Reviews (4)

"One is good for a quiet talk...."
Unsurprisingly with a name like One, Two, Three!, this is a counting book, but it isn't the average counting book. This is a Boynton book we are talking about after all. In this book we are counting critters. "One is good for a quiet walk. Two is right for a quiet talk." Just like in Hippos Go Berserk, (another book by Sandra Boynton), we count up to ten, but this time we don't count down again and we aren't only counting hippos, although hippos appear many times in the book. (A plus in my mind.) Just like all those other Boynton books, this one rhymes and flows wonderfully. The pictures are excellent too: cute, bright, bold, and colorful. This book rates high on my list of favorite Boynton books.

Loggie-log-log-log

Good reading selection
I've had this book for my daughter since she was a newborn. She's now 15 months and loves it. The cutout on the front cover intrigues her endlessly. The rhymes are short and cute. She loves to turn the pages herself. This is a book she grabs over and over again to be read.

Wonderful
This is a wonderful book.

I love books for children that have simple pictures that aren't too distracting. When the pictures have too much going on in them, it's hard to get the story. This book has simple pictures.

I love books that lead to other activities using the book- for example, in this book we can count the animals, make the sounds of the animals, act like the animals are acting, etc. Wonderful.

My son LOVES the last bit- Loud Loud Loud! He gets very excited reading that part. I would say that this doesn't work as a night time book for us.

However, this is a wonderful book.

A Boynton classic that should be in your collection!
This book often sits next to "Goodnight Moon" and "Where the Wild Things Are" on our 18 month old's bookshelf, but according to him it's better than those classics. He loves identifying the characters, their actions, and their expressions. We have lots of fun reading this whimsical book over and over...especially the part about "ten makes a celebration LOUD, LOUD, LOUD...and one is wonderful after a crowd" because of the voice range you can use. A definite to have with or without a Boynton collection! ... Read more

Book Description

It's soft! It's silly! It even moos!

Here's a spiffy plush cow book with a squeeze-it moo, a vivid pink terry cloth tongue, dazzling satin teeth, and four padded cloth pages of jaunty rhyming text.

Sort of a book, sort off a toy, sort of a blankie, Boynton's Moo Cow Book is an absurdly soft companion for the smallest of book lovers -- for car rides, for quiet times, for right this moment.

Perfect for babies, toddlers, and sensitive high-powered executives. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Sandra Boynton turns on the charm again in this story about a cuddlydino who refuses to go to bed until he (or she) has the right comfort object. A reflective silvery moon, some pull-out flaps, and a liftable bedspread with a reluctant hero hiding beneath it offer the very small reader a way into the story. The "Binkit" itself, a piece of soft yellow felt, can be stroked for reassurance. Reluctant bedtimers from one to three will enjoy this introduction to the idea of a bedtime routine that ends with comfort, closed eyes, and peace. (Baby to age 3) ... Read more

Reviews (40)

this book is great
I love this book. I gave it to my nephew (he's 2) and he loves it too! The pictures hidden behind the flaps are surprising and funny. Most small children can relate to the Dinosaur who can't find his binkit at bedtime (adults can appreciate it as well). This is a book that adults won't have to dread reading it over and over again.

A nice book for little ones
Sandra Boynton's book, Dinosaur's Binkit is a sweet and short bedtime story. A dinosaur who is getting ready for bed can't find his "binkit". Little one's can lift flaps and touch the soft blanket. My son hear's "I want my binkit" and immediately picks up the book. It is easily becoming a family favorite.

Wonderful book
This one of the most special children's books I have ever read. Almost every night, my 2 yo twins go to sleep with the sounds of "Where's my binkit!?" The girl twin refuses to go to bed unless she has it. BTW, we are on our second copy of it now...

Darling
My 2 year old son loves this story. He loves to lift the flaps and the felt bed cover looking for Dinosaur. Now he also has a "binkit". It is still one of his favorites, even after 6 months.

cute
This is cute for your little one that has a security object. It is cute how the dinosaur is looking for his binkit, and the seach is enjoyed by the kids... ... 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 (8)

A great book
My 4-month-old daughter LOVES Sandra Boynton books. We have ten of them and they are her favorites. She loves the simple stories and the bright, vibrant pictures. I point to the words and the pictures as we go through them & she giggles almost non-stop. She even tries to help me turn the pages. (Of course, she also has tried to eat the books, but she's only four months old.)

There seems to be a lot of discussion regarding the "ugly birds." As an education professional, I think it is important not to under-estimate the intelligence of children. Many will take the phrase at face-value and see it for what it is, a silly statement that sounds funny and "tickles" when you read it.

Using "Ugly Birds" Uniquely...
My son enjoys reading this book, and it helped him learn his ABCs pretty quickly. My wife and I were worried initially about the "Ugly Birds Being Ugly" page, because we thought our son would go around poking fun at the physical appearances of others. But he didn't. Looks like we managed to teach him how to respect others. As for Sandra Boynton's book, our 5-year old smiles at the letter "U" page not because of how the birds look, but because of how the phrase sounds (onomatopoeiatically speaking, that is). When I scrunched up my face and asked him if Daddy was being ugly, he said No because I wasn't some bird drawing made by Sandra Boynton. I recommend this book not only for the entertainment value, but for the opportunity to teach children how to draw the line between fun reading, and respecting others. Afterall, I'd rather my child hears the word "ugly" from me (plus parental explanation), than from someone else in the school playground.

Echoing the Ugly Problem Too
Although I've enjoyed reading her other books to my daughter, the word UGLY also bothered me. These books are perfect for reading to infants and toddlers, and I'm not too naive or overprotective to know that she won't pick up negative volcabulary (she has already), but it seems that "ugly" is not an appropriate word to teach them at such a young age. I'd prefer to have her learn more positive words, since there is plenty of time for her to learn all the words later. After discovering this page, I haven't used this book again.

My son loves Sandra Boynton Books
This is a great book which my son loves to read. It teaches him his ABC's plus the pictures are great. We have almost all of Sandra Boynton's book collection. Highly recommend it.

Teach your children about "ugliness"
A to Z has a big problem in my opinion. It is a very simple children's book with some very cute illustrations of animals (A to Z). Each animal is engaged in an action that also begins with the first letter of it's name (e.g. Kangaroos Kissing). There are lots of made up animals, I'm assuming to account for the rarity of animals beginning with "Q" and "X" etc. The part that I don't like is the fictitious "Uglybirds" whose action is simply "Being Ugly". The illustration that goes along with this so-called ugliness is very disturbing. The "Uglybirds" have atypical bird features that seem intentional. They are green and purple, and have messed up feathers and big bulging eyes and are very "Different" from the "normal" birds in this and other books. Upon reading this, my wife and I agreed that we would never repeat this section while reading to our daughter. Although I do intend on teaching my daughter about ugliness (Racism, Violence, contempt, etc.). I think that it is a quality that shouldn't be used to describe physical appearance. When my daughter encounters a person who is physically unusual, I hope that I have instilled in her the values to disregard what others might find "Ugly". I know that some might think that I'm overanalyzing such an innocent entry in a child's book, I think that parents need to be more careful about the messages that they are sending about ugliness. ... 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 (18)

Not the Best Boynton
We have been reading to my son since he was just a few weeks old. After a few months he already had a few books which were his favorites - one of which was Boynton's Moo, Baa, La La La. We went out and got more of her books expecting the same reaction. We weren't disappointed, except for this one. For whatever reason (we suspect it is too wordy and doesn't have the catchy rhymes like the others tend to have) our son (now 10 months old) won't let us get past the first page of this book without crawling away or closing the book shut. Our son would rather play with and be read books than play with most of his toys. This one just doesn't cut it. We recommend Opposites, Barnyard Dance, and Doggies (Doggies is annoying for adults to read, but he loves it). We'll continue to explore her books, but at least so far, this one is not the best Boynton.

Not a classic, but still fun
This book is about our equipment: eyes, arms, teeth, backs, tails, etc. As we read this book, my daughter looks for the appropriate items on herself, her dolls, and sometimes me! After she figures out that we don't have those big tails, she's done with this. The pictures are cute, the rhyme scheme works, but its hit or miss.

This author has a lot of different books that appeal to a lot of different kids, so if this doesn't sound like something new or right for you, keep looking -- there's probably a perfect Boynton book for your child.

Horns to Toes
This wonderful Boynton book leads us through all the different parts of out bodies with three monsters. The book covers our horns (What did you say? You don't have horns? All the more power to ya!), head, ears, mouth, feet, toes, nose, eyes, tummy, belly button, back, tail (You don't have one of these either? You do have a tailbone at least don't you? Yes? Good. I was beginning to worry about you. I have a tail.), arms, legs, hands, fingers, teeth and tongues. Each time a body part is mentioned, the monsters are there to show theirs off. The monsters are, like any Boynton creature, as cute as can be. I especially like their big grins that show off their teeth. Like other Boynton books, the words rhyme and flow nicely. I like this one a lot, even if it isn't one of my absolute favorite Boynton books.

Loggie-log-log-log

A Hit at our House
This book was such a hit when we borrowed it form the Library that I bought it for my 20 month old daughter. She loves it. The story rhymes well, is easy to read, and keeps her attention. As we read I try to get her to point out her own body parts. This is the only Sandra Boynton book we own, although I have read a few others, so I can't really compair. I do however know that my daughter likes it very much.

Cute for a two or thee year old!
I love this book for my two and my three year old sons. It makes a game out of learning their nose and toes... I like just about every board book by Sandra Boynton, and more importantly my kids do too! They actually read them back to us, they have heard them so many times... by request. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Oooooooooh! One of our favorite books!
I bought this book when my daughter was not yet born. I started to read to her when she was three months old. I sit her on my lap and let her rest against my body while I hold the book infront of her to read.
She is now 5 1/2 months old and this is one of her favorite books. She gets very excited when I pick this one off the shelf. While I read it she grabs for the book and her legs kick and kick while she smiles.
The book is a really sweet story about a mommy dog and her "snuggle puppy". While making cookies she sings him a song about loving him for who he is and what he does. Its short and very very sweet.
The book is based on a song but I dont know the song and I dont think it matters. The words are so important to giving your child good self confidence. I think when they are old enough to understand what you are saying it will be even better for them.
This is a cute book and it doesnt get old. I love to "sing" my daughter the snuggle puppy song where ever we might be and she loves it.

Predicatable and wonderful
My son loves anticipating the words and the kisses. I don't know the tune, so we do it as a chant, and it's wonderful. He screams with laughter anticipating the next words. Tonight we read it 3 times and he took it to bed.

An appetizer on the Boynton buffet
This, like all the Boynton books I've seen, is a beautiful little package -- a sweet song and adorable pictures, sure to result in much snuggling and special moments. It is great for little kids, especially (in fact this song has become a bedtime standard for us). However, if you and your kids like this book, be sure to check out Sandra Boynton's full "Philadelphia Chickens" collection -- a Broadway-show type "review" of many fantastic and catchy toons, with great illustrations and a CD (featuring Patti LuPone, Meryl Streep, The Bacon Brothers, etc.). My kids (3 & 8) have loads of fun singing the songs, dancing around like aardvarks in a chorus line, acting snoozy and then rock and rolling. My 8 year old daughter loves "Broadway" type of music, but much of it is pretty grown-up in content, so this is just the ticket. The songs are funny and appeal to both kids and adults. Sorry, I'm not saying more specifically about Snuggle Puppy, but the whole collection is a treasure for kids as they get older.

Excellent Book
Our whole family loves this book - my 3 year old sings the song to her 1 year old sister. The book is short, and very sweet.

A must-have!
Our whole family adores this book. It's infectious; for one little book it packs a whallop. The book is a love song, and we sing it as a bluegrass song. One reading keeps us smiling for a whole day. Until I find a new favorite, this is the book I will buy (along with Blue Hat, Green Hat) for all of the new babies I know. Everything about it is especially fine. ... Read more

Book Description

From the sentimental to the soulful, this book explores, in absolutely no depth whatsoever (yet with a number of lively and perhaps profound illustrations), the many and curious modes of love. Also it rhymes.

This lovely volume is a terrific gifty object (hey, have you ever tried to write book jacket copy?) as varied and delightful as a fine box of chocolates, yet with the decided advantage that there aren1t any of those icky little pineapple jelly things. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Absolutely Exquisite -- A Classic Boynton Treasure
Sandra Boynton has outdone herself.

It's difficult these days to find a rhyming-text book that isn't weak at best, nauseatingly poor at worst. Ms. Boynton's sublime gift of perfectly balancing rhyme and meter has apexed in this charming, tender, and ever-so-Boyntonly-dry little book of love.

Long-time Boynton fans will instantly recognize -- and love -- her sweet (but not too-too-sweet) animal characters with their wry expressions and hapless actions. The author's classic way with words covers every "type" of love imaginable while saving the tenderest and best for last -- "Consider my love for incredible you."

The closing line itself makes this book a perfect "love gift" for Valentine's Day or any "Day" at all.

Buy it for someone you love. And buy a copy for yourself, too!

For that special someone
First off, it's a Boynton book so that says it mostly right there. But this is also a very sweet and simple book perfect for your special someone. A very romantic little gift - no special occasion needed! I've read it over and over and so will you!!!

A novelty book for all ages
"Consider Love" - subtitled "Its Moods and Many Ways" - is a sweet valentine filled with wisdom and heart. Though intended as a gift item for consenting adults, this is truly a novelty book for all ages. It was created by the prolific Sandra Boynton, a greeting card designer-turned-children's book author/illustrator who has previously created such clever board books as "But Not The Hippopotamus," "Blue Hat, Green Hat" (about the foibles of getting dressed), and "Horns to Toes" (about body parts). More than ever before, her greeting card past is apparent in this 32-page card. Combining semi-serious verse with cartoonish characters, she extols the virtues of love. "Consider love / Observe a while / It comes in every shape, and style...There's love that's shallow / Love that's deep / Love extravagant / Love...well, cheap." For the latter two instances, Boynton draws corresponding images of an elephant gifting his love with an entire, uprooted apple tree (extravagant love), and a gorilla presenting his bemused mate with an empty banana peel (cheap). A turtle pops out of his shell to express "bold love," a pair of porcupines ponder "love problematic," and a moose gazes admiringly at his own reflection to express "love unfounded." The conclusion is savvy enough to warm even the coolest heart, as it calmly requests that the reader "consider one love in the midst of the crowd - an affectionate love, neither timid nor loud...A love that is steady, devoted and true - Consider my love for incredible you."

Hmm... now I'm considering love
"Consider love./Observe awhile./It comes in every shape, and style."

In this little book of verse Sandra Boynton considers all kinds of love with coquettish rhymes and charming illustrations. There's "bold love" (displayed by a turtle climbing out of his shell to meet his mate), "love over-zealous" (two beavers who've gnawed heart shapes into tree trunks), or, my personal favorite, "love problematic"... two porcupines anticipating an embrace.

This book would make a perfect Valentines gift. The opening title page has a "To;" and "From:" slot in a red heart and the lines of the poem read like a greeting card. Even though it's classified as a children's book, I think it'd be very cute to give this as a gift to a sweetheart of any age.

The Gift of Love.....
"Consider love./Look here and there./Consider love./It's everywhere./Condsider love./Observe a while./It comes in every/shape and style." Sandra Boynton and her easily recognizable, quirky menagerie explore all the facets of love. From the hopeful, unbounded, deep, cautious, and shallow, to the extravagant, eloquent, hot, over-jealous, and problematic, love is all around us, and here to stay. Ms Boyton's engaging and creative text, full of rhyming wordplay, energy, and joy, is sure to put a big smile on your face, and is only outdone by her charming and amusing, ingenious signature illustrations. Together word and art offer a large slice of affection to be read and shared with those you love. Perfect for lovers of all ages, Consider Love is a sweet and endearing, feel-good gift book that's just right for Valentine's Day, birthdays, anniversaries, and really any and every time you want to let that special someone know how much you care. "Now consider/one love/in the/midst of/the crowd-/an affectionate love,/neither timid nor loud./A love that appreciates/fire, and grace./A love that adores/one remarkable face./A love that is steady./devoted,/and true-/Consider my love for incredible you." ... Read more

Book Description

A is for angry features Sandra Boynton's well-known characters scampering and lumbering through the letters of the alphabet. Selection of the Book-of-the-Month Club. Suitable for ages 3-5. 146,000 copies in print. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Hurray for this book
This ranks right up there with the best of Boynton's childrens' books. (I don't like them all and I don't give many "5"s).

This is just such a fresh fun approach to the alphabet and it uses the best of her whimsical humor. So many alphabet books out there just use one noun for each letter but breaking from tradition she uses adjectives (gasp!) and nouns. She also doesn't use unicorn or umbrella for "U". Great for learning. Great for fun. Worth every penny.

I'm glad it became available again.

C is for CUTE!!!
I bought this for my 3 year old son and he loves it, as do my other kids, 5 and 2. The kids love the silly animals doing silly things, Sandra Boynton's trademark. There is an animal and an adjective beginning with each letter. I like that there are negative emotions sprinkled in-- ever get sick of kid's media being either all sweetness and light or all obnoxious backtalk, with no real life anywhere? My kids sit and discuss why the Anteater might be Angry (someone ate all the ants?) or why the Opossum is Outraged (the Playful Pig on the facing page is making fun of him!), which has been so interesting to listen to! This is a very cute, interesting, not ordinary alphabet book that is engaging for many ages.

A is for Amazed
My daughter was a year and eight months old when I first bought this book. Admittedly that's a bit early for an alphabet, but it was the illustrated adjectives that she loved from the start. Angry, Bashful, Clean, Dirty, ... Young, Zany. She was practicing facial expressions in the mirror and still imitates the cat's frown when she wants to warn us that we're crossing the line - and she's quick to giggle out of it when we recognize the imitation.

We started Boynton with a gift of Barnyard Dance (5/5) and have bought many since. A is for Angry, Snoozers, and Barnyard Dance are the most fun and stick more than any of our other books (by anybody), so far (eight months later).

Enthusiastically recommended.

sandra does it again
sandra boynton never fails to amuse myself and my son.her clever word plays and fun illustrations are a gem of children's books.

This is the only alphabet book that interests my 3 yr. old!
The letters are big with adorable animals beginning with each letter. My daughter loves 'X is for nothing' (no animal begins with X) and 'Z is for zoo' where you get a two page recap of all the letters and animals. A great book! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Snort,
a mean red dinosaur,
Always gets his way.
He told me not to tell you more.
That's all I have to say.

Snort, Dozy, Hey-Ho-Howdy, Sob, Zoomer, Tremble, and Smooch are the"seven nifty dinosaurs in one swell book" by the ever-popular Sandra Boynton.Each dino is given a two-page introduction, with rhyming verse and playfulillustrations. Dozy, "a lazy green, / with floppy scales of tangerine," spendsher time lying around sipping lemonade. She'd rather eat her birthday cakecandles than expend energy blowing them out. Zoomer, on the other hand, is a"jazzy orange dinosaur" who speeds wherever she goes. Then there's Sob, a "sadblue dinosaur," who mopes and sprawls and sighs... until no one's around--"thenhe gets up and dances"! These fabulous and funny characters, in Boynton'strademark bright blocks of color, make learning about emotions, expressions, andpersonality types fun for the very small reader. Color-coded picture tabs alloweven nonreaders to find their favorite dinosaur at a glance. For another Boyntonboard book in this format, try Snoozers: 7 Short Short Bedtime Storiesfor Lively Little Kids. (Baby to preschool) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Another Boynton Winner
Both my 4-year-old and 17-month-old enjoy this great little book. My 4-year-old wants to hear it cover-to-cover. My 17-month-old picks and chooses the stories he likes from the tabs, then runs around saying "Hey-Ho" (for "Hey Ho Howdy," one of the characters). It's also fun for grown-ups, and it would be a great choice for even a 5 or 6-year-old who loves dinosaurs, since there's more text than in most board books.

Another Boynton Winner
This is another great book by Boynton.
My son loves this book and so does my daughter.

The drawings are cute and stay on topic. The pictures add to the text rather than being a distraction to the text.

The repetitive nature of the book is great it makes for a good prereading book. I also like the fun words that are not only fun to say but fun to hear.

A real winner.

Perfect for dinosaur lovers!
I loved this book, as does my almost 3 year old son! He's way into dinosaurs these days, and this book is cute, and funny! He has memorized the names of them and after only a few times can also read along with me. I love Sandra Boyton and I love reading this book several times, over and over.."read again, Mommy!"

A Winner, As Always
My two year old son really likes dinosaurs and this book does a great job in fullfilling his wants. As always the poems are fun for both children and adults. This book contains several different poems and my son enjoys picking out which one he would like to read.

Oh Boy! It's Sandra Boynton!
I knew "Dinos to Go" would be a hit, (as all her other books are), when my 3-year-old daughter opened the box and exclaimed, "Oh Boy! It's Sandra Boynton!" I had to read it to her immediately and neither one of us were disappointed. In her usual whimsical and rhythmic fashion we were both entertained by seven dinosaurs, each with a different personality, (happy, sad, mean, timid, ect.). This is a great book to help children learn that people have different personalities just like the dinos in the book. I have been reading Sandra Boynton books to my daughter since she was born and will always read each new title, (again and again), as it is available. This is a fun book and is great for any age from newborns to grandmas and grandpas! ... Read more

Amazon.com

We've met Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and more recently, Olive, the Other Reindeer...but wait! Here comes Bob--a tiny, silly reindeer created by the beloved Sandra Boynton. Bob can be quite an entertaining companion around Christmastime, but there seems to be some question about his existence: "My sister won't believe in/ my tiny reindeer friend/ she says there's no such reindeer/ but why would Bob pretend?"

Bob introduces us to seven delightful holiday stories, sharing good company with a fine menagerie of daffy creatures including some very merry dairy cows, anxious bears, long-eared hounds, and a rather doubtful hippo who would just as soon not receive a bikini from Santa. These endearing animals wistfully share their dreams for a merry Christmas as they wish and wait for Santa, occasionally letting loose with a few sweet, funny songs. Boynton has created another classic with these hilarious, touching holiday tales. (Baby to preschool) --Marianne Painter ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Absolutely adorable Christmas poems!
I bought this book as a joke stocking stuffer for my husband, Bob, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that I really enjoyed the book myself. Boynton has a knack for putting together wonderfully witty rhymes; although some of the jokes are over the heads of young children, even toddlers will be able to appreciate the book's adorable animal graphics. Great book for a parent reading to a child of any age.

Another winner from Boynton
My twins received "Bob" from Grammy at their first Christmas, when they weren't even one. It remains a favorite, even now that they are two. I don't dare box it up with the Christmas stuff - we read it almost daily, even though it's definitely a seasonal book. They love to find Bob's picture in each story, and definitely get a kick out of the rhythms, which is also my favorite thing about any of Boynton's books.

This one's a winner in my house!

VERY UNPLEASNT
It was very bad none of students liked it. The storys were hard to understand. Bob the main story was the most diffulcult tyo understand. I think you should not buy this book.

Loved It!
My three year old can recite the words to all of the "stories." Of course, Bob is her favorite! It's great rhyming and we love the different cadences you can put the the stories.

Not Par for Boynton
We absolutely love the Sandra Boynton's books, so when I saw "Bob" I couldn't wait to read it to our boys. However, the verse was lacking and actually difficult to read. We were bummed. I thought we'd have another favorite book, but I guess not. We have almost all her other board books and love them dearly. This one just missed the mark. ... Read more

Book Description

Tonterías serias para todas las edades. ... Read more

Book Description

Tonterías serias para todas las edades. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great graduation present!
Although I did not receive this as a graduation present, it would make a great one.

I read this book when it first came out (oh so many years ago).It was my introduction to Sandra Boynton.This is a picture book in (now) classic Boynton style of the proverb, "If at first you don't succeed, try again," Each page has a different word, with most of the pages having the word "try" on it and a different picture.A mouse is trying to move an elephant up a hill.At first the elephant doesn't budge.Then the mouse tries again to get the elephant to move.The elephant moves an inch or so.So the mouse tries again.... and so on.At last the mouse gets the elephant to the top of the hill.And the last page is "again" and you see that he has a dozen or so more elephants to get up the hill.

What a great message, that the seemingly impossible is possible, and not to rest on your laurels, there's more to be done. ... Read more

Book Description

When Bobby North comes to his new school, he discovers that some of his favorite things are not cool. What is cool is Harry Haller, a big moose of a guy who's friendly, easygoing, and a great skateboarder. So Bobby sets out to become as cool as Harry. And then Bobby goes even further, to find forhimself the very heart of cool. But can he find it again when he really needs it? ... Read more

Reviews (5)

how cool is the author
My 7 yr old son chose this book for his school book report and he loved it. However, when he went to write his authors biography, there was none found in the book. After much research on the internet, we found all about the author, Jamie McEwan.
What we found out was totally COOL!!! ...

4 1/2* Birth of the Cool
Our young bear hero, Bobby North, discovers that what was hip one day at his old school is now passe at the new one. But Bobby meets moose Harry Haller, the "Emperor of Cool" and copies his every move. "He ate cool, he slept cool, he walked cool, and he talked cool..." He becomes so cool, in fact, that one day he literally needs to thaw before he can move! Finally Bobby wins the acceptance he so eagerly sought..

After reaching the epitome of cool, Bobby discovers he no longer has to try being cool: "He already was cool. He'd been there. Right at the heart of it". Bobby seems to have discovered the zen of cool-- being cool is about authenticity and not playing to the crowd. But this moral conviction falters as author McEwan tries to have it both ways: At the contest for coolest skateboarder, Bobby both tries being cool and disdains it. Harry's sage advice that boundaries are sometimes needed tempers Bobby's free-wheeling but potentially dangerous freedom. (In a way, there's a mixed message, being cool means doing your own thing, but within limits imposed by a role model). Ultimately, the sage Harry whispers an understanding message about skateboarding and the art of achieving inner cool: "Many catch air. Only a few take flight."

Perhaps this review finds too much of a message in the book. At the level with which most kids will read it, "The Heart of Cool" uses authentic language(e.g."Okay, big man, your turn! Show us how Mr. Totally Cool does it."). There's a believable spectrum of characters, and Sandra Boynton's ever magical mix of soft line, beautiful, unusual coloration, and nuanced portrayal of emotion. 48 pages, buoyed by Boynton's graceful illustrations and a "message" that may, at least in part, alleviate some of the dangers of peer pressure.

The answer to "What is cool?"
This is nearly a perfect book. I have nothing negative to say about it, so perhaps that means it IS a perfect book. It communicates coolness to the 3rd/4th grade set smashingly.

Bobby North starts at a new school and finds the things that were cool at his old school aren't cool in his new environment. So he immitates the coolest kid, skatboarding moose Harry Haller(at first very badly). With practice he gets better and wins the appelation "cool." He becomes SO cool he chills completely.

Then his coolness is challenged (by warthog Siggy Sidewinder). (Usually the story ends here with the challenged winning out...) And he's so intent on feeling the coolness of his air-grabbing stunt that he plants his face in the shrubs.

When Siggy laughs at him the next day at school Bobby & Harry have a little discussion about what coolness is.

Sandra Boynton's cooly colored cartoon illustrations are just exactly right: cute without being cutesy. An excellent gift for young skateboard enthusiasts who may or may not love to read. OR an excellent gift for that teenager who is searching for cool.

Happy Reading!

A break from the typical moralizing...
Looking at the subject matter of this book, I figured it'd be the same ol', same ol'--don't try to be "cool", just accept who you are and learn to like yourself. The Heart Of Cool isn't so nearly so dull as that! Bobby starts off simply imitating his cool idol, Harry, but then truly transforms into someone so cool he's nice and chilled. Bobby eventually finds he doesn't need to show off to prove anything to the other kids--he knows he's cool. This is what kid's books should be: fun!

Warning: This book is hard to hold onto...
I haven't been able to keep a copy of this book on hand because I keep finding people to give it away to. People that I think might love it as much as I did! So far it's been a complete hit. This book is fun, humorous, clever, wise and just the right touch of fulfilling for anyone that has ever wondered if they should fit in. Wonder no more... just hurry and order this slendidly illustrated book. Young, old and all the stages between will love reading this book. Just be sure to buy an extra one, so that you can keep one on hand. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

well-known or not, its a children's classic
in elementary school i checked this book out from the library so much the librarian actually made it a rule that i had to check out another book, and the next time i came back i could get chloe & maude, then another book, etc. i havent seen a copy since i moved from that town (1992), but i still remember the three stories, and the pictures that went along with each. this is a great book! considering the popularity of Boynton's other books, im surprised chloe & maude hasnt been 're-discovered' and printed again. i remember it so well! i even remember the page that was torn and taped with scotch tape - the first page of the third story, about the crack in the ceiling! and now the more recent generation of kids is missing out on it. tsk tsk.

Where can I get this book??
This was one of my favorite books as a kid. I used to have it, but it somehow got lost. I highly recommend it and am surprised that it is out of print. If you find it, hang on to it or give it to me!

A story with a moral
This is a story of two friends who only grow closer over time. Every adventure has a different twist on how whatever they do, and no matter if they fight, they are always friends in the end. This teaches kids at a young age that friends are important and that they are always there for you in every situation. This teaches kids to always keep friends close and never forget them in the end, they are always there!

Please Reprint!
My daughter (Chloe) and I got this book from the library years ago; unfortunatly another borrower lost the book and we have been searching for it ever since! We both loved this book!

Well worth the trouble, if you can find it!
I found Chloe and Maude in a bargain bookstore and it has become one of my son's favorite books! This book tells three tales of the experiences of Chloe and Maude, who are two young cats that live in the same neighborhood. The Art Lesson shows how these "kids" blend their different talents; Chloe, Maude and Sophia is a great lesson about pride; and Overnight is the story of a first sleepover at a friend's house. The dialogue between the two kids is authentic, the emotions are heartfelt and the action scenes are often an opportunity to practice acting out the characters' situations with my son. A great book for 4-8 year olds! Please reprint it!! ... Read more