Amazon.com

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

Reviews (55)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reviews (2)

Nice book, but not a favorite...
Pictures are rudimentary - well, just not so great, let's say and the wording could have been more pleasing to the ear.Nothing for readers/listeners - especially very young ones - to catch on to!

Beautiful, large pictures and simple text.
This book was the only one my daughter wanted me to read to her formonths, even when she was under one.I would just recite the simple textof the book and it would make her smile.The book is great because of thelarge colorful pictures of adorable animals andthe unclutteredpages areeasy for a toddler to focus on.Be prepared to read it over and over! ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (7)

Lovin' Peekaboo
I took a chance and bought this- for far more- at a book store for my daughter who was 4 months old at the time. I couldn't believe how much she loved it and loves it still at 7 months. Rubbing the furry animals inside is her favorite part. I find myself getting into the book as well by making the sounds the animal would make. A good deal, price wise, too. The book store was almost double the cost! I plan to buy more of his books soon.

Good Bedtime Reading
My five month old is just learning the concept of peekaboo, and this book gives us both smiles each evening. The large font is good too.

Great for textures & teaching concept of object permanence
My 10 month old is in LOVE with this book. She squeals with delight when she touches the various animal's fur. Its a great way to introduce various textures, colors and animals. The other reason I bought it was b/c she was going through separation anxiety and playing peekaboo as well as reading peekaboo books has really helped her begin to feel less anxious about not always being able to see me.

Book Involves Sight, Sound and Touch.
"Peekaboo Kisses" by Barney Saltzberg.

Recently, I gave this book to my granddaughter, Tabitha, (22 months), who was obviously delighted. Each page brings up a different animal: kitten, puppy, sheep, duckling and then a mouse. As you say the words, "Peekaboo!", you open the flap of a page and there is the animal. Each animal has a tiny hole with the appropriate material: the "wool" for the sheep actually looks like some wool. The gray "fur" for the mouse, the last animal, is also a squeaker. An adult finger can cause the "Squeak!" every time, but Tabitha's little fingers had difficulty now and then.

Finally, you come to the last page. As it is opened (with the word, "Peekaboo!", of course), there is a metallic mirror where the young reader can recognize himself. When asked, "Who is that in the book?", my granddaughter would answer with her nickname, "Tabby". So, this book is excellent for both tactile training and self-recognition, while providing entertainment for both adult and child.

My son loves this book!
I bought this book for my son when he was 10 months old. He is now 16 months and still loves it. It's so tattered and torn that we had to buy him a new one. It't definitly a book you'll read over and over and over. ... Read more

Book Description

This lyrical romp through the orchestra begins with animal musicians slowly gathering for the evening performance. Poetic descriptions suggest the sounds of the instruments, and lively watercolor illustrations capture the playful essence of each musician and musical instrument. “It’s a smashing introduction to classical music, and a must prior to a first visit to the symphony.”--Publishers Weekly ... Read more

Reviews (5)

unfortunate grammar
I am a music teacher and at first reading I was very impressed until I reached the page where the book stated that the musicians were "coming on the stage" instead of "coming onto the stage". This error is grave enough that I decided not to buy multiple copies as student incentives. Defacing books is generally a bad idea, but I plan to cross out and write over the offending error before giving it to my nephew.

Instruments Galore.....
Meet the orchestra and all the fabulous instruments that come together to make such wonderful sounds, from the strings that are bowed or plucked, to the woodwinds and brass instruments that you blow air into, to the percussion section where instruments are "beaten, banged, dinged, and pinged." Author Ann Hayes takes you on a marvelous and intriguing journey through the orchestra, describing each section, instrument, and sound in simple, engaging and evocative language. Youngsters will almost be able to hear the low notes of the string bass moan and groan, the sadness of saying good-bye to someone you love when the oboe is played, flags flying and soldiers marching with the notes of the trumpet, and the flash of lightning when the cymbals crash. Unfortunately, Karen Thompson's illustrations are not equal to the text and are a bit dull and uninspired as you see page after page of expressionless animals, dressed in concert garb, holding instruments. Perfect for preschoolers, Meet The Orchestra is a lovely and gentle, read aloud introduction to musical instruments and their sounds the whole family can share together, and should peak the interest of budding little musicians everywhere.

Great Introduction To Orchestral Instruments
My twin sons cherished this book from the time they were two years old. We have gone through six paperback copies (each insisted on having his own); my boys shared it with everyone they saw, and they even slept with it! They love the clever and colorful pictures, and the short verses describing each instrument capture each instruments' special sound and qualities better than any other children's book I have seen. I played my kids symphonic recordings and a videotape (Bernstein conducting Beethoven's 9th) along with this book, and at age three they could easily identify all of the instruments by sight and sound.

A great book for children who have high interest in music!
The book is a great way of introducing music and musical instruments to children.The illustrations are wonderful!The animals are precious. For someone who would like to honor a musician in some way,this book would be a great book to do so.

A fun book that introduces instruments to your child
My daughters really like this book. They love the different animals and instruments. I love the words and descriptions they use while talking about what each instrument does and sounds like. I only wish they had a cassette tape that went along with it to introduce the sounds of the instruments as well. ... Read more

Book Description

On a rainy day, Sylvester finds a magic pebble that can make wishes come true. But when a lion frightens him on his way home, Sylvester makes a wish that brings unexpected results.

How Sylvester is eventually reunited with his loving family and restored to his true self makes a story that is beautifully tender and filled with magic. Illustrated with William Steig's glowing pictures, this is a modern classic beloved by children everywhere.

Selected as one of the 100 Best Books of the Century by the National Education Association. ... Read more

Reviews (32)

If Wishes Were Things, Where Would We Be?
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble won the Caldecott Medal as the best illustrated children's story of 1970. The images stand out for their tender renditions of emotion in the faces and bodies of the animals in the illustrations. Nature is rendered in just as malleable a way to emphasize the changes going on in the story.

The story itself is a variation of the familiar theme of the grass being greener on the other side. In typical fashion, that fable theme is carried out here through many trials and tribulations that will help your child appreciate the joys of what otherwise would be consider humdrum. The strength of the story is the way the moral is made more explicit than in most other versions of this theme.

This book will never be forgotten by any child who reads it, and should be enjoyed by most children beginning around age 3. Fascination will tend to dull after age 6.

Sylvester Duncan (a donkey) lived with his parents. His favorite activity was to collect pebbles of unusual shapes and colors. One rainy Saturday during vacation, he was alone when he found a quite extraordinary one. It was "flaming red, shiny, and perfectly round, like a marble." Shivering in the rain, he wished that the sun would come out . . . and it did. The rain stopped so fast, "It CEASED." "It struck him that magic must be at work . . . ." He "guessed that the magic must be in the . . . pebble."

He then ran three tests. He started the rain, stopped it again, and got rid of a wart on his left hind fetlock.

Excited, he headed back home.

He ran into a lion. Startled, he made a wish without thinking. "I wish I were a rock." Well, he succeeded. The lion left.

The only trouble was, the pebble fell away from Sylvester. He could no longer hold it to make more wishes come true. He wished away, but still stayed a rock. It was a very dull occupation.

His parents were frantic, and started a massive search. Even the dogs could do no good because Sylvester smelled like a rock rather than himself. A year passed slowly.

Then through happenstance, the pebble touches Sylvester again. When he wished to be Sylvester again, he changed back in a twinkling!

The Duncan family was delighted to be reunited.

"Mr. Duncan put the magic pebble in an iron safe." "Some day they might want to use it, but really, for now, what more could they wish for?"

"They had all they wanted."

As you can see, this story is good for dealing with issues like your child's concerns about losing her or his parents, separation anxiety, the dangers of leaving home, and "magic" based fears. You can provide lots of encouraging reassurance as you read the story, explaining how your child's situation is much different from Sylvester's.

The illustrations pick up on the language in the story, so this book will be one of the easier books for you child to learn to read when he or she is around 5 or 6.

After you finish the story, I suggest that you ask your child what she or he would wish for if a magic pebble came along. Then talk about how one might obtain something just as good or better through your family's own efforts . . . without the benefit of magic. This can help your child appreciate the magic of mind and spirit within each of us to turn worthwhile wishes into reality. You can point out that this method has an advantage. It never turned anyone into a rock by accident!

Touch the magical imagination of your child to create a world of real potential for both of you!

A Classic for all Ages
William Steig's Sylvester and the Magic Pebble is one of the greatest picture books yet written. Steig is really the master of the genre.

The story is of Sylvester, who is accidentally turned into a rock by a magic pebble. This horrid situation causes Sylvester and his family to realize the true love they have shared and tosses them into total boredom with life. They have to find a way to get back to one another.

The book is so moving. The pictures are beautiful as is the prose. The story teaches the joy of love that families should share. It can also be read on an even deeper level as a metaphor for death and the redemptive power of love. Overall, this is an entertaining and brilliant book which can pack an enormous punch within its few pages.

A rock forever?
Sylvester the donkey collects rocks, and when he finds a special one, he adds it to his collection. While holding it , he wishes for the rain to stop, and it does. Finding that the pebble is magic, Sylvester hurries on his way to tell his parents. However, on the way home, he is confronted by a lion hungry for donkey for lunch. Remembering the magic pebble, Sylvester wishes to be a rock. Bad decision! With no way of holding the rock, Sylvester cannot change himself back to a donkey after the threat is gone. Will he be a rock forever?
Great story, Caldecott medal winner. Subtly teaches your kids that "things" aren't the important things in life, your family is. Short and enjoyable, this is one your kids won't ever want to part with and will pass on to their children.

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble is a meaningful story about a donkey named Sylvester Duncan. On a mysterious day, Sylvester found a magic pebble and realized that the special pebble would grant him any wish. Suddenly he sees a lion, and in a panick, out of all the things he could have wished for, he wished to turn into a rock. Meanwhile, Mr. and Mrs. Duncan were frantically worried, as Sylvester had not returned home. I enjoyed this story, as it makes the reader aware of the love and joy families should share, and to always be careful for what you wish for.

Lovely Book
I am a granma to 3 beautiful grandaughters and when my children where little my middle son's teacher read him this book at school he was so touched by it that when i saw an article on william steig and realised that it was the same author who has since written shrek i determined to purchase this wonderful book for my grandchildren who i must say have enjoyed it as much as my children did. A wonderful story teaches children that its not always pleasant to get what you wish for and sometimes its just nice to be grateful for what you've got. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Precious illustrations, laugh-out-loud story
This is an extremely short and easy read, but what a hoot. The illustrations are to die for. The artist really nailed it with the Wombat illustrations, and while wombats are adorable without the help of people, the illustrations really bring out the personality of this Australian native.

Behaving much like a spoiled dog, Wombat gets in all sorts of messes trying to get his new human neighbors to accommodate him. In a very subtle way, the book indicates that these are wild animals - no one pets the wombat... but food magically appears for him.

I literally laughed out loud while reading by myself. You could almost just reach right in the book and pinch the cheeks on that little fur ball.

Children (and adults) will love looking at the illustrations of the contented, sleeping wombat, as well as those that depict him as sometimes curious and innocently mischievious.

This is also a great way to introduce an animal that a lot of kids may never see (unless they live Down Under) in a zoo or even on TV, and a good way to open a discussion on how animals (wild animals, and even household pets) have their own unique personalities and different behaviors than people.

Don't pat the wombat!
Until I read this book I had never seen a dedication in a picture book in which the illustrator thanked the author. Yet lo and behold, at the beginning of "Diary of a Wombat" read the words, "Thanks for letting me play, Jackie. This was fun", signed by illustrator Bruce Whatley. He's not wrong either. The book is a heaping helpful of fun, starring a cuddly adorable little wombat and her low key adventures. Having been published at the same time as the similarly titled (and, in my humble opinion, less impressive) book, "Diary of a Worm", "Diary of a Wombat" never really received the praise and adoration it so rightly deserved. To me, this book is the perfect balance of cute and sly (a difficult mixture indeed).

We follow our heroine, a rolly-polly little unnamed wombat as she goes about her days. For a wombat, life doesn't consist of much more than sleeping, munching on some grass, and sleeping again. The first few days we spend with the wombat proceed at about this pace. All that changes when the wombat acquires some new human neighbors. A family of wide-eyed Australians first meet the little creature when she decided to use their picnic area as her own personal dustbath. Please note the shocked lovebirds perched on a nearby birdbath. As the days go by the wombat slowly but surely teaches her humans to feed her carrots as well as oats. By the end, she comes to the undeniable conclusion that, "humans are easily trained and make quite good pets".

I can't imagine a single objection that could be successfully lobbied against this tale. Let us consider, first of all, the wombat herself. Think of a teddy bear with a slightly larger nose and I think you'll have a rough idea of what I'm describing here. The wombat is incapable, it seems, of anger or malicious intent. All the damage she does comes from a self-absorbed sense of what is best for herself. Wet laundry in the way? Get rid of it. Humans not feeding you lately? Make a ruckus with their metal garbage can. She is drawn particularly realistically, which of course makes her all the funnier. It is a relief that the humans have not yet taken steps to rid themselves of this particularly intense and likable little pest. Who can resist her half-closed eyes as she chews contentedly on a freshly grown carrot?

Not only does Jackie French tell her tale with just the right amount of humor and timing but Bruce Whatley outdoes himself with his whimsical illustrations. Wombats never had it so good. If you're looking for something cute but witty, that treads between the humorous and the tragic with fantastic results (not to mention being more than a little kid-friendly), then I present for your reading enjoyment, and the enjoyment of your peers/children, "Diary of a Wombat".

My 3 year old daughter's favorite book
We've barrowed this book from the library 3 times and renewed it 3 times. Now it is time to own one. We've lived in Australia for a while and we'd seen this cute nocturnal creature. My 3yr old daughter who was born in Canberra, Australia is the one who is so fascinated with the story. The book is very unique and it is well written for a young minds understanding. The pictures are great!

Wombat Psychology
Jackie French gets right inside the mind of a wombat and inside the heart of the reader. The drawings are absolutely brilliant, capturing the whimsical nature and sleepy attitude of these beautiful beasts. In real life they can be quite cantankerous, but now I know it's because I've either taken away their favourite place or given them the wrong food!

Great for all ages
Adults will love this book as much as kids do! The illustrations are adorable and both kids and adults will find the wombat's antics endearing and funny. The wombat's diary is written in much the same way that Bridget Jones' Diary is written- v. funny!!! Please buy it! ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (2)

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

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

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

Reviews (1)

A Beautiful Book
I bought a similar Inga Moore version of this book for my son and we love it. The text has been "sensitively abridged" to make it appropriate for young children and the result is a delightful story that brings small animals to vivid life. Inga Moore's illustrations are what drew me to this book. They are wonderfully detailed and evocative of the beauty of the Thames Valley. ... Read more

Book Description

Illus. in full color. The animal residents of Busytown learn useful lessons about manners, thoughtfulness, and caring in this perky, funny paperback. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A book to remember
I remember my mom reading this book to me and we still laugh about how much I loved that book. Today, twenty-five years later, I bought a copy to treasurer those great memories.

Good illustrations
A cute book that teaches kids about manners and helping out.

Great for little ones
This book presents manners in a fun and familiar context for little readers. My kids already love Huckle and Lowly, so it was easy for them to enjoy this book. My favorite story is Pig Will and Pig Won't. At my house, we need constant reminders on good manners, and this book makes it fun. Parents will enjoy it too. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Steve Jenkins (What Do You Do with a Tail Like This ?) returns with another inventive, involving picture book--this time inviting young readers to see how they measure up against a variety of different animals (represented in colorful, cut-paper collages at actual size).

Each spread of Actual Size presents a new animal or two for readers to check out, along with a few interesting facts and physical dimensions. Some of the colorful collages display the entire animal at actual scale (like the fleshy, 36-inch length of a giant Gippsland earthworm)while others can only feature what fits on the page (an African elephant's foot, a Siberian tiger's face, or even just a gaping maw sporting a few four-inch-long teeth of a great white shark). Two fun fold-outs show a Goliath frog ("It's big enough to catch and eat birds and rats") and the long, toothy smile of a saltwater crocodile ("the world's largest reptile... a man-eater").

Jenkins' collages capture the texture and color of these cut-out creatures, and the thoughtful inclusion of an illustrated index shows each animal in its scaled-down entirety, accompanied by longer, fact-filled descriptions. While younger kids might not appreciate the subtlety of the book's clever "actual-size" trope, readers young and old will love all the close-up views and learn a few things along the way. (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Wow!
Steve Jenkins' Actual Size can be enjoyed as a work of art. The animals or, if a large animal, part of an animal is illustrated using handmade paper collage. What may sound like just a clever concept, when skillfully executed, resulted in an awesome book. Some of the animals shown are the pigmy shrew, atlas moth, dwarf goby, Goliath frog, and giant squid. The dimensions of the animal is noted and as well as a paragraph about such things as habitat and diet which makes this a very interesting book. Karen Woodworth-Roman, Children's Science Book Review

Possibly the coolest book ever
This book has artwork depicting the actual size of abnormally large and abnormally small animals. You get to get up close and personal with a 3/4-inch fish and the 12 inch eye of the giant squid (which can grow up to 50+ feet long!!) and everything in the book is depicted actual size. We used this book for a storytime and the young kids LOVED comparing their hands against the critters in the book. Best of all, one of my co-workers literally jumped about six feet from a seated position just from glancing at the picture of the 12-inch in diameter spider. The book is worth just that alone!! Highly recommended for kids to understand the scale of nature. ... Read more

Book Description

An award-winning author and artist explain how every link in a food chain is important because each living thing depends on others for survival. "Clear, simple drawings illustrate the clear, simple text. Informative and intriguing, this basic science book leads children to think about the complex and interdependent web of life on Earth."'BL.

Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children 1996 (NSTA/CBC) ... Read more

Reviews (3)

My 2nd Graders Thought This Was Cool
Interesting, written on a level primary school students can understand, and packed with information

Good but not great
By the time the kids are at this level most of them already have some idea of the food chain concept (and anybody who has played Magic School Bus Animals definitely will!). It sits right at the cross roads of two levels- a solid first grade book, perhaps.

Great for elementary students!
This book is great to use when studying food chains. The kids love it! ... Read more

Book Description

In this hilarious collection of twenty-one original animal poems and paintings, the animals are out in all their finned, furry, and feathered glory. From lobsters to rheas to fireflies, kiwis to camels to chameleons, here’s a beast for everyone to love!
... Read more

Reviews (1)

Beast Feast
It is very funny. I'll give the The Walrus In His Chair a "two thumbs up." I memorized The Bat for a Poetry Reading for school. I give The Barracuda some very earth-eating competition. niknnik (Evan, 9) ... Read more

Amazon.com

A Ukrainian boy named Nicki wants his grandmother Baba to knit snow-white mittens for him. She warns her grandson that a white mitten will be hard to find if he loses it in the snow, but of course he promptly does just that!What happens next is the surprising part, as a mole takes refuge in the lost mitten, then a rabbit, then a hedgehog, an owl, a badger, and a fox.If you think the mitten might be a wee bit stretched out at this point, just wait: "Then a big bear sniffed at the mitten. The animals were packed in tight, but the bear didn't care. He crawled in anyway." When a tiny mouse squeezes in, her whiskers tickle the bear's nose. He sneezes, and "Aaaaa-aaaaa-ca-chew!" all the animals fly out of their crocheted cave. As the mitten sails through the air, Nicki spots it, reclaims it, and takes it home to show his smiling Baba.

Jan Brett is the illustrator of many well-known folktales, fairy tales, and poems, such as Goldilocks and the Three Bears and The Owl and the Pussycat, by Edward Lear. Her special signature in her detailed artwork is the intricate borders, seen in this book as birch-bark panels with embroidered details and mitten-shaped vignettes offering additional insights into the story line. Brett is at her best when she illustrates animals, and the expressions on the faces of her creatures are a delight. She carefully researched the costumes, furniture, and house in this traditional Ukrainian tale--all are authentic. A fine story to read on a frosty night with a cup of hot chocolate, and if you ever get your fill of The Mitten, you can always try its delightfully original companion book, The Hat, winner of the 1998 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award. (Ages 4 to 8) ... Read more

Reviews (31)

The Mitten
The story of the Mitten begins when a boy named Nicki begs Baba to sew him white, wool mittens. After she finished, the boy went to play with them. Baba said that when he got home, she would check to see if he was alright, then see if he still had the new mittens. Soon, Nicki dropped one of his mittens and lost it. Many different animals found the mitten to be a good place to rest. At the end, Nicki finds his mitten and returns home. The only thing, is that one mitten is four times bigger then the other.
I really enjoyed the book, The Mitten. It was always may favorite when I was a young child. The story really kept my attention, and I could follow it very easily. I liked all the different types of animals. I though the story was very good, and I'm sure you would too.

A real gem!
I was looking for ways to introduce our family's Ukrainian heritage to my son (now 18 months). I was very pleasantly surprised to come across this book. It shows both the young boy and his grandmother in traditional Ukrainian dress. They even call the grandmother Baba (the Ukrainian word for grandmother). But even beyond the Ukrainian stuff, this book is excellent. The illustrations are beautiful. There are small inset illustrations that tell more background of the story along with the larger, main pictures. So this book is both a picture book and a story book in one. My son loves to look at the animals and all but shrieks with laughter whenever we act out the big sneeze that shoots them all out of the mitten. I'm sure this book will be a treasure in our home for years to come!

Small, short and sweet
This is a small handy for the car sort of book. The story is short and a pleasure to read as it reviews the names of different animals found in the forest. This was given to my little one as present from my Ukrainian grandmother whom we call "Baba", I like that we can relate to a few of the books details, like the gramdmother shown an ethnic blouse like the ones worn in the old country, and the boy is called Nick like many Ukrainian boys making the book even more authentic.

A Great Book
This is another great retelling by Jan Brett. I read this book to my second grade class every year. You can download a mitten and the animals from the story at Jan Brett's web site. After I read this delightful story to my class, the children color the animals and cut them out along with the mitten. I read the story again and they act it out with their animals. They take the mitten and animals home to do a retelling with their families. The children absolutely love this story and the activities.

Beautifully illustrated book!
My 18-month-old sons love this book. I have to read this one to them over and over ~~ they love the bright colorful pictures. They love hearing about the animals. And I love reading it to them. It's fun and pleasurable on the eyes as well.

Nicki wants a pair of white mittens and his Baba agrees to make it for him. However, he loses one and a mole decided to rest in the white mitten lying on the snow. He soon is joined by a rabbit, a fox, hedgehog, badger, owl, a bear and a tiny mouse. It's hilarious to imagine all of them in one tiny little mitten ~~ and so fun to read too!

I recommend Brett's books for everyone. She's a wonderful story-teller and her art is beautifully-illustrated. She is an example of how children's books should be!

2-4-04 ... Read more

Book Description

The inhabitants of Redwall relax in the haze of summer-but as they do, the neighboring stronghold of Salamandastron lies besieged by the evil weasel army of Ferhago the Assassin. Worse still, Mara, beloved daughter of Urthstripe, Badger Lord of the Fire Mountain, is in terrible danger. Then a lightning bolt uncovers the sword of Martin the Warrior, and young Samkin embarks on an adventure that leads him to Mara. Can the good creatures triumph over the villainous Assassin?

Illustrated by Gary Chalk ... Read more

Reviews (118)

I loved it!!!
I had heard a few people talk about this Redwall series but I'm not usually to easy to please. After the first few pages I could tell this was not just another volume in any old fantasy series. This was awesome!I mean, any book that can make you believe and care about rodents in an abbey in the middle of nowhere has got to be something special. This was the most vivid, descriptive, engrossing book I had ever read. It was finished in short order. Needless to say, I now buy every Redwall book that comes out.The feasts, the battles, and especially the characters just leapt right out at me. I told a few of my friends about this amazing series and I can't think of a one who wasn't hooked. This was the only literary universe I had ever found myself wanting to escape to. The school library had multiple reservations on every book available! If that's not reason for praise, then I'm not sure what is.

Salamandastron
Salamandastron is the story of a fever spreading through Redwall Abbey. Two Redwallers, Thrugg and Dumble, must go north to the mountains to find the flowers of Icetor to make the medicine to stop it. At the mountain fortess of Salamandastron the badger lord, Uthstripe the strong, and his warrior rabbits called the Long Patrol fight off the villianous weasel, Ferhago the Assassin, and his evil horde. Meanwhile, Samkin and Arula of Redwall look for the sword of Martin the Warrior as Mara and Pikkle try to make it back to Salamandastron and the four strangely join. I liked this book because it makes me not want to stop reading and anxious for the next book in the series. Something exciting happened on every page. Salamandastron would be the perfect book for someone who likes action or adventure books. It would also be great for someone who has a good imagination. If you like this book you would like all the other books in the Redwall series.

Excellent
Out of all the Redwall books this one is one of my favorites. The mystery sourrounding the two badger cubs at the begginning adds a new twist to the already mysterious Salamandastron. I foind that Mara's path and Samkin's path are meant to be intersected always.

Rachel from Richview Middle School
At the beginning of the book the king or lord Ustripe the strong, who gets a warning that the wolves are coming and he didn't believe it was true until the molemaid told him it was true. Them two had known each other for along time and he always trusted her. So once he found out it was true he paini then he thought about the knight . I loved this book.Normally I like funny books, but even though it wasn't funny,I would read it again.

Best One in the Series
This was definitely my favorite of all Redwall books. I love the regality of the badger lords, and the playful toughness of the Long Patrol. Ferahgo the Assassin is one of the best villains ever - he is not just "bad," but devious, cunning, intelligent, and extremely appealing. This was the first one I read and the best of the bunch. ... Read more

Book Description

A walk through the Costa Rican cloud forest provides a wonderfully lush setting for Jan Brett's beloved animal illustrations. When Carlos drops his umbrella to climb a tree for a better view of the animals, they all cram into the banana-leaf umbrella as it floats by--from the little tree frog to the baby tapir to the big jaguar and more. It gets so crowded in the umbrella that there isn't even enough room for a little hummingbird! So over the umbrella tumbles, everyone falls out, and poor Carlos comes back wondering why he didn't see any animals all day.

In the spirit of Jan Brett's The Mitten and The Hat, this cheerful tale of escalation will have readers poring over every illustration for the world of details Jan packs in. With its classic story, exotic jungle setting, and brilliantly colorful menagerie, The Umbrella is sure to take its place among Jan's many family favorites. ... Read more

Book Description

Amazon.com

When ferret Swartt Sixclaw and his arch enemy Sunflash the Maceswear a pledge of death upon each other, a young creature is cruellybanished from the safety of Redwall. As he grows, he seeks revenge onthe people of Redwall and finds himself embroiled in a hostile battlewith far-reaching consequences.

An epic tale of Redwall from the pen of master storyteller BrianJacques, Outcast of Redwall is a kaleidoscope of color, range,and emotions that culminates in a bitter contest between good and evil.None of the passion of the earlier Redwall titles is lost, as some ofthe most cherished landscapes and best-loved characters from previousbooks are revisited, with a wisdom and clarity that has developed andendured.

On a basic level, this is a marvelous fantasy adventure story. Lookdeeper and you will find that Outcast of Redwall, along with theother titles in the series, has a divine, enduring quality that ranksit among he best in children's literature. --Susan Harrison ... Read more

Reviews (153)

A Classic Tale of Good and Evil with a Twist
The book is good reading and the plot is action-packed with characters that are well developed and imaginative. Of the main characters Sunflash the Mace, my favorite, is a powerful leader of good. Swartt Sixclaw is the vengeful force of evil in the story, and his son Veil Sixclaw is the outcast referred to in the title. Veil, who was abandoned as an infant, has been raised at Redwall Abbey by the kind mouse maid Bryony. Veil is a combination of good and evil and is a mystery throughout the story. His wicked behavior causes him to be thrown out of Redwall. As a result, Veil struggles with his emotions and the difficult choices he must ultimately make. In the end, Veil surprises the reader with his uncommon act of heroism. The author, Brian Jaques, grabs the reader's interest by including in the story the elements of war, love, violence, evil and friendship. I really liked this book and think that it should be read by anyone who enjoys action stories and just plain good reading.

The Outcast Of Redwall By:Brian Jacques
"Eeulaliaaaaaa!"
The camp came to life instantly. Two vermin fell under the club as the badger threw himself at Swartt. Before the ferret had half drawn his sword, the badger's club thudded hard against his foe's six-clawed paw. Swartt screeched and fell back injured, yelling to his creatures, "Stop him! Kill him!"

This is just one of the many action-packed scenes from The Outcast of Redwall. The author, Brian Jacques, puts up a compelling performance in this novel. It is an epic story with a great mix of action, adventure, and drama. It is a long book, over 300 pages, but is worth the time and effort to read it.
There are many characters in The Outcast of Redwall, but I'm going to limit them to just the main characters. First, there is Swarrt Sixclaw. He is very cruel and ruthless. He commands a large army. Then there is Veil, who is also pretty cruel, but not as ruthless. He gets kicked out of Redwall. There is also Sunflash, who is a Badgerlord. He is Swartt's archenemy. He is the protagonist. Finally, there is Skarlath. He is Sunflash's best friend. Skarlath is usually the wiser between himself and Sunflash. He is also usually a lookout: as he is a kestrel (a bird of prey).
Basically, the story is about a Badger Lord named Sunflash and a ferret warlord named Swartt. Swartt and Sunflash are archenemies. Later on in the story Swartt has a son named Veil, who gets taken in by the creatures of Redwall Abby (a great abby made of red sandstone). He commits a terrible crime and gets cast out (hence the title The Outcast of Redwall). Swartt, Veil, and Sunflash end up meeting, and one final battle takes place. But... you'll have to read the rest to find out!
In the end you learn that there is good in everyone, and that it doesn't matter what someone acts like or looks like because they still can be good at times. Also, it doesn't matter whether you are the son/daughter to a dishonest, deceitful, or a cruel person; you can still be a courteous, kind, and a friendly person.

Outcast of Redwall
Veil, a ferret in Brian Jacques's book Outcast of Redwall, is raised in Redwall. Son of a warlord and a vermin, he doesn't listen to the advice of his elders and caretakers but leads a life full of mischief. When he is thrown out of the abbey, Bryony, his adopted mother/friend/advisor, goes after him. She still believes there is still some good in him. Is there?
Sunflash and Skarlath had been friends since they were very young. They were true friends, warning each other of danger and helping each other in times of need. Would it always be like that?
This book is a great book about having faith in others and being a good friend. I like it because it is one of the typical Redwall books with badgers, otters, squirrels, mice, and hares, but it's different than all the rest because in not one of the other ones has a vermin, in this case a ferret, been raised in Redwall. I like that uniqueness about this book. I also like how it shows that even if someone has been bad all their life, they can still do good things.

Outcast of Redwall
I think Outcast of redwall is the best book in the redwall series. All the characters are really intresting(especially Veil). Its got lots of action, is really funny, it has lots of different and intresting animals, it is very exciting, has lots of funny songs, hard riddles to solve, great food, intresting words, lots of different forts and castles,each type of animal has its own accent and personality.

Book 8 rocks
A excellent story about good versus evil. A theme that looks can be decieving. Just because some and looks and acts bad doe not mean there is evil inside of him.

Sun Flash the Mace the Badger has sworn to slay the Evil Swart six claw. To protect Salmastron and Mossflower from the Evil Swart six claw.

It called out cast of Redwall because Swart the Fert has a soon who he abadoms on the battle field. He is addopted by the Redwaller. He is hate by must the people he is seen as evil does many bad thing. The only person who respect him is the Grand daugther of Gonf. Yes Gonf from Mossflower and Legend of Luke.

Year go bye Swart is now and Adult so is sun Flash and he is big and he is a big buff badger. I mean it when Jacques wrote this series he decide to Make the young and middle age badger adnormal strong.

Viel at the end of book two is exiled from Redwall from posioning one of the creatures living in the abbey. He goes and is filled with angry and rage. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Super Stickers
My twin sons are 3 years old and it is impossible to get them both to sit quietly for more than a few minutes. However, since we discovered the sticker books that Priddy Books make, I now have a bit more peace and quiet! Really beautiful quality publications, stickers that don't tear despite rough handling and just lovely pictures. ... Read more

Book Description

But oh! what a fabulous night he had had,
When his world was turned into a zoo!

After wandering off from a school field trip, a young boy falls asleep in the Natural History Museum. There he sees his classmates, teachers, and family transformed into a menagerie of animals, from wild hyenas to stately peacocks.

John Lithgow's exhilarating word play, inspired by Camille Saint-Saëns's 1886 composition, provides a narrative arc to the piece for the first time. Lithgow created the text for the New York City Ballet, where the Carnival of the Animals ballet, with his narration, debuted in 2003. Boris Kulikov's witty artistic interpretation of the story adds to the fun.

A new recording of Saint-Saëns's suite, performed by Chamber Music Los Angeles under the direction of Bill Elliott, complete with John Lithgow's recitation of the text, is included on an enclosed CD. ... Read more