Amazon.com

You won't find this book on a school library shelf--it's pure teenage anarchy. While many homeschooling authors hem and haw that learning at home isn't for everyone, this manifesto practically tells kids they're losers if they do otherwise. With the exception of a forwarding note to parents, this book is written entirely for teenagers, and the first 75 pages explain why school is a waste of time. Grace Llewellyn insists that people learn better when they are self-motivated and not confined by school walls. Instead of homeschooling, which connotes setting up a school at home, Llewellyn prefers "unschooling," a learning method with no structure or formal curriculum. There are tips here you won't hear from a school guidance counselor. Llewellyn urges kids to take a vacation--at least for a week--after quitting school to purge its influence. "Throw darts at a picture of your school" or "Make a bonfire of old worksheets," she advises. She spends an entire chapter on the gentle art of persuading parents that this is a good idea. Then she gets serious. Llewellyn urges teens to turn off the TV, get outside, and turn to their local libraries, museums, the Internet, and other resources for information. She devotes many chapters to books and suggestions for teaching yourself science, math, social sciences, English, foreign languages, and the arts. She also includes advice on jobs and getting into college, assuring teens that, contrary to what they've been told in school, they won't be flipping burgers for the rest of their days if they drop out.

Llewellyn is a former middle-school English teacher, and she knows her audience well. Her formula for making the transition from traditional school to unschooling is accompanied by quotes on freedom and free thought from radical thinkers such as Steve Biko and Ralph Waldo Emerson. And Llewellyn is not above using slang. She capitalizes words to add emphasis, as in the "Mainstream American Suburbia-Think" she blames most schools for perpetuating. Some of her attempts to appeal to young minds ring a bit corny. She weaves through several chapters an allegory about a baby whose enthusiasm is squashed by a sterile, unnatural environment, and tells readers to "learn to be a human bean and not a mashed potato." But her underlying theme--think for yourself--should appeal to many teenagers. --Jodi Mailander Farrell ... Read more

Reviews (56)

Hopeful and Inspiring
I was in a school that was a failure in almost every way. Emotionanlly and physically abusive, the low achievement and education rates were hardly worth noting. The only thing that school taught was how to obey and accept abuse.

Dropping out at 16 to escape the violence, irresponsibility, and abuse dealt out by the faculty (supported by the principal), I discovered unschooling, and this book, from a woman that helped homeschooled kids. (Unschooling is a specific type of homeschooling, and different from what most people assume.) All the unschoolers that I met are light years ahead of people in the public schools that I once knew. My only regret is that I waited so long to do this!

Grace Llewellyn is an inspiring author filled with hope, enthusiasm, and inspiring thoughts for all who read her books, including this one. Even when she shares the problems she experienced as a teacher, there is an undercurrent of humor that is refreshing and inspiring. But this book is mostly about how to learn without school, not about condemning the school system. Even when she's critical of the public schools, she remains positive. When she explains unschooling, she is inspirational!

Drawing on her experiences as a teacher and an educator, she vividly illustrates the difference between education and the currently outdated school system. Yes, there is a big difference. This book has restored my love for learning that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

Grace Llewellyn, and this book, is inspiring and gives me hope for myself, and the education process as a whole for other kids stuck in the old school system.

I was outraged
I was a very fortunate person as I knew Grace Llewellyn personally and was privelaged to read a copy of the book when it first came out. When I she told me about the book I rolled my eyes and shrugged my shoulders, "that's Grace" I thought. I felt certain that I would find the book well written but would disagree with it right down to the premise. I had an excellent High School experience and held a BA from a very good private college. I felt that schooling had been to my beneifit.

But when I read the book my reaction was one of sorrow and outrage that I had not had this book when I was a teenager. I gave it to my Mom to read and she is now a huge supporter of Ms. Llewellyn's work as well. This is significant as my mother is a former community college administrator.

Reading this book is risky, dangerous, frightening. It will open your eyes to truths you don't want to know and ideas you don't want to think. It will make you question the systems we have set up for education. It might make you quit school, it might make you wish you had.

Anthony Valterra

Wonderful unschooling manual
I just finished this book after unschooling my children for the past 6 years and neither has attended a school. It has reaffirmed my belief that unschooling CAN work and my kids will not flip burgers all their lives.
The book goes through every subject and gives lots of resources for unschooling it. I wish I had found this book sooner and I would have had many less sleepness nights, worrying about unschooling versus "school at home"! I am purchasing a copy to use as a reference manual in our library. Lots of volunteer organizations, internships, business ideas. Just an awesome resource for unschoolers.

Great book (one warning though)
This book is excellent. I sometimes wish it had a different name because a lot of people can benefit from it other than teenagers. I am a homeschooling mom of young children but I still got a lot out of it. Her philosophy is basically that you don't need a curriculum to learn. I agree with this. I liked her idea that you can still spend 4 hours a day doing "school work" but you do what YOU want to do instead of what someone assigns you. You do self directed learning. I have found that a solid math and grammar program is all you really need. In the end the SAT and GRE only tests you on your verbal/math skills anyway. Why waste time learning all kinds of subjects in the order some adult tells you to? The only subjects worth studying in a regimented manner in my opinion are math and grammar. Aside from that you should follow your interests. Now the author is a bit extreme in her views so I find you have to temper it with your own good judgement.

The warning is that she actually endorses experimenting with drugs. Pretty scary but she does. I find this very irresponsible of her. Fortunately I was able to work around that and read the rest of the book. You just have to realize she's a bit of an extremist so you have to just take what you learn from it and let the rest go.

And one chapter later...
It took me about a chapter to realize that I truly hate school, as much as I've said otherwise, and no matter how many times I've been moved up I'm not going to get anywhere. Now, I still haven't finished, and I am already feeling a mix of terrible miffedment, depression, and determination to get out of this place.

Thank you unschooled cousin Loopy for lending me this book! ... Read more

Reviews (17)

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

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

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

Five stars is not enough.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Book Description

My fellow Americans:

It is our pleasure, our honor, our duty as citizens to present to you Duck for President. Here is a duck who began in a humble pond. Who worked his way to farmer. To governor. And now, perhaps, to the highest office in the land.

Some say, if he walks like a duck and talks like a duck, he is a duck.

We say, if he walks like a duck and talks like a duck, he will be the next president of the United States of America.

Thank you for your vote. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

So the grass isn't truly greener on the other side.
This is a very entertaining children's book. I was surprised to see so many references to current events -- events that children most likely will not understand. Those remarks are made for the adults who will be reading to their children. In an election year, this is an important book to help children understand the importance of living within our democracy. But there is another lesson, too: Duck kept getting tired of the position he was in, going from being a worker, to someone in charge, to governor, and then president. In the end, the Duck realizes that he just wants to go back to what he was doing. So the grass isn't truly greener on the other side. He goes back to what he was doing. Isn't that something we all can learn from?

Michael

Delightful
A wonderful example of storytelling with wit and charm. Younger children may miss the humor but not the cuteness. Adults will appreciate the election humor. I laughed out loud at some of the pictures and the speeches that "only ducks would understand". The last page is priceless, especially since I first read this today, the day Bill Clinton's book was released. Duck won't be any funnier than today!

In this book, Duck teaches a few lessons: he runs for office to escape work but as he moves up the political food chain, he isn't happy. Sometimes the simpler pleasures are all we need. Sometimes its okay to dream, but be careful what we wish for because we may get it. All great lessons, wonderfully illustrated.

I can't quite understand the comments about the electoral system, taking issue with its exclusion from this book. Children most likely won't understand the electoral college, so why bring it up? Most adults are too ignorant of the process to begin with. All I can figure is that some folks have gone a little crazy due to the stress of the times. Remember that a child's world should be magical and trouble-free, and we adults must sacrifice our impulses and control ourselves to make it that way. So relax and try to put yourself in your child's place. You'll probably be happier anyway.

Cutest Book Ever
I love this book. The pictures are sweet, the illustrations are beautiful, and the message is really clever.
I am 24, and I love this book.

Very fun - but ducks a key issue...
This book is delightfully written and illustrated, and very amusing. Far from depressing, the electoral overthrow of the despotic farmer is empowering! Well... of course it turns out that running things is hard work, and politics is the hardest work of all in many ways. This too is a good lesson. However, Ms. Cronin loses a star for ducking (sorry) the fact that presidential elections are not decided by the national popular vote. In the wake of the 2000 election, I would have thought the electoral college was worth a nod, even in a kids' book.

I love this book- but...
I love Doreen Cronin's work, and this book is no exception- I absolutely loved Duck for President, as did my parents, and my little sister (who is in high school). Cronin's humor is quirky and fun, and her books are always as enjoyable for adults to read as for children.

The reason that I didn't give the book more stars is this: My 6 year old niece, who loved Click, Clack, Moo and Diary of a Worm was somewhat less than enthusiastic about Duck for President. I don't think she quite got the humor of it. I still think it's a great book... But- for the age group that it's aimed at, it's a little off the mark. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Wonderful and diverse
This is a wonderful book for ways to spark an interest in both art as an activity and art history. I work with kids from ages 2 - 13 and this book has ideas that will work for most of that range. A variety of materials are suggested and the historical information helps bring perspective to the artists work, even for young minds. I highly recommend this for the home or school. I even bought one for my daughter's middle school art teacher for use at the school.

I just wish this book were in color !
As a former public school teacher, and now a homeschool parent, I can honestly say I've seen a great deal of art curriculum materials. This book stands hand and shoulders above the rest in terms of what it attempts to cover and the way it brings the great artistic styles into undestandable terms for children and their educators.

My only complaint (and what's kept me from giving this book 5 Stars) is that the black & white photocopies of pictures show so little detail of each artist. You really need to have a good full color guide to the world of art (showing at least one major work from each artist) to be able to use this curriculum effectively.

My hope is that the authors will consider this for future printings. If they do so, I think this will be the perfect art curriculum to teach both hands on art and art history.

Absolutely Fabulous
I have been looking for a new ways to teach children about art, and this book had all that I was looking for and then some. I am very impressed with the stress on the process over the finished product and the wonderfully creative approaches used to teaching children about art. A terrific book!

Worthwhile.
This wonderful book features just about any artist you can think of (most of which I've never even heard of!). It's divided into four chapters: Renaissance & Post-Renaiisance, Impressionists & Post-Impressionists, Expressionists...& Surrealists (say what?), Modern & Folk Art. Each page features a different artist, with a simple sketch of the artist, a brief biography, and several ideas on how to re-create that artist's style. The only gripe I have, which is the reason it didn't get 5 stars, is that there are not nearly enough reproductions of the artists' best work. Many pages show only a picture drawn or sketched by a student in the style of the artist, which I found extremely unhelpful. What would have been great is if the publishers would have included a postcard-size reproduction of the best known artists. I ended up having to buy several other books with postcard-size reproductions to use in class. This book will give you a lot of great ideas, but it's not overly functional.

Kids only? Rats.
I'm an adult and I can't wait to try these projects. Who says kids are the only ones that get to play and explore with art ideas? The Gaugin project looks brint and mysterious, and the Michelangelo painting on the underside of a table is a must do. So, let's have an art party and invite only people who like to have fun! (Besides, I'm to busy to learn about all these cool artists in big huge wordy adult books, and these great one- paragraph descriptions -- with a portrait sketch -- are perfect for me. Interesting too.) ... Read more

Book Description

Its misleading to think of writers as special creatures, word sorcerers who possess some sort of magic knowledge hidden from everyone else. Writers are ordinary people who like to write. They feel the urge to write, and scratch that itch every chance they have. Writers get their ideas down on paper using particular strategies that seem to work for them. These strategies are available to anyone who wants to be a writer

There is no secret. But there is a process. If you like to write, there are definite steps you can take to help you reach your goals. Good writing isn't forged by magic or hatched out of thin air. Good writing happens when human beings follow particular steps to take control o their sentences-to make their words do what they want them to do.

This book will show you how writers work, how you can become a writer, and how you can find a process that works for you

Reviews (2)

Another Indispensable Book for Kid Writers by Ralph Fletcher
This book is unique in that it talks directly to kids about writing, in a personal rather than a "textbook" manner. I can't think of any other books for kids that do this (other than the others by Fletcher listed at the end), and it is so valuable! The book is also simply very interesting and well-written.

This book is not about the craft and mechanics of writing, but about how to establish that all-important *habit* of writing. It's about all the elements that enable and support a person to actually write. I don't know whether this book or "A Writer's Notebook" by Ralph Fletcher should be read first; they are both so important. I'm thinking of having my students read them concurrently.

I love the fact that Fletcher does not teach "the process," but rather encourages kids to find their own process. He cautions students not to "prewrite the life out of their topic" through excessive prewriting. It is also made clear, through the book's inspiring interviews with children's writers, that the processes that these successful writers use differ greatly from each other. One of the authors says she would never talk about her topic before writing about it, because "ideas bring with them an energy to write them. If I talk about them instead, I lose that initial energy that's crucial." I am a prolific writer, have almost never written an outline (before writing) in my life, and have always disagreed with requiring kids to do so (see Peter Elbow books for more on the process I use - freewriting).

Some of the topics this book goes into are where to write, finding an idea, brainstorming, getting started, amount to write, rereading, handwriting vs. using a computer, research, rough drafting, revision, and the proper place of grammar and spelling (definitely never "disturb the flow," when you're writing well, to deal with them). In all these topics, a variety of options are given, with liberal use of quotes from both kids and adult authors.

Fletcher makes it clear that "getting an idea" and "getting started" are two distinct activities, and not necessarily related. It's common to have a great idea that you never bring to fruition, and even more common to just start writing, with no ideas initially. In fact he goes into the value of writing "just a bunch of slop," and valuing it as a form of "exercising."

His overall message is that although some people are born or inspired writers, for most people, writing is hard work. You have to live a full life to have material; be conscientious in capturing those inspired thoughts and moments in your writer's notebook; do the tough work of writing something bad as a first draft; be open to "radical surgery" type revision; reread your own work incessantly; solicit feedback; be a careful editor; and look for appropriate places to publish.

Lastly, I read this book as a mother of three and a teacher who supervises homeschooling families. Since reading this (and Fletcher's other wonderful books: "A Writer's Notebook" and "Live Writing"), I haven't been able to stop writing poetry myself (which is not something I normally do)!

An Excellent Book for Young Writers
This charming little book offers a solid, user-friendly introduction to the fundamental steps of the writing process. Fletcher uses a clear and simple prose style to lead young readers through the creative writing process, from generating an idea and writing the first draft, to rereading and revising, to proofreading, editing, and publishing. Along the way, he discusses the importance of finding a suitable place to write, strategies for brainstorming, and methods of overcoming writer's block. Also included are several author interviews to provide alternative approaches to the writing process as well as a bibliography of recommended fiction and writing-related nonfiction. Beginning writers of any age may find inspiration in the practical strategies and encouraging sentiments set forth in this simple but elegant guide. ... Read more

Book Description

This easy-to-read book is the only definitive resource tool on the market today that provides teens with the real-life skills they need to fully use their potential.Written by a certified life coach, this book provides the questions that unlock the door to the individual's true brilliance.Before you allow your child to drift from job to job, before you spend $60,000.00 on a college education, spend just $20.00 and give your child the gift of clear purpose. ... Read more

Book Description

Money Mama introduces the basics of sound money management and helps children develope a positive money attitude. Featuring whimsical illustrations and engaging child-friendly explanations, the book helps parents teach their kids the value of giving to help others, investing for their future, saving for retirement and spending money wisely- the four components of abundant money management. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Absolutely Fantastic
I was thrilled to see a book that teaches children about the value of money. It is extremely well written and the colorful illustrations kept my three year old nephew wanting to read more and more the book.

Money Mama to the Rescue!
Money Mama and her three little piggies make the concept of saving as easy as 10/10/10/70! This great little book is beautifully designed, well-written and features bold, colorful illustrations that will immediately appeal to children AND parents alike.

My daughter, like most children, learned her bad spending and non-existent saving habits from her parents, (who learned their bad spending and non-existent saving habits from THEIR parents.) It's a destructive cycle that needed breaking, but I wasn't sure how to do it. Enter: "Money Mama & The Three Little Pigs". I learned about this excellent book (and companion piggy bank) from a friend (who showed me HERS!) I was so captivated by the simplicity with which the daunting subjects of "giving", "investing", and "saving" were communicated, that I HAD to buy a copy for myself and my daughter. By breaking the process down into bite-sized pieces, I learned that anyone can benefit from the lessons taught in the book -- no matter how large or small the amount of money, success can begin with one little dollar.

I highly recommend this book to everyone who has kids and struggles with the subject of saving! You're never too old to learn the invaluable lessons outlined in the book, and I give Ms. Mackey two thumbs WAY up for her ingenous and innovative presentation of a complex subject. This is the gift that keeps on giving (and saving and investing) -- I'm glad I got mine before they ran out! :-) ... Read more

Book Description

From the classrooms of top fashion schools to the studios of talented designers, this book takes kids on an inspiring tour of the dynamic world of fashion design. Replete with colorful photographs and facts about the history and the future of fashion, it even shows readers how to get started now. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Really nice book!
This is a really nice book. Lots of glossy color photos of star designers add to the enjoyment of reading this book. It's great for little or big girls interested in fashion. I especially liked the story of the little girl who made up a new kind of mitten. She's been very successful with her efforts. It shows that not everyone has to go to design school to be a success in the field.

great color pictures
This book is a great way to see how fashion works and all the things that is in the job the pictures are great if youre thinking about being a fashion designer than you need to buy this

Fashion Fantastic!
This book was excellent. It has all the criteria that is needed to fulfill any book on this specific topic. Fashion designing is one of my most enjoyed hobbies and this book has done it all. From sewing to buying, this book suits anyone. I recommend it to anyone - whether you do or don't like clothes. It is perfect!~ If you have ever read the book, "Fashion Sketchbook" and loved it, than you will like this one a whole lot more. "Fashion Sketchbook" got a four-star review and I rate this book five-star. Enjoy this book, it is full of helpful hints on every fashion flaw there is. So...get reading! ... Read more

Book Description

Sixth-grader Rufus Mayflower doesn't set out to become a millionaire. He just wants to save on toothpaste. Betting he can make a gallon of his own for the same price as one tube from the store, Rufus develops a step-by-step plan with help from his friends, classmates, and math teacher. By the time he reaches the eighth grade, Rufus makes more than a gallon - he makes a million! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Of all the books I have read in my life, this book is my fav
I first read this book approximately twenty-five years ago when I was in grade school. It kindled a fire of entrepreneurship deep within me. I often thought about the book throughout the years but did not remember the title or the author. Recently, I ran across it on Amazon.com. Now, I am thirty-five years old and using it to fan that same flame that has been instilled in my children. My kids love this book as much as I do. I firmly believe this book should be required reading for every child. In addition to entrepreneurship, it also contains lessons of true friendship, anti-racism and business finance. Of all the books I have read throughout my life, this is number one on my list!

The Toothpaste Millionare
I think this book is fun and sensible. It gives you an overall view of the business world. It's on a great level of thinking. It's just a fantastic book! Makes a good math book to read as well!

The Toothpaste Millionaire
The Toothpaste Millionaire by Jean Merrill was one of the best books I ever read. After the first page I knew this was going to be a great book. I liked the character Rufus. He did not care that Kate was white and he was black. He did not like to waste anything. He was very creative, and figured out a really cool way for a kid to make a million dollars. The plot was interesting and exciting, and the ending was unpredictable. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy being creative, or who want to make a lot of money. If this book has a sequel, I am going to read it. I'm also going to check out other books by this author.

The Most Wonderous Book of My Youth
I read this book when I was in 4th grade and I love it still. It is a book that shows that sterotypes are not important. It's a wonderful book for children and I read it to all my babysitting charges. It teachs friendship with no boundries.

super as a text in entrepreneurship
This book could be used to teach the whole content area of entrepreneurship! A black boy and a white girl, both sixth graders, make toothpaste from baking soda. From looking at their productive resources to getting a loan to issuing stock to a price war and collusion and exit opportunity, this story holds the attention of most preteen and early teen readers. lots of good vocabulary. math problems become real life problems to the main characters. very readable! i use this book with teachers as well as with my own elementary students. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

He knows of what he speaks
Dav Pilkey must have been a paperboy. I was, and this captures the feel of being a boy wide awake while the world is still sleeping. I never tired of reading it. It's a perfect bedtime story. How can you lose with a story that has the character falling asleep at the end?

Good book for our children
Dav, Pilkey a great painting in the paperboy. there were very nice pictures. since the story was written by a few sentence every page, it really gave children more space to image on the story. alhough it's a simple story, it taught our children the most. in the story, Dav descripted what did a paperboy do in his job. and how hard that his work was. as a paperboy, he had to get up early in the morning and delievered his newpaper before anyone got up. eventhough it was hard for him to get up in the morning, he had a very good friend (his dog) would do it with him every morning. in fact, Dav had taught our children that FRIENDSHIP would not only be limit just with human, it could also be with our animals, too. at the same time, he did teach our children to love animals because they could be their friend. also, Dav had taught our children what RESPONSIBILITIES are. to be responable to his/her own responsibilites. in the story, the paperboy would finish his work before he went back to sleep. therefore, when our children grow up, they would know to take care of their responsibilities and not avoid them. it's a good book to teach children about responsibilities.

The Paperboy delivers magic
When you are sleeping & the sky is dark & the streets shadowy, someone & his dog are up, working & happy.

Happy are they at work before dawn, the dog running after scents & growling at critters & the boy pedaling his bike, thinking his thoughts & tossing the morning paper to house after house, as slowly, softly another day dawns.

Dav Pilkey's pictures & story capture the shadows & colors of when night turns toward day & while everyone is tumbling out of their beds, the paperboy & his dog are tumbling back into theirs.

A fine way to introduce children to the idea of working for a living, of being responsible, of doing the work until it's done & the fun.

Serindipulous Book
The Paperboy was written and illustrated by Dav Pilkey. This was a fun-to-read, lighthearted book that relayed a very vivid lesson of maturity and hard work. In the story, a boy and his dog get up early every morning and deliver papers. The paperboy was a very responsible young man who loved his job. The bright and happy illustrations played a key role in letting the reader know how happy the boy and his dog were. In this story, the author uses various forms of symbolism to portray the paperboy as being a very mature and hard-working young man. One of the first very obvious symbolic representations was the young boy's receding hairline. While this doesn't necessarily mean he is mature, it is a trait displayed by men who are generally much older, wiser, and more mature. In many foreign countries, older men, who usually have little or no hair, are more respected and thought to be wise and knowledgeable. I think the author was probably using this common knowledge to help relay his message of maturity. Another key symbolic representation is the way the boy cares for the dog as his own child. He takes him everywhere, feeds him, and watches over him. These are all characteristics of a mature adult who has accepted the responsibility of being a parent. Lastly, the fact that the boy leaves his warm bed very early on a cold Saturday morning while everyone else is still asleep, speaks wonders of his dedication and level of maturity. In the book, the paperboy never hesitates when his alarm goes off. He knows he has a job to do, and he does it. Even the boy's dog, who he has cared for and taught behavioral patterns, is eager to start the early day. In this book, the paperboy was clearly a responsible and dedicated young man. The various forms of symbolism that the author used were a very effective means of relaying this message.

The Responsibility of the Paperboy
Pilkey, Dav. The Paperboy. New York: Orchard Books, 1996. Nikolajeva, Maria. "Exit Children's Literature?" The Lion and The Unicorn 22 (1998): 221-236. Every morning, a young boy, who is the neighborhood paperboy, and his dog go out on their route and deliver the papers to the sleeping neighbors. They enjoy their job and the peacefulness of being the only ones awake and out in the early morning. The paperboy experiences feelings of responsibility and accomplishment throughout the story. Most of the illustrations in The Paperboy are dark because the majority of the story takes place at dawn. This gives readers the feeling that they are part of the boy's early morning journey from house to house. The pictures do an excellent job of portraying the events of the story. The article "Exit Children's Literature" by Maria Nikolajeva focuses on some common prejudices about children's literature. According to an author, Perry Nodelman, some of these characteristics that make a book "children's literature" are that the book is simple but not necessarily simplistic, action-oriented rather than character-oriented, presented from the viewpoint of innocence, optimistic with a happy ending, didactic, and repetitious in diction and structure. Nikolajeva has different beliefs of what makes a book "children's literature." She gives examples of children's authors such as Robert Cormier, Patricia MacLachlan, and Margaret Mahy, whose books do not fit Nodelman's "definition" of children's literature, but in reality they are children's literature. I feel that The Paperboy does fit the definition of children's literature and relates to Maria Nikolajeva's article in that it fits Nodelman's definition. First, it is simple because it has a single, clear plot, a limited number of characters that are easy to remember (the paperboy, his dog, and his family), and flat characters. In The Paperboy, the boy and his dog do everything together, even sleep. Another characteristic of the story is that it is presented from the viewpoint of innocence. The characters in the story are good, and there are no conflicts or problems. Finally, the characteristic that children's literature is optimistic and has a happy ending applies to The Paperboy. The boy is clearly content throughout the story and, in the end, he and his dog are happy to have finished their job. I agree that many children's books can be classified as children's literature if they fit the "definition", but I also agree with Nikolajeva who believes that books don't necessarily have to fit the definition in order to be children's literature. I think the "definition" can be used for classifying books as children's literature, but I think the definition needs to go further because there are more characteristics of children's literature than those included in the definition. Each book should be looked at individually because they are different and have some of their own characteristics that make them appropriate for children. ... Read more

Book Description

SUMMER AU PAIRS NEEDED IMMEDIATELY
For four energetic children, between 3 and 10 years old.
Join a NYC family for the best summer of your life in
East Hampton, July 4-Labor Day.

Pay: $10,000.00
Driver's license a must.
Familiarity with the Hamptons, a plus.

Send resumes and head shots to HamptonsAuPairs@yahoo.com

Meet Mara Waters, Eliza Thompson, and Jacqui Velasco -- new au pairs for one of New York City's wealthiest families -- who will spend their summer in one of the most posh, most exclusive spots for summer summering: the Hamptons.

For good girl Mara, this job is a way out of another go-slow Massachusetts summer. Eliza, New York City's former It Girl, knows this is the fast lane back to the stylish world she wishes she'd never left. And for Brazilian bombshell Jacqui, it's a boarding pass back to her American love who told her he'd e-mail as soon as he got home, and didn't.

After all, how hard can an au pair job be? Slap sunscreen on the kids during the day and party at the coolest hot spots at night, right?ÿWrong.

While Eliza is desperately trying to hide her baby-sitting job from her superspoiled friends who think she's still just as rich as she used to be, Mara's getting awfully cozy with the kids' extremely attractive older brother, Ryan. And Jacqui is heartbroken when she discovers that the love of her life may have been nothing more than a spring fling.

If the girls can manage au pair duties -- all the while mastering the ins and outs of the Hamptons' social scene -- it might just turn out to be the most incredible summer of their lives. But to do it they'll have to stick together. And that's where things definitely get sticky. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

awesome summer book!!!
i could NOT put this book down for 3 days. it's a breezy, fun, funny fast read about three girls from different backgrounds and their roller coaster adventures in the hamptons. melissa de la cruz offers a razor-sharp, witty, insidery look at the wealthy playground, and i totally got caught up in all the drama!! LOVE mara and ryan, LOVE eliza and jeremy!! when is the sequel coming out???

The Perfect Beach Book
Light and fun and a little less mean and snobby than the Gossip Girl novels, The Au Pairs offers a fun and fluffy read perfect for pool-side enjoyment.

All three main characters are likeable and, unlike those too-enviable GG characters, you'll be rooting for them from page 1. Especially the small-town girl, Mara, who is certainly a fish out of water in the glitzy, party-all-night world of the Hamptons. The girls' conflicts add some depth to what might otherwise be a no-brainer sort of novel. Mara strives for independance and self-acceptance, Liza copes with her new lifestyle and Jaqui just wants to be loved for her brain and not her cup size. The setting offers a glimpse into the uber-rich, uber-exclusive world of the Hampton-ites and is quite appealing.

You'll be sorry to see their summer end, but - fear not - the author appears to have set them up for a sequel. Christmas in Palm Beach, anyone?

Exceptionally Well Written!
I am not a "chick" and I haven't been "thirty-something" for twenty-something years, but I found this book to be exceptionally clever and engaging. Melissa DeLaCruz is obviously a brilliant young talent who will be a best-selling author in a very short time.

This book was so much fun I could not put it down until I finished it. Yes, I live close the beach but nowhere near the Hamptons.

The entire book was magnificent. The "rules for Hamptons travel" alone is more than worth the price of admission. I could not stop laughing! Anyone who shares my loathing of cretins who broadcast their cell phone conversations in public venues will revel in this chapter, and anyone who enjoys an exhilirating and delightful read will be captivated by this wonderful book.

Never Put it Down!
This was such a great book to read for the summer! i loved how it was about three completly different girls that eventually realized that they had a lot more in common then they thought. It took me only 4 days to read this because i loved it so much. It really teaches about comitment, loyalty to friends and promises. It made me think twice about some things in life.

BORING & SIMPLISTIC--DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME
I was an au pair last summer, and wanted to like this book. But it's as if publishers now think that anyone they throw in front of a computer can write teen chick lit and girls will buy it. I adored the A LIST which is smart and well-written as well as smarmy and fun. GOSSIP GIRLS was fun for one book and then it got old. This didn't hold me for 30 pages and if you have a functioning brain it won't hold you, either. ... Read more

Book Description

When Mrs. announces Job Day at School, Junie B. gets carried away (as

usual!), coming up with the "bestest"--and strangest--job description in Room

Nine. "Another hilarious, easy book about Junie B. Jones."--Booklist.




... Read more

Reviews (14)

Junie B. Jones Big Fat Mouth
Morgan Turner

The best book!!!!

The best book that I have read is Junie B. Jones Big Fat Mouth by Barabara Park. Junie B. Jones has many fantastic books, but I like this one the best. I like this book because if you are down about something you can pick up a Junie book and you will be laughing your head off. For example at the first of the year, I was nervous and down because I was afraid that I would not get to class on time .So when I got to class I picked up this book and started to laugh. It made the rest of my day so much better. Another reason is that it is career day at Junie's school. Well Junie wants to be something and she yells it on the bus but then she wants to be another thing but then another, finally a boy on the bus says "be all three," but he says it in a mean way.On career day Junie shows up at school as a .............sorry you have to read it to find out. The last reason is that I don't like to read much, but since I have read this book I enjoy the series.
Have fun reading Junie B. Jones Big Fat Mouth!!!!

A review by an 8 year old girl
It is a very funny book about a girl named Junie Beatrice Jones except she just likes B. and that's all. She has trouble controlling her temper and excitement. Sometimes she yells out "YOU'RE A DUMB BUNNY!" and she calls her teacher "Mrs."...she has another name too but Junie B. just likes Mrs. and that's all. One day Mrs. said, "Boys and girls, please take your seats. I've got a wonderful surprise!" "IS IT JELLY DOUGHNUTS?" Mrs. put her finger to her lips and that means be quiet. "YEAH ONLY GUESS WHAT? JELLY DOUGHNUTS ARE MY MOST FAVORITE EXCEPT I ALSO LIKE OTHER KINDS!" After that, my mouth got very drooly and some drool fell on the table. I wiped it up with my sweater sleeve. Just then there was a knock at the door. Mrs. hurried to open it. "HEY, IT'S A..." to find out who it was...read the book! You didn't expect ME to tell you!

Junie B Jones and her Big Fat Mouth (#3)
It's Job Day in Junie B's class. But she tells everyone that she's going to paint like Charlotte, unlock stuff like Roger, and save people like William.But she doesn't know what she has to be! What's Junie B's job? Read it to find out.

Great
This book is great. She is a trouble maker with her big fat mauoth. Junie B. Jones is a very good character, and she is the funnier in the whole world. Buy it.
Trust Me!

Just let Junie B.
I'm fascinated by the parental displeasure indicated in reviews of this book. You'd think Junie B. was a small bundle of pure inexplicable evil from the way some people have reviewed her. Undoubtedly, parents who have a problem dealing with Junie B. will also have a problem with Calvin from "Calvin and Hobbes" or any other book/comic/television show where the protagonist does not unerringly do the right thing at all times. Some suspect that this book approves of the names Junie B. calls others, ignoring the fact that she is systematically punished for each and every misbehavior she exhibits. Now, don't think that Junie B. is a godsend to children everywhere or the new children's classic. But she is amusing and chock full of jokes kids won't get. I myself have unwillingly been won over to Junie B. Jones. Walking into this book I was convinced it was just a Ramona Quimby knock off, right down to the grade Junie B. Jones attends. As it is, it is not only not a knock off, but an interesting series in its own right. Junie's parents are only half as calm and collected as the Quimby's, and you can't blame them a bit. What with a precocious kindergartner and a baby as well, these parents are fairly strained as it is. Junie herself is realistically portrayed, and I experienced the joy many a second grader must feel when I figured out that she was going to dress up as a janitor for career day. Here is a book that celebrates working class jobs as legitimate occupations to aspire towards. For those students who've either run out of Ramona books, or feel they'd like to hear more about other kindergartners, Junie B. wouldn't be a bad recommendation. Would read aloud very well in class, I think. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

great book
This is an excellent book it really helps kids learn about money. The illustrations are perfect for my four year old ... Read more

Book Description

Ever wonder who was the first kid to keep a wallet on a big chunkychain, or wear way-too-big pants on purpose? What about the mythical first guywho wore his baseball cap backwards? These are the Innovators, the people on thevery cusp of cool. Seventeen-year-old Hunter Braque's job is finding them forthe retail market.

But when a big-money client disappears, Hunter must use all his cool-huntingtalents to find her. Along the way he's drawn into a web of brand-name intrigue- a missing cargo of the coolest shoes he's ever seen, ads for products that don'texist, and a shadowy group dedicated to the downfall of consumerism as we knowit. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

pleasant
It was a great childrens book that was extremely enteraining. Definatly read this one!

Speaking up for this wonderful book.....
I had to write and speak up for this wonderful book. The pictures and text have captivated many students as well as my own 5 children.The adults that we share this book with roll with laughter at the great pictures and *awww* at the special relationship between Edward & Edwina.Its commendable that an author would show us that often times we mothers search for our *worth* outside of our own families, when in fact we are tremendously valuable people for putting our *first* efforts into raising our children. It is refreshing to see the story end up that mom and dad will take equal roles in raising thier children together.In rebuttal to the *Unintentional controversy* review : Any book could be seen as controversial depending on what your personal slant is.The nice thing is that nobody in our country is *Made* to read a book they dont care for.I just thought that someone should speak up for this wonderful book. Its not just for children either =0)

Awful Pics
The cover of the book is not really attractive and neither are those within. Kids might get frightened of the big green ugly bird on the cover and refuse to read.

Contents-wise, the story is written in rhymes, good way to introduce children to that genre and poetry.

Children are also introduced to various kinds of occupations and realize in the end that it is important to share responsibilities. Good value for children.

Unintentionally controversial?
This is a fun read-aloud. However, I sometimes get embarrassed reading it when Edwina realizes that her only real job is to be a mother. What kind of message is that?

One of our favorites
An Australian friend gave my son this book when he was born. I've been reading it to him for 10 months, now. As he got more coordinated, he started handing it to me to read. It has great illustrations and rhythmic text. We loved it so much we looked for more of her books & found Edward the Emu. We read them everyday. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Kids hate it when they're left alone with a Robot Babysitter. And why wouldn't they? You can't argue with a computer program that tells you 8:00 Earth time is bedtime... and then at 8:15 reports that you are in violation of your scheduled routine. "The trouble with you, Babysitter, is that you are no fun," complains young Benjamin McFadden. "I'm not programmed for fun," Babysitter answers. So, Benjamin opens up the forbidden panel on Babysitter's back and programs it for fun. Games! Books! Music! Cookies! Fun is had, but when Benjamin gets tired, the robot does not. Much to Benjamin's horror, Babysitter has become an out-of-control fun machine, wreaking complete havoc on the household as the pages explode with flying basketballs, jogging dice, rolling cups of cocoa, and cavorting chess pieces. Desperate, he calls the Babysitter Help Line, and is told that he must use the Ultimate Password to get his dear old boring Babysitter back. What is the Ultimate Password? Luckily, Benjamin figures it out before his parents get home. Kids will like poring over the comical details in Timothy Bush's artful depictions of a futuristic Jetsons-style home, and will easily relate to familiar babysitter-related sentiments and scenarios. An interplanetary robot romp! (Ages 5 and older) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (5)

A Delightful Read-Aloud for All Ages
I got this book to read to my kindergartener, who adores it, but my 3rd-grader enjoys it just as much. (Actually, I've noticed my husband slips into the room to listen, too!) We have a great time with the voices, and everyone chimes in on the last word. The story appeals to anyone young enough for a babysitter--or anyone who's ever been a babysitter, for that matter--and the illustrations are wonderful for all ages, with so much creative insanity happening on each page that we frequently have to go back after reading it to savor the pictures for a while longer.

Love it!
Imaginative fun, with an exasperated protagonist reminsicent of The Cat In The Hat. My two-year-old loves it, and we have fun doing the voices of Babysitter and the Lady from the Babysitter Help Line.

Timothy Bush ``gets'' kids sensibilities.

This book is rad, dude
Benjamin Mc Fadden and the robot baby sitter are by Timothy Bush. Timothy Bush is a great writer and a good illustrator too. This book is great, it's funny and it's good for a bedtime story for kids the age of 3 to 13. Benjamin is a stubborn boy when it comes to bedtime. The book is about a robot baby sitter that's mean. Benjamin reprograms the robot to be fun. The baby sitter reprograms the other robots to be fun too. Then it gets out of control. Then Benjamin says the password, it's pa... sorry you will have to read the book.

I like the end when Benjamin said " What a weird night. " and Fantastic (the robot cat) said something really funny. Then Benjamin looks like the book is going to happen all over again.I recommend this book to Kindergartners though 6th graders because every one can enjoy it. I think 7th graders won't read it because it's too easy to them.

By the way this book takes place in outer space, you can tell from the illustrations.

The Jetsons Meet The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Technology goes haywire when the Robot Babysitter is programed for FUN! This is one of my favorite books to read aloud to children and to give as gifts to youngsters to share with their "Ultimate Passwords."

Wonderful Fun
My four-year old and I love this book. It is fun to read it aloud using a robot's voice for the part of the robot babysitter. We highly recommend it! ... Read more

Book Description

Amelia Bedelia must look for a new job -- Mrs. Rogers has finally had enough. But for poor Amelia Bedelia, each new job is a bigger mess than the last. Can she ever find a place to belong?

Reviews (8)

At least Amelia Bedelia can make perfect cream puffs
In "Come Back, Amelia Bedelia," the trouble begins when Mrs. Rogers asks for some cereal with her coffee. Of course, Amelia Bedleia does exactly what she is told to do and puts the cereal in the coffee. Because of this, Amelia Bedelia is fired by Mrs. Rogers. That means our heroine has to leave the Rogers' home and look for a new job. But no matter where she goes, from the hairdresser to the dress shop, she does what people tell her and she ends up being told to leave. Being a file clerk or helping a doctor with his patients do not seem to suit Ameali Bedelia's peculiar talents either, so it is a good thing that the one thing she always gets right is making perfect cream puffs.

The charm of the Amelia Bedelia stories does not need to be explained to any kid who has been told what to do by their parents. What kid would not want to, just once, literally do what they and told to do the same way as Amelia Bedelia (notice the look on Dickie's face when she puts on the doctor's gloves). Of course, they might only get away with such behavior once, but if a kid picks there moment it could be pretty good (my best moment was when a young woman asked me if I had the time and I said, "Sure, what do you want to do?").

This 1971 story, An I Can Read Book, is illustrated by Wallace Tripp, who does a nice job of capturing both Amelia Bedelia's beguiling smile and her look of confusion when people get upset at her for doing exactly what she was told to do. Young readers will get hooked on this literally-minded lady, so it is a good thing that there are other examples of her misadventures to be enjoyed, such as "Thank You, Amelia Bedelia" and "Amelia Bedelia and the Surprise Shower" (just think of the possibilities with that last one).

Wity
This story is precious and timeless. I laughed and had so much fun reading it. Amelia Bedelia is a riot of a woman. She has a wonderful sense of life. She jumps into whatever she does with a willingness to do as she is told, literally.

It's not a long read. You can be done within five minutes. Hilarious to the end. I recommended reading this gem.

Come Back, Amelia Bedelia
The Book Come Back, Amelia Bedelia is about a woman who takes things to literally. She goes from job to job making total chaos. It seems as if she can do nothing right. Every job she gets fired from, she is left dumbfounded and confused, she doesn't know what she did wrong. The book starts, like it ends, back to cooking the cream puffs.
I personally though the book was quite good. It was very humorous and full of excitment. Some of the things she does, are unthinkable. You may be able to relate the character Amelia Bedelia to people you may know in real life. The book also teaches a good lesson, don't always take things, for how they are said.

Ryan J.

A good book by Peggy Parish
I read a hilarious book called Come Back Amelia Bedelia written by Peggy Parish. Of course Amelia Bedelia is my favorite character. I like her because she seems so friendly but funny. Amelia Bedelia cracks me up because every time she tries to do a job she does it wrong. If I were her I'd keep trying my best. If I could have maid I would pick Amelia Bedelia because she can cook well, ans she isn't hard to get along with. If she left I would be sad. This is why Amelia Bedelia is a good book.

Mrs. Rogers Finallly Gave Amelia Bedelia a Pink Slip!
While Amelia Bedelia was removing her chocolate cream puffs from the oven, Mrs. Rogers asked for cereal and coffe for breakfast, (she should have said "a bowl of cereal and a cup of coffee,") Poor Amelia poured coffee over a mug of cereal and Gave it Mrs Rogers. In Return, Mrs. Rogers Fired Her, without consent from her husband. So Amelia Bedelia volunteers as a beautician's assistant and pins up a client's hair with sharp safety pins and sticks her. After that she is hired as an assistant-beautician and cuts up expensive dresses to rags, after she stamps some letters at the Post Office by Jumping on them, and sews up a cut with sewing thread, Amelia Bedelia almost forgets about her cooled dessert at home. So she goes back and makes the chocolate cream, so Mrs. Rogers forgives her and rips up the pink slip. After that, at lunch, She heats Mr Rogers a can of soup without opening it in a no-water saucepan on the gas stove.-DANGEROUS. But since then ther have been many Amelia Bedelia Books, and no pinks slips. ... Read more