benefit from this tale!

Illustrations are low-quality!
Cartoon-like cutesy images can be done well, but these are not. Anatomical correctness has been completely ignored. Even if an illustrator wants to do cutesy or cartoony, an educational background in anatomy will only enhance the drawings. It is clear that this illustrator has no such background. This illustrator has poor drawing skills, and I'm amazed that a publisher paid for work of this caliber.

The figures are blob-like and fleshy. Generic and deformed facial features float in vast expanses of circular heads. Arms are grotesquesly short, and NO ONE seems to have a neck in these books. The colors are in jarring unattractive combinations, with "FLESH" being the predominant choice of color. It looks like the illustrator didn't even mix this color, just bought a tube of paint called "caucasian flesh."

Most artwork BY CHILDREN is of a much higher caliber than that in this book. Most children use beautiful colors, and their drawings of figures are not nearly as grotesque as these. There are so many gorgeous books available for children - choose those instead of this horrible one!!!

fantastic, ingenious
brilliant way to teach kids about numbers while having fun and actively participating. beautifully illustrated as well.

Ingenious
What a perfectly simple and fun way to teach kids counting. And it's as much fun for the parent as it is for the child! ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (77)

Sweet Nighttime Rhymes
The outstanding watercolor illustrations highlight this book - and are the reason I bought it at all. The rhyming text is sweet, but too repetitive. I find myself doing a little self-editing as I read it aloud. All the illustrations are amazing, although I would prefer the snake and the bee weren't included. I usually skip those pages. A nice way to teach your child the names of animals - especially since the illustrations all contain a "mommy" or "daddy" and a "baby" - the first words most children learn.

Precious book!
This darling bedtime story, so endearing will charm your youngster to sweet dreams night after night. Jane Dyer's watercolor illustrations depicting animals, and their offspring are OUTSTANDING. Each two-page spread features a different Mommy (or Daddy), in a suitable setting, preparing their "little one" for bed. For instance, the mice are portrayed at the base of a hallow tree, and the fish are deep at sea. The sweet, and simple text appears on the left side of the book, while each mimicking phrase begins with, "It's time for bed." Subtle and rhythmic, the beat is ideal for nighttime reading, "It's time for bed, little sheep, little sheep, the whole wide world is going to sleep." The book concludes with a Mommy tucking a toddler into bed, "The stars on high are shining bright, sweet dreams, my darling, sleep well, good night!" This is a precious bedtime book.

As an educational tool, children will learn to recognize the illustrated animals: mouse, goose, cat, calf, foal, fish, sheep, bird, bee, snake, pup, and deer. My son received the hardcover edition of "Time For Bed" as a baby gift, and I was so captivated by the artwork that the board book version was purchased as a supplement. One-year and up.

Our favorite bed time book
I began reading this book to my daughter when she was six weeks old. Even at that young age, she responded to the soothing cadence. She is now four months old and this book lulls her right to sleep for naps and bed time. We both love it!

awesome book
My 14 month old daughter absolutely LOVES this book. She's captivated by every page!

Great bedtime book!!
I bought this book for my daughter when she was 18mths. We have read it almost every night for the past 6 months. She has the verses memorized. She loves the picture of the baby animals w/ their mothers and likes to point them out "my sheep, mommies sheep". The rhymes are easy to read and the pictures are great! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Although this book was around when many of today's parents wereyoungsters, it has remained a steadfast must-have in every toddler's library. For starters, it's a great vocabulary guide that names the many things that go (and some that haven't a prayer of going, but are great fun to imagine anyway). It's also teeming with detail-rich scenes and characters on every page, teaching children the rewards of looking long and closely (such as finding the hidden "Goldbug" in each spread). Along the way it entertains with the silly and slapstick--everything from toothpaste and toothbrush cars to six fire department vehicles that show up to extinguish a ladybug-size fire in a miniature pink convertible. What's most amazing about this book, however, is its longevity. When you purchase it for your fledgling talker, you should consider it an investment. Even 11-, 12-, and 13-year-olds are known to pore over the book nostalgically, cooing at Lowly Worm and eagerly tracking Officer Flossie's book-long chase after that irresponsible, speedster driver in a cowboy hat. (Ages 2 and older) --Gail Hudson ... Read more

Reviews (55)

I agree - thank you Richard Scarry!
I started reading this book with my son when he first learned to talk a few years ago. He's not tired of it yet (and neither am I). There are so many fun illustrations (I especially like the "pickle car"), and so much going on that this book can be read again and again. Now that my son is familiar with all of the vehicles, and able to point them out when we go driving in our car (although we have yet to see a pickle car in our area) we have fun not just reading the story, but looking for the tiny "Goldbug" on every page.

My 2.5 year old son's FAVORITE book
We were given this book when my son was born; he has always enjoyed the colorful and imaginative pictures, and has been finding Goldbug on each page since he was about 18 months. However, his early love for this book pales in comparison to his obsession with it now -- it's the only book he wants to hear at story time, day after day ... Luckily for Mom and Dad, it's also whimsical enough that we enjoy it, too, day after day.

My Son's FAVORITE Book
I have just purchased my SECOND copy of this book. My 22 month son loves it so much that it has been through the ringer in the past months, with his favorite pages ripped out because of over use! I had it when I was little, and it brings back great memories. But, I never expected the reaction that he would have to this book! It is perfect for any who loves PLANES, TRAINS, AND AUTOMOBILES!! If only there was a board version!

Great Book for Generate Interest in Reading/Focus of Toddler
This was the first book my son received in 1992. I started reading it to him before he was 1 years old. He loved to sit quietly and look at the book. He continued to look for Goldbug until he was in kindergarten. Great book for spending quality time with your child and get the added bonus of an educational foundation for reading.

A tradition continues
This book was a favorite of our youngest son, age 31. Now our well loved copy is a great hit with the grandchildren. I have to buy three new copies. In this day of DVD, VCR it is a thrill to have children so engrossed looking for Gold Bug. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Oh, the wonderful things Mr. Brown can do! In this "Book of Wonderful Noises," Mr. Brown struts his stuff, as he imitates everything from popping corks to horse feet ("pop pop pop pop" and "klopp klopp klopp," respectively) while inviting everyone to join him in the fun. Young readers who are still learning their sounds and letters will get a wacky workout as they follow along with the very serious-looking, squinty-eyed Mr. Brown. Whether it's eggs frying in a pan or a hippo chewing gum, the skillful Mr. Brown just keeps topping himself, with a "sizzle sizzle" or a "grum grum grum." "Mr. Brown is so smart he can even do this: he can even make a noise like a goldfish kiss!... pip!" As usual, the words and pictures of Dr.Seuss make reading (and making all sorts of funny noises) impossible to resist. Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? will stay fresh through many a giggling reading. --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Reviews (89)

A wonderful first book for your baby!
I first started reading this book to my baby at 2 months old, and she was fascinated by the sounds and the bright pictures. I've read it to her so many times that I think we both have it memorized. When my baby was 3 months old I could simply recite the book to her while I was driving in a car trip and she would be entertained.

I highly recommend this book, along with Sanda Boynton's two books "Barnyard Dance" and "Moo, Baa, La La La!" books for infants and toddlers. With books that are interesting like these, my baby will sit for 45 minutes at a time to be read to!

A great way to interact with your child and teach her to love books and read.

AN ABSOLUTE MUST FOR SPEECH-DELAYED TODDLERS!
My son (now 3) is speech-delayed, and this is one of the first books that actually had him talking along! I would read, "Oh, the wonderful sounds Mr. Brown can do. He can sound like a cow, he can go..." and my son at 2 would yell "MOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" and do the same with the other sounds! It ENCOURAGES your child to speak by having them make some silly sounds! We even came up with hand gestures for several of the sounds to supplement my son's sign language (ASL) he used at the time. We read this book every night at least 4 times before bed. As his speech flourished (yay!), he began to want to say more of the words himself (we've memorized the book - not hard, and very fun to recite when waiting in lines, etc, heeheehee). Then, we bought him the Dr. Seuss video of ABCs, which has this book's "video" at the end. He watches the video with this book in hand, although the video has a few more sounds (I think this board book is a bit abridged, but not too much), and is now learning to read with the video/board book combination! I am HIGHLY pleased with this book, from it's hilarious illustrations (see lightning/thunder page) to it's musical cadence and silly sounds - it helped my son realize sounds can be fun and silly and encouraged him to play with them when speech was so frustrating for him at the time.

Fun reading, but not very sturdy
I have bought several of the Dr. Suess Bright and Early Board Books, and they simply don't stand up to the abuse a toddler dishes out. None of the other board books we own have fallen apart the way these have.

My 2 year old loves this book!
My daughter just loves having me read this book to her. "Boom boom boom, Mr. Brown is a wonder. Boom boom boom, Mr. Brown makes thunder!" She has memorized most of it, and has such fun making the sounds in it along with me. It really is worth buying for your little one - this is really a fun book to read!

Dr. Seuss inspires parents and kids to make wonderful noises
In the old days it was Old MacDonald who had a farm and on this farm he had a cow, duck, and all sorts of other animals, each of which made a particular sound that can be imitated. But then along game Mr. Brown, a creation of Dr. Seuss, who makes Old MacDonald look like the strong silent type. That is because as we learn in "Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You?: Dr. Seuss's Book of Wonderful Noises," Mr. Brown can do more than "moo" like a cow, "buzz" like a bee, and go "hoo hoo hoo hoo" like an owl. Mr. Brown can go "pop" like a cork, "eek eek" like a squeaky shoe, and even make the sound of a hippopotamus chewing gum.

I think one of the reasons this is a popular book with beginning readers is not only because kids enjoy making all these noises, but also because parents and other adults get to embarrass themselves in making the sounds on these pages come alive (or a reasonable facsimile thereof). Trying to make the sound of the rain or a big cat drinking is not too hard, but doing a very hard noise to make like the sound of lighting (which is a "splatt" apparently) or a noise like a goldfish kiss ("pip") might be pushing the envelope too much.

Of course, you can make up any sound you want when you are reading this to very young children. But you have to keep in mind that the whole point of these Bright and Early Books for Beginning Beginners is to inspire them to read on their own one day, which means you can look forward to being confronted by an indignant young child demanding to know how the noise you made every time you read them the book has anything to do with what is highlighted on these pages. So be forewarned, that sooner or later you are going to be embarrassed reading this book. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Hat and boot in hand, a boy and a bear set off on a delicious and raucous romp through Berryland. They frolic in strawberry fields forever, rumble and ramble in blackberry brambles, and topple their canoeberry with blueberries. Silly rhymes and a musical beat practically beg to be read aloud, preferably accompanied by dancing. New readers will giggle as they follow the fruit-frenzied pals on their berry adventures. Jamberry builds quickly in intensity and complexity, starting with "One berry, Two berry, Pick me a blueberry," and working up to "Raspberry, Jazzberry, Razzmatazzberry, Berryband, Merryband, Jamming in Berryland." Children will love discovering the subtle touches in Bruce Degen's illustrations: a frog climbing out of a hat, crackers and butter instead of lily pads, and a sign by the raspberry skating rink imploring skaters not to pick the jelly rolls planted nearby. Every character seems giddy with well-fed joy in this veritable jamboree of flavorful fun. Jamberry is a book best enjoyed on a gloomy day with a dollop of vanilla ice cream. (Baby to Preschool) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (63)

A Berry Blast.....
Come join a little boy and his very endearing bear friend as they travel through berryland, on a "razzamatazzberry" adventure of a lifetime, picking and eating and playing together. Bruce Degen fills this entertaining treasure of a book with lively and joyous wordplay, alliteration, and high-spirited fun, and complements his jazzy, rhyming verse with bright, bold, and engaging illustrations. Imaginations will soar with each page turn as little ones explore the busy artwork, finding something new and special each time they open the book. Perfect for preschoolers, Jamberry is a marvelous mouth-watering, toe tapping, energetic, romp that begs to be read aloud, and is sure to send you off to the kitchen for a jamberry snack of your own. This is a classic to share with family, friends and future generations. "Mountains and fountains/Rain down on me/Buried in berries/What a jam jamboree!"

My toddler twins LOVE this book!
I have to admit that when I first read this book, I wasn't too sure what I thought of it. As another reviewer said, it contains a lot of fanciful words: jamberry, moonberry, berryband, and so forth. My twins absolutely LOVE this book, though! To them, it's every bit as good as their favorite Dr. Seuss classic. They enjoy the rhyme and repetition of the words, and love to look through the beautifully illustrated pages to find things they recognize. We have a lot of books, and this is the one that they will ask me to read every day (sometimes more than once). We've nearly worn out one board book by reading and rereading it, so I'm going to buy another for them soon. I highly recommend this book for your toddler!

Rooty Tooty Fresh and Fruity!!
Yummy!! A delicious book packed with fruit flavor. Mouth-watering blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries burst from each page, as you float along on rhymes with punch. I eat this book up every time.
This is as good as it gets in a board book for your wee one. The illustrations are gorgeous, and Degan has fun with it too, giving a "hint" of the next page's adventure as the starring duo finish hunting for one fruit and move on in search of the next. Although it's tempting to whip through, singing the rhymes like a song, it's also fun to linger on each page and point out all the things going on in each picture -- hints of the adventure to come and remnants of the one just completed. So, you can read through it a couple of times in each sitting.
This is my favorite of favorites to read to my one-year-old -- luckily, he likes it too!!

The Library Book We Had to Buy
We checked this book out of the local library 2 weeks ago. Our 19 month old son fell instantly in love with it. He asks to read it several times a day, he carries it around and talks about it. I logged onto Amazon today to buy a copy because I know he's going to miss it greatly when it goes back to the library next week.

no love from our book lover!
My son is 18 months old and LOVES books. He seems to have an insatiable desire for books. I was disappointed by the "busy" illustrations and awkward reading. This is the only book we own that doesn't hold his interest at all. ... Read more