Book Description

Where are Baby's hands?
Under the bubbles!

Where are baby's eyes?
Under her hat!

Karen Katz's adorable babies play peekaboo in this delightful interactive book. The sturdy format and easy-to-lift flaps are perfect for parents and children to share. ... Read more

Reviews (64)

This adorable interactive book teaches body parts and more!
Every once in a while, I come across a book that appeals to the adult in me, because it's educational, artistic, amusing or perhaps all of the above, but what fascinates me is when my son discovers the real value in a work, and teaches me a thing or two along the way. To adults "Where is the Baby's Belly Button" written and illustrated by Karen Katz appears to be a simple 14-page book that teaches body parts, but to children it's much more.

This nifty little board book is essentially a peek-a-boo book with flaps. It measures approximately 8 ¼" x 7 ½" x ½ ", and is constructed of cardboard with heavy card stock for the flaps. The images are simply illustrated, yet brightly colored with creatively contrasted backgrounds that produce interest. The text appears on the left side of the book with bold, solid colored backdrops that emphasis the large black printing, and compliment the illustrations on the opposing page. The writing consists of short, four or five word sentences, such as, "Where are baby's eyes?" The reader lifts the flap and it says, "Under the hat." The picture shows a baby hiding under a hat, and when the flap is lifted the baby's face is revealed. She is pointing to her eyes.

"Where is the Baby's Belly Button" has been one of my son's most requested books for a year now; he's nearly two-years old. He lovingly refers to this book as the "baby" book, and he has taught me that he has learned where his eyes, mouth, belly button, feet, and hands are, in addition to understanding the meaning of the words, hat, cup, shirt, cat, bubbles and WHERE. The question, "Where?" comes out of his mouth probably 20 or 30 times everyday, and I am certain it's because of this book. I wish the flaps were made of a heavier card stock as they have become creased over time, which is expected with use, but also preventable with a heavier stock. This book has been a huge hit, and one I haven't gotten tired of reading over and over again. I recommend this book for one-year olds and up as the interactive feature, (lifting of the flaps) is too advanced for younger babies, however an infant would probably find the images fascinating all the same.

Great fun for baby and parents!
This is a nice sturdy book with colorful drawings of babies with some part of their body hidden. Each page asks, "Where is baby's ...?" Toddlers delight in lifting the flaps to find the hidden pictures. The pictures are bright and cute with eye-catching fabric and wallpaper patterns. A very attractive book, and perfect for that stage when toddlers become fascinated with their belly buttons! My 17 month old has really enjoyed this book. It can be very helpful in getting kids to name body parts, and it's fun for both the baby and the parents to read. Highly recommended.

Keep book out of baby's reach
My 16 mo old daughter has loved this book since she was 12 mo., but I have to keep it out of her reach . She loves to lift the flaps but has now been tearing the flaps off when she reads the book on her own. She is only allowed to read it in my lap where I can stop her from ripping the flap off.

Best book
This was one of the first books given to our son. We loved the cute pictures and wording of the book. Our son is now 15 months old and still loves to find the different things on the baby. He especially likes Where are baby's hands....under the bubbles...maybe it is the way I change my voice when reading to him. This is a must have...along with all the other books by Karen Katz

great
My 8 month old daughter laughs everytime we read this book. I bring it with us when we go out - I know that it will make her happy! ... Read more

Book Description

Is Mommy behind the chair?

Is Mommy behind the plant?

Join baby as he plays hide-and-seek with Mommy. The sturdy format and easy-to-lift flaps in this delightful interactive book are perfect for parents and children to share. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

My daughter started crawling because of this book!
My 7 month old daughter loves this book so much that the first time ever she started crawling was to come sit near me while I read it to her! She always laughs and giggles whenever I take this book out and she comes over to sit next to me. Other books, don't hold her attention and she wanders off after a few pages! I definitely recommend it!

One of Katz's best!
I have had this book since my daughter was almost a yr old and we still read it now at 25 mos...she never tires of the bright colors, the big flaps that are easy to lift....at the beginning just lifting the flaps was exciting for her but now she is understanding the concepts and gets all excited at the end when the boy finds his Mommy...then she turns to me and says Mommy! and hugs me! : ) The book also teaches concepts like in, behind, under etc. and also teaches vocabulary (duck, tub, chair, table etc..)....It is a book that can grow with your child. I think it is one of her best.

Another favorite by Karen Katz
I started reading this to my daughter when she was about 7 months. Listening her language and reasoning develop with each passing month is just incredible. She went from knowing when to say "no" and "yes" (after revealing Mommy's hiding spots) to knowing where Mommy is hiding, and naming all the things that Baby encounters along the way. I had to buy a second one because the first one was used and chewed and the flaps were all torn off. (You could say she ate it up.) She's now 21 months and still loving this story.

Great Book
I bought this book for my daughter when she was 4 months. She has loved this book from the beginning. She is now 9 months old and gets excited when it is time to read this book. We have to read it 3 or 4 times in a row and sometimes that is not enough. Absolutely her favorite book.

Our son absolutely loves this book!
We received this book as a gift when our son was 4 months old and we have been reading this book to him ever since. He loves this book! He loves turning the pages and lifting the flaps. We have read this book so many times that I have had to glue the flaps back on several times. He is over 10 months old and this is still the book that he reaches for first. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (7)

Thinking outside the box
I got this book, along with 3 other Sloane & MacHale lateral thinking puzzle books for Christmas one year. At first it seemed like a sorry excuse for a gift, but as I read this one first, I found that it was a challenging endeavor of the mind. Lateral thinking, it seems, is taking a situation and finding a solution that is not the most obvious, but usually the most logical. That said, this is challenging to say the least. A good book for people who enjoy mind games.

Lateral doesn't mean implausible
There are some very clever puzzles in this book, and it is a lot of fun trying to rationalise a seemingly impossible situation. However, some of the puzzles have not an ingenious answer, but an implausible one. It works, but it makes no sense. The best way to back this up is to demonstrate. This is on of the easy puzzles taken from the very start of the book, so giving the answer away is no big deal (but stop reading if you don't want to know it):

One night during the Second World War, an allied bomber was on a mission over Germany. The plane was in perfect condition and everything on it worked properly. When it had reached its target, the pilot ordered the bomb doors opened. They opened. He then ordered the bombs released. They were released. But the bombs did not fall from the plane. Why should this be so?

Some clues are given, and the eventual answer is that the plane was flying upside-down. Now, lateral thinking it might be, but it makes no sense that a plane flying a mission during a war would order its bombs to be released over a target while it was flying upside down. A good puzzle encourages thinking, but anyone who seriously tries to answer that puzzle would discard the given answer as making no sense.

There are still some very clever puzzles to be found here, and the book is worth buying if you want a collection of lateral thinking puzzles, but beware that sometimes Sloane crosses the fine line between ingenious and implausible.

Review
I am a trainer at a teleservices agency. I have found this book to be full of puzzles that engergize my classes and make them think. It contains some really good puzzles that are not far fetched like some of the ones found on the internet. My only complaint is that it is rather short; there are not enough puzzles. If you are looking for a book with a lot of puzzles, pass on this one.

Great book
This book is an excellent resource for teachers. I have used it with my 6th graders often. It is the perfect thing to fill in an extra five or ten minutes and really boosts the students thinking skills.

Lateral To The Max
When I bought this book at a school book fair, I had kids begging me to swap with them, but I blatantly refused and I'm glad I refused because this book has served me hours of mind-boggling entertainment and it's time I got another one. ... Read more

Book Description

In Unbeatable Chess Lessons for Juniors, game master Robert M. Snyder takes games played by the world’s best players–including Bobby Fischer, Reuben Fine, Samuel Reshevsky–and creates lessons designed for rapid game improvement. Targeted at 8-13-year-olds, this book explains the ideas behind every move in a format that both the advanced beginner can understand and the intermediate player can greatly benefit from. As he did in his best-selling Chess for Juniors, Snyder provides clear step-by-step instruction in clear language. He applies the lessons learned by the greats to the games that every student plays. ... Read more

Reviews (28)

Great Instructiional Tool For Chess Trainers and Students!
As a chess teacher I find this book to present very high quality chess lessons by a quality chess instructor. This book's layout not only comes highly recommended for kids in the 9 to 16 year old age group, but provides a chess teacher with some wonderful lessons to provide to their own students.
What I especially like about this book is the wide range of ideas covered and using players of various playing abilities in these games.
The way the games are formatted into lessons, allows a student to gain and understanding of all aspects of the game.
Take Fischer's games against both Bryne and Shocron for example. The analysis and explanation in this book is far, far superior than that found in Fischer's own book, My Sixty Memorable Games. As a fairly highly rated player I carefully analyzed the differences in the analysis - and by golly, I cannot find a single analytical error in Unbeatable Chess Lessons For Juniors! OK, so the analysis is of very high quality. What is even more important is that important things such as "General Rules" are explained as applied to the games at many points. The student is challenged to find the best moves throughout the games.
This book is not for the absolute beginner. But anyone from advanced beginner to expert will learn a lot from this masterpiece of a work!

Important Concepts Covered
This is a Wonderful Book for an Intermediate Level Chess Player of any age. Following the idea of analyzing every single move to build lessons based on games used by the author in his private lessons. The author (a master) uses games played by himself (which, any teacher would understand best) and other very strong masters to cover a wide variety of openings and concepts.
What is especially instructive is showing the flow of things setting up interesting tactical and positional themes. This is better than just having a position asking "what is the best move"? The student is challenged in this book by asking what the best move is at different points of each game - you can see how the positions were reached with a clear explaination of what is going on.
A very strong point of this book is that it explains general rules, which apply to what is going on in the game. This is especially effective in providing quality instruction.
There is no arguing about the success of the menthods used in this book - the author has trained more national scholastic chess champions than any other coach in the country - 35!
The games within this book are not only instructive but having interesting ideas within thim.
A must buy for any interested player serious about improving their game!

Don't Be Fooled - Not Only For Kids!
This book's title reveals its target audience - kids who play chess and want to get better. However, I've been playing chess a long time and I know a lot of adult players who should read, re-read, and study this book. It contains a lot of chess wisdom for any chess player that is struggling to understand why he or she can't win at chess consistently. This book is nothing less than an outstanding achievement for author Robert M. Snyder who has devoted his life to helping not only juniors but chess lovers of all ages understand the game of ages!

I couldn't put this book down!
My son takes classes from the author who drives up to Cheyenne every summer. After a couple of years my son, who is now 12 got this book (the Author's second in what I was told is a 4 book serious in progress). Well I have actually combated my own kid for time to read this book! We both love the games, which provide a the next step after the author's first book, "Chess For Juniors".
The book gives a wonderful approach to learning all phases of the game from opening to some games that reach an endgame. My son plays in some tournaments and has won numerous trophies after reading this author's books.
Highly recommended!!!

Clear, Accurate, Well Balanced & Great Opening Coverage
I love this book! It is written in a clear, easy to understand language that most kids and teens will find at their level. My very first book was the author's CHESS FOR JUNIORS, which I found to be well organized and very easy to understand (with a fantastic since of humor!).
This book is far more serious than the author's CHESS FOR JUNIORS book. Though, it would be logical that students of a more advanced level don't require "entertainment" to hold their interest.
The book has fantastic opening coverage for a student in the 800 to 1500 rating range. The most important opening lines are covered with a move by move commentary on every move in every game. The author doesn't go into too much depth so as to lose the student in detailed variations (though going into detailed variations should be reserved for a follow-up book for the next step)- perfect for the range of students this book is aimed at.
The book only has 3 endgames in it. Though these endgames will prove to be instructive and tie into the rest of the game.
The majority of the 24 games covered contain interesting and instructive tactical ideas and show how to build an attack, and what should be done to defend (also important!).
One thing that makes this book unique (setting it a notch above both Nunn's and Chernev's books which use a comment on every move)is the wide range of players. It covers top notch world class players and games against strong amateurs - which allows the author to show how to punish moves made by weaker players as well (important, since lower rated players usually play against other lower rated players in tournaments!).
The author has a unique insight into the mind of the player/student (I read about this in some of the other reviews here and feel I must say I do indeed agree with that!). The typical questions that pop-up in the students mind seem to constantly be touched on throught the 24 lessons. Based on the success and experience of the author when training his personal students.
The one weakness of this book - it needs a follow-up book to cover more games and openings - perhaps for an even more advanced player who has completed this one! Really not a weakness - but a suggestion to the author and publisher: More! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Can you spy "a tortoise, a hare, a tea bag, a key/ a clock, and a flag on a house in a tree"? It's not easy--but readers of all ages will have a whole lot of fun trying. With more than a dozen I Spy picture books under their belts, including I Spy Gold Challenger, the award-winning photographer/riddler team of Walter Wick and Jean Marzollo are masters of their art form. And in Treasure Hunt, they've outdone themselves. Readers search for subtly hidden objects on every beautifully composed and photographed page. At first glance the setting seems like any other quaint seaside town. Take a second look and discover that it's in fact a very realistic model, with giant pencil erasers filling truck beds and gargantuan pennies nestled among the boulders of an island. The result is stunning, a surrealistic adventure.

Children will love to pursue the mystery of the pirate's hidden treasure, narrowing their search with every delightfully cluttered page. Looking for an additional challenge? Try the extra-credit riddles. For the inspired reader, Wick and Marzollo also include pages on how to create I Spy riddles and pictures. (Ages 3 to 8) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (12)

I love the pictures of miniature settings!
I picked this book out because of the beautiful photography and the clever way objects were inserted into miniature settings. The 12 pictures in I SPY TREASURE HUNT are beautiful and fascinating to pore over. Sometimes the photographs are a bit blurry or hazy, though, which made me wonder if I was missing something. I wasn't always sure what I was looking for. Or you only see a tiny part of the thing you're supposed to find. And the extra credit riddles need to be on a foldout page so you can refer to them without flipping back and forth. Still, it's a beautiful, clever book and a lot of fun.

These are wonderful books for all ages
I didn't pay much attention to the "I Spy" books until I bought one for my niece. I thought it was strictly a children's book, and I only bothered looking at it to make sure it contained nothing objectionable. Ten minutes later, *I* was hooked! So now I have several for my 3-year-old niece and several that I'm "holding" for her.

"Treasure Hunt" is my favorite "I Spy" because the pictures relate to each other and when followed tell a story. "Spooky Night" also does this. The rest just seem to contain pictures that follow the theme given in the title but don't relate to each other. The challenger books don't have original pictures; they use the pictures from the themed books and give them new, supposedly harder, riddles.

In my opinion, the earlier books are the easiest and the later books are quite a bit harder (and maybe more suitable for older "children").

I personally prefer the themed books to the challengers and the later books to the earlier, but I heartily recommend any, or even all, of the "I Spy" books.

Looking for the seashell?
Iv'e enjoyed the priceless moments with my children looking for hidden treasures in this book.

I Spy Treasure Hunt
We love the I Spy series of books. We own them all and our kids have never failed to find the object they're seaching for, until this book. Page 22 and 23. We cannot find the seashell. Oh sure, your imagination leads you to believe certain shapes, objects, lights, holes, etc. appear that they could pass as a seashell, but nothing is conclusive. We have written letters to Jean Marzollo, but no response. We found Walter Wick's website, but it says his schedule is too busy to respond to an email. Frankly, we don't think it exists. If you know, please type in a review. Thank you!!!

Want Hours of Fun Stimulation For Your Mind? Here It Is!!
I absolutely *adore* the I Spy picture riddle book series, and have a number of them in my personal library collection. I am 19 years of age, yet I don't find these books to be for "little kids only". This book is outstanding in its ability to ignite the brain power in people of ANY age. For that alone, I'd give it five stars! The pictures are whimsical and creative, the riddles fun and challenging even to the "older" crowd. A great read, and DEFINITELY one to place on your family's Christmas list! ... Read more

Book Description

Robert Snyder, national chess master and noted teacher, introduces this timeless game to the young beginner. Snyder teaches the basic principles and then builds on students' knowledge, giving clear instructions on how to choose and employ opening, middle, and endgame strategies to win. In twenty graduated lessons, with over 275 diagrams, Chess for Juniors covers:

-- Basic Rules

-- Check, Checkmate, and Castling

-- Opening Systems, including the Ruy Lopez, the Sicilian Defense, the Nimzo-Indian, the Queen's Indian Defense.

-- Basic Endgame Strategy

-- Tactics such as the Hanging Piece, the Fork, and the Pin

-- And more.

Robert M. Snyder's students have included the 1989 and 1990 national elementary and junior high school champions. He is the founder of the Chess for Juniors chess club in Garden Grove, California, the country's largest club for young people, and his school seminars have been attended by a total of over 50,000 students. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Best Introductory Chess Book Ever Written
I own over 1000 chess books and teach beginning chess classes for children.
This is my text book. After having examined over 20 other books that introduce chess to the beginning I can say with confidence that this book is far superior than any of the others.
CHESS FOR JUNIORS provides the most logical progression to introduce the rules and then basic strategy. A common fault with many other introductory books is that the author lacks experience in teaching things in the most logical order. CHESS FOR JUNIORS avoids those pitfalls. This Author has introduced chess to over 160,000 children (the world record).
CHESS FOR JUNIORS provides a clarity beyond any other book in making the material easy to understand. An average 4th grade student doesn't need to have a parent read the book to them and explain things. So many other books have wonderful pictures and diagrams that catch the eye while you are in the bookstore. However, these other books require an adult reader. CHESS FOR JUNIORS is at the right level for kids, and adults will love to learn from it as well!
CHESS FOR JUNIORS is well balanced covering in lessons that build on each other. Once students are introduced to the basic rules they learn the ideas behind the openings, are given a basic system to start with, learn the most important tactical concepts (forks, pins, mates, etc...) and the most basic endgames are covered.
ALL THIS IN ONE BOOK that is reasoably well condenced. My research has revealed that this is the best selling chess book in the United States and one of the most popular text books used by school chess programs.
If you are looking for a first (or maybe even second) chess book as a parent for you or your child, or if you are a teacher in need of the best text book for running a chess class this book is what you are looking for.

My favorite beginner's book
This was my first chess book that I got a couple of years ago when I was in [school]. After reading it I greatly improved my game and was able to go on to advanced books.
The book has 20 lessons. Lessons are on rules, and the different parts of strategy like openings, end games, problems with checkmates and winning pieces. Each lesson gets more advanced and builds on the earler lessons.
The book as great sayings and stories that makes it fun to read. Also, it is a very easy book for a kid to understand. The other kids in our school chess club (...) really like it too.
I have not seen any chess book written as well as this one.

Best Seller For a Reason
This book is a best seller for a good reason. It contains lessons formatted based on many, many years by the author who has taught chess to over 160,000 children and 35 of them have won the National Championships.
The book contains 20 lessons. The lessons build on one another starting with the basic rules (explained in the clearest language I have seen anywhere - a 7 year old can understand it). Humor is used to enhance children's interest - not pictures but words! "A Knight on the rim is dim, its chances are very slim". And, many funny stories, relating to the lesson at hand.
A nice introduction to the opening, endgames and tactics is provided giving the beginner a well balanced introduction. This is indeed the best introductory book (and great for the advanced beginner too!) - look no further - BUY IT!

Easy to Understand & Up to date
I got this and the author's "Unbeatable Chess Lessons for Juniors" for my 11 year old son. I was at first concerned that "Chess For Juniors" might have been too basic since my son had already been introduced to the basics. I found "Chess For Juniors" to start off at the very beginning (assuming no knowledge of chess), however, it wasn't before long that the author was providing my son (and I!) with new material that we never new existed. In other words the book takes you up to Intermediate Level from the very beginning and makes sure that you have a SOLID FOUNDATION before continuing on to more advanced chess books.
The book has twenty lessons. Each lesson progresses and adds on the the previous lessons. All important parts of the game are covered. It starts off with basic rules but soon you are learning openings, endgames and tactics. The writing is clear and easy to understand. The author uses the right degree of humor for kids to make it fun.
The book is a total pleasure to read!

A Must for Any Chess Teacher or Beginning Student
As a chess teacher I have found this to be without any doubt the best first book for a student and the best book for any chess teacher who wants prepared lesson plans all set out for you!
Chess Teachers: If you want an outline for your lessons - see the table of contents of this book. If you want to know what is the proper order to cover things and want to miss nothing - then follow the lessons in this book!
Beginning Students: If you want to learn chess in the most logical format that has ever been put in print follow the lessons in this book. It will make learning the basics easy!
I have already heard that this book is the top selling chess book in the United States. It is widely used by school programs around the country as the text book for students and guide for the teachers. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

My baby loves these!
My baby loves his cards. We use them many times throughout the day. They are usually all over the place as he uses them to communicate with us as well (we saw fish at the aquarium and he pulled out all the fish cards). I wish we had purchased these sooner. My son is 12 months old but would have enjoyed these months ago. They are especially interesting if you have the accompanying DVD's.

We use these cards almost everyday.
I love that the cards are made of heavy paper and the pictures are very colorful. We own the whole series and use them almost everyday. The one thing that I did notice is that we seemed to lose them after they would get thrown everywhere. I solved this problem by single hole punching them and then using a binder ring to hold them all together. Now my son and I can just flip through the pictures.

The pictures are brilliant!
I love these cards! The pictures are great and the information on the back is wonderful. I only wish that the author had put the names of the animals in different languages as she did on the Language Discovery Cards. One small point, I am not sure why she has some broad category animals, such as "dog" and then more specific ones, such as a particular type of fish. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Hard To Follow
I found this book hard to follow. The author put a lot of effort into trying to make this an easy book. There are 79 hand pictures of the basic hand claps with the movements described in words, but I just can't get it. Music notes are included for each rhyme. I wish the author would have included rhythym as well. I have yet to use it with my students.

High Five for Mary Mac'K
I am an elementary physical education teacher and I have thoroughly enjoyed using many of the hand clapping games in my classes. The students love the hand motions along with reciting the rhymes. This is great practice for coordination and rhythm. I would recommend this book for any educator looking for fun and exciting ways to engage students in hands on learnning. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great fun, and educational, except for an occasional error.
This game is exceptionally diverting for boring car trips and waiting time for medical appointments. The kindergarten game does seem more appropriate for 4 year olds rather than 5-6 year olds if the child has had a lot of exposure to letters, colors, shapes etc. There are a few dreadful lapses in accuracy, among the worst being the placement of a penguin next to an Eskimo and igloo. The Eskimo/igloo cliche is annoying, but the transposition of that poor little penguin from Antarctica is inexcusable. Our pre-schooler concluded the penguin must be just visiting.

educational and somewhat challenging in a fun format
My son has used the preschool version and the Kindergarten version and loves both of them. It is a wonderful quiet activity to do together and portable enough to take on the road to the doctor's office or on a car trip. The questions are age appropriate and teach well. The characters are cute and engaging. A wonderful gift for boys and girls. My son learned a lot from these cards, and we had a great time together. He would also look through them by himself too. I would recommend these to anyone. ... Read more

Reviews (41)

Pokemon Book Phenomenon
A great guide to everything you need to know about Tijiri's monsters! If you are into the fad and you gotta catch em' all I suggest reading the info on the Trainers and Elite Four. While you read this book don't read just one page because you "gotta read em'all"!

It has everything EXCEPT about 100 Pokemon!!!
The Official Pokemon Handbook is an excellent guide to Pokemon Red, Blue, and Yellow, but if you own Pokemon Gold, Silver, or Crystal, this book is absolutely no help at all. In the Togepi entry, they don't even list its number for crying out loud! Aside from that ... error, this book is nigh flawless. The descriptions are helpful, evolutionary data is critical, and the learned move lists help to determine how to raise your team. All in all, a good buy.
-Pokemon Obsessive

It's a wonderful book!
If you need to ever know what kind of Pokemon is that, when does it evolve, and things like that, buy this book. It's got over 100 pages of information in it so I think it's definately worth the price. Plus, it's got little reviews of Togepi and Mew that are fun to read and show off to your friends. I definately recommend this book to everyone who's a Pokemon fan.

A great book!!
I love this book!! If you want to brush up on your Pokemon skills, or you want to read it to tell your mom that you've read a book tonight this has great reading value. It's a good book that should be made into a sorta sequel so that all of the Pokemon discovered are in one book!!

Excellant, informative and funny -- wish #4 was as good
The Official Pokemon Handbook was more than I could have hoped for. It not only contained descriptions of the Original 150 Pokemon plus Mew and Togepi, as well as their moves and what level or how they evolved (if they did). Handbook #4, however, merely contained the name of the Pokemon, what moves they had, and how big they were -- it was complete, describing only the new Pokemon in Ruby and Sapphire but not including the old ones who stayed on the the current versions. #4 is only available for distribution through the school market. ... Read more

Amazon.com

"This book is not a book about a toy. It is a book about an idea, a set of values, and a long-term commitment to empowering children to use their creativity and build their imagination."

The visual wizards at Dorling Kindersley have labored together with the staff at Lego to assemble a hefty, photo-rich book essential to the library of any maniac (or maniac emeritus). The Ultimate Lego Book recounts the company's early history as a one-man operation back in the 1930s and subsequent creation of its first plastic "automatic binding brick," to the contemporary construction of myriad Legoland theme parks.

Trivia buffs will appreciate the playful but detailed graphic time line (first Lego window, 1957; first wheel, 1962; first dolphin, 1995). Everyone will love the pages of imagination-stretching constructions, from the small but clever (an unmistakable Elvis, complete with pompadour) to the overwhelmingly detailed (a meticulous model of Grand Central Station) to the downright strange (a life-size space helmet with visor and gas mask). The Lego universe includes a Mona Lisa replica, a 10,500-piece pelican, and even a yellow submarine. Enjoy! (Ages 6 to 106) --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Reviews (19)

LEGO is the best toy ever!
I must admit, I don't own this book. I haven't read all of it either. It's my little brothers, he's read most of it. When I was somewhere around 2 (that was almost 13 years ago) my uncles bought me a a bunch of huge containers of LEGO bricks. I have been endlessly amused by the stuff ever since (for the record, I'm the only girl my age I know of who still likes to build with it). Anyway, I was flipping through this book soon after my brother got it thinking "Hey! This is pretty cool!" Believe it or not I really didn't think there were people who's job it was to make huge LEGO models out of any peices they want. This is one of the many interesting things I picked up just from leafing through it in abouit five minutes. On top of that the pictures are great. So, if you like LEGO at all or know someone who does you should pick it up. It's got tons of stuff any LEGO maniac would find fascinating.

P-r-e-t-t-y Amazing
My brothers and I spend hours playing with LEGO as children. I remember the LEGO people ended up out in the sand box and who knows what ever happened to all those LEGO pieces that were "very" painful to step on by accident!

Anyway, this book shows some amazing things you can build with LEGO. We are talking the Empire State Building and the Sydney Opera House. Now you can even play with LEGO while wearing LEGO brand clothing.

"This book is not about a toy. It is a book about an idea, a set of values, and a long-term commitment to empowering children to use their creativity and build their imagination. "
-Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen

This book documents the story of LEGO and tells how a master carpenter in a small town of Billund, in Jutland, Denmark started making wooden toys. It then shows the evolution of the LEGO bricks through the years.

One of the most intricate constructions is a model of Grand Central Station. It contains 600,000 bricks and took four model makers six months to build.

The LEGO brick art is pretty amazing. They even have the Mona Lisa in a LEGO frame.

Captivating!

Great Book!
This book had great details about all the Lego sites and the history of Lego, but it didn't really refer to exactly how things were made or whether they were still there. Since I have never been to a Lego site it's a great way to beg my mom to let me go!
Read this book!

Great for Kids and Adults...
We purchased this book for my oldest son (10) for X-mas. He really enjoyed looking at the pictures and seeing how Lego engineers their different lands and how they make different pieces.

As an adult it brought back fond memories of childhood with the time lines and examples of how and when different lego pieces came to be.

We enjoyed sitting down with our kids and paging through this large volume. We hope you do too!!!

the little block that could...
I bought this book for a 4 year old Lego nut. He hasn't put it down in about 2 years and has given him tons of building ideas. He has been a Lego enthusiast since 2 years old and couldn't even believe that people actually played with lego and got paid for it. This is a great book for little and big block builders. he loved the mindstorms part also. Lego-it's not just for kids anymore. ... Read more

Amazon.com

When Judy and Peter find a board game in the park, they take it home, hoping to alleviate their boredom. One live lion, an erupting volcano, and a dozen destructive monkeys later, the children are no longer bored. Their jungle adventure game has come to life! Chris Van Allsburg is a master at walking the line between fantasy and reality. His unusually sculptured drawings (familiar to the many devoted fans of the Caldecott-winning The Polar Express and The Garden of Abdul Gasazi) convey the magical transition of a normal house to an exotic jungle. Readers will tremble along with Judy and Peter, urging them to roll the dice that will plunge them from one perilous predicament into another. Jumanji, a New York Times Best Illustrated Book and winner of the 1982 Caldecott Medal, is sure to amaze and thrill even the most jaded young reader. (Ages 9 to 12) ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Jumanji
Have there ever been monkeys jumping around in your kitchen, or a lion destroying your bedroom, with a huge volcano irrupting in your house? Was there ever a large stampede of rhinos running crazy in your living room? Well that is what happens to Judy and Peter in the sensational book, Jamanji. When they were both left home alone, Judy and Peter got really bored. They decide to take a stroll in the park. On their way to the park, they discover a game named "Jamanji" sitting under a tree. They take it home and immediately start to play. All of the sudden, the creatures from the game came to life, in their very own house! How will Peter and Judy get this jungle cleaned up before their parents come home? Will they clean up in time? This book is a great mystery for kids' ages 4 to12. It has a great plot and brings wonderful excitement to the reader. Each topic makes you eager to read more and find out the result of the mystery.

LIONS, MONKEYS, AND, RHINOS, OH MY!
In Jumangi, Chris Van Allsburg details the story of Peter and Judy's afternoon. Through his words and pictures, he describes their eventful afternoon. On a boring afternoon, these two siblings are left alone. Before their parents leave, the two children are warned not to disorganize the house. However, once the children find an interesting board game, their once boring and uneventful afternoon becomes full of action and a bit of chaos. In this picture book, the author, who is also the illustrator uses black and white illustrations that are full of depth. Through his descriptive words and pictures, one can clearly witness the children's afternoon. The simple, yet detailed illustrations add to the characters, sets the setting, and mood. Jumanji's award winning illustrations are unique and add to the concept of fantasy in the book. Many children will enjoy this story or anyone who has experienced a boring afternoon or played an imaginative board game. The book may be slightly scary for younger children, but will encompass the attention of older readers. This book takes the reader along with the children on a wonderful adventure. JUMANJI!

Jungle fever
Chris Van Allsburg used to be my favorite picture book artist, and in many ways he remains so to this day. And it's books like, "Jumanji" that remind me why I love his work as strongly as I do. For some reason, Van Allsburg's picture books are so popular and so evocative that they are continually adapted into full screen motion pictures. "Polar Express" has just been turned into a computer animated extravaganza, and "Jumanji" was a Robin Williams vehicle once. Just the same, nothing compares to the original tale. Using his uber-realistic illustrations to highlight how incredibly bizarre the storyline is, this book is fully worthy of the 1982 Caldecott Medal it was awarded.

Peter and Judy have been left home alone by their opera going parents and boy are they boredy bored bored. After playing with their toys and making a mess they decide to take a run to the park. Once there, they discover an abandoned board game called Jumanji sitting beneath a tree. On a note taped to the bottom of the box read the words, "Free game, fun for some but not for all. P.S. Read instructions carefully". The kids don't know what to expect but they take the game with them anyway. After reading the instructions they find that once a person begins Jumanji they cannot stop until someone has won the game. The first roll of the die leads to a space that reads, "Lion attacks, move back two spaces". Suddenly there's a real live lion in the room, and it's regarding Peter hungrily. The kids realize, to their horror, that whatever happens on the board happens in real life. If they want to finish the game (and remain alive) they're going to have to continue.

The book really plays on the old idea of "when the parents are out the kids will get up to all kinds of unwitting mischief". There's a lot in this story that's similar to "The Cat in the Hat". Two bored kids. The magical entity that destroys their home but (undeniably) occupies their time. Getting everything cleaned up before mom and dad walk in the door. You get the idea. The story is surreal and skirts the edges of the disturbing. With illustrations created with Conte dust and Conte pencils, Van Allsburg makes the pictures especially realistic. You can make out every strand on Peter's head or observe the rubber bands holding together Judy's braids. As a child, I was always fascinated with realistic images of fantastical situations. Van Allsburg fits this bill perfectly.

"Jumanji" was later given a sequel of sorts entitled, "Zathura". I haven't read it myself, but I think my loyalties will always lie with the original. There's something about Van Allsburg's clean lines and startled expressions that really chill the reader to the bone. If you have a child that likes to be ever so slightly freaked out from time to time, I can't think of any picture book artist that does a better job of this than the master of the pencil drawing: Chris Van Allsburg. And "Jumanji" is his masterpiece.

Scary
I am a Van Allsburg fan but this book, though very good, is not one of my favorites. Some young children may be frightened by the illustrations. It is a good was to expose children to the fantasy genre if you feel they will not be upset by the illustrations or plot. (...)

Jumanji
I am a student of West Virginia State College, currently taking a class on Children's Literature. Mr. Samples (A Wonderful Teacher) has instructed us to review a Caldecott winner and write our thoughts on it. I read this book after seeing the movie and, of course, it is quite different. I thoroughly enjoyed this book because of the differences and its speedy nature. I believe that children of various ages would enjoy this book because of the quick adventure and excellent illustrations. I would recommend this book to anyone for a classic family reading time, classroom reading, or bedtime story! ... Read more

Book Description

A full-color book of car-appropriate activities, plus a 100-page write-right-in-it game pad, and a vinyl pouch full of everything you need to do everything described. The only backseat survival kit endorsed by the Save the Parents' Sanity Foundation. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Don't leave home without it!
I can't speak highly enough of this book. We got one for each of our daughters for a 15-hour car trip and they were completely entertained. There was something for everyone in this book, and we were surprised to see license plates for almost all 50 states (and some for Canada) on our journey from PA to FL. The variety of activities kept our 9-year-old and 11-year-old busy (and quiet) with plenty of activities left for future trips. Worth every cent!

Interesting and Fun
I bought this for my 10 and 13 year old daughters. It kept their interest by providing lots of fun activities - even at their age!

21 and I still use it
I got this many years ago, and used it a lot. Somewhere in between now and then I lost it. I was going a trip that would require me sitting on an airplane and in the airport for a grand total of 11 hours. I bought this book. It not only kept me, but the 11 other college agepeople I was with entertained. We read each others palms and I was busy on the red-eye and not bothering people, quit the big feat for me. In addition a friend and I went on a week long car trip. We palyed many of the car games, found 42 state liscense plates (and 3 provinces), it kept us from attacking each other after four days in a car. I totally recomend this for anyone going on a trip of any length, regardless of the age.

Not just for travelling, but a boredom survival kit
This book has a lot of games and fun things to do. They have so many things in one book, one hour seems to fly by to one minute. It has great techniques on how to wrap hair, and to make easy bracelets. It also has fun hand games that my brother and I like to play.

Great for long car rides
My 8-year-old daughter used this book on a recent 12-hour car trip. She became obsessed with finding license plates and marking them off in the book. When we returned home she brought the book to school for "share time" to show her class how many license plates she spotted (over 30). The activity pad also kept her very occupied. ... Read more

Book Description

From its rickety gate to its cobwebbed attic, this haunted house contains 13 spooky environments. Readers will marvel at Walter Wick's beautifully executed photographs as they travel through each enchanting scene and solve the rhyming riddles, reading the story along the way. Over two million "I Spy" books have been sold to date. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

A wonderful excursion into a world of details.
This is much more than just a children's book (although I'm sure it delights kids.) Amazingly detailed and photographed scenes draw you through a series a pictures detailing a journey through a spooky house. Along the way you search for items in the pictures, but it's much more than a simple find-the-hidden-objects puzzle because the scenes are filled with dozens of weird things that you aren't even asked to find. This book is great fun with friends of all ages!

great halloween table book
i liked it so much... i bought 5-6 and gave them as gifts..... then i found they had a christmas book...... then the little books for baby's.... can't wait for the little baby christmas and numbers..... i have spent so much on marzollo & wick books.... i should buy stock

Creepy
When I tried to donate this book to a local library, the children screamed. No way were they going to give up their spooky looking book, with lots of riddle limmericks and hunt-and-find fun to keep them busy into the wee hours. Betcha can't find all the candles and cobwebs, spiders and witches' brew in this year-round Halloween gem. Alyssa A. Lappen

Where is the Striped Cat?
My family loves this book and we all participate. However, we were stuck on the last page. Where is the Striped Cat?

A spooky story book from beginning to end
This book is well worth the money, even after you find all of the listed items on each page. You realize there is more to this book... everything is tied into each other. It is an adventure to figure out what the rebus clue leads you to in the end. My grandson and I really spent alot of quality time together on this book, and he still loves to pick it up and do it all again. ... Read more

Book Description

A lifelong love of art is one of the greatest gifts an adult can bestow on a child-and no period of art is better loved or more available to children than Impressionism. Monet and the Impressionists for Kids invites children to delight in Cassatt's mothers and children, Renoir's dancing couples, and Gaugin's island scenes; 21 activities explore Monet's quick shimmering brush strokes, Cezanne's brilliant rectangles of color, Seurat's pointillism, and Degas's sculpture-like circles of dancers. Kids will learn how the artists' friendships sustained them through repeated rejection by the Parisian art world, and how they lived, painted, and thrilled to the vibrant life of Paris at the approach of the 20th century. A resource section guides readers to important museums and Web sites around the world. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A superb art activity book about the Impressionists for kids
The invention of photograph had a profound impact on painting. At the start of the 19th-century the goal of painting was realism, but with a camera that became a moot point. Eventually the art world decided the only rational thing to do was to go in the opposite direction and to find an alternative to reality. The Impressionists represent the first successful movement by paintings to capture the public imagination with "non-realistic" art. "Monet and the Impressionists for Kids" not only introduces young readers to Impressionism but also follows up with 21 activities that will allow them to try their hand at painting. These activities are what makes Carol Sabbeth's book stand out from others on the Impressionists in general and Claude Monet in particular, because it is pretty much impossible to be exposed to these paintings and not want to try to do it yourself.

The book is divided into two halves. Part I: The Impressionists introduces readers to "A New Way of Looking at the World" and then devotes sections to the life and art of Claude Monet, Pierre Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, and Mary Cassatt. Monet is clearly the star of the book (he certainly defines Impressionism for me), and there are five activities devoted to his section. Part II: The Post-Impressionists looks at the painters Paul Cezanne, Paul Gauguin, and Georges Surat, with a final section devoted to "Lasting Impressions."

Sabbeth provides a concise biography for each of the artists, with reproductions of their most famous and important works, along with an Art Detective section that tells you how to spot their work in terms of distinguishing characteristics. Most of the activities are specifically tied to the paintings. Off of Monet's "Regattas at Argenteuil" we learn about Painting Reflections; from the cloisonnism of Gauguin we experiment by making a Cup of Gauguin. These activities explore the uniqueness of these painters, from Cezanne's brilliant rectangles of color to the sculpture-like circles of dancers by Degas. Some of these activities are truly creative, such as constructing your own little Monet haystack to appreciate the colors and light at different times of day. I especially liked the one for Seurat Sugar Cookies, where you make your cookies sugar-sprinkled masterpieces using the artist's pointillist technique.

I totally agree with the premise of this book, that there is no art form more appealing to children than Impressionism. If you are not a "real" Art Teacher (a distinct possibility in the wonderful new world of educational budget cuts) you will find "Monet and the Impressionists for Kids" both informative and instructional. Not only can you introduce children to the ballet dancers of Degas and the island scenes of Gauguin, but you can also find several activities for your students to do in class or at home. This is a very enjoyable and practical look at the great Impressionist painters. This book is for ages 9 and up, which is great because I qualify as being up.

monet and the impressionists for kids
This is a wonderful book with great ideas to do with kids so that they can get an understanding of the arts through hands on experiences.

As entertaining as it is educational.
Monet And The Impressionists For Kids is a book filled with 21 fun and educational activities to teach young people more about the classical painter Claude Monet and others in the grand and beautiful tradition of Impressionist art. Gorgeously illustrated in full color, Monet And The Impressionists For Kids features such activities as using colored construction paper to paint reflections, or painting the shimmering sky with watercolors. A wonderful biography and history, as well as a highly educational rainy-day fun book, Monet And The Impressionists For Kids is as entertaining as it is educational and highly recommended for home schooling and classroom curriculum supplementation. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

I Spy Books are fun
I spy books are fun to read. In i spy funhouse it is very good. They are very good at hideing things. I like all of the i spy books. They are all good books.

Entertaining Fun in your House
This is a funhouse book, It is worth a second look. Read it and you'll see, It does splendidly.

Kids love it, Moms love it, Neither throw a fit, And gladly they will sit, To read this book a bit.

The pictures are great! Can YOU find its mate? ... Read more

Book Description

School's open for I Spy fans, with a fun learning activity on every page. Readers will find a blackboard scene with brainteasers to solve, a classification puzzle to ponder, a nature scene to explore, and much, much more! ... Read more

Reviews (12)

A lot of fun!
My ten year old son introduced me to this fun little book (OK, It's big, but thin.), which he has been looking at for several years now. It has fourteen, two-page sized pictures of a collection of odds and ends connected with school. At the bottom of each of them is a list of things that you can look for (sort of like, Where is Waldo). But, read through to the end, there is a riddle about someone you'll find in each of the pictures.

This is a fun book. It challenges the young reader to concentrate on what is actually on the page, and pick out certain select items. I like that my son reads it for fun, even as the book is teaching him to concentrate and search systematically. He loves this book, and so do I. We both highly recommend this book to you.

I SPY SCHOOL DAYS IS SO FUN
I love this so much because it's fun, it's awesome, and now I want all the I Spy books. The I spy school days book rules. The coolest part was where all the toys were. This review was dictated to me by my 7 yr. old son.

Great Books
This is great! Also, in the "Be My Valentine" page, there's one that you should look for- a queen. It took me hours! Recommended.

Incredibly well done
Children of all ages (adults too!) will find something to enjoy in these pages -- the young ones just looking at the absorbing pictures and the older ones searching for the myriad of items hidden within each scene.

The scenes are each a two page photograph filled with many objects that revolve around a certain theme, from the alphabet to a town of blocks to a wooden marble machine that actually works (see the last pages for a note on this). At the bottom of each scene is a riddle to tell the searcher what he or she is looking for and to provide clues. Some of the objects are easy to find, some are impossibly difficult!

And for those of you who reach the end of the book and wish it wasn't over ... it doesn't have to be. There are additional riddles on the last pages so you can enjoy the pictures all over again.

Highly recommended.

Parent's best friend for a long trip
This book is as exciting for kids as it is for parents. I bought our first I Spy book for a long (17 hrs) plane flight with my 3.5 year old and it really did the job of entertaining him enough. Without it the trip could have been a nightmare. I recommend it to anyone who needs to keep a child entertained and occupied for a longer period of time.

Each page is a picture if multiple little objects. Under the picture there are several riddles, and kids can spend quite a lot of time looking for the objects. But parents can make addititional riddles--so many objects are hidden or not obvious. And they can have fun too.

The artwork is beautiful and sharp. While older kids can learn to be more observant, younger ones can enhance their vocabulary by learning the name of the objects (with an adult's help , of course). ... Read more

Book Description

From one of the world's premier practitioners of classic magic, with years of experience instructing younger readers in the magical arts, comes this new revision of his complete guide to learning and performing fantastic feats of prestidigitation. Acclaimed by the Los Angeles Times as "the text that...young magicians swear by," it's full of step-by-step instructions. More than 2,000 illustrations provide the know-how behind 300 techniques, from basic card tricks to advanced levitation, along with advice on planning and staging a professional-quality magic show. ... Read more

Reviews (31)

A excellent magic book