Book Description

A baby alpaca is born with spots all over her and the Farmers aren't too sure what to do with her. Polka Dot's alpaca friends, Sebastian and Picka Lillie, are on her side when Wooly bully, the farm's top ribbon taker, makes fun of her. What happens after shearing day is a surprise to everyone! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Take it with you!
When I take my alpacas to local schools, I like to read this book to the elementary aged children. Its simple message of acceptance and the value of diversity engages children in a well written, easy to read aloud book with atractive drawings. The terms used to refer to alpacas and fiber use help to introduce children to these delightful creatures.

Your kids already know about ducks
.. so instead of getting a copy of The Ugly Duckling, why not expand their horizons a bit and pick up a copy of this delightful tale about a young alpaca aptly named Polka Dot? The moral is similar, and you'll get the opportunity to introduce them to a wonderful farm animal that they might not be familiar with. Turn it into a total experience: take them to an alpaca ranch (there's one near you, I'm sure - find one on the Web); surf the Web and show them some of the thousands of alpaca sites out there; talk about what alpacas are and what they do; buy them an alpaca hat to go with it. Much more educational and entertaining than yet another duck story. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Book Description

Come along for a ride and see the most entertaining, surprising cows youcould ever imagine.Cows fishing, cows playing mini golf, cows mowing the lawn. . . .There areplenty of amusements in this book full of whimsy and cheer. It will remind you of SandraBoynton and Go, Dog, Go, but with wordplay and visual humor all its own.This is a sprightly,friendly charmer that will please any toddler. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

THERE IS NO BETTER INTRODUCTION TO THE WORLD OF HORSES
.

Horses have to be among the best loved of all animals. This book is a celebration of these magnificent creatures.

This book is highly informative at a level readily understood by young readers.

We are given a comprehensive profile of all the main breeds. We learn about the life of a young foal, a horse's diet, and how to care for them.

The book contains beautiful illustrations, particularly on the many transparent overlays. In the scene of the equestrian jump, you have the horse coming towards you on one page and then there is a rear view on the next. You get a real sense of movement.

For the young zoologist we are shown who are the relatives of the horse. Most of us would know that the horse and the donkey are cousins but would you have guessed that the rhinoceros is part of the horse family?

These classy "First Discovery" books have both style and substance. They will appeal to children who enjoy pictorial qualities in a book. They will also appreciate and benefit from their factual content.

Most highly recommended. 5 out of 5.

Horses Galore!
This book is a beautiful way to introduce your child to horses! It is full of great information and wonderful pictures. I reccomend it to all horse lovers. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

First book my daughter "read"
This is the BEST book! My little kindergardener is reading now, and this was the first book she reallly read on her own. Easy and fun to read...will give your children the self-esteem they need to do it on their own. I highly recommend this and the other books in this series.

GREAT SERIES
In sam sheep can't sleep he obviously can't sleep so he seeks help from his friends(a continuing theme in the series) and each friend has their own advice and help. Sam does sleep. Pay attention to the yellow duck and see if you see a recurring theme here also!
This whole series is great for all children from 18 months to beginning reading. It rolls when reading to your children the art is whimsical and the stories have some plot and are focused on problem solving together. It is the phonics and the rhyming that you will love, and they are short enough to keep you and your childs attention.

Hurray for Phonics
The phonics in this book are fantastic! Almost every word in it can be sounded out. It has a nice musical rhythmn when reading it out loud. The flaps make it interesting for younger children and the illustrations are comical. It's fun to read. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

Udderly hilarious!

Minnie and Moo are back in two new tales, the latest in the series that the Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books called "the cream of the beginning-reader crop."Moo longs for the days of heroes, the days of the derring-do of good-deed doers. As Juanita del Zorro del Moo and Dolores del Zorro del Minnie, our heroes roam the farm armed with an aerosol can of Zorro musk and a barbecue skewer, attempting to rescue the downtrodden. Can they free the chickens from the oppression of the rooster? Can they free the farmer's long underwear from being hung on the clothesline? Can they mind their own business? Of course not...they're Minnie and Moo. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Hilarious!
The Minnie and Moo books are some of the funniest I've ever read. I'm 48 and my daughter is 8, and I don't know who enjoys them more! We quote them all the time, and, after reading the library's copies, we're buying our own so we can always have them around to share the laughter. Thank you, Denys Cazet!

We Could be Heroes--Just for One Day
This is a zany, beautifully illustrated children's book that will have most adults laughing as well.

Minnie and Moo are two cows whose main gift is the ability to give a gallon of milk each day. But Moo, wanting more, and inspired by a book of heroes called "The Musk of Zorro," persuades Minnie that they should and could be heroes. They take their cues from a misread "Zorro" book (or a version written just for cows): "Who was 'Zorro'?" Minnie asked. "A famous bull," said Moo. "...he dressed in black and scared away the bad guys with a sword...he marked their shoots with the letter Z." "I'll bet that scared then," said Minnie. [Get ready for punch line:] "That, and the smell, said Moo. The musk of Zorro put fear in their hearts."

So, armed with salvaged costumes. A sword attached to lipstick (to the notorious "Z" on the bad guys), and some deodorant substituting for the musk of Zorro, our two bovine heroines courageously and mistakenly battle a chicken (they thought it was "a fox"), and some pajamas hanging to dry ("bad guys"). While the ending is a little week, it conveys books' potential for imaginative adventure. With 48 pages, colorful illustrations, and two loveable cows featured in other Dorling Kindersley books. Recommended by DK for grades 1-3, this is a very funny book.

We need more heroes like these!
After reading one too many books out in the fields, two cows allow their imaginations to get the best of them in this hysterical romp through the barnyard. Moo convinces Minnie that their farm is in need of some heroes, so the two bovines assume "exotic" names and, with the help of an old lipstick and a can of underarm deodorant, set out to save the world. Bright pencil and watercolor illustrations capture the cows as they liberate the chickens from the rooster, and save the world from the farmer's long underwear. Meanwhile they start a feud between the farmer's wife and her neighbor. The latest installment in the Minnie and Moo series is, like its predecessors, a wildly funny look at the misadventures of two overly imaginative bovines. This is a great addition to the early reader library for high-interest, low-level readers and others who will laugh out loud at the story and illustrations by award-winning author Cazet. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Freddy Goes Into Politics
This is one of the earlier Freddy adventures, before Brooks had really hit his stride as a writer. In this book, the barnyard organizes an election and a woodpecker, who is a smooth talker, winds up almost controlling the Bean farm. As usual, there are morals aplenty without being preached at the reader, but, given the 1930s political background of this book (Huey Long and some other major players were obviously in Brooks' mind as he wrote this) I suspect adults will like it more than the kids, although my own children enjoyed it. From another author, this would've gotten at least four stars, but Brooks raises the standard.

One of the best "Freddies"
The best children's writers seem to forget they're "writing for kids" and just tell a story that's exciting, dreamy, funny, sad, realistic and/or fantastic. That's what Brooks did in "Freddy the Politician." The book appeared in 1939 and unmistakably reflects world events of the time, just as other Freddy books are flavored by the Depression and the Cold War. Fortunately, each book sustains the hilarious, lovable series characters, who are the author's lasting achievement. Other, better-known books like "Animal Farm" and "Charlotte's Web" are heavily in debt to Walter R. Brooks.

a Freddy classic
Gosh. I don't see how anyone can give "Freddy the Politician" less than 5 stars. Freddy's "dropping in" to the board meeting at the bank -- Mrs. Wiggins' wonderful advice about the uses of laughter -- Bertram the robot going beserk and grabbing his own operator's tailfeathers -- it's all vintage Freddy. How great to have this classic back in print. Be sure to buy an extra for your local library when you buy one for yourself.

One of the best, but probably most challenging, Freddy books
I have read now seven or eight Freddy books with my six year old son. In terms of story and language, some have been very engaging and well written, and some not. Occasionally, these books have more sophisticated themes, and have introduced my son to new ideas such as the power of the press, and the justice system.

Freddy the Politician was one of these, and likely the most sophisticated (keeping in mind that we are dealing with books about talking farm animals) of the series. It was written during WWII, but well before the US became involved. This background is very apparent once the story hits its stride.

The animals decide to set up a bank, and then to form the First Animal Republic. In setting up the bank, they feel that it needs a sober and worldly president, so that it will be a credible institution. John Quincy Adams, a woodpecker visiting from Washington DC, seems to fill the bill and takes the position.

Soon, John Quincy has brought in his father, Grover, to run for president of the FAR, and sinister plans are afoot. The election has everything: manipulation of voters lists, ballot fraud, insincere election promises, pork barrel, you name it. When these fail to win him the election, Grover takes power by coup.

Overnight, he is arresting his political enemies, annexing the Sudetenland - I mean, the neighbouring farms, and seeking world domination.

How is that for a tense story line in a kids book? ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Fun with Renegade Milk Cows!
There are few more appealing characters than milk cows who are up to no good! Farmer McPeepers, who leaves his glasses behind, cannot find his milk cows. From the moment the cows tip-toe away (on their hind legs) until the end, you will find plenty to amuse you on each page. And your child will LOVE finding the milk cows in all the hilarious illustrations. The comical cows are fishing, waiting in line at the movie theater, jumping rope, climbing monkey bars, etc.

The text and illustration complement each other beautifully. Kids will scream with delight.

Wonderful children's story
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the lively text and the exciting drawings. Author and illustrator certainly meshed well with this story. My granddaughter loves the book. It keeps the interest of children and makes them smile.

A different, appealing story
Zany drawings compliment this rollicking story of a farmer who lose his glasses - and loses sight of his gold milk cows. As the nearsighted farmer peers around his world in search of his cows, he sees cows in the swimming hole, riding skateboards - all kinds of places - only he misses them because of poor eyesight, while the cows are having all the fun. A different, appealing story.

Farmer McPeeper's Cows
Those pesky little cows are the best characters I've seen in a long time. Reminds me of the books I read as a kid. Cute story and an excellent book for children. GREAT BUY! Thanks Amazon.com

we all love it
Farmer McPeepers is a book that everyone in my family took turns reading. I think all ages will enjoy it because it has both adult humor and youth humor and the illustrations carry you right along with the story.
It was very refreshing to read a book of such innocense that had absolutely nothing to do with the turmoils of our everyday real life. Kid's need to disappear in a book that allows them to be kid's nowadays.
Many thanks to the author for her display of youthful,fun,silly, and enjoyable writing that i'm sure many more families will agree is a welcome to the younger readers.
sincerely,
Honey Hufstedler ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (16)

PUMPKIN SOUP- A CHILDREN'S CLASSIC
What a lovely book. My friend's little girl,who is 3, just loves this book. Her mum raves that she can't go to sleep without hearing it. They gave it to my 2 year old as a birthday gift. The illustrations are beautiful and the story is charming. It's fastly becoming my child's favorite book. It must be...I read it to him at least 3 times a day. Enjoy! I'm going to buy more of her books.

Warm and satisfying¿ just like soup.
There is something so warm, satisfying and homey about this book. The three animals live happily together in their warm and cozy house eating their regular supper of pumpkin soup. Each member of this little family has his own role in the soup making process; however, happiness cannot last forever and one morning the duck decides he wants to trade parts! HE wants to be the one stirring the soup... This wish causes chaos in the little house and the duck decides to leave....
I am sure you can guess the ending, but nevertheless this is a rich, beautiful and lovable story which has several surprises along the way.
The paintings are beautiful and colorful (I especially love the pumpkin garden) and my son always ends the reading with his wish "please make me a pumpkin soup"...

Great Read Aloud
This is a delightful story for young children. I read it aloud to my sons' Kindergarten and First Grade classes and they all loved it. The pages are big and beautifully illustrated - the squirrel, cat and duck are adorable, lovable characters. Their surroundings are brought to life in rich, warm colors and lovely details. The story addresses the age old problem of sharing and taking turns with humor and a gentle lesson that we need to keep in perspective what - or rather who - is really important to us.

Great for social skills groups!
This is a fabulous book about sharing, making and keeping friends, and all of the feelings and dynamics which go along with working together. I use this in the Fall with my social skills group in the school where I work. The children love it! It generated great discussion about about friendship, cooperation, how to/not to fight, learning to share, changing roles in friendships, and feelings (anger, jealousy, guilt, etc., etc.). Then, we usually make a "pumpkin" (out of felt pieces) as a cooperative group activity--of course, the children have to make the pumpkin WITHOUT saying a word and WITHOUT a "...squabble, a row, a racket, [or a] rumpus." :-)

Children Love This Story
My youngest daughter checked out this book from our local library last year and fell in love with it. I borrowed it from her and read it to my students because my daughter insisted I share this story with her friends. My students fell in love with this story, too, and it was so much fun to read aloud to a group and get interaction from them about it. This year I ordered my own copy and a copy for the school where I teach. The story is wonderfully told because it is sweet and caring. The young listener fully understands the story and I think the author did a splendid job of presenting it. Many of my students identified with the little duck and they were so happy when the duck returned (and got things his way for a change). The illustrations are beautiful. The "scary" parts of the story are told gently, in wording and phrasing exactly right for the age group it is intended to reach. The little duck's rebellion is charming and the message stays with the children. This book is more than wonderful. It is tasteful, and appeals in a big way to the best critics and the only critics who really matter when it comes to children's books -- young children. Thank you Helen Cooper for a marvelous book. ... Read more

Book Description

From sunrise to sunset, an African American boy spends an activity-filled summer day helping his family on their farm. Feeding animals, mowing hay, picking vegetables, and eating freshly caught fish fill the hours. Set in Texas in the 1950s, Summer Sun Risin’ is Parenting Reading Magic Award winner W. Nikola-Lisa’s tribute to childhood, farm life, and family togetherness. Don Tate’s sun-drenched paintings depict the family’s daily activities and trace the sun as it travels across the sky. ... Read more

Book Description

When a greedy nobleman steals the purse a rooster intends for his poor master, the rooster crows out the truth: "Give back the pennies you stole!" But the nobleman hears only impudence, and he orders the rooster thrown down a well. But neither the well’s deep water, nor an oven’s heat, nor cattle’s hard hooves can stop this "impudent" rooster, whose amazing powers win back the purse and reverse the nobleman’s fortunes. Children will relish the energetic language and interplay of magic and justice in this read-aloud tale. Holly Berry’s stylized illustrations, inspired by Romanian folk-art designs and bursting with color and humor, give this book the dimensions of a classic. ... Read more

Book Description

Hello Friend

Children love to learn and are always figuring things out about themselves and the world around them. And the more they know, the better equipped they are to handle the challenges of growing up.

Little Bill encourages children to value their family and friends, to feel good about themselves, and to learn to solve problems creatively. I hope young readers will see Little Bill as their friend and enjoy his real-life adventures. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great for small babies!
This book RIVETED my 3-month-old baby. We'd prop the book open to give him tummy time, and he'd stare at each page for minutes on end. When he got a little older, we'd make the sounds for each animal. This book rooster, cow, horse, and donkey. I recommend getting the whole set of four Animals. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Fun with Renegade Milk Cows!
There are few more appealing characters than milk cows who are up to no good! Farmer McPeepers, who leaves his glasses behind, cannot find his milk cows. From the moment the cows tip-toe away (on their hind legs) until the end, you will find plenty to amuse you on each page. And your child will LOVE finding the milk cows in all the hilarious illustrations. The comical cows are fishing, waiting in line at the movie theater, jumping rope, climbing monkey bars, etc.

The text and illustration complement each other beautifully. Kids will scream with delight.

Wonderful children's story
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the lively text and the exciting drawings. Author and illustrator certainly meshed well with this story. My granddaughter loves the book. It keeps the interest of children and makes them smile.

A different, appealing story
Zany drawings compliment this rollicking story of a farmer who lose his glasses - and loses sight of his gold milk cows. As the nearsighted farmer peers around his world in search of his cows, he sees cows in the swimming hole, riding skateboards - all kinds of places - only he misses them because of poor eyesight, while the cows are having all the fun. A different, appealing story.

Farmer McPeeper's Cows
Those pesky little cows are the best characters I've seen in a long time. Reminds me of the books I read as a kid. Cute story and an excellent book for children. GREAT BUY! Thanks Amazon.com

we all love it
Farmer McPeepers is a book that everyone in my family took turns reading. I think all ages will enjoy it because it has both adult humor and youth humor and the illustrations carry you right along with the story.
It was very refreshing to read a book of such innocense that had absolutely nothing to do with the turmoils of our everyday real life. Kid's need to disappear in a book that allows them to be kid's nowadays.
Many thanks to the author for her display of youthful,fun,silly, and enjoyable writing that i'm sure many more families will agree is a welcome to the younger readers.
sincerely,
Honey Hufstedler ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (16)

PUMPKIN SOUP- A CHILDREN'S CLASSIC
What a lovely book. My friend's little girl,who is 3, just loves this book. Her mum raves that she can't go to sleep without hearing it. They gave it to my 2 year old as a birthday gift. The illustrations are beautiful and the story is charming. It's fastly becoming my child's favorite book. It must be...I read it to him at least 3 times a day. Enjoy! I'm going to buy more of her books.

Warm and satisfying¿ just like soup.
There is something so warm, satisfying and homey about this book. The three animals live happily together in their warm and cozy house eating their regular supper of pumpkin soup. Each member of this little family has his own role in the soup making process; however, happiness cannot last forever and one morning the duck decides he wants to trade parts! HE wants to be the one stirring the soup... This wish causes chaos in the little house and the duck decides to leave....
I am sure you can guess the ending, but nevertheless this is a rich, beautiful and lovable story which has several surprises along the way.
The paintings are beautiful and colorful (I especially love the pumpkin garden) and my son always ends the reading with his wish "please make me a pumpkin soup"...

Great Read Aloud
This is a delightful story for young children. I read it aloud to my sons' Kindergarten and First Grade classes and they all loved it. The pages are big and beautifully illustrated - the squirrel, cat and duck are adorable, lovable characters. Their surroundings are brought to life in rich, warm colors and lovely details. The story addresses the age old problem of sharing and taking turns with humor and a gentle lesson that we need to keep in perspective what - or rather who - is really important to us.

Great for social skills groups!
This is a fabulous book about sharing, making and keeping friends, and all of the feelings and dynamics which go along with working together. I use this in the Fall with my social skills group in the school where I work. The children love it! It generated great discussion about about friendship, cooperation, how to/not to fight, learning to share, changing roles in friendships, and feelings (anger, jealousy, guilt, etc., etc.). Then, we usually make a "pumpkin" (out of felt pieces) as a cooperative group activity--of course, the children have to make the pumpkin WITHOUT saying a word and WITHOUT a "...squabble, a row, a racket, [or a] rumpus." :-)

Children Love This Story
My youngest daughter checked out this book from our local library last year and fell in love with it. I borrowed it from her and read it to my students because my daughter insisted I share this story with her friends. My students fell in love with this story, too, and it was so much fun to read aloud to a group and get interaction from them about it. This year I ordered my own copy and a copy for the school where I teach. The story is wonderfully told because it is sweet and caring. The young listener fully understands the story and I think the author did a splendid job of presenting it. Many of my students identified with the little duck and they were so happy when the duck returned (and got things his way for a change). The illustrations are beautiful. The "scary" parts of the story are told gently, in wording and phrasing exactly right for the age group it is intended to reach. The little duck's rebellion is charming and the message stays with the children. This book is more than wonderful. It is tasteful, and appeals in a big way to the best critics and the only critics who really matter when it comes to children's books -- young children. Thank you Helen Cooper for a marvelous book. ... Read more

Book Description

From sunrise to sunset, an African American boy spends an activity-filled summer day helping his family on their farm. Feeding animals, mowing hay, picking vegetables, and eating freshly caught fish fill the hours. Set in Texas in the 1950s, Summer Sun Risin’ is Parenting Reading Magic Award winner W. Nikola-Lisa’s tribute to childhood, farm life, and family togetherness. Don Tate’s sun-drenched paintings depict the family’s daily activities and trace the sun as it travels across the sky. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (4)

Louella Mae, made grandma a hit in twenty two states.
I am a grandmother of sixteen grandchildren,eight boys and eight girls ranging in age from newborn to ten years. I just completed a two month journey through twenty two states reading Louella May She Run Away to my grandchildren, their parents and to their young friends. From the East Coast, through the South, the Mid-West and across North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and home to California, this story was a huge success. I watched young and old alike fall into the rythum of this tale and cry out the rhyming words as the pages turned, hoping they had said the right word. They found the illustrations to be eye catching and in harmony with the search for Louella May. The story brought laughter and also a happy surprise at the ending. The story has it's own spacial place in our family and will join other favorites, such as Dr.Seuss books, The Bernstien Bears, Beatrix Potter's books or Charlotes Web and the Wizard of Oz.

Storytime fun!
I have read this book aloud numerous times at toddler and preschool storytimes and it has been a hit each time. The text lends itself well to a loud southern accent and expansive gestures plus there is a delightful "surprise" ending for the kids. It doesn't disappoint!

Such a clever book with a surprise ending
Well, another discovered hit for my 5 year old daughter and me. She enjoyed finishing the clever rhyming as the characters looked for Louella Mae and much to our glee, the ending was not what we expected...Yahoo!

Excellent surprize ending.
Louella Mae is a lyrical adventure for young and old alike. A fun read ... Read more

Book Description

Ms. Crumb said cows were far too fat; that facts were facts and that was that. But this little boy doesn't care about facts. All he knows is that he drew a picture of some cows, and when a breeze blows it into the air, he sees cows flying everywhere. And if cows can fly, isn't anything possible? ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Cows can fly!
This is a beautiful children's book but it is not only for little kids. When I first ordered the book, it was as a birthday present. My friend loved it so much I ordered another copy for myself. Please note that neither my friend nor I are under 18 years of age. We have both read the book together and love it thoroughly. Besides the beautiful and colorful art on every page, the story is heartwarming and interesting.

A boy draws a picture of a cow flying which his father scoffs at. The drawing takes to the wind when a gust catches it, bringing it to the dairy farms of America. The cows on the farm see this picture and decide to try to fly. Soon an entire herd of cows is taking to the sky! It's unfortunate that no one except the boy saw the flying cows, as everyone was too busy looking at the ground.

The story has a really great ending, good rhyming in each stanza, and a rich message that will uplift your heart. I highly recommend this book.

Life is Beautiful.
I have to admit the majority of children's books on the market aren't worth the time to read them because they are filled with mediocrity. I don't know why people think that when something is labeled as "children's" it has to be dumbed down. With that said, COWS CAN'T FLY is not one of those books.

The book, though short and simple like most children's books, is accompanied by vibrant and lively illustrations that engage the imagination. The story revolves around a young boy who draws a picture of cows flying. Everybody knows that cows can't fly and even his father calls the drawing absurd. However, a gust of wind blows the picture to a pasture where it is discovered by a herd of cows. The cows see it and to their amazement find that they can fly. The boy sees them, but no one else does because they're too busy looking at the ground.

What a great message! Life's an adventure and if we believe everything people tell us and never try new things, we will never reach the heights we are capable. Anyone read Plato? It's the Parable of the Cave from the Republic, but told for kids. You know a book has to be good if it relates to ancient Greek metaphysics, yet is comprehendable by children.

Simply Wonderful!
Cows Can't Fly is a delightful, imaginative tale all pre-schoolers will love,. This silly, funny story is told in short, four line rhyming passages and accompanied by large, expressive illustrations that will charm and amuse your youngsters. The simple rhyming pattern makes it easy for kids to "help" you read and they can use the colorful pictures to find the right rhyming word. A terrific book that kids will want to hear over and over again and a great addition to all home libraries.

this book was amazing
i think that i will never find another like it. cows can't fly is such a fun idea for kids to explore. i would make it a point to tell you all to buy this for any kids you know, and i think you'll be pleased with how it is received.

A sweet, funny book
My 3 year old son loves this book. It reminds us that anything is possible with imagination and a little bit of work. The sky's the limit. We love the illustrations and the message the book sends. It's a family favorite ... Read more

Book Description

The sun shines brightly on the barn and the pond. The dog plays. The duck swims. The cat naps. And the hen flaps. It’s a fun-filled day down on the farm for an exuberant young girl and her many friends. Rita Lascaro’s cut-paper collage illustrations add a colorful dimension to the busy activities of farm life.
... Read more