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$12.15 $10.49 list($17.87)
61. King Arthur and the Knights of
$3.99 $1.01
62. Amelia Bedelia (I Can Read)
$18.00 $15.00 list($30.00)
63. A Hatful of Seuss: Five Favorite
$8.97 $7.45 list($14.95)
64. The Sneetches and Other Stories
$5.99 $4.12
65. Pippi's Extraordinary Ordinary
$52.92 $49.00 list($84.00)
66. The World of Peter Rabbit, Tales
$23.10 $14.67 list($35.00)
67. Eloise : The Ultimate Edition
$13.57 $12.99 list($19.95)
68. You're Only Old Once! : A Book
$4.99 $1.00
69. King Arthur and His Knights of
$10.85 $10.53 list($15.95)
70. Where, Oh Where, Is Kipper's Bear?:
$14.96 $10.89 list($22.00)
71. The Winnie-the-Pooh CD
$10.88 $6.99 list($16.00)
72. Verdi
$20.37 $18.00 list($29.95)
73. Bonjour, Babar! : The Six Unabridged
$8.09 $2.98 list($8.99)
74. The Cat in the Hat Comes Back
$4.99 $2.49
75. The Original Adventures of Hank
$6.29 $3.06 list($6.99)
76. My Many Colored Days Board Book
$19.95 $12.92
77. The Wizard of Oz Vocabulary Builder
$11.53 $6.48 list($16.95)
78. Babar's Yoga for Elephants
$12.23 $11.20 list($17.99)
79. The Adventures of Tintin: The
$3.99 $0.99
80. Amelia Bedelia Goes Camping (I

61. King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table (Classic Literature With Classical Music. Junior Classics)
by Benedict Flynn, Sean Bean
list price: $17.87
our price: $12.15
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 9626341386
Catlog: Book (1997-07-01)
Publisher: Naxos Audiobooks Ltd.
Sales Rank: 3486
Average Customer Review: 5 out of 5 stars
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Reviews (3)

5-0 out of 5 stars King Arthur & the Knights of the Round Table
In all honesty, though I have always loved the stories of Arthur and Camelot, I too bought this audio book merely to hear the amazing voice of Sean Bean. The two combined make for a very powerful and gripping story.

This would be a perfect gift for children, the young-at-heart, or anyone who is captivated by the stories of Camelot.

5-0 out of 5 stars A Voice to be Heard
I honestly have to say that I purchased this audio CD through Audible.com only to hear the beautiful voice of Sean Bean. I wasn't disappointed! Then, after hearing a great story, I purchased it again through Amazon for my 9 year old nephew. Sean does a brilliant job, that would keep any person, young or old, interested in hearing the story of King Arthur. Highly recommended!

5-0 out of 5 stars Good Version for Children - and Adults too
When I originally purchased this "Junior Classic" - as a gift for my little brother, an Arthur aficianado - I didn't expect to enjoy it much myself. However, the adaptation is well-done, and is not so inane as to make it unbearable to anyone over ten, which is what I expected. I was so pleasantly surprised that I went out and bought myself a copy!

British actor Sean Bean has an incredible range of voices and accents, which he uses impeccably to enrich the characters he reads (though all the narrative is done in his lovely native Yorkshire). Morgana le Fay, Lancelot, Elaine, and, yes, Arthur all come to life as one listens. A very enjoyable audiobook, for bedtime or listening to in the car, or just as a mini-holiday! ... Read more


62. Amelia Bedelia (I Can Read)
by Peggy Parish, Fritz Siebel
list price: $3.99
our price: $3.99
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 0064441555
Catlog: Book (1992-09-01)
Publisher: HarperTrophy
Sales Rank: 2282
Average Customer Review: 4.92 out of 5 stars
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Book Description

Amelia Bedelia, the housekeeper with a literal mind, merrily upsets the household when she "dresses" the chicken and "trims" the steak with ribbons and lace. ... Read more

Reviews (26)

5-0 out of 5 stars An "I Can Read" CLASSIC
Without a doubt, the Amelia Bedelia books stand tall as good literature in the "I Can Read" genre -- a genre notorious for less-than-interesting stories, owing to the fact that it is subject to limited vocabulary lists. Peggy Parish uses these limitations to her benefit, however, creating a whimsical character in Amelia Bedelia, a woman who takes everything literally (for example, a request to prune the hedges causes Amelia to stick prunes on the hedges, and when asked to draw the drapes in the living room, Amelia scrambles for her pencil and notepad to sketch them).

Amelia Bedelia's peculiarities make for a memorable story -- one that kids will read over and over, and one that parents won't mind sitting in on. This book is highly recommended. (Okay, okay, I loved it when I was a kid!)

And hey, be sure to catch all the other Amelia Bedelia books as well.

5-0 out of 5 stars I learned to love reading with this book.
My great aunt used to pick me up from Pre-school, and together we would read about Amelia Bedelia's adventures. We laughed until we cried in that old green rocking chair. Unto this day, we laugh and talk about the antics of Amelia Bedelia, and we recommend it to everyone, young and young-at-heart alike. Take it from a 21 year-old, you can't outgrow Amelia Bedelia.

5-0 out of 5 stars funny
Amelia is an idiot. She reads things or hears figures of speech and takes everything so literally that she ends up making a fool of her self. In result you learn nothing but you just learn to laugh and learn not to be like Amelia. Reading a book and laughing sometimes is all you need, so enjoy this book!

5-0 out of 5 stars A totally AWESOME book!
Many people do not know about or understand autism. But Amelia Bedelia is a prime example of someone with autism. When I try to explain to my daughter's friends and my friends what living with autism means, I recommend that they read one of these books. They are light-hearted and hilarious but yet represent autism in a very real way.

5-0 out of 5 stars MUY GRACIOSO!!
This book is really funny!!!!! Yo no sabia que existia una vertion en espaniol pero mis hijas se divertieron mucho con este cuento. de hecho me gusto mas la vertion es espaniol que la yo lei cuando era chica. lo recomiendo es muy gracioso!!!!!! ... Read more


63. A Hatful of Seuss: Five Favorite Dr. Seuss Stories
by DR SEUSS
list price: $30.00
our price: $18.00
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 0679883886
Catlog: Book (1997-01-13)
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Sales Rank: 4871
Average Customer Review: 4.88 out of 5 stars
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Amazon.com

This collection of five complete, illustrated Dr. Seuss classics is a "hatful," but you'd have to have a Cat-in-the-Hat-sized chapeau to contain all the treasures in this hefty book. Within its pages you'll find Theodor Seuss Geisel's exuberant creations Bartholomew and the Oobleck (1949), If I Ran the Zoo (1950), Horton Hears a Who! (1954), The Sneetches and Other Stories (1961), and Dr.Seuss's Sleep Book (1962). In Bartholomew and the Oobleck, a non-rhyming Seuss story, prepare for an eyeful of green goo. In If I Ran the Zoo, young Gerald McGrew decides he would make a few changes if he ran the zoo--including the acquisition of more unusual beasts (such as an Elephant-Cat) from places "quite out-of-the-way." In addition to the potentially unsettling concept of traversing continents in search of wild beasts to trap and cage, there are a couple of dated references that parents may want to preview before reading to kids. For example, McGrew proclaims, "I'll hunt in the mountains of Zomba-ma-Tant/With helpers who all wear their eyes at a slant,/And capture a fine fluffy bird called the Bustard/Who only eats custard with sauce made of mustard."

As for the rest of this delightful collection, Horton Hears a Who! is a tale that teaches us "a person's a person, no matter how small." And of course, you may remember the Star-Belly Sneetches, the "snooty old smarties" who pranced antagonistically in front of the Plain-Belly Sneetches, or Mrs. McCave who had 23 sons and named them all Dave. Finally, Dr. Seuss's Sleep Book is about the snortiest snorers, the curious sleepwalking Crandalls, World-Champion Sleep-Talkers, and other somnambulant types--a perfect bedtime finale to a book that could keep youngsters entertained all night. (All ages) ... Read more

Reviews (8)

4-0 out of 5 stars Good story selection, questionable book quality
There is little to add to the chorus of praise for the works of Dr. Seuss. The content is unimpeachable and the choices of his works for inclusion here are a good random mix.

That said, the book itself has a flaw common to books of this type. It is not durable enough for extended use by children. Because it contains multiple stories, it will see more use than a single storied book. Books of this size and length need the strongest bindings and reinforcing possible. A "Curious George" compendium that we own that is made similarly to the Seuss book fell apart after a few readthroughs, and only the adults handled it. The spine of the Seuss book is weakening after only a year of ownership. Manufacturers need to offer us better quality.

I also must say it is disappointing that no complete collection of Suess's material exists. His entire works would be quite large, but it is still odd that no one has seen fit to put everything he wrote for children in a multi-volume set. The best we have at this time is the five selection book here.

5-0 out of 5 stars Who doesn't love Dr. Seuss?
It's fun for kids and for you! Everyone will be entertained for hours.

5-0 out of 5 stars Like a window into a perfect world...
There was always something about Dr. Seuss. I read a lot of books when I was a kid, and before that my parents read them to me, but there was always something about Seuss's work that even a little kid can recognize as genius. I could read them over and over again, even when I got to an age where Seuss was "baby-stuff." Maybe it was the pictures and maybe it was the musical nature of the words, but more likely it was the fact that Seuss's stuff is as close to putting pure imagination on paper as your ever likely to see.

There are lot's of imitators these days, but they're not Seuss. No one could draw a Sneetch, Grinch or Who like Seuss could. Heck, nobody knew what a Sneetch was until Seuss showed us. His creatures and creations were so real at times, yet so completely unlike anything we had ever seen before how could we not be amazed. Like Gerald McGrew from "If I Ran the Zoo" Seuss offered us a menagerie of creatures so wondrous and amazing that they could actually make our own world seem dim in comparison.

While it's hard to have a "best of" compilation when speaking of Seuss, Random House has done it's best to compile five classics into a tome equal to Bullfinch's Mythology, Aesop's Fables or Grimm's Fairy Tales (the book I ordered along with this one). Each of these stories teaches us something without coming off as pretentious or preachy. In fact, the moral's are sometimes so subtle as to be invisible, but they're there.

Now that I have a daughter of my own I try to read to her every night. This book fascinates us both and when she reaches out to try and touch one of the characters on the page, I know exactly how she feels. What kind of father would I be if I denied her the world of Seuss? It would be like stealing the color yellow or putting her imagination in handcuffs. Plus, it gives me an excuse to read all those cool stories all over again. Seuss is just cool.

5-0 out of 5 stars great and economical
In this day and age when children's books are getting prohibitively expensive, this book is a great deal.

While I knew the stories as a kid, I got to re-live them with my daughter with this book. She loves to read and re-read them with me, and she asks questions about the stories and the values that are in them. This is first rate stuff, the kind of thing that sticks in a child's mind for their entire life with their quirky detail, humor, and vivid stories you can identify with.

So often, it is of individuals who find the courage to defy the authorities and mainstream opinion to do what they think is right.

Warmly recommended.

5-0 out of 5 stars The Sneetches
As a former grade school teacher, I wanted to take a moment to say that "The Sneetches" is the finest story in the annals of Children's Literature. It is another example of the Good Dr.'s "Einstein" capacities to teach about the insidiousness of bigotry in a manner which captivates both young and old alike. Anyone interested in promoting the commonalities which bind all of us together, will be delighted to have this story as a permanent piece of magic within his or her library. ... Read more


64. The Sneetches and Other Stories
by DR SEUSS
list price: $14.95
our price: $8.97
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 0394800893
Catlog: Book (1961-08-12)
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Sales Rank: 1088
Average Customer Review: 4.93 out of 5 stars
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Book Description

Illus. in full color. "Four funny easy-to-read stories all with subtly planted moral lessons."--Publishers Weekly. ... Read more

Reviews (28)

5-0 out of 5 stars Only Dr. Seuss could teach a basic truth with so much fun!
"What was I scared of?", the last story in this book, has long been my favorite Dr. Seuss story. I read it aloud as a child. Now it is one of my son's favorites. Dr. Seuss explores scary things like the dark, people or things that aren't familiar, and the idea that it doesn't work to try and run or hide, all within a silly story of green pants with nobody inside them. The sneetches and their struggle to be elite makes any number of statements about our society in a way that is simple for young minds to understand. And the stories about the stubborn Zax and the mother who named all her sons Dave turn words into an amusement park. Definitely one of Dr. Seuss' best.

5-0 out of 5 stars You'll wear out the book before you get tired reading it.
This is definetly one of Dr. Seuss' best. Four stories with messages so subtle and solutions so obvious that both adult and child will enjoy them again and again. Time (and repitition) has not dimmed any of their charm. The story of The Sneetches focuses on prejudice. Perhaps the most subtle of all Dr. Seuss stories, it demonstrates the silliness of stereotypes and what happens to those who subscribe to them. The story of The Zax tells the story of two stubborn and inflexible Zax. And what happens when they happen to run into each other. Too Many Daves is one mother's story of naming all twenty-three of her children Dave. But my favorite it What Was I Scared Of? It's a not very scary story of seeing a pair of "pale green pants with nobody, inside them". And what to do if you should see them.

4-0 out of 5 stars The Sneetches
I loved this book, it relates so much to the prejudice crimes of todays society. I bet a million bucks that that is how Seuss got his inspiration to write thsi wonderful childrens book. I read in my HONORS reading class and i absolutly loved it. It is a star book.

5-0 out of 5 stars Five Stars Upon Thars!
This is definitely one of my favorite books! It's a classic, for young and old alike. I've read it countless times, it just keeps getting better. They might be childrens' stories, but there is a lesson to be learned from each of them.

5-0 out of 5 stars A Classic
My grandma used to read this book to my sister and I and our cousins all the time. I'm buying it for my kids. I love the lessons in this book and that it is funny and easy for kids. I great book for learning to read! ... Read more


65. Pippi's Extraordinary Ordinary Day (Lindgren, Astrid, Pippi Longstocking Storybook.)
by Astrid Lindgren, Miachael Chesworth, Astrid Chesworth, Michael Chesworth
list price: $5.99
our price: $5.99
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 0140568417
Catlog: Book (2001-06-01)
Publisher: Puffin Books
Sales Rank: 44452
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Book Description

Pippi always does things her own way. When she cleans her kitchen, she ties scrub brushes to her feet. When she has a picnic, she serves pancakes. One thing is for sure-there's never a dull moment when Pippi is around!

"Pippi Longstocking . . . has inspired generations of children with her spunk and power."
-Kirkus Reviews
... Read more


66. The World of Peter Rabbit, Tales 1-12
by Beatrix Potter
list price: $84.00
our price: $52.92
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 0723284083
Catlog: Book (2004-01-01)
Publisher: Frederick Warne and Company Inc
Sales Rank: 22614
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Book Description

A popular Potter favorite is available again in a handsome new package. The carrying case comes complete with a handle, and buckle closure, and has the smart new design celebrating 100 years of Peter Rabbit. Books inside include titles such as The Tale of Peter Rabbit, The Tale of Tom Kitten, and The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck. Now being re-issued because of high demand, this is a great way to start a Potter library. ... Read more


67. Eloise : The Ultimate Edition
by Kay Thompson
list price: $35.00
our price: $23.10
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 0689839901
Catlog: Book (2000-10-01)
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Sales Rank: 7405
Average Customer Review: 4.17 out of 5 stars
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Amazon.com

Frankly, one can never have too much Eloise. For all those who love lovelove the irrepressible 6-year-old resident of New York City's haughty PlazaHotel, and shining star of Kay Thompson and Hilary Knight's classic Eloise, the ultimate joy is tosee four favorite titles collected in one enormous volume: Eloise: TheUltimate Edition. Sit back and watch as our heroine braids Skipperdee theturtle's ears, brushes her teeth with pear lemonade in Moscow, absolutely goeswild in Paris, and jingles around her lobby at Christmastime, tying tassels onthe thermostat. This edition, with a lovely new dust jacket by Hilary Knight,includes our absolutely darling little sweetnik in Eloise in Moscow, thefantastique Eloise inParis, the rawther festive Eloise at Christmastime, andthe splendid scrapbook of memorabilia, photos, and drawings, The Absolutely EssentialEloise. It's all absolutely essential, if you ask us. (All ages)--Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (6)

5-0 out of 5 stars great, except for some errors..............
The picures are wonderful, stories are great, but the part of The Story of Eloise, they miss judged the spacing and left out the 1st letter of the starting paragraph. Someone didn't proofread it right. You get all 4 book, one great buy with the extras! ( the scrapbook and the story of Eloise) Hopefully they caught the errors for the next printing. A book you can pass down from generation to generation!

5-0 out of 5 stars Finally A Treasury
This is definitely one of the best treasuries I have ever bought. Eloise is such a fun and adorable character. I don't know who couldn't like her.

This treasury contains Eloise in Moscow, Eloise, Eloise in Paris, and Eloise at Christmastime. Not only that, there's a special scrapbook all about the author Kay Thompson featuring pictures and info about the author of this beloved character.

This is a must have book for the holidays, or anytime. So pick up a copy, and charge it please.

1-0 out of 5 stars What am I missing?
A spoiled brat lives in a fancy hotel in New York: that's kind of what this series boils down to for me.

I read to my kids a lot, and this is the one series that I completely don't get: I don't see why it's funny or touching or...anything. Neither do my kids.

Her language can be quite fun and ingenious, but holy cow...I don't understand all the fuss.

5-0 out of 5 stars It's about time we had all 4 at once
A few years ago, I was waiting with baited breath for all the Eloise books to be reprinted. It just could not happen fast enough for me. Finally, all 4 were out, and I was happy. Then they came out with this book that collects all four books in one volume for the first time, and I bought this too. Why did I buy this? Well, for one thing, the new Hilary Knight cover is rather fabulous. I am all for new Knight artwork whenever it appears, and this cover was obviously not dashed out but carefully drawn, and it shows. This is definitely worth having for the Eloise fan.

5-0 out of 5 stars Oooooooooooooooo I Love This Edition of Eloise Best!
This is the book about Eloise that Eloise would buy. As you may remember, Eloise is the six-year-old who lives on the top floor of The Plaze Hotel in New York City with her English Nanny, pug (Weenie), and turtle (Skipperdee). Here are some of the ways that Eloise has been characterized: "Holden Caulfield for kindergarten girls"; "a mini-Auntie Mame -- a protofeminist"; and "independent and saucy."

Contained in this volume are the original Eloise story, the Scrapbook by Marie Brenner (containing the origins of Eloise and the story, and biographies of Kay Thompson and Hilary Knight, and how readers responded to the stories as they appeared), and the three sequels (Eloise in Paris, Eloise at Christmastime, and Eloise in Moscow). Each of the four stories contains the deluxe fold-out drawings from the original books, and the Scrapbook has many wonderful photographs and drawings that will delight those who would like to know more background about Eloise and her creators.

With one exception, the material is outstanding. The story, Eloise in Moscow, is very poor in its humor and plot line. But having the story in this collection will allow you to savor those parts of the story that happen to appeal to you.

The reproduction is also superb, except for the frontispieces of the four stories. These should simply have been omitted.

I usually avoid recommending expensive editions, but this one is a good value. It contains all the best material about Eloise, and you may have trouble finding the same versions by buying the books separately. Also, this edition is likely to be a hand-me-down item from one generation to another and another. The cost per reader is probably going to be quite small as a result.

To me, the best of the four stories is still the original. Reading the Scrapbook adds a lot to my enjoyment of that story. Of the sequels, I like Eloise in Paris best. Some people will not like Eloise at Christmastime because Kay Thompson's rhymes are not the best. I can enjoy fractured verse, so I found it appealing instead.

Space does not permit me to review each of these sections in detail here, but you can read my reviews of each story elsewhere on Amazon for the individual books. I gave five star reviews to all but Eloise in Moscow, to which I gave a two star review.

After you have enjoyed this book, I suggest that you grab a partner who also loves Eloise and write a new Eloise story that brings her into the 21st century in a locale and at a time of your choice. Then find a young person to read that story to, and draw some illustrations together. That will add to your enjoyment of this book and of your love of Eloise.

J'aime beaucoup Eloise . . . toujours! ... Read more


68. You're Only Old Once! : A Book for Obsolete Children
by DR SEUSS
list price: $19.95
our price: $13.57
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 0394551907
Catlog: Book (1986-02-12)
Publisher: Random House
Sales Rank: 4971
Average Customer Review: 4.93 out of 5 stars
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Amazon.com

Subtitled A Book for Obsolete Children, this unusual item in the Seuss canon doesn't really belong among the children's books. Written to celebrate the nonsense master's 82nd birthday, it follows "you" (an elderly gent in a suit and white moustache) through a physical check-up in some fiendish geriatric clinic. You are measured, prodded, and subjected to all the medical indignities familiar and unfamiliar to the elderly. "You must see Dr. Pollen, our Allergy Whiz, who knows every sniffle and itch that there is... He will check your reactions to thumbtacks and glue, catcher's mitts, leaf mould, and cardigans too. Nasturtiums and marble cake, white and blue chalks, anthracite coal and the feathers of hawks." It's clear that the process is going to be long, but much shorter than the bill. The blurb on the back says it all: "Is this a children's book?Well... not immediately. You buy a copy for your child now and you give it to him on his 70th birthday." Actually, it would make an amusing gift for anyone over 40. --Richard Farr ... Read more

Reviews (14)

5-0 out of 5 stars Brilliant work from one of the world's best satirists
Call me crazy, but I love the Seuss-meister. His work is so often overlooked in the world of satire, and too often plunked into the children's book catagories. This book was not written for kids! How quaint; how rare! He's written for gram and even gramp-air! "Only Old Once" addresses adult fears of doctors in the unique Seuss way, without being distinctly childish. He mocks the testing methods and treatments that many of us don't even want to think about. Another Seuss gem in a similar vein, is "Daisey-Head Mayzie", who also endures the poking and prodding of modern medicine, all because she was different. If you haven't read Seuss since your youngest child entered middle school, shame on you; consider yourself properly rebuked, and go get a few Cat in the Hat logoed volumes. Then curl up with a plate of green eggs and ham and let yourself go!

5-0 out of 5 stars Seuss for Adults
Yes, this really is a book for adults. It has page after page of insights about the clinic "Beckoner," and the waiting room fish, and your gratitude that you're, " . . . not quite as deaf as a post." For most of us, it has been far too long (since childhood?) since anyone read to us just to read to us, rather than pass along information. So for something very special, if you are over 50 or so, read YOU'RE ONLY OLD ONCE to your Significant Other. You'll probably end up hugging each other while you chuckle.

5-0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Love This Book
Even though I'm only in my 30's, this book give insight into the plight of the older generation. Granted, I haven't been afflicted by any of their ailments yet, but I'm so glad Dr. Seuss was able to write about them in his usual style. This is one of his best!!

5-0 out of 5 stars Great Gift For Those Milestone Birthdays!
When I turned a "certain age," one of my friends gave me this book (and inside was a gift certificate to a book store), and I loved it! What a great way to "present" a gift certificate for a "milestone birthday!" I have to admit that I've copied the idea and I love how people enjoy it. And, who doesn't love Dr Seuss??

5-0 out of 5 stars Brilliant look at aging!
I originally bought this book for my husband's 40th, and then decided to get a second copy for my dad's 50th. We read the book at my dad's surprise birthday party and everyone thought it was hillarious. It is certainly a great way to celebrate a special birthday, especially if you know the person well and know that they can handle the "teasing" about growing another year older. ... Read more


69. King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table (Puffin Classics)
by Roger Lancelyn Green, Lotte Reiniger
list price: $4.99
our price: $4.99
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 0140366709
Catlog: Book (1995-03-01)
Publisher: Puffin Books
Sales Rank: 22229
Average Customer Review: 3.62 out of 5 stars
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Reviews (26)

2-0 out of 5 stars The Honorable Knights of the Round Table
The Knights of the Round went through numerous adventures in their time. In the book, King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, the author, Sidney Lanier, illustrated some of the knights' quests. Written from Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte d' Arthur, this novel has eight mini books on the Knights of the Round Table. From the "Coming of Arthur" to the "Passing of Arthur" Sidney Lanier depicted Arthur's knights such as Sir Lancelot du Lake, Sir Gareth of Orkney, La Cote Mal Taile, and Sir Tristram. There wasn't much conflict between the different knights, except for when they decided to joust.
This medieval book, written in third person, concentrates on the Knights of the Round Table, not as much on King Arthur. I highly recommend not reading this book because it doesn't have much conflict, so it isn't very interesting. For this reason, the book, King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, is unique (because of the fact it doesn't have much conflict). This book should be read by people 13+ because of its unique words and ideas, and by people who are interested in learning more about King Arthur and his Knights.

4-0 out of 5 stars A great legend that everybody should read
The Legend of King Arthur is a book that everyone should read at least once in his life. The Legend actually consists of hundreds of stories passed down for generations orally. Then somebody wrote it down, someone else read different ones of those and wrote his own. This way there are many different versions. The one that I read, and this review is about, is written by Roger Lancelyn Green. Unlike the other ones, which are hundreds of years old, this book is written in modern English. Because of that you can read it pretty fast.

Every chapter in this book is a story for itself, which have only a little to do with each other. The only character which is mentioned in every of those stories is King Arthur. He is the famous King of Logres, the holy realm. The story takes place in the 400s, when the Saxons invaded Britain. God thought that Britain will fall if he doesn't support them. So he decided to establish the Realm of Logres, which should be ruled by King Arthur. As soon as he began to ruled Britain, most of the world's best knights were at his court. The most famous one is Sir Launcelot. He was the best knight at the Round Table, but Logres also fell because of him and the beauty of King Arthur's wife.

And when Britain is in need, the Holy Realm of Logres can be reestablished at any time.

5-0 out of 5 stars Awesome tales in the truest sense of the word.
I really like Rosemary Sutcliff's books, including her Arthurian
trilogy; however, I prefer Green's King Arthur because, for me,
it captures the sense of dread and awe that hangs over the
legends so well. The illustrations are very nice, as well. For my money this is a first-rate rendition.

2-0 out of 5 stars a little fantasy for a change - almost interesting
I am 14 years old. I had to read this book for school, and considering the school usually assigns boring books, this one was pretty good. I thought it was okay, because I like fantasy books, and this book has a lot of fantasy and love stories. It was rather interesting, but I never would have read it if I hadn't had to.

2-0 out of 5 stars King Arthur and his Brave Knights
King Arthur and his Brave Knights
King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table by Roger Lancelyn Green, were a whole bunch of different stories. They were how Arthur was raised and became king, how each of the knights came apart of the round table and how each of the went on their quest for the Holy Grail, and the departing of King Arthur and his kingdom.
The author, Roger L. Green, emphasized some differences to the original tale. For instance, Launcelot never loved Elaine. Elaine loved Launcelot very much but she was sad because Launcelot did not love her back. So Elaine went to Brysen who was a sorcerer and she made Elaine appear as Guinevere (Launcelot's love). When Launcelot saw Elaine that appeared as Guinevere he asked her to marry him and she said yes. The next morning when Launcelot saw Elaine in bed with him instead of Guinevere he went mad and started to live in the forest. Another change in the story was that the author called the Lady of the Lake, Lady Nimue. This book took place in the 6th century and the narrator is in 3rd person. The themes of the book were basically stories of each knight on their quest for the Holy Grail.
I would recommend this book to avid readers and people who enjoy fantasies. This reason because it is hard to understand some of the words are difficult to understand. ... Read more


70. Where, Oh Where, Is Kipper's Bear?: A Pop-Up Book with Light!
by Mick Inkpen
list price: $15.95
our price: $10.85
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 0152003940
Catlog: Book (1995-10-11)
Publisher: Red Wagon Books
Sales Rank: 19289
Average Customer Review: 5 out of 5 stars
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Book Description

Help Kipper search for his lost teddy bear. Could he be hiding in the tree? Under the stairs? Peek into the holes, pull the tabs--and see who pops out.
... Read more

Reviews (11)

5-0 out of 5 stars A pop-up book very popular with 20-30 month children
Clearly drawn and cleverly constructed pop-ups are the heart of this simple tale. Our 24 month child loved it from the outset (he first saw it at 20 months), and subsequent gifts of this book to the childern of our friends suggest that our experience is far from unique. For a good two months this was book of choice, but then went out of favour. Older children who have seen this book have appreciated the story more - so we expect our's will come back to it at about 30 months when he will understand it more. Strongly recommended

5-0 out of 5 stars an exceptional lift-the-flap book with a sweet story
Kipper is looking for his teddy bear. Is it in the apple tree? No! Birds come flying out instead. Thus begins our odyssey into Kipper's world -- populated with mice, pigs and moon people (among others). Pop-ups are activated by lifting flaps and manipulating tabs. The latter may be difficult for young children, but they will most likely enjoy the action anyway.

The little surprise at the end is charming and sure to bring a smile to your little one's face.

Exceptionally well done.

Caveats: A few of the flaps are flimsy, so be careful if your child is rough on them. Kipper's usual friends (Pig, Arnold and Tiger) do not show up in the story.

5-0 out of 5 stars What a Charmer!
Okay, I'm a sucker for pop-up books and a sucker for cute pups, so this one really couldn't miss for me. But this is a really cute pop-up and with the little light shining at the end....well, I can't imagine a child not falling for this book. Of course, if the battery burns out, a lot of the book's attraction fails...but that should be some time down the road.

5-0 out of 5 stars A really sweet book, even if you don't watch the show
The pop-ups are beautifully done, and really appeal to my 16 mo old son, and he just loves the little flashlight revealed at the end of the story -- one to add to the list of classics on the bookshelf which have fun effects, like Eric Carle's work. To describe Kipper -- he is the most adorable, laid-back dog. Lifes events are taken in stride with great good humor, and lessons aren't IN your face like in Barney type shows. Kipper's A to Z is another wonderful alphabet book, and is one of his favorites too!. He has learned to say bee, bzz like a bee, duck, quack, and strangely enough -- the word Happy from that book! He likes to keep saying moon and doggie to this one :-) Enjoy it!

As an update, he is now 3 1/2 and took this book to show and tell one day. The flaps and pull outs still work so its a sturdy, simple, engaging book. The theme of being able to go to sleep even without your favorite item that you are obsessing about is also reassuring. (Kipper falls asleep, and we find teddy was reading a book at his feet under the covers with a flashlight) You know that Kipper will wake up in the morning and find his teddy.

5-0 out of 5 stars This book is fun
My 2 year old loves this book. I don't let him look at it by himself as I fear it would not last, but he wants it read to him several times a week (and he has about 100 books)! I let him operate many of the flaps now that it is a little broken in and he thinks they are hillarious. The little flashlight at the end of the book keeps him guessing. We always turn out the light and he puts his finger over the flashlight to make his finger light up. It is a lot of fun to read, especially if you like the kipper cartoon series. Nice and gentle bed time reading too, not too stimulating. One of the very best of the kipper book series. ... Read more


71. The Winnie-the-Pooh CD
by A.A. Milne
list price: $22.00
our price: $14.96
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 0060566272
Catlog: Book (2003-10-01)
Publisher: HarperChildrensAudio
Sales Rank: 12640
Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars
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Book Description

"Once upon a time, a very long time ago, Winnie-the-Pooh lived in a forest…" The world of Pooh is a world of enchantment. It is a world forever fixed in the minds and hearts of countless children -- a world where Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger, Kanga and the others share unforgettable adventures with Christopher Robin.

Winnie-the-Pooh is filled with delight: Pooh goes hunting with Piglet, celebrates Eeyore's birthday, and accompanies Christopher Robin and the others on an "Expotition" to the North Pole. Through it all, Pooh remains the whimsical philosopher and staunch friend, captivating children as he has for generations.

... Read more

Reviews (20)

5-0 out of 5 stars There's no classic like an old classic
Ah, the adventures of Pooh & Co. Far fewer people have read these light lovely little books than seen their animated semi-accurate Disneyfications. Should the average reader choose to actually read, "Winnie the Pooh", they'd find a series of adventures set in a child's safe/tame landscape. The great recommendation of this book (and its subsequent sequals) is the jokes that kids won't get but that adults will adore. Aside from some of the more C.S. Lewis-like twistings of the English language, some characters are written as charicatures of the timid, the pompous, and the dejected. After all, who hasn't known their own Owls or Eeyores at some point in their life? In my opinion, Piglet is almost the quintessential timid Englishman. As for the original illustrations, they cannot be improved upon (especially since the movie has so invaded the public consciousness). My advice? Get kids to read this before they see the film (which is probably an impossible thing to desire these days). You won't regret it and they'll take them to heart.

5-0 out of 5 stars A pre-schooler's delight
Ah, the treasures you come across cleaning out your adult child's closet once he's grown and left the nest. How could I have forgotten this enchanting book? My son used to love Winnie the Pooh and all his friends when he was three years old. In Piglet, Kanga and Baby Roo, Eeyore, Rabbit, Owl and Pooh himself, A.A. Milne created some of the best-loved characters in children's literature. The stories in the book are funny and endearing, what child doesn't laugh out loud over Pooh and Piglet hunting for Woozles, and Eeyore losing his tail? Read this book out loud to your child (or silently to yourself), and you may find yourself transported back to your own childhood:

"Isn't it funny
how a bear likes honey?
Buzz, buzz, buzz!
I wonder why he does?"

5-0 out of 5 stars Excellent reading of the book.
This is a review of the Jim Broadbent recording of the first Winnie the Pooh book. Although it does seem to include the other recordings I have heard, and I expect his version of The House at Pooh Corner would be quite similar.

Jim Broadbendt does a great job reading us WtP. Anyone who has heard the Charles Kuralt version- this version is 300% better. Jim not only has a sense of of humor, but does a different voice for each character. Two things sorely lacking on the CK versions. Now, for those who have heard the Peter Dennis recordings, well, those are better, there's no getting around that. Peter's piglet cannot be topped and he also does the most wonderful versions of the songs I have ever heard. But alas, those tapes are no longer available and Dennis never recorded the entire book(s). So, I figure Jim is still deserving of the 5 stars.

Broadbent does a wonderful job of bringing out the humor in the stories, something which the Kuralt recordings do not. His Eeyore does sound a bit like Ringo Starr- but, that works rather well now, doesn't it? Pooh, well, he's a bit on the not-so-bright side, but he's cheerful and trustworthy. Piglet does sound timid and sweet. Rabbit, well, he could be a bit more edgey in these. Jim has made Rabbit a bit more sympthetic a character than I envision him. Still, the subtle nuances are not lost, even on children. And, it is nice to have an unabridged version of the story available.

My children just love these cds. Which is nice. It's always good to have something that the entire family enjoys and is still a worthwhile use of time. Especialy something that one can listen to in the car that doesn't bore the pants off the driver and yet amuses the children enough to keep them quiet. I highly recommend this version for anyone who would like to expose their child to the original Pooh stories.

5-0 out of 5 stars Sing Ho for the life of a Pooh
Unless you were just teleported here from an alternative universe where Walt Disney was a hobo and stayed locked up in jail, never to entertain the world with his many talents, you _had_ to have heard of Winnie the Pooh. This _is_ the A.A.Milne stories with the beautiful Ernest Shepard's illustrations and if you never read this, you are in for a real treat.

The illustrations are gorgeous watercolors. The characters have more dimensions to them and the effect is more subtle. You'll recognize some stories from the Disney movies / shows - some you won't. They are great bedtime stories for your little ones and work equally well for adults.

If you have little ones in your life, you are going to want this book to read to them or give as a shower gift to an expectant mom. If you want to see what Pooh, Piglet ant the gang are like without all the "Disneyfications", this is also a great book. And, if you're like me and have fond memories of this book, it's _definitely_ for you. Read and enjoy:)

5-0 out of 5 stars black and white originals
Horn Book review hit it on the head: the black and white illustrations are superior in every way to the colored-in versions. The original editions were, after all, illustrated with simple, clearly-outlined sketches. So now, finally, we have have Winne-the-Pooh as it was originally intended to be. On top of that, excellent quality paper, beautiful binding, a perfect size, this slip-cased edition is a collector's item. ... Read more


72. Verdi
by Janell Cannon
list price: $16.00
our price: $10.88
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 0152010289
Catlog: Book (1997-04-01)
Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books
Sales Rank: 3007
Average Customer Review: 4.72 out of 5 stars
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Amazon.com

Verdi is a proud python, flourishing in the flower of his youth. He loves to swiftly slither around the forest, brandishing his bright yellow skin, and can't fathom why anyone would want to be sleepy and green like the adult snakes he knows. Verdi insists, as so many youngsters do, "I will never be lazy, boring or green!" Despite his resolve to stay young, one day he notices a patch of green spreading down the length of his body. Verdi does everything he can think of to erase this first sign of the inevitable tide of age. But in his frenzy of youthful, Icarus-like bravado, he nearly kills himself. Finally, Verdi learns that even though he can't stop the aging process, green skin won't keep him from being a fun-loving, young-at-heart, figure-eight-forming snake.

Janell Cannon's illustrations are exquisite. As in her award-winning Stellaluna, not only are the animal drawings painstakingly accurate, they are also awash with movement and beauty. The countless shades of greeny-yellow and yellowy-green have the effect of a cool eye compress for the reader--calming, inviting, and enticing readers to reach into the lush environment of the pages. Verdi's lesson is never didactic, always compelling, and pleasantly surprising. (Ages 4 and older) ... Read more

Reviews (32)

5-0 out of 5 stars artistically mesmerizing and fun for all ages
i work in the public library system here in st. louis, mo, and i almost never get a chance to put "verdi" on the shelve. why? because it's ALWAYS checked out! both parents and children love this coming of age story about a young snake who, like everyone else in life, is afraid of becoming "old" and "boring". once he realizes that with age comes wisdom, he's much happier as an older, greener snake than a younger, more yellow snake. i read this book whenever i get a chance, and because of the kids at the library, that's not very often!

5-0 out of 5 stars Great!
Once a week I volunteer to read books with children at the local library. "Verdi" by Janell Cannon is one of the most popular choices (Ms. Cannon's "Stellaluna" is also highly popular). It seems that children of all ages enjoy this book about a little yellow snake who doesn't want to grow up and become a boring green adult.

As other reviewers have mentioned, this is a great coming of age story. We always discuss the books after reading them and after reading "Verdi," the kids always say something like "even adults were young once" or that "you can still have fun when you're a grown up."

I also must comment on the illustrations, as they are exquisite - so colorful and detailed. Everyone just loves looking through this book again and again.

5-0 out of 5 stars Exceptional!
Janell Cannon is the queen of children's books. Her stories are heart warming and illustrations are beyond compare. I have purchased this book numerous times for gifts (along with the stunning "Stellaluna") and it has always been well received. Kids just love how colorful and exquisite Ms. Cannon's books are!

In "Verdi" we have a young python who doesn't want to grow up. He vows to always be free spirited and never boring like the adults he knows. When he hurts himself doing a silly stunt, he learns that the adults were once as young and carefree as he is and that age doesn't affect your spirit.

"Verdi" is truly a wonderful coming of age story that will have you wanting to read it again and again. It is listed here as a book for first to third graders, but I feel it goes much beyond that due to the fantastic art work and sweet story line.

4-0 out of 5 stars Verdi review
This book is about a snake named Verdi that doesnt want to turn green. Verdi is a young yellow snake that is very athletic. When Verdi visits other snakes that are old, boring and green he hopes that he will never be like them that is when the trouble starts.

I would rate this book a 4 out of 5 because it was a good story and had great illustrations. I would recommend this book to people that enjoy reading about animals and to artist that like to draw animals.

5-0 out of 5 stars Soon to be a favorite!!
This book will become a favorite for many children, as it was for my child. Its vivid illustrations are tremendously life-like. Children will feel a kinship with the young snake's tribulations about growing up.

It has a strong emphasis on Personality Development. It is like a "coming of age" story where a child does not want to grow up but finds it happens anyway. As much as Verdi the young snake tried to seek independence from adults, he learned that he still needed the warmth and security from the adults in his life.

Social Development skills could also be learned from Verdi as he began to understand the adult pythons' points of views. When Verdi gave them a chance, he realized the adults were quite amazing. ... Read more


73. Bonjour, Babar! : The Six Unabridged Classics by the Creator of Babar
by JEAN DE BRUNHOFF
list price: $29.95
our price: $20.37
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 0375810609
Catlog: Book (2000-09-26)
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Sales Rank: 6272
Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars
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Amazon.com

Seven decades after Babar was born, the world is still very much in lovewith the noble elephant. Before his untimely death at age 37, Jean de Brunhoffwrote and illustrated six stories about Babar and his friends and family. Inthis exquisite gift edition, every one of these stories is included, with not aword or picture left out. From The Story of Babar--in which the elephantis born, loses his mother, runs off to Paris, and returns to be crownedking--through The Travels of Babar, Babar the King, Babar andZephir, Babar and His Children, and Babar and FatherChristmas, the beloved pachyderm's incredible life adventures are chronicledfor our reading pleasure. In his introduction, picture book author-illustratorKevin Henkes writes, "Where else could one find a balloon accident, a deadlypoison mushroom, a runaway carriage, an extraordinary flying machine, a snakeattack, fire, war, death, birth? These books are full of adventure and fantasy,but they also deal with the stuff of real life. And I'm convinced children longto see both the dark and the light sides of human experience reflected in theirbooks just as much as adults do, perhaps more." Adults who truly wish to sharethe joys of the classics with the children in their lives could do no betterthan to present them with this grand collection. (Ages 4 and older) --EmilieCoulter ... Read more

Reviews (5)

5-0 out of 5 stars Great fun for the whole family
My husband and I grew up on Babar. So when we saw this book we bought for our 4 month old son. He loves to hear our voices as we read to him and he also loves the bright colored pictures. We enjoy the memories that the stories bring back to us. A great addition to anyones collection.

TIP: We take the dust cover of any of his books that have dust covers and put them in plastic sleeves for later when we are sure he will not rip them up. That way when he is older the book looks like new even though it really is old.

3-0 out of 5 stars "Original" art? Ha!
I was so thrilled to get this book as a gift, especially since it includes the long out-of-print "Babar and Zephir." When I began to leaf through it, being very familiar with the older editions, I grew sicker with every page. Jean de Brunhoff's stunning artwork has been absolutely destroyed.

Do you know how you feel when watching an old black-and-white movie that you have long loved which has been "colorized"? Yes, your favorite golden age actress now has pink skin, fucshia lips too big for her face and what color are her eyes supposed to be, exactly? The Babar art has been colorized in the most grotesque and garish sense of the word--which is really horrid when you consider that most of Brunhoff's original illustrations were already in color to begin with. Random House has decided, apparently, that Brunhoff's colors are not bright enough. Where Brunhoff shaded, Random House has plastered one uniform cartoonish shade from line to line. Babar's green suit ranges from merely loud green to splitting-headache green. The suit which he wears while playing trumpet in the circus defies description. Suffice it to say it is very blue and very red.

The beautiful scene in which the Celesteville residents bring gifts to infants Pom, Flora, and Alexander has lost its pastoral sweetness and is positively grotesque. The babies lie in their pram, which looks as though my kindergartener re-outlined it in black magic marker, under glaring green palms and flowers with a turquoise blanket scarcely dimmer than the book's cover (see above), while royal blue butterflies flit nearby. Babar is standing in a suit that is (if possible) even greener than the greenery directly behind him. A uniformly orange cow and dromedary are in the reception line. Think Fisher Price.

Does your child really need to know that the mermaid Eleanore's sisters are peeking out of the water when Zephir captures Eleanore? Due to the paint job the sea has suffered, you may need to point this out, as Brunhoff's few lines are no longer recognizable as the tops of mermaid heads. Somebody overdid the brown on the faces of General Huc and Colonel Aristobald, these brave and clever monkeys no longer have visible eyes, mouths, or hairlines.

The subtlety, the grace, the old-world patina of the gorgeous Babar art is gone. In its place, we have. . .well, they do say that bright colors are good for babies' development.

I want to cry.

5-0 out of 5 stars A GREAT CHILDREN'S BOOK!
We have a 3 year old and a 2 year old and they both really love Babar and the gang. They love the book and Babar videos. We've had this book for over a year, and our children continue to ask us to read it to them. This book is wonderfully illustrated and humorous. Enjoyable even for adults.

5-0 out of 5 stars an elephant's intro to middle class life
One of the delights of being a parent is to return to the books you loved as a child with your own children. For the last 4 years, I have read and re-read these classic tales with my daughter, who loves them as much as I did. At 6, she is only beginning to yearn for more complicated sotries and characters.

While the stories at times appear a bit dated - they offer a curious mix of colonialism and advice on how to run a pluralistic animal kingdom - they offer wonderful lessons on how to get along with others. The characters are caring and many of them are somewhat flawed, as they try to puruse principled lives in the jungle. My daughter mentions them to me all the time when we talk about issues, offering us a common vocabulary and easy way to exlain things.

They also are simply very good stories, with adventure, humor, and plenty of good intentions. Warmly recommended.

5-0 out of 5 stars Something different
Though Babar isn't one of the classic American children's storybook series, it definitely is worth introducing to your loved ones. This set of books is refreshing and cute, allowing for a different way of describing the world to children. I grew up with European parents who read Babar stories to me in French all the time. Compared to typically "American" stories, Babar is a curious yet wonderfully charming character who encounters just as many interesting adventures as any other. I definitely recommend this if you're searching for something different. ... Read more


74. The Cat in the Hat Comes Back (I Can Read It All by Myself Beginner Books (Hardcover))
by Dr. Seuss, Theodor Seuss Geisel
list price: $8.99
our price: $8.09
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 0394800028
Catlog: Book (1958-09-12)
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Sales Rank: 5173
Average Customer Review: 4.03 out of 5 stars
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Amazon.com

That behatted and bow-tied cat from Dr. Seuss's The Cat in the Hat is back, and, not surprisingly, is up to all sorts of mischief. This time, Sally and her brother are stuck shoveling snow: "This was no time for play./ This was no time for fun./ This was no time for games./ There was work to be done." But--you guessed it--the laughing Hat Cat has other ideas, as he lets himself in to eat cake in their tub. He leaves behind "a big long pink cat ring," which he then handily cleans with "MOTHER'S WHITE DRESS!" The dress then loses its pink stain to the wall, then Dad's shoes, then the rug in the hall, until finally the Cat must call in some assistance: from inside his hat comes Little Cat A, then Littler Cats B, C, D, E, and so on, nested like dolls in ever tinier hats. With this pack of felines, Sally and her brother may get rid of those stains, but they'll likely never be rid of that rascally cat. As should be expected from the good doctor, The Cat in the Hat Comes Back provides an excellent reader (and alphabet primer) for those just learning, not to mention ample laughs for everyone else. (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Reviews (32)

4-0 out of 5 stars What I thought about Dr. Seuss's The Cat In The Hat Comes Ba
The Cat in the Hat books have always been favorites of mine, so obviously I enjoyed The Cat in the Hat Comes Back. I loved all the rhymes and funny sayings in the book. Although the book is small it is full of tongue-twisting words. Another reason as to why I loved this book is the way the kids in the story handle their situation, that was funny. I enjoyed this book so much I read it twice.

5-0 out of 5 stars THIS ONE IS MY PERSONAL FAVORITE OF SEUSS'S BOOKS
My kids gave me a copy of THE CAT IN THE HAT COMES BACK for my birthday a few years ago. I thanked them politely and that was that.

Then I started reading it again for the first time in about 30 years.

I was laughing out loud on almost every page!

I had forgotten how funny this story was. Or perhaps I just didn't get the humor when I was a kid. At any rate, this little book is now one of my all-time favorites, grown-up books included.

--George Stancliffe

5-0 out of 5 stars Learning from Experience
Researchers constantly find that reading to children is valuable in a variety of ways, not least of which are instilling a love of reading and improved reading skills. With better parent-child bonding from reading, your child will also be more emotionally secure and able to relate better to others. Intellectual performance will expand as well. Spending time together watching television fails as a substitute.

To help other parents apply this advice, as a parent of four I consulted an expert, our youngest child, and asked her to share with me her favorite books that were read to her as a young child. The Cat in the Hat Comes Back was one of her picks.

The theme of this story builds from The Cat in the Hat. In that story, two children are home alone when the cat in the hat visits, makes a horrible mess, and manages to clean it all up just as mother returns. Although the family fish warned them about the cat, the children were gullible.

In this story, the children are not gullible, but the cat takes advantage of them anyway. The children are home alone shoveling deep snow while their mother is away in town for the day. The cat in the hat goes into the house before they can stop him, and eats cake in the bath tub while bathing. They told him to get out and pulled the plug. Unfortunately, that left a long pink cat ring. A contrite, but overconfident, cat in the hat says he'll take care of everything. But he just moves the pink mess from one valuable object to another, starting with mother's white dress. He is a very foolish cat!

Soon, he needs help. In his hat are 26 little cats from A to Z who are specialists at cleaning up the messes he just made. Eventually, the outside snow is so covered in pink spots so that the whole yard is one big spot! Then he calls on Z who is too small to see, and Z finishes the job. Everything is back in order.

This beginning reader is also designed to help with the alphabet. Long before the book can be read by your child, the alphabet sequence will be helpful. The book is moe difficult to read than The Cat in the Hat, so your child will probably not attempt it unless and until that book is mastered.

There are many subtle messages here that any parent can endorse. One, you have to be careful about letting people in your house. Although the cat in the hat is not sinister, children need to understand that lesson in a nonfrightening way. Two, if you know someone is a troublemaker, you'd better keep them away from mischief. Children are very accepting of mischievous children who set bad examples. This gives you a chance to praise the good behavior of the children while questioning the appropriateness of the cat's behavior. What else could the children have done? They will have this issue with friends in years to come. Three, the smallest cat is the most powerful. That's a rare voice in favor of examining people and animals for their worth in effectiveness rather than their size. Diminutive children will like this part. Four, by being persistent in dealing with the cat, everything turns out all right. Children need to learn that persistence can overcome adversity. Five, thinking ahead can save a lot of problems. If the children had given the cat some paper towels in the beginning or knew how to wash out a bath tub themselves, the complications would have been minor. As you read the story together, you can emphasize these lessons to help your child.

When you are both done with the book, you should discuss how problems can be prevented by anticipation. This is a good way to help your child's problem-solving ability mature.

Enjoy!

1-0 out of 5 stars guns don't belong in toddler books
We bought this book without reading it because it didn't occur to us that anything would be objectionable. We returned it the next day after stopping half way while reading it to our 2 year old. the book is dated and reflects actions that at the time it was written were probably not considered objectionable. There is a graphic 2 page spread involving the widespread use of popguns and red splotches. Hopefully, a child who is at this read-aloud level should not yet have been exposed to guns at all and if they have, every attempt should be made to limit that exposure and to make sure that guns are not presented in any validating format. Regardless of one's opinions on gun control, guns are very dangerous and should only be used under very limited circumstances and in the hands of a skilled user. They are not toys and given today's American culture and media, should not be presented as such.

4-0 out of 5 stars first one was better
i liked the first Cat in the Hat book better than this one. This one wasn't as funny as the first one was either. ... Read more


75. The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog (Hank the Cowdog, 1)
by John R. Erickson, Gerald L. Holmes
list price: $4.99
our price: $4.99
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 0141303778
Catlog: Book (1998-09-01)
Publisher: Puffin Books
Sales Rank: 6390
Average Customer Review: 4.73 out of 5 stars
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Book Description

While investigating a vicious murder on his ranch, Hank finds himself the number one suspect. Resigning in a fit of despair, he heads for the hills to become an outlaw--but it's not as easy as he imagined.

USA Today calls the hilarious Hank the Cowdog series "...the best family entertainment in years."

Hank is a scruffy, smart-alecky supersleuth with a nose for danger and an eye for the ladies. And as Head of Ranch Security on a West Texas ranch, he's usually up to his ears in all kinds of amusing trouble. Whether he's called upon to bark up the sun, investigate suspicious goings-on, or defend the ranch against marauders, Hank's hilarious, hair-raising adventures will delight readers young and old alike.

"Rip-roaring fun...[a] marvelous situation comedy." --School Library Journal
... Read more

Reviews (22)

5-0 out of 5 stars A confusing, absurd, and hilarious series.
This book is the first in the Hank the Cowdog Series. It introduces the characters well. Hank is very conceited and never admits to being wrong. It is always someone else's fault. But his conversations with Drover (his sidekick) are hilarious because of this.

This book doesn't have quite the absurdity which makes the later volumes so funny, but it has a better plot than some. Of course, Hank leaves the ranch, like in most of the books. And of course, he comes back.

5-0 out of 5 stars The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog
This book is so sweet it should of won the Newberry award for best book. Even though a third grader could read it I at age almost 18 still enjoyed the doggy dog days of Hank. The little words in the big print makes it easy and enjoyable to read. I think Hank speaks the truth about life and the bad things that are out there. Hank teaches kids not to do drugs and kill chickens. I believe that Hank the Cowdog is a great inspiration to us all. Also allowing younger readers to believe in themselves.

5-0 out of 5 stars Laughter for the young and old
I read this book to my students (third and fourth graders) at the recommendation of a publisher/teacher friend. I had heard from other teacher friends that "kids love the cliffhangers at the end of every chapter" and that "this is the only book my students would sit still for." All that, true. What I hadn't expect was how much I would enjoy it as well. My husband is also hooked on the series and I've gotten one of the books for my sister-in-law who was a reluctant reader until Hank came along. I strongly recommend adding this book to your own library, your kids' library, and, if you are a fellow teacher, your school library.

5-0 out of 5 stars Really fun book for kids
This is a nice and entertaining book for kids. I read it aloud to my 3rd grade daughter and together we laughed and had a great time. It is written from the first person (dog)adds much to the story. Hank (the cowdog) has attitude, faces evils, and learns much about himself and his role as "head of ranch security." Only one caution is needed, Hank the Cowdog does not use proper English (often using "them" in place of "those" which is a personal irritation of mine) and his spelling is sometimes poor, but these are done in a humorous way and add flavor to the story.

5-0 out of 5 stars Hank the Cowdog
When I first got this book, before I read it, I was a bit apprehensive; A book written from a dog's perspective? Give me a break!. After I started it though I couldn't stop laughing, Hank is a bone-headed dog with an over-inflated ego, but the story isn't a bit tacky. Hank blunders around his ranch, barking at the mailman (you never know what those guys are up to), "investigating" murders (burp), and getting yelled at by Sally May. You'll love not only this book but the whole series. Let me warn you, you will become addicted to Hank the Cowdog; and the audio-tapes are even better. When is the last time you listen to a book on tape? Well, forget that, those were READ, Hank on tape is PERFORMED by the author. ... Read more


76. My Many Colored Days Board Book
by DR SEUSS
list price: $6.99
our price: $6.29
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 067989344X
Catlog: Book (1998-09-08)
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Sales Rank: 2742
Average Customer Review: 4.67 out of 5 stars
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Book Description

Dr. Seuss's youngest concept book is now available in a sturdy board book

designed especially for his youngest fans. All of the original stunning

illustrations and imaginative type designs of Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher are

here, as are the intriguing die-cut squares in the cover. A brighter, more

playful cover design makes this board book edition all the more appropriate as

a color concept book to use with babies or a feelings and moods book to discuss

with toddlers.




... Read more

Reviews (45)

5-0 out of 5 stars Not your usual Dr. Seuss - but terrific!
My daughter is a huge fan of this book - and so am I! I won't say that about too many children's books... As cute as some of them are, I can only make so many dog noises and elephant sounds in a day (over and over). But this is a book that we both agree on.

First of all, the book is beautiful. The colors are great. I love the illustrations. They're colorful but subtle, not your normal "in your face" Seuss (of which I am a fan).

Second, the book is just the right length for a toddler. Some of the other Seuss, while funny, is long. This is just about perfect.

Mostly, however, I like the message of this book: that you can be in one mood one day and another mood another day and that's okay. I think really small children, especially toddlers, have a difficult time understanding the concepts of mad and glad and sad... We expect them to be "on" at happy all day long. But they really are just little people and they experience different feelings, too. I like that this book says that's okay.

Yeah, the message is a little "touchy feely" but the book doesn't come across that way at all. It's Seussy-y without the camp, but with the same sense of rhyme and optimism. It works.

5-0 out of 5 stars A beautifully illustrated book and unlike any other Seuss
My Many Colored Days was written a long time ago, but Dr Seuss felt that he couldn't adequately illustrate it. Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher provided paintings which add incredible dimension to the text.

The result is a wonderful visual metaphor for presenting the gamut of emotions and a clever way of talking about feelings with one's child, whether it's a grey day and we feel down; a yellow day where we're busy as a bee, or a mixed up day.

5-0 out of 5 stars Love it!
When I read this book to my children (ages 4 & 1) I always try to emphasize the emotions & feelings behind each color & painting using my voice...I think it is an excellent book for opening up a dialogue with kids about their emotions & learning how to express them.

The paintings are inspiring but ordinary in a way that when you look at them you think "I could paint that!". Really a great, great book! It's a continuous favorite in our house, a must have for every child's book shelf!

I recommend the board book for younger kids because it IS so well loved & read. The images on the pages definately call out to be touched by little hands!

5-0 out of 5 stars tomorrow could be different
I would highly recommend this book to anyone--young & old alike! I think it is especially good reading for those feeling like they are in a slump and finding it hard to move on. This book shows that today you might feel like it's a black, brown, or purple day, but if you hold on until tomorrow, you may have a yellow or pink day. Although this book was purchased for my two toddlers, who both love it, this is a coffee-table book at our house.

5-0 out of 5 stars My 10 month old's favorite book
I wouldn't have expected it but this is my 10 month old son's favorite book. I think he likes the bright colors. Also the way the text is written inspires you to change your voice which he really has enjoyed. The bright colors, simple but cute graphics, short and rhyming verse all combine to make a really neat book. This is the first book that my son has really showed interest in, he actually coos and babbles and touches the pages as I read it to him. He sits through the whole book and likes it to be read to him more than once every day. I've tried "Goodnight Moon", "Guess How Much I Love You", "The Runaway Bunny", "Mother Goose", etc but no other book has fasinated him so far as much as this book. I'd highly recommend it. ... Read more


77. The Wizard of Oz Vocabulary Builder
by Mark Phillips
list price: $19.95
our price: $19.95
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 0972743901
Catlog: Book (2003-03-13)
Publisher: A.J. Cornell Publicaitons
Sales Rank: 23031
Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars
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Book Description

This special retelling of The Wizard of Oz contains within it 1850 SAT-type vocabulary words, which appear in bold type throughout the story. At the bottom of each page are thorough but easy-to-understand definitions and funny or informative illustrative sentences for each of the highlighted words. Includes index. ... Read more

Reviews (10)