Book Description

After getting unshrunk, Andrew, Judy, and Thudd take a much needed vacation to Hawaii. While making modifications to Uncle Al’s latest invention–the submarine-like Water Bug–Andrew ends up stranding himself, Judy, and Thudd underwater!Andrew Lost Under Water is the first in a four-book set that will take Andrew, Judy, and Thudd on a tour of undersea phenomena, from the Great Barrier Reef to the Mariana Trench to the inside of a whale, as they try to find their way home.A sTepping Stone Book™ ... Read more

Book Description

With full-color photos. "Facts, experiments, tricks based on scientific principles, and things to make comprise the text of this book. The material is divided into four sections--water, air, movement, and light. The language used is clear, concise, and interesting. Every experiment, trick, and object to make is not only explained clearly but illustrated as well, making the book especially useful for the visual learner. There is so much here to intrigue readers! This will surely bring young readers into the interesting world of science."--(starred) Science Books & Films. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Good reference for Water, Air, Movement & Light
This book contains not just experiments but valuable reference material and applications of science. Four subjects - Water, Air, Movement and Light - are covered in detail. For example, the two pages on "Disappearing Water" include three experiments, an explanation of how sweat cools the body, an illustration of how evaporation is used to preserve fruits and vegetables, and simple but thorough explanations of evaporation and water vapor. This book is perfect for assigning individual projects and supplements your other science reference materials...from The Science Spiders(TM) Newsletter.

Excellent - but all of the experiments don't work.
This book has great experiments that teach children about science. Each chapter has experiments and sections to read, so by the end of each chapter the reader will have learned something that you would in school but in a more enjoyable way. Be prepared, though, that many of the experiments don't work. Some of the experiments are also very messy and will take a while to clean up. ... Read more

Book Description

The techno-teens of the Net Force Explorers are just as smart as their adult counterparts when it comes to 21st century crimes and misdemeanors.

Now, the Explorers must delve into cyberspace--and the secrets of the past--to prove their commander innocent of murder....

9th in the exciting young adult series ... Read more

Reviews (5)

My favorite NFEs in one book! Go, Leif and Meg!
The Net Force Explorers are furious! Their caption, James Winters is being suspended after being accused of murder! Now the Explorer's will do anything to prove his innocence. But not only will they have to investigate a recent murder, they will also have to delve into the past of Captain James Winters - which includes the unfortunate death of his wife that took place four years ago. The Explorer's will also have to watch their backs because someone wants to make sure that secrets are left in the dark, and will do anything to keep it that way...

The NFE series are a great Young Adult fiction series, especially those with a love for computers and the Internet. Since the Net presented in the books have no boundaries, you will never know what to expect next. But there IS one thing you can come to expect: stories that have plenty of twists and turns, having the whole plot well balanced with mystery, excitement, and adventure. And sometimes, there's a good romance! The Net Force Explorers include Matt Hunter, Megan O'Malley, Leif Anderson, Andy Moore, Mark Gridley, David Gray, Maj Greene, and P.J. Farris. Occasionally other characters are introduced though they show up rarely.

"Private Lives" is one of my favorite NFE books! The reason as I stated is because two of my most favorite NFEs are the main characters in this story: Megan O'Malley and Leif Anderson. Meg is very much the tomboy and is an expert martial artist. With her stubborn personality, she's the type of person who likes to get things done. Leif Anderson comes from a wealthy family so he is constantly teased from Meg about being 'a rich kid playboy'. He and Meg are called the 'troublemakers' because put together Meg's recklessness and Leif's hacker skills, the two seem to always look for trouble.

"Private Justice" has a great plot, one of the best I've read. Already having read many of the books, I too at the beginning felt as angry as the NFEs felt when Captain Winters is put on suspension! And the ways the kids 'reacted' to this was hilarious! The bantering between the characters are well-written and at some points I was laughing so hard! It's also very obvious to everyone that Leif likes Meg so the light bantering between the two of them is cute! The only problem I have with the story is the ending was too abrupt. It was a bit startling for me when I finished reading the last page and I turned the next page expecting at least another chapter. I felt a bit disappointed not to read more about Leif and Matt since we left them at an interesting point in the story. Ah well, the rest of the story made up for the slight disappointment at the end.

The series is for Young Adults and I strongly recommend only older kids read it since there are many occasions where a few bad words are sprinkled here and there. Not that bad but still in a way a bit annoying to have them in the book. But I still highly recommend it for older kids for I'm sure you'll love it! The books can stand alone though I strongly recommend you read in order since in later books there are some referrences to earlier stories. Favorite part:

"Now I get it," Leif said. "Things are getting out of hand, so you call in your pal the scamologist to see if he can't come up with something - what? Clever? Devious? Certainly something that Captain Winters would never approve of - if he heard about it." Now this explains to you what kind of kids the NFE deals with. ;)

A good read.
Captain James Winters is accused of committing a murder he didn't commit. His own agency seems set to take him down for this crime, and it's up to the Net Force Explorers to prove that he didn't commit the crime of murder.

This is an excellent book that kept me interested throughout the story. There isn't as much action as other Net Force books, but the story is good and there's enough action to keep you reading.

This one is worth the money, buy it today, you won't be disappointed.

ACTION +++++++
capt james winters is accused to commiting a crime he didnt commit, and his life long devotion to upholding the law, seems to stand for nothing when it comes to throwing him in jail and not looking back. so its up to the netforce explorers to help him. this book was action packed, so much so it kept me away from my family and friends because all i wanted to was to rewad on!!! and to be my favorite out of the entire netforce series, the ony bad thing about it was that the book was not longer, but a great book never the less. i have read this book at least 8 times. it is definatly not to be passed up!!!!!

NICE BOOK, GOOD READ
I enjoyed reading this book. But the action in it is too confusing. But you can work it out. I liked it.

Private Lives
This book is not as action packed as the rest but the ideas behind the book are better than I can remember. I would suggest buying this book for the action it does include, although it is limited compared to his other books. ... Read more

Book Description

When Rodney gets to Robot City, he is farfrom home and very lonely. Luckily, Rodney soon meets the Rusties, a ragtag group of friends who become his new family. Follow Rodney and the Rusties on their exciting adventures!

Reviews (1)

Help to Teach Recycling
Mayor Hippo is very proud of his beautiful city but he knows something is wrong. After slipping on a banana peel, he realizes the problem is trash. Mayor Hippo calls a town meeting and suggests the animals have a trash bash. The citizens of Beaston come up with ideas of their own. They realize they can recycle items instead of throwing everything away. An excellent book to teach young children about recycling. ... Read more

Book Description

Amazon.com

Any book that features robots dancing around in their underpants is a book worth owning. William Joyce--creator of Dinosaur Bob and George Shrinks--brings his expansive, wildly colored illustrations to the story of a cute, buglike robot and his family. Rolie Polie Olie lives on a faraway planet with his mom and pop, his sister Zowie, and his doggie Spot. They spend a pretty ordinary day playing, working, eating, and getting ready for bed in this delightfully modest tale of robotic family happiness. Joyce's bouncy prose is engaging enough to be read aloud time and again: "You're Rolie hot and Polie tired. Your motor's zapped. Your piston's fired. Yes, okey dokey is the day when all you Rolie did was play." The illustrations are vintage Joyce, with a 1930s deco look that's polished without being soulless. The pictorial lushness is a nice counterpoint to the simplicity of the tale, which devotes a grand full-page spread to the little-known fact that "The Rolie Polie Rumba Dance was always done in underpants!"--Claire Dederer ... Read more

Reviews (26)

EXCELLENT READING
My son loves Rolie Polie Olie. The illustrations are very bright, colorful and well done. We read Rolie Polie Olie almost every night. Great book for kids!!!!! We are ready for more and new adventures.

Rolie Polie Olie
I previously worked in a daycare with toddlers and they LOVED this book!!!!!!!!!! I had to read it every single day....they had it memorized and would recite the book along with me. This is such a wonderful book...the pictures are wonderful and the story is so cute!! Great for any age :o)

THIS is a GREAT one.
This book has been my son's favorite (and I do mean favorite) since he was 6 months old. He is now a little over 2. Initially, I'm sure it was the bright colors and clever graphics that won him over, although the prose has a lovely cadence as well. While the graphics still captivate him, he just loves this story of a day in the life of Rolie Polie Olie. I imagine that we read this book an average of 4 or 5 times a day. Every day. And it is still a joy both to our son and to us. Is there a higher recommendation?

A Rolie Polie Good Book!
I bought this for my daughter when it first came out. She was a year old then, and now going on five. She still likes to read this book. She has always enjoyed reading, and this book still is one of her favorites at bed time.

Awesome Pictures.
A must-have for all Rolie Polie Olie fans.

It mirrors one of the episodes but is fun anyway. The pictures/graphics are fantastic. ... Read more

Book Description

Andrew, his cousin Judy, and super-smart robot Thudd escape the bathtub–only to get flushed down the toilet! Now they have to find their way through a maze of pipes to the kitchen sink. But the kitchen is no place to be when you’re the size of a flea. Monster cockroaches scurry across the counter while flies patrol the skies. Will the kids survive the kitchen? Or will they end up frozen in the fridge? Time is running out! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Best Story Ever
The book Andrew Lost in The Kitchen is a funny, and full
Of adventure kind of book. Andrew is a boy with his cousin Judy,
and Andrew's little robot named Tudd. Andrew accidently shunk
himself, Judy, and Tudd so they're going through all these disasters like almost getting hit with a fly swatter. This is the funny
part of the story. Andrew, Judy, and Tudd call it toilet bowling when they got flushed dawn the toilet with Andrew's invention the
'imbubble,'' also know as a shield. They also got flushed dawn the toilet with something else. Do you know what? Dog pop.
You should read this book because it's funny, and full of adventure. Also you can have more fun when you read all
the other book of it. ... Read more

Book Description

Author Michelle Eva Portman presents a wonderful adventure where a young girl and her mom convert a storage box into a house for their new pets. The box becomes a vermicomposting bin and the pets are redworms. Portman’s poetic, rhyming couplets provide a grand explanation of the process of vermicomposting in a manner that the youngest reader/listener will enjoy. The story is accompanied by adorable illustrations. The book includes How To and Resources sections to encourage further exploration of vermicomposting. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Oh no? Oh Yes!
When I first heard that the Worm Queen in Kalamazoo (Mary Appelhof) had published a kids' book on vermicomposting, my reaction was cautious. Last year someone sent me one that was just too cute--and inaccurately showed red wigglers with eyes!
Hurrah for Compost, By Gosh!--it's just right! It combines charm with accuracy and clear, brief instructions for a parent who wants to say, "Yes!" to the child who begs, "Mom, can we have worms composting in our house?"
Can't wait to read it at Earth Day 2003 celebration to children who live in my six-building apartment complex in New York City. -Naomi Dagen Bloom, Composting in Manhattan

Easy to follow, step-by-step instructions for young people
Written and illustrated by Michelle Eva Portman, Compost By Gosh! is a simple, rhyming children's book about the joy of making compost - the process of letting worms eat leftover food and turn into that material into something which is perfect for fertilizing plants. Easy to follow, step-by-step instructions for young people who want to make their own compost (under adult supervision) round out this excellent and very highly recommended instructional book for budding young gardeners.

What fun By Gosh
Great book! Fun, Funny, Educational, with a message yet!
Describes a wonderful project to start with your kids.

Book Review
Michelle Eva Portman has created a story filled with learning and mystery. With colorful pictures and short, rhyming text she describes the entire composting cycle from food waste to healthy plants. A valuable tool for parents and teachers, as young readers could easily see this story come to life in their home or classroom. We will be using this delightful book to start off our children's wormshops at our demonstration garden.

By Laura Plant
Compost Educator
City Farmer, Canada's Office of Urban Agriculture
Vancouver, BC

A Valuable Tool
Michelle Eva Portman has created a story filled with learning and mystery. With colorful pictures and short, rhyming text she describes the entire composting cycle from food waste to healthy plants. A valuable tool for parents and teachers, as young readers could easily see this story come to life in their home or classroom. We will be using this delightful book to start off our children's wormshops at our demonstration garden.

By Laura Plant
Compost Educator
City Farmer, Canada's Office of Urban Agriculture
Vancouver, BC ... Read more

Book Description

The Queen of the Land of Far and Wide demands perfection--absolute

perfection--in all that she surveys from her windows, high in her perfect

castle. She orders her minions to move mountains and to change the colors of

the forest--but, alas, she is never satisfied. One day she makes a

decree--all imperfect things in the castle must be thrown out of the windows.

Soon the lovely, lily-blanketed moat below becomes a slimy, polluted junk pile.

Blinded by her quest for perfection, the queen does not realize the havoc she

has wrought on the harmony of her kingdom, and no one dares to tell her--except

one very small and very brave frog named William. Here is the story of how he

opens the queen's eyes, to see that nature, in and of itself, is perfect.

Acclaimed artist Charles Santore's sumptuous illustrations and provocative

"environmental fairytale" will have readers of all ages cheering the triumph of

the courageous frog.




... Read more

Reviews (3)

A FROG BECOMES A KNIGHT
Youngsters are inquisitive and so is the brave little frog in William The Curious, a delightful environmental fairy tale written and richly illustrated by Charles Santore.

A queen's desire for perfection and the consequences of this quest are explored, as well as the meaning of courage.

WOW! A Discovered Gem
Okay, I wish I was a kid again. Can I be a kid again?! I bought this book because it was about a knight who was curious and I can't think of a more perfect quest for a knight than curiosity. This is a little gem of a book and it could be made into a wonderful movie. It's art. It's a wonderful story about a knight who goes on a quest and learns that everything perfect is not so perfect. But that's okay. Even flawed it can be magical. William is a terrific character. The art work is fantastic, and I want to be young again. Mothers of young children should read this to them often. It's got a great message and it's clever. Not enough books for little boys either, and this is a great one. Buy it now.

William the Curious
This is a charming book that lets children (and adults) know that sometimes what appears to be perfect, isn't. The pictures a lovely and engaging and the story moves along well. My four year old declared "it should be a movie". Definitley a good bed time story. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Volcano: The Eruption and Healing of Mount St. Helens
This nonfiction book is about volcanoes. It tells about the events leading to the erruption of Mount St. Helens. It describes, in exciting detail, the actual erruption and the eventual rebirth of the volcano. The photographs are great. They help to tell the story along with the words so that you can get a feel for the total destruction and devastation caused by the erruption. The nice thing about the story is that it also includes the rebirth of the volcano and tells of a life cycle that can never be broken. ... Read more

Book Description

Poor Twinkle! Nova's sharp-spiked, spark-shooting hedgehog wants to cuddle with everyone, but no one wants to touch him! This heartwarming story about love and friendship is a perfect choice for newly independent readers. ... Read more

Book Description

Hi, I'm Phoebe, one of the kids in Ms. Frizzle's class. When we started our unit on butterflies, I figured I would get to see a live butterfly - but I never thought I would get to be one. But when Ms. Frizzle took us on our butterfly field trip, she accidentally turned us all into butterflies! But being a butterfly wasn't all fun and games. We had to battle all kinds of things: wind, birds, even people! We knew we had to win this Butterfly Battle -- before things got carried away! ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (1)

Great for kids with ideas....
Brainstorm! is a great book about child inventors. Children in grades 3 through 6 will enjoy it. Each chapter -- averaging 2 to 5 pages -- focuses on a child and his or her inventions. There are plenty of female inventors, and the book includes some inventions that are modest as well as ground-breaking. This book will inspire children to have confidence in their ideas. ... Read more

Book Description

Ms. Frizzle's class thinks the PTA light show is pretty wild, but really surprising things happen when the show is over. Ms. Frizzle and the Magic School Bus arrive just in time to help solve the mystery and teach about the properties of light. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Magic School Bus has the right idea about light
Ms. Frizzle and her class explore the world of light.From understanding how light needs a source to how shadows are made, this book is a wonderful teaching tool.

My nephew enjoyed this book while I was reading it to him as well.I believe that he grasped the concept of a shadow, because it waseasy to demonstrate it while we were sitting in the car with sunlightaround us.

The book also deals with the concept of tricking people andhow it can come back to haunt you. :-)!

I think that this book is awonderful aid in helping children learn the concepts of light. ... Read more

Book Description

t’s the end of the 21st century where technocrats rule and robots take care of humans’ every need. Your house watches you, knows your secrets, and talks to you. And your closest friend can be—a machine?

Gavin Bell and his teenage sister Fleur come from a middle-class family. Their much-loved, old-fashioned robot, Grumps, is running down and can’t be repaired, so a scientist friend loans them EGR3, an experimental new robot to help Grumps. EGR3, known as Eager, learns from his experiences, as a child would. He feels emotions—wonder, excitement, and loss. When the ultra high-tech, eerily human BDC4 robots begin to behave suspiciously, Eager and the Bells are drawn into a great adventure that is sometimes dark and often humorous. As Eager’s extraordinary abilities are tested to the limit, he will try to find the answer to this question: What does it mean to be alive? ... Read more

Book Description

Where does the word "planet" come from? How long is a year on Mercury? What is the temperature on Venus? Is Pluto really a planet? This new Level 2 All Aboard Reading book will answer these questions and more about the solar system. The information is completely up to date and accurate-a perfect introduction for young skywatchers. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

a easy to read refrence
I use multiple copies of this text in my fifth grade class to teach landforms, and weather.This book is way better than any textbook I have ever seen.Each topic has full color pictures, and easy child friendly text.The key vocabulary words are in bold print, and the index makes for easy finding of information. The hard back has kept up well in my room this year, as it is treated like the other text books I issue the students (we all know what happens to those).I could not be more pleased with this book. I highly recomend this book to anyone researching physical science. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

This book has more 'ups' than 'downs'
Since children love 'The Magic School Bus' television show, this book about sinking and floating will be sure to grab the attention of those inquisitive young minds! It serves as a great asset to a science classroom, or your own home library. Although it is kind of lengthy, I highly recommend it for insurance of complete understanding of the sinking and floating process. Happy reading! ... Read more