Book Description

This is Russell.

Sometimes Russell is just a little bit out of step with the rest of the flock.

All the sheep are falling asleep -- except Russell.

What's a sheep to do?

Russell tries everything ... until, at last, he falls asleep. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

too cute
Russell is a sheep who just can't seem to fall asleep one night.He tries everything from counting the stars to locating the perfect sleeping spot.Nothing works for him.That is until he decides to count sheep!This works and Russell is finally asleep.By this time it's morning and all the other sheep are ready to start their day!

The cartoon like illustrations are full of detail.Lots for little eyes to llok at while the story is being read!
We would recommend this book to others.We feel that the book will entertain children in a wide variety of age groups.There is a little green frog that shows up though out the book.It's fun to discover what the will be up to next!

Richie's Picks: RUSSELL THE SHEEP
"Last night I didn't get to sleep at all, no, no.
I lay awake and watched until the morning light
Washed away the darkness of the lonely night
And last night I didn't get to sleep, didn't get to sleep,
No, I didn't get to sleep at all."
--The Fifth Dimension

Between meetings, workshops, zigzagging between the various publisher booths, morning and evening social events, and late night nibbling at the new ARCs I've just scored, I don't get much sleep when I'm off at the various book-related conventions.

Five-plus years ago, Shari and I were strolling around the exhibition hall at ALA Midwinter in San Antonio. The best part of being "on the floor" at ALA Midwinter is the abundance of editors in attendance. It is always exciting to get an earful of what these frequently unsung heroes of the children's publishing industry actually have their hands on, along with what they've just completed in collaboration with their talented authors.

Anne Schwartz is one of those brilliant and charming editors with whom I love to chat. When Shari and I encountered Anne in San Antonio at that 2000 Midwinter convention, I immediately asked her what hot new literary magic she had up her sleeve for the distant fall season, then eight or nine months down the road.

When Anne responded that I HAD to see the picture book she'd just finished I was momentarily disappointed. The best thing you have for the entire fall season is a picture book? I said to myself, my hope having been that she'd instead be raving about the manuscript for some spectacular novel for eight-to-twelve-year-olds.

But my skepticism instantly evaporated as she opened a manilla file and pulled out a paste-up of OLIVIA. I'll never forget that first reading, including the ending when:

"Olivia's mom gives her a kiss and says, 'You know, you really wear me out. But I love you anyway.' And Olivia gives her a kiss back and says, 'I love you anyway too.' "

"Close your eyes and I'll close mine, goodnight sleep tight
Now the moon begins to shine, goodnight sleep tight
Dream sweet dreams for me, dream sweet dreams for you."
--The Beatles

I recall the OLIVIA incident because Rob Scotton's RUSSELL THE SHEEP is the cutest and funniest and best illustrated animal character I've seen in a picture book since OLIVIA. And while RUSSELL THE SHEEP won't officially come to the attention of the Caldecott committee the way OLIVIA did (being that Rob Scotton is British not American), I will be shocked if Russell does not similarly grab the Book Sense Illustrated Book of the Year award after he grabs the hearts and imaginations of large herds of American kids, young and old.

Rob Scotton is certainly no unknown quantity in Britain. Not only a celebrated illustrator of greeting cards and posters, his animal characters even adorn a series of Portmerion china.

But the exploits of Russell and the expressions of the various sheep characters in his first picture book go far beyond anything Scotton's accomplished previously. Within just one of the book's first illustrations ("...night fell and the sheep got ready for bed."), you have Russell prancing atop a tree while one sheep is brushing its teeth, one is holding a steaming mug of cocoa, one is heavy-eyed and clutching a teddy bear, and one old lady sheep (wearing spectacles and an old-fashioned night hat) is lying under a quilt with four feet straight up in the air and a glass containing a solution and her false teeth beside her.

Russell goes through all sorts of delightful misadventures trying to get to sleep. And then, by the end of the story when everyone is getting up (Granny putting in her teeth, another sheep reading the Daily Bleat), Russell, of course, is fast asleep.

Good night, Russell!

Adorable
This beautifully illustrated book combines humor with the charming
tale of a sleepless sheep. I was won over from the first page, showing the adorable Russell playfully swinging from a tree!
Every illustration is rich with detail (personally I am a big fan of the frog). I'm hoping to see Russell merchandise to follow,
he would make a delightful toy!

Outstanding!
This is a beautifully illustrated book. It makes me laugh just to look through it. There are slight details to be found in all the illustrations and it is positely beautiful to look at. It is a story of Russell the sheep who can't go to sleep - "Not tired," he says. The other sheep in the flock are all fast asleep under their cute homemade quilts, but Russell is counting his feet, trying to sleep in vehicles and other various locations and counting all the stars in the sky trying to make himself tired. Very entertaining.

Wonderful!
This book is delightful! My three year old and I both love it. The illustrations are wonderful and the story is so cute! ... Read more

Book Description

Beloved by generations, Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little are two of the most cherished stories of all time. Now, for the first time ever, these treasured classics are available in lavish new collectors' editions. In addition to a larger trim size, the original black-and-white art by Garth Williams has been lovingly colorized by renowned illustrator Rosemary Wells, adding another dimension to these two perfect books for young and old alike.

Whether you are returning once again to visit with Wilbur, Charlotte, and Stuart, or giving the gift of these treasured stories to a child, these spruced-up editions are sure to delight fans new and old. The interior design has been slightly moderated to give the books a fresh look without changing the original, familiar, and beloved format. Garth Williams's original black-and-white line drawings for the jacket of Stuart Little have also been newly colorized by the celebrated illustrator Rosemary Wells. These classics return with a new look, but with the same heartwarming tales that have captured readers for generations.

Reviews (306)

among the best in children's literature
As we all know, there are those certain books in the world that literally every single child in the world should read, and "Charlotte's Web" is a perfect example of must-read literature. It's such a classic story, not to mention a beautiful one. E.B. White creates such memorable characters and describes them very well. When a little girl named Fern hears that some baby pigs have been born in the barn, she is terrified to hear that her father plans to kill the littlest one, the useless "runt." Fern talks her father into letting her adopt the pig. She names it Wilbur and treats it as her own. Then the time comes for the pig to be more on its own, so Fern is forced to sell him to her uncle, who owns a farm. Wilbur feels lonely and out of place until he meets Charlotte, a kind spider who befriends him and, eventually, saves his life. Beautiful, beautiful story of friendship and courage. It contains characters and a fun plot that any child can enjoy. I read this book for the first time when I was in fourth grade, and I recently helped a little second-grader that I baby-sit for with her "Charlotte's Web" comprehension questions. It brought memories back. This is one of those books that you remember for the rest of your life once you've read it. It's excellent, and well worth the money.

'O best beloved'
This is a book which should have ten stars, not just five.

Faced with the impending slaughter of Wilbur, the runt piglet she has saved and nursed to health, Fern is appalled that she has fattened him for the axe, and commits herself passionately to save her beloved animal. So, too, is Charlotte, the spider who inhabits the barn with him, and woh turns her web into a sort of billboard/oracle which astonishes (and admonishes) the community by weaving words that inform them that this is no ordinary pig! She recruits Templeton the Rat and the rest of the animals in her battle for Wilbur's life...will they succeed? or will Wilbur be a nine-days' wonder? and what will be the ultimate cost?

This is the best present I can imagine to inspire a young reader; it's a wonderful tale of courage against the odds; it's warm, sad, and delightfully funny, and 30 years after I read it in fourth grade, I still get a lump in my throat thinking about it. A special, special book. (With wonderful original illustrations!)

A Great Book about Friendship
I must confess that having just read "Animal Farm" shortly before reading this book, I was a little hesitant about excepting this as a pure children's story without any hidden political agenda. I kept expecting the talking animals to rise up behind the pig and take over the farm. Rest assured however there was none of that, as E.B. White does a good job of keeping the story at a purely kids level.

Wilber is the runt in a litter of pigs, and Mr. Arable the farmer is going to take him out back and have him slaughtered since as he says, "He is small and weak and will never amount to anything." His young daughter Fern who is eight, hears this and requests that her father give the pig to her to raise instead. The father wishing to prove a point to her, allows this so long as she promises to do all the work to take care of it. To Mr. Arable's surprise Fern does an excellent job of raising Wilber and he turns out to be "Some Pig", proving that even though he was very small he still could amount to something.

As Wilber grows bigger the Arable's can no longer support feeding him, so Mr. Arable has Fern sell Wilber to her uncle Mr. Zuckerman who has a farm down the road. There she goes and visits Wilber every day. Being young I guess gives you the ability to sit and listen to the animals more intently than adults, and by doing so Fern is able to hear that the animals can actually talk and she understands them. (Being the father of two girls who are 7 and 5, I'd have to disagree somewhat with this logic as my girls never sit still, and certainly have a hard time listening at times, but for the sake of the story we'll just give them the benefit of the doubt.)

Anywise Wilber meets all the other animals in the barn who are very nice, but none of them are really his close friend. He becomes lonely and wishes for a friend. A gray spider named Charlotte answers his prayers and after introducing herself, she becomes Wilber's best friend.

When the other animals tell Wilber that Mr. Zuckerman is just fatting him up to eat him for Christmas, this makes him greatly disturbed. Charlotte being a great friend promises to do all she can to make Wilber so important to Mr. Zuckerman that he would change his mind. She sets a plan in action to weave messages into her web proclaiming how great the pig is, and by doing so she hopes to trick the adults into believing it as well. With the help of Templeton the rat she obtains some newspaper clippings and begins her work.

Each new message in the web is looked upon as miracle, but rather than looking for any religious connection, the folks in the town just believe they have a very famous pig on their hands and accept it at face value.

The suspense builds as Zuckerman takes Wilber to the Fair. If he can just win an award there, Charlotte knows his life will be saved. Charlotte and Templeton have to stow away in Wilber's crate just to accompany him to the Fair, and then when they get there the pig in the stall next to Wilber is twice as big and looks to be a shoe in for first prize.

This book was obviously written at a much simpler time in history. At the Fair grounds the adults send the kids off on their own. Besides Fern who is 8, she has a little brother Avery who is only 5. After giving them all kinds of warnings such as not to eat too much, and to stay out of the sun, to not get dirty, and to be careful on the rides, the mother stops and says to the husband, "Do you think they'll be all right?" and he responds, "Well they have to grow up sometime." (None of the warnings were about staying away from strangers.) Of course when the kids returned they hadn't stayed out of the sun and were hot, and completely dirty, but they had fun.

Fern meets a boy at the Fair, and starts to grow up a bit as playing with him starts to seem like more fun than talking to bunch of animals.

It is a great book about overcoming obstacles even though you are very small, growing up, and most of all friendship. My girls loved the book as well, and especially seemed to like the illustrations by Garth Williams.

Quality literature for children
A spider saves the life of a friendly pig by spinning accolades about him in her web, thereby producing a miracle that impresses people for miles around. This is a beautifully written little story for children that has real literary quality. The prose is excellent. Note in particular the simple but lovely descriptions of the passing seasons that Mr. White writes. The themes include friendship, coping with the loss of loved ones, and the realization that life goes on, changed but still worth living.

Best book ever
I think this is a really good book.It was about a pig and a spider who were vary good friends. My favorite part of the story was when they went to the Fair. The book was great. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The literacy rate in Farmer Brown's barn goes up considerably once his cows find an old typewriter and begin typing. To the harassed farmer's dismay, his communicative cows quickly become contentious:

Dear Farmer Brown,
The barn is very cold at night. We'd like some electric blankets.
Sincerely,
The Cows

When he refuses to comply with their demands, the cows take action. Farmer Brown finds another note on the barn door: "Sorry. We're closed. No milk today." Soon the striking cows and Farmer Brown are forced to reach a mutually agreeable compromise, with the help of an impartial party--the duck. But this poor, beleaguered farmer's "atypical" troubles are not over yet!

This hilarious tale will give young rebels-in-the-making a taste of the power of peaceful protest and the satisfaction of cooperative give and take. Witty watercolors by award-winning illustrator Betsy Lewin (Snake Alley Band, Araminta's Paint Box) will make this a favorite for one and all, even if words such as"ultimatum" and "neutral" throw the younger set. (Ages 5 to 8) --EmilieCoulter ... Read more

Reviews (114)

Hilarious for kids and adults
While this book is ostensibly for kids, the humor is subtle and the adult reading it aloud will be entertained, too. Clever plot and amusing demand letters written by the disgruntled farm animals keeps everyone's attention. The illustrations are colorful and lively. Everyone in the family -- lawyer mom and dad, and kids ages 6, 4, and 1 -- finds something to enjoy about this silly, yet sophisticated book. A fun read for all!

You'll laugh out loud...
I'm 31-years-old and and am proud to say this is currently my most favorite book. It's absolutely hilarious and a delight to read! I laugh out loud every time I read it. The illustrations are quite striking, too. If you haven't taken the time to examine the illustrations closely, you may want to do so. You'll find some little surprises. My sister, a speech language pathologist (and former preschool teacher like myself), reads this book to her students. As I understand it, it's reportedly good for both articulation exercises as well as language development. Best of all, the kids simply love the story. My sister loved the book so much she insisted I read it. I did so, loved it, and consequently held it for "ransom." The majority of my psych colleagues and I even had a midday storytime to share this book with one another. ;) As a former preschool teacher, I can guarantee this book will be a sure-fire attention-getter with kids. As it stands, I consider my library incomplete until I get a copy of this book for my own. I can't wait until Ms. Cronin and Ms. Lewin bless us with another one of their wonderful stories. This book ranks right up there with the Dumb Bunnies in terms of wit and surprise illustrations. Happy reading and laughing!

Chickens, cows, ducks, and tricks
(...)...

It's a funny book. I think it's funny because the cows and the
chickens trick Farmer Brown into giving them electric blankets
with help from the ducks by trading the typewriter for the
electric blankets. And then the ducks write notes with the
typewriter instead of giving it to Farmer Brown.

My 18 month old daughter simply ADORES this book!!!
We got this book out of a Cheerios' box during a literacy promotion sponsored by General Mills, and it has become my daughter's favorite. She is just learning to talk, and the simple language in Click Clack Moo is wonderful. Her grandparents and I read to her every day, any book she wants (she really does choose on her own) and ever since we got this book it has been the only one she wants you to read.

3-4 times every day she walks into the room with her blanket in one hand and this book in the other, saying "CLACK CLACK" then climbs into any empty lap to have the book read to her. Once one person is finished reading it, she climbs into the next lap to have it read once again.

This book has been read so many times it is falling apart (it is a simple paper-back with only 2 staples holding it together) and it is time to buy a new one, but since we love it so much I have decided to purchase Giggle Giggle Quack and Duck for President for her also.

Chicks and ducks and geese better scurry
Understatement is not lost on children. Neither is subtlety (though you probably wouldn't know it when a 2-year old has decided to tell you "the funniest knock knock joke ever"). The creation of an effective picture book for small children has a variety of different tacks it can take, subtle being the most difficult. But "Click, Clack, Moo", is beyond sublime, and it gets away with it too. In it, author Doreen Cronin and illustrator Betsy Lewin have penned a delightful story about some dexterous cows with simple demands. In this tale, Farmer Brown's cows have gotten ahold of a typewriter. Now equipped with the means with which they can express themselves, the cows demand electric blankets forthwith. Farmer Brown demurs (by throwing a small fit) so the cows join up with the chickens in demanding blankets for the chickens as well. In the end, a solution is reached and all parties are satisfied with the outcome.

There is a single moment in this book that was, to me, the height of sophistication. After hearing the cows demands, Farmer Brown types up a letter of refusal. We next see a two-page spread of the long road to the barn. A white duck, oversized letter in beak and a left foot poised in the air, walks alone. The text reads, "Duck was a neutral party, so he brought the ultimatum to the cows". I love using the term neutral party in a picture book. I love that extravagant and elaborate word "ultimatum" bandied about a barnyard tale. Every children's book should be so lucky as to have a moment such as this.

Honestly, though I enjoyed the pictures I was not overwhelmed by them. Betsy Levin's style is a simple watercolor utilizing thick black lines and wide open-eyed expressions. That's all well and good, but in some ways I wanted to see something a little more interesting. But that's just me. This book is a fun romp into "what if" territory. Read aloud well, it could capture many a youngsters attention again and again and again. ... Read more

Book Description

Everybody sing alongóbecause it-s time to do-si-do in the barnyard with a high-spirited animal crew! From Boynton on Board, the bestselling series of board books with over 2.6 million copies in print, here is BARNYARD DANCE, with Sandra Boynton-s twirling pigs, fiddle-playing cows, and other unforgettable animals. Extra-big, extra-fat, and extra-fun, BARNYARD DANCE features lively rhyming text and a die-cut cover that reveals the wacky characters inside. Guaranteed to get kids and adults stomping their feet. Main selection of the Children-s Book-of-the-Month Club. Winner of the 1994 Gold Medal from the National Parenting Publications Award. Suitable for ages 1-4. 828,000 copies in print.

... Read more

Reviews (83)

My Personal Favorite Board Book
This book has such great rhythm and rhyme! Nothing but silly fun! This book can easily be read in a kind of song manor, which is a lot of fun for toddlers. Your child will not only have fun, but learn about different animals and some verbs too, like stomp, clap, twirl, bow and more!

"Stomp your feet and clap your hands,
everybody ready for a barnyard dance."

A favorite Boynton book - read it and act it out as you go.
Sandra Boynton books are, in my opinion, the best set of children's board books around. In Barnyard Dance, our imaginations soar as my 2 year old daughter and I act out each page. Not only is Barnyard Dance a cute story, but it is a fun book to do your own barnyard dance to! I highly recommend any title by Sandra Boynton.

GREAT BOOK!!!!
I bought this book for my son when he was 8 months old. Now he's 2 and he picks the books to read before bed. Every night this is the first book he picks from the shelf and we must read it several times. He loves the rhythm, words, and pictures. He learned his animals from this book. I highly recommend it.

A wonderful square-dance for the farm!
I love the square-dance caller's rhythm of this book. It's so easy to memorize, sing, chant, make silly noises with. My 2 year old son says "Read it again!" at the end every single time. My six year old daughter dances around while I read it to him. Everyone is equally entertained by this book: listener, observer, and most definitely reader! A true 5 star book.

My 2 year old loves it.
My two year old girl literally "bows" to the horse and "bows" to the cow and then she twirls and it goes on and on. She interacts with this book every time we read it. It's so upbeat and fun. We first took it out of the library and it broke my heart to have to return it. So I came here and ordered her her very own copy. I can't wait for her baby brother to engage in this book soon too. ... Read more

Book Description

By the big red barn
In the great green field,
There was a pink pig
Who was learning to squeal.

There were horses and sheep and goats and geese--and a jaunty old scarecrow leaning on his hoe. And they all lived together by the big red barn. In joyous and exuberant

Pictures, Felicia Bond lovingly evokes Margaret Wise Brown's simple, rhythmic text about the cycle of a day on a farm, where a family of animals peacefully plays and sleeps.

In the barnyard there are roosters and cows, horses and goats, and a pink piglet who is learning to squeal. Margaret Wise Brown's lulling story about a day in the life of a barnyard is now available as a sturdy board book. Felicia Bond's atmospheric illustrations add to the tranquil simplicity of this story.

Reviews (37)

Soothing words & Simple illustration
These are the things that the little ones, like my 21 month old son, should appreciate in a book.
MWB is widely known for the books "Goodnight moon" and "The Runaway Bunny". I didn't even know about this book until I saw that my husband had picked it up at the bookstore. This book is illustrated by a different artist, Felicia Bond, and her work is sweet and uncomplicated. The story has that same rhythm and beat you follow when reading poetry, but it is also gives a peaceful feeling to it's readers(and the ones being read to).
It's a day in the life of kind of story about animals on a farm, while the children are gone. It is a perfect addition to any child's book shelf and makes for a perfect bedtime story with it's calming effect.
I highly recommend buying this for toddlers! If you already have any of Brown's other books, this one will be a welcome addition.

Wonderful story for children and adults alike
This is one of Margaret Wise Browns best books, Children of any age will love it. The text flows beautifully without being too silly and the illustrations are great for children learning their animals. We've had this book since my son was ten months old and it is still one of his most favorite books, and even after reading this a million times it is still one of my most favorite childrens stories. How did I miss this one as a child?

Un libro bueno por leyendo en voz alta
This translation is not the best one I've used but works well for younger crowds. It rhymes on some pages but not all which makes for a somewhat awkward read the first time around. With a little practice, though, the book is wonderful to use in a Spanish language storytime. The story is very simple as are the pictures so it could be used for toddler and preschool age groups. The book would also be good for those just starting to read in Spanish since many of the words are basic and the text is somewhat sparse.

Doesn't do it for us
Just a basic farm book like many others. Doesn't really do it for my kids. We own a lot of board books and none of mine ever attached to this one. They prefer Boynton books.

Very gentle and calming
If your child enjoys Goodnight Moon, then they should enjoy this book - it has a similar rhythm and very appealing illustrations. Like the mouse that you can look for in Goodnight Moon, this book has a butterfly that appears on many of the pages. It also shows beautifully the change in the light as the sun sets and day turns to night, and the animals going from active to asleep.

I did find it quite difficult to get a good reading rhythm until I had read through it several times. The rhymes are not exact (not like Dr Seuss, say) - it is more subtle and textured than that. I found some of the lines that work well together require turning over to the next page, and personally I think it sounds better when 3 of the lines are left out completely ("meow meow", "yeow yeow" and "bow wow").

My son (21 months) really enjoys it, and it's a book that you can read every day without going too crazy. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The crafty barnyard crew from Click, Clack, Moo: Cows ThatType is back, and this time Farmer Brown has decided to take a vacation.But not to worry--he's leaving his brother Bob to mind the farm: "I wroteeverything down for you. Just follow my instructions and everything will befine. But keep an eye on Duck. He's trouble." Of course, fans of Doreen Croninand Betsy Lewin's last brilliant book already know to keep an eye on thatmanipulative mallard. Now, wait a minute... what's Duck doing eyeing thatpencil?

Poor Bob has no idea what he's in for, and Duck and friends have shrewdly seizedthis chance to move on from collective bargaining to outright subterfuge: "Bobgave Duck a good long stare and went inside. He read the first note: 'Tuesdaynight is pizza night (not the frozen kind!). The hens prefer anchovies.'" Well,seems like strange way to run a farm, but... "Twenty-nine minutes later therewas hot pizza in the barn." Giggle, giggle, quack, indeed.

Clearly, Duck and his cow pals aren't the only ones around to have mastered thepencil and the keyboard. Cronin and Lewin have put their talents to good use yetagain, offering up another simple but clever story fit for kids and grownupsalike. Lewin seems to snicker throughout her playful watercolors (gotta lovethose monogrammed towels: "FB"), and Cronin has a ball with the animal cast andtheir human patsy. (What do the cows pick on movie night? "The Sound of Moosic,"of course. Giggle, giggle, moo.) (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Reviews (22)

Farmer Brown has a NEW problem
Farmer Brown has gone on vacation, leaving his brother Bob to watch the farm, but he doesn't know that Duck has found a pencil and is giving Bob brand new (and need I say "animal-centric") instructions! Pizza for dinner, bubble baths for the pigs, and movie night in the house are probably not what Farmer Brown had in mind, but the animals seem to be enjoying themselves, giggling all the way to their electric blankets.

This is another fun story from the creators of "Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type", with hilarious watercolor pictures augmenting the text. If your child has a sense of humor or thinks farm animals deserve a break, s/he will undoubtedly enjoy this tale of farm animals living the good life.

All of your animal friends are back!
"And watch out for Duck, he's trouble!" warns Farmer Brown to his brother Bob who has come to watch the farm so Farmer Brown can get a much needed vacation. This book follows the same formula as Click Clack Moo in that the animals get the upper hand on a human, in this case Bob. Bob does his best to follow what he thinks are Farmer's Brown's notes but they were really written by duck. The animals have traded their typwriters in for pencils and now they are running poor Bob ragged. With Duck doing the dictating bubble baths with Farmer Brown's good bubble bath and the movie the sound of Moosic are on the itenerary. The giggle giggle quack in the title refers to the sound the animals make as they get their scheme over on Bob. Of course all good things must come to an end. Farmer Brown catches on to what the animals are up to when he calls and duck answers the phone. If you loved Click Clack Moo you will love this book. Click Clack and Giggle Giggle are my two favorite books to read to my daughter. I never get tired of reading them to her and she loves them just as much. Even though the recommended reading age says 4+ my two and half year old daughter finds these books humerous and enjoyable. I would recommend this book to everybody.

Wish I could give it 4.5 - a real charmer
We started with Click, Clack, Moo but I like this book better. This one has the same warm and funny illustrations, the same wit, and it's not boring to read to your kids over and over and over again. The downside to CCM was its political/union overtones. The only downside to Giggle, Giggle, Quack is the ending kind of fizzles unlike the charming and unexpected ending in CCM.

Entertainment for everybody!
I became a big fan of Cronin and Lewis with "Click Clack Moo, Cows That Type." "Giggle Giggle Quack" is every bit as hilarious. It is one of those books that you don't mind reading to your child over and over because it entertains the grown-ups, too. If you fall in love with Cronin and Lewis, too, don't miss "Duck For President" (that darn Duck is at it again) or "Diary of a Worm."

Early Christmas Gift
I recently purchased this book for my 3 1/2 year old nephew with the intention of giving it to him for Christmas. Well, needless to say after reading the book to myself shortly after it arrived, I just HAD to give it to him! This book was really, really funny, and I was incredibly excited to give it to him and I realized I just could not wait until Christmas. When I gave it to him, he was in a bit of a cranky mood, but as I was reading it to him, he slowly inched his way over to me until he was nestled on my lap. He loved it! He had the "Hey, I know that's not right" look on his face the entire time I read it to him (especially when the pigs got a bubblebath). I highly recommend this book for any toddler, especially one who has a really great sense of humor. Enjoy! ... Read more

Book Description

Is there anything more memorable than the expression on a young child's face the first time he or she visits the farm? That sense of wonder and amazement is captured in Baby MacDonald on the Farm. Each page invites children to learn all about farm animals through engaging text, delightful illustrations, and real-life photos that are accompanied by unique touch-and-feel elements. Baby MacDonald on the Farm is a wonderful learning experience that is certain to engage young children for hours and hours of playtime learning. ... Read more

Book Description

What could be better than a misadventure from that rambunctious flock of sheep in board-book form? Two! Now sized perfectly for even the smallest hands, two of Nancy Shaw and Margot Apple's enchanting titles from their sheep series are board books. In Sheep in a Jeep, the hapless flock goes for a drive in the country. In Sheep in a Shop, the sheep are off to the store in search of the perfect birthday gift. With these muttonheads, a normal outing is sure to turn into a joyous lark. Rhyming text and disarming illustrations make these shear delights! ... Read more

Reviews (43)

Rhyming, glorious rhyming...
My mom and I have a theory: childrens books that rhyme are automatically double the price of those that don't! Not that we mind paying for wonderful books like this one, but there are just so many childrens books out there that aren't that fun or interesting. Enter, Sheep in a Jeep! We absolutely love this book. My son is 7 months old and he already loves the cadence. It's fun, cute and creative! I would highly recommend this book for babies and toddlers. They can chew and suck on the pages and the pages are the thick kind so they can turn the pages themselves - which my son already loves to do. The drawings are great. You won't regret your purchase!

Lots and lots of fun
Talk about clever! This is a wonderful book---one which will amuse your toddler and one which you will be able to read (and re-read and re-read) without growing bored.

These sheep are wonderful---their adventures (told in Shaw's great rhyming style) are tremendous fun and Apple's illustrations really bring those trouble-ridden sheep to life.

I have bought this book for lots of newborns as a baby present and I can't recommend this highly enough. Most of my friends (the babies' parents) have told me that they have enjoyed reading the book over and over again---long before their child was old enough to appreciate it.

2 yr old boy funny favorite!
My son who is a major wheel enthusiest 'reads' this book over and over. He loves to laugh at it as a bedtime story too. Highly recomended awesome artwork and fun verse for adults too. Yes, there is a real muddy jeep in our driveway.

Sheep are funny
My son and I picked this up at the library and ended up enjoying it enough to get a copy for ourselves along with copies of Sheep in a Shop and Sheep on a Ship. They're short, fun rhyming books with lovely illustrations.

Great for older toddlers, not babies
The story and pictures are cute but too subtle for my 15 month old to understand. Better for an older (2+) child. ... Read more

Book Description

My fellow Americans:

It is our pleasure, our honor, our duty as citizens to present to you Duck for President. Here is a duck who began in a humble pond. Who worked his way to farmer. To governor. And now, perhaps, to the highest office in the land.

Some say, if he walks like a duck and talks like a duck, he is a duck.

We say, if he walks like a duck and talks like a duck, he will be the next president of the United States of America.

Thank you for your vote. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

So the grass isn't truly greener on the other side.
This is a very entertaining children's book. I was surprised to see so many references to current events -- events that children most likely will not understand. Those remarks are made for the adults who will be reading to their children. In an election year, this is an important book to help children understand the importance of living within our democracy. But there is another lesson, too: Duck kept getting tired of the position he was in, going from being a worker, to someone in charge, to governor, and then president. In the end, the Duck realizes that he just wants to go back to what he was doing. So the grass isn't truly greener on the other side. He goes back to what he was doing. Isn't that something we all can learn from?

Michael

Delightful
A wonderful example of storytelling with wit and charm. Younger children may miss the humor but not the cuteness. Adults will appreciate the election humor. I laughed out loud at some of the pictures and the speeches that "only ducks would understand". The last page is priceless, especially since I first read this today, the day Bill Clinton's book was released. Duck won't be any funnier than today!

In this book, Duck teaches a few lessons: he runs for office to escape work but as he moves up the political food chain, he isn't happy. Sometimes the simpler pleasures are all we need. Sometimes its okay to dream, but be careful what we wish for because we may get it. All great lessons, wonderfully illustrated.

I can't quite understand the comments about the electoral system, taking issue with its exclusion from this book. Children most likely won't understand the electoral college, so why bring it up? Most adults are too ignorant of the process to begin with. All I can figure is that some folks have gone a little crazy due to the stress of the times. Remember that a child's world should be magical and trouble-free, and we adults must sacrifice our impulses and control ourselves to make it that way. So relax and try to put yourself in your child's place. You'll probably be happier anyway.

Cutest Book Ever
I love this book. The pictures are sweet, the illustrations are beautiful, and the message is really clever.
I am 24, and I love this book.

Very fun - but ducks a key issue...
This book is delightfully written and illustrated, and very amusing. Far from depressing, the electoral overthrow of the despotic farmer is empowering! Well... of course it turns out that running things is hard work, and politics is the hardest work of all in many ways. This too is a good lesson. However, Ms. Cronin loses a star for ducking (sorry) the fact that presidential elections are not decided by the national popular vote. In the wake of the 2000 election, I would have thought the electoral college was worth a nod, even in a kids' book.

I love this book- but...
I love Doreen Cronin's work, and this book is no exception- I absolutely loved Duck for President, as did my parents, and my little sister (who is in high school). Cronin's humor is quirky and fun, and her books are always as enjoyable for adults to read as for children.

The reason that I didn't give the book more stars is this: My 6 year old niece, who loved Click, Clack, Moo and Diary of a Worm was somewhat less than enthusiastic about Duck for President. I don't think she quite got the humor of it. I still think it's a great book... But- for the age group that it's aimed at, it's a little off the mark. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Every young child should be introduced to this story, as great a classic as its predecessor, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. This colorful picture book describes a spider's day. Blown onto a farmyard fence, she starts to spin a web. The other animals ask if she wants to play, but in every case "the spider didn't answer. She was very busy spinning her web." The book is touchable: elements including the strands of web are embossed on the pages and you can follow them with your fingertips. But the best thing by far is Carle's familiar, yet still breathtaking skill as an illustrator. Especially in this large 11.5-by-8.5-inch format, his cow, goat, and dog (just to mention three favorites) capture the essence of each animal in a way few artists can hope to approach. (Baby to preschool) --Richard Farr ... Read more

Reviews (25)

Beautifully illustrated story for young children.
I love this story of the determined spider who is blown on a fence and begins to weave her web, too busy to play with the other animals. She catches her fly at the end. The typical farm animals are represented and young children will be able to identify the animals by the pictures and can make the noises of the animals portrayed. The web can be felt with the fingertips, although my son was never and is still not impressed with this feat, although his mother is. Eric Carle is a masterful illustrator and story teller. If you have never read his books to young children and seen the fascination of a 2 year old sitting and waiting for the page to be turned, you are missing out. He does not have one bad book. His illustrations are stunning. We have a LOT of books at our house and this one is chosen at least once a week for a bedtime story. Highly highly recommended.

Terrific for toddlers
My two-year-old and I love this book. It's about a spider who blows in, lands on a fence post, and spends the entire day building a web. She keeps working as various animals tempt her to do other things. At the end of the day, she catches a fly in her web and then falls asleep, tuckered out from her busy day. This book has several things going for it. First, it is a very simple narrative, making it one of the first stories that your child will be able to understand. Second, it is repetitive. Toddlers LOVE repetition and it is good for them. It helps them stay focused on the story, and gives them a chance to "read" something themselves, because they will naturally recite the repetitive bits as you come to them. Last of all, this book has several animals and the noises they make--very important for that fund of knowledge you are building. Oh, and I forgot the kicker: The spider web is made of some sort of 3D glue, making it tactile. My son loves running his fingers along it. I would have given this book 5 stars, but I love Carle's THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR even more!

Cute
This is a cute story about a spider who drops in on a farm. All the farm animals greet her and invite her to play. But the spider spends the day building her web instead. The book is fun and informative, and not at all scary. The pages are doubled so they are easy to turn, but be careful, because inquisitive little fingers may reach inside the pages and rip them. The book has about 350 words.

silent
I liked this book but it was too short. I mostly liked this book because of the spiders web you get to feel. I wouldn't mind reading it again.

The Very Busy Spider
This book is about a spider that is spinning its web while alot of animals came and ask it to play.
The moral of the book is that after your done working you can have fun. It is a good book for young kids because it has colerful pictures and it teaches about spiders and what they do.
I woul say the age rating is 3 to 6. ... Read more

Book Description

Beloved illustrator J.P. Miller's graphic, colorful farm animals seem to jump right off the page -- but they aren't jumping to help the Little Red Hen plant her wheat! Young children will learn a valuable lesson about teamwork from this funny, favorite folktale. A Little Golden Book Classic! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Simple and Easy but Still Good!
I was looking through some old Little Golden books looking to see if we had any that my niece might like and I came across The Little Red Hen and I remember really liking this cute book when I was little and it being one of my favorite Little Golden Books it has nice pictures and is very simple and easy to read and perfect for a child just learning how to read. ... Read more

Book Description

Little ones love to play peek-a-boo! With its bright, quirky animals and oversized flaps to lift, Peek-a-Moo! is sure to be a read-aloud favorite. Readers play peek-a-boo with a different animal on each page, guessing what it is, then lifting the flap to find out. Each animal has a different sound that becomes part of the peek-a-boo game: Guess who? "Peek-a-moo!" says the cow. "Peek-a-squeak!" says the mouse. The bold, funny illustrations will keep kids laughing, while the large trim size and sturdy binding will ensure many hours of lift-the-flap fun. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Get this for the little readers!
If you're looking for an excellent baby gift, or you want to spice up your baby's library, I highly recommend Peek-A-Moo! My three month daughter is absolutely delighted by this book. The book is nice and large, with big animal faces on each page. She focuses intently on the illustrations as each animal "plays" peek-a-boo with her. Of course, it allows for some creative reading on my part as well. It gives you a chance to do your best animal sound impersonations. A favorite in our library!

Peek-a-Moo!Peek-a-Moo!
Peek-a-Moo!

From the ten books I have read, my favorite book of all of them is Peek-a-Moo! by Marie Torres Cimarusti. I really liked this book because of the bright colors and the big illustrations. Peek-a-Moo! Has huge pictures with a really peek-a-moo motion. This book is great for all ages; It is also a great big activity book. All the pages have something to flip up and down. If I would have read it to my daughter I know she would of liked it too, just like me. This book helped me to be more animated and active with my kids by showing action and reading at the same time. By Christine

)

Standard First Birthday Gift
My daughter has loved Peek-a-Moo and Peek-a-Zoo since she's been 8 months (or even younger--I can't remember when she didn't love these books!). She's 20 months old and still loves to look at the books, although now she reads them without me! The only downfall is that these books are paper and naturally they have been ripped up and scotch taped back together. I have given these two books to about 6 one year olds to delighted parents.

So Much Fun!
This book is the best! My 18 month old never fails to smile when we read it together. I am so happy that I bought this for him because he really enjoys it. I only wish that it was a little more sturdy.

Buying it AGAIN
We got this book as a gift from a friend whose son was on his third copy. Our son has loved it just as much, right up until the day he decided to rip the pages into little bits. We thought at age 2 he was beyond it, but now he's so forlorn about it that he keeps asking us to go to the store and "buy more Peek A Moo". So, here we are, working on copy #2. Highly recommended! ... Read more

Amazon.com

When Duck gets the zany idea to ride a bike one day, each animal on thefarm has a reaction. "M-o-o-o," says Cow. But what she's really thinking is, "Aduck on a bike? That's the silliest thing I've ever seen!" Pig and Pig say"Oink," thinking all the while, "Duck is such a show-off!" But it's not until acrew of kids shows up and leaves their bikes lying about that the true feelingsof all the animals come to light, and for one brief, glorious moment, the farmis a mad, mad world of two-wheeling road hogs (and chickens and horses andgoats). David Shannon, the creator of Caldecott Honor Book, No, David!, fills the pages ofthis barnyard romp with sun-soaked color, charming animals, and unusualperspectives. We see Cat, for example, looming belly-first in the foreground,with Duck merrily pedaling away in the distance. The story itself is nothing towrite home about--No, David! is far snappier and more original--butyounger kids may well enjoy the repetitive crescendo and the goofy finale. (Ages4 to 8) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Perfect for storytime at home, school or the library
As a children's librarian, I am always searching for the next perfect book to read for preschool storytime. I have read this book to several groups now and always have had an enraptured audience--both children and adults love it. Duck decides to ride a bike for the fun of it and greets the animal on the farm as he passes by. It might sound trite, but in this book, it is all magical.

The full bleed illustrations are bright and colorful while the story is humorous and engaging. Don't miss the last page either. All the kids love it. This has become my favorite picture book this year and I will be disappointed if it doesn't receive a Caldecott nod. Add this one to your child's library or give it to a favorite child as a gift. Then sit down and read it together. Neither of you will be disappointed! A great companion book also out this year is "Do Like a Duck Does" by Judy Hindley.

A Ducky Good Time.....
"One day down on the farm, Duck got a wild idea. "I bet I could ride a bike!" he thought. He waddled over to where the boy parked his bike, climbed on, and began to ride..." So begins David Shannon's creative and silly picture book, Duck On A Bike. In no time Duck's mastered the art of pedaling, and is zooming around the barnyard waving and calling to his friends. The cow thinks it's silly, and the sheep is sure Duck will hurt himself. The dog thinks it's neat, and the pigs think Duck is a big show-off. Mr Goat isn't so interested in riding, but would like to eat the bike, the horse just wants to remind Duck that he's still faster, and the cat is so self-involved, he doesn't even look up as Duck rides by. And that's when it happens...a whole gang of kids come riding onto the farm, park their bikes, and go inside. And in just a matter of seconds, Duck discovers he isn't the only animal riding around and around the barnyard..... Mr Shannon's engaging text begs to be read aloud, and is full of animal sounds and clever asides. But it's his bold, bright, and busy illustrations that really make this book sparkle. Each two page spread is filled with endearing oversized animals, marvelous facial expressions, and hilarious details. Perfect for kids 3-7, Duck On A Bike is a joyous, manic romp that little animal lovers and bike enthusiasts shouldn't miss.

Duck duck bike
Not since Doreen Cronin created her own enterprising foul in "Click Clack Moo" has a duck so single handedly taken farm matters directly into his own hands. In this particularly charming tale, a curious duck eyes a shiny red bicycle on the farm. Judging himself a worthy rider, Duck hops onto the bike and visits all the other animals on the farm. Each animal responds with their own particular sound (moos, meows, woofs, etc.) but think what they will about Duck's exploits. When a large bike riding group of youngsters arrive on the farm and head inside the house, their own bicycles become too much of a lure for the barnyard fellows and soon the yard is full of wheeling critters.

Using a selection of beautiful paints, novel characters, and interesting angles, author/illustrator David Shannon (of "No, David" fame) has created a truly delightful tale. His attention to detail is remarkable. Kids that remember that when Duck passed the goat his thought was, "I'd like to eat that bike!" will be rewarded if they notice that once on such a contraption, the goat makes a point of chewing on the available basket. And honestly, who else could draw a horse sneering any better than Shannon? The curl of the lip is an expression I've often expected on certain finicky animals. Safety conscious parents will note that the pack of kids arriving on the farm, aside from being nicely multicultural and of different genders, are almost all wearing safety helmets. So well done there. And as a personal note, I always give extra points to those illustrators that understand the beauty of the silent gag. The two page spread of the animals eying the new bicycles eagerly will make parents laugh in appreciation and make gleeful those kids that can figure out what is about to occur. And much like the more recent "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus", we can appreciate the troubles that might come from Duck's curious perusal of an unmanned tractor on the last page. All in all, a fun story that would read aloud very very well to large groups of children. Highly recommended.

A Story with Perspective
Duck on a Bike is a whimsical tale about a duck who seizes the opportunity to do something out of the ordinary. After spying a parked red cruiser, he decides to take a ride. As he passes the rest of his barnyard friends, they all express their opinions in their native tongues (moo, meow, squeak, m-a-a-a, etc...) Just like people, they all think something different. Some are scared, one is boastful, some appear jealous, and one could care less. Yet, when a gaggle of kids flies by and parks their bikes in front of a house, all of the animals are struck with the idea that what duck is doing isn't so bad after all.

It is great to see the barnyard animals grasping at handlebars with hoofs and wings. The pigs ride a tandem bike, rooster a tricycle, and goat gets her wish as she munches innocently on the bike's basket. After all, kids will be kids.

Shannon uses interesting perspective and great staging to bring the illustrations in this book to life. The bicycles are rendered beautifully, and the style of illustration is very different than the one he uses in the David books. It is worth it to buy this book for the artwork alone.

Don't pass the last page of this book without paying attention, or else you'll miss the next big adventure duck is planning!

Duck rides on!
Duck on a bike is a favorite in my house! My favorite! My two year old wants it almost every night. My four year old loves to "read it" and my eight year old really does read it to his brother. The pictures are wonderful. It's simple yet clever and totally enjoyable! ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Not just for kids
I am an elementary school principal. I read this book at a faculty meeting and to parents at a PTO meeting. Both groups loved it and several teachers have since shared it with their classes. A great book to explain the complexities of learning to read.

Great for teachers
Wolf is a great story to read to emergent readers. It follows the Big Bad Wolf of fairy tale fame through his struggle to impress the educated animals of a nearby farm. His progress in learning fluency follows the steps that teachers track through their students' work. The kids love recognizing their own learning plateaus through watching the wolf become a beloved story teller.

Learning to Read Transforms Wolf
This is such a wonderful, unique twist to the old story. I've read this book five times since buying it yesterday and can't wait to read it to the second graders in my volunteer reading program. The whimsical pictures of the animals totally absorbed in reading their books and thus refusing to be disturbed by a big , bad wolf are absolutely fantastic. The wolf gets the message that these are "educated" animals, and he embarks on a great quest to learn to read. The wolf's unfaltering determination to read is truly inspiring. Don't miss the looks on the faces of the humans as they encounter (on the sidelines) the wolf throughout the story. There are also subtle signs that learning to read is helping to refine the wolf's social graces (as he announces himself to the farm animals each time). The story is great; the art is great. Definitely #1 on my gift-giving list

Wolf-a great story for ANY age!
This is a great book for any person wanting to instill the power of reading. While most people think that WOLF is just for the primary, I enjoyed its universal appeal. No matter how hard Wolf tried to impress the barnyard animals, it wasn't until he had learned to read that all the other animals found him enjoyable. For the number of schoolage children up to 6th grade (and possibly beyond) this book tells a simple tale that transcends all age groups. While the primary student would enjoy the wonderful colored pictures and the story, the older children would enjoy the message: Its not cool to bully others around, try reading for life! THis is a great book and one that everyone should have, no matter how old your children, nieces, nephews or students in your class. No matter what age, students like a story with a great message. THis is IT!

Wolf!
This is a good book for kindergartners, and 1st graders, but not for 2nd and up. I liked the book and it has good illustrations and it was not boring. It is a wonderful book. Great fantasy book with color illustrations, and from a librarian's view it is a dream of a book. She may not let it circulate, and just keep it for her storytime. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (2)

I know where the Green Sheep is!
The kids at storytime really like this book. It is always fun, because they are so proud that they know where the Green Sheep is after the first read. They respond in unison everytime the text reads, "but where is the green sheep?" The illustrations are so cute you'll want to keep looking for the green sheep too!

A delightful and sweet storybook!
I picked this up and have to say it is a beautiful piece. My 6 year old daughter picked it up and sat down and read it to me in awe at the brightly colored pictures and very excited to find out where the green sheep was! She enjoyed the opposites and the simple words that were easy for her to sound out and pick up on. It is now her favorite book!

It is a very good book for small children and it goes quickly and can definitely spark some learning experience with all of the opposites. Very nice bedtime story! ... Read more

Book Description

Illustrated in full color. Open the barn door and take a tour around the

barnyard to find out just who's making all those wonderful animal sounds.




... Read more

Reviews (14)

My 12 month old loves it
This is an excellent book. My son loves the flaps and the pictures underneath. He also loves the sounds that I make with each picture corresponding to an animal. Highly recommend

A Must-Have!!
I bought this book for my eight-month old daughter. It is her absolute favorite book. The size is small enough that she can turn it over and over in her hands, open the pages and the flaps. We read it to her several times a day. I would recommend this for any parent with small children!

Also on our second copy
This book was much beloved, and ripped, by our older son. Now our younger son is in love! Both boys have learned animal names and sounds from this book.

My son's favorite book
My 9 month old loves this book! He lifts the flaps with no problem and turns the pages as we read. The flaps are sturdy and have stood up to his tugging. He doesn't chew on books, but he likes to toss them around and this one has really held up. We also recommend "Lift a Rock..." by the same author. These are great books!

On our second copy
We received this book as a gift (and I'm giving it as one today) and it has been a lifesaver. We used it dozens of times a day from the time our daughter was about 8 months until now (20 months). She still oves it and we finally had to buy a second copy (she chewed on it a lot). It stands up to abuse really well, but this was too much to ask of any paper-based product. I wish there were more like this one. It's great for your purse or diaper bag, in the stroller etc. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

What a great book!
My son and I LOVE reading this book...I get a kick out of the art history puns and the sophisticated content and he loves the pictures and the story of Pigasso and Mootisse (both of which he now says frequently). I highly recommend it and would say it's one of my favorites.

A "Moosterpiece"
When Pigasso Met Mootisse is a wonderful parody detailing the rivalry, feuding and eventual friendship of artists Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse. Nina Laden's creative and witty text, full of wordplay and puns, will have adults and children alike, laughing out loud and also offers the subtle lesson of acceptance and respect for others and their work. But, it's her bold, bright, busy and humorous illustrations that will mesmerize youngsters and older art lovers will enjoy finding the "pig" and "bull" representations of Picasso's and Matisse's best known works. The biographical afterword, discussing their lives, painting and relationship, will enhance the story and give children a better understanding of these two great artists. This is a marvelous, vivid picture book, perfect for kids 4-8; a hilarious story for the ears and a visual feast for the eyes.

Family Favorite
I have been reading this to my children now 6, 5, and 3, since it's release in '98. It is still a frequent request. It, also, has sparked a deep interest in all my children for art. We have been to several art museums, and they all always try to find the 'Pigasso' or 'Mootise' paintings.

A fun and enjoyable book
We have shared art and artists with our son ,who just turned three, since he was an infant. He knew a Picasso from a Monet by 26 months. He just got this book for his birthday and he loves it. I love it to as well as the mini bios in the back of the book.
We have paired it with Picasso and Mattisse for kids.(Great art board books for little guys.)