Book Description

Just like you, Prudence has a body, and this body has many nice and useful parts:
A head for thinking
Eyes for seeing
Ears for hearing
A mouth to talk and eat with
Hands for playing
A pee-pee for making Wee-Wee
Legs for walking and running
A bottom for sitting and in it a little hole for making Poo-Poo

Dear Fellow-Parents,

Once Upon a Potty is best used as a companion volume to a child's new potty. I wrote this book when my own child was toilet training to help him better understand the process. My son was encouraged and excited by this story. It motivated him to make the developmental leap from diaper to potty.

Learning to use the potty is often a lengthy process, taxing the patience of both parent and child. When success finally comes -- and it should come in its own good time, without undue pressure or haste -- it enhances the child's confidence and pride. She has taken another step toward independence. She sat on the potty as a little child and got up feeling ten-feet tall.

It's one small step for mankind, but a giant one for your family.

Love,
Alona

... Read more

Reviews (39)

I'm amazed at the effectiveness of this book
I read all the reveiews on Amazon and decided to give it a try based on the kid's reviews. It seems that it's the parents that had the biggest problem with the "out of date" illustrations and the "vase-like potty". Who cares. My 21 month old knew exactly what it was and what it was for. As I'm writing this review she just brought me her full potty bowl and said "Bye bye wee wee". Then she said "dance". She likes to celebrate by dancing to the potty song. The audio tape is awesome because it gives me a break from having to read the book for the umpteenth time. We started 3 days ago and she's only had 2 minor leaks. Now we just have to train the bladder during nap time and bed time. This book is awesome. I love the way my daughter says "Prooonence" for Prudence. I must say that I have a fast learning child, so she may have done just as well without the book, but the book sure makes her have a lot of fun learning. I love it. And I'm finding myself singing "Yes I'm going to the potty potty now" quite often. :-)

Potty Trains AND Connects Reading to Real Life
I bought this book for my daughter, and now have it on my wish list for my grandson (the boys version) We already used the girls version for my grand daughter!

Not only does it facilitate communication between parent and child concerning potty training, it's also a great way to introduce kids to non-fiction books, and books that are otherwise relavent to life skills, allows parents to potty train with some humor, but breaks the ice of embarassment for those who have a bit of reservation about how to potty train.

Not only does this book almost potty train for you, it also sparks interest in other books, and in reading. The copies of the boys' and girls' versions (I had both) were read until they were falling apart (and it wasn't because they weren't made well - we literally wore these books out reading them over and over and over again!)

This book, and paying attention to the signs of when my daughter and grandaughter needed to go, along with a potty chair, is all we needed to get her off to potty-training success! She graduated in record time! (She was out of diapers I think by about 18 months!)

This book is a MUST HAVE for any parent potty traning a child (Well, a girl anyhow - there is also a boy's version which I used with my daughter that is just as awesome!)

If I could give this book 100 stars I would! I think it ought to be given to parents in those hospital packs that hospitals send home, or given out at pediatricians' offices when kids are due for immunizations around a year old.

Daily reading to my kids is something that I started before they were even born, and is SO important to their speech development, and to their language development. Having a book toddlers can relate to in real life helps them understand reading is more than just about 'stories' - it can relate to real life experiences as well!

My kids are grown, and I am extatic to see these books (the boys and girls versions) are still available for my grandkids!

Blessings to the author, Alona Frankel Thank you!!!

Excellent Potty Learning Tool!!
My husband and I have no clue as to how to teach potty training to our first child. So, we've spent much money on guides, books, videos, stories, etc. This book (and the video) have made a major break through. My daughter loves the story of Prudence and her potty! With her plethora of videos, she chooses this one to view, and wants to sit on the potty while watching it! Last night (which is why I decided to write a review), my daughter asked to use the potty, and she proceeded to poo. When she was all done, she proudly stood up and announced that she pooped on the potty just like Prudence! Finally we've made a connection!!

Have I read this book? Only a THOUSAND times!!
Got this book AGES ago for my older daughter, now almost 10. Well, my 18 month old daughter "discovered" it about a month ago - though she's not ready to start potty training just yet - she LOVES THIS BOOK! She asks us to read it at least 6-8 times a day, and when we aren't reading it to her, she looks through it on her own. She understands more and more what the whole issue is, and this book might be the "cause" of her potty training EARLY! How much does she love this book?? Two days ago, one of the pages fell out - and I can't figure out how to fix it - she has been upset and crying over the loss of this book since then - I have to get a new one (that's why I'm here!).

down with baby talk
This book is awful. Unless you want your child refering to her body parts as 'pee-pee' and saying things like 'wee-wee' and 'poo-poo' stay away from this book! Babies and children would not talk like this if adults did not teach them to! People who do so should hang their heads in shame. Teach your children the correct names for their body parts and they wont grow up so repressed. I couldn't even donate this book to charity for fear soome unsuspecting person might buy it, first I let my youngest use it as a teather and then I pitched it! (...) ... Read more

Amazon.com

Tana Hoban has created an elegant solution for those who want to initiate children into the infinite wonders of reading. This picture book compels parents to talk to their babies as they share the wordless pages with their little ones. Black illustrations on a white background provide high contrast for infants' underdeveloped eyes. Soothingly familiar, silhouetted shapes--a leaf, a key ring, a bib, an elephant--will be recognized by the very young, and through these simple pictures, aspiring readers will begin to identify the link between the objects they see and the words their caregivers say. Hoban, beloved author of many childhood favorites, including Black on White's companion piece, White on Black, as well as Is It Red? Is It Yellow? Is It Blue? and What Is It?, has struck gold again--black gold, that is. It's the perfect baby gift! (Baby to Preschool) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Perfect book for newborns
Who says babies are too young for books? This book (and Ms. Hoban's other similar books)is a shining example that we're never too young to be introduced to books and reading. The bright, crisp, contrasting images are perfect for new babies. My baby loves this book, and will sit entranced for quite a while as we talk about the images we see. My only complaint would be that it is too short! (Of course, so are babies' attention spans) I think this book is a great baby shower or 'new baby' present. Their first book, what could be a better gift?

A great book to stimulate your newborn!!!
This book is great! No words, just contrasting black and white pictures. My newborn loved it. He couldn't really concentrate on anything visually, as most newborns are that way, but the minute he saw this book, he just stared and stared at it. I recommend it to all new mothers!

Still one of baby's favorites
Baby's had this book since birth... and after 4 months, it is still one of her favorites. The pictures really grab her attention, and she likes to study them. Also since there are no words, you can make up a new story for the pictures each time if you want!

HIS FAVORITE!
Granted, my son is only four months old, but this book is a big hit. I'm sure he'll outgrow it eventually, but that's the case with any book! If you have a very little one, this is a great book to start with. My son has only a dozen or so books so far, and out of all of them, this is the one he kicks and coos at the most. I'm attending a baby shower in a couple months and I'm definitely going to throw in a copy of "Black on White" for her.

Black And White...
Black and White is a sweeeeeeeeeeeet game and i mean sweet.It is about u becoming a god and this other god Nemesis Is Determined to be the only god.He wants to destroy all other gods.The rest youll have to buy the game to find out! ... Read more

Book Description

Toilet training has never been such an adventure as when it is introduced by popular cartoonist Mo Willems. With his signature humor, the author gently leads children through each step in the process that will finally bring them to their emancipation from diapers. Featuring a crew of funny mice holding up signs with the text, children will be amused and inspired by this hilarious new picture book. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Another Winner by Mr. Willems!
I think this could be the very first book about going number 1!The art, the story, the subject matter -- all beautifully put together. Educational, rewarding and even comes complete with fantastic and fun stickers to use in the encouragement of your child's learning process (mine's not there yet, but with the help of this book I know she will be soon!). This is more than just a learning tool, it is a great book and one I foresee reading together for many years to come. A Classic!

Useful -- "I feel proud"
We're using this book during a potty training marathon with our rather willful 2-year old. It has helped him put words to the positive feeling he gets when he succeeds ("I feel proud", he says, beaming.) The text is presented in a fun way, in the form of celebratory signs and banners paraded by supportive mice. His older brother enjoys sounding out the words, so it's nice to have a book they both can enjoy. I haven't used the stickers and chart yet (he's not to that stage yet) but I remember hand-making something similar for his older brother when we were working on consistency -- it worked like a champ!

GREAT, Must Get!!
As a professional Child Counselor, I recommend this book and own it. The reason for this book, is to teach children how to use the restroom in a polite way. Eating, sleeping, and using the bathroom are learned behaviors.

The author writes very simplistic, and the pictures are eye-catching. Wonderful book

It's Time to Pee
Very awful,Corny. Plus, Why would an auther writhe such a wierd book!!!! Horrifing! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Labels may not be helpful for young children
I love Todd Parr's animated illustrations and charm. But after purchasing this book and reading it to my 2-year old, I wasn't as excited about this particular book. The labels "good" and "bad" are used in a way that it introduces ideas into a young child's mind. Like some of the examples were "good:light", "bad: the dark". I am trying to teach my daughter NOT to think of the dark as something bad and not to be afraid of! So that's not too helpful. Also, it has "monsters: bad" as well as "big hairy spiders: bad". We're trying to convince my daughter that monsters don't exist, not that they are "bad" and make her scared even more. The other labels in the book are funny, like "smelly feet: bad" and "hot chocolate with marshmallows: good".

I know Todd Parr just wanted to write a funny book for kids. But if your children are at the stage where they are scared of things or take things very literally, then you might want to choose a different book!

Good Book
I am a teacher and I love these books. Todd Parr has outdone himself yet again in writing this book. I am sure that it will be a hit with my class of first graders.

New fun, funky emergent reader series
I love the Todd Paar books! Neon-y colors and goofy, childlike art make these very simple books stand out from the crowd. Things that make you feel good include bubble baths, pets, hot chocolate with marshmallows, and bedtime stories. Things that make you feel bad include smelly feet, stinkbugs, worm stew, and monsters. The combination of things that are real and things that are silly will make you laugh and maybe take life a little less seriously. If you're a kid, there's an important self-esteem message in these books that the littlest kid can relate to. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Excellent
I was divorced a couple years ago and my then three year old was really having a tough time. I bought LOTS of books. This one stands out from them all. My girls could really relate to it. It is a pretty simple book, this is what my room looks like at mom's, this is what my room looks like at dad's. It also reinforces that fact that they are loved no matter where they are. I would highly recommend this for anyone going through the nightmare of divorce where kids are involved.

Wonderful, comforting book!
This book is simple enough for a young child, who doesn't need technical details about his parents separation/divorce, but does need reassurance that he/she is still loved no matter what happens ishis/her life. It is a good tool for getting your younger child to talk about their own feelings in a safe way. My 4 1/2 year old son loves this book. The illustrations are sweet and have a certain gentleness, which matches the text nicely. Overall, I would highly recommend this to anyone who knows a child going through this difficult life change.

Good for toddlers or younger children
This book is simple and encouraging for the very young child. Amazon has a note that this is for the child up to age 8, but a school age child, other than kindergartener, would find it disappointing. This helps dispell fears of the toddler, young child group of losing their parents somehow with divorce. It addresses that they have a place and home with each parent which helps a young child adjust to divorce in the family. For the younger child, it is worth the cost. For the older child, look for a different book like Dinosaurs Divorce which addresses more feelings and complex issues.

Review of Two Homes
I think the is a great book. It shows how Alex has two homes, one with his Mom and one with his Dad. He has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, two favorite chairs, and friends at each house. The pictures show us how happy and comfortable Alex is at both house. The story tells us he talks to Mommy at his Dad's house and Daddy at his Mom's house. Alex knows he is loved by both his parents at all times wherever he is. This is a very comforting story. It is a great book for young children experiencing a divorce or just to teach children about divorce. It doesn't try to explain divorce, it just shows Alex's two homes in a simple, happy way!

Great resource for younger kids
I loved this book! It was exactly what I was looking for. My 2 year old son loves reading it, and talking about Alex's 2 homes. He understands that he is like Alex and has two homes too. It is a simple story that doesn't try to explain divorce, or justify it. It just explains how the boy has two homes and that both his parents love him, in a loving and simple way. It has wonderful pictures that my son really relates to. Hope you enjoy it too. ... Read more

Book Description

Illus. in color. "Deliberately calculated to make its readers yawn. No one could resist those zillions of astonishing sleepyheads."--The New York Times. ... Read more

Reviews (26)

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz................
Shake myself awake again to tell my sleepy view... of Dr. Seuss's "Sleep Book," a childhood favorite that has survived all the insomniac years of growing up and turning a bit more vintage. So many of my childhood books have vanished somewhere along that winding time-route... somewhere on those many travels and address changes, moved from one previous life to another former life to another life begun today. Lost, but for this one. And when a family pet took a toothy chomp along the binding, no matter, I had to buy another. Children's book? Ah, for the child in all of us! For we all sleep, and we all dream. The first stretchy yawn is as delicious as the final one, and the overall feel of this Seussian masterpiece is cozy, and warm, and comforting. I remember well my fascination with the unique characters as a child, with all their quirky sleep routines. I found them fully as endearing when reading the book, over and over again, to my own children. With anticipation of grandchildren looming somewhere within the next decade... I look forward to sharing these cozy yawns with yet another generation. The book is a timeless classic.

One of the greatest childrens books ever...
Everyone has heard of The Cat in the Hat, but I can't believe that so few people have been lucky enough to experience Dr. Seuss's Sleep Book. I can't think of another bedtime story that doesn't pale in comparison to this one.. As a child, I read it so much that at one point actually had it memorized... To this day I can still recite most of it! "The news just came in from the County of Keck.." and by the time I get to the last few lines... I'm always ready to sleep! Definately belongs in the top ten books of all time.

Some kind of weird voodoo magic
Dr Seuss' Sleep Book is amazing. I picked up a copy when my oldest child was about two years old, and it has always held her attention until she drifted off to sleep. My daughter is six now and, along with her two younger siblings, still loves this book.

Our favorite character is Snorter McPhail. The kids say he reminds them of their father... while I agree that he does bear a resemblance to my husband, I think I just like the concept of Snorter wearing a large bucket on his head, conducting a snoring orchestra - the "snore-a-snort band" - in a cave way out of town, all while he is asleep.

This book has some kind of weird voodoo magic that really does put kids (and sometimes grownups) to sleep. In the years that I've been reading the story to my children, they have almost never made it through the entire book before drifting off, and the few times they have made it through awake, they're extremely drowsy by the end. Dr. Seuss' Sleep Book has been read so often that the binding is starting to come loose, but we'll just keep reading it until it falls apart, then buy another copy.

Can it get any better?
I have not read all the Seuss books yet, but this book is a huge classic for me.
Each page is another world to enter into and dream about.
There is almost no plot, just one crazy, engrossing scene after another.
Not a great read-to book because your kid misses the visuals - but an amazing read-with book.

I have just read the copy from my youth, 30+ yrs ago, alongside my 3 and 5 yr old girls (in bed, as the book tells us to do) and they did not fidget once.

'Sleep' reminds me of the excellent 'Starbright' books that put images and scenes into the child's imagination. Those books are word only, this is basically pictures.

A Yawn is quite catching, you see, like a cough.
This is a fun bedtime book, starting with a little bug who yawns so wide you can look down his neck, and showing the yawn spreading throughout the land, and then everyone getting ready for bed and going to sleep, and other related sleepy trivia. The rythm is sleep, and yawn inducing. I honestly can't get through this book without yawning about every page. But, since a yawn is catching, my little ones are soon yawning so wide you can look down thier necks!

This is an excellent book to have as a part of your sleepytime routine for your child. Dr. Seuss certainly had a gift for silly, poetic stories which children all seem to love. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (21)

Terrific tactile tale!
Saltzberg has definitely created a "winner" in this his first book on Animal Kisses. From the outset, this book captures children's attention with vibrant colors and simple images, add to that, the appeal of differing textures and beginner's text for easy comprehension. "Do you like scratchy cat kisses?" The reader sees a large yellow cat, highly contrasted, on a red and violet background with its tongue sticking out, SANDPAPER - scratchy texture. Children find "touch and feel" books irresistible and love the expedition through tactile territory. Additional textures include: FELT - velvety cows nose, STICKY - dogs tongue, FUR - fuzzy bear kisses, PLASTIC - rubbery fish kisses, and VELVET - squeaky pig kisses. Oh, and Saltzberg earns BONUS points for placing an actual squeaker in the pigs nose! Terrific tactile tale! One-year and up.

My daughter's favorite book
My 15 month old daughter always brings me this book to read to her. She prefers interactive books (touch-and-feel, lift-a-flap) and that continues with this one. The bright and colorful pictures of this boardbook really capture her eye. The book has a scratchy cat kiss, a sticky dog kiss, a velvety cow kiss, a fuzzy bear kiss, a rubbery fish kiss and a squeeky pig kiss. The textures are great. She has enjoyed it so much that I am ordering it for a one year old's birthday gift.

My twins love this book!
One of my daughters will lean over and kiss every page. She won't let her sister turn the page until she's kissed the animal. The squeaky pig kiss is always a big hit! A minor warning, it may attract dogs that love squeaky toys.

You'll read it over and over.
My daughter loves this book. She has been "reading" it since she was nine months and is now 15 months old and still enjoys it. She loves feeling the different textures on each page on the animal and enjoys literally giving each animal a kiss. When we read it to her we pair it with the animal's sound. She has learned a lot from this simple yet captivating book.

My daughter loves the animals
My daughter loves to feel the scratchy, sticky, furry, velvety and squeaky kisses from these wonderful animals. She now knows all of the animals by name and can even make most of the sounds that each of the animals make. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Is there a more delightful book than this?
Everyone should own this book - it is utterly irresistable! It has magical characters, magnificent finely drawn illustrations, and presents an overall philosophy of life that we could all learn lessons from. Please don't be fooled into thinking that it is just a children's book - it is a wonderful addition to any library.

It has a believable and detailed discussion of the food is are most loved by gnomes, how they raise their children, when they marry, where they live, what sorts of pets they have (cute mice in little baskets!) and how they tend to animals in the wild. The section which shows a cut away of their house is worth the purchase price alone - the imagination and thought that has gone into this book is amazing.

So if you want a little whimsy in your library, or on your coffee table, this is the book for you. If you want a book with magnificently detailed ilustrations, this is a book for you. Overall I think it is a book for everyone who is young at heart, or who likes a little magic in their everyday lives.

Don't stole it from your son!
This book will enrapt you! It's bucolic atmosphere, all the wonderful illustrations, the beautiful hardcover bookbinding, and those little fubsy folks! Great at all!
Perfectly convincing and consistent, this isn't a book made for children. Left your bias out and take a squint, you won't take too much pages to fall in love with 'Gnomes'.
And don't be surprised if after reading it, you catch yourself constantly looking for something in the floor...

For the young and old alike!
This is a fabulous book for all ages. It serves as a great bedtime story for the little ones because of the captivating illustrations and it is also a fun read for adults. Everything that you want to know about gnomes are within this book, and everything in this book that you didn't want to know are also here such as a look at half-naked drawings of gnome women. This book discusses the gnome lifestyle and culture from its very beginning. The likes/dislikes and the loves/fears of gnomes are all explained in this book. For those with an avid or even a passing interest in gnomes should get their hands on this book because it serves as a primary staple, or the "main course" of information on gnome life. Some areas might get a little slow and tiresome because of the immense detail in some of the descriptions, but these same details allow you to really know more about gnomehood. I recommend this book wholeheartedly - it is a timeless classic!

I LOVE this book
I absolutely love this book. I want every morsel of it to be fact, rather than fiction. I want it to be real. It's beautiful, well written... and makes a great story time for children. I really love this book!!

The life of the Gnome
This book is dedicated to the life of the gnome. I have to admit that gnomes are a little strange but they're so interesting. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Who can resist the allure of the hidden wilderness water hole? Certainlynot one rhino. Not two tigers. Nor three toucans. Pretty soon the delicious poolis drawing moose, catfish, pandas, tortoises... and more than 100 other crittersfrom Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and beyond. But is it our imaginationor is that rhino-sized water hole dwindling to a mere shadow of its former self,a puddle not fit for eight ladybugs, let alone 10 kangaroos? As the seasonschange across the world, and the animals get thirstier, the water supplydiminishes. Eventually, even the flowery-shirted frog that has stoicallylingered through the drought packs his suitcase and takes off. The only hope nowis a drop of rain on the parched earth...

With his usual elaborate detail, Graeme Base, mad genius behind Animalia, The Eleventh Hour: A CuriousMystery, and other wild and wonderful titles, presents a one-of-a-kindcounting book. Naturally, Base would never be content to stick with a simple 1through 10 format. Readers of all ages will linger over each spread, firstcounting the highlighted animals and giggling at the translation of their gruntsand growls (the moose's "Moo, moo, mooooooiii!" means "Hey, get your hoof out ofmy ear!"). Then it's time to check out the diminishing size of the die-cut holein the pond. And finally, readers will want to find each of the 10 additionalanimals cleverly hidden in every illustration, based on the silhouettedcreatures in the border. A safari on paper--with an environmental andmathematical education thrown in for good measure. (Ages 4 to 8) --EmilieCoulter ... Read more

Reviews (20)

Outstanding Work of Art
This is one of my 3.5 yo's favorite books. It is one of the most beautifully illustrated books that I have ever seen. I can't get over how gorgeous it is. It needs to be read many many times to soak up all there is to see 1) counting book 2)Counting backwards book (the frogs go from ten to one as the story goes on 3) A Geography book 4) an "I spy" book for all the hidden animals 5) An animal habitat book 6) humor book with the "translated" sayings and the silly frogs. 7) a science book on the importance of rain to the environment So bam - you have reading/literature, math, geography, visual discrimination, science (biology and geology), and art too all in one gorgeous package. This is my first encounter with this writer/illustrator but I am definitely going to search out other books.

Endless fun for kids!
I am a great fan of Graeme Base and have all of his books and have bought many more as presents for friends. The Watering Hole is a great story for kids to learn about animals - maybe strange animals that aren't in their country! Learn their sounds. I read it with my friends kids and we tried to imagine what the different animal sounds were in different lanaguages. You can always find a new way to enjoy the book. It also has an environmental theme, which many kids understand and like to talk about. A MUST buy!

get the right one!
I loved it! The art is spectacular and even adults will enjoy finding the hidden animals. Good for many age levels BUT I bought one for my grandaughter, but gave it to a good friend. When I went to buy another one, it had no hole in the pages! It is still a beautiful book but for younger readers, I would recomend the book with the actual hole in the pages.

A family favorite
My son is just 18 months old. He recieved this book as a gift when he was born. He now loves it and we must read it every night. He doesn't care much about counting yet and I've yet to find all the animals in the pictures but he loves the bright pictures, the story, and most of the all the tigers. We love it so much I bought others by this author-all equally as good. My 12 year old nephew who is an excellent reader even enjoys some of this authors books. A must have for any young reader or older reader too!

A Marvel
This book is just wonderful, not only for children - my 3,5-years-old son just loves it - but also for grown-ups. The drawings are excellent, a fine mixture of realistic and cartoon with lots of subtle information in the frames. The texts are funny. The message is gripping: without water (we) all will go away.

From this book one can learn about the animals, the various continents and environments they live in, numbers one till ten. It is an experience for father and son to learn about the marvel of the waterhole. ... Read more

Book Description

Shh...It's almost bedtime, and Dora and Boots are heading home. Along the way they hear some animal sounds. Who's making them? Readers can lift the flaps to find out -- and learn to say good night, just like Dora. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Thank you Dora
Our neighborhood bookstore has a very good children's section and my son has the habit of zeroing in on anything with Dora's picture. We, of course, had to buy this one and he has taken over reading it to our one year old daughter. The flaps have held up well and it's become the number one bedtime choice for many nights in a row. I've given up counting. A gentle story to end the day.

Fun, fun, fun!
My 3 year old loves all of Doras' books. My seven and eight year old love Drum, Chavi, Drum!/Toca, Chavi, Toca! and my fourteen year old nephew is obsessed with Lemony Snicket books. Our family loves fun books and you can't go wrong with any of the above.

My kids love it! 2 yr old girl and 3 year old boy.
The book is colorful. It keeps the children interested. It involves the children in the book by asking "do you know who's making that sound?". They adore this book, I only wish they wouldn't fight over the "flaps"!

My 2-yr-old and 11-mth-old both love this book!
I have a boy and a baby girl, and they both love this book; the pages and flaps are sturdy enough for my little girl to turn handle without tearing them, and the story is just the right length for both!

Cute way to learn spanish words
This is a very fun and cute book that my 2 year old loves. She now knows how to say goodnight and a few animals in spanish and loves to read this book every night. I reccommend it! ... Read more

Book Description

Once upon a mountaintop, three trees stood and dreamed of what they wanted to become when they grew up. Each of their dreams come true in the most unexpected of ways. ... Read more

Reviews (47)

An excellent addition to my Christian library.
I wasn't even looking for a childrens book the other day when I accidentally happened upon "The Tale of Three Trees". I was brought nearly to tears by this touching little tale. I took it home and read it to my children that very night at bedtime, and even they were touched by this story. The sysnopsis above really tells it all. It is a story of Gods love for us, and his own unique gifts to us all in this world. I plan on giving it as a gift to friends with children, so they may share this special little story with them as well.

WOW! This blew me away!
I had never heard this story before and had no idea what to expect when I read it...as I got to the part about the third tree's destiny, I started crying - it touched me that much...what a great lesson is contained in this simple tale -- each tree's dream was fulfilled although not precisely in the way that they anticipated...excellent jumping off point for discussions with little ones -- As the room mom for my 5-year-old son's kindergarten class, I got this book for his teacher's birthday and had all the children "sign" it - the teacher was touched by this powerfully moving story, as were the parents who came to her party...really a great book to keep and especially to give.

Good, easy read for Christian children
My homeschooled children (grades 1 & 3) enjoy reading this from time to time. The binding is great, the pictures are good, the print is large, and the text is easy to read. A touching classic.

Great Book!
I received this book from my parents for a Christmas gift when I was 25 years old. And I love it! It has become my favorite book to give as gifts to every child...young and old. This book stays on my coffee table through out the year and I pick it up and read it all the time.

The story is very good and really makes you think about what God has in store of each of us...usally not what we think!

Would definitely recommend to every one!

Tale of Three Trees- - - - - Spectacular
I received this book for Christmas this year totally amazed that my friend would sent me a child's book I thought of it as some sort of joke!! But as I read through the pages and looked at the pictures, my eyes filled with tears as the story unfolded, each tree received their wish, I was just amazed! Excellent book for young and old alike. I am glad my friend sent me this to treasure for years to come!! ... Read more

Book Description

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

Reviews (38)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Prepare for lift-off. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

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

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

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

Five stars is not enough.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Book Description

Have you ever gone on a bear hunt? Come along on this one with a brave young family -- four children (including the baby) and their father. They're not scared. With them you will cross a field of tall, wavy grass ("Swishy swashy!"), wade through a deep, cold river ("Splash splosh!"), struggle through swampy mud ("Squelch squerch!"), find your way through a big, dark forest ("Stumble trip!"), fight through a whirling snowstorm ("Hoooo woooo!"), and enter a narrow, gloomy cave. WHAT'S THAT? You'll soon learn just what to do to escape from a big, furry bear!

With tremendous pace, humor, and verve, Michael Rosen has retold a favorite tractional story. The pictures by Helen Oxenbury, one of the most widely loved contemporary artists, are full of masterly characterizations, delightful comedy, and high drama, set in lovely sweeping landscapes. This is a book not to be missed, one to be chanted aloud and acted out, to be enjoyed over and over again. It is a picture book on the grand scale. ... Read more

Reviews (30)

Delightful fun
This is one of my three-year-old daughter's favourite books. The repetitive, sing-song chorus ("We're going on a bear hunt, we're going to catch a big one...") and the sound effects, as the family passes through tall grass, mud, a river, a forest and a snowstorm before reaching the bear's cave, will delight any pre-schooler. (For even more fun, use your child's teddy bear as a prop when the bear in the story finally makes his appearance.)

This book is great fun for both parent and child. It's one you won't soon tire of reading.

My kids they all loved it...
When reading this book to my kids they all loved it. (Ages 3-7) Just reading the title to them and showing them the front cover were enough to raise their curiosity of what the story would contain when it was being read. They asked questions like: "Why are they hunting for a bear? Do you think they will be ok?" We're Going on a Bear Hunt does a great job of making reading out loud to your kids a thing to look forward to. Your kids will enjoy this little story as it takes you onward towards the bear.

When reading this picture book you will see that the Illustrations are colorful, lively and accurate in their support of the text at all times. The clearly defined illustrations also complement the mood and setting of the adventuring family along the changing terrain. You will notice the contrast between lighter and darker scenes as the storyline changes emotions and how they help develop the plot throughout.

Just like the illustrations, the text of the story is lively and fun to read. The themes are repetitive and easy for young ones to anticipate. (Another good thing for beginning readers) The page has text that imitates the sounds that the family makes while on the bear hunt. You will also notice that the text and Illustrations are not mixed up with the layout on the pages, thus avoiding the confusion that some books do have. The text is large enough to easily read and good for beginning readers. My oldest enjoyed reading it to his younger siblings.

Overall, I would say that We're Going on a Bear Hunt is a great way to teach your kids, in a fun way, a little about what not to do when you go on an adventure in the wild;-) It will provide plenty of good reading, laughter and silliness. I am sure you will have your little ones asking you to repeatedly read this charming, fun and well-done book.

Can't go over it
Glancing at the cover of Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury's, "We're Going On a Bear Hunt", I thought something along the lines of, "Hrmph. I bet they watered it down and made it syrupy. There's no way this kind of kid's book (in which a father and his four children of different hair colors go hunting for a bear) is going to actually end with the family finding the bear and getting chased back to their house". Well, you can just color me wrong all over. Not only is the book faithful to the original song, but it's a hoot to boot. The words are those old familiar ones we all love so well, and the pictures are a high-stepping romp complete with adventure, daring, and danger. Everything, in fact, that a good picture book could hope to be.

If you've ever heard the song "We're Going On a Bear Hunt" then you know the way the story goes. A father and his rambunctious youngsters are setting out to locate one bear. They're not actually on a hunt in terms of carrying guns or anything of that sort. In fact, these people haven't anything with them but one another and the clothes on their backs. With their border collie along with they successfully cross the tall wavy grass (swishy swashy), ford the deep cold river (splash splosh), tromp through the ooey-gooey mud (squelch squerch), wander through the deep dark forest (stumble trip!), run through a whirling snowstorm (Hoooo woooo), and at last enter a deep dark cave (tiptoe). It's the dog that sees the malicious bear first and the brave troop run back over every place they'd been before to escape. In a moment of frenzied activity they enter their house only to discover that they've forgotten to shut the door. At the last minute they get it closed (angry bear safely outside now) and everyone crawls into bed and under the covers. The final shot in the book is one of the bear as he tromps solemly homeward again.

This is quite an exciting book. Author Michael Rosen has captured the enjoyable sounds of the story quite well, and the high tension towards the end is just delightfully scary enough for the youngsters. But it is illustrator Helen Oxenbury that really lets this puppy shine. She has the ability to create scenes in which characters are interacting with one another against huge evocative backgrounds. I'm very partial to a scene in which the family is joyfully running through the tall grasses, dotted occasionally with deep red poppies. The sky is a blue one, filled with light puffy clouds and in the distance a flock of birds travels up and away. Admittedly, I love a good pastoral illustration, but this kind of care for illustrations is visible in all Oxenbury's color pictures (each appearing on every other page). If you're at all familiar with Helen Oxenbury then you'll find numerous scenes in this story that remind you of her other books. The baby found here looks like nothing so much as a clothed version of the infant in, "Big Mama Makes the World". The muddy squelchy vista in another picture is reminiscent of the barnyard takeover attempt in, "Farmer Duck". She knows how to pick 'em, Helen Oxenbury does.

Will kids be scared by a family chased by a bear? Pleasantly so, I believe. The shot of the bear walking home is enough to convince even the worry-wartiest of children that the family is not going to be eaten in the near future. All in all, this is just another one of those great picture books that fill the world. It reads aloud very well, so if you need a book to present to a large group, I've found the perfect match for you. If you like high adventure and a good tale, "We're Going on a Bear Hunt" delivers both in spades. A wonderful addition to any storytime collection.

'We're Going On A Bear Hunt' by Michael Rosen.
If you're going to buy one book this year for a young child, you'd better make sure it's this one. 'We're Going On A Bear Hunt' by Michael Rosen, is a children's adventure story that's guaranteed to leave you wondering at the end. What's the bear really like? Is it a good idea to go on a bear hunt? Maybe it's safer to stay at home in bed. If you did, maybe you wouldn't have such an exciting adventure!
This story is about an optimistic family and their dog who are determined to search for a bear, despite the obstacles in their way. What happens when they finally meet the bear? You'll have to read it to find out!
I recommend this brilliant story to parents and teachers of young children because, as well as being a fantastic read, it's a great book for teaching them about adjectives and prepositions: "A swirling whirling snowstorm. We can't go over it. We can't go under it. Oh no! We've got to go through it!" I also really like the illustrations by Helen Oxenbury because they help to tell the story and bring the characters to life. This is also one of my daughter's favourite bed-time stories. She's not scared...........

How about you?

Do you dare to find the bear?

Wonderful Book
This book is fun and exciting - the short verses hold your attention and that of your young children. I have read this book to children as young as 10 months up to 8 years and they have all loved it.
This book would be useful in pre-school circle time with its repeated examples of "over" "under" and "through" could easily translate into play and movement activities.
The illustrations so beautifully capture expressions and movement.
In the story the family travels through mud, forest, snow and finally into a cave all in search of a bear, but don't worry, "it's such a beautiful day - they're not scared" The excitment builds - are they going to find a bear? And what will happen when they do? Read and find out!
I bought this book for my youngest child as a gift last year and I'm buying more this year to give to the children of friends. ... Read more

Book Description

Continuing our acclaimed Discover America State by State series is "P is for Potato: An Idaho Alphabet."This title explores the lush land and rich history of a state too often overlooked.Kids of all ages wil love the A to Z rhymes boasting about all the treasures found within Idaho's borders- from the Appaloosa steed to the zinc mines to Mount Borah, to, you knew we couldn't forget it, the potato.But after a few pages readers will also allow peregrine, Union Pacific, Quinceanera, Nex Perce, and other Idaho icons to share in the spotlight. ... Read more

Book Description

"Little Mouse. Big Lion. Big, big trouble. Who will save the mouse? Who will

save the lion?" This simple retelling of the classic Aesop fable will be a

treat for kids and their parents as an adventurous mouse proves that even small

creatures are capable of great deeds--like rescuing the King of the Jungle.

With big, bold illustrations by Lisa McCue and large type, this Early Step

into Reading book is perfect for kids just beginning to learn how to read.




... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Lion and the Mouse
My 4 year old daughter really loves this book. I read it to her almost ever night. The words are easy for her to read and understand. ... Read more

Book Description

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

Reviews (43)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Book Description

Even the most angelic babies sometimes hit or bite, and no one-not Mommy, or playmates, or even the family pet!-is exempt when the adorable, but frustrated, toddlers in No Biting! decide to act out. But just lift the flaps, and you'll discover that these babies know a better way to act after all. Refreshingly honest and all-too-true, this funny book is one that babies and parents will want to share again and again. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

NOT ALL ABOUT BITING
I bought this book because I thought it was all about biting. The book title is misleading. It includes biting, hiting, kicking, spitting.... There's only one page about biting. I'm not even going to show this to my daughter because she doesn't have a brother (referenced on--don't spit on your brother) nor do we have a dog (referenced on--don't kick the dog). Don't want to confuse her.

Great learning tool
My 19-month old son can't get enough of this book. He loves it. He was a slow talker, but this book helped him to say new words. He took pride in the fact that he knew all the answers before we lifted the flaps! The book is simple and holds toddlers' attention well too. I'd highly recommend it.

An excellent book for toddlers!
We bought this book for my daughter when she started biting other kids at her daycare (around 17 months old). It was such a hit with her, I also bought a few more copies for the daycare. Besides biting, it also addresses all the other negative behaviors we don't want our children engaging in. My daughter loves to lift the flaps and yell out the answers. When she does slip with one of the behaviors, I gently say, "No hitting. What can you hit?" She knows the answer right away and knows to apologize. At 2 years old, the book is still a hit and one we continue to ready daily. Fidning fun interactive books that teach a good message can be hard. This one makes it very easy for the parent!

Be careful with this one
I got this to teach my son not to bite, and it works fine for him and that behavior. However, my daughter who is 3 1/2 and who has had no problems with biting or causing trouble read it to herself. The book covers biting, hitting, and pushing, which she has long heard were wrong because they can hurt people. The book also covers spitting. This is really weird. I don't think toddlers have problems with spitting unless someone teaches them to do it. They do a page on "Don't spit on your brother" -- I don't think my daughter would have ever thought about this on her own, but next thing I know that evening she spits on her brother. We had to have a discussion about even though spitting doesn't hurt people, it is still wrong.

I wouldn't recommend it, since it basically teaches children how to spit, and that they can spit at people -- even though they mention it is wrong, it puts the idea into the child's head. I think the author just needed one more page of bad behavior to finish the book and came up with spitting, which really doesn't fit as a bad toddler behavior.

My toddler loved it so much we had to buy a replacement book
My daughter is now a little over a year and a half and she's been so attached to this book for MONTHS. In fact, she loves this book so much that she's torn the lift up flap pages because she gets so eager to see what's next. There is so much scotch tape holding up her current book that my husband and I thought we should just get a replacement book as well as order other Karen Katz books. I hope your little one enjoys the book as much as my little one has. ... Read more