Reviews (2)

Read this book, with or without underwear!
I bought this book for my niece, but her mother liked it just as much! This is a cute, funny book that I just love.

Underwear Do's and Don'ts by Todd Parr, Mike Tingle
This book has big and bright pictures that will catch children's attention to keep on reading. It's size and hardcover pages helps to encourage children to read by themselves too. ... Read more

Book Description

What were pirates really like? How did people become pirates? Where did pirates bury their treasure?
Dig up the answers to these questions and more in Magic Tree House Research Guide #4: Pirates, Jack and Annie’s very own guide to pirates. Includes information onpirate flags, pirate treasure, real-life pirates, walking the plank, and much more! ... Read more

Book Description

Silk has long been considered a symbol of wealth and luxury. But thousands of years ago, the production of silk cloth was one of China's most prized secrets. So how did silk become one of the most sought-after materials in the world?

With lavish illustrations and a highly informative text, The Silk Route traces the early history of the silk trade-from the mulberry groves of China to the marketplace in Byzantium-and explores how two of the world's greatest empires were brought together, forever opening the channels of commerce between East and West.

Book Description

Four African American children interact with one another in a pre-school environment and in so doing explore their facial features, skin tones, what they wear, what they do and how they learn from and enjoy each other ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A simple, poetic read for young children
Sorry, but the editorial review above does not describe the book "Bright Eyes, Brown Skin" by Cheryl Hudson. I'm not sure what story it refers to, but Bright Eyes is a simple, repetitive book with wonderful pictures showing African American children enjoying a day at school. There is no real story line to it, but it is a good book for young children anyway!

Bright Eyes, Brown skin
A charming foursome, Alexa, Ethan, Jordan, and Olivia enjoy a day in kindergarten. The vibrant, detailed pictures and large print, rhyming text provide many opportunities for interaction between the reader and child. Perfect for a beginning reader (5-7) as well as a younger child (3-4). This is one of the few books I have seen for young African-American children that highlights their uniqueness and makes them feel special. My four year old is delighted with this book which has become her favorite bedtime story. Also a nice preparation for pre-school or kindergarten. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (1)

Brilliant, lovely children's book - a classic
This book, and the entire series of books by Miroslav Sasek, are just wonderful. The story introduces children (ideally from ages of about 3 - 7) to the magic of Paris. The book evokes a sense of wonder, while relaying facts about Paris that children will find very captivating. We see things like Notre Dame, a ticket to ride the Metro, and a gendarme. The illustrations are just lovely, done in a style that helps provide a leaping off point for imagining even more about the story. A marvel of brilliance masquerading as simplicity! The book has been in print for nearly 50 years, and deserves it place along with other children's classics of the city like "Make Way for Ducklings." ... Read more

Book Description

When James Warhola was a little boy, his father had a junk business that turned their yard into a wonderful play zone that his mother didn't fully appreciate! But whenever James and his family drove to New York City to visit Uncle Andy, they got to see how "junk" could become something truly amazing in an artist's hands.

Uncle Andy's offers an exciting and unique perspective on one of the most influential artists of our time. Through James' eyes, we see the things that made his family visits memorable-including the wonderful disarray of Andy's house, waking up surrounded by important art and incredible collected objects, trying on Andy's wigs, sharing the run of Andy's house with his twenty-five cats (all named Sam), and getting art supplies from Andy as a goodbye present. James was lucky enough to learn about art from an innovative master and he shows how these visits with Uncle Andy taught him about the creative process and inspired him to become an artist. ... Read more

Book Description

A girl's struggle amid the African AIDS pandemic.

"As soon as I get back from the shabeen, I go next door to see Mrs. Tafa. I have to ask to use her phone to let our relatives know about Sara. I'm nervous. Mrs. Tafa would like to run the world. Since she can't run the world she's decided to run our neighborhood."

So speaks sixteen-year-old Chanda, an astonishingly perceptive girl living in the small city of Bonang, a fictional city in Southern Africa.

While Mrs. Tafa's hijinks are often amusing, the fact is that Chanda's world is profoundly difficult. When her youngest sister dies, the first hint of HIV/AIDS emerges.

In this sensitive, swiftly-paced story readers will find echoes of To Kill a Mockingbird as Chanda must confront undercurrents of shame and stigma. Not afraid to explore the horrific realities of AIDS, Chanda's Secrets also captures the enduring strength of loyalty, friendship and family ties. Above all, it is a story about the corrosive nature of secrets and the healing power of truth.

Through the artful style of acclaimed author Stratton, the determination and resilience Chanda embodies will live on in readers' minds. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Extremely Powerful
Sixteen-year-old Chanda Kabelo is a true hero. She puts her family and friendship first above herself and what the "neighbors" think. Allan Stratton's story of Chanda's family and community draws a vivid picture of what the AID's epidemic is doing to Africa. Extremely powerful, don't miss it! ... Read more

Book Description

The world is full of houses. Big houses and little houses. Houses that stay in one place and houses that move from place to place. Some houses are made of wood or stone; others are made from mud or straw. But all of them are made for families to live in.

Reviews (2)

Houses and Homes
This is a beautiful book with gorgeous illustrations. I found it very useful in my second grade social studies unit.

Informative and Stimulating!
Houses and Homes is a great book to stimulate conversation for young beginning readers! The photos alone are worth a thousand words. I used this book as a lead in for a discussion with first graders about different types of homes around the world. The text is simple enough that they'll read it unassisted over and over. The index in the back of the book, along with a world map, is very informative! It states the specific country where each photo was taken and gives detailed information on the uses of the types of homes shown. The descriptions also include information on the relationships between homes, cultures, and climates around the world. My 5 year old nephew, a beginning reader, would not put the book down. If he wasn't actually reading the book, he was spending time looking at the real-life photos! ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Gives Me the Warm Fuzzies
One of my top 5 favorite children's books! The story line is touching, the illustrations are amazing! I recommend this book to young and old! Besides the beautiful bond between Joseph and his grandfather, I love the incorporated journey of the family of mice that is illustrated at the bottom of the pages - the little girl with the red coat and hankerchief covered head is also brilliant! So many stories happening in one book! A definate 'keeper'

Enchanting!
There are many versions of this story in print (it is a classic Yiddish story) but Gilman's version is far and away the best.
Joseph, a wonderfully drawn character, receives a beautiful blanket from his grandfather. As he ages, the blanket is transformed into a jacket, a vest, a scarf etc.
The prose is very well-done and very lively with lots of repetition which will please children and their parents. The illustrations, however, really make this book. They are fantastic! The world of the shtetl really comes to life in these detailed drawings (in fact, living in a shtetl actually looks pretty good which is an amazing accomplishment!).
I have given this book to friends and family---both Jewish and non-Jewish and everyone has loved it. Buy it, find a blanket and curl up with a child to read this one!

A book to grow up with!
I've seen a few knock-offs of this story, and actually, they're all based on a classic Yiddish folktale, so I guess they have the right. But in my mind -- and my kids'! -- Gilman's sweet take on this tale of old-world frugality and love will always be the "classic."

Gilman's richly colourful paintings are full of action, vivid cross-sections depicting events playing out in all the rooms of Joseph's house, out on the street, and even in the cellar where a growing family of mice plays out a surprising "bonus" story of their own.

The characters here are all believable; Joseph is as mischievous and playful as any modern child. And the time flow in this book is exquisite: as in life, Gilman's transforms Joseph from page in subtle but certain stages, bringing him from early childhood into his cheder years.

This is a story kids will love to listen to over and over, and even adults will enjoy making new discoveries within the familiar illustrations. A superlative gift for any child, one which will grow with them and be cherished for years to come.

8 year-old from North Bend
I gave this book five stars because it had really good word choice and it reminded me of a blanket I used to have. I would recommend it to 7 year-olds or older. It is my favorite book. I have read it 25 times.

Wonderfully repetetive book
I used this book in a daycare class of two and three year-olds. It's great!! The repetition gets children involved actively with the story and the artistry keeps children busy looking for all sorts of details. Wonderful book for children of all ages. ... Read more

Book Description

Unas meses despu#233;s que el joven Alexander Cold se internara con suabuela en el coraz#243;n del Amazonas en busca de una legendaria Bestia, vivir#225; otra aventura. En esta ocasi#243;n, la reportera Kate Cold acompa#241;a a su nieto y a Nadia, la mejor amiga de Alexander, junto con los fot#243;grafos de la International Geographic, en un viaje a otro remoto rinc#243;n del mundo. La misi#243;n del equipo es adentrarse en un reino prohibido, oculto en los picos helados del Himalaya, y localizar el legendario drag#243;n de oro, una estatua sagrada y or#225;culo invaluable capaz de presagiar el futuro del reino.

En su carrera para llegar a la estatua antes de que sea destruida por la avaricia de un intruso, Alexander y Nadia deben usar el poder espiritual de sus animales tot#233;micos: el Jaguar y el #193;guila. Con la ayuda de un sabio monje budista, su joven disc#237;pulo, el pr#237;ncipe heredero, y una feroz tribu de guerreros Yeti, Alexander y Nadia luchar#225;n para proteger el reino del drag#243;n de oro. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

UN LIBRO PROMEDIO
A pesar de las críticas realizadas hacia este libro, no encuentro razón para dar una reseña en la cual mate por completo el interés del lector hacia este, ya que es un libro que cumple lo que se necesita en un escrito de aventuras, osea que, este libro posee una historia entretenida, audaz y con muchos acertijos que hacen que en ocaciones el lector pueda predecir el desenlace, tal es el caso con lo de la Especialista que para los que ya la leyeron, me imagino que supusieron quién era, pero al final el libro si se parece mucho a una película de suspenso tipo Hollywood y deja enseñanzas lejanas a un libro de pensamientos profundos, pero vuelvo a repetir, este libro no es aburrido solo predecible y vale la pena darle una leída, al final siempre es bueno leer, y este libro es sencillo y rápido de digerir y terminar, es un libro de atención promedio.

Nada original
Bueno si estoy un poco decepcionada del libro.. quiza bastante ... es que no me ha gustado mucho, mas bien quiza solo me gusto un poquito... hay pasajes buenos.. aunque parece una copia de Indiana Jones, definitivamente falta mucha originilidad y los personajes son tan poco creibles, ademas ya me tenian medio china (aburrida) con eso del niño jaguar y la niña aguila. La abuela que en el primer libro desempeño mas papel ahora casi que ni se mira. El monje y el principe me han hecho simpaticos, al final ellos salvan la novela.. aunque por ratos tambien cansan, el pobre rey hombre sabio aunque demasiado educado..jeje.. y ese cuento de El Especialista y El Coleccionista ... que barbaridad, mejor se hubiera inventado otra historia, por ratos pensaba que estaba leyendo a Cesar Guzman, la batalla .. Santo Dios.. no nada que ver .. de plano yo me quedo con el primero, me gusto.. como dije con el primero queria ir a Amazonas con este prefiero ir a Galerias (un centro comercial en mi pais) !!! ... ahh y para rematar era mas que obvio que la famosa Judit tenia algo que ver en todo eso ??!?!!!!!

Una historia bonita
Como de costumbre, siempre leo primero la segunda parte y luego la primera, por lo que creo que es como otros libros que la parte que se lea primero es la mejor, la historia que cuenta sobre el "Hombre de las nieves" y lo que sufren por encontrarlo, así como la historia del Dragón es bonita, siempre está intereseante y uno nunca deja de aprender algo nuevo sobre nuestro mundo, culturas y sobre todo en lo distinto que somos las personas, desde las que sólo les interesa el dinero hasta las que sólo les interesa el bienesatar de todos, es un alibro ágil de leer, claro que me falta el primero para compararlo y ver si no es el mismo tema sólo que en el Amazoneas, ya lo veré...

El aburrimiento
"El Reino del Dragón de Oro" es una continuación de "La Ciudad de las Bestias". Isabel Allende reutiliza los temas de "La Ciudad de las Bestias", sólo el sitio es diferente (y hace mas frío).

Otra vez, el joven estadaunidense, Alexander Cold, su abuela Kate y su amiga brasileña Nadia Santos viajan a un país remoto y aislado - El Reino del Dragón de Oro. El reino está en la cordillera del Himalaya. El dragón es una estatua inappreciable y un instrumento de adivinación. Pero un capitalista codicioso desea el dragon, y emplea "El Especialista" robarlo. El futuro del reino es amenazado.

Creí que este libro padeció del mismos problemas que "La Ciudad de las Bestias" - un cuento familiar y derivative. Otra vez, Allende no pudo crear un scenario original, pero adaptó los antiguos. Leeré otros libros de Isabel Allende, quizos serán mejor. Espero que sí.

Just in case my Spanish is as terrible as I suspect it is! Once again the teenage hero from "The City of the Beasts", Alexander Cold, his grandmother Kate and his Brazilian friend Nadia Santos, go on an expedition to a remote country, unsullied by the modern world. However, a greedy capitalist is out to steal the golden dragon, a priceless artefact which the inhabitants believe protects their country by making prophecies. Will they be able to save the dragon, and thereby save the kingdom?

I'm afraid I found this book as predictable as its predecessor - it really consists of a set of borrowed themes and locations mixed together, with little to surprise the reader. For a lost city in the jungle, we now have a remote kingdom in the Himalayas; for the jungle beasts, we now have yetis, as so on. I know this book was aimed at teenagers, but that doesn't excuse its faults. I've made a bad start with Allende. I think I'll try her other works and give her the benefit of the doubt.

G Rodgers

An extremely good story for the hole family!!!!!
I already finished City of the Beast and had to get this one!This book is awesome!! I love the adventures of Kate Cold, his grandson Alexander, the International Geography photographers and all the characters like; Nadia, Boroba (the monkey), and in this particular story the people of the Himalayas; the budist monks, Pema, Judit Kinski, Tensing and the future king, Dil Bahadur. The author Isabel Allende writes this stories so that you can almost feel like you're part of it. In this one, she writes about a Sacred Dragon statue of gold with beautiful gems and magical powers, that is secretly protected in the Kingdom of Tunkhala on the Tibet. Only the King knows the code to use this magical powers and of course the bad guys (the blue men from the scorpion sect) under the command of Tex Armadillo who wants to steal the Holy Gold Dragon. All that and more happen in the Gold Dragon Kingdom.
I can't wait for the next adventure of Kate Cold, Alexander Cold, the International Geographic group and maybe Nadia Santos. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

I find it helpful in our homeschooling
We do a thematic literature approach to homeschooling and I love it when I can find books that bring in science to our studies. We find this series especially helpful. It doesn't go into deep detail, only a general overview, but is a good starting point when studying Ancient Greece. I also like to include "Archimedes and the Door of Science," "Aristotle and Scientific Thought," and "Classical Kids" which includes a lot of Greek science projects. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The final frontier is conquered in the DK Space Encyclopedia and Eyewitness Encyclopedia of Space CD-ROM, the most beautiful, best organized family information sources yet for our galaxy and beyond. In the section called "Observing the Universe," space buffs will discover detailed diagrams of various telescopes, along with explanations of how they're used to pick up light, radio waves, and other emissions from faraway objects. In "Exploring Space," you'll find out how rockets work to launch satellites, people, and gear into space. If you're curious about what it's like to live in space, check out the information on astronauts' daily routines--did you know one astronaut smuggled a ham sandwich into his capsule after hearing how bad NASA's food was?

"Planets and Moons" introduces all the worlds of our solar system, from Mercury out to Neptune and Pluto. Fantastic photos of the planets taken by fly-by probes and the Hubble space telescope show unbelievable details like mountains, craters, and giant canyons. Moving farther away from home, "The Stars" takes you on a tour of our own sun and our stellar neighbors. The life cycle of a star is shown, as well as such strange things as novas, binary stars, rotating variables, and black holes. "Galaxies and Beyond" introduces basic cosmology, the study of the universe, with sections on the Milky Way and other galaxies as well as the latest theories about the size and age of the universe. Finally, readers get tips on how to observe astronomical objects and events, a time line of discoveries, and short biographies of major figures in the field. The DK Space Encyclopedia and Eyewitness Encyclopedia of Space CD-ROM are packed with amazing pictures, diagrams, and facts that no space fan should miss. (Ages 9 and older) --Therese Littleton ... Read more

Reviews (5)

A valuable reference for anyone interested in space
This is a wonderful book, exploring nearly every aspect of space, from the Big Bang to black holes. The book is easy to understand and fun to read whether you're doing a project about space or if you just enjoy reading about it. It's chock-full of hundreds of beautiful photographs and realistic-looking pictures, too. The book is accurate, colorful, and up-to-date, and I enjoy looking through it and reading it in my spare time.

This book covers many, many topics in space. Some of them include the solar system, the planets, the sun, meteors, comets, asteroids, the Milky Way, how the universe started and what it will be like in the future, galaxies, stars, the Big Bang, other solar systems, black holes, and much more.

Plus, the book has an entire stargazing section, with directions to make your own simple telescope, star maps, observing the sky, binocular astronomy, and a lot more!

Overall, I highly recommend this book. Adults will enjoy reading it and they will learn a lot too, and young children will enjoy looking at the photographs and having adults explain to them the text. This is a valuable and complete reference, and nearly everyone will enjoy reading it.

Great book
This is not just an ordinary book about the solar system, it is rich with information about all aspects of space from observing the universe, exploring space, the solar system, stars, galaxies and practical stargazing. Like other DK encyclopedias this is a great piece of work. Though kids (ages 8-12) might find the text a bit difficult to understand, the pictures and the way the information is presented can still awaken their interest and capture their full attention.

A classic book - Must have if you have inquisitive kids.
I cannot count the number of times I have spent an entire
evening with my 5 yr old being asked to explain this or that
catchy page with its wonderful graphics and amazing photos, only
to lose myself in its lucid explanations.

I wouldn't say the CD is spectacular, but my 5 yr old seems to
think it is better than any computer game he's played. He loves
the book and the CD so much that he just can't resist the
temptation to keep telling his cousins and friends about the
wonders of space, gravity, galaxies, supermassive black-holes
and quasars! It is a while now that I've read a story book to
him at night. This book is his staple.

...P>Bottom line -- I recommend this book.

Great space CD-ROM and Book
this DK Space Encyclopida is a great book about space travel and astronomy. It explained everything i wanted to know about the subjecct. I also bought the Arty the Part-Time Astronaut Book with CD-ROM. this bookw was a fun way to look at space with interactive games and test.

A superb interactive space encyclopedia for grades 5 and up.
Ages 8 and older will relish this interactive space encyclopedia, which provides the latest images transmitted by the Hubble Telescope and includes dramatic color photos and charts on every page. A free cd rom is included in a presentation which will reach a wide age range, from grades 5 and up. ... Read more

Book Description

"Seven-year-old Juan lives in Guatemala, a place of stunning beauty and grim economic reality. Abandoned by his mother, Juan lives with his grandmother and shines shoes. He passionately wants to attend school, but fears Grandmother will say no. Finally gathering his courage, he is surprised when she not only agrees to send him to school but also chides him about the importance of standing up for himself. Juan tells this bittersweet story, which reads smoothly and powerfully on several levels, with warmth and dignity."--Booklist. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The Moust Beutiful Plas
The story that I read was really snappy and cool. It's called The Most Beautiful Place in the World By Ann Cameron. There was a boy named Juan and his grandmother. There was also Juan's mom. It takes place in San Pablo, Guatamala. The problem is she leaves him for ever and his mom doesn't let him visit her. He really loves his mom after his dad left them.Some one would want to read this book because its really sad and who ever loves tragedy or not it's a really good book.I recommend this book to people of any age.

A wonderful book to read aloud
I teach 3rd grade, and I read this book aloud to my students each year. Ann Cameron gives a realistic picture of a child abandoned by his mother, and taken in by his grandmother.
She gives a wonderful message about the importance of education and asking for what is really important to you. Although this book is written in easy to read language and great illustrations, the author's messages are best discussed with young ones. I thank Ann Cameron every time I read this book.

Delightful, sincere, and accurate
This is a delightful children's book about a boy living in San Pablo, a small town on the shores of Lake Atitlán, in Guatemala - truly one of the most beautiful places in the world. The story is a heartwarming, but authentic depiction of the trials and joys of a boy's life in rural Guatemala. The drawings are also accurate portraits of village life. The themes of responsibility, love, and quest for knowledge are timeless. Not only will children enjoy this charming tale, but adults will enjoy reading it to them. ... Read more

Book Description

With a young girl guiding them to all her favorite places, readers are treated to a stunning, kid's eye-view of New York City. Engagingly described and sumptuously illustrated with paintings full of details to pore over again and again, the city's pleasures almost burst of the page. Readers are introduced to the thrill of riding your own special horse on Central Park's colorful carousel, the magic of seeing the spectacular Fourth of July firewords explode over the New York skyline, and much, much more. Oversized fold-out pages of the Empire State Building, the dinosaurs at the Museum of Natural History, the Chrysler buidling, and Rockefeller Center at Christmastime add to the fun, while a map in the front and fun facts in the back make a helpful guide. With paintings by a premier American folk artist, this is a visual celebration of one of the world's most fabled cities, sure to be treasured by young and old. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Original edition vs anniversary edition
I have often used the original edition of My New York as a gift for both adults and children who visit our home in New York City.

It's nice to have more of Jakobsen's comforting, folksy art in the anniversary edition, but if you purchase it, my advice is to try to ignore the gazillion little ads and words in the new paintings - especially on taxis and buses, and even on the kids' balloons. It seems as if Jakobsen couldn't resist the temptation to include the name of every friend and relative somewhere in the book, and to promote her own favorite websites and companies, rather than allowing the reader to simply enjoy her depictions of New York City.

It may sound picky, but all those little words and ads make the pictures more cluttered and pulls one's eye away from the more important parts of each scene. And it really wasn't necessary for Jakobsen to paint an ad for another of her books, and an ad for her publisher Little, Brown, on the side of a bus going down Fifth Avenue (see the Plaza Hotel page)! Yes, New York City is, in reality, cluttered with advertising, but folk art and indiscriminate advertising aren't a lovely combination.

The beauty of the first book was that the "My" in "My New York" was every reader who loves New York and enjoys Jakobsen's paintings. The book's title and artwork were a perfect combination. The "My" in the anniversary edition is Kathy Jakobsen herself, and all the friends, relatives, publishers, etc that she managed to squeeze in!

I like this book.
I am 5 years old.I like this book very much.These picture are beautiful and interesting.When I go to New York I'll take this book with me as a guidebook.

For New York-o-philes of any age!
While this book is designed for children, adults will love the beautiful illustrations - - the detail on them is magnificent. The author captures the essence of a wonderful city with her text and paintings. Our son is fascinated by New York City and this book is a wonderful way for him to "visit" his favorite city as often as he pleases. I wish I'd found this two years ago!

Folk-Art Feast for the Eyes
I searched for this beautiful book after seeing Ms.Jakobson's paintings featured in Country Living Magazine. I was not disappointed. I've read this informative story with its unbelievable illustrations to my class every year since then. It's like owning a private collection of her wonderful work

wonderful
The book is beautiful! The illustrations are super! I wish Kathy could do the same with my city: Rio de Janeiro. ... Read more

Book Description

Who is the man called Sabura, the mysterious bandit who robs the rich and helps the poor? And what is his connection with Yosida, the harsh and ill- tempered master of feudal Japan's most famous puppet theater? Young Jiro, an apprentice to Yosida, is determined to find out, even at risk to his own life.

Meamwhile, Jiro devotes himself to learning puppetry. Kinshi, the puppet master's son, tutors him. When his sheltered life at the theater is shattered by mobs of hungry, rioting peasants, Jiro becomes aware of responsibilities greater that his craft. As he schemes to help his friend Kinshi and to find his own parent, Jiro stumbles onto a dangerous and powerful secret.... ... Read more

Reviews (16)

The Master Puppeteer Was Marvelous
I thought this book was very well-written. Jiro is boy of such spirit he takes you into is life at the Hanaza, as if you are there living it with him. The mystery that unravels is the most suprising, as it suddenly twists in the other direction and the person you thought most unlikely turns into your main suspect. Yoshida, Kinshi's father, the one who you most dread seeing for fear his high clogs will come in contact with your behind. Why does he have to have the theater in his hands, and make the show go perfectly, even for the audience of a cockaroach! Jiro, this apprentince puppeteer, is the one whom will inravel this whole this. But, not being able to leave the Hanaza, not being able to go to Osaka for his mother and father, that is very painful for Jiro. The streets of Osaka are very dangerous, with the thought that a riot could start any minute now, and one of the dead bodies in the streets could be you friends. Please, read this book. IT IS MARVELOUS A THOUSAND TIMES OVER!!!!!!!

'' The Magical Page Turner''
The Master Puppeteer is a mysterious thrilling book about a bandit named Saburo who robs the rich and helps the poor! There also is a boy in the story named Jiro who devotes his life to learning puppetry.Meanwhile the puppet theater crashes by a mob of rioting peasents.Jiro becomes aware of his responsibilities greater than his craft.He schemes to safe his friend Kinishi and his parents.While he does this he stumbles upon a great and powerful secret.

Buy this book! (AC)
This outstanding book takes place in Osaka,Japan. The main characters are Jiro, Yoshida, and Kinshi. Jiro, a thirteen year old young boy, is determind to find out who Saburo is even if it takes risking his own life! Saburo is a mysterious robber who robs from the rich and helps the poor. Meanwhile Jiro is learning puppetry. Kinchi is the master puppeter's son. The master puppeteer is Yoshida who tutors Kinchi. When his sheltered life at the theatre is ruined, Jiro stumbles into a dangerous and powerful secret!

The Master Puppeteer
This book called The Master Puppeteer is about a poor boy name Jiro. Jiro is trying to help is father, so the family won't starve to death. The family needs money to keep alive because back then, things were not that well. A lot of people were in hunger, it is up to Jiro to help out with business. Jiro and his family are in the city of Osaka, that is in Japan. Jiro tris to at a theater and make puppets for the a theater, but sadly Jiro is too clumsy for the job.

There are also friendships and courage along this story...I enjoy reading this book, because he shows me more about Japan and the people who lives there...

MASTER PUPPETEER
I think this book was a great example of historical fiction and Japanese literature. It gave great insight into the life of a typicla Japanese boy during this century. It discussed the social ills of that time period and the problems the average Japaneese family faced. It showed the hardships that this young boy faced. More importantly however, I think it gave a good description of the Japaneese theater and its operations.
The only drawback to this is that for most readers who are unfamilar with the Japaneese customs and cultures, it doesn't proovide much insight. it was difficult to relate to some of the situations faced by the young boy. I think if you have a background that suits Japaneese culture you can appreciate this book a lot more. ... Read more

Book Description

How about a nice dish of Colonial Squirrel Pie with a side of milkweed shoots? If that doesn't grab you, you might think about trying some Garbage Stew, just like they made in medieval England. But if you're feeling a little tired and need a boost, your best bet is roasted spiders. They've got three times the protein of cooked beef. (Is your mouth watering yet?)

Illustrated by the wildly-creative Eric Brace, It's Disgusting -- and We Ate It! is a fascinating look at culinary creations from all over the world! ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Just Eat It!
An excellent little book with sensational illustrations. This book explores some of the foods from around the world which different cultures enjoy, but which may seem disgusting to us. Everything thing eaten is not in here but there is a good selection. What was eaten throughout history around the world is also included.

My favourite section is part three - Strange Stories from your own Kitchen which explains what cows eat and how that food gets turned into the milk which we drink. There is also similar information on how bees make honey.

There's also a few recipes and 19 poems as well. I am not really into poems so they didn't do much for me but if you are into poetry then this may well be a bonus for you. The illustrations in this book are sensational though, and worth the price alone.

Amazing what human beings will eat, even if not on a TV show
If you thought that after watching the tribe members on "Survivor" trying to eat local insects and assorted delicacies the past few years there was nothing left to turn your stomach at the dinning table, then this book will quickly set you straight. "It's Disgusting and We Ate It!: True Food Facts from Around the World and Throughout History" has author James Solheim and artist Eric Brace giving young readers a taste of what can be done with seaweed, squirrels, spiders, earthworms, maggots, birds' nests, violets, and even mammoths (Hey, it could happen: remember the episode of "Northern Exposure"?).

The book is divided, like Gaul, into three parts. The first looks at the exotic tastes found around the world, the second looks at some of the more interesting dishes in history, and the third is an eye-opening look at some of the facts behind contemporary American favorites, such as the hot dog. There are a few recipes, mostly having to do with things you could actually cook today with some effort and parental guidance, along with poems, charts, tables, stories, and a map. The big question is whether or not the idea that something "tastes like chicken" (e.g., grilled guinea pig) is a universal goal. I mean, if it tastes like steak or lobster, would that be a bad thing?

"It's Disgusting and We Ate It!" is also educational (spiders having more protein than beef made my day though why the giant ones from New Guinea taste like peanut butter is beyond me), even if you decide never to try python in vinegar, horse blood, or cicadas fat with eggs (even if Aristotle did recommend it as an after school snack). But mostly it is just involves the fun of thinking that in another time or another place people actually ate these things, which will just make the information go down easier.

Totally Gross! And That's COOL!
I've got to meet this author! He's got a wonderful sense of humor and is able to capture the "just gross enough" aspect of human nature. If you have a child who loves to pretend he's eating real worms in front of his little sister just to gross her out, you NEED this book. I love it, cover to cover.

and you thought chocolate covered ants were bad!!
Anyone for some soup made with birds' nests?? How about "1,000 year old eggs" aged in mud?? Live maggots?? I've got it, seaweed!! What?! You want to eat HAMBURGER?!? HOW REVOLTING!! :)

Food cuisine from around the world and the strange things people have found to be delicacies is the topic of this fun book. While most American children wouldn't eat cooked spiders for a million dollars, they may be interested to find that spiders, grubs and other insects are considered not only cruncy delights in other countries, but pound-per-pound they have more nutritional value than most snack foods we eat in the states!

"It's Disgusting" is a well researched, well illustrated book that I would file in the 'expand your horizions' section. We easily forget that not everyone is like us or likes the same things we do. Hindis would be revolted, shocked and offended if we ate hamburger in front of them. Asian cultures find soup made from birds' nests a delicy (the nest itself is largely made of the birds spit) as well as sun dried jellyfish. Closer to home, at one point in history in the US turkey was once considered a food that would make you stupid and tomatoes were once considered poisionous. The passenger pigeons of yesteryear who used to blacken the sky by the millions were made extinct in part because of people's desire to eat them.

Meanwhile, today many food thickeners are made from seaweed or the hooves of animals (carageenan and gelatin, respectively), and some colorings are made from the carapaces (exoskeletons) of insects. However, no one seems to be worrying about horse hooves and bug juice in their yoghurt these days...

The book is written well so that even intermediate readers will be able to make their way through and become enligtened about the foods other cultures fancy. The authors strive to keep any bias out of their writing and simply state the facts: while WE may find this food gross, other people find it a delicacy and vice-versa--there's stuff WE regularly eat that other cultures would quickly push aside. Peppered with fun poems and bright illustrations (including some fun bar charts of the nutritional value of various foods, like bugs), this book may get a chorus of "ewwww!!"'s, but it will also expand the horizons of it's readers!

Now, pass the chocolate covered ants...

The best!!
My daughter absolutely loves this book. She checked it out from the school library and cried everytime it came due, checking it out over and over till we finally bought one. This book looks at things that kids love - gross and disgusting things from everyday life. I only wish Mr. Solheim would write a sequel. ... Read more

Amazon.com

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

Reviews (1)

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