Book Description

Karen Santorum has produced for parents and teachers a wonderfully rich volume that speaks to the regrettable fact that the subject of manners is not much discussed anymore.Mrs. Santorum has arranged a collection of stories an poems that will develop and enrich the moral imagination.Everyday Graces will be useful both as a bedside book and as a reference for home, school, and church library. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

My son loves the stories in this book
My 5 year old son enjoys listening to stories, and the selection of old and new stories in this book is great. Stories that teach a lesson are valuable in developing a childs character, and the stories in this book are all very positive and helpful in teaching a child how to behave in various situations. I would recommend this book.

A GIFT THAT WILL KEEP ON GIVING
I purchased two books for Christmas gifts. I now know what one book I will buy for every baby shower, birthday gift, etc. This book is to be savored - enjoyed by adults and children. Karen has given every family a 'gift' - by writing this book.
This book deserves more than five stars! As a mother of a nineteen year old - now in his second year of college - I wish we could have shared this book...it's a keep next to the bed and read a little every night, kind of book.
Thank you, Karen for compiling so many stories and poems that are a joy to read - a joy to share - and a "Gift that will keep on giving"

A must-have for every family!
What a delightful book! It is a wonderful collection of stories and poems, bound to thrill and inspire every child who hears or reads it. The beauty of the book is that it entertains and teaches. What better tool for parents who want to teach their children good manners but don't want to bore them to tears with a bunch of rules! The imaginations of children will be captured and their hearts imprinted with the virtuous example of everyday heroes and heroines. I love the way the author follows each story with a brief synopsis of the lesson on virtue and manners that children can take away from the story. Every family needs a copy of this book in their home!

A Godsend for Parents!
After spending about an hour flipping through this book, I realized every parent on my Christmas list had to have it! This book is the perfect solution to bedtime--enjoyable stories from classic to modern literature that quietly teach valuable lessons. This book would be great for parents and grandparents alike! ... Read more

Book Description

A lovely princess, a brave prince, a wicked stepmother, evil enchantments, magic rowan wood, and an immense, scaly dragon. . . . Favorite fairytale elements sparkle in The Loathsome Dragon, a traditional English tale. Majestic, romantic paintings by two-time Caldecott medalist David Wiesner display the remarkable artistry and dizzying perspectives his work is known for.

Now available once again—with several new illustrations, revised text, and a brief source note—this picture-book classic will delight David Wiesner's many fans, and win him a generation of new ones. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (13)

A Pirate Looks at 4
Okay, so I read this book as an adult, but it didn't take long for some of the magic of childhood to come creeping back to me through the pages. This is a children's story the way they used to make 'em, full of whimsy, magic, and good deeds. Follow the Jolly Mon on a delightful yet purposeful journey, spreading happiness as he goes. The illustrations are beautiful and capture the vivid colors of the Carribbean and a child's imagination. This is a great book for kids of all ages. Just be prepared to smile, because once the Jolly Mon has passed your way, it'll be impossible not to.

Lovely Kids Book
We purchased this book about 3 years ago when my daughter was very young, we read it to her and she loved the brightly colored pictures and images of fish, sea, funny men with coconut hats etc. Now that she is older and can understand the story we still read it and it is one of her favorites. It isn't just a fluffy children's book, it contains, fantasy, danger, death (although not in detail), travel, pirates, mystery and to top it all off it is beautifully illustrated. The characters are all uniquely drawn, the situations really stir the imagination. The Buffets can certainly spin a good one!

Great book
As an elementary school music teacher, I have used this book with a variety of age groups. It's a great book, and I use it with my fourth graders every year. The kids love it, but buying the CD with the song on it (Parakeet Album: Song of Jimmy Buffett) is a must!

The singing mon
Title: The Jolly Mon
Author: Jimmy & Savannah Jane Buffett
Favorite Characters: Jolly Mon, Good King Jones

The Jolly Mon is a good tale of a man who had a great talent and shared that talent wherever he went. Jolly Mon's tale begins with him singing for fish when a guitar floats to him. The guitar had words on it that told the Jolly Mon to share his singing talent with all the other islands. Therefore, Jolly Mon builds a sail boat and sails away to share his talents. All the other islands enjoy it when Jolly Mon comes and hate it when he leaves.
In the end, Jolly Mon must return to is home. On his way home, he is tricked by pirates and captured! The pirates hated people being so happy because of Jolly Mon music and so they throw him to the bottom of the ocean. It is a little surprising what happens next. Read it to find out! ...

MY SON LOVED IT!
I read the book to my 3 year old son and he just loved it. Now he wants me to read it every night before bed. Jimmy's tales of life on the sea are amazing, even for a child of three. ... Read more

Book Description

Odysseus and his men have defeated the one-eyed giant, but its curse follows them at every turn.Cast out to the open seas by the wind god, Odysseus and his fleet continue the difficult journey home.But they cannot return to Ithaca yet.First they must take on giant cannibals and outwit a beautiful witch, who reveals Odysseusí next challenge ñ a journey to the mysterious and feared land of the dead. ... Read more

Book Description

Fifteen-year-old Alexander Cold has the chance to take the trip of a lifetime. Parting from his family and ill mother, Alexander joins his fearless grandmother, a magazine reporter for International Geographic, on an expedition to the dangerous, remote world of the Amazon. Their mission, along with the others on their team -- including a celebrated anthropologist, a local guide and his young daughter Nadia, and a doctor -- is to document the legendary Yeti of the Amazon known as the Beast.

Under the dense canopy of the jungle, Alexander is amazed to discover much more than he could have imagined about the hidden worlds of the rain forest. Drawing on the strength of the jaguar, the totemic animal Alexander finds within himself, and the eagle, Nadia's spirit guide, both young people are led by the invisible People of the Mist on a thrilling and unforgettable journey to the ultimate discovery....

In a stunning novel of high adventure, internationally celebrated novelist Isabel Allende leads readers through the intricacies of two personal quests, and on an epic voyage -- teeming with magical realism -- into the wonder-filled heart of the Amazon.

Reviews (42)

Allegorical novel
Isabel Allende's book speaks to the hearts of those who are ready to change their emotional attitudes.
This novel describes attitude change in a teenager, a change from being self-centered, sour, rigid, and emotionally blind (with
respect to the needs of others) to a sharing, helpful, more altruistic, and more positive outlook. This is a change that some
readers are not interested in contemplating, at this time in their life, for various reasons, and so we may hear their complaints
that this book is not "entertaining" or that this story does not make a practical sense.
Allende has extended the realm of so called magical realism to her allegorical stories of the wounded and partly frozen heart in
which most characters on their life journey may slowly learn to move away from impulsive hatred, or from their lonely struggle
for finding their private comfortable role in life, further on to a more spiritual unity with others.
Allende's book is prone to confuse numerous readers. Some may object that the imaginary world of her novel no longer
matches the standard materialistic outlook on life, or that there are too many unexpected changes in her narrative style, in the
depth and scope of the vocabulary, or that her story is not a light entertainment.
For example, some persons (both in her novel and in the real life) indeed may understand each other, at times, without knowing
each other's language. The fact that not everyone can replicate this (or at least views himself unable of replicating this at least
once in his life) does not annihilate the existence of this uncommon phenomenon.
Allende's story has several symbolic levels and latent meanings or aspects, similarly to abstract paintings. Some of the frequent
criticisms of this particular novel may be compared to those faced by Van Gogh for his paintings of sunflowers, or of wooden
chairs, or of the trees moving in the wind.
The paintings by Henri Rousseau were often misunderstood by some as paintings "for children" and this particular book by
Isabel Allende is, in fact, mistakenly classified in many Canadian libraries as the one for the children's section. However, if we
view this classification positively, it has the advantage of making the book accessible to teenagers.
I have listened to this book in Spanish on audiotapes while commuting in my car. After hearing the whole book more than 5 times, I have developed more appreciation for Allende's poetic and rather unpredictable language and symbols. I am looking forward to obtaining more of Allende's books on audiotapes, hopefully in her original Spanish.
Not everybody is ready for this particular novel of Isabel Allende. However, it is a much needed tool for those human beings
that have a need to engage in a similar allegorical journey, in a jungle of symbols, allusions via simplifications, and with an
emotional symphony.

Allegorical story, rich on symbols
Isabel Allende's book speaks to the hearts of those who are ready to change their emotional attitudes.
This novel describes attitude change in a teenager, a change from being self-centered, sour, rigid, and emotionally blind (with
respect to the needs of others) to a sharing, helpful, more altruistic, and more positive outlook. This is a change that some
readers are not interested in contemplating, at this time in their life, for various reasons, and so we may hear their complaints that this book is not "entertaining" or that this story does not make a practical sense.
Allende has extended the realm of so called magical realism to her allegorical stories of the wounded and partly frozen heart in
which most characters on their life journey may slowly learn to move away from impulsive hatred, or from their lonely struggle
for finding their private comfortable role in life, further on to a more spiritual unity with others.
Allende's book is prone to confuse numerous readers. Some may object that the imaginary world of her novel no longer
matches the standard materialistic outlook on life, or that there are too many unexpected changes in her narrative style, in the
depth and scope of the vocabulary, or that her story is not a light entertainment.
For example, some persons (both in her novel and in the real life) indeed may understand each other, at times, without knowing
each other's language. The fact that not everyone can replicate this (or at least views himself unable of replicating this at least once in his life) does not annihilate the existence of this uncommon phenomenon.
Allende's story has several symbolic levels and latent meanings or aspects, similarly to abstract paintings. Some of the frequent
criticisms of this particular novel may be compared to those faced by Van Gogh for his paintings of sunflowers, or of wooden
chairs, or of the trees moving in the wind.
The paintings by Henri Rousseau were often misunderstood by some as paintings "for children" and this particular book by
Isabel Allende is, in fact, mistakenly classified in many Canadian libraries as the one for the children's section. However, if we view this classification positively, it has the advantage of making the book accessible to teenagers.
I have listened to this book in Spanish (on audiotapes) while commuting in my car. After hearing the whole book more than 5 times, I have developed more appreciation for its poetic and rather unpredictable language and symbols. I am looking forward to obtaining more of Allende's books on audiotapes, hopefully in her original Spanish.
Not everybody is ready for this particular novel of Isabel Allende. However, it is a much needed tool for those human beings
that have a need to engage in a similar allegorical journey, in a jungle of symbols, allusions via simplifications, and with an
emotional symphony.

A NEW DIRECTION IN A RIGHT WAY.
Isabel Allende's "City Of The Beasts" it's an entertaining book about adventures a-la-Jones, Isabel Allendes master description and turn twisting writing still here but with a heart for the mystical and suspense. I won't describe the plot because is unfair to tell the whole story if your going to read it, wich I recommend, because first it's an entertaining book, second Allende's description's gave you the whole idea, like if you're watching a movie, third the characters are well define and every one has a part in the story, and the end is somehow what you expected but with some curious twists, in fact this is the most easy to follow book from Allende, it will satisfy your need for some chill-out reading afternoon, after this you can also follow up with The Kigdom of the Golden Dragon, with the same people from this book but in a different adventure in a differente place.

Poignant New Series for Teens
Fifteen-year-old, Alexander Cold, is given the opportunity of a lifetime, when his fearless Grandmother, a magazine reporter for INTERNATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, invites him to tag along on her journey through the Amazon. Bidding his family and ill Mother goodbye, Alexander takes the chance, and ends up exploring, not only with his Grandmother, but with a Doctor, a celebrated anthropologist, a local guide, and his young daughter, Nadia. Their journey will take them where no man (or woman) has gone before, to document the legendary Yeti that just so happens to survive in the Amazon, and is better known as "the Beast." Under the canopy of the rain forest, and with his newly acquired friend, Alexander and Nadia are led on an adventure that will change their lives forever, by the invisible People of the Mist.

A woman I know at the local Barnes & Noble has been recommending this book to me since it was released. However, it seemed like something that I probably wouldn't be interested in. Boy was I wrong. Being very interested in the field of cryptozoology, I found all of the talk about "the Beast" absolutely fascinating, and was extremely mesmerized by the descriptions of the rain forest. Alexander is a likeable character that will appeal greatly to male readers, while Nadia is a brave character who will appeal greatly to female readers. A must have for all ages, especially teens interested in adventurous YA literature. Great job, Ms. Isabel Allende!

Erika Sorocco

the beast is a beauty
Alexander Cold departs his family and ill mother to take a trip of a lifetime with his adventurous grandmother to find "the Beast." He is taken aboard a boat where he meets the rest of the team, including a famous anthropologists, a doctor, a guide and his daughter Nadia. As they travel down the Amazon river, Alexander discovers the beauty and splendors of the dense rain forest. Throughout the story, both Alexander and Nadia journey through the forest where they discover the invisible "people of the mist" who show them a diffrent world far diffrent from theirs. This is a fantastic book that will capture your imagination and envelop it with adventure. The descriptions are so vivid and mesmorizing, as if they pop out of the book and show each scene infront of you. This book shows Isabelle Allende at her best!! ... Read more

Book Description

Odysseus and his men have done what no other mortals have done: returned alive from the terrifying Land of the Dead.Armed with warnings and advice from the ghosts of the prophet Tiresias, Odysseus is determined to finally sail home to Ithaca.But the enchantress Circe tells him that the Greeks will face even more horrors on their journey, including an encounter with Scylla, the six-headed monster, and Charybdis, the deadly whirlpool.Who will survive these terrors-and how?

In this third of six books based on episodes from Homer's Odyssey, Mary Pope Osborne continues the exciting adventures of one of the greatest heroes of all time. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The best in the series!
We read all these books in the series together as a family. This one was our favorite. My boys couldn't wait for bedtime so they could hear what would happen next in the story. These books offer enough action to keep one's interest, young and old. I recommend all the books in the series. We can't wait for #6! ... Read more

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

Homer's mighty epic poem, The Iliad, is the earliest written literature of Western civilization. Adele Geras, best known for her trilogy based on Sleeping Beauty, takes on the seemingly impertinent task of retelling the siege of Troy as a young adult novel, but manages to carry it off without trivializing the original. The great battles of the bronze-clad warriors and the clashes between Achilles and Hector and Odysseus are seen at a distance from the walls of the city, where the Trojan townsfolk gather to sit each day and cheer the action like spectators at some archaic football game.

The passion of Helen and Paris, Hector's farewell to his ill-fated infant son, and other familiar domestic scenes are seen from a closer perspective, through the eyes of the four teenage protagonists. Marpessa is Helen's young servant, and her sister Xanthe is nursemaid to Hector's baby son, while Iason, who is secretly beloved by their friend Polyxena, tends the horses and yearns for Xanthe, who has a crush on Alastor, who has impregnated Marpessa. These complicated, interlocking infatuations and love affairs work themselves out against a background of siege and bloodshed watched over by the gods. Artemis, Mars, Poseidon, and Pallas Athene appear in visions to reveal their plans to the characters (and to us), but their words blow away like mist as soon as they are gone. Meanwhile, the bawdy gossip of three old serving maids in the kitchen emulates a Greek chorus. The story winds to its inevitable destination with the emergence of the Greeks from the wooden horse and the bloody sack of the city--a suitably violent end to an ancient and violent tale. (Ages 12 and older) --Patty Campbell ... Read more

Reviews (31)

Troy
Troy is a magnificent book depicting life for ancient Greeks and Romans. It required a little homework to understand all of the gods, but it was worth it. After picking apart this book, it did not take me long to realize that this book was truly about love. All that happened in this book had to do with love. The sacrifices, the sisters, and even the war. Adele Geras beautifully depicts what happened in the raid of Troy, and even though it was a bit gory, you could really feel what it would have been like to be there. The author has a terrific way of writing, where you can truly connect to the characters, and you want them to succeed just the way that you would want a close friend to. Because this book has so many characters, it's a little confusing following who the chapter is about, but the scene banners at the beginning of each chapter help. I also enjoyed the gods participation in this novel, foreshadowing the whole time. It just made me want to keep reading even more. I encourage anyone who's looking for an interesting, exciting, and challenging book to pick up Troy.

Side-Story in the Epic of Troy
The book, Troy, was written in a very different style than I'm used to. It centers on two sisters: Xanthe and Marpessa. They live in Troy, Xanthe as nursemaid to Lord Hector's son, and Marpessa, an attendant to Helen.
The story tells of the events of the sisters' lives before and after the Greeks destroyed Troy. Some parts were very evocative, and the plot was very interestingly portrayed. Adele Geras's setting very vivid, and her characterization was well done.
Though I really disliked many parts, the story was well written, and at times leaves you to imagine what's going to happen afterwards, particulary in the end.
I'm still undecided whether this book makes my top ten list of books, but it's still a good read, and I enjoyed it.

Disappointed....
I simply can't tell you how sorry I am that I cannot be one of those who raves about this book. Being a young adult myself, when I found this book in the Young Adult's section of the bookstore I was thrilled. I am sure many people can relate when I say that the Trojan War has always fascinated me. When I bought this book I couldn't wait to dive into the story.
I bought this book fully prepared to be blown away because of all the amazing reviews and awards circling it. But boy, was I disappointed. I realize that because I am young I may not yet appreciate this sort of thing but I was absolutely shocked by the...erm...shall we say...explicit material in this book. Every time I pass this book, proudly displayed in the Young Adult's section in the bookstore, I can't help wondering what some parents will think when they peer over their 11-year-old's shoulder and find them reading some of the worst parts of this book.
Now, this book is like a soap opera in print, which is not always a bad thing, and there are very many parts where the character's feelings hold the largest piece. But for some reason (maybe it's just me) I found that, although the author was writing words that described the character's feelings it all felt surface-like to me. For a book so full of emotions none of the feelings expressed felt as deep as in some other books I've read; they just felt like words on a page.
The characters in this book were all original and the author's imagination and portrayal of some of the best known characters in the Trojan War was something different and there were personalities that I enjoyed discovering. This book could make a great PG-13 or even R rated movie, but as a book it was a little disappointing.

a classic
if you know the story, or have read 'the Iliad' (Troy)...then you must read this! its a neat story. Geras highlighted characters that were hardly, or have never been mentioned within the original epic Troy. She viewed the story from the Trojan's perspective..It all ends the same way- hardly some parts of it was distoredly narrarated if you were to compare it from the original version (on how the war went on). But, the ending kind of left me hanging...what happened to Xanthe? Adromarche? Guys and Gals - This book is WAY better than the movie even if Mr. Pitt was in it!

Best book ever!!!!
This book was amazing! It totally shed new light onto the Trojan War. It was awesome because it's like reading a soap opera, and yet it's historical fiction, so there is some truth to everything. This book is a better way to learn history; more kids would want to learn if every historical event was put into historical fiction like this book was. Troy made the Trojan War real, and made it interesting, instead of reading the entire lIlliad. Even though it is for more mature people due to some explicit parts, Troy is a "two-thumbs up" kind of book! ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (8)

Enjoyable but insubstantial fairy tale fluff
It has been well documented that a kiss is much more than the brief contact between two pairs of lips.

Indeed, as E. D. Baker points out, its transformative abilities have been well noted in stories as disparate as Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, and, of course, The Frog Prince. The kiss has lost none of its potency in Baker's skewed fairy tale, as fourteen year old Princess Emeralda discovers. Succumbing to the pleas of yet another talking frog claiming to be an enchanted prince (goodness, there seem to be rather a lot of those around), she reluctantly puckers up-- and is herself changed into a frog. She and her froggy companion, Prince Eadric, embark upon a quest to regain their humanity; it is, as Eadric puts it, "a matter of life or froghood." Their everything-but-the-kitchen-sink adventures include amusing episodes with Vannabe, the would-be wicked witch, a disgruntled swamp fairy, various enchanted and/or talking creatures, several kisses (few of them between humans), and insects of varying degrees of tastiness. Fireflies, anyone? Or perhaps a nice, crunchy dragonfly?

The first person narrative has a certain sprightly charm with a number of humorous and clever garnishes (the trash can vs. the trash can't; the difference between them becomes crucial when the contents of the trash can't are freed by Emma's spell), and as a whole is seldom less than enjoyable, though I was rolling my eyes when it came to a cartoonish talking bat named--wait for it--Li'l Stinker. The dialogue can be a bit wooden and very occasionally descends into downright corniness ("I would never have met the best friend I've ever had," says Emma to Eadric in a particularly cliche instance), but the book works well when being flippant and tongue in cheek, which it mostly is.

The greatest problem with the book is not what it does wrong, but what it fails to do, i.e. to be a really clever, memorable modern fairy tale. All the stereotypes of fairy tales are present, most turned on their heads with moderate success. But while they do subvert fairy tale conventions, neither characters, story, nor world really take on a life of their own. There is nothing to make Baker's enchanted forest or generic fantasy world stand out from any other, and the characters are almost equally wanting. Even as the narrator of her own story, Emma comes across as just another member of a new generation of unconventional princesses (brave, kind hearted, but also shy and clumsy), and Eadric, amusingly self centered and imperfect, is only a little more individual. While reading The Frog Princess, I was reminded of a host of other modern fairy tale characters with more, well, character. Grassina pales beside the forceful, relentlessly no-nonsense Morwen of Patricia C. Wrede's Enchanted Forest Chronicles, and Eadric is nothing to Diana Wynne Jones's flamboyantly egotistical and selfish but lovable Howl. The pointed wit and skilful manipulation of fairy tales seen in Patrice Kindl's Goose Chase and Vivian Vande Velde's The Rumpelstiltskin Problem make The Frog Princess seem a trifle labored in comparison.

Writing skewed, young adult fairy tales has become a very popular thing to do, with the result that a number of books have been recently published that deal with the same basic themes. Fairy tale aficionados will enjoy Baker's offering, but may find themselves returning to stronger novels in this subgenre. The Frog Princess is an amusing little book, but it covers no new ground and leaves no deep impression.

Fantastic!
This story was probably one of the best kid's books I have ever read. I absolutely adored it! It was cute, witty, charming, goodness, I could just keep going! I have already recommended this to so many people, and I will continue to sing its praises! (P.s., I was equally smitten with Dragon's Breath <#2> and lets hope there will be a third one!)

Wonderful!
This book is truly wonderful! Words cannot express how great this book is and how much I love it!
I recently stumbled upon this book in the library last year while searching for a book to use for my book report at school. I looked at the cover and read the back description and I was interested.
As soon as I took it home to read it, I couldn't put it down! I finished the entire book in 3 days!
The story is about a princess named Emeralda (aka "Emma") who is very clumsy. One day while in the swamp, she discovers a talking frog named Eadric who begs her for a kiss. She kisses him and turns into a frog!
Join Emma and Eadric down a path of hilarity, friendship, and surprises as they meet friends and foes!
I HIGHLY recommend you get this book if you like fantasy-themed books.

A Princess with a purpose
E.D. Baker's novel, "The Frog Princess" is a magical story revolving around a clumsy fourteen-year-old princess who finds herself getting talked into kissing a seemingly mischievious frog named Eadric, who "claims" he is a prince. After accidentally being turned into a frog herself, Princess Emma and Eadric are forced to go on a long, tedius although hilarious journey to retrieve their normally human forms--but they get into trouble on the way. Princess Emma has her own worries at the palace, however, and isn't sure whether she's just about ready to face those problems--that is, if she ever turns back into a princess! She also is fascinated with her aunt (who is a witch), and wishes to succeed in performing at least ONE spell without making a complete mess of it all. There is light romance, much humor, and a fantastically original plot outlined with E.D. Baker's wonderfully witty and well-written style. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in an incredible fairy-tale that is targetting teen readers.

A great reveiw for a great book
When Princess Emma finds out that her least favorite prince is coming she heads out to the swamp and she meets an obnoxious little frog that can talk. When the frog finds out that Emma is a princess he asks a favor, a kiss. When Emma heads back to the castle she finds ot that she has to marry Prince Jorge. The next day she returns to the swamp and tells the frog (Prince Eadric) that she has to marry Prince Jorge. Since she has nothing to lose she kisses Eadric. I really like this book and I hope you like it as much as I did. This book is adventurous, funny, and shocking. So what are you waiting for?! ... Read more

Book Description

ZANE COBRIANA, COBRA shapeshifter, thanks the gods every day for Danica, his hawk pair bond, and the peace their union has brought to the avian and serpiente. Soon, Danica will have a child to carry on their royal line. But what should be a happy time is riddled with doubt.

Syfka, an ancient falcon, has arrived from Ahnmik claiming that one of her people is hidden in their midst. The falcons are more powerful than the avians and serpiente combined, and Syfka shows nothing but contempt for Zane and Danica’s alliance. To Zane’s horror, his own people seem just as appalled as Syfka is by the thought of a mixed-blood child becoming heir to the throne. Is Syfka’s lost falcon just a ruse to stir up controversy among them? The truth lies somewhere in their tangled pasts—and the search will redefine Zane and Danica’s fragile future. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

Unabridged, featuring the author and a full cast of actors.This highly successful series of Shakespeare adaptations comes to audio in a remarkable production that combines clear, accessible storytelling with the Bard's gorgeous language. A huge cast of skilled readers brings the beauty, humor, and drama of these ageless classics to life in a recording that can be shared by the whole family. The perfect way to introduce youngsters—and adults—to the wonder of Shakespeare! Running time 2 hours. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Paul O. Zelinsky, 1998 Caldecott medalist for Rapunzel, also has three Caldecott Honor Books under his belt: Hansel and Gretel, Swamp Angel, and this fine edition of Rumpelstiltskin. Zelinsky's oil paintings are perfectly suited to the strange saga of the little man with the secret name who knows how to spin straw into gold. The golden light infusing the late medieval setting subtly reinforces the theme.

The visual characterization of Rumpelstiltskin is a triumph: an odd elfin man with bulbous eyes, a gigantic, flat black hat, impossibly skinny arms and legs, and long, pointed black shoes. This Rumpelstiltskin is not scary or horrid, but rather mischievous and weird. When the young queen finally guesses his name, and thus is able to keep her baby, he flies off on his huge cooking spoon (with a pout), true to the Grimms's 1819 version of the story. (Zelinsky provides notes on his text in the back of the book, indicating his careful research into various editions of the original Grimm tale.) Zelinsky's retelling is straightforward and smooth, with only a few lines of text on each page to complement the truly magnificent full-page illustrations. A delightful book worth its weight in gold! (Ages 3 to 7)

... Read more

Reviews (17)

Zelinsky Paints a Beautiful Picture of Rumpelstiltskin
The Grimm Brothers wrote one of their most famous tales,"Rumpelstiltskin", over a century ago and others havetranslated and retold it many times since. Paul O. Zelinsky retold"Rumpelstiltskin" based on one of the Grimms' earliest versions of the story. He was also the illustrator. The illustrations in Zelinsky's version are oil paintings. This allows him to create an exceptional antique setting for the story, as well as striking characters. There is such detail in each illustration that there is almost an individual story with in each picture. The intense use of shadowing combined with a kaleidoscopic amount of colors also makes this story's pictures peculiarly realistic. Zelinsky clearly portrays a distinct and more exciting way of seeing the classic tale, "Rumpelstiltskin". The first thing that makes these illustrations so life-like was the individual characters combined with the ornate and detailed backgrounds. The expressions on the characters' faces are drawn in such detail that the reader can easily see what they are feeling at a glance. The reader can also predict whether a character is good or bad from the detail of his/her face. The queen's (miller's daughter) large, gentle eyes and delicate, ivory skin demand the reader's compassion, even though she broke her promise to Rumpelstiltskin that saved her life. Rumpelstiltskin's tiny body accented by his pointy nose and chin gives off a sinister aura. The little details with in each picture make them all unique. An example is when the king is walking into the room where the miller's daughter is with all the spools of gold. There are rays of sunlight coming throughout the window reflecting off the spools that it hits. The colors used makes the room look warmer and more comfortable than when she had entered into it the night before. You can see some of the gold thread unraveling off various spools. The wrinkles in the miller's daughter's clothes shows that she is not in a very comfortable position as she sleeps one of the piles of gold. These are all such minor details that you might not even notice in a photograph. The title page and end papers even include detailed artistry. They show a petite village that is surrounded by a range of mountains and an ocean. The narrow, dirt road winding down to the tiny community gives out the idea that the village is relatively secluded from the rest of the world. I think that the title page and the end papers are a great way to covey the setting and atmosphere to the reader right away. The component of Zelinsky's illustrations in, "Rumpelstiltskin", that made them seem so life-like was his use of shadowing. A good example of this is when the queen sent her servant into the woods to look for Rumpelstiltskin. In this picture the only light the reader can see is from the servant's lantern and the few feet it shines on around her. The reader can also see the moon's reflection in the ocean. This use of shadowing makes these illustrations look not only life-like, but like photographs too. In Zelinsky's version of "Rumpelstiltskin", the illustrations were very realistic, because of his use of shadowing, complex use of colors, and phenomenal detail. Zelinsky's pictures are so effective that the words are practically unnecessary to tell the classic tale of "Rumpelstiltskin".

Beautiful, Complicated Tale with Magnificent Illustrations
As previous reviews have noted, the illustrations are exquisite and quite out of the ordinary; instantly captivating and magical at first glance. My daughter is 3 and 1/2 and is riveted by the book. I feel confused at how strongly some of the readers feel about the book's "message." Yes, many of the characters are "bad" and it is morally ambiguous, but the sheer flight of fancy and imagination captured by the tale has intrigued and fascinated readers and listeners since the early 1800's. It's like a child's version of a scary movie without the macabre details, and even though Rumpelstiltskin himself is ugly and frightening even though he is actually "saving" the queen, the book and story's power coem from the fact that he is such an unusual character; not whether he is good or bad. Furthermore, the additional magical ideas of straw into gold, being locked up in a castle, servants running off in the middle of the night, and a little elfen man riding around on a spoon are bizarre and fanciful and elements like these fill much of the fairy tale genre for centuries. I say, get over the p.c. messages and concetrate on the fantasy and magic of the story that is so compelling to readers, especially with Zelinsky's magnificent pictures. Life is complicated, and so is the story - it doesn't try to answer all the questions and make everybody good/bad/punished/redeemed. That is not the point of this particular story. If you only want a story with a moral, it's true that this is not the book for you. If creative ideas and concepts that you could never think of yourself are what your looking for in a book, then it is the book for you!

The most technically correct spinning wheel in kiddie lit
A rare book. Zelinsky tells the story of "Rumpelstiltskin", evoking a story most American children will know. Especially impressive is his tiny details. A good example of this is his spinning wheel. Many illustrated Rumpelstiltskin stories show the spinning wheel as something that Rumpelstiltskin throws straw towards, causing golden coins appear. In this edition the spinning wheel is technically correct. The miller's daughter is given empty bobbins, onto which Rumpelstiltskin spins golden threads. Zelinsky's accomplished paintings show the golden bobbins gleaming, one on top of another. The portrayal of Rumpelstiltskin himself was described in one review I read as "Rackhamesque". I don't know if this was the illustrator's intent, but he certain does seem culled from a classic European fairy tale book from the early twentieth (or even nineteenth) century. The oil paintings look Southern European, and though a story with an odd moral (if you can outwit your opponent by cheating, you're in the clear) it is an excellent book for children. Like its companion book, "Rapunzel", this too would be a promising book for storytelling.

Nice pictures, twisted story
This is a nearly verbatim rendition of the Grimms' story, and it's hard to understand why Zelinsky would use his talent to illustrate it for children. Even harder to figure out is how the American Library Association could award its Caldecott Medal for distinguished American picture book for children to any rendition of this dreadful tale: The king threatens to kill the miller's daughter if she can't spin gold from straw. Rumpelstiltskin saves her life by spinning gold for her, but extracts a necklace, a ring and, on the third night of spinning, a promise of her firstborn. She then marries the king, whom Zelinsky depicts as young and handsome. When it comes time for the queen to hand over her newborn, Rumpel agrees to relent if the queen can discover his name. She sends a servant to follow him into the woods and discover the name. So the king, though he looks good, is greedy and brutal. The queen is a victim who agrees to give over a future infant to save her own life, and then depends on an anonymous, unrecognized "servant girl" to save the child. And Rumpelstiltskin, shown as physically unattractive and (the message seems to be) therefore bad, is the one who saved the future queen from execution and then relents on the payment he bargained for. A weird, twisted story that offers nothing for kids, illustrated with Renaissance-style pictures that accentuate the perversity by making the bad guy look good and the guy who saved the damsel in distress look bad.

A great classic
The illustrations helped support and great tale. My daughter loves it. I know that there are many different versions but I was slightly disappointed that the ending was different from the version I remembered as a child. In this version Rumpelstiltskin flies off on a spoon. The version from my childhood is where Rumpelstiltskin is so mad that he jumps so hard he goes through the floor. Even w/the slightly updated version it's still a classic and must have for nay household. ... Read more

Book Description

Happily ever after has never been so happy! These inspired retellings of classic children's fairy-tales are simply told and beautifully illustrated.This is a series of books that parents will treasure and children will love hearing again and again.Jump at the Sun Fairy-tale Classics include: - Cinderella - Goldilocks and The Three Bears - Jack and the Beanstalk - Little Red Riding Hood ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Ed Young drops the ball
Not everyone knows this, but authors don't always have control over the artists that illustrate their books. Sometimes a well-established author will be paired with an up-and-coming illustrator, and sometimes it's the other way around. In an ideal situation, the text and the art compliment one another flawlessly, making it so that the reader finds it impossible to imagine any other pairing for that particular book. If I had been Penny Pollock, I would have been initially overjoyed to learn that Ed Young had been selected to illustrate my work. After all, Mr. Young is a winner of the prestigious Caldecott Medal. His books include the beyond beautiful "Lon Po Po" as well as the technically adept and gorgeous "Seven Blind Mice". Which makes it all the more painful that Ed essentially slept through the making of "The Turkey Girl". While the book has a rather interesting and remarkable story, Young's illustrations look slapdash and amateurish. This is a book that has been ruined by its pictures. Worse still, it's been ruined by a formerly very talent artist.

This Zuni tale is a kind of Cinderella story with a dour ending. It tells the simple tale of a girl who lived in her village and was very poor. Her only means of sustenance came from tending the turkeys of the rich, thereby earning her the moniker, Turkey Girl. One day the Turkey Girl overhears that there is to be a fabulous harvest dance that everyone may attend. The Turkey Girl understands that she hasn't the clothes or appearance for such an event, so she contents herself by telling her woes to her only friends, the turkeys. To her amazement, however, the turkeys respond by talking to her. Not the dumb birds we have taken them for, the turkeys present their mistress with a beautiful dress and jewelry for the dance. They insist, however, that she return to them that night before the sun sets. If she does not, they will fly far away and never return. The Turkey Girl promises and goes off to join the dance. She's a hit, but as the afternoon turns to evening she keeps putting off her return to the turkeys. Finally she tears herself away, only to find that they've all gone and that her dress has been returned to rags. As Pollack says in her Author's Note, this book (like some other Native American versions) ends with, "the hard truth that when we break our trust with Mother Earth, we pay a price".

Though it's a little depressing in the end, I liked what this tale had to say. The author has an excellent voice, and the scenes are beautifully presented through her narration. Then we get to the pictures. At first, I was captivated by Young's style. Using pastel and oil crayon, Young works with colors that are native to the American Southwest (where this tale takes place). Though a little fuzzy at first, I was more than willing to give Young the benefit of the doubt. The fuzzy image of the Turkey Girl leading her charges out of the pueblo village looks as if we are viewing the scene through the wavy lines of heat you get on especially bright sunny days. But as the book continued I realized that this style of drawing, while lovely, was completely misplaced here. Though the action in the text becomes interesting and intense, the illustrations are static and without any detail at all. In the section where the Turkey Girl goes to a spring and hears the other girls gossip (soon followed by the announcement of the dance), the picture shows a fuzzy white image of a girl perched on top of (why?) a pueblo as similarly fuzzy images walk away with pots of water on their heads. The scene where the Turkey Girl receives a beautifully described dress of, "white doeskin...belted with red-and-yellow cloth", is accompanied by a shot of two or three somewhat grotesque turkeys taking up 1.25 pages. Worst of all is the dance. The closest we get to seeing ANYTHING at all is a washed out watery shot of eight or so legs that are, for all intents and purposes, not moving. How hard would it have been for Young to infuse a little life into these pictures? Or even, heaven forbid, a little detail. The illustrator seems to be under the impression that to show any intricacies would be to betray the story itself. If so, allow me to assure you Mr. Young that we would have been GLAD to read a book where in the event that a character does something...you see it! Instead, a section that says that, "The Turkey Girl danced every dance, her heart beating in time with her stomping feet", is accompanied by a lazy-hazy view of slightly turkey-shaped clouds against a peach background. If I have no patience for this, then I can guarantee that a five year old being read this story is definitely not going to have any patience with it either.

Which is a real pity. Though Pollock's tale is a bit dark and sad at the end (not only is the Turkey Girl tawdry once more but she's also out of a job) it could easily have worked beautifully with some well placed illustrations. I just can't understand how Ed Young screwed this up. Maybe he was really busy the month he was supposed to be drawing this. Perhaps it didn't pique his interest. Whatever the reason, this book looks like nothing so much as some rudimentary studies of Zuni color schemes hastily scrawled onto a series of pages. If you'd like an adept and haunting Native American picture book fable, allow me to recommend, Rafe Martin's "The Rough-Face Girl". An Algonquin (rather than Zuni) Cinderella tale, that book has the life and energy that this book lacks. All I can say is that I feel very badly for Penny Pollock. I hope that in the future she's given an illustrator that spends a little more time and energy on the final product. For as much as I admire Ed Young, I cannot understand how he allowed himself to produce such a drab creation. I guess it just happens to the best of us sometimes. Maybe.

Not authentic!
Many professional and lay people have given this a positive review, but my study of the book reveals it strays significantly from the way the Zuni people tell this story. While it may be poetic and well written to an uninformed eye, it fails miserably to convey the values and concepts within Zuni culture. As such, it cannot be used in a unit that teaches children about Zuni people.

A Cinderella with substance
This wonderfully evocative retelling of the Cinderella tale has a very different spin, giving the reader much more to think about than the more familiar version. It will make you reflect on your own integrity and will leave you with a clearer understanding of just how much your actions influence your future. Very powerful.

An excellent American Native version of the Cinderella story
Turkey Girl is one of the finest versions of the Cinderella Story to use in your fairy tale and Native American curriculumns. I use Turkey Girl when reading in school classrooms and in my public library, and the children love to hear a story where there are consequences to one's actions. Too many fairy tales rely on the "happy ever after" ending, when everyone knows that if you break a promise, there are consequences to it. This book leads to lots of good discussion about promises and consequences and can be used with children from first through fourth grade. Penny Pollock writes beautifully as always.

Exquisite Native American tale of Cinderella.
A classic. Beautifully illustrated and a moving story. The book is culturally accurate and well researched. It is an exquisitely retold Cinderella's tale in a Native American setting ... Read more

Book Description

Brer Rabbit is one of the craftiest characters you will ever meet. Locked in an eternal game of catch-me-if-you-can with Brer Fox, Brer Rabbit thinks up the most outrageous tricks to outsmart him time and time again. And when he's not scheming against hungry Brer Fox, Brer Rabbit is busy trying to outwit Brer Weasel, Brer Terrapin, Brer Bear, and all of his other friends just for the fun of it. African-American storyteller Karima Amin's lively retelling of ten classic Brer Rabbit tales is based on the stories that she heard as a child. "I was a little girl when I first met Brer Rabbit," she recalls. "My mother brought him into our house and into my life. Many years later, I learned that Brer Rabbit was a hero-trickster character created by my foreparents, enslaved Africans," Amin uses her storyteller's art to recreate the oral tradition that kept these powerful stories alive on the plantations of the Old South. Eric Copeland's illustrations match the humor and mischief of the text, while photographs invite readers to explore the stories' settings, their African roots, and the life of their collector, Joel Chandler Harris. Great fun to read aloud, these are stories to be shared and treasured by all. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Brer Rabbit, Every Child's Pal
I give The Adventures of Brer Rabbit and Friends to every new baby I know! As a parent, grandparent, early childhood educator and school board member, I am thrilled to find a book that meets my criteria for excellence. Karima Amin has skillfully combined the richness of the vernacular language with current concepts and expressions familiar to today's child. The colorful, active illustrations also draw us into the wonderful world of pranks, surprises, and fun. Sections on the African storytelling tradition, the Southern plantation world of Brer Rabbit, and the animals native to Southern USA deepen our learning and appreciation of the treasured tales we have in this lovely book. Brer Rabbit and Friends is perfect for lap reading, group reading, dramatization and learning to be a storyteller. Karima Amin's Brer Rabbit is truly every child's pal!

Great Book for Kids
This is a very good book that my son loves to read over and over again at night:) It not only is entertaining for children, but it teaches them a lesson.

A Magic Spring Tonic
November is a chilly, leafless month where I live in Western New York. However I just finished re-reading The Adventures of Brer Rabbit and Friends as retold by performing storyteller Karima Amin, and it was like drinking a magic spring tonic. Instantly, I found myself transported to the warm, sun-drenched, dreamy world of Brer Rabbit and his myriad animal neighbors. The text of each story wraps and winds its way around the lush color illustrations by Eric Copeland, with a sprinkling of big, bold, bouncy exclamations of "Bookity-Bookity", "Splishy-splushy", and "Lippity-clippety" jumping out to grab your attention at just the right moment. The stories have a universal appeal because they reflect the "life lessons" we all struggle to learn when growing up - to pay attention, to get along with your neighbors, to use your natural abilities, to take time to laugh. Of course, these stories didn't appear out of thin air and the book includes insightful background on the historical context of these classic African American tales and their even-earlier African origins. The only way the publishers could have improved upon this well-done project would have been to offer a cassette or cd/book read-along package. That would have allowed readers the pleasure of following along as Karima Amin brings to life these charming oral tradition folk tales.

Brer Rabbit - An Exposure to the Legacy of African America
As the parent of an African-American child, it is very important that I expose my daughter to the richness of her legacy - Adventures of Brer Rabbit and Friends has assisted in this exposure. Karima Amin has compiled a vast variety of interesting, comical, and spirited stories that were once shared among my ancestors - my appreciation cannot be expressed. I read the collection to my daughter practically every night (per her request - she's two) and there is no book that makes me feel quite this proud. The stories are in the tradition of oral storytelling - teaching as well as entertaining. If you are interested in a book that performs these duties and keeps your children asking for more, then Adventures of Brer Rabbit and Friends is the book for you. The book is complete with the history of Brer Rabbit (an excellent, added feature) and is guaranteed to remain in your hands once your child has left your lap. Please - share these beautiful words with your children!

It's a very funny and interesting.
My name is Edward Welch, I read the book about Brer Rabbit and Friends while I was sitting in a speical place. It made me laugh because Brer Rabbit was always trying to fool people. He always played jokes on people, but he got caught.

I learn a lesson to always be careful because you can get into alot of trouble by fooling others. We should always helping and share with others.

I want to know if you are going to write another book soon?
I am sharing my book with my friends. They like it very much. One of my friends mother said she is going to get it for a present.

Please keep writing books.

Edward ... Read more

Book Description

A board book version of this favorite nursery rhyme with added adventures. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

A WISH COME TRUE!
This is a beautifully illustrated story complete with gold highlights and lots of vibrant colors. It is set to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." Iza adds verses to make it a wonderful story: A little girl sits at her bedroom window and gazes out at the first star she sees and says "...How I wish that I could fly, And visit you up in the sky. I wish I may I wish I might, Have the wish I wish tonight." The star appears at her window and says "...I'll take you on a magic ride. So come with me--I'll be your guide..." I won't share the whole journey but it is definitely magical!

On the last page of the book it includes the verses and music notes to the song. (But I doubt you'll need it; most of us have this song memorized!) Sometimes I sing the story other times I don't; it reads like a poem so you don't need to sing it unless you want to.

I will probably end up with all of Iza's books to read/sing to my daughter. I love them as much as she does! I highly recommend this book as well as "The Itsy-Bitsy Spider." (The only two I own at this point.) You won't be disappointed with Iza!

Thanks Iza!

One of our all-time favorite books.
We have 100+ kids books and, I have to say, this is our all-time favorite. We've had this book since my daughter was 1. She's 5 now and still asks us to sing the verses from the book every night. We own several of Ms. Trapani's books and adore them all. Ms. Trapani has taken an already wonderful children's song and made it even more memorable. The book is beautifully illustrated with a little cherub of a girl going on a dream-like adventure. I love the way Iza Trapani makes the little star, the "star" of the book. She does that with her other works as well. The versus are easy to sing or just recite as a poem.

The book starts with a little girl dreaming of going to the stars. One little star comes down and grants her wish, taking her on a "magic ride". They fly over oceans, farms, and around the planets. After their big adventure, the little star returns the girl to her warm bed and tells her not to be sad, "...I'll shine on you each night my friend...". The little girl thanks the star with a sweet thank you verse "...Thank you for this special night, and the comfort of your light..."

I also HIGHLY recomend these Iza Trapani books: "I'm a Little Teapot" and "The Itsy Bitsy Spider".

Iza's Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star is a hit in our house!
This book and other Iza Trapani books like it are my toddlers favorites! We read them over and over! When we read Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star he puts his one little hand high above his head and makes twinkling motions with his fingers, too cute!

Twinke, Twinkle, Little Star
This is my favorite out of all of Iza Trapani's books. It brings back memories of my sister singing that song to me when I was a little girl, at night as we gazed at the stars off our porch. The illustrations are beautiful and she carefully details fun items in each picture if you really look carefully. I loved the continuation of the rhyme and my daughter and I read it every night before bed. It is our favorite read!

Good idea, not greatly executed
This is my son's favourite rhyme. I hoped additional lines will keep him engaged longer, but they dont flow as beautifully as the original 4. But, it is a great way to introduce him to the solar system and bring his favotire celestial object - The Moon - into his favourite rhyme. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A timely tale with an Iraqi version of the Cinderella story
"The Golden Sandal: A Middle Eastern Cinderella Story" is based on the Iraqi folktale of "The Little Red Fish and the Clog of Gold" retold by Rebecca Hickox with illustrations by Will Hillenbrand. Cinderella in this case is a young girl named Maha. Her widowed father is a fisherman who has to be away from home often so Maha has been wishing for him to remarry the kindly neighbor lady who has a daughter of her own. Maha gets her wish, but in the great tradition of such characters her stepmother makes her do all the work and only lets her eat dried dates. Then one day Maha throws a red fish back into the water, sparing its life, and the wish tells her "call for me any time and ask what you will." So it is that the magic fish helps Maha prepare for the big event in town, the Grand Henna and shows her stepsister the penalty for trying to be mean to Maha. Then there is Tariq, the brother of a rich merchant, who finds the golden sandal and searchers for its owner.

Obviously the attraction here is not only the unique variation on the familiar Cinderella theme but the fact that this is an Iraqi story, since "The Golden Sandal" clearly shows that there are some things American kids have in common with Iraqi kids even when a glass slipper becomes a golden sandal. Hillenbrand works in some nice Middle Eastern architecture into his art along with the strategic use of the color red. In the back of the book both the author and the illustrator explain how there research of this story informed the telling and the illustrating of the tale. If you like variations on the familiar Cinderella theme look out for Nina Jaffe's "The Way Meat Loves Salt: A Cinderella Tale from the Jewish Tradition," Ai-Ling Louie's "Yeh-shen, a Cinderella Tale from China," and Penny Pollock's "Turkey Girl: A Zuni Cinderella," which are just a few of the many versions out there. "The Golden Sandal" is one of the better of these tales out there and it has the added virtue of being timely given world events.

A great book to expand cultural understanding
This is a Cinderella type story that takes place in the middle east. It takes some tradional customs and places them in a context that is easy for the western student to understand. A great book for fans of Cinderella, too.

Great book for middle eastern students!
Their are not that many books for Middle Eastern students. A Cinderella book was sorely missing and this one will please my students immensely. ... Read more