Book Description

The seventh son of the seventh son, aptly named Septimus Heap, is stolen the night he is born by a midwife who pronounces him dead. That same night, the baby's father, Silas Heap, comes across a bundle in the snow containing a new born girl with violet eyes. The Heaps take this helpless newborn into their home, name her Jenna, and raise her as their own. But who is this myster ious baby girl, and what really happened to their beloved son Septimus?

The first book in this enthralling new series by Angie Sage leads readers on a fantastic journey filled with quirky characters and magykal charms, potions, and spells. magyk is an original story of lost and rediscovered identities, rich with humor and heart.

Reviews (21)

Goosebumps & Giggles
Rebeccasreads highly recommends SEPTIMUS HEAP: Magyk as a treasure trove (it looks like a book of spells) of fantastical fun, taking you into a magical realm where dishes wash themselves & magicians do marvelous things. There's a fantastic journey & conflict about good & evil, lost & rediscovered identities. It is rich with humor & heart, & filled with quirky characters & magykal charms, kind ghosts & frightening towers.

A gladsome & grand fantasy with lots of goosebumps & giggles, & a serious theme. Angie Sage hails from London, England & is now living in darkest Cornwall. She has infused this first book about a boy who grew up without a name, with both the light & dark side of life. For those of us who remember learning about the English civil war of the 1600s when the colorful Cavaliers & dour Roundheads battled for the throne (as too for anyone who's read anything about Communism), the life of SEPTIMUS HEAP, until he is found by his family, will ring many alarms bells.

SEPTIMUS HEAP: Magyk is a tale about taken & found children, lost happier times & oppressive rules written in a refreshing & enchanting way. A fine beginning to a new series.

By far the best book I've read!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This book is great! So magykal! Its keeps you turning the pages. I'm almost through with it and I'm so sad to end it! You never want to leave this fantasy world Angie Sage invented. As soon as you finish the first chapter........your hooked. BUt basically it has the same fantasy plot as Harry Potter. I totally recommend it! You absoloutly have to read this book.....and the ones following it!

It's really Magykal!
You will surely have fun with this book. I liked the plot, characters, and the "magyk" system and type.

The action take place early in the book, which I found good, and it didn't stop to some boring phase that goes for a long long while in the middle. Actually the events sequence & timing is so marvelous.

And just for the record; I loved Boy 412 soooo much the whole time. He is funny and rational at the same time. Also I loved Stanley, the massage rat.

I recommend this book to my friends and any reader, especially children; I think they will just love it.

Magical Fun Read
The story begins with the much anticipated births of "special" babies - the seventh son of a seventh son and the Queen's future heir. But nothing goes as it's supposed to go. There are faked deaths, babies switched, babies found, until nobody know exactly who's who. An evil necromancer overthrows the ExtraOrdinary Wizard (the good guys) and everyone is on the run. The following chase and adventures make this a fun, exciting read.

This is no Harry Potter, but that's okay. There can be only one Harry and I think it wise the author didn't try to imitate Harry. (Although, the name Trelawney does pop up.) In some spots there seems to be a lot being done by the characters but the story doesn't progress much. That's really my only complaint.

I look forward to the next in the Magyk series. I'm glad the Harry books only come out every couple of years. It's opened the door to so many good authors to step up to the plate and really enhance juvenile litature. Not to mention entertaining the adults, too!

Rowling Has a Run For Her Money
I'm in children's publishing and found the advance galleys for Sage's book on a bookshelf at the office. I've seen it mentioned in PW and I've seen it in bookstores, but couldn't bring myself to plop down the money for it. (Which is understandable since, being in children's publishing, I get my books for free.) Spying the ARC, I delightfully borrowed it from my editor, cackling all the while.

This book is engaging. Each word is purposeful, thoughtful, and executed with such precision, it's hard to believe that they were not done so with the greatest of intention. And I thought it was great that Magykal words were treated in a different typeface. (There was a reader who reviewed that they did not like this effect. I myself thought it was a nice visual pop; Magykal words in a different typeface signal a departure from the regular typeface, e.g., the "norm.")

Sage has come to passage as a fine writer, along the vein of Shannon Hale and Cornelia Funke. I've read a lot of children's books in my life--as a kid and for my job--and I'm greatly impressed with Sage's body of work. Though it may discourage readers to find that this is quite a hefty tome, the reading goes rather quickly. I actually slowed my reading down in hopes of making the book last.

Brava, Madame Sage! ... Read more

Book Description

Since the publication of the original Thomas the Tank Engine in 1946, millions of children and their parents all over the world have loved this series of bedtime stories about Thomas and his friends.All 26 of the Reverend W. Awdry's classic stories are here in one beautiful gift volume, with an introduction by the author himself.Illustrated in full color. ... Read more

Reviews (47)

A great investment!
We bought this book a year ago, and my son still enjoys listening to the stories. He has heard each at least three times, some of them many more times besides. As his mother, who has read through the book with him twice myself, *I* love the stories, too! They teach good lessons and are very entertaining at the same time.

It actually is not true that all Thomas stories are in this book. All the original stories by the original author are, but more stories have been made up by less skilled story writers, in my opinion. The BEST Thomas stories are the ones in this book.

The shorter story books have been Americanized, and I think that makes them lose some of their appeal. For instance, the Fat Controller in this book has been renamed in the shorter books and videos to his proper name, "Sir Topham Hatt." Political correctness meets Thomas the Tank Engine. In my opinion, they were better unchanged, and that is what you have in this book.

If you have a toddler, I highly recommend this book. One word of warning, though. Then come the Thomas train sets, and the videos . . . you will never be through with Thomas once you start!

My kids from 10years old to 1 year old love this book.
We borrowed this book from the library for my 22 month old son who is recently very thrilled with Thomas. Guess who sat down and read it for hours? My ten year old daughter who had experienced Thomas as a four year-old. My eight and five year old daughters also enjoy the book. As for the little guy; he walks around with it and sits there ever so gently turning the pages. That's why I'm here at Amazon: to purchase our own copy of this delightful book with beautiful illustrations and stories. If you have a Thomas fan this is the greatest book.

Great Book, One Problem
This book is great, it is presented nicely and the stories and many illustrations are excellent. Overprotective parents may complain about darker themes or use of phrases like "Shut Up" but there is nothing I find wrong with that. Do those parents expect their children's whole lives to be sugar coated and sweet? There is a great variety of stories, but the main problem is the lack of the 14 volumes written by the Rev. W. Awdry's son Christopher Awdry. Though one or two of his Railway Series books are in print, (they are Really Useful Engines, and depending where you look, More About Thomas the Tank Engine) most of his books are out of print and hard to find. Having obtained some of them used, I can tell you they are great and if they were part of this book I'd give it 5 stars. Instead, I give it 4 and a half .

Creepy and mean
My kids love Thomas, and we made the mistake of borrowing this book at our local library (or maybe it was fortunate, it kept us from buying it).

Though this is a very nice presentation of the original stories, the stories themselves are poorly written, and are often cruel and mean-spirited. I found myself editing them heavily as I was reading them to my kids, and after a while I simply stopped reading it.

For instance, in one of the stories, an engine misbehaves and is put away in a tunnel with a brick wall in front of the opening as a punishment. I have no problems with stories that try to teach good behavior and morals, but this was just too much.

I recommend the Thomas books illustrated by Tommy Stubbs instead (like Thomas and the Shooting Star). Those books are beautifully produced and well written.

Excellent new or used.
It would cost a mint to buy every story in paper back or double story hard cover books. I read 1 or 2 stories a night to my son. He loves the book! That says volumes in 1 big hardcover! God bless, Thomas The Tank Engine. ... Read more

Reviews (47)

Tastefully presented
My parents used this book to help answer my questions about how babies are made when I was around 5 years old. This book provided just enough informtion to introduce me to the concept of sex and making babies without embarassing me too terribly much.

I notice that some reviewers worry that the book provides children with too much information or is too graphic. I find that the book would be incomplete if some of the information or the pictures were omitted. If they weren't included, I know I would have many questions unanswered as a child. The tasteful illustrations included in the book helped me understand the book's content, rather than forcing me to fill in the gaps with inaccurate and possibly scary images that could have lead to unhealthy views of sex.

As a child, I found myself really studying the pictures, cartoon images that are presented very tastefully and are actually sort of cute. They pictures do show the male and female anatomy, which is important information if a child is to understand how babies are made. They show a man and woman who love each other and are happy, things that would allow a child to have a positive and healthy perspective about sex and making a baby.

As a person who's had personal experience with this book as a child, I highly recommend it. I plan to use it with my own son in a few years.

(One last note: I believe this book is best suited for younger children that are asking questions or could be introduced to the topic of sex or making babies. It might be a bit juvenile for pre-teen.)

Great, understandable, no-nonsense information...
This is a wonderful little illustrated book that can help parents share information about sex and where babies come from with their children. I especially like the fact that this book is presented from the point of view of that sex is an expression of love, rather than just a presentation of physical facts and the mechanics of sex.

Information in the book is presented in a straightforward manner with "no nonsense and with illustrations." As for the illustrations, my wife told me that they also helped her feel better about her own body! How's that for a double benefit?

I appreciate the level of the presentation as well...pitched toward younger children...say, ages 7-10. Children really need good, accurate information from their folks, especially as they are surrounded by various bits and pieces of partial and even mis-information about sex which they hear from peers at school and other places.

The author uses terminology that is appropriate and understandable. A great little book.

While this is a great little book, I recommend using it in combination with another book, "How to Talk to Your Child About Sex" by Linda and Richard Eyre, as part of a combined effort of discussion and reading as you teach your child about sex.

Good luck!

Alan Holyoak

Following my Mother's example 25 years later. . .
I doesn't seem like it, but just over 25 years ago, my mother sat me down with this book and we went through it. She was a teacher and very much loved books so we had our first talk about sex with the assistance of this one. Now, my daughter is 6 years old and asking questions. Although, I don't discourage her from asking, and I don't shy away from the questions, I'm not sure just how much detail I should get into with her at this age. So this book has come to my mind. I will purchase it and sit down with my daughter as my mother sat down with me. It's got cartoon pictures in it that don't make it quite so uncomfortable to discuss. And I prefer to give her the facts rather than for her get made up stories from other children.

Where did I come from?
My mother read this book to me when I was about 5 years old. It answered most of my questions in a straight forward way. To those who complained about the book being too grafic it is only grafic enough to get the message across. I would much rather deal with a small bit of graphicness than to have my child be confused. Now that I am a mother myself I plan on buying this to help teach my daughter when the time comes. If you want to teach your children where babies really do come from and want the real deal, not some fairy tale, buy this book.

Talks tough, with a sense of humor.
This book takes some tough to discuss topics and puts a humorous twist on them, making it a little easier to talk about. With cartoon-type illustrations, and real-life situations, this is a must-have for everyone's library! ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (5)

Wonderful
Zen shorts is a wonderful book. The story is fantastic and the illustrations are sensational. Very well done!

Best kids book purchase in some time
I picked this up on a whim because of the title and the gorgeous illustrations. I got a real treasure! My five year old son loves to have it read to him, and I love reading it.

Luminous paintings and pleasant retellings of Zen stories.
Muth's beautiful watercolor paintings are the perfect accompaniment to the Zen stories told by Giant Panda Stillwater.
Every word is chosen perfectly in the stories, which are then discussed by Stillwater and the three children he befriends.

This is a book both parents and children can enjoy again and again.

real books for children
This is a thoughtfully written story that teaches real life lessons in a gentle way. Based on Buddist teachings and stories, the books central character (Stillwater, a giant panda) draws in even the youngest readers. Muth's other book The Three Questions does the same thing. How refreshing it is to read a childrens book that embraces some profundity and is not afraid to go deep into the well of CONCEPT.

Not just for zen kids . . .
This book presents lovely and entertaining retellings of three famous Buddhist stories in a way that makes them appropriate for children from about 3 up (and way beyond).Not just for zen kids, though--these are wonderful stories for kids (and parents) of any persuasion.The panda telling the very short stories to three neighbor children is neither condescending nor preachy, and Muth ably resists whacking you over the head with the morals--when kids get the point themselves (and even young readers will),the gentle teachings will be be more meaningful.Beautiful illustrations, too--this is one your kids will bring to you to "read it again." ... Read more

Book Description

Alexander knew it was going to be a terrible day when he woke up with gum in this hair.

And it got worse...

His best friend deserted him. There was no dessert in his lunch bag. And, on top of all that, there were lima beans for dinner and kissing on TV!

This handsome new edition of Judith Viorst's classic picture book is sure to charm readers of all ages. ... Read more

Reviews (76)

a terrible day book
i discovered this book when i was in grade skool and i remember running home and telling my mom all abt it, how it was just like what i used to go through. it's abt this little boy named alexander who has the worst day of his life (or so he thinks.) he wakes up with gum in his hair, goes to skool with no dessert in his lunch, finds a cavity at the dentist's office, wants the sneakers with the red stripes but his brother got them first so he has to have the plain white ones, has lima beans for supper, and is forced to go to sleep in train pajamas. it's such a cute book simply becuz you know kids go through it everyday. if ever yr child is having a bad day, read them alexander and see if they don't improve attitudes just a little.

Still makes me laugh
I'm 17 years old and still remember and enjoy reading this book from when I was younger. A friend of mine and I recently got together to go read children's books all day at the local bookstore, and I was delighted when I found "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" sitting on the shelves ready to be read. Alexander is a typical little boy who believes every obstacle in his life is leading to the end of the world. I laughed the whole way through the book, relating to him on several levels. I think the book is wonderfully written for all audiences; while a child may life, an adult may look at Alexander's tale and reminisce about their own childhood when they received plain white sneakers instead of ones with racing stripes.

Run-on sentences and extremely negative energy.
Allow me to quote the first page of this book:
"I went to sleep with gum in my mouth and now there's gum in my hair and when I got out of bed this morning I tripped on the skateboard and by mistake I dropped my sweater in the sink while the water was running and I could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day."

This is not posting on an Internet forum about your favorite movies where you can write what, how much, and however you want; it's a book written for children, and we can't have blatant mistakes such as run-on sentences. Therefore, I'm wondering how this page, as well as many other sentences in the book, made it past the editor(s).

As I finished the first page, the five year old child I was reading to, looked at me funny and wondered why I seemed out of breath. Even she noticed the run-on sentences and found it an awkward listen. So for the rest of the book, where I deemed it appropriate, I paused as if there were actual periods and commas where there should be.

Not only is this book an expert at run-on sentences, but it also showcases an extremely negative attitude in a boy. That may have been justified had the book addressed the issue by the end, but it alas, it doesn't. It just plays it off as if it's normal for children to be this negative. Many people wrote that they can relate to this child and his negative experiences, but if you stretch it, you can say that in reference to many other children's books as well.

Negative people give off negative energy, and without ways to deal with this issue, this is not the kind of book I want children exposed to.

An extremely negative character and ugly grammar does not make a good children's book. I would give it no stars if Amazon allowed it. This is the worst children's book I have ever purchased.

I found a kindred.
As a child plagued with bouts of unluck, I thought I'd found a kindred when I stumbled over the beleaguered Alexander and his tale. He was everything I was. I found this book tucked away in an elementary school's library at a very young age and thought it was hysterical....and I felt the utmost empathy for Alexander, of course.

Everyone has days like these. Grownups can also surely relate to it. I know I still can. It's a great book and I don't see why so many people have posted negative reviews; perhaps they never have bad days??

Children will find a delightful and compassionate friend in Alexander; I would reccomend this book - vehemently - to anyone with children. Or without - if you'd simply like a good smile.

Makes every bad day better!!
This book is great. I read it in a children's literature course in college and I remembered it when I was pregnant with my first son. I know that he'll grow to love Alexander and his very bad day!! Wonderful!! ... Read more

Book Description

Stanley Yelnats is under a curse. A curse that began with his no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather and has since followed generations of Yelnats. Now Stanley has been unjustly sent to a boys' detention center, Camp Green Lake, where the warden makes the boys "build character" by spending all day, every day, digging holes: five feet wide and five feet deep. It doesn't take long for Stanley to realize there's more than character improvement going on at Camp Green Lake. The boys are digging holes because the warden is looking for something. Stanley tries to dig up the truth in this inventive and darkly humorous tale of crime and punishment--and redemption.

... Read more

Reviews (2566)

My Opinion of Holes
Holes is a book in which everything is a circle or is the shape of a circle. It is challenging in its own way. It forces the reader to make conclusions by foreshadowing events. The way this book is written shows thought, effort, and many revisions. Using flashbacks to foreshadow events is a brilliant method and definitely worth considering using in your own writing. This book is about a boy named Stanley Yelnats. Notice "Stanley" backwards makes "Yelnats." He is cursed with bad luck, just like the rest of his ancestors. He is accused of a crime he didn't commit, and is forced to go to Camp Green Lake Juvenile Correctional Facility. Here, he must dig a hole 5 ft deep and five ft wide in every direction everyday for 18 months, including Saturdays and Sundays. After much work and toil, he finally leaves Camp Green Lake. This book is very good and is undoubtedly one of the best books I've ever read. I recommend it to people from the age of 12 and up.

This book has holes, but they will be filled in.
Stanley Yelnats is unlucky because of his no good dirty rotten pig stealing great-great-grandfather. An old fortuneteller, named Madame Zeroni, cursed him, and all of his descendants. One day a pair of tennis shoes fell out of the sky onto Stanley's head. His father is trying to invent a used for old shoes, so Stanley brings the shoes home. He is convicted of stealing the shoes, which belong to a famous baseball player. He is sent to Camp Green Lake, a work camp that is located in the middle of the dessert, instead of jail. The boys at Camp Green Lake wake up early to avoid the hottest part of the day. The holes must be five feet deep and five feet in diameter. If anything interesting is found, it must be reported to the warden. After finding something, Stanley gets suspicious. He realizes what it is and understands why they are digging. There are many flashbacks throughout the story of Camp Green Lake 110 years ago. Zero, another boy at camp, quickly becomes friends with Stanley. Stanley teaches Zero to read in exchange of Zero’s help on digging his holes. Many adventures come of their friendship, including surviving in the dessert without water and deadly lizards. This book is great for children, teenagers, and even some adults. It keeps you on edge at all times, and you will never want to put it down. I read this book in 3 days, and it usually takes me a week to read you will never want to put it down. I read this book in 3 days, and it usually takes me a week to read a book at that length. Sachar makes so many great twists in the plot that all tie together for a great ending. That is why I recommend this book.

Classic....
Holes is one of my favorite books...Stanley Yelnats...man youll feel bad for this poor guy.

The characters in this book are great...and so funny.
Zero was my favorite character even though I found him a little annoying. The book has a great story and a great ending.

If you like books with dark humer...I guess this book has dark humer and a great story get HOLES..The movie is also great....

Check it out...It's really good.

5/5...

Later...

Saw the movie first
I made the mistake of seeing the movie before reading the book. The book is good but the movie is better. I think if I had read the book first it may have been a better choice.

HOLES ROCKS
holes is GREAT!!! the funny thing in this book is when stanly always blames his great great pig-stealing grandfather.i would not like to go to camp green lake. it was torture. it wasnt fair wat the boss did to everybody that ever went there. holes was great cause there was so much action and adventure. when u read holes it feels lke u went into a different world like dimension x. ... Read more

Book Description

What a night!
The moon is full.
Kitten is hungry
and inquisitive
and brave
and fast
and persistent
and unlucky . . .
then lucky!
What a night!

Reviews (2)

My baby loved it!
I started reading Kitten's First Full Moon to my daughter when she was 3 months old, and she has since been captivated by the beautiful black/white illustrations of kitten and her quest for the little bowl of milk.

Here Kitty, Kitty
The cover shows Kitten in a dazzling night garden. The lettering is silvery and the colors of the entire book are grays, black, and white. Kitten sees the moon and thinks it is a bowl of milk. The story shows Kitten (in very clever illustrations) trying and trying to get at the "bowl of milk". Kitten chases after an impossible goal and in the end finds what it was searching for was waiting for it all along at home. Fun for everyone, but cat lovers will really enjoy this book. ... Read more

Reviews (1145)

Prejudice
I really liked S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders because of the unique way the book was written. Instead of the "conventional" writing style, Ms. Hinton wrote the book like she is Ponyboy Michael Curtis, "Greaser." This book was very interesting, it had many unexpected twists and turns. The Outsiders is a very believable book, and in many ways there are real "outsiders" today.

The Outsiders dealt with prejudice, and as you are reading this book you begin to understand what life is like for other groups and how they act towards each other. It's sad because no matter what or who is in the group, they are all classified as "bad," "good," "smart," etc. It made me realize that I too judge and group people too easily, we all do.

I would recommend this book to anyone (over the age of 11 or so) who wants to read an awesome novel about life, family relationships, friendships, social groups and prejudice.

A Student at Secrist Middle School, 3rd period Language Arts

The Outsiders - A Timeless Read
Even though S.E. Hinton's young adult novel, The Outsiders, was first published 35 years ago, it is timeless. Just like Romeo and Juliet, or West Side Story, it is a story of rivaling groups and the emotional and physical scars that the rivalry plays on the individuals of both sides. There is no love story, but the relationships among three recently orphaned brothers and their gang of greaser friends tells of deep attachments, love and hate.

The story is told by fourteen year old Ponyboy who is the youngest of the Curtis boys. He reveals his opinions, insights and feelings towards the people and events going on around him. Throughout the story Ponyboy's sensitivity to the complexities of peoples thoughts, motivations, and actions, including his own, increases dramatically. As Ponyboy develops an understanding of his world, so does the reader develop an understanding of how a teenage mind works and grows.

Hinton's greasers and socs (socialites) represent the cliques that forever seem to reign in middle and high schools. For this reason most readers will find it easy to relate to one or more of the characters. If the reader is an adult, like me, Ponyboy's revelations will shed some light on who some of those other kids in school were, and why they did what they did. For the teen reading the book for the first time,Ponyboy offers insights that might make the road they're travelling easier to understand now.

If you have a teen in your home, don't show them the movie. Give them this book to read. They are sure to appreciate the gift.

The Outsiders - A review
This book is very good. i have read it in 2 days, and you can read it very good. it is not bad.keep cool, Heiko Rabus

The Outsiders is the best book ever!!!!
Hey everyone we had to read the book the Outsiders this year(8th Grade) and then we had to watch the movie we had to do a BIG report on it and it was so0o0 much fun and I got a great mark on it..I liked it so much that in the summer I went out and bought the book and then I rented the movie and I have read the book like 4 times and watched the movie like 5 times it's the best ever if you are looking for a good book to read, read The Outsiders!! It's worth it!!
From The Outsiders Fan
Gel

A girl's review on the outsiders..
I have read this book 3 times and everytime I learn something different. I think everyone can relate to atleast one caracter in this book. I related myself to Ponyboy (the caracter that's telling the story from his point of view.)
The author made me feel like he really went threw all of this, and this book wasn't fiction at all. Many life lessons come out at you as you read...and you don't want to put it down. The main caracter is an intellegent, opinionated teenager who is willing to hide himself and his feelings in order to fit into the world he is forced to live in..but some people he'll trust to open up too. He comes off as a poor troublemaker by the way he dresses, but he is really purer and golden than anyone.
I recomend this book to everyone, especially teenagers. ... Read more

Book Description

Indigo Dreams is a 60 minute CD/audio book designed to entertain your children ages 3-12 years old while introducing them to relaxation/meditation techniques. Four unique stories introduce breathing, visualizations, muscular relaxation and affirmations. Children follow the characters along as they learn to manage their own stress, anxiety and energy. The narration is accompanied by healing sounds of nature and an additional music sound track to further enhance your relaxation experience.

The Affirmation Web
A Believe in Yourself Adventure
Voted "Book of the Month" by The IAM Foundation

Affirmations or positive statements build self-esteem and empower children to be the best they can be. Children follow a girl and her animal friends as they weave The Affirmation Web. They learn to believe in themselves while replacing negative messages with positive self talk. Children love this feel good story and the positive effect it has on their lives. Show children just how special life can be. Feel good!

A Boy and a Bear
The Children's Relaxation Story

Breathing for relaxation and wellness is a basic technique practiced by cultures throughout the world. Children love to follow A Boy and a Bear as they experience diaphragmatic/belly breathing. This self calming technique can be used anytime, anywhere. This easy, yet powerful stress management tool can offset the effects stress is having on today's children. Many children are classified as being hyperactive. Empower your child by teaching them to ground themselves and manage their own energy. Let’s breathe!

A Boy and a Turtle
The Children’s Visualization Story

Visualization is an effective technique widely used for achieving sports goals, creating success and attaining wellness. Now children can follow A Boy and a Turtle as they fill their bodies with the colors of the rainbow. Colorful imagery quiets the mind and relaxes the body. Parents as well as children enjoy falling asleep while playing in the field of colors. Some children are sensitive to energy and can often use it for healing. Enhance your child’s abilities to feel and see energy. Relax with colors!

The Goodnight Caterpillar
The Ultimate Bedtime Story

Muscular Relaxation is essential to a good nights sleep. Children follow The Goodnight Caterpillar as they learn to unwind, relax and see things more clearly. This easy, gentle exercise relaxes muscles throughout the body as anxiety and tension slip away. Children and parents will fall asleep more easily and experience a deeper peaceful night’s sleep. Sweet dreams! ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Great Bedtime Stories For Children
After years of searching for techniques to help my 14 year old and six year old get to sleep at night, I have finally found the answer in Indigo Dreams CD. It IS the "relaxation response" for children of all ages.
I use the CD at night for my 14 year old when he is stressed out about a test at school the next day. My six year old often has seperation anxiety at bedtime and won't sleep by himself. All I have to do is put on Indigo Dreams and within minutes I can see his little eyelids start to droop and when he shuts his eyes I know I am home free and sleeping by myself in my own bed!

Children have something to look forward to!
Our children finally have a product to empower them to deal with anxiety and stress. My children have been exposed to violence on the television, been bullied in school and are under a tremendous amount of stress. My younger child gets teased for being overweight. I don't remember being this stressed out at their age, but I'm stressed out now dealing with their stress.

A friend introduced me to Indigo Dreams CD and my children LOVE this CD. They want to listen to the stories every night. In a short time they have learned to use the techniques that Lori Lite teaches to help them in their everyday lives.

My youngest loves the affirmations, while my older one adores the breathing and The Goodnight Caterpillar story. I was forced to buy another CD to avoid the fighting.

I highly recommend this CD and the stories.

Happy Grandfather
After having a wonderful experience with "A Boy And A Bear", I decided to try "Indigo Dreams". I was not disappointed. My grandson and I sat on the couch and together we enjoyed the gentle, relaxing stories of Lori Lite. I wish other grandparents (as well as any adult) could be made aware of the value and benefits that is available to them by simply listening to these stories. Thank you Lori.

K.S. Garrison, I couldn't believe the transformation....
I have been teaching for many years. I recently had the opportunity to observe a class of first grade children as they listened to these stories. Wow!! What an amazing transformation. They came into the room very excited and within minutes they began to really listen to the stories,relax and follow along with the directions. I watched a boy I knew to be extremely hyper become very calm and quiet.This collection of stories is what we all need to help us manage our day to day stress. I highly recommend this CD to all parents with children and who knows they might enjoy the stories themselves.

Fantastic Cd
I have been searching for a product that would help my child deal with anxiety and hyperactivity, especially at bedtime. The first time we listened to these stories my Chelsie was calm, relaxed and was able to fall asleep quickly.

Thank you so much Lori Lite! ... Read more

Book Description

Ten years ago, Jack and Annie found a Magic Tree House in the woods and the world of reading was changed forever. Millions of letters later (from children, parents, and teachers around the world!)the exciting and inspiring four books are available together in a keepsake-worthy boxed set. The perfect gift to encourage a struggling new reader or remind old fans of the way they first discovered the magic of books. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

wonderfully imaginative..........
The Magic Tree House books are wonderful for early elementary kids. My first and second graders love for me to read these books aloud. They are simple and uncomplicated with short chapters which could cause them to be a bit boring for older kids. Each book has Jack and Annie magically going to another time and place by wishing on a book left in the tree house. This series (I have #1-24) have really turned some of my non-readers onto reading.

GREAT SERIES
When I found the Magic Tree House series, I was thrilled. Mary Pope Osbourne is writting books with non-fictional details in a fictional plot!! And I love that there are pictures on every other page--it keeps the early readers entertained. My older boys read early so it was hard to find books they could read that weren't "silly" and kept their interest (and had pictures). Even when my two older boys stepped into more difficult reading books, they still wanted to follow the series! Now my 7 year old is taking over!!

I understand that the writting is for younger kids, but last year I worked as a teacher's aide, and every day I would read a chapter to the 4th grade class, before dismissal, and they were sold--found Magic Tree House more fun than Harry Potter!! When we started a new book, we would all wait until the tree house stopped spinning and the whole class would say with me "everything was still; absolutely still" (a standard line in each book)!

Can't Get Enough!
I bought the boxed set 1-4 based on my sister's recommendation. She has a 5 and 3 1/2 year old and they listen to Ms. Osborne's books on tape. They looovvve the stories--yes even her younger son. I decided to give it a try. I thought my bright almost 5 year-old daughter would like to try something different and also, give her a taste of what chapter books were all about. My daughter cannot get enough of these books. They are interesting, intriguing, thought provoking and often times my daughter ends up with her fingers in her mouth because she gets so excited about what's happening in the story. What a wonderful way to broaden your child's look at the world--from Egypt to the Cretaceous period 65 million years ago. I went ahead and bought books 5-8 and look forward to reading them to my daughter.

Great Chapter Books for First, Second & Third Graders
This is the first series of chapter books my son actually wanted to read by himself. While many of the reviewers complain about grammatical errors, etc., I feel these can be overlooked as these delightful stories keep a child's interest from start to finish. Each chapter is fairly short and has frequent pictures (a must for beginning chapter readers). The main characters have all sorts of adventures and the reader actually learns some historical facts. While the books are probably too easy for advanced readers, they should appeal to most beginning chapter readers. I think it is very important that children think reading is fun and the books from The Magic Tree House Series provide a wonderful introduction to chapter book reading!

Great fun to read for both of us!
We were looking for "chapter" books for our 4 year old and a librarian recommended these. We are starting our own collection. Eventhough our daughter can't read yet, she loves them! I deliberately stop midway and discuss what she thinks will happen next. She is then very excited the next day when we finish. Great!! ... Read more

Amazon.com

"Did you ever fly a kite in bed? Did you ever walk with ten cats on your head?" Such are the profound, philosophical queries posed in this well-loved classic by Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel. While many rhymes in this couplet collection resemble sphinx-worthy riddles, Seuss's intention is clear: teach children to read in a way that is both entertaining and educational. It matters little that each wonderful vignette has nothing to do with the one that follows. (We move seamlessly from a one-humped Wump and Mister Gump to yellow pets called the Zeds with one hair upon their heads.) Children today will be as entranced by these ridiculous rhymes as they have been since the book's original publication in 1960--so amused and enchanted, in fact, they may not even notice they are learning to read! (Ages 4 to 8) ... Read more

Reviews (81)

Rich in marvelous images
Dr. Seuss's extraordinary body of work is a collective treasure, but from that group of books a few stand out as his best. "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish" certainly belongs in the category of Seuss's finest. Rich in clever rhymes and memorable images, this book scores a literary home run on nearly every page.

Directed towards early readers, "One Fish" uses simple language in its funny rhymes. Seuss mixes his own created words together with standard vocabulary, resulting in such memorable lines as "just jump on the hump of the Wump of Gump." And these rhymes are accompanied by a rich variety of images that can only be described as "Seussian": A mother fish pushing her offspring in a baby carriage, a bed being commandeered by a menagerie of animals, and more.

Futhermore, in "One Fish" Dr. Seuss introduces us to a wonderful assortment of Seussian creatures: the singing Ying, the hopping Yop, a truly bizarre creature known simply as "Clark," and many more. These images are sure to energize the imaginations of both children and adults.

Seuss's images range from the joyful to the eerie, from the baroque to the earthy. I give "One Fish" my most enthusiastic recommendation.

IF YOU WISH TO WISH A WISH
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At least two generations of parents and their children have now been immersed in the wonderful world of Dr Suess. The fun filled fantasy world of Dr Suess has lost none of its charm. "One Fish Two Fish" is one of his best.

The theme of this book is "funny things are everywhere". Dr Suess goes on to prove this by introducing a long list of fantastic but friendly characters. The creatures are at times outrageous looking but they are never frightening. There is no chance of monster-phobia developing in children after reading these books.

Anything is possible in this book. You have to love the seven hump Wump with its eight legs. It bears an uncanny resemblance to a camel.

Children will get to love the rhyme and rhythms of the words in this book. Children will be encouraged to make their own word play. It is possible new skills in creative thinking and even musical aptitude may emerge in children after having fun in the Suess world. On thing is for sure, a love of reading will certainly be encouraged.

Spatial thinking is encouraged with humorous signposts to Near and Far, and Here and There. Young minds will adore taking the advice "if you wish to wish a wish".

"One fish two fish" makes a great bedtime book. It is long enough and exhausting enough to pacify the most agile young mind. They can go off to dream land pondering "did you ever fly a kite in bed" and then "curl up with your Pet Zeep".

Prescient political pondering of our polarized prolatariat
Just as Seuss covered anti-intellectualism in Green Eggs and Ham, and alternate lifestyles in Hop on Pop, the Fish book is a trenchant political analysis. Foreseeing the red vs. blue state deadlock back in the idealistic better-living-through-chemistry early 1960s, Suess contrasts the red (as in communist) fish with the all-American blue fish. This motif weaves through the book, teaching little ones the red vs. blue tension of multiculturalism (in the form of strange animals) and isolationism of Ned in his too-small bed. While most younger children will miss the allusion to Procrustes, they may remember the literary echo in Hop on Pop: Ned joins Red, Ted, and Ed in a more appropriately sized bed, and Seuss shows his support for the UN, or at least the International Monetary Fund.

The tension is palpable when the young boy and girl bring home a large, walrus-like pet and wonder how their mother will feel about their deed; no preschooler could miss this reference to the Teapot Dome scandal. Similarly, their advice to get a pet Yink simply because of its fondness for pale red india writing product is a sardonic commentary on rampant consumerism. And the camel-like Wump shows his prophetic realization that our demand for oil would force us to deal with the Saudis on a regular basis.

Seuss warns us of the coming divide in these United States in the introduction: "From there to here, from here to there, funny things are everywhere." It starts with the fish, red, blue, and black (but not white, showing where Geisel's sympathies lie), young and old, then proceeds up the evolutionary chain to large land mammals, eventually including the aforementioned school-aged boy and girl. They serve as the Adam and Eve as well as the Joe and Joan Sixpak of the book. They espouse embracing what is different while they reinforce doing the same.

Seuss knew where we were headed in both 2000 and 2004, and this book shows the way out. The US has plenty of (pale) red ink, so we should get a Yink. I think.

Every day, from here to there, funny things are everywhere
You might think that "One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish" is a Dr. Seuss book about counting or colors (or counting and colors or even counting colors), but that would simply be the hook for something much larger. The thesis of this Beginner Book appears opposite the first page, where we are informed by a small creature with a giant mustache and a yellow star for a belly button that "From there to here, from here to there, funny things are everywhere." If anything this Dr. Seuss book has bits and pieces from lots of other Dr. Seuss books. You have a series of opposite because fish are not only red and blue but old and new, you have Ned who does not like his bed, there is Yop who only likes to hop from finger top to finger top, and all sorts of strange looking animals. There is even a creature that looks like the Cat in the Hat except he is completely yellow, including his hat, has a polka dot bow tie, and eleven fingers.

Consequently, if "One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish" is one of the first Dr. Seuss books that a beginning reader begins reading they should go back and read it again after they have gone through the rest of the good doctor's books because they will then be better able to appreciate some of the familiar faces in this book. However, since this is not a book for early beginning readers, most kids will get to this one after they have covered the basic Dr. Seuss books and become well accustomed to his delightful volumes of rhymed absurdity. This particular book has been inspiring the imagination of beginning readers since 1960 and there is no reason for it to stop with that endeavor at this point in time.

Great book
Unlike most Dr. Seuss books, this book has no real plot. For the most part it is made up of unconnected pages that flow nicely into one another. The lack of plot is not something that harms the book in my eyes, I like the chance encounters with the strange creatures, and I think the lack of a plot helps to make this story special.

Throughout this book we are introduced to a number of cute creatures from fish to Wumps to Zeds. Like all Dr. Seuss creations they are very cute, bold, colorful and expressive. Another characteristic of a Dr. Seuss book is how the words flow wonderful and manage to rhyme well in a manner completely unforced and effortless. This is one of my favorite Dr. Seuss books.

Loggie-log-log-log ... Read more

Book Description

The bestselling author ofThe O'Reilly Factor, The No Spin Zone, and Who's Looking Out for You? talks straight to kids this time. He is as demanding, direct, and wry as ever -- but he's also more revealing too, sharing candid snapshots of his own childhood throughout.

Bill O'Reilly, a former schoolteacher, now an award-winning broadcast news journalist, husband, and father of two, joins forces with an experienced educator to bring you, America's youth, a code of ethics by which to live. In this latest book, Bill takes to task bullies, cheaters, advertisers who target you irresponsibly, and parents who fight for their children to win undeserved honors instead of earning them on their own merit.

He lays bare the unvarnished truths about sex, money, smoking, drugs, alcohol, and friends. What he has to say about these issues may very well surprise you. He offers coping devices for those enduring a divorce, struggling with teacher, parent, or sibling relationships, and planning their futures. He also shares wisdom on such subjects as death, politics, and God.

Whether you take the tests he's provided, take the advice he doles out, or just take a cue from the personal stories he shares, you're bound to make smarter choices in your life, and that's all Bill asks for.

Reviews (1)

Good Summer Review/Comments by Professional Educator at UAB
Engaging for the child. Mostly math and language activities of differnt types, styles, and complexities. Tasks get progressively harder toward the new school year. A good general purpose review and prep to keep skills fresh and build a few new ones before schools starts in August. Moderately well-illustrated.

Encourages independent reading and offers a suggested reading list--though parents should review any of these books for appropriateness for their child.. In choosing books for independant reading the key is for the child to enjoy reading challenging materials--let your child choose what interests them as much as possible. ... Read more

Book Description

They open a door and enter a world. ... Read more

Reviews (319)

Lions, Witches and Wardrobes--Oh My!
Because it is so spectacular, I'm choosing The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe to be the first book I review here at Amazon. I first fell in love with this story (and the subsequent volumes in the series) when my fifth-grade teacher read it to our class. Though it has been more than a decade since, this book has remained one of my all-time favorite works of literature, and I try to reread it once a year. It has an enchanting effect on the heart, mind and soul that never diminishes.

The novel features four British children: Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy (Sons of Adam and Daughters of Eve) who discover a magical world hidden behind fur coats in a wardrobe. In "Narnia", they encounter an endless parade of fantastic characters and events that aid them in their quest to free the land of Narnia from the spell of the White Witch. She makes winter a permanent season and turns those who oppose her into stone. The most prominent Narnians are the talking animals, but especially the lion Aslan who, with the children's help, must return spring and benevolent rule to the land.

On a more analytical note, I find it fascinating how C.S. Lewis uses allegory to loosely bridge his fictional world with well-known themes and stories from the Bible. You can most easily recognize this in the ever-present battle between good and evil and the symbolic representation of Christ's Resurrection in the guise of Aslan's death and revival on the Stone Table. Which fulfills an "even deeper magic from before the dawn of time."

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a modern classic that should be included in EVERYONE'S library. It will leave you completely satisfied, but at the same time craving more (which can be found in the other six volumes of the Chronicles of Narnia series). Oh, to sit and rule at Cair Paravel while munching on Turkish Delight!

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
This book is about a girl named Lucy and her 3 siblings named Peter, Susan, and Edmund. They have to go live with a relative that they call the "Professor." On day they decide to play hide and go seek. Lucy runs to a closet and there she meets a kind faun named Mr. Tumnus in a really cold wintery place. Lucy returns to her brothers and sister and tries to convince them of what she saw. Lucy and her siblings have now entered the land of Narnia where the evil White Witch lives who dislikes children and it always trying to capture them. At the end of the book, there is a big battle between the witch's evil side and Aslan's (the lion) good side. Aslan's courage and loyalty to the children and people in Narnia brings Spring to their land.

This is the best fantasy I have ever read because it keeps the reader always involved. It is really hard to put this book down. Although this story seems complicated and hard to follow, it is fast moving and always keeps the reader in suspense. I loved reading this book and recommend it for both girls and boys. I know this one will be on your top ten list.

I want to go to Narnia
How can you not adore this? You know how food can be labeled "comfort food" - well this is the type of story that's a "comfort story". I felt so protected, secure and safe while reading this. It takes me back to a time in my life when I reguarly daydream adventures like those in Narnia. I think it reminds us of imagination, and freedom, and child-like wonder. Such a beautiful, wonderful story. Allow it to take you away and suspend your disbelief - you won't be sorry.

Hope
I chose to read this classic by C.S. Lewis because every one else I knew had read it when they were younger. I was told that it was an allegorical novel by a friend, which spiked my interest in what I considered just a child's fantasy. Lewis fills his world, Narnia, with a wonderful array of different and interesting characters. Fauns, Nymphs, Dryads, Naiads, and hospitable beavers all contribute to the fantastic nature of this story. Lewis must have been a creative man to imagine such wonders and write them down. A place where perpetually deadened by the cold of winter, with no Christmas and, therefore, no hope would be a terribly bleak setting. The depiction of Aslan as a symbol of Christ was quite interesting. Even the girls, Susan and Lucy, become similar to the two Marys in the gospel in their caretaking of the lion. So as not to give away the story to anyone else I will end saying this unique world provides more than just a fantasy escape. To both children and adults it provides a reminder that there is hope, even in our world, when it too seems cold and dead.

The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe a reveiw by Irene
Have you ever imagined being sent away to someone's house, that has a secret that no one knows but you? The house in The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe had a secret , which only Peter, Susan,Edmund, and Lucy knows. Once they went through the wardrobe in the house,their adventures would begin in the land called Narnia, and their lives will change.

I love this book, because it tells about Lucy trying to save her friend Tumnus. It tells about the wonderful adventures she had with her friends, Peter, Susan, and Edmund and the great dangers they faced in Narnia. I also liked the little rhymes that describes Aslan, the great lion.

I wish that this book would be longer and the adventures of Narnia would countinue in this book.

I recommend this book for people who like adventure stories, because this book is filled with adventures.

My favorite part is when the dwarf made Edmond a prisoner and used a whip to threaten him to go faster. If the White Witch ( a terrible witch) that calls herself queen of Narnia wants Edmond to go faster, the dwarf whips him until he goes faster.

My other favorite part is when Edmond got tricked into bringing Peter, Susan and Lucy to her because she wants to turn Edmond and his friends into stone. They are smart and she doesn't want them to break the White Witch's spell. The spell is a spell that will keep Narnia always in a winter season.

On the map, I think it is a little confusing because it doesn't show the place where Peter, Susan, Edmond, and Lucy came through the Wardrobe to Narnia, but the story is exciting. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Niece and Her Mom Loves It!
I bought this for my ten year old niece who takes Spanish in her fifth grade class. She loves it, and I know this will make all the difference in her ability to access the language and learn. Her mom said the book is really great, and I wouldn't be surprised if my three-year old nephew makes some use of it too.

The best ever...you can find it here!
I am buying 3 more copies of this book for fellow teachers in my building.

I find the book easy to use, up-to-date, and a handy reference on any spanish word.

The picture are real life situations from computer usage, to apartment rentals, to a visit to the beauty shop..all in pictures and the Spanish work for everying associated with the picture.

An invaluable guide for the classroom or any one who want the Spanish word for an every day item or life experience.

I'm trying to get the district to order them for all the teachers in my school as well as all schools in the district.

I'm sold.

A Fantastic Resource!
I teach an adult ESL class and have discovered that this book is a resource I really cannot do without! In combination with the teacher's manual, it has become a valuable resource for teaching new vocabulary to my students. When I first started using it in my lessons, the students skimmed through it and were very impressed with the variety of pictures arranged by themes. After using it at home, they have ALL told me that it is a wonderful book and are so thankful they have it!

good, clear, colorful pictures for beginner or advanced
I use with a multi-level class and everyone likes it. Pictures and definitions can spark discussions. Divided into sections which are color-coded by topic. Very full resource for the price. ... Read more