Amazon.com

Why is Eloise, 6-year-old resident of the Plaza Hotel in New York City, going to Paris? She and Nanny were summoned by a cablegram from Eloise's mother, and, as we all know, "If you are going to Paris France / you have to turn into French and absolutely go wild / and put adhesive tape on you / and fall down a lot and sklathe the window / and stretch into the curtain and..." Ahh, the deliciously mad logic of Eloise. She promptly gets on the phone to tell everyone--including room service--that she is Paris bound. There's so much to do--shots, passport pictures, packing ("Here's what else you have to take / Everything"), and of course the endless good-byes. Fortunately, "Sabena is the only airline / that will allow you to travel with a turtle" so Skipperdee comes along for the ride. At last, ils arrivent!

Hilary Knight captures familiar Parisian sights in his delicately hewn pen-and-ink illustrations of everything from the Arc de Triomphe to the Seine to the Champs Élysées to outdoor cafés. Children will studyevery detail of each rawther extraordinaire illustration, from Weenie's snout (such as it is) peeking out from under the hotel bed to the bandy-legged, bunchy-shirted Eloise with her necklace of champagne corks. Even if children don't understand half of the quirks and language directed toward precocious grownups ("Langoustines make very good fingernails"), they'll find more than enough to delight them down to their very toes. Adults, of course, will also revel in this fascinatingly eccentric romp. And if you know anyone who loves (or will love) Paris, this book is the perfect bon voyage gift. Eloise in Paris was first published in 1957, the sequel to the original Eloise, and is every bit as wondrous. If you're in search of more Eloise (and who isn't really?), don't miss The Absolutely Essential Eloise, the original Eloise book with an additional scrapbook that tells the whole story of this impish character and her devoted creators. (Click to see a sample spread.Copyright 1957 by Kay Thompson. Reproduced with permission of Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.) (Ages 5 to 105) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Eloise from 5 to 32!!!
I'm 32 years old and I LOVE Eloise - she is an absolutely delightful character! I have bought several of the Eloise books for my 5 year old daughter and she just loves Eloise as well. How fun and inspiring is it for a little girl to read about a character as whimsical and independent as Eloise?

The illustrations in this book are fantastic and really bring Paris to life for children. I have read this book at least 100 times to my daughter, and each time I enjoy it more. My daughter now wants a champagne cork necklace just like Eloise...thanks Kay Thompson for laughs you have allowed my daughter and me to share!

I love this book!!
I read Eloise (at the Plaza) and Eloise in Paris - all 'very much' Kay. I loved that woman - a very good friend of my mom's. I worked with/for her when (as a teenager) I did her musical arrangements and orchestrations for her fabulous act with The Williams Brothers - which opened in Vegas and played all over the world.

She was one of a kind (you can see her in Funny Face) brilliant musical/vocal arranger herself, world traveler, racounter, incredible lady. I've bumper into her in Rome, Paris, London, New York, LA and was terribly saddened by her death (even though she was painfully painfully thin her whole life). She was one of the great women in the history of show biz. The Eloise books are thrilling to say the least and I continually laugh every time I pick one up even after I've gone through them 100 times. I'm ordering them once again as I left mine in London and MUST have them once again. Buddy Bregman

ElOISE IN PARIS: []
Eloise's First trip to Paris, is unforgetable.
With her Nanny (Nanny), Turtle (Skiperdee), and her Dog (Weenie)...It's a Treasure. It's a keeper. It's great. A+

Eloise Is At It Again
Eloise is at it again, only this time she's in Paris. She'll miss the Plaza, but she does so love visiting new places. The 6 year old is sent for by her mother, and is flown off to Paris with her Nanny, turtle (Skipperdee), and her dog who looks like a cat (Weenie). While in Paris Eloise hangs out with Koki, one of her best friends and chaueffer and gets into all types of trouble. From sneaking around the hotel at night to losing Skipperdee and Weenie at the museum.

This is an excellent book for all Eloise fans, so pick up a copy of this book, and charge it please.

Cest moi, Eloise!
This is my favorite Eloise book. As an Eloise fan and a dedicated Travel-buff, this book is a perreniel favorite.

My sister and I had a battered copy that had belonged to my mom. Little did we know that it was a first edition. Unfortunately, with the cover missing and many of the pages creased and loose, it certainly didn't look like much.

That didn't matter to us, all the pages were still there, and we read that book, along with Eloise and Eloise in Moscow, over and over again. How happy I was to see that these books have been re-printed. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Illustrated in color and black & white by E.H. Shepard
The World of Pooh is better read aloud. Milne's characters are charming and lovable. Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends are alive in this book every time I read it, and Shepard's illustrations are so pleasing. I've read these stories so many times and still each time I can hardly wait to find out what adventures Pooh and his friends will have.

Great for kids and adults. Because it's *that* sort of book.
I first read Pooh as a child, when my days were spent doing Nothing. It was a good book then, which I really enjoyed.

But I don't do Nothing anymore. Well, not so much. They don't let you. Now my life more often resembles going around and around the tree looking vainly for Woozles, or going bump, bump, bump down the stairs, thinking that there must be a better way, if only I could stop bumping long enough to think of it. Reading Pooh is how I stop bumping.

I need to be reminded that spelling isn't everything - that there are some days when spelling Tuesday simply doesn't count.

Pooh and Piglet are wondering where you've been. Eeyore told them that you're not coming back. "They've forgotten," said Eeyore. "Typical," said Eeyore. "How Like Them," he said.

But you can come back, you know. You can find a Thoughtful Spot, or join an Expotition to find the North Pole, or drop stick off a bridge.

Because the Forest will always be there, and anyone who is Friendly with Bears can find it.

A great book for all ages!
Winnie the Pooh,a bear, has different adventures with all his friends: Christopher Robin , Piget, Rabbit, Owl, Kanga, Roo, Tiger, and many more. I like this book because it is funny. Pooh and his friends are cute (from the pictures) and have great and different personalities. Please buy and read this great book. You will love the characters.

Oh Bother! The Best Winnie The Pooh!
This is the best version of Pooh. Not the contaminated Disney version by any means. This is the pure bear of little brain. This particular version is enhanced by full color paintings by Mr Shephard which will knock your socks off!

My favourite book
My mom reads out the book to me and I love the 'silly old bear' and his friends and also the heffalumps and woozles. I love hunny just like Pooh bear ! ... Read more

Book Description

There are lots of children on Hill Street, but no little girls Betsy's age. So when a new family moves into the house across the street, Betsy hopes they will have a little girl she can play with. Sure enough, they do--a little girl named Tacy. And from the moment they meet at Betsy's fifth birthday party, Betsy and Tacy becoms such good friends that everyone starts to think of them as one person--Betsy-Tacy.

Betsy and Tacy have lots of fun together. They make a playhouse from a piano box, have a sand store, and dress up and go calling. And one day, they come home to a wonderful surprise--a new friend named Tib.

Ever since their first publication in the 1940's, the Betsy-Tacy stories have been loved by each generation of young readers.

Reviews (21)

The wonderful first book of an enchanting children's series.
Hooray!!! I am so thrilled these books are in print again. I read them all (several times!) as a child growing up in the 1960's in a town 30 miles from "Deep Valley", (aka Mankato) Minnesota. I inherited them from my mother's childhood collection. But when I moved to California in 1969 no one had heard of them. My, now 14 year old daughter, read, and re-read the 3-generations-old books and loved them as well! She and I both rejoice to see these timeless stories enjoying a national rebirth. They've even made the movies...Meg Ryan's book store owning character in the 1999 movie "You've Got Mail" refers to Betsy, Tacy and Tib. Maud Hart Lovelace would be pleased and proud!!!

Charming!!!
Somebody said: It is never too late to have a happy childhood. Well, reading Betsy-Tacy will give anyone a good idea about what a nice childhood is about. This is the first book in a series of books about Betsy. The reader follows her from age five, as she is in this book. It is absolutely delightful! Betsy's life changes much to the better as a new girl her age, Tacy, becomes her neighbour and her best friend. Together, they play and explore the world around them. Reading this book is so enjoyable ... it leaves the reader with a nice feeling of satisfaction.

Fabulous Books...Buy a Set for Yourself & For Young Readers!
When I first discovered these books, I had to order them on inter-library loans...all over the state of California!! Then in about 1994 the books were reprinted!! What joy. I own all 10 of them and Carney's House Party (which I love) and the Horse Cart one (can't think of the name!!) Thanks to Harper-Collins for republishing them. So my advice buy a set for yourself and all the young readers in your life!! Buy them so they won't go out of print again! I love them for the warm homey life they portray and the friendship between the girls. I love the talking about food and picnicing and the family relationships. I am 44, but when I have a sick day, these are the perfect books to reread!

Wonderful stories
Girls just want to have fun. Betsy and Tacy know how. This series takes them from age 5 through high school. Any girl would enjoy reading it, and in the process she'd learn a great deal about friendship, family, school, and boys.

A difficult book to love today
It is not as if I wasn't primed for this book at an early age. As a child I was quite obsessed with any books that had the name "Betsy" in them. The excellent and little known, "Understood Betsy" by Dorothy Canfield was written in 1917 and remains one of the sweetest unsentimental children's stories today. Yet even young I consciously avoided the Betsy-Tacy books like the plague. I was aware from an off-hand flipping through them that these were not stories I would enjoy. They were about little girls who had rather wimpy (in my opinion then) adventures. Where were the exciting city scenes of the "All-of-a-Kind-Family" books? Or the beautiful descriptive passages of the "Little House" books? I was disappointed by these books as a child, and I am afraid my opinion has changed little since growing up. The books are maudlin and lacking in spunk. The most gripping scene in the book is found on page five when Tacy flees from Betsy. Spunk is not unknown to little girls in books from this time period. Girls in the books already mentioned had it. My beloved "Caddie Woodlawn" had it. Heck, "Anne of Green Gables" was fairly overflowing with it. Is this to say that every little girl in every book from the past should be spunky and wild? Not at all. But there must be some interest there. Something that a girl today can read and latch onto. Friendship is the overarching theme of this book, and it carries the story as far as it can. Just the same, I have my doubts that any child uninitiated into this series by an earnest parent would naturally gravitate to it in the library today. It would also not read aloud well to boys, I suspect. I may be incorrect and as I write millions of little girls are falling in love with these stories on their own daily, but it seems a little unlikely. ... Read more

Book Description

Curious George is one of the most beloved of all children"s book characters. Now, in these four board books, toddlers can learn about basic concepts—including the alphabet, opposites, emotions, and counting (forward and backward)—with the help of their favorite mischievous monkey.

The set includes
Curious George"s Opposites
Riding forward and backward on his bicycle and letting pigs in and out of their pen, George is up to his usual mischief in this simple book of opposites.

Curious George"s 1 to 10 and Back Again
Help Curious George count ten of his favorite things, first forward and then backward.

Curious George"s ABCs
Read from A to Z along with George in a condensed version of the classic Curious George Learns the Alphabet.

Curious George"s Are You Curious?
Do you ever feel like George?Are you curious?Are you mischievous?Curious kids can read along with their parents to see if they behave like the monkey best known for getting in and out of mischief. ... Read more

Book Description

Alexander is not going to leave his best friend Paul. Or Rachel, the best babysitter in the world. Or the Baldwins, who have a terrific dog named Swoozie. Or Mr. and Mrs. Oberdorfer, who always give great treats on Halloween. Who cares if his father has a new job a thousand miles away? Alexander is not -- Do you hear him? He Means it! -- going to move.

Alexander's back, facing another of childhood's trials and tribulations with Judith Viorst's trademark humor and keen sense of what's important to kids. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Judith Viorst comes up with another great Alexander story
"Alexander And The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" is an absolute classic of children's literature, even if I have heard Judith Viorst's story done way too often at speech tournaments. The idea of feeling so mad or sad that you want to move to Australia remains one of the great punch lines. In "Alexander's Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move" she comes up with a story almost as good. Alexander might talk about moving to Australia, but when his mom and dad tell him that the family is moving to a new home a thousand miles away he decides that he is not going to move. He is not even going to pack.

His father might have a new job a thousand miles away and there might be a new house a thousand miles away but Alexander does not care. Right next door to the new house there might be a boy who is the same age of his brother Anthony and down the street there might be a boy the same age as his brother Nick, but Alexander figures that there is probably nobody for a thousand miles who is his age. He will never have a best friend like Paul again or a great sitter like Rachel. Alexander has a long, long list of favorite friends and special places that he will never have again if he moves. Therefore, he is not packing. Never. Not going to happen.

"Alexander's Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move" is illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser, who pointedly does so in the style of Ray Cruz, who first illustrated Alexander in print and who was unable to complete the work on this endeavor. This book might come in second to the original tale, but for any kid who has to deal with the trauma of moving (as an Air Force Brat my family moved a half-dozen times when I was growing up) this story will ring true and help put things in perspective. Final Note: I was surprised to read that Judith Viorst has three sons named Anthony, Nicholas, and Alexander. This must have made for an interesting household. I wonder what happened to Alexander when he grew up. Maybe he moved to Australia.

Do you hear me?
This is a continuation of the Alexander books. We should all have read about his terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day already. I also use this book in my classroom and have found that while the kids do like to hear another story about this adorable little boy, this story just doesn't click with them. The success of Alexander's other stories came from the way kids were able to relate to his situation. This book just doesn't have that.

What it does have though is a wonderfully planned out story and some good imitations of Ray Cruz's original depictions of Alexander. Again, things just aren't going Alexander's way and his imagination begins to spin ways he can keep from moving with his family. He learns his brothers and parents are much more understanding of his situation than he first thought however.

Why 4 stars?:
This book still deserves a place in your library, however it can't compare to the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Still, children will enjoy hearing another story about Alexander and if any of them have moved or are moving, they will get even something more out of this cute story.

Alexander is definately moving...off the charts!
Alexander, Who's Not (Do you hear me? I mean it!) Going to move by Judith Viorst is a great childrens book. It is wonderfully illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser. The storyline is realistic and approaches a subject in a creative style. It is attractive to young readers and manages to shed light on Alexander's negative feelings towards moving. Alexander ends up happy and so will the reader.

Leslie (Who liked the book) talks
I thought this book was a very good book for kids of all ages. i'm sure you would agree with me. The book talked about everyone pacjing and getting all of thier things ready for the bid move and how Alexander was being stubborn. This would be a good xmas present for someone planning on moving. This book was long enough to get the message across, but not too long.

I thought this book was funny.
This book was funny because Alexander didn't want to move, and he kept saying "I'm not-DO YOU HEAR ME? I MEAN IT!-going to move." He kept thinking of going to other people's houses and asking to stay. The pictures were funny especially when he had kisses all over his face. This book would be good for somebody who is moving. I think a third grader would enjoy this book because it is funny. ... Read more

Book Description

Winnie the Pooh comes to life in this charming CD storybook!

Your child will love hearing Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, and more in these beloved Winnie the Pooh stories and rhymes.Features four favorite stories, eight rhymes, and over an hour of listening enjoyment – all packaged together in one collectable edition.

Features Winnie the Pooh favorites:

- Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day
- Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree
- Winnie the Pooh and a Day for Eeyore
- Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too
- And more!

The perfect collection for little pooh bears everywhere! ... Read more

Book Description

Winnie-the-Pooh's youngest devotees will delight in these six board-book versions of their favorite Pooh adventures, gathered here in a storybook set as inviting as a box of chocolates.

Visible through acetate windows are unforgettable stories such as Pooh and Some Bees, Eeyore Has a Birthday, and Piglet's Rescue, each gently abridged to suit a preschooler's short attention span and accompanied by Ernest H. Shepard's illustrations in full color. As enduring as Pooh himself, these books are built to last with high-quality board stock, durable binding, and rounded edges-all sweetly housed in a sturdy die-cut tray that provides permanent storage and instant accessibility.

Illustrations by Ernest H. Shepard. ... Read more

Book Description

Little Bear meets Emily, a human girl, and her doll. ‘Once again Little Bear proves himself to be as wistful and tender a little creature as exists in the child’s library.’ —K.

... Read more

Reviews (3)

charming beginning reader
These stories about Little Bear and his friend Emily are a charming introduction to the world of reading for beginners. Little Bear is a sweet child to his mother and father and a good friend to Duck, Hen, Owl and Cat. Minarik's simple narrative will be easy enough for early readers, and Sendak's illustrations will hold their attention. The four stories are: Little Bear and Emily, about the friends' meeting; Duck, Baby Sitter; The Party at Owl's House, in which Lucy falls from a tree; and "Your Friend, Little Bear", about Little Bear's coping when Emily goes away for the school year.

A wonderful rediscovery!
I just found this book in a used book store recently and I am thrilled! I remember Little Bear so well from childhood. I bought the book and it proudly sits on my shelf waiting for the day when I have a child to share it with.

This book will give you warm fuzzys! Else has created a wonderfully warm, sweet and adorable book with cute characters.

You and your child will really enjoy it! Don't pass it up!

A childhood treasure waiting to be discovered
As a little girl in the early 1960's, Little Bear's Friend was one of my favorite books. What a joy to discover that this old friend is still available for my three year old daughter to enjoy! ... Read more

Book Description

Curious George and the man with the yellow hat visit the zoo. A hungry Curious George snatches a pail of bananas from the zoo keeper. Though he shouldn't have taken the bananas, George soon changes the zookeeper's shouts to praise with his clever, helpful ways. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

This is a great book for pre-schoolers and early readers!!!
This series by Margaret Rey is a wonderful introduction for preschoolers to stories with a simple plot line. In Curious George Visits the Zoo, George gets into mischief (which children can always relate to....) but redeems himself in the end by saving a young boy's balloon. In Curious George Visits the Fire Station, George is naughty when he rings the fire alarm, but again shows his better side when he rescues one of the firehouse puppies by climbing UP the firepole. In Curious George and the Pizza, he makes a mess trying his hand at tossing pizza dough into the air, but saves the day when he alone can make a crucial pizza delivery by climbing over a locked gate. Young children enjoy comparing the plots in this series. George is told not to get into trouble, he gets into trouble, then he exonerates himself. Parents, grandparents, teachers and child-care providers will all enjoy this series along with their youngsters!

I LIKE THE BOOK ALOT.
THE BOOK WAS A ABOUT GOERGE WHEN HE WENT TO THE ZOO AND THE MONKEY TOOK A BALOON FROM A LITTE BOY AND GEROGE GOT SOME BANANAS FROM A ZOO KEEPER. THEN HE GAVE THE BANANAS TO THE MONKEYS. ... Read more

Book Description

School daze for Babar!

Being the king of the elephants is hard work. But Babar's children say it's even harder to be a student. So Babar heads back to school-with hilarious results. His pencil breaks, he gets in trouble for talking in class, he sits on a wad of gum...what a day! Poor Babar is more than ready for his snack and a nap. "I think I'll go back to being a grown-up tomorrow," he tells Celeste. "It's a much easier job!" ... Read more

Amazon.com

Babar and Queen Celeste have just been married in this early story fromthe most famous of elephantine chronicles. They depart for their honeymoon in a hot-air balloon, and at first all seems wonderful as they glide over a charming coastal town that might be St. Tropez before the advent of tourism.Alas, a storm takes them out to sea and then dumps them on a desert island. The fierce, spear-carrying "savages" who subsequently attack them will remind you that this book was written and illustrated in 1934: they are as far from politically correct as you can get. And the war between the elephants and the rhinoceroses, which ends the story, is also problematic for a modern audience.But the travels and adventures in between show all the excitement and charm that has made the Babar series an enduring hit. (Ages 2 to 6) --Richard Farr ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Another wonderful Babar adventure!
Babar is one of the most endearing characters in children's literature. This volume is a classic that belongs on any child's bookshelf. The story of Babar and Celeste's hot air balloon ride and subsequent adventures in interesting locales fascinates kids, while broadening their cultural horizons. Some mature themes that may disturb kids (war, cruel treatment by a circus ringmaster), but provide a change from the pastel bunny and kitty story genre. Thought provoking for kids mature enough to handle it. ... Read more

Book Description

Every year George and the man with the yellow hat attend the pancake breakfast to benefit the children's hospital. Always curious, George finds his way to the pancake table. After making some of the most interesting pancakes the crowd has ever seen George gets into even more monkey mischief. The adventures of Curious George continue in an all-new series beginning in fall 1998 with eight new stories. Written and illustrated in the style of Margret and H. A. Rey, the books appear in paperback (8 x 8") and hardcover editions and feature the art of Vipah Interactive, the animators of HMI's Curious George CD-ROMs. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Curious George breaks out a spatula
Curious George goes to a pancake breakfast (actually, it's more like a county fair). Then, he makes pancakes while the cook is away. He makes them quicker and better than the cook. Then the cook chases him away. As usual, George gets in a little bit of trouble. Then all is well, and everyone praises George.

This book has part of the charm of CURIOUS GEORGE GOES TO AN ICE CREAM SHOP, with almost exactly the same plot. There's nothing surprising here-- kids and adults will see Curious George in another formulaic plot. This book was adapted from the Curious George film series, and it is based on characters created by H.A. Rey. It is NOT one of the George books written by H.A. Rey.

Some readers are delighted by Curious George, and the plot doesn't matter. In that case, choose CURIOUS GEORGE MAKES PANCAKES.

If you want a better story, try CURIOUS GEORGE GOES TO AN ICE CREAM SHOP, or, better still, one of the H.A. Rey-authored original Curious George stories, such as CURIOUS GEORGE GOES TO THE HOSPITAL or CURIOUS GEORGE GETS A MEDAL.

Brings back memories
Everytime I see a Curious George book I remember how much I loved reading them as a kid, I must confess that nothing has changed. This is a funny, entertaining book for both adults reading to children and for children themselves.

George uses all his talents!
This is one of my daughter's favorite CG books and one that Ican deal with reading more often. George uses both his legs and armsto flip pancakes faster than the chef can do it. I liked the positive focus on George's (and kid's) skills. It leaves the reader with a nice sense of accomplishment. END ... Read more

Amazon.com

Like all best friends, George and Martha do everything together--go to the movies, play at the beach, and just hang around not doing much of anything. No matter that they happen to be gigantic hippopotami, they learn the same lessons humans do about the ups and downs of true friendship. George and Martha teach each other (and adoring readers) that even in a close friendship, privacy is important, practical jokes can sometimes backfire, and among other things, pouring split pea soup into your loafers to spare the chef's feelings is not the best laid plan.

What's remarkable about the stories in this wonderful collection is the emotion James Marshall infuses into his understated, charming text and illustrations. Each brief tale is always humorous, never preachy, and his drawings--deceptively simple in appearance--are guaranteed to spark feelings of empathy, delight, and self-recognition. Maurice Sendak, in his foreword to this 25th anniversary compilation edition of all 35 stories, notes, "Those dear, ditzy, down-to-earth hippos bring serious pleasure to everybody, not only to children. They are time-capsule hippos who will always remind us of a paradise in publishing and--both seriously and comically--of the true, durable meaning of friendship under the best and worst conditions." (Ages 4 and up) ... Read more

Reviews (26)

Life Lessons
We started watching the George and Martha TV series while living in Australia. I don't know who is more enamoured with the series - my daughters, or myself. These stories, different from the tv show as far as I can tell, all teach a lesson in friendship. It's a fun way to let those lessons about being a good friend sink in with your child. George and Martha are hilarious, and we love following their adventures. It is a book that even an adult without children might enjoy reading. A real page turner and a well made, quality book!

The Best Book on Friendship Ever Written
Have you or anyone you know ever been troubled by the complexities of friendship? This endearing collection of vignettes in the lives of two very dear friends, models how to get through the peaks and troughs of human relations. I have had two best friends for over thirty years and I know friendships take a lot of work. Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote wonderfully about friendship but James Marshall wrote these profoundly simple, almost poetic stories about two hippos who err, forgive, sacrifice, love, and put up with each other in a most charming and edifying fashion that everyone can understand. George and Martha books are adored by children and adults; they are well illustrated, in simple language and highly allegorical. I have given them as greeting cards to celebrate, apologize, teach, support, and grovel. I bought this full collection as a birthday present for a teenager who loved the stories as a child, and deeply appreciates the lessons as an emerging adult. (Frankly, I wanted to keep it for myself -- but that would have been too selfish, so I bought another.) Enjoy this book and benefits of dear friends.

Gently Playful Humor -- Great for beginning readers
Add my enthusiatic review to the many others for the George and Martha series. James Marshall has combined a simple text with delightful pictures to create short tales that are gently playful and sensitive. First rate material for beginning readers that will also give adults a few warm chuckles.

In one word...adorable
When I bought this book I couldn't imagine it would turn out to be one of my favorites! Everything in it is simply delightful: the drawings, the situations, the hippos (how lovely they are!)...but what catches me up more is the lack of judgement the author does, as we notice reading...it's a simple but highly intelligent book. I always read some of the stories when I need some cheering up. And I'm an adult. I recommend to anyone who has the sensitivity to understand the tenderness of the stories.

My Daughter Loves It
My daughter loved this book when she was 4 and still likes it years later. The stories are very funny and tell very important and subtle lessons without being condescending. It's really a great book for kids. ... Read more

Book Description

In the most fantastical of the classic Babar stories, we follow Zephir, Babar’s monkey friend, home on school holiday. The monkey princess, Isabelle, has been kidnapped by the horned monster Polomoche, and everyone is very worried. But Zephir, with the help of a tiny mermaid named Eleanore, is certain that he can save the princess himself. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Elephants are not the only Fantastic Creatures!
Page aften page of strange and curious imaginary creatures, mermaids and monkeys! A delightful book.

Zephir embarks from the elephant school, off on his summer vacation. He arrives home at Monkeyville, which is filled with wonderful little houses and shops that hang from the gigantic trees, and off he and his family go to their holiday house, where the first thing that his mother does is prepare a "good soup of bananas and chocolate" (!).

The next day a tremendous package arrives at the post office from Babar. It is a rowboat for Zephir! On a daredevil fishing trip (for monkeys generally do not like the water), Zephir accidentally catches Eleonore, a lovely little mermaid, instead of fish! Sadly he releases her, but she has promised to come to his aid if he ever needs her. Upon his arrival back on shore he is greeted with the horrible news that little Princess Isabelle has been kidnapped in a green cloud smelling of rotten apples! Zephir calls on Eleonore, and she takes him in her fish carriage to her Aunt Crustadele.

Aunt Crustadele believes the culprit can only be Polomoche, who lives on an island with his gang of Gogottes (a very strange assortment of creatures!). "They... are not savage. But they are bored," she says. She sends Zephir off on his quest, telling him he will recognize Polomoche by his pointed horns and yellow skin.

What an adventure! One thing is for sure... any child reading this book will not have a chance to be bored! ... Read more

Book Description

Well, she just adores lots of things -- The Plaza Hotel, Room Service of course, taking walks with Nanny, and Weenie's whiskers (which are wonderful). But there's one more thing that Eloise is rawther fond of... ... Read more

Book Description

George helps a little boy with his paper route and gets into all sorts of trouble. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Curious George rides a bike
This book Curious George rides a bike is about monkey who gets a bike because it is the
mans and George's third year sense they meet. So George is a very curious monkey and
he is not aloud to ride his bike past his house but George does. George goes off and gets
into trouble.
This book teaches a lesson about listening to your gardian.
It teaches that by when George goes off and gets into trouble with the circus because he
feeds the ostterage a flute. The ring master told him not to feed the ostterage any thing
because it will eat anything that you give it.
This books age level is from five and up. It is this age level because it could teach kids
when there young to listen to there parent.
I think that the book was good it had a little bit of a adventure to it. It also tought a
lesson which I though was good also.

A Little Too Long, But Still Fun
Curious George's new bike leads him to an extended adventure delivering newspapers, making a regatta of paper boats (there are instructions on how to make one!), and visiting a circus after wrecking the front wheel.

George is not quite as innocent here as in his other books. He's a little more like Mr. Toad, doing some things he knows he shouldn't do, and he's not always very careful. Still, his exuberance and the winning 1950's illustrations are a delight. As usual, George gets into trouble with people, but eventually he rescues one of the circus animals and is hailed as a hero.

It's true that George gets into an circus wagon with two strangers... Be sure to advise your own little monkey not to take rides with strangers. But if that upsets you, you might as well also explain that circuses are often not very animal-friendly. A little too long compared with the simple joys of other George books, but this does extend the curious monkey's adventures to somewhat older kids. Lots of action in the 48 pages, with no more than one to three short paragraphs of text per page.

This is what spoiled it for me...
George was out playing alone when he encountered two men in a vehicle whom he had NEVER met before. They were friendly and told him that he was talented. The next thing we know is that the three of them get into the cab and drive off. Oh dear !!
This isn't the sort of thing I'd wish to encourage, would you ?

One positive thing about the tale is that it provoked discussion about
never going away with strangers even if they seem nice.
We like the Curious George books and appreciate the fact that they were written quite some time ago, but when reading to impressionable kids it's good to make sure that you approve of the content.

George "junkie" loves this book
My 21 month old son adores this book. It's the longest book he's ever had us read to him, and he requests it over and over again. He can relate to the story line, it's beautifully illustrated and it's less dated than some of the "George" books.

Every parent is raising their own Curious George!
I will never forget my first trip to the library to check out a Curious George book. The stories I have grown to love are now a permanent part of my 4 year old sons library. This particular book is not only fun and entertaining, but also demonstrates a lesson to be learned. For friends of mine that are expecting children, instead of giving them the traditional clothes or toiletries, I buy them a Curious George book or two that they can cherish as their children get older. It is never too early to read to children, give them a book that will mean as much to them as it did to me. ... Read more

Book Description

Frog and Toad are always there for each other -- just as best friends should be. From sledding in winter to eating ice cream on hot summer days, these two friends have fun together the whole year round!

Book Description

Betsy and Tacy are best friends. Then Tib moves into the neighborhood and the three of them start to play together. The grown-ups think they will quarrel, but they don't. Sometimes they quarrel with Betsy's and Tacy's bossy big sisters, but they never quarrel among themselves.

They are not as good as they might be. They cook up awful messes in the kitchen, throw mud on each other and pretend to be beggars, and cut off each other's hair. But Betsy, Tacy, and Tib always manage to have a good time.

Ever since their first publication in the 1940s, the Betsy-Tacy stories have been loved by each generation of young readers.

Reviews (12)

Three Girls Girls and Their Childhood Life
Betsy Tacy and Tib,three little girls growing up in Deep Valley,Minnesota.They have their laughs and they have their crys.Since this was based on Maud Hart Lovelace's life,you feel as if you are at the turn of the century,watching them have all the fun that children can possibly have.I have read every single book in the Betsy,Tacy,and Tib series and even all of Lovelace's other novels.I recommend this book to someone who likes books taking place in the "olden days"....but it doesn't seem very old fashioned!

A Wonderful Book in a Great Series!
Betsy, Tacy, and Tib is a wonderful book in a great series. Maud Hart Lovelace did a spectacular job writing these stories. My mother read the books and loved them, my sister and I read the books and loved them, and now my little girls are reading them and loving them. These books never seem to grow old even though they are set during the turn of the 20th century. As a child, I not only read them, I wore the books out! I read and re-read the books, I couldn't put them down. I talked about them so much to my friends, they started checking them out from the Library and we would play Betsy-Tacy during recess. Now set in a period of a hundred years ago, they are still captivating kids today. My husband read the first four books in the series to our kids (Ages 7, 5, 3, and 1 at the time) and they love them all. My oldest begged me to let her keep my copies in her room so she could read them herself.

There are many great books in the series, this one in fact is not the first in the series. Check out the other books in the series, Betsy-Tacy, Betsy-Tacy Go Over the Big Hill, Betsy-Tacy Go Downtown, Heaven to Betsy, Betsy in Spite of Herself, Betsy was a Junior, Betsy and Joe, Betsy and the Great World, and Betsy's Wedding. The books take Betsy through grade school and high school, to Europe right before the 1st world war, then back to America for her wedding and the joys and troubles of married life. Some other books not in the Betsy-Tacy series but also by Maud Hart Lovelace and worth checking out are The Trees Kneel at Christmas, Winona's Pony Cart, Carney's House Party, and (my personal Maud Hart Lovelace favorite) Emily of Deep Valley.

The best book ever
This book is about some basic nine year old girls just trying to have fun in many adventures like begging for cookies. It's one of the best books I have read.IT'S A MUST. I REPEAT MUST BUY!

Still a warm spot in my heart
The Betsy,Tacy and Tib books were among my favorites when I was a child. In fact--except for the Oz books--they were the only books whose author's name I remembered! Images from all these books remain vivid in my memory--Betsy and Tacy going to the top of the hill, the twosome becoming a threesome, Tib's blond hairs, and all the rest. Betsy, Tacy, and Tib grew up in a simpler era but they still speak to modern readers. I'm so glad to see these books still in print for another generation to enjoy.

I wish this book still counted for school work!
My sister has the whole collection of Betsy-Tacy books.She was never too excited about them.I think I was in fourth grade when I read the first one.These kind of books are my favorite.I love the whole aspect of different adventures,in different chapters.It's a fun,touching,and just unique book (and series)to read.I have tried to turn in numerous book reports for this book,or the whole series together.It worked until seventh grade.It is a refreshing book to read.The best part is that you get to escape the world's tradgedies,sad times,and stress all together.This book reminds me of Because Of Winn Dixie.The cool thing about this book, is that people of all ages can enjoy the individual stories of these three,fun girls.I recommend this book, and the rest of the series to little girls,teens,moms,and woman in general.I'm not sure if men,or boys would like it.It really doesn't matter who reads it though,as long as you enjoy it. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Lyle the crocodile lives in a house on East 88th Street in New York City. He likes it there, and his hosts, the Primms, like having him around--he helps young Joshua with his homework, jumps-rope with the neighborhood kids, and browses through antique shops with Mrs. Primm. Much to the affable reptile's dismay, however, he makes his neighbor's cat Loretta crazy, which in turn makes Mr. Grumps, Loretta's owner, even crazier. One day, Mrs. Primm and Lyle are shopping, when Lyle--through no real fault of his own--ends up infuriating department-store bigwig Mr. Grumps who turns red and blue and purple with rage. This unfortunate eruption lands the rollicking reptile in the Central Park zoo where Lyle fights back his crocodile tears. In an elaborate sequence of events, Lyle finds himself back with the Primms on East 88th Street, a neighborhood hero, and, startlingly, even a friend of the mistrustful cat Loretta. Bernard Waber--creator of The House on East 88th Street--charms young readers again with this endearing, whimsical 1965 classic, perfectly complemented by his simple, sketchy, comical illustrations. (Ages 4 to 8) ... Read more

Reviews (9)

A Book to Remember
I am now 21 years old and I can still remember the opening line to this tape. The Lyle books are wonderful for children and this tape is a great way to put your child to sleep. The Lyle books are truly one of my greatest childhood memories!

A crocodile just as sweet as Pogo's Albert the Alligator
A picture book with more backstory than you could possibly imagine. For many, the delightful "Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile" is a perennial favorite. I, myself, had never read it before. When first we see Lyle, he's standing in the center of Central Park (this is most definitely a New York based book) feeding the ducks. Occupying a swank apartment (you should see his bathroom!) with the Primm family, Lyle is everyone's favorite crocodile. He's polite, helpful, and wonderful at double dutch. The ever dour Mr. Grumps next door has problems with the beloved Lyle. Mr. Grumps continually threatens to send Lyle away, but it isn't until an unfortunate department store incident that Mr. Grumps makes good his threats. In the end, however, all turns out for the best and Lyle is reunited with his loving family.

There's a certain amount of suspension of disbelief involved in this tale. Apparently it is not a particularly odd thing to live with a crocodile. I was especially taken with Mrs. Primm's relationship with the lovely reptile. The two do their shopping together and take a turn about the ice skating rink. (...) Mr. Grumps refuses to even speak with Lyle until a fortunate accident towards the book's finale. And in the end, it's just a lovely book. The writing is superb. The illustrations adorable and evocative all at once. The book has CLASSIC writ large all over it. If you've any wit or intelligence about you (and you wish to pass such virtues onto your darling children) pick up the wonderful "Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile" immediately.

You have to read tis book - school project / Mr. Boon
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile by Bernard Waber is a really good book. It's about a crocodile that lives on East 88th street with Mr. and Mrs. Primm and ther son Joshua. He helps them out with many things and is very loved. There is a man named Mr. Grumps that lives two houses down. He has a pet cat named Loretta and Lyle always tries to get her to like him because she seems so scared at the sight of him. Mr. Grumps thinks that Lyle's causing problems so he gets papers authorizing Lyle to be sent to the city zoo. While Lyle is in the zoo he is rescued by Signor Valenti. He takes him to visit his house on East 88th street. While there, he notices that Mr. Grumps' house is on fire. He rescues him and Loretta and then everyone is happy again because everything is put back together.
I think this is a book for children that are already quite a bit into the reading process. There are some pretty big words. Other than that, I think this book is very well put together and that alot of you out there will enjoy it very much. I highly recamend that you read this book with your children. "With", meaning that they defiently need a chance to have fun with it also. This book is highly recamended by me.

good for children
this series is good for young people. give it a try!

Absolutely Adorable........
..............kids are guaranteed to love Lyle and his adventures! They will also learn from this story how to overcome misfortune, difficult situations and about the perils of pre-judging others as they watch Lyle become a hero. Set in Manhattan, NY, Lyle is loved by his human family, but greatly feared by a neighbor and his timid cat. This ultimately lands him in trouble (and in the city zoo) despite his best efforts to make friends with the little cat. In the end though, Lyle proves his good nature by performing a heroic deed that wins over absolutely everyone, including the little cat. Kids will respond to Lyle's persistence, his goodness and his incredible bravery.

This book is written on approximately a second grade reading level. Young readers will enjoy the language in this book, its climb to a climax and its victorious ending. Additionally, the illustrations are lovely in their simplicity. Kids will get a kick out of Lyle! ... Read more