Book Description

This book is written by Harold. His fulltime occupation is dog. He lives with Mr. and Mrs. Monroe and their sons Toby and Pete. Also sharing the home are a cat named Chester and a rabbit named Bunnicula. It is because of Bunnicula that Harold turned to writing. Someone had to tell the full story of what happened in the Monroe household after the rabbit arrived.

Was Bunnicula really a vampire? Only Bunnicula knows for sure. But the story of Chester's suspicions and their consequences makes uproarious reading.

Since its first appearance in 1979, Bunnicula has been a hit with kids and their parents everywhere, selling over 8 million copies and winning numerous awards. ... Read more

Reviews (75)

bunnicula
I read the book Bunnicula. It's about a dog named Harold
and a cat named Chester. And of course a rabbit named
Bunnicula.(not your ordinary cuddley rabbit.)
It all started when harold and chester's owners came
home from a dracula movie.And the owners didn't come
home by themselves. They came with a box with a rabbit
in it.They put the rabbit in a cage. They had some
trouble nameing the rabbit. But they finally found
the name of bunnicula. Probably because of the fact
that they found bunnicula at a dracula movie.
And they sure picked the right name for him. Chester
began to notice that the black spot on Bunnicula looked
like a cape. Chester stayed awake to see what bunnicula
did at night.(I would of though a rabbit would sleep
at night.) Chester noticed that the sly rabbit wasn't
in his cage. He heard a noise in the kitchen. The door
of the kitchen opened. And guess who was hopping happily
out of the kitchen.(That was a sentance from the book.)
The next morning all of the veggitables were white.
On the third time Bunnicula went out for his midnight snack
Chester was prepared. He was trying to starve Bunnicula.
Harold yelled at Chester. Bunnicula looked sick.A few
days later Harold took Bunnicula out of his cage and
lead him to the kitchen. I can't tell the ending because
this is an online review. I recommend this book if you
like bunny vampires.

Still one of my favorites!
My old copy of "Bunnicula" is old and brittle from being read so many times as a kid, and is still a nostalgic favorite. This book is the first of many about the Monroes, an average family with not-so-average pets. First off there is Harold, the "author" of the book, who is an older mutt and is very gentle and somewhat dimwitted. Next there is Chester, a cat who is partial to reading at night (especially Edgar Allan Poe) and therefore has developed an overactive imagination. At first its just the two of them until the Monroes come home from seeing "Dracula" at the movie theater- who have brought home an abandoned bunny rabbit with them! This bunny is very unusual, with black "cape" markings in its fur, sleeps during the day, and drains all the vegetables in the house of their juice and color! Only Chester suspects Bunnicula is a vampire and sets out in a quest to expose the bunny. This is a great book for little kids as well as older ones, and also good for reading out loud to a kid because its not too long either. The sequels which are essential to this book are "Howliday Inn," "The Celery Stalks at Midnight," and "Nighty Nightmare." Those were some of the first to follow up on "Bunnicula" and therefore the best. This should be given to every child who loves a laugh as well as a thrill at the same time. Enjoy!

We loved this book.
Bunnicula is a very good book because it is funny. In this book a cat can read, a dog can write and a bunny sucks juice out of vegetables. Read this book and you will find out how to get rid of vampires, even bunny vampires.
Kids won't like this mystery; they'll love it! If you like animals, you will love this book.
So, if you want to find out more, read the book Bunnicula by James and Deborah Howe.

My summary and thoughts of Bunnicula !
Bunnicula was a great book. If I was you I` d read it because it is funny ,scary and, weird. But you will probably like it too! Here` s what I like about it. My favorite character is Bunnicula! My favorite part is when Chester is wearing Mr. Monroe` s shaving towel on his back acting like a vampire .Bunnicula was a really good book!

I loved this series!
When I was a kid, I loved this series. These books have everything - humor, talking animals, mystery, a vampire rabbit... what more could you want? I just found out there are two books in the series I never read. Even though I am in my mid 20's, I still want to get those and read them. Bunnicula is great for kids of all ages. ... Read more

Book Description

Read by Sophie Thompson
Three cassettes / 3 hours 49 mins.

Mary Poppins is like no other nanny the four Banks children have ever seen.She whirls into their home and "spit-spot", she works her inimitable brand of magic to make even the bland seem extraordinary.An endless source of fascinating adventure, she slides up the banister, produces an endless array of tricks from her empty carpetbag, and ensures their lives will never be the same. ... Read more

Reviews (30)

If you want to find Cherry-Tree Lane...
I have to admit that I cannot completely explain the attraction of Pamela Travers' tale of Mary Poppins, nanny extraordinaire. But 48 years later, and Julie Andrews notwithstanding, I still found myself nodding and smiling as I read the book. Strange things just happen around Mary. You can wander into paintings and travel the world with a magic compass. Laughter makes you fly and the animals in the zoo will celebrate your birthday if you're nice. All at Mary Poppins' whimsy.

Growing up in the U.S., with no concept of what a nanny was, I still loved her right away. What is odd about this is that she actually isn't all that likable. She is quite vain and very, very bossy. She says 'no' a lot, and rarely stops to explain herself or reveal her secrets. Yet somehow you know that she will never let you down and she always will do what she says. Young Jane and Michael (and the even younger twins) couldn't ask for a better guide and protector. In a family where the father is most often at work 'in the city' and the mother is loving but a trifle inept, Mary is the glue that keeps things working together.

The book is actually a series of short tales of a fantastical nature. Sometimes the tale contains the requisite grain of wisdom and sometimes it is just silly fun. Perhaps the willingness to be light hearted is what charms young listeners. In addition to those already mentioned, there is the tale of the dancing cow, and a touching explanation of why we cannot talk to birds. Even though the book is quite readable for an 8 or nine year old, it is really best for being read to children. The adventures should be appealing to almost any child and the pen and ink sketches are a delight to look at.

If you are considering buying a reprint edition, there is, another reason why the book is best read out loud by a parent. In 1934, when the it was originally published, a certain amount of cultural insensitivity was common, and while it did harm, it was not really intended to. In one story, 'Bad Tuesday,' the children travel the world to meet Eskimos, Chinese, Native Americans and Blacks. While all these people are stereotyped, the description of the Black Africans is atrocious. People of color will find it quite offensive. Thanks heavens, in the Odyssey Classics edition this has been remedied. It is the latter I recommend.

It is a relief that there are publishers who understand the value of a wonderful story and will take the appropriate steps to keep it accessible. Mary Poppins teaches us all that wonder lies behind even the most mundane things. I expect I will be right there with Michael and Jane waiting for our magical nanny to return.

The Original Mary
Katie Nana has left the Bank family in need of a new nanny. But before they know it, a woman blows in on the East Wind. Literally. She takes the position of caring for the four children, Jane, Michael, and the twins John and Barbara. But with her extremely prim and proper attitude comes magical adventures. A day in the park, having tea, running errands, and even Christmas shopping can turn into an adventure when Mary's around. And the kids love it.

This most decidedly is not the Disney Mary Poppins. Disney toned her down significantly for his movie, making her heart easier to see. Still, it's there if you look closely in the book. I had forgotten just how hard it is to see at times behind Mary's outward appearance and actions. Still, the kids come to love her because they know where they really stand.

As with all books in the series, this one is a series of adventures. Each chapter tells it's own story, each story it's own fun, magical adventure.

Those looking for Disney's Mary will be greatly disappointed. But anyone looking for a fun series of adventures will find a woman who does care for those around her, even if it's not always super obvious.

Mary Poppins Best Book Ever
Mary Poppins is a spectacular book about imagination and magic. It fulfills your heart with joy once you open the first page. And it is especially a wonderful book for children because children at a young age have a special gift in their minds imagination. When you read this book you will understand every single thing Mary Poppins does and how she does it for example when Mary Poppins first appeared popping out from a rocket on Guy Fawke's Day. I highly recommend this book to adults and children all over the world because you can build up your vocabulary so you can read and write and be creative with your own mind. I personally like the book because it gets more and more interesting as you read and it makes the reader want to go on to the next chapter and so on. It will also make you read faster. My absolute favorite part was when it was Mary Poppin's birthday and Jane and Michael (the two children Mary Poppins took care of) were sitting in a circus with seals and tigers all over. I also, enjoyed the part where Mary Poppins had a compass and while the children were falling to sleep in their dreams (that was actually real life) they saw themselves with Mary Poppins in the North Pole talking to a polar bear.

read these books!
whether you're a child, a child at heart, or someone who wants to re-discover your childhood, read these Mary Poppins books! This is the first in P.L. Travers' Mary Poppins series. And no, Mary if not practically perfect, she is perfectly perfect! There are too many things that I love about these books to list them all: the comedy, the quotable quotes, the lessons to learn, the fabulous writing style. I'm so glad I discovered these great books; I urge everyone else to too at every chance I get! :)

Mary Poppins
October 2, 2003

P.L. Travers
W.W. Norton & Co.

Have you ever seen a stranger fly up a staircase, talk to animals, or put a star in the sky? Well, Marry Poppins can! This is one of the best fantasy books I've ever read and it's way better than the movie. Marry Poppins is about a family who live in a house made to look like a ship. When the family needs a nannie to take care of the children, Marry comes to fill the position. I really liked it when Jane, the oldest child, had a dream about going to the zoo with her bother Michael at night and how every thing there was upside down. People where inside the cages and the animals were watching and running around. It seemed to be Marry Poppins birthday and some lord snake was giving her a present, his shedded skin. The weird part about it is that Michael had the same dream and Marry the next morning was wearing a new snake skin belt. To find out more read the book. I did and I really liked it!

Marry is a strange and mysterious woman who comes and goes when the wind changes. The characters had lots of attitude. Michael and Jane were the kids and John and Barbara were the twin babies. There was
the street painter who can jump into his own paintings. Also, there are the Mom and Dad who don't have a clue that Marry is a magical woman.

This was an awesome and creative book. It had lots of adventure and excitement. Like when Marry takes her compass, says a direction, and instantly she's there! I really liked it because I like fantasy books. Marry Poppins was definitely a page turner with great suspense because Marry Poppins can only stay a little while, but why? ... Read more

Book Description

Unabridged, multi-voiced recording.Luster, the world where the unicorns fled to escape the Hunters who have sworn to wipe them out, has dangers of its own—as Cara discovers when she attempts to cross that world in a desperate effort to rescue her grandmother. Each stage of Cara's journey brings new peril, wondrous new characters, and new clues to the mystery of her grandmother's past. And through it all threads the haunting melody of the "Song of the Wanderer", heard on this tape for the first time. From the enchanting flute notes that introduce the story to its stunning conclusion, listeners will find themselves, like Cara, drawn heart and soul into the wonder of Luster. ... Read more

Reviews (101)

Loving It
I really loved this book. It was even better then some of the Harry Potter books. I just couldn't put it down. I kept telling myself just finish the chapter then STOP! Of course that didn't work. In the book most of your questions from the previous novel, Into The Land Of Unicorns, are answered. Also Cara is on a quest to bring her grandmother, known as the Wanderer, back to the unicorns while also trying to save the unicorns from Beloved. Also what about her crazy past, who is her real mother anyway? Read all about Cara's quest and more in Song of The Wanderer, by Bruce Coville. It was one of the best books I've ever read!

Awesome, Where's the next one?
I read book one, I don't remember about it, but I know I liked it. I just checked out "Song of the Wanderer", on Thursday. I started reading it yesterday and I practically just finished it about maybe 40 minutes or less ago. I loved it. The characters were richly detailed, especially the Unicorns, I like Lightfoot and Finder. The story really is excellent. Bruce Coville really knows how to keep people riveted to their seats for hours on end. I'm kind of sad that I finished it so early. I wanted to stop reading it for a while last night, but I just couldn't stand it. It called me back, It's that good that you keep wanting more. Where is the next one? I can't wait to find out what happens. I want to see what happens in the final battle. Beloved is going down. I hope, but I'm sure she will be defeated. Three words, READ THIS BOOK(Song of the Wanderer), you will not be dissapointed. I'm 15 years old, I know that I'll probably be grown up when the Third one comes out, but what's to stop me from reding it? I don't care how old I am, I love it. And I think you will too.

Wander into This One!
I LOVE this book and I think you would too. Bruce Coville REALY did a good job writing these books, and he also did a grrreat job on describing the characters too. I got this book at my grandmother's book fair and I didn't even notice it was the second one 'till I actually looked inside it! But it was still a great book! Or if you've read THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy than I think you would looove this trilogy.

Great!
This is such a good book. Read it, and you'll understand what I mean. I loved Mr. Coville's rich imagination and the characters are awesome! i can't wait for the third book to come out.

Song of the Wanderer
I kept telling myself, when I was reading this book, to stop at the next chapter and go outside but I couldn't! It's way too good.
In Song of the Wanderer, the next in the Unicorn Chronicles after Into the Land of the Unicorns, Cara must go back to Earth and bring back her grandmother, a.k.a. the Wanderer, to Luster. But first she has to get to the cave of Ebillan before the seasons change and then Cara still has to find her. But in the meantime, she must overcome many obstacles, mostly one main one though: Beloved, her great-great-(et cetera, et cetera)-grandmother.
I cannot wait until the next book! Even though it probably won't be out for a while. ... Read more

Book Description

One last battle against evil, one final journey to the magical land of Narnia.

NARNIA ... where the last king makes a stand and sad farewells turn to joy ... where the Adventure begins again.

The Unicorn says that humans are brought to Narnia only in time of greatest need -- and that time is now. The great Lion Aslan, the heart of Narnia, is missing. An impostor roams the land in his place, enslaving Aslan's loyal creatures and spreading treachery and lies. Only King Tirian and his small band of loyal followers are left to fight the last battle in this magnificent ending to The Chronicles of Narnia.

Performed by Patrick Stewart

Reviews (62)

The Chronicles Of Narnia-The last battle
The Chronicles of Narnia is"a saga that began with The Magicians Nephew." That followed up with The lion The Witch and The Wardrobe, The Horse and his Boy, Prince Caspain, The Voyage of the Dawn Treaader, The Silver chair,And Finally the book i read. The last Battle. All these chronicles were written by C.S. Lewis. In all his stories he writes of another world. One place in paticular being Narnia. All of his stories in clude kids from our world and talking animals. these animals are a little bit larger than the ones we are used of seeing today and have personalities much like our own. The Last Battle was about a greedy ape named Shift who wants to secretly take over the country of Narnia. He wants to accomplish this by using his 'friend', a helpless donkey named Puzzle in the process. You see one day a lion skin floats down stream to where Puzzle and Shift live. Shift totally takes advantage of his 'brainless' buddy and tells him to slip the lion skin on. This makes him look like their great Aslan. Aslan has great power over people and anything he says usually goes. Shift thinks up a plot that will enable him to get everything he's always wanted.So with the help of a few other fantasy people he gets his wish for a while and scares all the narnians into waiting on all the Apes every need. Some of them were even going to be sold to the Cholermenes as slaves. In the end Shifts einsteinic plan falls in smoke because King Tirian, Poggie, Jewel the Unicorn, Jill, Eustace, and a few other good fellers come to the rescue to find that all this time they have been in a 'mirror image'of Narnia. soat the end of the story all the good animals and heros follow Aslan through 'magic doors' and find that the real Narnia is more of a magical place then anywhere they had ever been. the fruit was better too!
Over all i would have to say i liked the book.I would give the bok 4 out of 5 stars. i like the fantasy side of it. it really made me want to not stop reading because it always had something going on . Like "oh another battle(400) scene is coming up."It just really kept my excitement goin more then anything else! I also like the is was a part of a set of books. i have only read in either in back in fourth grade but i can remember liking that one too. That was The Lion the Witch and The Wardrobe.i would definetly reccomend this book for other kids. But i must warn you your in store for some pretty crazy aeventrues especially if you read the whole set. Overall i woulde willing to bet you wouldn't beable to put the book down for a long time

A Wonderful Spiritual Experience
The Last Battle is the last in the series of Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis, and my personal favorite. Most people think this book is for children, but I think many people can enjoy it, as it can be understood on many levels. For example, a child may appreciate this story as a group of kids on a fun adventure. I, however, really got a lot of spiritual meaning out of this book, as I found a lot of biblical parallels. In this book, the children are battling the greatest evil to exist in Narnia since the White Witch. A cunning ape and his lackey Puzzle (a donkey) find a lion skin in the river. The greedy ape convinces Puzzle to dress up in it and convince the Narnians that he is great Aslan the Lion, king of Narnia. Through Puzzle, Shift the ape exploits the Narnians devotion to Aslan by giving cruel orders that will only profit Shift. Out of fear, the animals follow his orders. "Aslan" invites the enemy Calormene army into the land to help him rule the country. The animals at this point turn to the real Aslan, and the people he sent (all the humans from the previous books in the series) to save them, but there wasn't much they could do Aslan came just in time however, bringing with him the final Judgment Day. The good creatures left Narnia through a lone standing door frame and entered into a magnificent place of which I haven't space to describe the magnitude of its beauty. The evil were rejected, and Narnia began to fold in on itself, much the way it had formed in The Magician's Nephew. Once in this paradise, the children are told that they were here after having been pulled by Aslan into Narnia after their Earthly deaths. The children grappled with this, as it must be a very difficult thing to be told you are dead, but accepted it happily in the end, seeing as everything they loved on Earth and more was there. This was the most spiritually enlightening aspect of the book, and it really left me in awe. Aslan accepted all the good into this "heaven." Not caring whether they had worshipped the Calormene God Tash, Him, or any other deities, he simply accepted them on their goodness. This to me is very interesting because on Earth, it seems, all the various religions are in some sort of competition with each other. Wars are fought over religion often, but as this shows, none of these specifics really matter.

Aslan's Glorious Appearing
I thought it timely, in light of the controversy surrounding another "End Times" story, to remark on this most remarkable of C.S. Lewis' Narnia Chronicles. This satisfying series conclusion illustrates Lewis' brilliant analysis of Biblical prophesy in a touching story children of God can all look to with anticipation ("...Amen. Come, Lord Jesus." Rev. 22:20b).

This is the story of Armaggedon; the conflict between anti-Christ (anti-Aslan) and the great masses of inhabitants of lost Narnia deceived by him and doomed for eternity versus the ultimate salvation of the few true followers of Aslan to eternal life in His Country, the True Narnia. The allegory to Scriptural truth is remarkable as illustrated by this most insightful, genius mind of modern-day Christian apologists.

The high point of the story occurs after the destruction of the old world and the lost souls who rejected Aslan, who are dispatched allegorically in Revelations 20, "lake of fire" fashion. The heroes of the story, including all the key players from the earlier Chronicles, are seen trying out their new "resurrection" bodies exploring the most beautiful place ever imagined, thrilled to have Aslan with them. They find after a while that the beautiful country is actually Narnia, the REAL Narnia. Though the Narnia they knew and loved was perceived most wonderful, it was a mere shadow of the perfect New Narnia, the one that would last forever, always with Him present and providing all the light in the never-ending Day.

For believers in Christ, Lewis has projected a clear picture mortal minds can comprehend of how it might be on that Day. It is shown through a children's story because that is how we must come to Him; like a child. "You must become just like a child to enter the Kingdom of God". Jesus said "let all the little children come to Me". In Narnia, those child-like believers were never lost once they found Him, by His grace. Those who perished were the lovers of the old, decaying, temporary Narnia and were deceived by what their own wills commanded, rejecting and hating Aslan and worshipping the god of their chosing, their own selves. This is a definitive picture of our fallen world and our fallen culture. Lewis' work is prescient in describing the condition of the world of today, one in which Jesus could return to at any time, as our prayer pleads from Revelation cited above (but if He tarries, one and all can be sure that He is coming soon; "soon" defined as the lifespan of the individual).

One last point on a most poignant scene from the story. It involves the fierce young Tarkaan warrior Emeth, devoted follower of the vulture-like god of the Calormens, Tash. As our heroes are exploring the Real Narnia, following Aslan "further in and further up", they discover this unlikely believer sitting perplexed under a tree, "surprised by joy". Emeth's story is one that demonstrates man's frequent inability to match his rational and correct thoughts with his often erroneous mental images of said correct thought. In this case this child of the Light lived bravely demonstrating the fruits of the Spirit in humility, submission and obedience to the true God of everything, the Self-Existant Great I AM. But his human error was in his vision of what God looked like and not knowing His correct name. Emeth is somewhat like Helen Keller, who, when "told" about Jesus by Anne Sullivan in the eternal darkness, quiet and aloneness of her disability, said "so that's His name; I know Him".

The story of Emeth's salvation by grace is much akin to the salvation of the thief on the cross, or like mine. It doesn't say that "being good" gets one into Heaven, as one mistaken reviewer opined. It does show that a totally surrendered heart turned toward the One true living God in obedience and love will not be turned away, no matter how mistaken one's mental images may be about God. It is a beautiful picture of salvation by faith through His grace and not by works. God does all the saving; the Holy Spirit teaches us about the true nature of God by His perfect, inerrant Word. Lewis' picture of Emeth is one all believers should take heart in, realizing it is not our purview to know who God has saved by His sovereign will. Of course, Emeth's works demonstrated his salvation, even though he was not recognized as a believer.

Emeth's conviction, humility and devotion in this passage continues to bring me to tears. As Aslan seeks him out in the New Narnia, Emeth is convinced he is about to die. He has seen Aslan in His Glorious Appearing and is convicted of his sins. He falls at His feet thinking "Surely this is the hour of death, for the Lion (who is worthy of all honor) will know that I have served Tash all my days and not him. Nevertheless, it is better to see the Lion and die than to be Tisroc of the world and live and not to have seen Him." Read the book to see a most beautiful prosaic illustration of Christ's mercy and grace.

This is an ideal book to read either before or after reading the last of the Left Behind series, Glorious Appearing. The stories are very similar with the same outcome and the same great Hope. The self-possessed "intellectuals" of the world may guffaw at those who believe in "Whom" Lewis and other Christians have assurance. Most of these "intellectuals" are ignorant of Scripture, though some are over-studied yet deluded by their self-enlightenment, hard hearts or pride (see 2 Corinthians 4:4, 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 for the bottom line, or if you can't get translation from that source, try reading Lewis' definitive study Miracles).

The Chronicles of Narnia are reading for a lifetime. They should be read by believers as a reminder of how we are to come into His presence. In Narnia we see the joys of serving Him in the trials and in the triumphs of this life. In The Last Battle we see the Genius of Revelation as given to Lewis on a plain that even great intellects can embrace if they are willing to "not harden their hearts" (Hebrews 3:12-15). If they are not willing they will get a clear picture of the consequences.

A fine end to a classic series
As the title implies, "The Last Battle" is the final book of C.S. Lewis' acclaimed Narnia Chronicles. It is also, for all intents and purposes, the end of Narnia itself, culminating in a sequence that bookends with the creation chapters and final coda of "The Magician's Nephew."

Unlike the other Narnia books, "Battle" begins not in the real world with the children who have been at the core of the series, but in Narnia itself. There, an ape called Shift and a donkey named Puzzle find a lion skin which washed down a waterfall. Seeing an opportunity to makes others do what he wants, Shift forces Puzzle to wear the lion skin and pretend he is Aslan. The ape's deception is central to both the conflict that drives the story and the questions of faith and belief that act as this book's moral center.

That conflict and the events which follow lend the story a tension not found in the previous six books, largely because the ape's deceptions just feels *wrong* in every way. The populace of Narnia believes the false Aslan is the real thing, even when he begins to sell them into slavery. Narnia's last king, King Tirian, tries to convince the Narnians that this Aslan is not real, but most are either too scared to not believe or are losing their faith in Aslan altogether. Enter Eustace in his third Narnia appearance and Jill in her second.

The tale moves along at a good pace, driven sometimes by action and other times by a pressing need to know what will happen next. After six Narnia book, the effect of Narnians turning away from Aslan is compelling. What little hope there is for the Good Guys falters again and again, which only adds to the steadily growing tension of the book's first two-thirds. It's effectively done and reads well; it is also has a more serious tone than previous Narnia books, similar to the difference in tone from Lloyd Alexander's first Prydain book and the last.

It is roughly two-thirds of the way through that the story takes a left turn in much the same way "The Magician's Nephew" shifts its focus. Here, however, the effect is not as jarring as it was in "Magician." It works largely because the sense of wonder and discovery present in much of Lewis' work is here in spades.

The final chapters of the book may be overly spiritual for some readers, but by and large that spirituality is of the same sort present at the end of "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader," a wondrous, timeless sort of revelation that fits within the framework of a fairy tale. Those readers who want to see Christian elements in the tale's finish surely will see them, but one can easily enough read it as the magical end to an equally magical saga told in the tradition of ancient storytelling.

Themes of faith, belief and trust drive "The Last Battle" forward.
All time-tested themes, and Lewis weaves them into a good enough story that they rarely feel heavy-handed. Because the story ends as it does, "Battle" offers true closure to the series, a rarity in lengthy works of fiction where "one more installment" is always a possibility.

"The Last Battle" is a well written and superbly fitting end to C.S.
Lewis' Narnia Chronicles, granting readers a compelling conflict before delivering on a finish that satisfies in spite of the near deux ex machina end to it all. The book manages to tie the elements of the six previous volumes together to close out one of the most beloved children's series of all time. "The Last Battle" is fine piece of work all but the most demanding reader will enjoy.

The Last Battle
The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis is the last book of a seven book series entitled The Chronicles of Narnia. I enjoyed reading this book very much. It was full of adventure and it kept the reader in suspense throughout the whole book. This book also has great imagery. It takes the reader feel as if he or she is actually with the characters in the book.

This book would be a fantastic choice for a few different people. Anyone who enjoys reading adventure stories will enjoy this book. It is also great for kids because it has a lot of life lessons in it. This book would also appeal to anybody who enjoys a few fictional elements. ... Read more

Book Description

A full cast recording
approx. 5hrs. 30 mins.
4 cassettes

The third of four volumes in the critically acclaimed Enchanted Forest Chronicles.

Queen Cimorene, Morwen the witch, and a host of other characters once again foil the plots of the perfidious wizards in this third volume of the Enchanted Forest Chronicles.
This time the dastardly wizards have stolen King Mendanbar's magic sword, vital to the health of the forest, right out of the castle armory.Morwen joins Cimorene, Kazul, Telemain, several cats, and Killer on a quest to retrieve the sword.Meanwhile, back at home, the forces of the wizards are gathering.


... Read more

Reviews (54)

The Entire Series Is (Still) Phenomenally Brilliant
What? Only five stars? I need more to do this series justice! Patricia C. Wrede writes marvelous fantasy. It's like "Mixed-Up Fairy Tales" or something, but funnier, more engaging, and ripe for repeat reading (After graduating from high school, I read the entire series for the third time in a matter of days). These are timeless tales. Even her NAMES are inventive. Cimorene, Mendanbar, Kazul, Morwen, Telemain, Daystar, Shiara...and let us not forget Zemenar and Antorell. The chapter headings induce chuckles immediately, simply by their existence. She writes in a style that incorporates intelligent fantasy with enjoyable humor. The characters are some you would like to know personally. And nowhere else have I seen as unique a discussion of magic in its many forms as in these four books. I did notice a trend of centralization. Dealing was Cimorene's book. Searching was Mendanbar's. Calling was Morwen's. Talking was Daystar's. I wish the series was not concluded, because I'd love to see Telemain's book. And perhaps Kazul's book could be somewhat of a prequel. Oh, and what about a book from Antorell's perspective? That would make for an incredibly funny story. The Enchanted Forest and its surrounding is a world I want to know about. Not many authors can create an entire world that entices the reader so greatly. But Mrs. Wrede has. Unlike the Douglas Adams' Hitchiker's Guide series, which got progressively worse, each book in the Enchanted Forest Chronicles compares to the original, as fresh and brilliant as ever. Needless to say, this series is one of the best ever. I have not really sampled a lot of the adult fantasy by Piers Anthony and Anne McCaffrey and such, but I doubt they can compare with the Enchanted Forest Chronicles. This is not mindboggling fantasy like the Lord of the Rings trilogy: this is fun. Oh, and remember: ..."Argelfraster."

Magic is in the Air.....
The third installment in the Enchanted Forest Chronicles was no disappointment. The book starts out with Morwen living with her not one but nine cats. However when Morwen learns that the magic in the enchanted forest is disappearing and King Mendenbar's sword has been stolen she is determined to get it back. With much protesting from Mendenbar they finally decide who goes. Morwen is accompanied by the pregnant Queen Cimorene, the magician Telemain who is most liked when he doesn't open his mouth, Morwen's two cats, Kazul the King of Dragons,and Killer a rabbit who mysteriously turned in a donkey and don't get me wrong but there will be more transformations. As if their quest isn't hard enough they encounter a fire witch, mud, vines that want to eat them, and the all too familiar wizards society.(Need more lemon juice?) Can they get the sword back in time to save the Enchanted Forest and Mendenbar? A cliffhanger ending that you just can't miss!! These Chronicles are probably the best fantasy books I have ever read! I hope you enjoy them too!! Can't wait to read number 4. Too bad it is the last one!

How does one review a book this clever???
This book, this whole series is absolutely amazing. The wit, the interesting perspectives, and the going against tradition are tremendously refreshing. From a young adult's point of view, this book is perfect fantasy. It has the same sorts of characters, dragons, princes, princesses, heroes and so on, but it shows them in such a new view. I know that I am tired of the same old princess stories, so when I found this series, I was really pleased that there was an author out there that thought that the stories could use a little revamping too.

Witty and Just Fun to Read
Dealing was Cimorene's book. Searching was Mendanbar's book. Talking was Daystar's book and Calling is everyone's favorite witch, Morwen's book.

The Dragon King, Kazul (even though she's female. To have two names for the same job is just confusing) is missing! And of course it's the wizards who have done the doing and are burning the Enchanted Forest with their staffs. It's up to Cimorene, Kazul, Morwen, Morwen's feline friends, Telemain, and a blue flying donkey with overlarge wings who used to be a rabbit to find her and stop the wizards!

This book is just witty and fun. Ms. Wrede has a real talent of making a good, fun to read book. I wish that after the fourth book, Talking to Dragons, Ms. Wrede will make books like Tinkering with Dragons which can be from Telemain's perspective, or Listening to Dragons which can be from Kazul's perspective, or even Fighting with Dragons which could even be from Antorell's perspective, or maybe even Riding on Dragons from one of Morwen's cats perspective.

Ms. Wrede if you're out there we want to see more Enchanted Forest Chronicales Books!

A Great Adventure
This book was a great story from beginning to end, following the marriage of Cimorene and Mendanbar, it is shown from Morwen the witch's point of view and tells of new troubles going on in the Enchanted Forest. There is a war brewing and with an ending that will leave you begging for more. Once you finish this book you will absolutely have to continue to the fourth book from the Enchanted Forest Chronicles. ... Read more

Book Description

The day after they moved in, Coraline went exploring....

In Coraline's family's new flat are twenty-one window and fourteen doors. Thirteen of the doors open and close, The fourteenth is locked, and on the other side is only a brick wall, until the day Coraline unlocks the door to find a passage to another flat in another house just like her own.

Only it's different....

At first, things seem marvelous in the other flat. The food is better. The toy box is filled with wind-up angels that flutter around the bedroom. But there's another mother, and another father, and they want Coraline to stay with them and be their little girl. They want to change her and never let her go.

Other children are trapped there as well, lost souls behind the mirrors. Coraline is their only hope of rescue. She will have to fight with all her wits if she is to save the lost children, her ordinary life, and herself.

Performed by Neil Gaiman
With original music by The Gothic Archies

Reviews (165)

Like a terrifying dream...
You've already heard about how creepy this children's book for all ages is, I'm sure. So I won't dwell on that (although it is easily as creepy as _any_ book for adults..)
What I liked most about this book was the prose style. At once simple, rich, charming and creepy, it reminds me almost of a sort of novel-length haiku, or an old fairytale, the kind they cut out of the later collections because it was too odd, too frightening, too disturbing for their sensibilities. Does that make sense?
I also especially like the character of Coraline. She is a perfect portrayal of an intelligent, resouceful, brave girl who is nevertheless still a child, with all that entails. At no point do her actions (or those of anyone else in the book) seem out of character. It's easy to tell Gaiman is a father.
The surreal world Coraline enters is great as well, like a wonderful dream that twists and becomes a nightmare.
By the way, I have to disagree with the previous reviewer: I _loved_ the illustrations, because it's _easy_ for a trained artist with a smidgen of talent to draw true to life, but suggesting the essence of a subject is a lot harder and a lot creepier. There are worse things lurking in your imagination than any artist could possibly represent, and I think Dave McKean's pictures tap into that, particularly the cover illustration, which is the most perfectly suited I have ever seen.
If I had to think of one negative thing to say about this book, it would be that the use of the phrase "glorious romp" near the end of the book bugs me because it feels dated. That's it. That was _all_ I didn't like.
To sum up, this is a truly wonderful book. And yes, it's creepy, but it's not a tragedy, and it ends positively. You won't need therapy (probably), but you'll never forget _Coraline_.

Gaiman and McKean team up again
If you're a comic book fan, you are probably familiar with how wonderful things can be when you combine Gaiman with McKean. Coraline is another great example of that. McKean's illustrations fit the mood of Coraline perfectly, leaving haunting images in the mind.

Coraline, while aimed at younger readers, made me a bit nervous in the dark, though I am 17. If I were younger, I imagine I'd be frightened to the point of nightmares.

Like The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis (one of Gaiman's favorites), Coraline tells the story of a young person who opens a door which isn't supposed to lead anywhere, and finds herself in a strange, interesting, new world. Coraline is surrounded by semi-familiar, creepy, Other people with big black buttons for eyes. She must save herself, her parents, a cat, and three other children's souls.

The other mother is particularly creepy. A control-freak who has created, or claimed, her own world and uses people to try to trap Coraline. She wants a child to love, but to a frightful extent. Imagine a sweet scent, but imagine it so strong and sweet that you are choking under it. That is the Other Mother's love. When she doesn't get what she wants, she can be nasty. And that's the scary part.

Not so much scarey as really really ugly
I give this book 2 stars for the writing talent the author has shown in the past and continues to display in this book. He obviously has a 5-star talent. But this book is not so much scarey as truly creepy -- and not in a nice way. This book is just ugly. And the pictures were even uglier. Think of the emotional reaction to something really sad and sick -- like maybe chronic skin infection exhudate, and that is my reaction to this story. E-e-e-w-h! If that is what you like, then the rating should be 5-star. But if you want a nice day with nice images in your brain, then avoid this book.

There's magic behind those walls and inside of this book
Coraline Jones is a little girl (precise age unknown) who has recently moved into a big old house with her parents. It is the summer break from school and Coraline is bored. To pass the time she likes to explore the big house and its surroundings. One afternoon, she finds a door that leads into a black corridor. This black corridor in turn leads into a house that is practically a mirror image of her own, with the same rooms and the same inhabitants, including her parents. But within these there are fundamental changes; the rooms contain weird variations of her toys, the house and the yard are filled with talking animals and her parents are very different here too. They look like her parents but certainly don't act like her parents. Soon, Coraline and her real parents are trapped into this mirror version of their house and it is up to her to get them out safely...

This is a challenging book to categorize. It is actually marketed as a book for children and adults 8 years and up. The writing is indeed geared towards a younger age bracket, the prose simplistic, the sentences short-clipped. Not only is the novel only 160 pages long, but it's large print as well. I personally breezed through this book in less than 2 hours. However, one has to wonder whether this book might be a little too dark for young kids to enjoy. Gaiman raises some deep chills here and goes for the grotesque on occasion with several scenes involving insects. Usually I find the term "Dark Fantasy" to be a cop-out used by authors who would rather not be referred to as horror writers so as not to be pigeonholed into a genre that has its ups and downs (Dean Koontz anyone?) but with Gaiman the term actually seems to fit like a glove. There's something very magical about his writing that makes us feel a part of the world he is crafting despite the fantastical premise.

I loved how Gaiman used the short length of his story to his advantage. The story wastes little time getting started as Coraline actually stumbles upon the magical door at around page#25. Lots of things happen in the novel especially once the "challenge" is set forth between Coraline and her other evil mother, the pace picks up and the pages become filled with action and adventure. And the ending feels appropriate and satisfying too. The only thing I wish would have been included is some explanation, no matter how small, of how this alternate dimension came to be. But then again part of the appeal of Gaiman's work has always been about the mystique and unexplained weirdness of his tales. "Coraline" is a treasure of a story, wrapped in a small package that won't require more than two hours of a reader's time and yet will leave a lasting impression.

A decent little read
Neil Gaiman's, "Coraline," is a dark, moody short novel (160 pages or so) intended for a pre-teen audience that can also be enjoyed by adults as well. Gaiman succeeds in giving his readers a John Bellairs ("The House With a Clock In It's Walls, etc.) type reading experience with a story filled with eerie atmosphere and creepy supernatural beings. Fans of Gaiman's work in the medium of comic books will also appreciate the remarkable black & white illustrations provided by Dave McKean in each chapter. My only nit-pick is that while I was appreciating McKean's artwork along with Gaiman's excellent storyline and characters one can't help but think that perhaps this story would've been better suited as a one-shot graphic novel. ... Read more

Book Description

Long ago, the great wizard Merlin planted the seed that wouldbecome the peaceful world of Avalon. Now, though, Avalon is suffering from mysterious droughts. Then the very stars begin to lose their light, and it seemsthat the Lady of the Lake's dire predictions are about to come true. The fate ofAvalon now rests with Tamwyn, a wandering wilderness guide; Elli, an apprenticepriestess; and Scree, a young eagleman. One of them is the true heir of Merlin,the only person who can save Avalon . . . and one of them is the dreaded childof the Dark Prophecy, fated to destroy it.

As in his acclaimed epic The Lost Years of Merlin, T. A. Barron has created aradiant, richly imagined world, full of high adventure and un-forgettablecharacters. ... Read more

Book Description

FROM THE IMAGINATION OF THE ONE-AND-ONLY DR. SEUSS ...

A rollicking celebration of every child's favorite day, his or her birthday, leads off this collection of classic Dr. Seuss tales, narrated by the esteemed Hans Conried. From birthday cheer to Mulberry Street, this delightful recording captures the spirit of fun and imagination that has made Dr. Seuss one of the most beloved children's authors and illustrators of all time.

... Read more

Reviews (1)

Dr. Seuss Happy Birthday To You1
Every kindergarten or primary school teacher, especially in low income areas, should play this recording as a "present" to the child having a birthday. What a wonderful listening treat that instills self-value while bringing so much enjoyment. It can never be played too often. Hans Conried's performance cannot be topped. ... Read more

Book Description

Dwarves, giants, princesses, kings, fairies, and magicians ... all can be found in the enchanting fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm. Twenty-two of the Grimms' best stories are brought to life in this deluxe edition, from well-known favorites like "Rapunzel," "Red Riding Hood," "Rumpelstiltskin," and "Hansel and Grethel," to lesser-known treasures such as "The Valiant Tailor" and "The Frog Prince." Arthur Rackham's extraordinary interpretations are beautifully reproduced here in 21 full-color plates and 28 black-and-white drawings that lavishly embellish the pages. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Beutiful stories terribly translated
I remember reading and hearing many stories from this book when I was a child and they made quite an impression. This particular translation however leaves a lot to be desired. It seems that some parts were translated word for word and much of the text makes no sense at all.

no music at all, despite the cover says so.
It is a bit disappointing that an audio book that is sold as a combination of music and classic literature for children has not music at all.
well it has some music, a short intro at the beginning of each story. that's it. No sounds, no effects, no music...only the voice of the narrator. The narrator is very good, and the stories from Cinderella to Little Red Riding Hood are interesting and attractive for children. But the simple voice of the narrator is not enough to keep children between 3 and 4 interested in stories longer than 10 minutes (all but few are longer than 10 min.). Perfect would be 5 minutes for that age range (3 or 4).
Another drawback is the fact that the CDs do not go with a book, so you need to buy a book for each story with pictures suitable for children of 3 or 4. Of course,less problematic are those issues for older children.

An Old Family Favorite
I remember having these Fairy Tales read to me at bedtime when I was little. I bought the same book to read to my son. The stories are bit anachronistic and may not meet modern standards of being politically correct, but we love them anyway. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Arthur's Tooth
Arthur's Tooth by Marc Brown is a book that any kid that's about to loose a tooth would enjoy. In this story Arthur is the last to loose a tooth. He feels behind and awkward for it. Everyone tries to help him loose it, but nothing ever succeeds. Finally, Francine, the bully of the group, that hassles Arthur for not loosing a tooth yet, jabs Arthur in the mouth, and knocks his tooth right out!

Arthur was my favorite character in this story. Arthur felt embarrassed that he had never lost a tooth before, and while everyone else was loosing their baby teeth, his was just getting loose. Poor, innocent Arthur. But at the end he shows them that he's no different. Read the book to find out the details!

Losing A Tooth
Another great book from the Arthur series. The book is about Arthur, the last student in the class to lose his first baby tooth. Some of the other students in the class make fun of Arthur, because he still has all his baby teeth. Other students try to help Arthur's tooth fall out, but nothing works. Finally an accident causes Arthur to lose his tooth. This book teaches children to be patient and to help their friends. It also teaches them that everyone is different. I really like this book.

We LOVE the Arthur books!
We are first grade students at the Anna Merritt Elementary School. Our teacher did a Marc Brown author study. She read Arthur's Tooth to us and we loved the book. Javeon and Cory liked the part when Arthur wanted to pull out his tooth with his hand. Nicholas and Jacob liked the part when Arthur lost his tooth. Marissa liked the part when Francine knocked Arthur's tooth out. We hope Marc Brown writes a lot more Arthur stories! ... Read more

Book Description

The Parabola Storytime series is a collection of stories and myths by the leading storytellers of Native American tribes. Originally produced by Parabola magazine in audio format, many of these stories appear here in written form for the first time, with the permission of tribal elders, and are enhanced by artwork authentic to the tradition. These stories evoke the beauty, wisdom, and living spirit of surviving oral traditions.In these six Iroquois tales, animals showcase the best of human emotions and spirit. Buzzard flies to the Creator to bring back clothes for all the birds. Tiny Chipmunk takes on massive and powerful Bear in a challenge to determine whether or not the sun will keep rising. In the title story, a young boy has lost his human family and finds love in the home of the Bears. Wise and foolish, cowardly and brave, animals teach humans how to live better lives, while providing entertainment as well. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Moving, funny, vivid images - stands up to repeat listenings
Bruchac's smooth yet distinctive reading voice, his excellent "animal" character voices, a sprinkling of songs, drumming, and rattles, and vivid stories make this a favorite of an almost 4 year old AND his 40-year-old mom -- especially the title story, which is moving without being sentimental. A very minor quibble is that Bruchac's voice occasionally "catches" as if he's stopping for breath at a line break. P.S. We liked this tape much better than the Navaho one in the series ... Read more

Amazon.com

"I cannot draw you a picture of Peter and Benjamin underneath the basket," writes Beatrix Potter in The Tale of Benjamin Bunny, "because it was quite dark, and because the smell of onions was fearful; it made Peter Rabbit and little Benjamin cry." Beatrix Potter's animal stories, the first of which was published in 1902, have been a joy to generations of young readers. This deluxe volume collects all of Beatrix Potter's 23 Peter Rabbit tales and verses together--complete and unabridged--in one book. All the original illustrations, both color and black and white, are included. The stories are arranged in the order in which they were first published to enable them to be read in the proper sequence, from A Tale of Peter Rabbit to The Tale of Little Pig Robinson. Beatrix Potter's tales were often connected with real places, people, or animals, so each story also includes a brief introductory note about its history. For example, "The story of naughty Peter Rabbit in Mr. McGregor's garden first appeared in a picture letter Beatrix Potter wrote to Noel Moore, the young son of her former governess, in 1893." In addition to the original 23 tales, this edition contains two early narrative picture sequences, Three Little Mice and The Rabbit's Christmas Party. And, there are two charming little stories, The Sly Old Cat and The Fox and the Stork, which were originally intended to be worked up into books, but remained unpublished. This beautiful introduction to the world of Beatrix Potter is sure to remain on the family bookshelf for generations to come. (Baby to Preschool) ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Very well done
This CD is an unabridged reading of the books of Beatrix Potter.They are read by Shelly Frasier and she does a great job.She has a real talent for voices and brings Miss Potters memorable characters to life.My son loves listening to this again and again.Because the reading is so well done, I don't mind having to listen to it again and again:

Timeless Book
I read the stories of Beatrix Potter when I was a child and now share them with my own kids.Also check out the book Original Animals by Michael Horton as a great bedtime storybook with morals and wonderful stories.You'll be happy you did!

always a kid
This is a wonderful book to have in your collection. The illustrations are lovely.

Gorgeous book!
Hubby & I bought this book for our 9 month old daughter. Beatrix Potter is my personal favorite in childrens books.We love the illustrations & the stories are wonderful.Baby loves this book!A must have for parents who are building a book collection for their child.A timeless classic. :)

Book for a lifetime of fun reading
I purchased these tales for my eldest, who's now 17, when she was four.They were and continue to be great stories for her.She reads them to children when she babysits!Now I've purchased this book for my youngest, who's four.She just loves hearing the stories.She looks forward to "reading time" in bed just before she falls asleep as she goes from one adventure to another.I HIGHLY recommend this book for young and old alike. ... Read more

Book Description

Read by the author and the Words Take Wing ^TM Repertory Co.
Two cassettes / approx. 2 hours 30 mins.

"To quicken the egg, take it outside at midnight on the night of the next full moon.Lift it to the moonlight and wisper:

Full moon's light to wake the egg
Full moon's light to hatch it;
Midsummer Night will crack the world,
But St. John's day will patch it."

When Jeremy Thatcher follows the strange instructions given to him by the weird old man who runs Elives' Magic Shop, he finds himself raising a tiny, mischief-loving dragon names Tiamat.But as Jeremy soon learns, even a tiny dragon can mean big trouble.

And Tiamat isn't going to stay tiny for long...

Here is a tale filled with laughter, and a few tears, that will make your heart take wing. ... Read more

Reviews (38)

Loved it
This story is a fantasy about a six-grade boy named Jeremy Thatcher. He visits a magic shop, and buys a shiny rock. When he gets home, he finds out it's a dragon egg. That night he reads a poem under the moon.

The next day crack, out comes a red dragon! And in comes responsibility! The way Jeremy and the dragon communicate is in pictures. When I say pictures, I mean they see the pictures in each other's mind. Next Jeremy has to give the dragon a name. He names it Tiamat. Then Jeremy has to feed Tiamat, so he feeds her chicken livers and gives her milk. That makes her go to sleep.

Weeks later Tiamat has grown bigger then Jeremy and lives in the barn. One night Jeremy got to ride on Tiamat's back. Soon Jeremy must return Tiamat on Midsummer's Night to be with all the other dragons.

Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher was one of the best stories I have ever read. It was funny when Tiamat gave Mr. Kravitz a hot foot. It was mysterious because only Jeremy could see it. It was sad when Tiamat had to leave. I think any fourth grader would enjoy this book.

JEREMY THATCHER, DRAGON HATCHER
Full moons light to wake the egg,
Full moons light to hatch it
Midsummer's Night will crack the world,
But St John Day will patch it

This is the incantation that Jeremy Thatcher has to recite in order to hatch a dragon egg!! One day whale fleeing from some bullies and Mary Lou Hutton (a girl who wants to kiss him!) Jeremy stumbles on to a magic shop and saw a sign that reads:

ELIVES' MAGIC SUPPLES
S.H. ELIVES PROP.

He buys a colorful orb, like a "kaleidoscope" which turns out to be a dragon egg!!! Soon the dragon named Tiamat starts to cause an abundance of trouble. No one else can see her besides Jeremy and Mary Lou. What will happen when Tiamat gets too big? Read the book, find out. You won't be sorry.

I would recommend this book for 4-6 graders. I loved this book. I read it again and again. Colville is a genus!

Jeremy Thatcher Dragon Hatcher
This story's exciting part never ends. I felt like I was Jeremy. It's a great book if you like magic. While trying to get away from bullies, Jeremy ran into a magic shop. He bought a dragon egg. He thought that it was a pretty marble or pretty ball. He did not know it was an egg. The dragon hatches on a full moon. Read the book to find out what happens.

Amazing Fantasy Book for Middle Readers
Sixth grader Jeremy Hatcher never would have found Mr. Elives's Magic Shop, had Freddie the Frog Killer and Howard Morton not been trying to hold him down so Mary Lou Hutton could kiss him. But Jeremy ran as fast as he could, and someone ended up in the mysterious shop. Pretty soon Mr. Elives is showing Jeremy all types of different oddball stuff to purchase, like the Skull of Truth, Chinese Rings, and a Dragon's Egg. And, thanks to Mr. Elives' recommendation, Jeremy ends up leaving the magic shop with his hands full of a beautiful colored Dragon's Egg. Of course, Jeremy thinks that the entire thing is a huge hoax, until the egg hatches, and Jeremy finds himself the proud owner of a beautiful baby dragon, who communicates with him telepathically.

Bruce Coville has created a new series (The Magic Shop Series), which is just perfect for those young fans of J.K. Rowling's HARRY POTTER, who enjoy the movies, but just can't seem to grasp the books. Coville is the answer to those children. Featuring four books in a series that is perfect for young magic lover's, JENNIFER MURDLEY'S TOAD, JEREMY THATCHER, DRAGON HATCHER, THE MONSTER'S RING, and THE SKULL OF TRUTH. Fans of Coville's previous works will relish in the fantastical journey they will embark on with Jeremy Thatcher, and his lovely new pet. A must-have.

Erika Sorocco

"Nothing You Love is Lost"
For kids that are too young for the complex "Harry Potter" series, and yet interested in fantasy stories, then Bruce Coville's Magic Shop books might be the thing to hook them up with. Each book is based on a basic premise: a young child with the usual kid problems (home trouble, bullies, crushes, angry teachers, etc) stumble across Mr Elives' Magic Shop, and leave with an unusual purchase that creates more trouble for them, but ultimately teaches them important lessons.

In this case, Jeremy Thatcher escapes two bullies, the resentful nature of his art teacher and the unwanted affections of Mary Lou by ducking into the Magic Shop, where Mr Elives gruffly allows him to take home a strange glistening sphere with a sheet of mysterious instructions - it would seem Jeremy is about to hatch a dragon's egg! With the tiny dragonlet Tiamat born, but growing steadily by the day, Jeremy gains more confidence against the problems in his life, as well as more creative flair with the inspiration that Tiamat magically places in his mind's eye.

Obviously, a baby dragon in the house is not as easy as it sounds, and even though only Jeremy can see her, Tiamat is still able to manipulate circumstances around her with her fiery breath. But Tiamat must eventually return home to her own world, and along with the mysterious, beautiful Miss Priest and Mr Elives, Jeremy participates in the ritual to send her to the "dragon-world". Despite the loss however, Jeremy has found a new outlook on life, had old friendships tested and new ones forged, and come to understand a spiteful teacher better.

With little dashes of real dragon lore mingled in with his own creative liberties, Coville makes the world natural enough for belief to be suspended, although as an older reader, I would dearly like to know more about the Shop, its owner and its associate Miss Priest. Who are they really? How do they pick the children they give gifts to? How does the Shop move around? If he wished, Coville could make these short but sweet stories into something much more deep and interesting.

As I said, the Magic Shop books are great for younger readers, with enough of the every-day troubles to relate to, and enough of the fantasy elements to fire their own imaginations.

Its also worth mentioning that if you're a part of a country that recieves the Great Britain copies of these books, there are some wonderful new covers to behold by the artist Tony Diterlizzi, best know for his illustrations in the "Spiderwick Chronicles", that beautifully capture the children's personalities and their magical companions. ... Read more

Book Description

Read along with your favorite I Can Read Book characters!

I Can Read Books are the premier line of beginning readers encouraging children to learn -- and love -- to read. Featuring award-winning authors and illustrators, I Can Read Books offer a full spectrum of entertaining stories for every stage of a child's reading development.

Now the beloved characters and adventures from this popular line of books come to life with I Can Read Book & Cassettes. Each package includes a best-selling beginning reader storybook and a lively audio recording featuring:

• Word-for-word narration
• Music and sound effects
• Turn-the-page signals on Side 1
• Uninterrupted reading on Side 2

Reviews (2)

This story is actually about just plain bravery
This book teaches more than just being scared to lose a tooth. I think the main theme of this story is bravery. Arthur brags that he is "Captain Fearless," but both sibings(even Arthur) have a fear of something-Arthur is scared to lose his first tooth-and Violet is scared of the dark. But when the treat for dessert is taffy apples, Arthur doesn't want them because of his loose tooth(and his fear to pull it out), so Violet decides to make s'mores but has to go out in the dark to get sticks to make them-and faces her fear, so Arthur decides to face his fear-and chooses to be the,"Captain Fearless" he calls himself so pulls out his tooth and then he IS able to eat the taffy apples as well as the s'mores. In other words, this is a great story to teach about any kind of bravery!

The other Arthur experienced the other tooth-losing feeling
The lesser known Arthur character, created by Lillian Hoban. Many people may know Marc Brown's story, "Arthur's Tooth" about Arthur the aardvark, but they may not necessarily realize that each Arthur has a different message. One is about being desperate to lose a tooth, the other about being scared to lose a tooth. I actually prefer Lillian Hoban's Arthur the monkey over Marc Brown's Arthur the aardvark, so I purchased this book as well as other Arthur the monkey titles. This one reminded me of when I was scared to lose my first tooth. Plus this one teaches how to make taffy apples and s'mores, and tells how the s'more got its name on page 62. If you wish, buy the Marc Brown book listed above, then buy this book and compare the two feelings of each Arthur character. However, if you are particularly interested in this title, beware of trying to obtain a book club edition through a school book club which has this title listed, as you may accidentally get sent the Marc Brown title. ... Read more

Book Description

For the first time on audio - all six in The Princess Tales series by Newbery Honor winner Gail Carson Levine

• The Fairy's Mistake
• The Princess Test
• Princess Sonora and the Long Sleep
• Cinderellis and the Glass Hill
• For Biddle's Sake
• The Fairy's Return

Reviews (5)

Each Story, Has Its Own Romance.
I love the way Gail Carson Levine has all of her chapters written in each different Princess story. The Fairy's Mistake, The Princess Test, and Princess Sonora and The Long Sleep are three different retellings of Cinderella/or Ella Enchanted, The Princess and The Pea and of course...Sleeping Beauty.

Maybe someday, another one of Gail Carson Levine's books besides Ella Enchanted, will become live action movies, too.

Very amusing, even for a young child!
I am reading these stories (both volume 1 & 2) to my 5 yr old who is completely enamored with princesses - mostly Disney. So I am exposing her to all sorts of princess stories - old and new. They have short chapters and lots of humor, making these books great read alouds. I am enjoying them just as much (if not more than) my daughter. The mixed up fairy tales, have the usual humble and pitiful beginnings and the famous happily everafter endings, but getting there is more than half the fun. Great stories for young and old alike.

The Princess Tales
This book was pretty good, but I think the stories should have extended longer. The three stories, The Fairy's Mistake, The Princess Test, and Princess Sonora and the Long Sleep, tell about girls back in time when fairies were real. Since I like these sort of things, I loved this book pret