Book Description

This title is appearing for the first time in the popular new lift-the- flap board book format. Complete with color covers and a new, lowerprice, this is the perfect format for these classic books. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli's first picture book stars a flop-eared young pup who loves to spend time with his father when he gets home from work. Little wonder! Dad has plenty of energy at day's end for playing the harmonica, wrestling, planting tomatoes, making gingerbread men, and even for household chores: "When the house breaks,/ we have to fix it./ My job is to carry/ the toolbox/ and hand Daddy the hammer./ He says I'm his best helper." On the rare occasion, his dad is too pooped to play: "But never, ever is my daddy too tired/ to sing me a lullaby/ when it's time/ for bed." Seymour Chwast's thickly textured, color-saturated paintings of the goofy dog pair render the affectionate father-son bond tangible. Young children will surely be comforted by this warm, simple tribute to Dadkind. (Preschool) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Book Description

Illus. in full color. Beginning readers can learn 100 different words in this story about a remarkable dog. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A lot of fun
A delight for any young child, this wonderful book is filled with bright and cheerful illustrations , as well as fun rhyming.
It is full of life and action in only 29 pages.
It teaches small children, the meaning of words, as they are taught to the dog.

Finally it teaches the meaning of procrastination, as the owner of the dog, with all his big dreams for his pet, on the last page says:
'I think I'll start next year'

A funny and clever book
This is a hilarious book to read. Have you ever seen someone try to teach their dog to "kiss the goose" and "mop the moose"! It has such a great flow of words and kids will love it and parents will too! You will find your self reading this over and over. The illistrations are so cute and show the actions of the dog as you read. How would you teach a dog one-hundred words? Well read this book and find out!

I love this book.
Beginning with "The first six words I'll teach my pup are 'dig a hole' and 'fill it up.'" this book is absolutely hilarious. I had never heard of it before my son came along, but it is one of his favorites and mine. It is whimiscal, clever, and just plain fun: "have a care, don't paint the mayor." The cadence and flow of the words are masterful.

This nugget will surprise you. I hope you enjoy it.

Simply the best!
This was my favorite book as a child, and still ranks pretty high on my list as an undergrad majoring in English. The narrative is constructed in rhyme, creating a easy-to-follow rhythm that helps kids follow along. I learned to read by memorizing this book as my dad read it to me and recognizing the same words in other books. The story is silly and engaging -- and highly memorable, as both my 44-year old father and I can still recite entire passages verbatim. The illustrations are bright and mirror the narrative beautifully. Basically, I can't say enough good things about this book -- along with "Are You My Mother?" and the works of Dr. Seuss, this book sparked a love of reading that has carried into my career plans. Children will love it and adults will not tire of reading it to them. ... Read more

Book Description

On a moonlit winter night, a team of dogs pulls a sled, taking the narrator and readers on a wondrous ride through the snow, into and out of the woods. It is a ride you'll wish would never end.

Through this exquisite prose poem, Gary Paulsen shares the joy, the beauty, and the grandeur of the outdoors. With his joyous text and Ruth Wright Paulsen's exuberant and expressive illustrations, Dogteam is a celebration of nature, a dance that invites everyone to join in. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Stunning
Beautiful illustrations and vivid, descriptive sentences! I purchased this book to teach my first graders about descriptive writing. They were in awe of the book! Living in the south, most of them have never even seen snow or even heard of dog sledding. After having been dog sledding myself I knew I had to find a way to share the experience and this book was it! It is truly one of my favorites!

Taking your dogsled on a moonlit night run
Author Gary Paulsen ran the Iditarod dogsled race across Alaska twice, so when he says "Nothing in running dogs is quite so beautiful as a night run," he knows of what he speaks. We have a dog sled race up in this neck of the woods each year, and I have watched sleds racing along a wooded path by moonlight. That experience is captured in "Dogteam," as Paulsen tells of the experience in a prose poem that tries to communicate to the rest of us what it is like to run your dogs through the snow to get home on a cold night with a full moon. The illustrations, by Ruth Wright Paulsen, are done in ink and watercolor. She manages a seventy-dog kennel and helps train Iditarod dogs with her husband, Gary, so you have to look at these drawings and wonder which of their charges have ended up in this book. This is a book that those who love Huskies and the sight of them mushing through the snow, will enjoy.

An excellent picture book
DOGTEAM is a beautifully illustrated, as well as beautifully, simply, dramatically written book. It is not exactly a children's picture book, but more for lovers of dogs of all ages. Gary Paulsen is the author and retired dogsledder, who is most remembered for his young adult books such as HATCHET and DOGSONG. Ruth Wright Paulsen is his wife and the spectacular watercolor illustrator of the book. The picture book seems to be based on Paulsen's midnight adventures with his beloved dogteam, and readers will feel as if they are running alongside the dogteam, the sled whispering behind them. A great book. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

A Great Story with Outstanding Values
Young Alan Marley struggles to survive on his own in harsh northern conditions, and learns lessons about interdependence, loyalty, friendship, and courage from a stray dog who is in a fix just as bad as the boy is. In addition to being a compelling story, the book has interwoven subtext about learning to get along with others, making choices that are most important first, not panicking in truly desparate circumstances, and having the courage to stand for what is right, no matter the cost. There is a love of nature and respect for wildlife that runs throughout as well.

Kjelgaard's gift for bringing the reader into nature artlessly hides the subtext, and makes for a wonderful read for any person over the age of eight. While I have read all of Mr. Kjelgaard's books, Stormy is by far my favorite. Although I first read it more than thirty years ago, I still pull it out every couple of years to enjoy once more, or to read to my own children.

Stormy
Stormy was a good book. I liked it because I like books with dogs in them, also murders. When stormy went across the ice I knew that was going to be a good part. Also when Bob Torrance died that was a good part. I knew these parts were going to be good because of the author's style of writing. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes dogs, hunting and murders.

Kim Kjelgaard does it again!
Okay, so it's not a classic like Big Red, but who says classics have to be better? This book shows Jim Kjelgaard's talent as a writer and how you can take popular subjects into a book unique and different from every book about dogs out there. As a young child, I was a bookworm, but as I'm getting older, reading books isn't such a joy anymore. I knew I had to have this book though. It striked me as a book everyone needs to read, which it is. I read it in about a week because I couldn't put it down! It's a flawless triumph that gets right down to the bottom of your heart where the emotions rise until youre crying of joy. Once again, Jim Kjelgaard creates a fabulous book everyone is sure to love!

Stormy
I thought this book was ok. This book is about a boy named Allan. He lives alone because his dad is in jail. When Allan is out he finds a over sized dog. He calls the dog stormy. The dog he finds is a Black Lab. He has a gun shot wone for on his side. Allan brings the dog to his house and takes the bullet wone out of the Stormy. Stormy and Allan start coming around and helping each other out. Allan helps stormy out by when Stormy was trying to get a dead duck on ice. Stormy falls in the ice called water and Allan goes on his boat and saves Stormy. Stormy also helps out Allan when he was hunting. He helped him get food. When Allan finds out that stormy is a out law dog, he hides Stormy so no one will take him away from him. When Allan was going to his house he fnds Bob Tournse dead. Then Allan goes to his dad and asked what to do. He said to go to the other side of the river and stay their for a few nights. Then they find Allan and they wanted to warn him about the big storm that was coming up. They said they found the person who killed Bob Tourance. Allan showed them Stormy and Allan said that Stormy was a very good dog. hen the went back to town. I thought this book was ok. This book I read did not have lots of exciting parts in it.

Stormy
Stormy is a book about a boy who finds a stray dog and keeps him. This dog was known for having rabbis and hurting people but since Allan found him he suddenly became nice. The book didn't seem so realistic. The author Jim Kjelgaard had a good idea but he could have made a boy and a stray dog go through different but better adventures. The author brought a dog into this book and the title of this book is named after the dog. The dog didn't do anything or make a difference in this book. That is my opinion of Stormy. ... Read more

Book Description

Kids and puppies make natural friends. This heavily illustrated guide is written especially for kids, with information on dogs and how they develop and grow. Just as important are easy-to-understand instructions for boys and girls on puppy training and care—always with an emphasis on fun. Kids learn what to feed puppies and how much to give them, and how to play games that are safe and enjoyable. They also learn basics of puppy handling and grooming, giving commands and teaching obedience, tricks they can teach young canines, and much more. There are instructive and charming full-color photographs throughout the book. Suitable for ages 9-12, or 4-8 with parents' guidance. ... Read more

Book Description

A beloved classic gets a beautiful new look.Lassie is Joe’s prize collie and constant companion. But when Joe’s father loses his job, Lassie must be sold. Three times she escapes from her new owner, and three times she returns home to Joe, until finally she is taken to the remotest part of Scotland—too far a journey for any dog to make alone.But Lassie is not just any dog. First published in 1940, Lassie Come-Home has become one of the best-loved dog stories in the world. This beautiful edition showcases the original text and illustrations within a striking new jacket. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Daniel from Richview Middle School
If you like dogs then Lassie Come Home is the book for you. It is the story of a dog and its family who sell Lassie to the very rich duke of Rudling. No matter how many times Lassie tries to escape the Duke always catches her and puts her in very small pen. Finaly the Duke gets mad and moves to a very far away estate and Lassie is forced to travel thousands of miles to get home. This is a very good book especially for dog lovers. This book is a classic, I give this book a five star rating and hope that others like it to.

A good read
An excellent book for both dog and collie lovers. Suitable for any age. A heroic female dog.

A classic returned to print
If, like me, you read this book in childhood and have lamented the recent unavailability of any but abridged editions, rejoice--this is the Dell Yearling paperback many of you may remember, complete and uncut. Adults and children alike will love it (Knight originally published it in a short-story version in "The Saturday Evening Post," which, though a family journal, was aimed at a grown-up audience); even cat people (like me) can take great delight in it.

Everyone knows the story: the beautiful collie Lassie, beloved by the Yorkshire schoolboy Joe Carraclough, is sold by Joe's father to the local Duke because the coal mine in which he has labored has shut down and he needs the money to feed his family. But Lassie is linked to Joe by a love-bond that recognizes no barriers. Three times she escapes and returns to him. Then, taken to the Duke's property far in the northern regions of Scotland, she flees again, and sets out on an epic trek homeward. Some of the people she meets hinder or seek to harm her; others give her care and help so she can get on the way again; one, the unforgettable peddler Rowlie Palmer, she travels with as almost a partner, and repays by saving his life. And in the end her faithfulness brings good fortune upon the Carraclough home, and all is well.

Lyrically written and rich with the flavor of the English and scottish countryside, this book should be read aloud to every child in the land. (Then rent the video with young Roddy McDowell--the adaptation is excellent.)

Worthy classic
Still interesting, emotion-provoking and relevant for the 21st century's jaded youth. Recommended.

A Great Read!
I loved this book! Well Written. I highly recommed this book. Five stars all the way!!! ... Read more

Book Description

Motley mutts ride bikes, trikes, skates, skis–you name it–to attend a party in a tree. ... Read more

Book Description

Gary Paulsen brings his love and knowledge of the sport of Iditarod racing to readers in this memoir about the life of a litter of pups who are born to pull sleds across the snowy frontier–and the marvel he experiences as he watches them grow and learn.
... Read more

Reviews (2)

Must read follow-up to Winterdance
This is a must read follow-up to Gary's book "Winterdance". You'll read more about his dog Cookie as well as a variety of other sled dog related adventures and observations. If you've ever bonded with a dog (dog musher or not) you will enjoy this little gem of a read. It is a book easily read in one sitting.

Puppies, Dogs, and Blue Northerns
I think the book Puppies, Dogs, and Northerns is a great book because I love dogs and to go be outside. The place where it was in the snow at his house and on sled trails. Gary Paulsen was the author and he used destriptive writing so I could visualize. If you like dogs and sleding you would like the book. I give this book five stars because it is so great. ... Read more

Book Description

Playtime

Biscuit wants to play with two kittens. However,, the kittens are too busy with their own games to even notice him. But when the kittens need help, it's Biscuit to the rescue! Woof! Woof!

Reviews (1)

Biscuit and the Kittens
Biscuit meets a pair of kittens and decides he wants to play with them. But try as he might, the kittens pay no attention to him as they play and explore on their own.

But this changes when the kittens follow a butterfly up a tree and can not get down. Biscuit barks and gets the attention of The Girl In The Purple Sneakers and The Girl With Puddles and the little cats are rescued. We then see them playing with their helpful new friend Biscuit.

Another fine story. This one shows that while you may not always get your own way, things usually work out in the end. Filled with more adorable illustrations. ... Read more

Book Description

After losing Dandy, her family's beloved horse, Kristine decides that she will never get close to another pet again. It's just too heartbreaking. So when her father surprises her with a new puppy for her birthday, Kristine is furious! With a new sister on the way, who need a wriggling, messy, noisy yellow ball of fur to look after? But how can an animal-loving girl resist the sweet brown eyes of a puppy that just wants to be loved?

... Read more

Book Description

Henry and his 180-pound dog Mudge are best friends forever. And in this ninth book of their adventures, they spend a scary night together at Henry's grandmother's house in the country. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

This great book is very supportive of new readers.
Massive Mudge is much more than a mere mutt. He is a tail-wagger, toenail-chewer, moth-eater, and breaker of grandmother's things. Most importantly however, he is Henry's best friend. Beginning readers will feel right at home amongst the words and illustrations of Rylant's tender story about a boy and his bog on a visit to grandmother's house. Unobtrusively, Stevenson's iluustrations harmonize with Rylant's words. Where Rylant describes grandmother's "strange house with a dark yard," Stevenson contributes a double-page illustration depicting the darkness of the yard where a racoon, owl, and assorted bats live. The images buttress the comprehension and readability of challenging words without suffocating them in a sea of lines and color. For example, as Henry voices his anxieties about a bear, bobcat, moth, and mouse, simplistic cartoon-like pictures of each animal are nearby, offering visual clues. Chapters punctuate the book's action-filled but will not intimidate young readers, for the five-word lines within do not exceed 10per page. Lengthy words like "fingernails" appear repeatedly and readers can dissect protracted sentences into more manageable chunks with assistance from commas and brief lines: "Henry bit his fingernails, (new line) Mudge bit his toenails, (new line)and the car drove on." Inexperienced readers, reassured by the resolution of Henry's realistic woes of sleeping in a strange new setting, will see this young dog-lover and comic-book-reader as a contemporary and as a source of comfort. With confidence in their reading, children will become lost in this Henry and Mudge adventure.

Wonderfully fresh new stories about 'a boy and his dog.'
The characters of Henry, a little boy, and his big dog Mudge, a St. Bernard almost as big as Henry, appeal to my four-year-old. The easy-to-read, fun to listen to style that Cynthia Rylant brings to these stories is so welcoming that they invite you in like a warm and cozy home on a cold winter's night. These three short stories are just a few of the everyday adventures in the life of Henry and Mudge, told with catchy phrases and lots of character expressions to expose the loving friendship that they embrace. With bedtime a challenge for a pre-schooler (who has a wild immagination), we find this particular book a comforting and reassuring way to end a long day. We highly recommend this entire series, but expecially this selection. Our next favorite is "Puddle Trouble," but do read them all! ... Read more

Book Description

A villainous new presence is a-prowl in Mossflower Woods: the Marlfoxes. And when they ruthlessly steal the most precious treasure of all, the tapestry of Martin the Warrior, it takes the children of warrior squirrels to follow in their fathers' heroic footsteps to recover it...

"A richly imagined world in which bloody battles vie for attention with copious feasting and tender romancing. Where males and females are heroes and warriors. Where the young triumph and the old endure. Where intelligence is as valued as strength and wit is frequently more important than size."-- The Cincinnati Enquirer

"A grand adventure story...breathtaking."-- Chicago Sun-Times ... Read more

Reviews (147)

I recommend Marlfox to anyone who likes food and adventure.
Marlfox

When I first started reading Redwall (the first book in the Redwall series) it just didn't grab me. A year or two later I tried it again. I loved it. I read the other nine books in a year's time. Now I've read Marlfox, the eleventh book.

Written by Brian Jacques and illustrated by Fangorn this captivating story is full of excitement, suspense, emotion and drama. Sometimes you will laugh and sometimes you will cry. Also, sometimes you will be mad at the Marlfoxes.

The Marlfoxes are greedy, ruthless, and down right mean.They terrorize Mossflower and even kill each other! The mother Marlfox killed her husband so she could be queen, a daughter poisons the mother so she can be queen, and then a brother pushes her into a lake full of hungry pike so he can be king!

Because Queen Silth, the mother Marlfox, demands to be surrounded by beauty and calm, she sends her children to steal beautiful things. In their plundering, they take the Redwall Tapestry. The irony is that there is a beheaded fox on the tapestry.

When the Marlfoxes steal the Redwall Tapestry, the heroes Songbreeze and Dannflor, squirrels, and Dippler, a shrew, leave the Abbey to get it back. As they search, they meet Burble the water vole and make other friends and enemies.

I warn you. Do not read Brian Jacques on an empty stomach. As always, this book will send you to the kitchen drooling! In Marlfox, he describes cheeses, bread, flans, cakes, puddings, trifles, tarts, scones, crumbles, hot root soup, and deeper'n ever turip'n'tater'n'beetroot pie (made by the moles).

I recommend Marlfox to anyone who likes animals, food, and adventure.

Blades Bones and Baked Flan
Brian Jaques does an excellent job of capturing humor, mystery, fantasy, and combat in the story of Marlfox. In this story a guosim shrew named Dippler (my favorite),a warrior squirrel named Danflor, and a a beautiful squirrel maid named Songbreeze embark upon a journey to recapture the tapestry of Martin the Warrior from "magical" foxes call Marlfoxes on a forgotten lake. While these 3 friends are doing this, the warriors of Redwall Abbey are defending their fort from a group of Marlfoxes, hundreds of ferrets, and water rats. While defending the fort they eat many scrumptious foods that make you want to cook and eat them also, just to celebrate the Redwaller's victories. I'd rate this book a 100 but the minimum is 5. I highly reccomend you read this book. You can probably personally relate to one of the characters, as I can Dippler.

Michael ...
The summerization of this bok can be explained in different ways. At the beginning it tells about different groups of characters encountering different bad guys, which are all marlfoxes. Six marlfoxes, two each go out and meet three groups of animals. All of the good guys go to Redwall to warn the villagers that marlfoxes are among the Mossflower Woods. They all meet up at Redwall and team up against the marlfoxes that try to steal the tapestry of Redwall. One by one good guys and bad guys are killed and murdered at Redwall. The marlfoxes steal the tapestry, and the smartest, slyest marlfox, Mokkan, steals it from the other marlfoxes. After that four young warriors from Redwall go out to retrieve it. Meeting many friends along the way, the four young warriors travel to the Island of Marl. This is where the marlfox Queen Silth lives, later on to be Queen Lantur because of Silth's death.
With help the four young warriors get to the island and free some of the slaves. The slaves help to fight the guards on the island. Three of the four warriors go to the king's room to take back the tapestry. The escaping marlfox, Mokkan, is later strangled and drowned by one of the slaves. In the end the four young warriors become leaders of their groups or tribes.

Marlfox
Marlfox is a rather good story, but it isn't one of Brian Jacques' best. Redwall has no leaders except Cregga Rose Eyes, who refuses to be an Abbess, and the cellarkeeper from The Long Patrol is still alive, Gurrbowl. How that is possible I do not know unless moles live forever. Also the adventuring part is quite boring and the White Ghost part is a bit ridiculous.

best book out of the previous 10
This is a very good book. I got hooked on it right from the very first page and couldn't wait to find out what would happen. This eleventh installment of the Redwall series is one for the ages. You should hurry and read this book. I think you'd enjoy it. ... Read more

Book Description

Look for additional Blue's Clues books -- board books, sticker books, and more! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Daughter likes this one alot!
This book is for all you diehard Blues Clues fans! My 3 year old still likes Blues Clues..even tho Bob the Builder is around and Rollie Pollie Ollie! Heck, I like them too! So..go ahead..buy this book!

Weather Games
This book is excellent! I have a 20 month old who loves Blue's Clues and we have recently discovered this book series. As any fan of this show would expect, this book offers plenty of opportunities to interact with your child as they discover the effects of different types of weather in Blue's backyard. My child's language development has been enhanced by naming and pointing to the items in the brilliantly colored pictures. This book immediately captured my child's attention and even though we read it every day she still gets excited when I pull it out for her! As a Child Development Specialist by day and a Mommy by night, I can't say enough good things about this board book and the others offered in this series! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Clifford the big red dog is everyone's best friend. Now, whenit's time to go to school, Clifford will be right there beside you, learningabout colors, numbers, shapes, and the letters of the alphabet. Clifford'sSchoolhouse is a big house-shaped board book with more than 60 flaps tolift. Peek behind the multicolored windows of the school to discover purpleplums, green leaves, and orange pumpkins. Venture inside to find numberedcubbies with one lunchbox, two boots, three hats, and so on up to tenbones--Clifford's nose is parked right outside that cubby. Then it's time to learn theABCs, explore shapes, and read some stories (lift the flap of a tiny book called"Rabbits" by Harold Hopper to see a picture of an ensconced bunny and the text:"A rabbit lives in a burrow").

Norman Bridwell's Clifford series (Clifford the Big Red Dog, etc.)is always a favorite with the preschool and early elementary set. Goofy yetprotective--and as big as a house--Clifford is the perfect pet (although he'sprobably pretty expensive to feed). Young readers will love playing school withClifford and his friend Emily Elizabeth in this simple book that covers all thebasics. (Ages 2 to 5) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Great Fun for Preschoolers
This book is wonderful for preschoolers. It teaches the abc's, counting, shapes and nursery rhymes. Our daughter loved hers so much she wore it out so I purchased another copy for her. We have several other Clifford books in our library but this is her favorite by far. Hooray for Clifford!

Flapping Great Fun at School with Clifford, the Big Red Dog!
This book has many charms. It makes the idea of going to school exciting and fun for children. It also builds on the universal love of peek-a-boo as a learning tool. Many important school preparation skills are developed with this book including reading readiness, counting, colors, and shapes. The illustrations are beautiful, vivid, and appealing to youngsters. As a book that can provide lots of learning, it is a remarkable value. The book's only major drawback is that many of the flaps are hard to open. You will need to spend quite a bit of time with a metal fingernail file carefully getting them started before your child will be able to use many of the flaps.

This is a board book and should hold up to considerable use. Just in case it doesn't, you might want to buy two so you will have a back-up should you need one in the event the book ever goes out of print. This book will be a perpetual favorite, and having it disintegrate or lose its flaps could be upsetting to your child (like losing a favorite blanket or stuffed toy).

In the first section, your child is invited to school by Clifford. He invites your child to learn colors by lifting the flaps and saying what color is seen. The tops of the flaps also have the same color on them. Beneath the flaps are colored images and the words that describe the images are printed on the underside of the flaps. So this helps with learning words, as well. The colors are red, grey, yellow, orange, blue, green, purple, brown, and black.

In the second section, Clifford says, "Let's see what's in our cubbies! Count the objects under each flap!" Like the first section, there are colored images under the flaps with the words printed on the back of the flap. The numbers go from 1 through 10.

In the third section, Clifford says, "Lift a letter to find a surprise that begins with that letter." The alphabet is totally represented in the same format as the first two sections.

In the fourth section, Clifford encourages you to "Lift the flaps to find the different shapes." The same format is used.

The final section is for reading. "It's time to read! Lift the flaps to see what each story is about." Book covers are shown, and the underside of each one has a sentence or phrase. These can be easily memorized with repetition, and then you can point to words and ask your child to "read" them to you. This will help with word identification, and create self-confidence in your young reader.

After you have finished "flapping" around with your child, I suggest that you create these same experiences in flash card form. Your child will have more fun with these if she or he makes the words, letter, shapes, and images. You can extend beyond what is in this book to make your child feel like he or she is really making progress. You can praise your child for being able to exceed what's in the book.

Make learning as much fun as possible, and it will be irresistible . . . for both you and your child!

Kids love it
All kids are sure to love this book ... Read more

Book Description

"Oliver Toliver has one of everything in his home: one table, one chair, one plum, one pear.To him, it's perfect.But one day he realizes that there's no way for anyone else to enjoy it with him.How can Oliver make room for two in his one-of-each house? Illustrated with wit and whimsy by Caldecott Honor winner Marjorie Priceman, Mary Ann Hoberman's lively tale offers a gentle message about the importance of sharing that every child can appreciate." ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Absolutely one of my favorite books for children.
There's not a single syllable too many in the entire book, and if you've tried to write poetry yourself, you know how difficult this is to achieve. I love books written in rhyme, and this charming book flows beautifully and easily, telling the story of a dog named Oliver Tolliver and his little "one-of-each" house and lifestyle. Oliver reminds me of my confirmed-bachelor/hermit husband when he and I first met: living quietly alone in his own neatly-ordered space and discovering the empty spots in his heart and house that could be pleasantly filled by the companionship of others. At first Oliver is quite surprised to hear Peggoty's opinion of his 'bachelor-pad':

"A guest in your one-of-each house does not fit. It's made for one person and you, sir, are it! It's perfect for one, sir, if he's on his own, And so, sir, I'll go, sir, and leave you alone."

but then he realizes Peggoty's assessment is true, so he quickly outfits his house to accommodate guests. Then Peggoty sees the improvements:

"And when she arrived, she cavorted with glee And she said with delight, 'Why, you did this for ME!'"

Oliver becomes friends with an entire group of animals who come over to socialize, and he is quite happy to have learned that sharing is the key to happiness:

"And he found as he nibbled the peach, pear, and plum That they all tasted better when each one had some And that even though each person's piece might be small, Eating with friends was the best thing of all."

This book is filled cover-to-cover with incredibly bright (what I call "color-block") illustrations. This is a favorite book of mine--and of my children. It's a book that I enjoy reading aloud every time they ask for it, even when they want to hear it three times in a row.

My only disappointment with this book is that in our second copy of it (which I purchased through a school book club) the illustrations are not nearly as bright. I wonder if this is standard for paperbooks printed for mass-distribution.

Treat your kids to a fun book with cute illustrations, and treat yourself to a book that you'll love to re-read for years!

Wonderful to read aloud!
This is a wonderful book with captivating pictures and excellent text. The rhymes are intelligent, making it a pleasure to read out loud. The words roll of the page. My children, 2 and 3 years old, love the pictures of Oliver Tolliver and his house. I will definitaly purchase other books by Mary Ann Hoberman. A Delight!

Really sweet story with wonderful illustrations
The illustrations are what really sold me on this book and the story is wonderful too. It is one of those rare kids books (much like Maria Kalmans) that combines beautiful art with a sweet story. It is quirky and dear.

One Of Each ~ MAry Ann Hoberman
This is a great book for children. It teaches sharing and how to make friends. I like this book becuase Oliver learns about how to treat others. He doesn't know what life is like, becuase he has always lived by himself and never talks to any of the people in his town. He has one of everything in his house. He doesn't know that his house was only made for one person until he makes a friend and invites her to his home. Peggoty Small tells Oliver that his home was made for one person and she couldn't live with him.
My favorite character was Peggoty Small. I like her becuase she told Oliver Toliver what she tought. She wasn't afriad to tell him about her feelings, she just told him flat out what she thought. Even though she hurt Oliver's feelings, she old him anyways because she thought he should know the truth. This book teaches kids how to make friends, and how to share what you have with others.

a new favorite
I really love this sweet and charming story-- with 3 children that love books, I have become both a fan and avid collector of children's literature. My 5 year old son is particularly drawn to a rhyming story, and loves to listen to this one. We have read it so often in the last few weeks that he can recite many of the lines along with me. There is a particularly catchy cadence to the verse, and the story itself, promoting sharing and companionship, is priceless. I highly recommend this book to anyone with small children, and it would make a great Christmas gift for any child in your life. ... Read more

Book Description

Poppy imagines what she might want to be when she grows up, and her dog, Max, follows along in this playful.From ballet dancer to scuba diver, Poppy's fanciful visions are filled with lively details and vivid colors.Jump in and join the fun! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

When Poppy and Max grow up
I really like the book Poppy and Max.It's about a girl and her dog.She talks about all the different things she could be when she grows up.An she always takes her dog to whatever thing she dreams of being.Poppy dreams of being a rock star, a soccer player, a sea diver,and a artist.Plus many more.It shows you can be anything your want to be.If you keep on dreaming.This book is full of colorful pages and neat pictures.It's probaly best for kids between the ages of 5 years old to 7 years old.

Delightfully engaging!
I absolutely enjoyed reading this to the primary grade reading group at my daughter's school! The vivid colors kept these youngsters attention. It was just as well received as the first "Poppy and Max" book in this series. Keep 'em coming Ms. Gardiner! ... Read more

Book Description

Walter is a fine dog, except for one small problem: he has gas. He can't help it; it's just the way he is. The kids love him regardless, but Father says he must go. Destined for the dog pound, how can he escape? The answer is sure to amuse young readers. Based on the real-life adventures of a Canadian canine, and noted for its simple language and universality, Walter is reborn here in a Latin version, ready again to become an overnight sensation. ... Read more