Book Description

Book Description

Little blue and little yellow share wonderful adventures. One day, they can't find one another. When they finally meet, they are overjoyed. They hug until they become green. But where did little blue and little yellow go? Are they lost? ... Read more

Reviews (5)

A little bit of this, a little bit of that
Ever feel like you've been stumped by a book? Like a moral of a story has been staring you in the face and you're just too slow or dim-witted to get it? Such was my reaction after reading Leo Lionni's elusive, "Little Blue and Little Yellow". I liked it. Of course I did. But on my honor as a gentleman I just did NOT get the book's message. Which is perhaps exactly as it should be.

We all are familiar with Leo Lionni's work, even if we don't initially think we are. Whether you've seen his cut out mice or forest scenes, his is a recognizable style. In this particular book Lionni has relied on roughly hewn pieces of brightly colored paper (or is it fabric?) to tell a story. The tale follows two blobs of color. On is Blue. The other is Yellow. Yellow and Blue are good friends and lead productive blobby lives with their other little friends. They play games, attend school, etc. One day Blue looses Yellow for a little while and when they are reunited they hug until they meld into a single splotch of green. The single green splotch, however, looks nothing like Blue or Yellow. Whatever will our intrepid heroes do?

Suffice to say, all turns out well in the end. The status quo is maintained, peace reigns, yadda yadda yadda. So what's the moral of the story? Just to help you figure it out, the last two pages of the text display Blue and Yellows momma and poppas hugging one another until THEY turn green. Maybe it doesn't mean anything at all. But it certainly does make for an interesting tale. Nothing like simplicity to tie up the ole synapses for a while.

I can see children enjoying this book. I can also see different children growing bored with this book. It really is going to depend on the child more than anything else. If you have a kid that likes rousing adventures about (oh I dunno) tangible objects, this may not be the book for them. If, however, you've a child who's a little more dreamy. A little more open to different kinds of stories and characters, consider this book a perfect fit. Colorful, interesting, and unique. Lionni does many things with this book, but he does not disappoint.

The Excitement of Finding this Little Treasure!
As a child I was read to from this book and then I read it myself. This was hands down my favorite book. As a grandparent, I thought how appropriate this book is today as we are all living in a blended society and that's exactly what Little Blue and Little Yellow do----they blend, make green and have fun along the way.....They learn it's fun to make new "friends", and color doesn't matter...it's what's inside that makes you special!! Amazon.com had it with one click......I visited a brick and morter store and my search was futile!! Amazon.com is the HERO again!!

One of my favorites books as a little girl
My parents' copy of this wonderful, colorful picture book is taped back together after reading it to three young children. I remember loving the pictures and the simple story. I plan on reading it to my kids (if I can only get my mom to give it up!) and hope they'll love it as much as I did. Little Blue and Little Yellow is such a fantastic book because of the universal concepts in it: love, friendship, and parenting. I recommend it to teachers, parents, babysitters, and kids.

Delightfully simple
This is a book I read many times as a child. I still have
that worn copy and treasure it as one of my favorites. It tells
a story of friendship in which the characters are illustrated by torn
circles of colour. A little colour theory is added to the mix
(yellow and blue become green) and all ends happily. Some
reviewers I think read a little too much into it and see comments
about racial prejudice. The parents' are not prejudiced,
they simply do not recognize their children. Delightful!

Amazing little book that is also educational
This is a sweet book that is simple yet complex. On the surface it is a story of two color friends that blend together, but if you look deeper you can see the lessons of race relations. One of my favorite books by Lionni. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

a great read
this was a good sequel to the sisterhood of the traveling pants.. Tibby is off to film school which is pretty interesting. Carmen stays home and gets in a huge fight with her mom about her new boyfriend.. she is my least fav. character. Bridget goes to her grandmoms to find herself and gets back into soccer, meets an old friend but doesnt tell anyone who she is till later. And lena.. has broken up with kostos because of distance but he comes to visit and they have a hot romance.. BUT you wont BELIEVE what is in their way.. personally i really liked kostos and their romance and i didnt like how lenas story ended :-(.. but all in all it is a good book.. however make sure you read the first one before you read this.

(...) ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Two great novels in one
For those of you looking for a great read, How To Deal is the perfect book. You will be getting two of Sarah Dessen's novels in one: Someone Like You and That Summer. The Movie How To Deal was made based on these two books. Both are wonderful reads for adolescent girls going through the pains and joys of growing up. In Someone Like You, best friends Halley and Scarlette struggle through Scarlette's pregnancy and together strive through the loss of a close friend. This book shows the blessings of a best friend, and how important it is to have someone to care about. In That Summer, Haven struggles through the pains of family life and first loves. It teaches the importance of family sticking together, and how wonderful and painful first loves can be. Both books are excellent novels and guides that every teenage girl will be able to relate to.

great book, but READ THIS BEFORE ORDERING
just a warning: i ordered this book thinking that it was a new book by sarah dessen. sadly, i got it today, and it is really just two of her other books, Someone Like You and That Summer, put into one book. The reason for the different title is because they have combined these two books into one movie called How to Deal, starring Mandy Moore. I have read both novels seperately, and they are great, especially someone like you, so if you haven't read them, this book would be a good thing for you to purchase.

Teenagers Lives in a Nutshell
This book deals with all the things that happen to teenagers during there high school years from the death of a friend to your parents getting divorced and your best friend getting pregnant. It is the perfect book for any teenager it makes you relize that your friends mean a lot to you and if anything were to happen to them you would be devastated for life and that the years you spend in high school will define the rest of your life one mistake can shatter your life into pieces. Anyone who has ever been in high school can relate to at least one problem that the charactors face your would have to have been home schooled if you don't because everyone has had a friend die or get pregnant or maybe a divorce happens but you learn through time how to deal with all the problems that you are faced with. I hope that everyone enjoys this book as much as I did the movie is good but the books are better as always.

What a good book!!!
I took this book out of the public library a month ago for a bit of light reading. I had heard through some people at school that Mandy Moore was doing a movie called How to Deal, so when I saw the book I had to pick it up! I thought that the first section was better than the second section, becuase it delt more with sad teen issues rather than just divorce issues. I no sooner finished reading the novel, and then I ran out to my local "Chapers" book store, and bought 3 copies- one for me, and the other ones for two of my friends! It is a good book and I would recomend it to anybody who likes sweet sentimental books that deal with teen issues!!!

How To Deal
This book is actually two different books that are put into one volume. The first book, Someone Like You, is AMAZING and I couldn't put it down. However, the second book, That Summer, was boring and I only read it when I was trying to get out of cleaning my room. If I were you, I wouldn't waste my money and I would just buy Someone Like You. I gave this book 4 star because Someone Like You is one of the best books I've ever read, but I don't like That Summer at all. Is anyone else confused on how they made a movie out of these books? ... Read more

Book Description

Just fourteen, Rick Walder is alone, on the run, and desperate. Stowing away in the back of a truck, he suddenly finds himself at a dead end, out in the middle of nowhere. The Maze. In this surreal landscape of stark redrock spires and deep sandstone canyons, Rick stumbles into the remote camp of Lon Perigrino, a bird biologist who is realeasing fledgling California condors back into the wild. Intriqued by the endangered condors and the strange bearded man dedicated to saving them, Rick decides to stay on. When two men with a vicious dog drive up in a battered old Humvee, Rick discovers that Lon and his birds are in grave danger. Will he be able to save them? In a heart-stopping adventure infused with the spirit of the Icarus myth and a boy's dreams of flight, Will Hobbs brings readers a unique tale of identity, personal growth, and friendship.

01 Blue Spruce Award Masterlist (YA Cat.), 01 AZ Young Reader Award Masterlist (Teen Bks cat.), 00-01 Sunshine State Young Reader's Award Masterlist (Gr. 6-8), 00-01 Black-Eyed Susan Award Masterlist, 00-01 Minnesota's Maud Hart Lovelace Book Award Masterlist, 00-01 South Carolina Book Award Nomination Masterlist (Grds 6-9), 00-01 Lone Star Reading List, 00-01 Utah Book Award (Gr. 7-12), 01 Washington State Evergreen YA Book Award Masterlist, 00-01 Young Hoosier Book Award Masterlist (Gr. 6-8), and 01 Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award Nominee Masterlist

Reviews (29)

The Maze
When we were reading The Maze by Will Hobbs we were blown away. The characteristics of the characters and the deep description of the plot were stellar. In our opinion, Will Hobbs who is the author of Far North, is a spectacular author who has won many awards.
The main characters of the book are Lon Peregrino and Rick Walker. Lon is a middle-aged man that grew up with no parents. His job is to work for the Condor Project supported by the government. His job is at Canyonlands National Park, which is where the Maze is located. The Maze is a group of canyons that join together to make a large confusing array of twists and turns. Rick is a 14-year-old boy with no parents. He was arrested for vigorously whipping rocks at a stop sign. The whole cause for this was the death of his grandmother and he obviously took it hard. He went to court and ended up going to the strictest confines in America, Blue Canyon Detention Center. When he was in juvenile he worked out and became strong. He also read about flying a lot. That is his dream, to fly. He received a message that his name was on the cigarettes. In jail terms that means you are going to be beaten because sometimes people say that they will kill for a cigarette and that's how the saying came about. Rick was frightened. He had to do something. He decided to try to escape. At night he hopped over the fence and on the way down he slashed his face on the wicked barbed wire. It created a large white scar. He hitchhiked with three people and ended up at Canyonlands. He was at Lon's campsite. He immediately got in trouble by stealing Lon's car. But he didn't get very far on that rough terrain. He had to turn around and go reason with Lon. After Lon learned a little about him and noticed how similar their lives were. Lon let him stay. Rick was going to help Lon with his job. Everything was going well except for one thing. Carlile, Gundersen, and their pit bull were up to no good. When Rick and Lon were out teaching Rick how to fly a hang glider Carlile and his crew came to Lon's site and stole many objects. But that is not all their up to. Rick finds something illegal about them and Carlile finds out. They will do anything to keep out of jail. They will steal any communication devices, kill condors, and maybe even murder Rick and Lon. But to find out what Carlile and Gundersen will do and if Rick will ever make it home you must read The Maze. If you like adventure stories, action stories, hang gliding, or even just hanging around outdoors this book is for you! The main point the author tries to tell us is to always follow you dreams and life is a maze, it takes to many twists and unexpected turns.(...)

The Condor Project
A Review by Sam

I read the book The Maze which was about a 14 year-old boy named Rick that lived in various foster homes. But that all changes when he went sent to Blue Canyon Youth Detention Center down by Las Vegas for throwing rocks repeatedly at a stop sign. Rick was sent there six months on probation and hated it, Rick hated it so much he decided to escape and run. Rick plans to run as far as he can, even by hitch hiking. He meets a man named Lon that teaches him about life.

I like how this book has good pacing. It keeps you in suspense so that you want to keep reading. Also it had some good high points, such as when Rick had escaped from the detention center and when he learned how to hang glide. Rick had always dreamt about flying. When he learned how to hang glide he discovers he was a natural. During Rick's stay at Lon's camp he learns about saving Condors, which are very large birds. What I liked the most is the realism and the descriptions in this book. When the author tells the story he gives details that make you feel what the character is feeling and doing. This story could very well happen in today's place and time.

I would give this book a strong four, because of its high points and good pacing. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes adventure, and that likes to have two or more main characters that bond together and learn from each other.

The Maze
Stuck in the middle of nowhere no food, no shelter how will fourteen year old Rick Walker survive. The book The Maze, by Will Hobbs is a both a survival story along with helping other people and wildlife. This is a good book to read when you have finished Gary Paulsen's eppic journeys one that I loved such as The Hobbit. In my mind this book was average or a liitle bit above as you can see from my rating, it might depend on what types of books you enjoy to read, this book is action packed in a desert in California filled with many trenches, canyons, rocks and other exotic things.
This book shows the journey of a teenager, 14 year old, Rick Walker who suddenly after taking ride in a truck is lost in the middle of nowhere, where he will try to survive by finding a food and shelter. As you can see this book is a man vs. nature moral and you will soon find it is also becomes man vs. man because of some incidents.
This book overall is over average. The Maze has quite a few exciting parts one being Rick Walker trys to survive in somewhere in California with danger lurking around the corner, what hapens is for you to find out, like any other review I'm not going to spoil the ending. As I said before this book can be interesting and sometimes boring book but is enough to grab a readers attention.
As far as reccomendations go this book would be too challenging and some terms would not be understood for anybody under grade 6 or not in middle school and his good for some young adults or even adults if they like survival stories, the one bad thing about reccomendations is you don't know what type of books people like. All in all, if you like both survival and action Will Hobbs has written the book for you.

Akhenia from Richview Middle School "The Maze".
In this book there are some character first Rick,Lon,Mr.B.This book is pretty much about this boy named Rick Walker.At first he didn't know who his parents were so he was raised by his grandmother who was only 47 when she died,and he was 10.He had to serve six months.he really didn't want to go to Blue Canyon Youth Detention Center because there were murderers and people like that.Later 3 months after in there he decided he didn't want to stay there any longer.One night he was thinking about escaping.He was climbing up the barbed wire he snagged his cheek.So, for nights he had to stay outside for a few days.The conflict of the book is that they were still looking for him.The most exciting part was when while he was traveling he had found a nice dog,and what was cool was that the dog stayed with him most of the time.I loved the book because ,it was funny at some point.If i could convince a friend to read this book I would tell them they would love it.

Exciting Adventure
A Review by John

This book is about a troubled boy who keeps getting into trouble. When this story starts Rick is arrested for throwing 20 rocks at a stop sign because he was frustrated. This I thought was kind of a stupid reason but the book gets a lot better. He has no family, not many friends and he has lived in foster homes for along time since his grandmother's death. Check out this amazing exciting book!!!

A few things I liked about this book were the adventures and the risks he takes such as in the ending which you will have to read to find out, he is very independent which is cool because he doesn't have to rely on anybody. Seeing how he is a teen like myself he has a lot more courage than me, because of all the things he has gone through. Another thing is the man who takes him in and helps him hide out, I thought that was pretty cool because the man helped him get away.

All around great book check this out for sure!!! ... Read more

Book Description

Winnie Barringer’s best friend, Iggie, has moved away. How is Winnie going to make it through summer vacation?

Then the Garber family moves into Iggie’s House, and Winnie is thrilled. The problem is, not everyone is as welcoming as Winnie. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

What I Think...
Iggie's House is about a girl named Winnie Barringer and
her best friend Iggie who has moved away. When Winnie finds out that the new family next door is black, Winnie gets really exicted, but not everybody is happy. Mrs.Landon (or Germs Inc.) is putting out a petition to send the Garbers away just because they're black. So when the going gets tough, Winnie tries to do something about it.
What I think about this book is that it can teach you about how hard minorities have it sometimes. It's a wonderful book and teaches you not to judge a person by how they look. I recommend that if you want to read this book you should not be predjudiced and if you are it would teach you a lesson. I loved it and it's a great book to read again and again.

A COOL BOOK
Iggie's House is one of my most favorite Judy Blume books.This book is about a girl named Winnie that becomes friends with the Garber children , Tina, Glenn,and Herbie, who live in Winnie's old friends house named Iggie. There's only one problem. Mrs. Landon (a.k.a. Mrs. Germs) doesn't want the Garbers to live in the neighborhood because they are black. Some parts that I really disliked was when Mrs. Germs put a mean sign in the Garbers front yard. Another part I really disliked was when Winnie slaps Herbie in the face. See if their problems are solved. I hope you will enjoy this book!!!!!

Different colors go great together!
This is a story about a girl named Winnie that soon finds out you cannot judge a book by its cover. Her bestfriend moved to Japan and the new people that moved in were black. Being the first black family in the neighborhood, it made many people very upset. Mrs. Landan was a neighbor that was so upset she wanted to get a petition signed to make them move away. After a short time the new kids,Glenn, Herbie, and Tina, became friends with Winnie. When this happened, Winnie decided to help get them to stay and for people to be nice to them. At the end of the story the new family ended up staying and the mean Mrs. Landan moved away. It was perfect.

I loved the story because it was easy to read and interesting. I can't imagine not liking someone because they were a different color then me. I liked Winnie because she figured this out before anyone. I am glad it is not like that where I live. I recommend it to kids 9 and up only and I think adults should read it too if they are like Mrs. Landan.

Iggies House
Iggies House diserves 4 stars because it is a wonderful book and easy to read. It only takes about 3-4 days if you read a good 1/2 half hour. You should read this book because it's a great story with good meaning to it. The book is worth an easy 4-6 points. You should read this book!

Jessica McCain

Worthwhile
"Iggie's House" is about an 11-year-old girl, Winnie Barringer, who befriends her new neighbors (the Garbers, who have two sons--Glenn and Herbie--and a daughter--Tina) when her best friend (Iggie) moves out of the house they move into. While Winnie doesn't have a problem with the Garbers being black, several of her neighbors do since the area had always been occupied by white residents. So out of loyalty to her new friends, Winnie sets out to crusade against the racism in her neighborhood.

Although "Iggie's House" isn't my favorite Judy Blume book (though I doubt I'll ever give her less than 5 stars on any book), she's great at tackling social problems, such as racism in this book, showing how children typically see things in just black and white, so to speak. Though prejudices aren't as easily overcome as shown here, "Iggie's House" is still a great learning tool for preteens. ... Read more

Book Description

The Cheetah Girls are starring in a movie of their own on the Disney Channel in 2003. They're spicier than hot sauce and as cool as iced cappuccino. They outshine any diamond with their supa-dupa inner sparkle! Now see how it all began in the first books of the series starring Galleria, Chanel, Dorinda, Anginette, and Aquanette. Each bind-up features four Cheetah-licious tales about girls having guts, brains, courage, and friends (while flashin' some style and always shining from the heart). ... Read more

Reviews (5)

cheetah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hey im jaimercedes and i reed and saw the cheetah girls i loved the movie so much that i even teped it my friends and me say that were the cheetah girls im galleria im buying the three books and the cheetah girls cd. i think that this movie showed me that if i want to be a star go for it but work for it.I sing their songs and know all the dance but i wish that in the future i be in the t.v. for i could show everyone.the first time they gave the movie in disney channel i was like oh my god i cant believe im seeing this i saw it twice planning to buy the dvd but i dont have a dvd player go for it and buy it come on is good!!!!!!!!!!!!!:-D

This is a good book
I bought this book a little after Christmas because I found myself loving the movie. Thinking the book would be better (because all books are better!) I read it. I was totally wrong. True, the book is good, but 1. Galleria (or Deborah Gregory, the author) CANNOT write good songs. I'm sorry, she can't. They are very poorly written and if I sat down and thought I could think of something better. 2. The lingo is also very immature and hard to understand. Otherwise, the plot is good and the characters are good.

The Cheetah Girls
This book is wonderful though sometimes it is hard to understand. Thankfully Ms. Gregory included a glossary so those of us who don't understand Galleria and her friend's language can keep up. Something that I especially like about this book is the fact that it is different from the movie thought there are some scenes that are the same. It's boring to read a book that is word for word the same as the movie I just watched last night. Go Cheetahs!

Best Book EVER!!
Hey i'm courtney(...).My big sister bought this book for me after i watched the movie and i loved all for stories.The book is about 5 girls who dream about being singing sensations.If you wanna be a singer you MUST read this book NOW!!

A book for girls with singing dreams
The Cheetah Girls is an amazingly written story about five girls with the common but amazing dream to become singers. Galleria, who is kind of the leader of the group, is a great singer. She is the leader Cheetah because she writes some of the songs.
Chanel, also known as Chuchie or Miss Chuchie Frita, is Galleria's best friend. She is a great singer too, and is sometimes jelous of Galleria because she is the leader.
Anginette and Aquanette are twin sisters. They are the best singers in the group and are trying to get used to New York City.
Dorinda is a foster child who is the best dancer in the entire group. She is a very caring girl and I think she just might have gone through the most in this story.
This book is a book for girls with singing dreams. It will inspire girls all around to never give up. ... Read more

Book Description

Ten 3 1/2 x 5" blank notecards (5 each of 2 designs) in a colorful wallet-style portfolio.Perfect for anytime gifts or personal use! ... Read more

Reviews (19)

amazing story about friendship
I noticed this book by two lovely pigs who shared love, caring and friendship that touches everyone's heart. I repeated this story again and again under my daughters' request and they loves Toot and Puddle. When I go for work, my youngest daughter, 3 y/0 read the story by herself. Therefore I bought the other story of Toot & Puddle from Amazon. I enjoy the story and I love the painting. Thank you Holly.

Fantastic illustrations and a great message
This book is a great choice for everyone. The illustrations are comical yet beautiful to look at. The story itself is just as fun. Toot and Puddle are very different in some ways and not so different in others--much like we all are. They are friends because of their love and acceptance of each other. It is a great book with a great message and I personally guarantee it will put a smile on your face.

We adore this book!
Toot and Puddle is a wonderful bedtime book - my 3 year old adores it. The lessons of respect for different types of "adventures" are wonderful and the illustrations are spectacular.

Plus, the illustrations contain all sorts of visual puns that the grownups can appreciate (example: when Puddle, inspired by Toot's trip to Paris, decides to paint, he has Van Gogh's sunflowers at his table. Instead of painting them, he paints an endearingly goofy self-portrait.)

Highly recommended for children and their readers!

Wonderful lessons on friendship.
My daughter, husband and I read this book for the first time snuggled in our bed before bed last night and we all enjoyed it very much.
The illustrations are great.
The book shows that two people, or pigs, can be best friends and be their own person. I also enjoyed that the characters kept in touch through post card writing.
I would recommend this book to all people with young children.

Toot and Puddle
Toot and Puddle is a great toddler book. Boys and girls will enjoy it for several reasons:
The story
It is a story about two pigs--the frieds Toot and Puddle. While Toot likes to stay at home, Puddle is a traveler. When he decides to travel around the world, he sends Toot cards from every place he goes to. At the end Puddle comes back home and the two pigs who have missed each other celebrate their friendship.
The illustrations
The illustrations are beautiful, focusing on the essence of each of the place Puddle visits (art in France, matadors in Spain, mountain climbing in the Alps) or each seasonal activity that Toot enjoys at home (skating in winter, Mud season in spring). THe text is short and not intimidating, full of age approrpiate humor.
The moral
You can be friends with many people, even if you like different things. ... Read more

Book Description

Gossie and Gertie are best friends. They splash in the rain, play hide-and-seek, and they dive in the pond together. Everywhere Gossie goes, Gertie does too. Or does she?

With charming illustrations and gentle text, Olivier Dunrea has created two lovable, sweet characters that will appeal to the youngest listeners. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Plain, simple and cute!
This cute kids book is about two friends named Gossie and Gertie. Everywhere Gossie goes Gertie goes too, uh well sometimes. I think it is a really good book to show that even though you maybe best friends we all enjoy different things. The ducks are cute and I think kids and adults will enjoy this story.

Friendship conquers bossiness
Although the story revolves around two goslings, it is really the universal story of seemingly uneven friendships.

Gertie proves that it's OK to follow your own lead from time to time. Gossie's increasingly angry requests for her friend to follow her go unheeded, until she learns that sometimes it's OK not to be the leader.

The illustrations seem very simple at first, but are worth a closer inspection. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble With Friends
This book is good for the age rage from 3-6 years, who are just making friends at school and in their neighboorhood.
Sister bear has Lizzy move in next door and they become friends, and learn that sometimes friends have fights, but that a friend is good to have despite their differences.
This book teaches kids that even when friends have differences and fights they need to overcome their differences and still be friends.

End of a friendship?
When Sister and Lizzy get into a fight what is Sister to do?

This book teachs kids that all friends have fights and that you sould always try to make-up in the end. It is a great book

The BerenstainBears Trouble with Freinds Review
I gave this book a 5 star review because it teaches children that arguing and fighting is not the way to solve your probleems you have to talk through them. This book also has a lot of pictures that kids would like.

Trouble with Friends Review
I gine this book a 5 star rateing because it is a good lesson teacher to all children of every age. These books always have a good outcome and they teach a lot. The berenstain Bears is a make believe family of bears. Sister bear gets in a fight with her friend Libby. In the long run the end up getting in a fight, but soon after they all make up and talk things out. It teaches kids to talk out problems and not to fight. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

This is an excellent story.
I bought this because it was recommended by a book club I'm part of; it turned out to be a great investment.The story is written like music ~ there is a rhythm in it that is just really enjoyable.My son (4.5 y.o.) particularly loves the end -- "Tappitty-boom, tappitty-boom..."Although the underlying message (you're never too old to learn) is lost on him at his age, I have no doubt that eventually it will stick.For now, he usually just enjoys the beauty of the illustrations and the musical flow of the story's words.

One of the Best Books of 2004
I loved reading this book about the friendship between a young boy and his 100-year old neighbor, both of whom are learning to read.The prose is rhythmic, jazzy, and fun to read, and the watercolor illustrations display great texture, dimension, and emotion.

Although the situation is dramatic, the author and the illustrator take their time telling the story.There are no explosive moments or insights, just the little details of the everyday, set against a larger background of recent American history.Harry notices Mr. Baker's crumpled shoes and how they're always tied, the suspenders of his pants, and how the leaves float and swoop in the chilly morning air (the two sitting on porch, hugging their knees) as they wait for the schoolbus.

Mr. Baker's wife comes out, and in two subtle but evocative pages Hest and Muth suggest their relationship. Against a soft as memory background of a New Orleans style jazz band, we discover that George Baker "is a drummer man, and some people say he's famous."After the bus delivers them to school, Mr. Baker and the school children sit comfortably together with a common goal:

"'We can do it,' says George after school...
his lips sound out the letters.
Real slow. But his fingers fly across his knees. Like a big old drum."

Telling a simple but beautiful story with heart and dignity, this book can be appreciated by readers (and almost-readers) of just about any age. Great production values by publisher Candlewick: Thick paper, easily read letters in "Integrity" font, and big, easy-going pictures. Very highly recommended! ... Read more

Reviews (23)

darkest hour
Woo-hoo! Lauren brooke has made quite a come-back now hasn't she? I thought the last few books in the heartland series were, umm, to say the least, not quite as good as the first few. I couldn't put this one down. When Candy starts to show flu symptoms, things at heartland get tough. Ty, Ben and Amy seem farther apart than ever and on top of that, the heat is just making things worse. As more horses come down with the flu, and the quarentine extends, Ben gets more dificult. Finally, when things start to look up, a tornado hits the valley and heartland is devastated. (The book ends with Ty in a coma:()

A MUST READ!!

This book is Full of emotions
Omg this book outa of them all got me cryin the most me im so scared of storms so i knew how Lou would of felt. And I can relate to Amy in the books it's not because i have the same name but for i can relate to her feelings and how she thinks about her mom. sadly i lost my mom when i was 10 :( but as time goes on i get stronger and Amy seems to in the books. This book was Really well writin Ty falls into the coma and i had to read the book till i was donw and i couldn't put it don't i think i eat supper in my room i was cryin and reading through tears and im 16 going on 17 I love heartland and how much this book is not to far outt there with someo books with talkin horses. Lauren Brooke is a awsome writer and i love her books and im glad im not the only one who does

This book is reeeeeeeeeeally good !
This is one of my favourite Heartland books but the only problem about it is when you get to the end it leaves you on a cliff-hanger and you NEED to get the next book. This book is very sad at the end but don't worry because things look up in the next book(Everything Changes). If you are a horse lover than this is the book for you.

Heartland: Darkest Hour
Have you ever dreamed about working with horses, healing them, and helping them? Then look no further than the Heartland book series, by Lauren Brooke. This book series is perfect for horse fanatics and riders everywhere.

The Heartland series is about Amy Fleming, a teenage girl who is the daughter of a world-famous horse rehabilitator. After a life-changing accident, Amy takes over her her mom's rescue & rehab center for horses, called Heartland. Throughout the series, Amy faces many obstacles, and not just with the horses, but also socially and mentally.

This book, Darkest Hour, is (right now) the lastest book in the series. Amy is handling the business in Heartland well until an equine flu illness attacks the horses. One by one, horses get sick and are forced into isolation while the whole Heartland farm is under quarantine. It doesn't help that Ty, Amy's boyfriend and employee of Heartland, is arguing with Ben, the other stablehand. Amy has a lot of stress put on her, but the situation gradually disappears. However, just as things settle down, an incident rip-roars through the short tranquility and, when the dust settles, things might never be the same again. Will Amy physically and mentally cope with everything?

I really enjoyed this book. Since I ride horses myself, I could really relate to Amy's dilemmas in behavioral problems with the horses and in rehabilitating them. I also like the description put into the book because it helped me to visualize what was happening. It also had really nice explainations of things, so nothing was confusing to me. Darkest Hour had lots of suspense and emotion, so it was very realistic.

I reccomend this book to girls who are interested in horses. I also suggest that you start by reading the first book in the Heartland series, Coming Home.

Totaly Awsome!!!
I started out with the 5th heartland book, then i had to get the rest! The 13th book is awsome!!Things go as normal until Candy shows signs of the flu. Scott admits that it is the flu. Soon, the back barn was reserved for only sick horses. Suddenly the the heat gets intense and developes a twister. The twister ruins the back barn. After the twister blows over, Ty and Amy go in to check the horses. Suddenly, the roof falls ontop of Ty and Amy. Amy is knocked out. She gets up, but Ty go to the hospital. You'll have to read the book to find out the rest!!! ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (3)

Bubba & Beau MayBecome Your Child's New Best Friends
Appelt's funny and charming tale of the almost simultaneous birth and budding friendship between a boy named Bubba and a puppy named Beau is heartwarming and enchanting.With no apparent idea that they are different species, these naïve babies" bond over their shared first traumas - i.e., the laundering of their beloved "blankie" and their own first baths.Howard's simple charcoal and watercolor renderings of Bubba and Beau could capture the heart of the most hardened soul.Their eyes, expressions, and movements are all enchanting.Howard's equally charming and amusing renderings of the human and dog parents and the Texas ranch where the story takes place provide the "icing on the cake."The result is a book that oozes with life, warmth, security, friendship, and love. Child judges awarded it the 2002 Irma Simonton Black and James H. Black Award for Excellence in Children's Literature. To accommodate short attention spans, Appelt has even broken the story up into five well-defined chapters.Readers wanting more of Bubba and Beau will not be disappointed - there are already two sequels, Bubba and Beau Go Night Night and Bubba and Beau Meet the Relatives. Highly recommended for ages 18 months to 4 years.

Parents AND Kids will delight in this book!
This book will pull at your heartstrings while give you a sore stomach from all the laughter!My 12 month old loved this book when I returned from the library with it.When I purchased it for him it became his ONLY book to read.It is so delightful that you will not mind reading it over and over again.You might even develop a slight southern twinge to you accent after a few reads!

I'm still Laughing!
This is one of the funniest books. While reading it, one of my co-workers laughed so hard her mascara ran down her face. I've used it in pre-school storytime all week and its been very popular with the 3 to 5 year old crowd.The illustrations are priceless and the charaters a riot. ... Read more

Book Description

It’s summertime at the neighborhood pool, and Lily has her best friend pickedout: Tamika. But Tamika already has a best friend and doesn’t care about Lily. No matter howhard Lily tries to impress Tamika—from getting Mama to buy her a new bathing suit to havingDaddy help her practice her dive—nothing works. Told in Lily’s honest first-person voice andpaired with beautiful water color illustrations by E. B. Lewis, this charming story will help kids learn about what a true friend really is. ... Read more

Book Description

Inspired by the true life experiences of Henry Winkler, whose undiagnosed dyslexia made him a classic childhood underachiever, the Hank Zipzer series is about the high-spirited and funny adventures of a boy with learning differences.

It's science project time in Ms. Adolf's class. This is good news and bad news for Hank-he loves science, but he hates the report part. So Hank turns to TV to take his mind off things. But when the program directory scrolls by too quickly for Hank to know what's on, he decides to take apart the cable box to try to slow down the crawl. Great! Now Hank has found the perfect science project! But what he wasn't counting on was his sister's pet iguana laying eighteen eggs in the disassembled cable box. How is Hank going to get out of this one?

Illustrated by Carol Heyer. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Day of the Iguana
This is one of the best children's books I have read in a long time. I read it to my 4th grade class and they didn't want me to put it down. I don't know a kid that can't identify with Hank Zipzer in one way or another. It was very easy to read and quite enjoyable. My class gives it 44 thumbs up. Keep up the good work Henry Winkler.

Jenner's Review
Hank Zipzer lives in Manhattan in 2004 with his friends. Hank Zipzer has go to his cousin's birthday with his friends, Ashley Wong and Frankie Townsend. They go to the party and do a magic act, which was easy. Hank was asked to copy a movie but copied the wrong one! Well, Frankie got mad, but he cooled off. Hank then has a science project. He takes apart the cable box for his science project. Only problem is, his dad watches TV every night. Can Hank solve this little problem? Hank and his friends have enough money, the cable guy is they're installing the cable when his dad comes in. Uh-oh! I would rank the book 10 out of 5, because it is hilarious. I would recommend the book, because every body in the family should enjoy this book.

Lin Oliver and Henry Winkler, You Continue to Delight
The writing duo of Lin Oliver and Henry Winkler again proves successful in this excellent children's book. Whether she is running her organization, the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, or writing for children, Lin Oliver continues to delight and amaze. I cannot express how great these books are, and how impressive the tandem of Lin Olver and Henry Winkler continues to be. Good job you two, and keep up the great work.

Niagra Falls or Does It?
I am a fourth grade teacher and I have read all three of the Hank Zipzer books to my class and they absolutely adore all three of them. The characters in the books are very real and the kids can easily relate to the situations they go through. My kids are so eager to finish their work so I can read the next chapters. Thank you Mr. Winkler.

Winkler Wins Again
When Happy Days was at the top of the TV ratings, Henry Winkler, as Arthur Fonzarelli, did a lot to influence the kids of America. He has done it again with the third in this series. The narrative flows easily, sounds like it was written by a 10 year old (which, in this case, is a good thing), and contains vivid images that stay with the reader.

While it is helpful to have already read the other two novels, the story manages to fill in missing gaps.

Kids can relate to the characters and teachers can easily see themselves. As a teacher, this book has helped me to re-think how I approach kids who have dyslexia or other learning disabilities.

Henry Winkler is a great guy and I am thrilled with this latest facet of his career! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

This is such a sweet book!
This book about pajama parties recalls wonderful childhood experiences sharing secrets and staying up late with my girl friends.My daughter is enjoying these experiences herself now.She gave this book to her sixfriends at her pj party, as party favors.And they all tried their best tostay up all night, (but didn't make it) just like in the book. ... Read more

Book Description

As discreetly as possible I pressed my right fist against my mouth and stuck my gum to the back of it, just in case this was going to turn into a kissing-type thing. Even in my inexperience, I knew you are not supposed to have gum in your mouth while you kiss. Kevin led me quickly around the side of the building, then stopped. I managed not to crash into him. I tried to look calm, cool, unperturbed. I told myself not to laugh, especially not a snorting kind of laugh. "Wha ... what did ... " And then he kissed me.

If We Kiss is the story of Charlotte (Charlie to her friends), who finds herself falling for a boy who is off-limits. Her best friend is in love with him, and her mother and his father are dating. Still, Charlie can't help but wonder, what would happen if we kiss?

Reviews (2)

Funny and cute
The plot isn't highly original. Boy kisses girl. Girl gets crush on boy. Girl wonders about boy's feelings. Ah, the stuff of girly teenage fiction.

Even so, I liked this book for many reasons. First off, the narrator Charlie is pretty darn funny. Her observations about romance, friendship and kissing are naive, but wise. I think most girls will be able to relate to her obsession, confusion and mortification over one kiss with a boy who is supposedly "off-limits".

But while kissing may be the novel's major plot point, it isn't it's most interesting. Charlie's mother, who begins dating Kevin's father, sparks interesting conflict. I liked how Vail handled the subject of parents remarrying. I also liked Charlie's mother's ideas on love and passion; they add depth and realism to what might otherwise be a somewhat superficial story.

Bottom line: A funny book that girls will enjoy and relate to. Perfect non-required reading.

Buy this Book!
I absolutely loved If We Kiss.I was laughing out loud by page 3. Charlotte aka Charlie finally gets her first kiss from Kevin and gets caught by Mr. "Hair-Man".Embarrassed, Charlie decides not to tell anyone about this, not even her best friend Tess.However, things get sticky when Tess and Kevin become a couple.And even worse when her mom and Kevin's dad start dating. Now Charlie is lying to everyone, especially herself. She's afraid to reveal her true feelings for Kevin.But what happens when he seems to feel the same way about her?

I couldn't put the book down. Vail is a fantastic author who definitely knows how to capture teen angst.This was fun fast read that teens will love and some adults will too.If you like books like `The Princess Diaries' or `Who's Your Daddy', you'll love this book.I will definitely be reading more of Rachel Vail's books in the future.
... Read more