Book Description

Unfortunately, Roy's first acquaintance in Florida is Dana Matherson, a well-known bully. Then again, if Dana hadn't been sinking his thumbs into Roy's temples and mashing his face against the school-bus window, Roy might never have spotted the running boy. And the running boy is intriguing: he was running away from the school bus, carried no books, and-here's the odd part-wore no shoes. Sensing a mystery, Roy sets himself on the boy's trail. The chase introduces him to potty-trained alligators, a fake-fart champion, some burrowing owls, a renegade eco-avenger, and several extremely poisonous snakes with unnaturally sparkling tails.
Roy has most definitely arrived in Carl Hiaasen's Florida.


From the Hardcover edition. ... Read more

Reviews (112)

Hoot
I read Carl Hiaasen's first novel for young readers called HOOT. I think that the book is real good. It made me be happy and it made me laugh a lot. I live in the state of Florida so I know what he means by hot summer days.

My favorite part of this book is when Officer Delinko's patrol car gets spray painted by the vandal, which is Mullet Fingers or should I say Napoleon Bridger Leep. It was funny when Officer Delinko falls asleep and when he wakes up sees his patrol car windows are spray painted black. Officer Delinko thought it was early in the morning, but it was really nine thirty. I laughed my head off in this part. Another part I liked was the part that Roy mooned Dana and Dana got real mad and chased Roy about three blocks.

My favorite character was Beatrice. She seemed so tough, but she cared about the owls. She really didn't like her step mom so I laughed when Beatrice bit the ring off Lonna's toe.
With this book I learned you should take care of your environment and stick up for what you think is right! This is a GREAT book!

Excellent Novel
The site of Coconut Cove's future Mother Paula's All-American Pancake House is experiencing a slight problem: documents removed, alligators in the port-a-potties, and painted-over patrol cars. But who's behind the clever vandalism and pranks? New Florida resident Roy Eberhardt isn't aware of this going on, but he has often noticed a barefoot boy running down the street faster than anything.Roy was curious, he starts to search around and even follows the boy once, only to be told by Beatrice Leep, a.k.a. Beatrice the Bear, to mind his own business. Despite Beatrice's warning and plenty of bullying from the jerk Dana Matherson, Roy follows the boy, whose name is Mullet Fingers, one day and ends up in the middle of an environmetal mission to save a society of burrowing owls from being bulldozed.

Full of colorful characters, Hoot is a quick-witted adventure that will keep readers hooked. With down-to-earth Roy, dumbfounded Officer Delinko, and construction site manager Curly.The author delivers an appealing cast of characters that keep the plot twisting and turning until the highly charged ending.
This book was great because the plot was some what a reality in a lot of places. Also,friendships,courage and comedy put this story together to make one outstanding novel. I highly recommend this book.

Appropriately named
I love all of Carl Hiaasen's works and HOOT, even though it's touted for the younger set, is no exception. With the same great writing, style, and sense of humor that is found in McCrae's THE BARK OF THE DOGWOOD (though that one's definitely NOT for children), Hiaasen hits his mark once again with this book. Using endangered species as the jumping off point, Hiassen weaves a tale that only he could come up with. The twistedness of his ideas, coupled with great writing, make this one of the most unusual books ever written. Thanks to Carl Hiaasen for giving us this stellar work.

Hoot
With rich detail and the perspective of an eleven-year-old boy, Carl Hiaasen wrote an award winning novel, Hoot. In the story Roy Eberhardt moves to Coconut Cove, Florida from the rolling mountains of Montana. Making new friends is hard but Dana Matherson, school bully, takes all the blame for a wonderful relationship with a tough brother and sister. Going through fights and playing tricks doesn't stop this adventurous threesome from defending something precious and small. Mother Paula's House of Pancakes is coming to Coconut Cove, and right on top of a field of burrowing owls! Competing against an angry grounds keeper and curious policeman, the three will do anything to save the owls. Hoot was an adventurous and funny read. I recommend this book to anyone with a great sense of humor. There are new surprises on every page!

-Tator Tot

Great detective story
In reading the book Hoot by Carl Hiaasen, I have come to the opinion that the author wrote this book as a mystery novel to show what the job of a detective is like. In the setting of this book there is supposedly a group of vandals some where in the neighborhood. In front of the Mother Paula's stake house, stakes were torn out of the ground, and large sized alligators were put in the guest latrines, leaving it up to officer Delinko to solve. I think the plot of this book shows a great example of this with an outstanding scenario and never ending amounts of suspense. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Sesame Street veteran and Emmy Award-winner Mo Willems returns with a fast, funny follow-up to Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!--only this time, the short-tempered pigeon faces his perfect foil in a "special guest star" duckling.In the previous Pigeon book, author and illustrator Willems expertly distilled the escalating emotions of preschoolers all too anxious to get their way. The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog--also a simple and sparsely illustrated story--explores the flip side of that coin, exposing the poker-face persuasive powers of young negotiators. The pigeon just wants to greedily eat the hot dog that he's found: "Oooooh! A hot dog! Yummy! Yummy! Yummy!" Then along comes the duckling, "scooty scoot scoot!" with his insistent questions about hot dogs: "What do they taste like?...Would you say that it tastes like chicken?...Hey, I'm a curious bird." At first, the pigeon entertains the duckling, "Each morsel is a joy! A celebration in a bun!", but then he soon suspects the little bird might have designs on his delicious dog. In the end, of course, the clever duckling gets his way--and half of the hot dog: "You know, you're pretty smart for a duckling." (Ages Baby to Preschool) --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Reviews (7)

What luck!
Poor Pigeon. He has the good fortune of finding a hotdog. It's just sitting there. So what's the problem? (Special guest star) Little Duckling won't give Pigeon a moment's peace to eat the hotdog. "Does it taste like chicken?" Duckling asks. The discussion escalates until it is finally resolved with a happy ending and a fairly understated lesson. Mo Willems' lively pastel colored drawings are simple but still expressive. A thoroughly enjoyable, excellent book. Karen Woodworth-Roman

HOT DOG THIS BOOK IS DE-LICIOUS!
I was shopping today for my nephew's birthday. I already had picked out an armload of children's picture books when I spotted The Pigeon Finds A Hot Dog. Not only did I laugh hysterically out loud in the middle of the regularly quiet bookstore, but I was also very impressed with the story dialogue and the simple, but unique style of illustration. At any rate, I put all the other books back on the shelves, and rushed to the counter to purchase the book. Now, I'm debating going back and buying a few more copies, one for my collection and a couple more for some friends. I highly recommend adding this to your library.

Great lesson in simple words.
Who couldn't like the pigeon and now we meet a new friend. We weren't as thrilled with this book as we were with "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus" but the lesson at the end makes up for that. Mo Willems has made two very lovable characters with strong personalities!! It's amazing that a book with such little dialogue can catch your heart. I miss the interaction of the first book but the lesson of sharing is one that you can't beat.

A New Comedy Team Kids Will Love
From Abbott and Costello to SpongeBob and Patrick and everyone in between, all great comedy duos have worked with a simple but effective formula: The straight man who sets things in motion, and the source of comedy who is either easily furiated (such as Costello in the "Who's on First?" routine) or dumber than the straight man (such as the bumbling starfish Patrick). Now, animator Mo Willems adds another duo to this long list: Pigeon and Duckling.
Pigeon was the star of Willems' first book for children, DON'T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS!, in which he interacted with the reader by constantly pleading to drive a bus. Now, he has someone else to play off of, the cute but annoying Duckling. Duckling plays the part of the straight man as he approaches Pigeon, who is ready to greedily eat a hot dog he has found. Duckling distracts Pigeon by asking him a number of silly questions ("Would you say that it tastes like chicken?") Will Pigeon give in? Is there a possible solution to this conundrum?
There is a simple lesson to be learned from this book, but it is also unique in its comedic style. An easily angred character such as Pigeon isn't seen very often in books for young children, and is a refreshing change from the goody-two-shoes, Dick-and-Jane type characters who always do the right thing. Children (and their parents) will most likely enjoy this simple story featuring a new comedic team who are sure to go far. Abbott and Costello were able to make audiences laugh with a routine about a baseball team. A routine about something as simple as a hot dog doesn't seem that far off.

The pigeon flies again!
This clever story is sure to delight fans of Willems first book as well as newcomers to the pigeon character. The book has simple illustrations that children love to draw with each character having its own unique charm. In addition to this the story will make both the young and young at heart laugh out loud. Six time Emmy award winner and Caldecott honoree Mo Willems looks to have the right mix to gain further recognition with this new book The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog. This is a must have for your childrens library. ... Read more

Reviews (39)

Simply Hilarious!
Truly a masterpiece! After many readings, this story still makes me laugh out loud. With only a few simple lines and a minimal amount of dialouge, Mo Willems has created a memorable character in this coniving pigeon who will do anything to drive a bus.

The local librarian told me that this book was a big hit at story hour, with the children actively telling the pigeon "No! You can't drive the bus!" Maybe I still have the mind set of a preschooler, because I found it just as entertaining, so much so that my best friend gave it to me for my 43rd birthday. In my opinion, it's one of the best children's books of the year.

True story.

This new book is sure to become a Caldecott Medal winner
I bet this new book will be a future Caldecott Medal winner. It is sure to delight both children and adults alike. Children will love the story of that little blue pigeon and it is sure to make parents remember with a smile the willful nature of the three year old. This book is a must for your children's library. Five time Emmy Award winning writer and animator Mo Willems is sure to gain further recognition for his latest venture.

Simply but Funny
This is an absolutly funny book. It's as much to read it as it is to hear it being read. It's along the lines of Click, Clack, Moo - you're children will wonder why you're chuckling more than they are

A Great Read Aloud for Librarians & Teachers
The concept of this story is simple: The bus driver has left you the responsibility of watching his bus. Of course, there is a certain pigeon who would really love to take it for a spin and he will try every excuse in the book to get his way. This book is absolutely hilarious! When I read it to a group of children ages 4-11, they all loved it. Whenever the pigeon begged to drive the bus, they all responded with an enthusiastic, "No!" They laughed the entire time and not one child's attention was focused elsewhere. This book is simply a lot of fun!

I love this book
Oh, my gosh. Let me start by saying (...) I love this book! My Language Arts teacher read it to my class and it is soo funny. Anyone can appriciate the cleverness and funniness of Don't Let the Peigion Drive the Bus. Don't pass it up. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This is the classic from which many of our staff first learned toread, starting us on a path of unremitting bibliophilia.Are You My Mother? follows a confused baby bird who's been denied the experience of imprinting as he asks cows, planes, and steam shovels the Big Question. In the end he is happily reunited with his maternal parent in a glorious moment of recognition. ... Read more

Reviews (56)

Perfect for the smallest child!
Are you looking for a good book to introduce a small child to the joys of reading? Then this one is a great one!

Long before I realized that babies are little sponges, someone gave me this book for my then first-born one year old (1968! ) Since then, this book has been a staple for all my children, the youngest now 8.

I have read to each child, before they were one - only one isn't as fond of reading as the others, but even he enjoys a good book now and again.

This book is the perfect book to introduce little ones to the joys of reading. The words are few and small, and the question is one of interest to little ones who are still trying to sort out what is going on in this new-to-them world.

The little bird falls from her nest while mother bird is out getting worms. She (or he) goes to every animal she sees and asks, "Are you my mommy?"

This simple story keeps the child's interest, because the little ones are concerned about what happens if they separate from a parent or caregiver.

In the end, of course (I doubt that this is giving away the story!) the bird finds the mother and all is right.

If you want your children or grandchildren to enjoy reading, this book is an excellent start. Expect to have to read it over and over, so well that you both will have it memorized!

Yes, I am!
This book is perfect for toddlers who are just starting to appreciate illustrations. It tells of a young bird searching for his mom and asking each animal he meets, "Are you my mother?"

Kids can easily relate to the young bird's quest for his mom. He meets a kitten, a hen, a dog, a cow and a snort only to find out that his mom just got food for him and came back for him in their nest! The illustrations are simple, realistic and fun to look at.

A story with a valuable lesson: The importance of the mother-child bonding which transcends all beings in the animal kingdom.

A CURSE! AN UTTER CURSE!
Many of you, "Parents", have exposed this book unto your families. Same thing with my mother. She exposed this story to me. But you know what I see in this book of evil? Scary images and ideas. Look at the dog for instance. Does he look like a "nice" dog to you? He didn't to me. He scarred the buttons of my shirt. Everytime I look at his eyes I fill with fear. But the idea of being seperated from your parents of the worst fear factor. AND in addition. NEVER EVER EVER BUY THE VIDEO THAT GOES WITH THIS BOOK! It has bizarre music that will stick in your childs minds while the sleep and haunt them. I had many nightmares about "Are You My Mother" and your kids shouldn't. NEVER BUY THIS BOOK!

Warm fuzzy memories
A fave of mine as a young'un, this tender tale will tickle the funnybone and touch the heart as the adorable little birdling asks various animals and items if they are his mother (who went to get food for him!)LOVED the scene with the earthmover! Those who said it was scary and about child abandonment need to lighten up. :-) Who hasn't gotten separated from their folks when they were little (like by wandering off in stores and such)A must read for everyone's childhood.

The Mother of All Children's Books
Revisit the warmly inviting pages of PD Eastman's classic for a treat readers from four to forty-four and beyond will enjoy.

Whether it is your first time or your thousandth, the simple but delightful illustrations and familiar storyline of a little bird believing his mother is lost will wrap you in the cozy feel reminiscent of those half-forgotten feet-pajama winters and watermelon summers.

Not to be missed. Share it if you can with your favorite tot, but if not, read it to yourself. Read it aloud.

And remember: not every snort is your enemy. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (2)

Good, but what happened to the old Ga'Hoole?!
This book's pretty good, like the other books in the Ga'Hoole series. The stories have a new main character, Nyroc, the son of Kludd and Nyra. Nyroc is destined to become the new leader of the Pure Ones, but his own strange gift, called the fire sight, reveals to him that the Pure Ones, and his mother, are just as evil as in previous books. He and his friend Phillip (remember Dustytuft from The Burning?) must choose to stay with the Pure Ones, or risk everything and leave.

The only bad things about this book are that it is a little duller than the other Ga'Hoole books, and, most importantly, there's hardly anything about Soren and the band! There's only a brief little thing about Otulissa, but you never find out what Soren and the gang are doing now! I missed hearing about the Ga'Hoole Tree, and I hope it's included in the next book, The Outcast.

Gaurdians of the Ga'hoole Series
This is the best series of books I've ever read. I never liked to read but ever since I started reading this series i couldn't stop. The first book set a amazing story, it made me want to keep reading. When ever i get board now i'll just go pick up one of the books and start reading. It's like I never want to put in down. Most of my class is reading it to. We are always waiting for a new one to come out. Right now we are waiting for the 7 book to hit the shelves. This book series is amazing i hope it nver ends. Kepp them coming my class will always be waiting for a new one to hit the shelves. ... Read more

Book Description

Illus. in color. "The Great Birthday Bird guides us on a birthday trip. The multicolored excursion is a festive one."--School Library Journal. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

An Awesome Book about Birthdays for kids of all ages!!!!!
I have loved this book since I was old enough to look at the pictures. It brings back great memories of my childhood and my family and all the birthdays we have celebrated together. This book is a classic and an excellent, different present for anyone who's having a birthday!! I have been searching for this book to give to my children for years.....now I have finally found it. Classic in all the Seuss ways, exciting, fun and thought inspiring, I recommend it for all of your friends and loved ones having a birthday! Start a tradition!!!!!! They will thank you, if not now, later in life!!!!! Just imagine celebrating your birthday the way they do in the book!!!!!! What a blast!!!!!!!!!!!! :-)

Truly a classic
There was a rule in my family: you didn't officially turn a year older until "The Birthday Bird" (as we called it) was read to you. This tradition continued with my brother and me, even in college. This is a great feel-good book. As usual, Dr Seuss chooses an important, serious "theme" - having kids understand that they are important just because they "are" - and adorns it with tongue-twisters, great characters, and the outrageous celebrations of the Katroo Happy Birthday Associ-i-ation. Start a tradition in your family and have the Birthday Bird come to YOUR house each year.

Worlds Best Affirmation!
I remember this book vividly from my childhood, and made sure to buy it and read it to my children. There is enough positive, personal affirmation power in this book to give a kid a dearly needed boost of importance and remind them that they have a right to be here, a purpose, and that the world is glad that they are here.
I also recommend If I Ran the Circus -and- If I Ran the Family !

Forget Birthday Cards
After one reads and delights in Dr. Seuss' book, Happy Birthday to You!, one will see the giving of birthday cards in a much colder and more sterile light. This book should be given to anyone celebrating a birthday who could use a snack from a Hippo-Heimers back (and, quite frankly, who could not). It is a book for all ages through the ages, entirely timeless in its zany approach to that special day. It will have you shouting "I am I" which is the purpose of birthdays and even better is having someone with whom to share one's birthday to shout "We are we". A delightful book which should replace birthday cards and be attached to any gift or even be the gift itself.

Best Children's book ever
I have loved this book ever since I can remember. It has positively ruined me for my birthday every year, I do absolutely nothing I don't want to do. I eat cake for breakfast if I want, and I never go to work that day. What a positive and creative book this is, it totally convinced me that everyone is worth spoiling rotten at least one day a year. And the pictures are so emotive and beautiful - that last image of the child bundled up safely on the flying platter is so comforting. Both my sons love the book and request it read often. The copy from my childhood is missing both covers now and some of the pages are separated, but we still love it! ... Read more

Book Description

Illus. in full color. Mr. and Mrs. Bird's search for a "better" nest leads them to some peculiar spots. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

My Favorite book as a child - bought it for my daughter
This was my favorite book as a child. I had it memorized by the time I was 2. My mother sold it at a garage sale and now 30 years later is kicking herself for it.

When I had my daughter 3 years ago, my mother and I looked all over for this book in bookstores. Amazon is the only place I found it.

The best kids book {and Homeowners/tenants mantra}
This has to be the most memorable kids book in the world. After having read its Amazon reviews, I now know I wasn't the only little kid that HAD to have it read to them all the time! The illustrations are so memorable and the moral is priceless. At 23, I still remember the line "I love my house, I love my nest, in all the world my nest is best." The book resides at Grammas house and will continue to be read to generations to come.

BEST NEST
THIS BOOK WAS BOUGHT FOR ME WHEN I WAS A CHILD. IT IS AN EXCELLENT BOOK FOR CHILDREN AND I CAN REMEMBER TO THIS DAY THE VERSE THAT IS REPEATED IN THE BEST NEST ON MOST OF THE PAGES. "I LOVE MY HOUSE ,I LOVE MY NEST IN ALL THE WORLD MY NEST IS BEST. I AM NOW 35 AND I AM SO PLEASED I HAVE FOUND THIS BOOK TO BUY ONLINE AS I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR IT EVERYWHERE SO THAT I CAN READ IT TOO MY KIDS AND I HOPE THEY LIKE IT AS MUCH AS I DID. ANYONE WITH SMALL CHILDREN SHOULD BUY THIS BOOK.

Favorite Book as child
By far, The Best Nest was my FAVORITE book growing up. My mother would read it to me every night before bed, singing Mr. Bird's songs. Quite enjoyable.

a classic story about appreciating what we have!
This was my favorite book as a child-- my mom must have read it to me hundreds of times. I am now expecting my first child and this will be one of the first books that I purchase for her! ... Read more

Book Description

In the first book in the Guardians... series, the reader is introduced to Soren, a barn owl and the centerpiece of the series. When Soren is pushed from his family's nest by his older brother, he is rescued from certain death on the forest floor by agents from a mysterious school for orphaned owls, St. Aggie's. When Soren arrives at St. Aggie's, he suspects there is more to the school than meets the eye. He and his new friend, the clever and scrappy Gylfie, find out that St. Aggie's is actually a training camp where the school's leader can groom young owls to help achieve her goal. ... Read more

Reviews (31)

A Wonderful Book
Have you craved a marvelous and unique book this summer? Of course you have! You don't want one of those unsatisfying, boring books parents make you read, do you?! Well, The Capture, by Kathryn Lasky is just the book you are looking for! It has adventure, mystery, and magical companionship between four owls (Soren, Gylfe, Twilight, and Digger). However, watch out for St. Aggies! They mean trouble! In there you most likely are either moon blinked or moon stunned and your jobs are cricket catching to pellet dissecting. What are flecks? St. Aggies treasures them! Is Kludd evil? We'll find out! From the beginning to the end of this amazing book you'll find remarkable entertainment.

Action packed, escaping owls
Gaurdians of Ga'Hoole is looking like a really great series so far. This author has a very big imagination, and a very stretched vocabulary. This book, #1 The Capture, is very different and I'll tell you why.
There are no people in this book. Just owls. In this book, the owls have dialouge. They're regular characters in the story. It's very exciting to see and think what the owls see and think to each other. I thought that this was very interesting to see how the owls interacted like people. So I kept reading, and started to really like this book.
Soren is a baby owl, just about 2 weeks. He is a barn owl in the kingdom of Tyto. He has a newborn sister, Eglantine, and an older snobby brother Kludd. Soren is living a great life with his parents until he falls out of his nest onto the floor of the woods, or maybe, pushed out. Soren is then scooped up that night by an older adult owl, and taken to an academy for orphan owls. Soren does not like this, he's not an orphan. Soren meets a smaller owl around his age that was also captured. His name is Gylfie. Soren and Gylfie do not like this place, its weird, and scary for them. Soren and Gylfie figure out that this is not a good place to hang out for a while. They have to get out, but how. They have to fly, something that they are not capable of doing as an owlet.
I really recommend this book because, youm really do not want to stop reading. Theres constant action, and constant thinking between the owls. This book is not to long if your worried about that. It's only 235 pages with a chapter about the sequel, The Journey. It's deffinatly action packed when the owls escape. You definitally do not want to stop reading #1 The Capture, and all the other, Gaurdians of Ga'Hoole books.

Awesome ((read all except shattering))
It is one of my favorites from the whole series. You must read them all in order or else you'll totaly miss out.

first book of an enchanting series
The Capture is the first book in Kathryn Lasky's Guardians of Ga'hoole series. I really enjoyed reading this series. The main characters are all owls. The owls have human characteristics including their own society, rules and religions. The story is entertaining and enjoyable to read. Lasky researched owls and their different species and introduces alot of facts into her story. With that said, it is still exiting and full of action. I would recomend this book for older children as there are some areas such as brain washing that may be intence for younger readers. I would also recomend this series to adults who want to read an imaginative work.

A non-stop Page-turner
Do you want to read a book that is a non-stop page-turner? I could not put this book down and could not keep quiet about it! You have to read the trilogy Guardians of gahoole The Capture, The journey, and The Rescue. This is a story about a small loveable barn owl named Soren that is kidnapped and sent to a place called St. Aggie's School for orphan owls. But it enslaves the minds of the owls for an army. There Soren meets Gylfie and Twilight but Soren and Twilight can't fly, and that is their only means of escape. Gylfie has to teach them in secret (it sounded like a secret mission to me). After avoiding the vile school temporarily they meet Digger, a small desert owl who can't fly, so he runs (it was pretty funny to me). They band together searching the Great Gahoole tree in search of help Join Soren in an epic adventure. I give it 3 thumbs up! People who love adventures would love this book! There is amazing detail you would feel as if you were there with Soren! You won't regret reading this book! ... Read more

Book Description

Like the rest of his family, Louis is a trumpeter swan. But unlike his four brothers and sisters, Louis can't trumpet joyfully. In fact, he can't even make a sound. And since he can't trumpet his love, the beautiful swan Serena pays absolutely no attention to him.

Louis tries everything he can think of to win Serena's affection--he even goes to school to learn to read and write. But nothing seems to work. Then his father steals him a real brass trumpet. Is a musical instrument the key to winning Louis his love?

Reviews (75)

An Excellent Book
This tale of romance and courage kept me reading for hours. I couldn't stop reading it at home and school. I loved that book that I could read it again and again.This story is about a young swan that came into the world without a voice. He is determined to win the money he needs for his father's dept, because Louis's father stole a trumpet from a music store. Determined to raise the money needed.He travels from his beautiful home in Montana to places all over the country.He even got jobs like leading a swan boat in one place. Playing his trumpet at another and playing the trumpet at his human friend Sam Beaver's camp.Soon he raises the money he needs and his father pays back his dept.He also wins the heart of a female swan he loves Serena. This is a tale that'll have everyone reading for hours. I like this story and I'm sure others will too.

A Great Book
The Trumpet of the Swan is about a swan named Louis who was born mute. However, he was determined to do something to prove himself. He then asked a friend to help him to learn things that are taught in school. His parents were still not satisfied because they still could not communicate with their son. It was Louis's father who did a great sacrifice to help his son. Louis wanted to clear his father's debts and so he ecountered many adventures. However, what he wanted most was to have Serena (a beautiful female swan) for his wife. Did he succeed? Read this book and you will find out.

This book is a little touching and very exciting.

Trumpet of the Swan
I loved Trumpet of the Swan. It taught me basically everything with the situation that Louis had. It was a very good book. I think everyone will enjoy it at all ages. When I read it, I could not stop reading. Even when it was time to sleep, I took a flashlight and read it. It was a wonderful book. Everyone will definetly love The Trumpet of the Swan.

The Trumpet of the Swan
This book is about a young Trumpeter Swan named Louis who was born with a speech defect problem. He learns to play the trumpet and travels all over America. I was obsessed with it. In fact, I'm reading it again right now. I can't put it down. HELP!!!!!!!!!

It was a great book
It was a great book. I think it was a book that would calm people down. It could be something you can read in your spartime. ... Read more

Book Description

One of the first books for countless children, this story of a free-spirited Cat who, with his high jinks and mischievous friends (Things One and Two) turns the house upside-down for two bored children on a rainy day is retold in Latin in Cattus Petasatus.

This edition features the original artwork of Dr. Seuss and a translation in rhyming verse that echoes the sound of the original Cat in the Hat.

The wonderful, whimsical, and thought-provoking stories of Dr. Seuss have been published in twenty languages. An excellent addition to Seuss collections the world over, this Latin-language edition of Seuss' timeless first reader is a welcome, all-occasion gift, a delightful way to revisit a treasured tale, and an enjoyable way to refresh your high school Latin. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Great for Latin Students
I am a Latin minor at a California University, and have studied Latin for about three years. This book was part of my class curriculum of Latin poetry, and was a nice break from the works of Ovid and Virgil! It is a simple book to translate, though some of the gerunds can be a little tricky. This book is a lot of fun, and is helpful in learning new vocabulary. If I remember correctly, all of the words used are given English meanings in the back of the book. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who is learning Latin. Though you may get annoyed by comments made by bystanders who think you are reading "The Cat in the Hat."

Appeals to any audience
Having studied Latin throughout high school, I could appreciate the innovation and creativity necessary to translate Dr. Seuss' classic story while still preserving rhyme and meter. However, my little sister, who has just recently learned to read on such classics as "The Cat in the Hat," perhaps enjoyed "Cattus Petasatus" even more than I did. Not automatically looking to identify subject and verb, she giggled with delight at the new words that roll off the tongue with the catchy meter and bragged to my parents that she was able to speak Latin! Because the pictures are the same as the English, she was able to follow the storyline and give expression to the words.

Whether as an introduction to Latin or an amusing twist of the Dr. Seuss classic, "Cattus Petasatus" is a wonderful variation that will make the reader and audience smile.

A new spin on a classic
It's well known that Dr. Seuss wrote The Cat in the Hat in response to a challenge to write a children's book only using 40 basic vocabulary words. Now a new spin brings basic vocabulary to another language. Latin, often thought to be the "dead" language, is brought alive with something other than the so called "dead guys." Here the reader can have a basis in the book, and verse, beforehand and see it and Latin anew in this translation. The translators do a marvelous job of mimicing the rhythm and meter of Seuss's charming tale. And with the Seuss drawings intact the connection between the text in Latin and the story is there to help you along. It makes Latin accessible and that's not a small feat. Read it aloud and you feel so very intelligent. Try this book - it's fun.

A good intermediate practice to Latin
Having tried to learn Latin, I found reading the Classics was extremely difficult. Afterall, it is written by a native speaker, and I am no Latin native speaker. So I found this book to be very useful. The only problem is that it emulates Dr. Seuss's writing so well, that the whole book uses pretty much once case in Latin. You will learn that case very well, but won't be able to practice other cases in normal writing. However, I think it was a terrific idea, and I like the fact that all the words are listed in the back (as well as the context). The fact that it uses more mundane words (compare with Caesar's Gaelic Wars) is also great for intermediate readers.

All in all, I consider it time well spent, not to mention, its just fun reading Dr. Seuss in Latin.

Qui Bono from this book? Anyone who must study Latin!
I wish, oh I wish I had this book back in middle school where we had two years of Latin. What a good idea this is, to take a familiar story and have it so you can compare it to the Latin, especially the grammar. The fact it is a kid's book makes it even simpler; the sentence structures are more or less straightforward. We translated Beatles songs like "I wanna hold your hand" into Latin but I wish I had had this book!

This is a great idea. Why didn't someone do it before? ... Read more

Book Description

When a strange egg appears in their nest, Mr. and Mrs. Bird kindly take it upon themselves to raise the "baby bird" inside. But when the egg hatches, the Birds are in for a big surprise--"Junior" is the oddest-looking baby bird they've ever seen--with big, long jaws full of teeth and an appetite to match. In fact, he looks more like a baby alligator than a baby bird! Nevertheless, the devoted Birds run themselves ragged feeding Junior until he gets so big, he must leave the nest or it will collapse underneath him. But how can Junior fly without wings? To the delight of the Birds--and readers!--the dilemma is solved when Junior takes off from a branch overlooking a pond. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Flap Your Wings
I am thrilled to find this book back in print. Our family received a paperback edition many years ago as a gift. We have read it literally to pieces. Since receiving this gift, we have added three children to our family through international adoption. Like the bird family, we don't look alike, but we share the same nest. My husband and I live by Mr. Bird's philosophy, "If an egg is in your nest, you sit on it and keep it warm." Our answer to nosy questions concerning one of our children - "He's in our nest, so he must be ours."

We are now entering a new phase of parenting. The first of our 6 children is moving out to begin life on her own. Once again Mr. Bird in his wisdom has given us direction: "It's getting too crowded up here. Junior has to leave the nest. It is time for him to fly away...We must show him how to fly." Of course our pride matches Mr. Bird as we watch her go, "(S)he's happy now! Just watch (her) swim" or fly or soar.

Flap Your Wings is a classic. It celebrates love, family, differences, attachment, and letting go. Thank you P.D. Eastman for your fabulous book. I will read it for years to come.

For Graduates: Parents and Children Alike
While this is obviously a children's book, don't lose sight of the metaphor! Like Mr. and Mrs. Bird, we usually are surprised by this "creature" in our nest, but what the heck, we do our best to feed and nurture them. And when they get too big for the nest, physically, psychologically and emotionally, we do need to push them out and tell them to flap their wings. And guess what? They become exactly who they are supposed to be, despite our attempts to make them who we THINK they should be. This is one of my favorite graduation books, mostly for my friends who are pushing their children out of the nest.

a funny & fabulous beginning reader
I am so pleased to see this book back in print. It is a hilarious book to read aloud, the reader as well as the children will enjoy it. It's a meditation on parenthood among other things. Incidental to the fun, children will learn about the life of birds, and that other creatures are hatched from eggs as well, with a little ecology thrown in. A book no parent, teacher or child should miss!

Hooray
Like the reviewer above, I am delighted to find that this has been reprinted. As a parent it was one of my favorites to read to my children and I am looking forward to sharing it with my grandchildren.

Funny primer
I was excited to see this book being printed again. Eastman ( Go Dog Go ) had me laughing out loud the first time I read this to my kids. A bird couple comes home to find an enormous egg ( an alligator egg) in their nest. The trials and tribulations of hatching and raising the " baby bird" are lessons in parenting and work ethics, funny as they are. The couple trying to teach their "baby bird " to fly brings the book to a hilarious climax. ... Read more

Book Description

Poor Hermit Crab! He's outgrown his snug little shell, so he finds himself a larger one -- and many new friends to decorate and protect his new house. But what will happen when he outgrows this shell, and has to say good-bye to all the sea creatures who have made Hermit Crab's house a home?

Children facing change in their own lives will relate to Hermit Crab's story -- and learn a lot about the fascinating world of marine life along the way. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

A House for Hermit Crab
'A House for Hermit Crab' is about Hermit, the Crab, is looking for a nice, new, and especially, comfortable, new home to live in. When he finally finds his knew house, he decides it needs a few things to perk it up a bit. Along the way, he meets a few friends who help him very much. The lesson that this book teaches people is that; it teaches to never give up hope in finding something that you need, because if you're not looking hard enough, it would be right in your face and you wouldn't see it. It also teaches that friends are always there if you ask for them. The age for this book would be about 1st ' 2nd grade. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning about the ways sea creatures help each other.

A House for Hermit Crab
In my own opinion i think that "A House for Hermit Crab" is a good childrens book. I would definetly recommend it to kids. I, myself enjoyed reading this book, so im sure that children would too. The book is about a hermit crab that grows out of his shell and looks for a year to find different things to decorate, protect, and clean his shell. He finds a another little hermit crab that is in need of a shell too, so Hermit Crab gives him his shell and tells him to take good care of his friends. This is a story of friendship and growing up. Its a cute story, and i advise you to read it.

A House for Hermit Crab
The book A House for Hermit Crab I thought was a great childrens book. It was about this Hermit Crab that lives in a shell but soon grows out of it so one day he makes up his mind to go and try to find a new shell that would fit. As hes out adventuring he finds a shell that fits but its too plan he thinks. As he goes on with his shell he finds all these plants and other items that will make his shell pretty and better looking to him. He soon builds a wall up around his shell and then after all that work he grew out of that shell because getting all those things took a year. Then another hermit crab comes and says that she was out grown her shell too so he give his shell to her and he makes her promike that she will take care of all her friends that are attached to the shell. Now he goes on to find a new shell for himself but like before the shell that he found was a little to plan so he thinks hes going to find some more things to put on it hes excited to do this because he remembered what good friends he made last time.
I would definitely recmmend this book to any child.

A wonderful book for ALL ages!
This book is so good - and a wonderful allegory for anybody facing a life change. A child will enjoy the simple story of a hermit crab looking to decorate his shell, and all the creatures who agree to help him. But the sub-context of change - and greeting it with enthusiasm - is what draws me to this book. I plan on buying it for my son when he enters kindergarten this fall, and will give it to others who will be facing similar challenges.

A House for Hermit Crab
You will enjoy reading about this crab who takes his time in selecting just the right house. "A House for Hermit Crab" encourages reasoning and thinking skills for the young listener (aged 2-6). This book will help give your Eric Carle library a new protective shell. ... Read more

Book Description

The novelization of the thrilling family movie from Columbia Pictures, starring Jeff Daniels and Anna Paquin (The Piano), tells the story of a father and daughter who "teach" a gaggle of orphaned geese how to fly and migrate for the winter. This novelization is written by the award-winning author of Kevin Corbett Eats Flies and My Girl. This inspirational family adventure is inspired by the autobiography Father Goose ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Review of Fly Away Home
I think this book was a very good book. I liked it because it was about a girl who helped migrate geese.Her father was a inventor so that made the book very interesting. I think this book was a very well written book. I would tell others to read this book.

THE BEST!
this book was litterly the best ive ever read and it even inspired me to rase some geese of my own.

Fly Away Home . . .
Wanderfull ! I have just bought this book at the store just five houers ago and I am already on page 63 ! This is a story of Amy and her birds . Amy finds some eggs near her house . Rescues them and helps them hatch . She then asks her dad if she can keep her Gooslings and he says yes . But the problem is that they are sooner or later going to want to fly south and they need someone to show them how . Will Amy be able to teatch her geese to follow her dad before It's to late ?

Very Cool Movie
Thirteen year old Amy Alden leads gesse south in Canada.Her mom dies in a plane crash she and Thomas lead geese to fly.He lets her fly then he meets Susan Barnes.

The movie was great
Amy and her father Thomas lead gesse south in Canda.She leads a lot of gesse in Canada.They fly South in Canada Amy misses her mom a lot.Then Thomas meets Susan Barnes. ... Read more

Book Description

At the very edge of Dimwood Forest stood an old charred oak where, silhouetted by the moon, a great horned owl sat waiting. The owls name was Mr. Ocax, and he looked like death himself. With his piercing gaze, he surveyed the lands he called his own, watching for the creatures he considered his subjects. Not one of them ever dared to cross his path. . .until the terrible night when two little mice went dancing in the moonlight. . . ... Read more

Reviews (80)

Very interesting story with lots of action.
The book we were reading in class was Poppy. The author of Poppy is Avi. This book was about a mouse and her family who are trying to get to New House because where they live now there is not enough food left. A big owl named Mr.Ocax is stopping them by telling them lies about New House and chasing them away. I enjoyed this book because presonification is when a non real thing plays a human role. I also enjoyed this book because Avi used personification and made it more real to read than if it was written with real animals . My most favorite part was when poppy killed Mr.Ocax because he is a cruel mean Owl and he ate Ragweed. I would give this book 5 stars because It has a lot of action and presonification. I would recommend It to third grade and up because it has a lot of big words.

Review of Poppy
Do you like exciting adventure books? Well if you do, the book Poppy would be a great book for you.

This book is about a little mouse named Poppy who is trying to save her family from starving to death. She has all sorts of adventures like when she goes in to the forest where very few mice have come back alive to tell about it. Also, she almost gets eatin by a flesh eating owl named Mr. Ocax and when she was trying to cross a river she fell in and almost drownd to death. Mr. Ocax made a deal with the mice that he will protect them from other dangerous creatures if he becomes the ruler of their town and they have to ask him if he can cross the land. Poppy didn't and this is why she almost ended up being dinner for the owl.

Poppy's family has over 100 mice and they are running out of food so Poppy has to go through all sorts of danger just to find a new home for her family.

I liked this book because once the chapter was done I wanted to read the next chapter. The first night I read it I ended up reading half the book. Also, this book kept my attention all the way through and that is very unlikly to happen with books.

This book is a easy finder and I got it for a low $5.99. If you want to know what ends up happening to Poppy and her family go get this book at the nearest book store.

Poppy
There is a mouse called Poppy. She and her boyfriend, Ragweed go up to a hill to dance. An owl called Mr.Ocax and he says that he owns the lands which the mice live on and that he protects them from porcupines. Mr.Okax is really a big fat liar. Poppy and Ragweed don't ask for permission so Mr. Okax flys out of the tree that he's in and comes down and trys to take poppy. He misses and skraches her nose...........

The best book ever
The Best Book Ever

If you want funny, thrilling, and exciting all at once, well I can give you it all in the book Poppy. It was thrilling because when Poppy the mouse fought with the mean old owl Mr. Ocax I was sure he was going to when, but she did. When she fell into the river I was sure she would drown, but she didn't. She stabbed the quill into Mr.Ocax and hung from it in the air I thought he would pull it of, but he didn't I think it was funny because Ragweed never talk normally and the lazy Tom Cat was so tired that he didn't eat Poppy witch mot cats do! It was exciting when Poppy killed Mr. Oacx, and when he thought the fake owl was real. You really should read Poppy because when you open the book fun and adventure

The Greatest Book
The book Curse of the Mummy is thrilling funny and a little quirky. Odie the dog gets called Dodo Dog by two boys and sir droll by Garfield. One mummy came to life and almost killed Garfield and Odie. A fake mummy wears a clownish mask with a gold nose that has power. This book will make you learn a bit of Egypt and if you have a test you'll do well. Also, it will make you go to the history museum. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Baby bat Stellaluna's life is flitting along right on schedule--untilan owl attacks her mother one night, knocking the bewildered batlet out of her mother's loving grasp. The tiny bat is lucky enough to land in a nest of baby birds, but her whole world has just turned upside down. Literally. Stellaluna's adoptive bird mom accepts her into her nest, but only on the condition that Stellaluna will act like a bird, not a bat. Soon Stellaluna has learned to behave like a good bird should--she quits hanging by her feet and starts eating bugs. But when she finally has an opportunity to show her bird siblings what life as a bat is like, all of them are confounded. "How can we be so different and feel so much alike?" one asks. "And how can we feel so different and be so much alike?" asks another. "I agree," Stellaluna responds. "But we're friends. And that's a fact." Anyone who has ever been asked to be someone they're not will understand the conflicts--and possibilities--Stellaluna faces. This gorgeously illustrated book is sure to be an all-time favorite with readers, whether they've left the nest or not. (Click to see a sample spread. Illustration from Stellaluna, © 1993 by Janell Cannon, reproducedby permission of Harcourt Brace & Company) (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (55)

Bats in a bird's world
I bought this book after a fellow classmate showed it to our Early Literacy Learning class. The illustrations were so beautiful I went out and bought it that day. I now use the book when I am substitute teaching and the children love it.

The story is of a bat that falls into a bird's nest and is raised as a bat. The differences between the two kinds of animals are explored and explained. The comical episodes of a bat trying to live in a bird's world are done in an expert manner. The book has a happy ending and afterwards there is a section of notes and facts on bats. I have used this book to kick-off lesson plans on bats and birds, and also in planning a unit lesson on the rain forest.

If for no other reason, this book will appeal to your children, because every one of us has been in a situation where we felt we didn't belong, or we were embarrassed because we were different in some way. Cannon shows children how they can be more like Stellaluna and find comfort in themselves and who they are as individuals, even when they feel like a bat in a bird's world.

Why 5 stars?:
This book is worth buying simply for the illustrations. But, the story is one that shows not only compassion on the part of Mama Bird, but Stellaluna learning she does not have to change who she is to fit in. The information provided about bats at the end of the book is a great resource for children wanting to learn about the title character. This book will make a great addition to any classroom or home library.

A book worthy of owning
My first reaction to the book when the owl swooped down on the bats was "Oh, no, another Bambi, mother-abandonment story." It was a good thing it all ended happily. The story had nice, heartwarming elements, from little Stellaluna anxious to please the mother bird, and the baby birds trying "bat tricks" to the final reunion of the bat and the birds, and all of them still getting along.

I read this to my two-year old, and she loved it and she learned things from it. I would recommend it for an audience younger than 4.

I judge a book as well-written if the parent can read it over and over again on request and still find the book appealing. This book passed the test.

Not for adopted, orphaned, or step-kids!
I was shocked at the ending-Stellaluna is reunited with her birth family. That never happens to adopted or orphaned children, nor do stepchildren ever see their original family reunited. I'm not sure who this book is for-I don't see anything in it that children who have never "lost" a parent can identify with. For children that have "lost" a parent, the book just reinforces magical thinking. There are too many other great books out there-skip this one.

Stellaluna Review
This book is about a young fruit bat, who gets separated from her family and has to learn how to live like another bird. She has to overcome sitting upside-down and and eat the same food as birds, like worms. I liked this book when I was young and I still like it now. I like this book because of its equisite illustrations and its rich content. The author, Janell Cannon, really worked his magic in this book. He has made other books but this one is the best out of all of them. This book is a lot more interesting than all of his other book. It is amazing. I would recommend this book to all kids who like birds and bats.

Adorable Book
My son loves this book! Every night its in the pile of books to read. We read it so much he knows the book my heart and is learning the words himself. This book encourged him to read on his own, being his favorite The pictures are adorable, and the story is great. I would recommend this book to any child. ... Read more

Book Description

Galdone's dynamic, amusing pictures add much humor to the familiar tale of the industrious hen and lazy cat, dog, and mouse. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Great book!
The little red hen does all the work. She cuts the grass. She baked the bread. She planted the grass. She takes the grass to the miller. My favorite part was when the cat sat down and crossed his arms.

Work Ethic
The Little Red Hen is a wonderful introduction to work ethic and the value of helping and doing things from scratch. It has nice repetitive elements which younger kids love and the step by step story telling much like "The House that Jack Built."

The Little Red Hen
This book teaches kids how they should not be greedy and they should help someone if they want something in return. This book is about a hen who plants, cuts, beats, takes the wheat to the mill all by herself and bakes some bread. Then her friends want some when it is done but since they didnt help the hen eats it all by her self. This book is a really good book i think it can teach kids a lot.

Excellent version of a classic.
I have this exact book from when I was little and now I am reading it to my 2 year old. The relatively simple text and repetition makes it a hit with budding readers. My son especially likes the "Not I" Said the Cat, "Not I" Said the Dog parts because the book incorporates different pics of each animal into the text each time this is repeated. (Making goofy voices for the cat, dog and mouse is a big hit too.) A nice lesson in the pay-back for working hard vs. laziness.

A Great Book
Teaches a valuable lesson about teamwork and helping out. Great illustrations. Easy to read for beginning readers. Paul Gladone has another winner! ... Read more

Book Description

Why do the storks no longer come to the little Dutch fishing village of Shora to nest? It was Lina, one of the six schoolchildren who first asked the question, and she set the others to wondering. And sometimes when you begin to wonder, you begin to make things happen. So the children set out to bring the storks back to Shora. The force of their vision put the whole village to work until at last the dream began to come true.

Winner, 1955 Newbery Medal
Notable Children's Books of 1940–1970 (ALA)
1963 Lewis Carroll Shelf Award

Reviews (21)

Each time I read this book, I love it more.
This is so much more than the story of a group of school children trying to bring storks to their Dutch fishing village on the North Sea. It is a story of people - people everywhere. It is a story of how important people are, irregardless of their age, physical condition, or how they make a living. It encourages us to go beyond what we see on the surface. It shows us that when we help others and care about others, good things will come to us. The children originally wanted to lure storks to their little village because the storks were said to bring good luck. Little did they know that storks would send good fortune ahead in the form of new-found friendships, help for others, and a community that came closer together than it had been before. Miendert DeJong does a masterful job of telling the story and providing strategically planted links as the events take place and unfold. I am an elementary teacher in Cabarrus County, NC. I have read this book to my children each year for many years. When I ask my new class if anyone has heard of the book, no one raises a hand. By the time we finish, the children feel like they have been right there with Lina and the boys. They have also grown to realize that Janus was far from being the mean old man that they met at the beginning. They realize that he just needed to be needed. Each time I read the book, I see more and I learn more. Don't read this story