Book Description

Freckles is the true story of a dog abandoned in the southern Arizona desert. Frightened and alone, she gives birth to six puppies and she somehow manages to protect them all from the heat and from coyotes, hawks, and other dangers. The dog and her pups are eventually rescued by a deputy sheriff and kept in a jail cell where they are cared for by the inmates.

When they’re old enough, the puppies are adopted, but no one wants the rather beat-up mom. Then a woman visits the jail and falls in love with the little white dog with brown spots and takes her home.

Day by day, the dog they’ve named Freckles provides the woman and her husband with clues about her mysterious past. Amazed by what they learn and by the intuitive way in which Freckles takes care of their granddaughter and their other dogs, they enroll her in a program that leads to her becoming a pet therapy dog. Once homeless and abused, Freckles now provides unconditional love to children, many of whom come from backgrounds similar to her own.

Freckles–The Mystery of the Little White Dog in the Desert is a gentle, inspiring story that promotes not only a deeper appreciation for all animals, but also for each other. Written for children, Freckles is certain to be loved by everyone. It includes a glossary of desert terms used in the book, story discussion topics to aid teachers and parents, and additional information about adopting pets and about animal-assisted therapy. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Especially for young animal lovers
Paul M. Howey's Freckles: The Mystery Of The Little White Dog In The Desert is a heartwarming true story about the love and comradeship offered by a dog and her puppies. The black-and-white illustrations of Judy Mehn Zabriskie adds an especially endearing touch of charm to the text story, which is sophisticated enough to appeal to young readers who are almost ready to move on from picturebooks to more complicated reading material. Freckles is highly recommended - especially for young animal lovers.

My Friend Freckles
I was able to meet Freckles before the book came out. At that time she was somewhat withdrawn. As time went by and with love and care by Paul and his wife Trish, she has become a warm and loving creature. Now, with the popularity of her (or Paul's) book, she is a shining star. She brings this life to the children she visits.
I am biased, but this is truly a magical story of being found, being loved and giving all the love back. It's a story for all children of any age.

Heartwarming and Uplifting
What a beautiful story about man's love and appreciation for one of our true friends. A touching story to read children of all ages. Proof that dogs like humans care deeply for their young and will nuture and protect them. When given the chance these beautiful creatures will give back in many rewarding ways. Kudos to Mr. Howey for his ability to put this on paper with such style and grace. The illustrations by MS. Judy Zabriskie could not have completed this book any better. If you did not fall in love with the words, you would with the illustrations.

Fantastic
Freckles: The Mystery of the Little White Dog in the Desert is an absolute must for anyone who loves pets. Heartwarming and touching, Freckles will make you realize that miracles do happen and that pets are truly one of the greatest blessings ever. The illustrations are absolutely spectacular. I highly recommend Freckles. This is a warm, wonderful, inspiring and touching book.

WONDERFUL!!!!!
FRECKLES IS HEARTWARMING AND INSIGHTFUL!

Justin, my six-year-old nephew, read Freckles to me today. He then crawled up in my lap and asked me to read it to him.

He interrupted me long before ever getting to the last page.

He asked me how many hugs he would need to give me for me to give him my favorite book.

We're just beginning to understand infinity.

It's truly a wonderful story!
Thanks!

With much love,
Auntie Ann and Justin ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Makes children's hospital visits easier
If you have a child who is apprehensive about going to the hospital, this is a good book. It teaches children about how a hospital functions and why we need it.

Children's tale
My little neighbor used to hate going to the doctor's but when I went to babysit her, and read her this book, she exclaimed that she wanted to go there more. I truly am touched by the fact that she wanted to go then. I reccomend this book to little kids because they are normally the most afraid of going to the mean old doctor's office. "Enchanting"

A fun loving childrens book.
My brother used to hate visting the docter, and now after he has read the book he can't wait to go and see him again. This book helps little children like me go to the docter with no worries and know that it is for our own good. I recomemd this book to every little kid from a toddler to bigger kids. ... Read more

Amazon.com

First published in 1919, Albert Payson Terhune's Lad: A Dog is actually a collection of immensely popular magazine stories. The hero is an extraordinary collie named Lad, "a thoroughbred in spirit as well as in blood." In each tale, Lad exhibits his pure strength of character as he fights off burglars, rescues an invalid child from a poisonous snake, wins ribbons in dog shows, and otherwise leads a dog-hero's life. This is a period piece--a threatened puppy is described, for example, as "a blinking pygmy who gallantly essayed to growl defiance"--and that touch of fustian is all part of Terhune's enduring charm. Because the stories didn't originally appear together, there's considerable repetition: nearly every story with a fight scene has the same authorial mini-lecture on the difference in fighting technique between collies and bulldogs. But Lad is a character who has poked his muzzle into a million hearts, and new generations of dog lovers will also appreciate his loyalty and courage. As Terhune himself wrote, "few... bothered to praise the stories, themselves.But all of them praised Lad, which pleased me far better." (Ages 6 and older) --Richard Farr ... Read more

Reviews (19)

The best dog book -- Those who have read it understand.
The best dog book ever written. A simple but striking story of fidelity between a man and his dog. Originally a tribute to Lad and the many other dogs who shared Terhune's estate, it is now a tribute to the ethical reality of Lad's life.

You can still visit a portion of the Terhune estate in Wayne, New Jersey. The Place (house)is gone, but the grounds remain. You will see Lad's grave marker, along with the grave markers of many other dogs made famous in Terhune's books. You can visit the shore of the lake and stroll the grounds. You can feel Lad's eerie presence as he lives over and over again the stories from the pages of Terhune's books. Or perhaps he is still there. Look -- is that ...

Lad: The Only Dog
Albert Payson Terhune considered himself a hack writer. I believe he was wrong. Although he was popular and wealthy during his lifetime, not a typical "starving artist", he managed to make the places and characters in his stories absolutely come alive. It is not an easy thing to enable millions of people to know a place or a character fully and even more difficult to make them beloved. Terhune wrote of "The Place" and "Lad" so that his readers felt they had visited the Pompton Lakes, NJ home and met the hero-dog.

This book has been continuously in print since it arrived on bookshelves in 1918. By the time readers met Lad, he had been dead for more than a year. But he truly lives on in Terhune's writing. Although Terhune may have believed himself a hack, it takes an artist to breathe life into a story and make it real.

This book should not be missed by anyone, especially children, who will learn much from the virtues of Lad and will gain a very special friend for a lifetime.

Awesome!
Tense, touching, wonderfully told. Lad is a dog I want!! Read it, you'll love it! Me and my mom cried at some points it was so good! Please buy this good book! It not trash or a waste of money! Its a keeper!! Its worth more than it costs its so good!! Please, please buy it. You wont be disappointed. Too bad you cant rate it higher. If you could rate from 0-100, I'd rate it 100\100!! Again please buy it!!

My Lifetime Favorite
This was the first book I read by Albert Payson Terhune - after which I was on a quest for all the others I could find. I was ten, then. I am now forty-six and recently picked up Lad: A Dog once more and it wasn't like picking up other things from the past - I was drawn into it, completely. I wish I hadn't stayed away so long! It is good to come back to The Place. It doesn't feel like reading a "kid's book". This is for everyone, all ages, there's sweetness, there's action, too. And so many things to think about. There was only one Lad, but I think all our dogs have qualities we may be overlooking. Mr. Terhune had wonderful insights about dogs and only wanted us to appreciate them more. These are shining, exceptional books, and Lad : A Dog is definitely the one to start with if you haven't read these works yet.

Lad, a Thoroughbred in Body and Soul...
I loved this book very much, and even still read my favorite chapters if I have nothing to do. The book is not one whole long story, but a series of adventures as experienced by Lad, a collie from Sunnybank. As others have said, it can make you cry, laugh, and even flare up anger. Lad is truly a special dog, as you will see when you read it. He becomes lost, is accused to killing sheep, acts as a guardian and playmate to Baby, and is a thoroughbred in body and soul, as his grave marker says.

I highly encourage you to buy and read this book, I'm sure you will never forget it! ... Read more

Book Description

Henry Huggins's dog, Ribsy, is hopelessly lost in a huge shopping mall parking lot. It's raining hard, the pavement is slick, horns are honking, and drivers are shouting. When Ribsy thinks he has found the Hugginses' new station wagon at last, he jumps in the open tailgate window and falls asleep, exhausted. When he wakes up find himself in the wrong car, lots of little girls pet him and make plans to give him a bath. All Ribsy wants to do is go home to Henry. Instead, he's about to begin the liveliest adventure of his life.

Reviews (11)

not the best, but okay
This is not Cleary's best work, but the story of the five children is charming, and, of course, it has a happy ending.

The best thing about this book is that it is written, convincingly, from the point-of-view of a dog. It's not as good as Socks (which is about a cat--but then I'm a cat person!), but still good. Poor Ribsy--it's a dog's world.

It's Good
I really like this book because it is interesting and many people really like dogs. Ribsy is a cool dog

Great book!
This book is part of the Henry Huggins series by Beverly Cleary. I read all of those books, when I was a kid and wished I had friends like Henry, Beezus and all the other kids on Klictitat Street (instead of the hoodlums who populated my real world). I enjoyed every one of those books.

"Ribsy" tells the tale of how Henry met his dog.

This book is NO GOOD!
Like I said in the title, this book is NO GOOD! It has no point and I think I got dumber as I read it. Goodbye!

Acceptable, but not my favorite Beverly Cleary book
This book is OK, but I've always gotten impatient with the story. Ribsy jumps in the wrong car at a shopping center, and 4 girls give him a bubble bath against his will. Then he runs away from them and has more adventures with other people who find him. The things that happen to Ribsy in this book are soooo ridiculous, I think in real life he would have been reunited with Henry sooner! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Not so much a book as it is three-dimensional art, Art Spiegelman's Open Me ... I'm a Dog! is a fun romp through the usual expectations of children's stories, in this case a dog who is transformed into a book by a wizard. As the "book" tries to make its way back into being a dog, it gets turned into a variety of other things. Every page is filled with that sense of innocent wonder that appeals to children and adults alike. And after you finish the story (or before you even get to it), you can't help but be amazed by the completeness of the book/dog, from the furry end papers to the attached leash. Just don't let your cat see it. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

FUN FOR THE READER AS WELL AS THE AUDIENCE
I had so much fun reading this book to my grandchildren that I have bought copies for all of them and to give as gifts to other children. They love having it read to them and I love seeing the thinking going on as they try to decide if this book really is a dog or if I am just playing with their minds again. I highly recommend this fun and charming book.

Adorable and witty....Almost impossible to put down!
Really a one of a kind, 'come to life book'. The author really outdid himself this time in "Open Me, I'm a Dog". When I opened it for the first time at a book store, I couldn't believe what I read--a dog had somehow been transformed into the book that I held in my hands! Although this was no ordinary dog, he still felt just the same and could do (almost) the same things a normal dog could do (No other dog I know listens to me when I say "Sit...Stay" as much as this one did!). Like all dogs, this dog doesn't like to be alone, so I brought it home with me to show two of the kids that I babysit for. I told them "Guess what...I brought a dog home today". Anxiously, they looked around and the oldest one, who's 7, said "No, where is it?" and I pointed to the bag that held the book. We ended up reading that book over and over and over again, and they treat it like it's almost a real dog! (Or is it?) I highly recommend this book. It's like having a real dog around...only cheaper to care for.

freakin' hilarious and very creative
This book is truly unique. I agree with one reviewer who cited that there were too many witches, wizards and magic for her taste - however, those that were casting magic were pretty spiteful people. This is not glorifying magic or witchcraft. C.S. Lewis used a witch in his Narnia Chronicles as the embodiment of evil and personification of the Devil - he also used mythologicical creatures like "fauns" in his story, but I have never heard anyone being critical of Lewis's work being "too full of magic."

This is a story that parents will want to read along with their children, and to explain the concepts therein.

The dog is a happy-go-lucky dog until he chases a car (driven by a poodle!) and gets lost in the woods and is taken in by a witch. His teeth itch, so he chews on her favorite broom and the evil witch (who smells like oatmeal) turns him into a German Shepherd (a real shepherd - in Germany). I am telling you, this story is creative and hilarious.

The story is short on length, but long on clever. Akin to a bookmarking ribbon, a cloth leash hangs from the spine of the book (because it's not really a book - it's a dog!) and the inside flaps are velvety so you can pet the book (er - dog).

A great asset for an aspiring illustrator or children's book writer to have on their bookshelf as well - I truly have never seen a book like this before. Extreme "out of the box" thinking went into this delightful book (dog).

FUN FUN READING
THIS BOOK IS SO CUTE! MY NEICE LOVES IT! IT IS SUCH A CLEVERLY WRITTEN STORY ABOUT A DOG THAT GOES THROUGH SO MUCH.IT IS VERY FUNNY AND A CLASSIC THAT WE WILL ALWAYS HAVE IN ARE FAMILY LIBRARY! YOU'LL LOVE IT!

A unique and fun book
I book this book several months ago for my then seven year old daughter. She is eight now and still loves it. She often takes it to school with her. After all, it is like taking her pet dog to school! Highly recommended. ... Read more

Book Description

No dogs allowed

School looks like so much fun! Biscuit wants to go to class and meet the teacher -- but dogs don't go to school. What will the teacher do when Biscuit sneaks in anyway?

Reviews (2)

Here's Biscuit off on another adventure
Biscuit is a little puppy who wants to go to school like his owner. He follows the little girl to school one day. Once at school Biscuit wants to join in with the other boys and girls. He wants to play ball, hear a story, wants a snack and meet the teacher. The little girl is worried that the teacher will be angry that Biscuit came to school. It turns out the teacher and the students enjoy Biscuit being with them.

This book is a great book for young dog lovers. There are very little words per page. Beginner readers will enjoy this book. The pictures are also very cute.

I would recommed this book for young children because it will keep their attention well. This is one is a series of other Biscuit books. If they enjoy this one they will look for others by the same author.

The cutest dog in books goes to school
My daughter loves Biscuit and I love the illustrations. This is one of the original-style books like Biscuit, Bath-Time for Biscuit, Biscuit Finds A Friend, etc. and not one of the larger format books (Happy Chanukah Biscuit, Happy Thanksgiving Biscuit, Biscuit on the Farm, etc.).

In this book, the adorable puppy tries to follow The-Girl-With-the-Purple-Sneakers to school.

Pretty basic reading and excellent illustrations. Good for young kids who can't read as well as a good book for kids just beginning to read on their own. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A book to grow up by
I first read this book to my son when he was about 5. He loved the illustrations and laughed like crazy at the pictures of the dogs with their tongues lolling out of their mouths. We continued to read this book for many years. Now my son is 22 and he really does belong to himself. I asked him recently if he had patterned his life on the ideas in Mister Dog. He didn't even have to think before he confirmed what I always knew. This book's emphasis on self reliance and love for another is just that powerful. A must!!!

Ive looked EVERYWHERE for this book~!
I cant belive I finally found this book~!
I didnt know this was called Mister Dog I just remebered "Crispin's Crispin" the dog who belonged ot himself...
~ my mother in law gave me a copy of a book she'd read to her son all his childhood his Fav book with collected stories IIustrated by Garth with this story in it and I then began to read it to my 3 year old son til it fell apart. This book was my sons Fav also too whom is now 17 and I have been looking everywhere for it for years.
I wanted to be able to read it to my daughter who is now almost 12 becasue we named our dog Crispin after Mister Dog~!
It was the only name he'd come to out of every name we thought of! I thought that was so Ironic considering how he looked just like Mister Dog!
wonder how many people remeber this story and named thier dogs after Mister dog!
so glad we can still get these things Garth is the all time best IIustrator for children becasue of the humanity tenderness and expressions he catchs in animals.
There is so much love and light in everything he draws. It would be tragic ot see ANY of his art buried and lost in time.
enjoy~!

Still loving Crispin's Crispian after 40 years
This book has been one of my favorites for years, so I was delighted that Golden re-released it this spring. (I've located abridged versions in anthologies, but here the story is intact.) This dog "who belongs to himself" and "dreams his own dreams" won my heart at an early age and stuck with me. Crispin's Crispian is both self-reliant and connected to others -- a terrific combination. Like his work in other books (including "Charlotte's Web," the Little House titles, and "Ride A Purple Pelican"), Garth Williams' illustrations are outstanding.

A Stangely Interesting Book
My two-year old daughter--an avid "reader"--cannot get enough of this book. It's the first book that she's ever asked for over and over again on a continuous loop.
In a nutshell, Mister Dog (aka Crispin's Crispian)--who belongs to no one--befriends a little boy who belongs to no one and they decide to live together in the dog's 2-story doghouse. Don't even try to reason the story, but at [$$$] you can't go wrong. And besides, what's not to like about a pipe-smoking, straw hat wearing dog? ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A beautiful book
This beautiful book tells the story of a young girl's love for her dog and her struggles to say goodbye to it. Children of all ages, as well as adults, will relate to the heartfelt emotions and be inspired by this journey from loss to the acceptance of new life. Highly recommended.

Poignant portrayal
Saying Goodbye to Lulu poignantly portrays a child's loss of a beloved pet. We meet the endearing, aging Lulu and learn how her young owner discovers loving ways to cope with her dog's death. Our family found this a heartfelt and heartening book.

Beautifully Illustrated
I thought this book covered the loss of a pet to old age very well. My friend thought it was too blunt. I prefer to think of it as honest. Death is not sugar-coated or euphemized. The story talks about remembering, grieving, honoring, and learning to love another pet. ... Read more

Book Description

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

Reviews (3)

Great for a Blue Lover's Birthday
I got this for my little boy's 3rd birthday. He loves Blue, and loved this book. We read it every night, and every night he loves to find Blue's clues and show me all the things he remembered about the story.
Great buy!!!

Blue's Big Birthday Party
This was our first "Blues Clues" book. My children love it.. My 4 year old, enjoys searching for the clues with his own handy dandy notebook, while my 1 1/2 year old enjoys identifying the items in the book, such as balloon, spoon, Blue, etc. It is colorful and well detailed.

Fantastic
Children love Blue and Steve! Transfering that enthusiasm to books is a wonderful thing.Keeping our kids excited about reading should be a #1 priority. ... Read more

Book Description

Illus. in full color. A dog who has to learn how to dig doesn't stop until he has dug up the whole town. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Favorite-est Story!
I loved this book when I was a kid and now my children are enjoying it themselves. The art is wonderful for young children and the rhyme holds their attention well. A good bed time story. "I was the happiest dad who ever turned, to a book from which to read he'd learned. My children are enjoying too, a beloved tale that when young I knew. My mother sat me on her knee so the Diggingest Dog I could see. And now I share the same with three."

Favorite-est Story
I loved this book when I was a kid and now my children are enjoying it themselves. The art is wonderful for young children and the rhyme holds their attention well. A good bed time story. "I was the happiest dad who ever turned, to a book from which to read he'd learned. My children are enjoying too, a beloved tale that when young I knew. My mother sat me on her knee so the Diggingest Dog I could see. And now I share the same with three."

4.5 stars
Poor Duke the dog had spent his whole life on 'a bare, hard floor of stone', until the day Sammy Brown decided to buy him and take him home to his farm. Duke was overjoyed to be out of the pet store, or at least he was until Sammy called the neighbor hood dogs over and they started digging. Since Duke had spent all of his life on a stone floor, he couldn't dig, and when the dogs disowned him felt as if he had let both himself and Sammy down. The next day Duke tried again, and he managed to dig! He was so excited that he started digging, and digging, and digging. "[He] dug up the fence. [He] dug up the gates. [He] dug up the garden of Mrs. Thwaites." Duke only stopped digging when he found Sammy looking down on him. Sammy wasn't pleased, and told Duke that he was going back to the pet store. To escape Sammy and the other dogs (who had come with Sammy) Duke dug straight down, creating a well, from which the dogs helped to rescue him. As soon as he was out of the well, he ran back and fixed the mess he made in the town. Now Duke still lives with Sammy, and he does the plowing.

One really neat thing about this book is how the pictures express the mood of the page. The pet-store is a boring brownish color and Sammy's place is bright and cheerful, except when the dogs disown Duke-then it is all slightly bluish. Duke's face is also really expressive. The story is told in rhyme, and flows well. It is also told from Duke's perspective. If possible, I would give this book four and a half stars because while the story is cute, the book just seems to lack a charm that some other books have in abundance.

Loggie-log-log-log

Cute picture belies content of book
The moral of this story is that if you make a mistake, you will be punished. The dog in the story is adopted from the pound by a seemingly sweet boy. When the dog can't dig like the other dogs, the boy is sad so the dog learns to dig. He digs and digs and digs up things he shouldn't. The boy is mad and tells the dog he's taking him back to the pound. It isn't until the dog digs down and almost drowns, then fills in the ditches that he's dug that the boy is happy and decides to keep the dog. The way in which the dog is threatened is awful. Not a story for young kids.

Digging-est Dog
I remember this from when I was little (born in 66) and loved it. I had to buy it for my daughter and now it's her favorite too. He learns from scratch how to dig and then gets a little too enthusiastic. Once he realizes his damage, he digs it all back in place.

Also bought- The Five Chinese Brothers. One of my other childhood favorites. Though seemingly a little out of sorts with political correctness, it's a good story about quintuplets who get a wrongly accused brother out of trouble by using each of their great talents. One can hold his breath for a long time, one can stretch his legs extra long, etc. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

great book
This book is one of Wegmans greatest books, with the use of the 20 x 24 camera he is able to achieve some of the most amazing outdoor photography.
Some people do not uderstand how intence photographing animals is. This is a great book for anyones collection.

A Real Let-Down
As a fan of William Wegman's for years now I always enjoy his works on some level. Unfortunately, this is not one of his best attempts. The photographs are often repetitive and sometimes make it difficult to see the dogs. The pictures really don't work when the wolf is dressed as grandmother. It is hard to understand how Little Red Riding Hood can exclaim how different the wolf's eyes and ears look when they look exactly like her grandmother's. I also had some problems with the story, particularly the ending. The changes were disconcerting and I found the epilogue, in particular, a real let down. I think Wegman's version of Cinderella worked much better than this story did. ... Read more

Book Description

Born the runt of his litter and gambled away to a rusty old riverman, the Newfoundland pup Seaman doesn’t imagine his life will be marked by any kind of glory--beyond chasing down rats. But when he meets Captain Meriwether Lewis, Seaman finds himself on a path that will make history. Lewis is just setting off on his landmark search for the Northwest Passage, and he takes Seaman along. Sharing the curiosity and strength of spirit of his new master, Seaman proves himself a valuable companion at every turn. Part history, part science--and adventure through and through--The Captain’s Dog is the carefully researched, thrilling tale of America’s greatest journey of discovery, as seen through the keen, compassionate eyes of a remarkable dog. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Wonderful historical fiction on Lewis and Clark Expedition!
What an enjoyable way to learn about the Lewis and Clark Expedition, from the perspective of a dog! 'The Captain's Dog' is Seaman, a Newfoundland dog that belonged to Captain Meriwether Lewis. Seaman accompanied him and Captain William Clark and their Corps of Discovery on the search for the overland water route to the Pacific in the early 1800's. Here, Roland Smith's historical fiction is thoroughly researched and credible. Through Seaman, we meet many fascinating characters, experience the journey's hazards, and get an ingenious feel for what life in the Corps was like from the inside. Readers will enjoy the typical doglike behavior displayed by Seaman, such as marking his territory and sniffing out animals and humans from miles away. He is curious and courageous, as all fine explorers should be. Each chapter is told from three perspectives, using people who knew or accompanied Lewis and Clark speaking in third person, then reading excerpts from Lewis' personal diary, followed by Seaman recalling his adventures and observations in first person. The changes in viewpoint and lack of illustrations might make this book difficult for younger readers. I would recommend it for fifth grade reading level and up, especially as a great introduction or supplement for students studying the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

not as good as his other books!
Before reading "The Captain's Dog" I read three other books by Roland Smith: "Jaguar", "Thunder Cave", and "Sasquatch". I read them to my grade school children. They LOVED those three books and learned alot from them. I couldn't even get through "The Captain's Dog" with them. The writing style is completely different from the above listed 3 books. The story is about Lewis and Clark but written from the point of view of the DOG which accompanies them. I found it really boring and confusing to read to my children. I still think Roland Smith is one of my favorite story tellers, but I don't recommend this particular book.

A Really Good Book
Last year in fourth grade our teacher read us this book. I really love the book The Captain's Dog. I like history and learning about Lewis and Clark, so I learned a lot about their adventure 200 years ago. I learned a lot of new stuff about Meriwether Lewis and William Clark's jobs and what they had to do on their journey.

The Captain¿s Dog ~ By Roland Smith
Seaman was given the opportunity to go with Lewis and Clark on their adventure to find the North-West Passage. I mean, who would give up the chance to go with some of the most fascinating people in our history? Oh, did I forget to mention that Seaman was a dog traded to Captain Meriweather Lewis? Together, they take an exciting journey to find new things never seen before, people they have never met, and dangers they will never think of facing.
Seaman is a big black dog, which is often mistaken by many of the Native Americans they meet as a big black grizzly bear. He is very brave, always trying to do something heroic. He saves the expedition many times. Even once he almost died from a beaver attacking him while trying to save half of the men. He also comes face to face with grizzly bears and wolves many times. Those were two of the biggest threats to Seaman besides starvation. Out of that big characteristic, there was one more that stood out, loyalty. When someone wanted to go for a walk, Seaman would always go with them. He never gave up on anyone, especially when Captain Lewis had some emotional breakdowns.
I think, The Captain's Dog, by Roland Smith seemed like a roller coaster of our history. It had its ups and downs. You always expect something exciting, but by the end of the chapter you'll have experienced, by reading this book something greater than you've imagined. You can really learn a lot in this story from all the true facts in this book. If you like reading those diary type books, then you'll love reading this! It is just like reading a diary from your own dog. This book reminded me of my friend's dog, and how he would think of these adventures if he could read. I highly recommend this book for ages twelve and up because young children will find it to difficult to understand. Those who are older...GO AND READ IT!

Great Book
This book was great because it was told from Seaman's point of view and was historically correct. Our 8 year old was captivated and didn't want to put it down. Roland Smith did a great job! We'll definitely check out more of his books. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Balto: not just for kids
We purchased this book after seeing the real Balto (courtesy of the art of taxidermy) at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Our quest in Northeast Ohio, where Balto enjoyed his senior years, was prompted by my seven year-old daughter's love-affair with the animated film about this dog, who navigated a lost sled team carrying life-saving medicine through Alaska in 1925. I hereby confess publicly that, after myself reading the book, which is aimed at the 9 year-old set, I cried, much as I had done 35 years before after reading "Lassie Come Home." This account, however, is much more compelling than "Lassie" or "Old Yeller," because it entirely factual (possibly excepting the subjective thoughts imputed to the protagonist).

The author did her homework researching this story about a sled dog who was just one of the pack facing poor odds against daunting weather and unrequiting expanses of blinding snow and ice. When the alpha dog loses the trail, and another refuses to lead, the team turns to Balto to bring them and their cargo safely to rest in Nome.

Perhaps Balto deserves an authentic, grown-up biography, but this one will serve in the meantime. It appears to be the definitive account.

A teacher in PA
This is an excellent book if you are interested in the Iditarod race in Alaska.The book helps young children understand the importance of perserverence and is a great introduction to history for the very young (6-8).A true story that inspires people to understand the bond between animals and people. ... Read more

Book Description

Based on the TV series Blue's Clues® created by Traci Paige Johnson, Todd Kessler, and Angela C. Santomero as seen on Nick Jr.® On Blue's Clues, Steve is played by Steven Burns.

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

Note To Parents from Creators
Blue and Steve skidoo to the planets and need help identifying them! This book, like all Blue's Clues books, uses our cognitive-based thinking skills and science curricula. It introduces children to the planets and their places in the solar system. The Blue's Clues mission is to empower, challenge, and build the self-esteem of preschoolers. We hope this book helps you and your child realize these goals! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Anyone remember Colorforms (tm)
I avoided this book for some time. I wasn't interested in anything with "stickers" for my young son. (I could just see them being attached to the wood furniture.) At some point we ended up with the book. I was shocked that the "stickers" were actually "colorforms", something that I had been looking for. The "stickers" are made of a thin plastic with the pictures printed on them. The "pages" of the book are made of a stiff board material.

Ironically I was looking for colorforms for my son. When I inquired at the local toy stores they all told me that Colorforms were no longer in production.

good intro. to the planets
This is a simple, not too many details book about the planets. It is a good place to get kids wondering what is up there with a catchy little song from the Steve era of the show.

Blue and Steve's introduction to the solar system
One of the best episode's of the Blue's Clues television series is the one that introduces the solar system. "Well, the sun's a hot star .... Mercury's hot too. Venus is the brightest planet .... etc."

There is not much text here. Basically the song is repeated twice, with text bubbles advising you where to place the many colorful and durable stickers depicting the planets, a shooting star, a rocket and various other solar system-y things.

Get it!
My three year old knows all the planets thanks to Blue and Steve. This is the second time I have purchased this same book. My son placed the reusable stickers in the black dishwasher. It looked just like outer space and he would sing the song over and over. It just so happened that Mommy actually needed to wash the dishes, and the heat from the dry cycle melted the stickers! So I had to get a new book for him. So please, don't place the stickers where they can melt, or your child my have a melt down of his own!

Blue conquers the world!
My son is a HUGE fan of Blue's Clues and he's also fascinated by the solar system. We were both really excited when we found Blue Skidoos to the Planets because he loved the episode of the show. He couldn't wait to get home and put the stickers in the book. He is able to read the entire book by himself and he can sing the song, too. He's only six, but he can name all of the planets thanks to this book. Thank you Steve and Blue for being such wonderful friends to preschoolers! ... Read more

Book Description

Strider has a new habit. Whenever we stop, he places his paw on my foot. It isn't an accident because he always does it. I like to think he doesn't want to leave me.

Can a stray dog change the life of a teenage boy? It looks as if Strider can. He's a dog that loves to run; because of Strider, Leigh Botts finds himself running--well enough to join the school track team. Strider changes Leigh on the inside, too, as he finally begins to accept his parents' divorce and gets to know a redheaded girl he's been admiring. With Strider's help, Leigh finds that the future he once hated to be asked about now holds something he never expected: hope.

Reviews (18)

CHARIOTS OF FUR?
Man's best friend does it again! Well, it's been two years since Leigh Botts closed the diary which boys' writer, Mr. Henshaw, had inspired him to keep. Now he's taller, still living in a "shack" with his divorced mom, but totally cool about his trucker dad's permanent absence from the family portrait. One day at the beach he finds an abandoned dog--of a breed which runs and herds other animals. Starving but obedient to his last command, the forlorn canine guiltily follows Leigh home.

This is a light read, but it does provide insight into the emotional, financial and social struggles of young teens. Named for his easy, loping stride, the dog gradually transforms Leigh's aimless, joyless existence into an intentional pattern of planned activities with definite goals: the track team, permanent and total custody of the dog, real rapport with a girl, and the respect of teachers. Nor are teens the only humans who have issues to sort out in this book; young readers will realize the problems facing adults and single parents. STRIDER is a satisfactory sequel to DEAR MR. HENSHAW, as Leigh carves a legitimate niche in his world, where he finally "belongs."

If you like dog stories read this book NOW!!
This story is about a boy named Leigh and a dog named Strider.Strider gets found by Leigh and his friend Barry.They both own Strider.Furthermore, Barry has to visit his real
mom.So Leigh can have Strider for a whole week.Durning
that week Leigh's dad turns up.In this story Leigh's dad comes to visit Leigh a lot.When Barry comes back it's time for school again.Also,durning school Barry and Leigh loses their friendship.Barry runs a lot in this story because of Strider.He even makes the track team with Kevin.Leigh want's his friendship back with Barry so he leaves Strider in Barry's yard ,but Strider comes back and they become friends again.At the end Leigh gets closer with his dad and gets a new frienship with Geneva.One more thing I forgot to say is that Leigh does real good in the track race.

Make the movie!
This book is light reading, but it's honest and serious, sad and funny, realistic and heartwarming. It's a pleasure to read for children and adults, and has plenty of humor without ever getting silly. I usually don't like stories written in a journal style, but in this case, it works great. We watch as Leigh comes to a major fork in the road of his life, and with the help of friends, family, and Strider, he chooses a good path. One warning: If your kids read this book and they don't already have a dog, you may end up with one.

Hot off the Beverly Cleary press
Leigh Bolts, a fourteen year old, lives in Pacific Grove. Leigh is still a little depressed because his parents are divorced. When Leigh finds a hungry,and abandoned dog on the beach, he feels happy. He names him Strider. Strider and Leigh become best friends. I gave this book four stars because it is a great and exciting book. I hope you like it too.

Jason's Strider Review
I think that "Strider" is an excellent book, because the author, Beverly Cleary, uses very vivd examples, and it is so easy to picture i in your head. All of the events that take place in this book are very descriptive; you can't stop from imagining them in your head. The personalities of the characters were very easy to picture. I even could think of some people I know that could represent dome of the characters in the book. Another reason why I liked this book is because it has a good story to go along with it. It just leaves you hanging at the end of each chapter, and makes you never want to put it down. You'll be amzed of how much you read this book; because you don't realize how long you've been reading. You get so invovled in the book, that you lose track of time. What else I like about the book, is that it is exactly written the same way as its first edition, "Dear Mr. Hensaw." I suggest you read this book, and guarantee that you will never put it down.

I think one of the best parts of the book, is when the main character, Leigh Botts, joins the track team. He joins mainly for fun, but runs with his dog, Strider, everyday after track practice. He begins getting faster, and concentrates more and more on a victory at the first meet. After many hours of training, he finally meets his goal. Then, he decides to try an even more amazing feet. Braking the school record. Will he do it, or will he get injured and sit out for the rest of the year. To find out, read the book.

I think one of the most vivd story elements in the book, are definantly the characters. Like I said, they are just so easy to picture. The main character, Leigh, is a young boy who really loves life. He is often arguing with his mom, but who can blame a boy that never gets to see his dad. I can picture Leigh in my mind as this character, and I bet you could too. Another story element that stands out alot is the setting. You will notice that you can easily tell where the story takes place, just by noticing how his community acts. He lives in a small, quiet town where almost everyone knows everyone. This town reminds me of my own, so I can picture it easily. I guess that liveing in a town like his helps picture it, but I know that you'd be able to imagine exactly what his town is like. ... Read more

Book Description

'My Hero' to Be Chosen: Eight finalists will compete tonight for the title My Hero. The winner will wear the coveted gold Hero medal. These brave and courageous dogs will each appear with their nominator who will tell their story.

There's Smiley, who fought a giant bull. Bear used his giant paws to save the life of another dog. Munchkin warned a gardener of a poisonous snake about to strike. Old Dog helped find people buried under rubble after a tornado. Buster pulled a baby carriage out of the path of a careening truck. Blue, who had never been known to bark, used his voice to bring help to his wounded master. Dopey's constant barking saved the life of a baby left in a sweltering car. Little Bit brought love and companionship to a nursing home resident.

Each story is told in the unique, sometimes humorous, but always Compelling voice of the person whose life was changed by the heroic action of a very extraordinary dog. Betsy Byars and her daughters Betsy Duffey and Laurie Myers have joined forces to create dog stories full of adventure and suspense. Loren Long's paintings capture the heroic dignity of each of the dogs and heighten the drama of their special stories.
... Read more

Reviews (2)

GreatBook
My Dog My Hero is a collection of hero dog stories.All of the stories are true. Some of the stories are sad, but they all have a happy ending. I love this book because it is about dogs. It is easy to read and the pictures are nice. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who love animals like me.

My Dog, My Hero ..... The best book ever!
There are many, many, many books that I love to read, but most of all I love to read the book, My Dog My Hero. It is my favorite book. Even though it is short, it is wonderful. One reason it is my favorite book is because it is an animal book. I love animal books, especially dog books. They just give me that feeling . That really good feeling. Next, I like this book so much because the dogs are so brave. One example is when a small dog is on ice, but the ice breaks .The puppy is stuck in the freezing cold water. Then, the big heroic dog leaped into the icy lake only to save the small puppy. I absolutely love this book. Finally, the third reason I like this book so much is because.......well......I don't know, I guess its because these dogs risk their lives for their owner or another dog. This is truly my favorite book. ... Read more

Book Description

Board Book version of this favorite nursery rhyme with added adventures. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

"Give to the world the best that you have...
and the best will come back to you." (Unknown)

A cute little boy wants a doggie but doesn't have enough money. He has saved some money but it isn't enough. (Oh! I wish there were more books on saving money! Kids need them.) The pet store owner shows him other pets he can afford but the boy's mind is made up. He goes home and has a lemonade stand but it rains and he catches cold and can't do anything to make money to buy that doggie in the window. In the meantime, his sister, mom and dad each have a need that he can fill with some of his money and he gladly does so without hesitation. At the end of the week, he counts the money in his piggy bank and realizes he can't afford the doggie. He accepts this (another great lesson for kids to learn--to accept when they can't have something) and goes to visit the doggie just to say, "Hello." How sweet.

Good things happen to that little boy, I think, for the rest of his life with such a kind, giving heart. Thanks, Iza for a very special story with lots of takeaway value.

Soar!

Very intruging book for my 16 mo. old
We checked this book out from our Library and my 16 mo. old daughter loves it so much. Since we could only renew this book twice I had to buy our own copy. She loves to point out the fact that the dog is juggling in one picture. And she is so sad when the little boy discovers that the doggie is gone ("Some people stopped by and bought that dog for there very special young son. They wanted to thank him for all the nice things he had done.") but is elated when we turn the page and discover that the doggie is now his ("Oh what a surprise I never figured that lucking young boy would be me!")

Excellent for Pre-school teachers
I am a Pre-K director and buy many children's books. This was terrific! The first few times I sang it to my students, and after hearing it several times, they enjoyed singing it with me. I had no idea a book could be so much fun! I came on line to find other books by this author and I will most certainly buy the others for our nursery school library. ... Read more

Book Description

This year Henry and Mudge are out to make the best Mother's Day lunch ever.

It has to be juicy, crunchy, and perfect for family sharing.

When they select a gorgeous golden pineapple, the menuis shaping up to be anything but dull.

Dad is helping them carve something almost too prettyto eat.

So how will Henry ever stop Mudge from devouring the surprise before Mom sees it?

Since its creation in 1987, the Henry and Mudge series has grown into one of the most beloved and acclaimed beginning-reading series ever. With more than two million copies sold, the American Library Association, the Library of Congress, Parents' Choice, The Horn Book Magazine, the International Reading Association, the American Booksellers Association, and most importantly, the thousands of children who belong to the Henry and Mudge fan club have recommended these wonderful books.

Created by renowned Newbery Medalist Cynthia Rylant and acclaimed illustrator Su‡ie Stevenson, the Henry and Mudge series is without a doubt a classic for all time.

Jacket illustrations copyright © 2004 by Suçie Stevenson ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Kids determined to put together the best Mother's Day lunch
With this Level 2 focus on independent reading skills, kids will more readily move from beginning reader to enjoying more complex tales with paragraphs and short chapters. What better place to start than with Henry and Mudge & The Funny Lunch, Cynthia Rylant's zany story of kids determined to put together the best Mother's Day lunch ever - against all odds...color drawings add to the appeal. ... Read more

Book Description

"Maybe that's one of the reasons people get dogs, to kind of close up the empty places inside them."

Eleven-year-old William never needed a friend more than now. After his parents' separation, his father's new engagement, and his grandfather's dying without any warning -- adopting big, beautiful Riley is the first thing in a long time that has made him feel better. That is, until Riley innocently chases a horse.

Local law states that any animal that chases livestock must be put to sleep. Suddenly William stands to lose another thing close to him. Together with his "totally unsurpassed" friend Grace, William begins a campaign to reverse the county commissioners' decision. But with a community divided on the issue, and the bully Ellis Porter trying to stop them at every turn, will they be able to save Riley's life?

Celebrated author Eve Bunting shows William's determined struggle to fight for what he believes in. The Summer of Riley is an inspiring novel about learning to accept life's changes, the healing power of friendship, and the unending desire to protect those we love.

Reviews (12)

The Cute Dog named Riley
This is one of the best books I Have ever read. Its about a dog named Riley, I know how some dogs could be annoying because I have a dog, but this dog is a well behaved pup. Until one day he started chasing a horse and the owner of the horse called the animal control society and they took Riley away. Riley's owner which was a boy, was really mad that they took away Riley his best dog friend so he started thinking of a plan to get his dog back but the first plan did not work the second plan was better but it also did not work the last plan worked and the boy was happy.

I really enjoyed this book and I love animals such as Riley. I really hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.

Great book
This book is about a boy named William. William's grandfather dies and his parent's are divorced. To help make things better his mom gets him a dog named Riley. William thinks riley is the perfect dog but one day Riley chases his neighbors horse. The neighbor calls a pound and the people come and take Riley away.They say Riley has to be put to sleep William and his friend Grace are trying to save Riley but can they? To make things worse the school bully is on the horses side and is trying to get Riley put to sleep. Who will win. Find out by reading this book. It is one of my favorites.

The Summer of Riley
Eve Bunting wrote the summer of Riley. In the story Riley there are a lot of exciting and scary parts like when Will's dog is accused of almost killing an old horse that has won many awards and races in the past. A problem that Will has is when everyone blames Riley for stuff that he didn't do which means that Will might have to give away his dog. Riley is a very nice and friendly dog, which is why it's hard to imagine him hurting anything or anyone. Will is the kind of boy that always does what he says he will do. When he wanted a dog he kept at it until he got what he wanted. The farmer who owned the horse was very stubborn and was very mad at Will's dog for almost killing her horse. Will's parents are the kind of people who are very hard to convince to buy you stuff but after a lot of begging they agree.
The mood of the story is very sad at some parts but it gets happier towards the end. Will is sort of grumpy in the beginning of the story but once he gets Riley he's a lot happier and satisfied with his life. Will learns a lot when he gets Riley and has a real friend for once in his life. I really liked this book because the dog was always by Will's side and was the perfect friend. I also liked this book because the Author was very descriptive and it really felt like you were in the book. I think that this book is best for third and forth graders (ages 8-9) because it's not that long of a book and there aren't very many hard words but it's still very detailed. This book can be pretty scary at parts but sad sometimes too. The Author has a very vivid way of writing so she always makes things very clear. There is a lot of vivid language especially on the dangerous and exciting parts.

riley
I did not like this book becuas it was very boring. I think they should have not talked so much. It was about a dog that was from the pound. His name was Riley. He was a mixed breed that caused toruble. He snaptped at any horse trying to bite it's leg off. The boys father sent Riley back to the pound. But all they did was talked for amost the hole book and the book was 236 pagis long.

The Summer of Riley
The Summer of Riley is a story about a boy and his dog,Riley.It shows thta if you want something back or just want something that you should go for it. ... Read more