Book Description

Sally, Huckle, and Lowly are supposed to go sailing with Huckle and Sally's father, but it starts to rain. Father says they will have to stay inside and play, but their friend Rudolf von Flugel saves the day when he picks the kids up in his airplane-car and whisks them off to the airport for a fun day of sightseeing. Full of airport fun and "Scarry" mishaps.
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Reviews (2)

Will make airports more exciting for your kid
Apart from the usually brilliant, somewhat old-fashioned classic style of Richard Scarry, this book has the added value of being a brilliant travel companion. If you spend a lot of time in airports, you'll be pleased that your child will view the same old routines - check-in, security, boarding - with a lot more informed interest.

My 2 year old daughter LOVES this book!
Everytime we read this book about the airport, she notices something new. She points everything out to me and wants to read it over and over and over again. ... Read more

Book Description

-Ideal for babies and toddlers.

-Stunning large format brings images to life.

-Helps to build a child's vocabulary.
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Reviews (6)

Engaging and educational
My 18-month old son loves this book, and it has really helped him learn about animals. He likes to read it with us over and over again, and it's so big and sturdy that he can look through it by himself when he wants to. It always goes on long trips with us, even though its size makes it a little less convenient to pack.

One of the best Animal books
I got this for my one year old twins, and they simply love it! They enjoy looking at the bright and colorful photographs of all the animals and this book enables me to make it a fun way of teaching them what different animals look like and the sounds they make. One of my twins always wails when I am finished and I close the book -- she simply wants to look at the book some more! I highly recommend this book for parents with young children.

My Big Animal Book
My Big Animal Book is a good book because it shows a lot of great animals. It shows you baby animals, pets and a lot more. I would recommend this book for kids about 2 to 3.

A must have for animal lovers
My son (13 months) loves this book. He pulls it out several times a day and flips through it over and over. The pictures are fantastic and include a variety of animals which many other board book fail to include.

Great Pictures!
This book is a favorite for my 2 year old daughter. She knows almost all of the animals now, and loves to look at all of the bright pictures. It's made of that great board book material, but it's a big size for little eyes to see all of the details. It's really helped her learn her animals! ... Read more

Book Description

The animals are having a carnival, and the guests are arriving. There's the majestic lion, the braying mules, the dancing elephant, and the bouncy kangaroos. Even the fossils join in with a fast and rattly dance. Everyone is invited!

Nearly 150 years ago, the composer Camille Saint-Saëns was asked by his pupils to write a musical joke for them. He wrote the Carnival of the Animals, a piece people enjoyed so much that it has now become one of Saint-Saëns's most famous works.

This accessible commentary, in a picture-book format, helps children follow each section of Saint-Saëns's classic piece while they listen to the CD. Whimsical illustrations, a simple text, and evocative melodies create an ideal introduction for young children to the world of classical music.
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Reviews (5)

Good classical music book w/CD for youngsters
Completely enjoyed by our 2 year old and his parents. Pictures are absolutely beautiful. Having the CD is useful. Each of the 14 tracks has a beautifully illustrated 2 page spread, which makes it easy to follow the music - the book and music work very well together. The text, which is written in a perfectly simple and direct and short manner so as to render it very useful, helps the listener focus on different aspects of the music and appreciate the music by putting it in terms we could understand more easily (e.g. for the Lion's March - "the strings are playing the lion's marching tune as he walks...Sometimes he roars loudly. Can you hear the pianos playing the lion's roar?") Our toddler loves classical music but this is a great choice for any child or adult. The entire package - the CD, the format of the book, the pictures and the text - really make this a great way of experiencing the music and just a plain good old story.

MUST HAVE FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS!!
Of any age... this is such a treat! You will love it. Wonderful way to bring music in through language arts.

Great Musical Experience for Any Kid!
"Carnival of Animals" is a great book and CD set to use to introduce children to this fun classical work by Camille St Saens. The book is informative, fun and is filled with bright, playful pictures which help to bring the songs to life. It's fun for adults as well.

One of the best
This is one of the best books I have seen on Saint Saëns' Carnival of the Animals. The pictures are bright and colourful, descriptions of the instruments very clear and the explanation of the correlation between the instruments and the animals very easy and fun to follow. It is an extra bonus to have the CD included and each animal track numbered. I would highly recommend this to any elementary teacher, even with little or no of music experience.

Simply a delight
This one makes my heart soar: a perfect duo of book and CD to introduce little ones into the world of both. As a "Grammie" I can hold the phone to my granddaughter, age 2 1/2 and play listening games with her while she looks at the book, which I have sent her. Bravo Henry Holt for having come up with this. I'm hoping you have more in store. ... Read more

Book Description

The first day of kindergarten is finally here, and Henry can't wait to paint pictures, sing songs, and practice counting. When he gets to school, though, he's not so sure he's ready for kindergarten. But before long Henry discovers that the only thing he's not ready for is how much fun he's going to have at school! This gently humorous, encouraging story will give children about to enter kindergarten an extra boost of confidence.

"Perfect for parents to share with their children, and the endearing Henry will offer reassurance to even the most hesitant prekindergartners."
-Booklist ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Bad illustrations
I found this book to be trite and predictable. It could help children and parents to prepare for Kindergarten, but so could many other books that are better, such as the Miss Bindergarten books or The Night Before Kindergarten. I understand that young children need simple, colorful books, but the illustrations in Look Out Kindergarten just did not do it for me. I myself have little visual art ability, but feel I could have illustrated this book better. Being a librarian, I know that preschool age children need great illustrations to enhance their listening; this book was a large disappointment.

For Younger children
I bought this book for my almost five year old granddaughter who is about to enter kindergarten and found it to be below her comprehension and appreciation standards. Her younger sister who is 2 seemed to enjoy it.

Beginning Kindergarten
I am a Kindergarten Teacher and my students loved reading this book. It is a great way to introduce the school year. Parents this is also a great book to read to your little one as they begin school-it discuss first day of school jitters and excitement. Nancy Carlson does a wonderful job! ... Read more

Amazon.com

For this enchanting novel Brian Jacques has brought to bear theexperience of his eventful and adventuresome life, a life which hastaken him all over the world and seen him variously described as folksinger, playwright, and broadcaster. No doubt his usual writingenvironment--garden in summer, conservatory in winter--provides himwith the ideal theater for observing the wildlife on which the book'sunusual central characters are based.

It is, perhaps, appropriate that the story line revolves around thetheft of the famous Redwall Tapestry, for Marlfox is a richlywoven tapestry, skillfully running together threads of the magical andmythical with the "natural world," to give its audience a heady blendof fairy tale and medieval adventure. The result is a tale of grandthemes and conflicting human passions played out against a backdrop ofhumor and uncertainty; yet the author manages never to lose sight ofthe reality of life as experienced by the human and animal kingdomsalike.

Young readers will gorge themselves on this literary feast, a spreadworthy of comparison to other classics in this vein such as TheHobbit, Duncton Wood, The Mythical Knights of the RoundTable, and the stories of C.S. Lewis. ... Read more

Reviews (147)

Another Great Read by Brian Jaques
Following in the tradition of his previous books Brian Jaques starts off this delightful adventure with a whole knew set of characters. The part that Brian readers will most enjoy is the connection between this book and the other books, allowing the reader to travel along with characters in their adventures. The apperance of the Marlfoxes brings in a mystery and gives the experianced Redwall reader a chance to quess to how they began. At the first introduction of these creatures I began to wish for a history on these fine characters. I sincerely hope thatt Jaques gives us a book compiling the Marlfox history. The one low point in the book was the carelessness of the abbey dwellers toward their children. They seem to be unconcerned with the younger ones(dibbuns), although this may be put in because of the days of peace that everyone at Redwall Abbey has experianced. Overall I recommend this to all Redwall fans as a way to explore farther into Mossflower. For those starting out on the series though I would suggest an earlier book that gives more background into the tale.

Action Packed Adventure with Friends
In Marlfox Brian Jacques takes you to peaceful Red Wall Abby. Until the pure evil Marlfoxes come to plunder the abbey. The humble Redwallers must learn new fighting skills to defend the abbey from the Marlfoxes and their army of water rats. The Marlfoxes steal something of great value to the Redwallers and 3 young Redwallers set of to reclaim it and restore it to its rightful place in Red Wall Abby. In the beginning of Marlfox, Brian Jacques's 11th book in the Red Wall series, the story starts off in Mossflower wood. The Swifty family of nomadic squirrels encounter the two marlfoxes magical, evil ax wielding foxes, Ascord and his sister Vinam. The two marlfoxes try to capture Jangler Swifty's daughter, Songbreas (Song for short) to take back to there mother and Queen Sith who must be surrounded by beauty at all times. But they can outfight Jangler Swifty and both end up injured. Later that day the Swiftys arrive at RedWall Abbey to warn the Redwallers of the dangerous Marlfoxes. They find a small band of actors there that encountered the Marlfoxes too. The Marlfoxes and their Water Rat allies try to plunder the abbey but the Redwallers hold them off in a gruesome battle. One marlfox slips in to the abbey with four water rats and steal the magnificent tapestry of Martian the worrier and take it back to the castle Marl on the hidden lake. Four young Redwallers set of to reclaim the stolen tapestry. The four companions made many new friends, allies and even three enemies. One important friend is Mighty Megraw, an osprey (a fish eating hawk). And Song finds her long lost grandfather living with some hedgehogs. Mighty Metegrew, song's grandfather and his hedgehog friends help Dann, Song, Deppler, and Burble free the slaves and restore the tapestry back at Red Wall. I loved this book because it has funny moments. It is also action packed. It shows what friends are for. If I had to rate this book on a one to ten scale it would be a ten. I strongly encourage you to read Marlfox.

Michael ...
The summerization of this bok can be explained in different ways. At the beginning it tells about different groups of characters encountering different bad guys, which are all marlfoxes. Six marlfoxes, two each go out and meet three groups of animals. All of the good guys go to Redwall to warn the villagers that marlfoxes are among the Mossflower Woods. They all meet up at Redwall and team up against the marlfoxes that try to steal the tapestry of Redwall. One by one good guys and bad guys are killed and murdered at Redwall. The marlfoxes steal the tapestry, and the smartest, slyest marlfox, Mokkan, steals it from the other marlfoxes. After that four young warriors from Redwall go out to retrieve it. Meeting many friends along the way, the four young warriors travel to the Island of Marl. This is where the marlfox Queen Silth lives, later on to be Queen Lantur because of Silth's death.
With help the four young warriors get to the island and free some of the slaves. The slaves help to fight the guards on the island. Three of the four warriors go to the king's room to take back the tapestry. The escaping marlfox, Mokkan, is later strangled and drowned by one of the slaves. In the end the four young warriors become leaders of their groups or tribes.

Marlfox
Marlfox is a rather good story, but it isn't one of Brian Jacques' best. Redwall has no leaders except Cregga Rose Eyes, who refuses to be an Abbess, and the cellarkeeper from The Long Patrol is still alive, Gurrbowl. How that is possible I do not know unless moles live forever. Also the adventuring part is quite boring and the White Ghost part is a bit ridiculous.

best book out of the previous 10
This is a very good book. I got hooked on it right from the very first page and couldn't wait to find out what would happen. This eleventh installment of the Redwall series is one for the ages. You should hurry and read this book. I think you'd enjoy it. ... Read more

Book Description

Tacky's perfect friends find him annoying until his odd behavior saves the day. ... Read more

Reviews (20)

Hilarious, a sure child pleaser....
This book had my children giggling from the minute Tacky starts singing! They couldn't stop laughing until it was over, and then they wanted to read it again right away. They continued to sing the songs throughout the day. All 3 of my children LOVE this book. The pictures are a delight as well, and a perfect match for the story. Great book! PS- It also has a wonderful message about acceptance and individuality.

Tacky the Penguin..
This book is about a penguin named Tacky, who is different from his companions. Their names are Lovely, Goodly, Neatly, Angel, and Perfect. They were the best penguin everyone wants to hunt. Tacky is different from them by singing, splashing, and diving. One day the penguins heard thumps, and that meant hunters. The companions hide because they were scared but Tacky stayed there. He wasn't scared. The hunters asked Tacky where the great penguins were and Tacky did something so read the book to find out what Tacky did.
I liked this book because I like penguins and the ending. Katie V.

POOR QUALITY RECORDING -- wonderful story!
VERY POOR quality RECORDING. VOLUME VARIES TOO MUCH, resulting in flinching when it increases suddenly, and straining when the reader's voice gets too soft; both happen frequently making listening pretty frustrating. Please don't try to listen to this one while driving in the car.

NARRATION begins immediately after the PAGE TURN SIGNAL sounds, making it very frustrating to try to follow along using that side of the cassette. It's challening enought for adults to turn the pages fast enough on this recording. It would be next to impossible for a child of almost any age to do so.

A re-issue would be much appreciated as the STORY IS WONDERFUL AND HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Funny story, great message, no preaching!
I got hooked when my kindergartener niece started singing "How many toes does a fish have?" at the top of her lungs. She asked for a hardcopy "Tacky" set for Christmas - two years after she read the first one. She has the first four books (in paperback), and checks them all out of the library anyway! I've shared this book with every small child (even old(er) ones like me) I know! It's not just for ages 4 - 8.

If You Like Penguins Read This Book!
Would you ever want a penguin that walks funny? Well in the book Tacky The Penguin you will see one. I think this is a good book because it is really funny. The author shared that you should be kind to others no matter what they do. The Authors name is Helen Lester. Tacky does not act like a normal penguin. He does cannon balls and wears a Hawaiian shirt. The hunters are puzzled by Tacky's behavior. Find out what happens to Tacky and the other penguins. ... Read more

Book Description

A creature whispers:

If not for the cat,
And the scarcity of cheese,
I could be content.

Who is this creature?
What does it like to eat?
Can you solve the riddle?

Seventeen haiku composed by master poet Jack Prelutsky and illustrated by renowned artist Ted Rand ask you to think about seventeen favorite residents of the animal kingdom in a new way. On these glorious and colorful pages you will meet a mouse, a skunk, a beaver, a hummingbird, ants, bald eagles, jellyfish, and many others. Who is who? The answer is right in front of you. But how can you tell? Think and wonder and look and puzzle it out!

Amazon.com

The most fascinating part of an animal, in the minds of many young children, is the tail. Not only do kids lack such appendages, they've been told that, as tempting as they are to yank on, tails are not to be touched. Fortunately, this charming, texture-rich board book (with patches of real fake fur!) is the next best thing. A vast menagerie of cartoonish critters play and scamper around the pages of Matthew Van Fleet's Tails sporting tails of all types: bumpy alligator tails, fuzzy tiger tails, and even slightly stinky scratch-and-sniff skunk tails. Children can pull the tabs to make some of the tails wag or swish. The story line is minimal, as animals lounge about playing with one another and generally having good-natured fun. Catchy rhyming verse ("Tails fluffy, tails stringy, scaled tails strong and clingy. Tails long. Tails stumpy, pulling tails makes snoozers grumpy") keeps the action moving along and encourages young readers eager to turn the page. Shoddy construction can often spell doom for lift-the-flap and touch-and-feel children's books but Tails is every bit as well-designed as it is well-written and illustrated. (Preschool) --John Moe ... Read more

Reviews (8)

My Son Loves It!!
My mother-in-law bought this book for my son last week. He absolutely loves it! He is 21 months old. He wants this book read to him several times a day and he is getting really good at identifying the animals and doing all of the "tricks" himself. It is nice that the book is so sturdy too...he isn't exactly gentle! I would definately recommend this book to anyone with kids (or a kid at heart...I love it too!)

Great!
I'm 14 years old. I babysat at this kids house last night and she had this book. I think I liked it more than she did it was so cool. I love how all the tails feel! There was only one page I didn't like and that was the skunk page it has a scratch and sniff thing and it acctually smells like a skunk it was pretty gross! But overall its a pretty cool book!

Educators Recommend
Toddlers love Tails ! At least that was our experience when we brought this fun, interactive book into a Head Start classroom. As its name implies, this is a book about various types of tails-from tiger tails to pig tails.

Each double page features something to touch (a shiny blue peacock tail), manipulate (a wagging fox tale), or smell (a skunk tail). The final two pages picture each of the creatures the reader has met throughout the book and allows them to count from one to ten.

Included are: foxes, pandas, pangolins, weasels, chipmunks, alligators, and tamarins, as well as the previously mentioned tigers and pigs.

The book itself is brilliantly designed and engineered. The covers are thick hardboard. The interior pages are heavy and sturdy and will hold up to repeated readings. We suggest that you buy several for your classroom-its that good.

Tails receives our highest recommendation.

Reviewed by the Education Oasis Staff

Highly recommend this book
I bought Tails on a whim and boy was it worth it. My 10 month old gets wide eyed with a big grin as he anticipates the next page. His favorite is the peacock tail. It is a great touch and feel book and it incorporates many different animals that are not as common in children's books. I have to keep the book up because although it is sturdy and well constructed, it is still no match for a 10 month old unsupervised.

Tails: A Favorite
Tails is by far my son's favorite book. He has us read it to him at least a dozen times a day. If we're not reading it, he's reading it to himself. Fortunately it's a delightfully illustrated book and holds up well to multiple reads. ... Read more

Amazon.com

It's not easy for duck parents to find a safe place to bring up their ducklings, but during a rest stop in Boston's Public Garden, Mr. and Mrs.Mallard think they just might have found the perfect spot--no foxes or turtles in sight, plenty of peanuts from pleasant passers-by, and the benevolent instincts of a kindly police officer to boot. Young readers will love the mother duck's proud, loving protection of her wee webbed ones, and those with fond memories of Boston will enjoy familiar locales, from Beacon Hill to Louisburg Square, and over the Charles River--often from a duck's-eye view. Robert McCloskey, creator of Blueberries for Sal, never fails to elicit happy story-time giggles from youngsters, and his soft, brown-toned, Caldecott-winning illustrations make this gentle world come alive. (Ages 3 to 8) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (32)

Make Way for Ducklings
Make Way For Ducklings
by Robert McCloskey
The Viking Press

Imagine yourself as a mother duck, flying over Boston looking for a place to rest and lay your eggs, but you are very very particular about where you land. Considering that Boston is a busy place, would you want to raise a family there? This is what this story is all about. Make
Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey is a Realistic Fiction and Fantasy book for young and old readers. It takes place in the air when Mr. and Mrs. Mallard are looking for a place to land. Mr. Mallard finds very nice spots but Mrs. Mallard is not satisfied. She says she doesn't want to raise a family  where there might be foxes in the woods or turtles in the pond. They fly on for awhile until they reach Boston. The Mallards are very tired and fly down for the night on a small island near the park. In the morning they hunt for food in the bottom of the river but don't have a lot of luck. Soon their luck turns good when a boat carrying a load of people has the people throw peanuts to them to fill their empty stomachs. Mr. Mallard and Mrs. Mallard decided that they would like to nest there, until a boy riding a bike zips by Mr. Mallard and almost runs him over. Now will the Mallards decide to stay or will they leave forever?

There are 3 main characters (or 11 counting all the ducklings) Mrs. Mallard, Mr. Mallard, their ducklings, and Michael the policeman. Mrs. Mallard is a mother duck, that thinks a lot about  her kids' future, which I think makes a great mother. She is very independent and proud
about things she accomplishes and does. She loves her family and her husband very much and hopes for a pleasant future. She also loves her human friend, Michael, who is loving to the Mallard family. Mr. Mallard is the father duck. He is a loving and caring dad who sometimes gets annoyed with his wife when it comes to finding new nesting ground. Mr. Mallard helps take care of the young with his wife but also likes to venture off to see the surrounding area. Michael, the policeman, is the family friend. Everyday they go and visit him for peanuts. Michael also does great deeds for them by helping them cross the street carefully. He loves his little family friends.

I recommend this book to all readers, because it is a short story and it will not take a long time out of your day to read it. It is a heartwarming book that you can imagine what is happening without looking at the illustrations. The illustrations are so detailed that you can understand the story without actually reading the words. You can actually go to Boston and see statues of Mrs. Mallard and her ducklings walking to the pond at the public garden, which my family and I did this summer. I connected to the story when I saw the big swan boat carrying  people, just as the Mallards saw them, too. I think the boat and statues are cool. Anyone can enjoy this book because it's made for all ages!!  

A McCloskey Classic
Robert McCloskey's classic children's book, Make Way for Ducklings is just as delightful in the year 2002 as it was back when it was first published in 1941. The timeless story of Mr. and Mrs. Mallard and their eight adorable ducklings is still a fun read for children and parents alike. The story begins as the prospective parents search for a new home suitable for raising their young ones. Mrs. Mallard is clearly the expert in this endeavor and Mr. Mallard is quite relieved when she finally settles on a spot that is not too dangerous or noisy for their young family. The couple make themselves quite at home on a little island in the Charles River of Boston, a quiet oasis within the busy city. Soon the ducklings hatch and Mrs. Mallard sets about teaching them all they need to know in order to live in the city. By now they have made good friends with some of their human neighbors, especially Michael, the policeman. When the family makes its first trip into the city, Michael calls for backup and literally stops traffic all along their path. The people the Mallards encounter are just as pleased to see the ducks as the Mallards are to be there. The reader leaves the family settling comfortably for the night after a day of happily following the Swan boats in the park and eating the peanunts tossed their way. The charm of this book lies in both the heartwarming story and th realistic but idyllic illustrations. McCloskey is quite gifted at portraying the natural world to children in a way that is authentic and familiar. Most children have seen duck families in a nearby pond and witnessed the way the ducklings learn about the world by waddling along after their parents. The sketched illustrations add to the natural feeling of the book. The depiction of the ducks is terrific because they are visually expressive but still look like ducks. Another engaging facet of the story is the positive interaction between animals and humans. The Mallards find a way to live comfortably within a city full of people and their human neighbors are welcoming and accommodating. Overall, this a warm and timeless book. It is just perfect for a parent and child to read together or for a teacher to read to a classroom of younger kids. This is a good selection for children aged 3 to 7.

A charming classic
What can I say that everyone else hasn't already? This is probably one of the finest children's books ever written. Its illustrations are richly detailed and vivid even in two-tone, and its story is adorable and wholesome. We're FROM Boston and we've recently moved away, and my little boy always thrills to recognize the Boston Gardens he remembers, but set in times past. The story is sneakily very educational, integrating in plain English information about the migration, mating and molting habits of ducks into an engaging and whimsical story about a mother duck taking care of her own. It also teaches about counting, nature observation, social studies (explaining the different jobs of a police officer) and alphabetization (The names of the ducklings will never fail to make your little one giggle.) We've had it for two years, and it remains one of my son's favorite bed time stories. Truly a classic that belongs in any child's library.

Quack quack waddle waddle, quack quack waddle waddle
A tip of the hat, one and all, to Mr. Robert McCloskey. The father of the delicately shaded picture book, his stories always contain simple plots and a bundle of warmth. "Make Way For Ducklings" (which battles with "Blueberries For Sal" for the title Best-Known-McCloskey-Story) is one of the author's strongest efforts. Bringing elements of rural and urban life together, it not only tells a great tale but remains timeless in its telling.

The story follows Mr. & Mrs. Mallard, a realistically portrayed duck couple. No animals in funny clothes here. The two settle on a small metropolitan island to lay their eggs. Once hatched it's up to Mrs. Mallard and her troop to walk to their new home in the central park with the help of their local police force.

In the sixty some odd years since its publication, "Make Way For Ducklings" has remained exactly the same. The closest it comes to dating itself (aside from the stately cars and "lending library") is that Mr. Mallard abandons his family to fly ahead to the save island. That's one way of looking at it. Another way is to point out that Mrs. Mallard is a capable mother who knows exactly how to lead her small brood. The book is fun, diverting, and illustrated beautifully. It does not pretend to be anything it isn't. It is the classic above all other classics. And it is McCloskey's greatest invention.

Good story
This is a nice tale of a family of ducks finding their place in the world. We have the hard back version and the "book on tape" and both of my children like it. Nice to pair with The Trumpet of the Swan as part of this book is also set in Boston. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Oh, the wonderful things Mr. Brown can do! In this "Book of Wonderful Noises," Mr. Brown struts his stuff, as he imitates everything from popping corks to horse feet ("pop pop pop pop" and "klopp klopp klopp," respectively) while inviting everyone to join him in the fun. Young readers who are still learning their sounds and letters will get a wacky workout as they follow along with the very serious-looking, squinty-eyed Mr. Brown. Whether it's eggs frying in a pan or a hippo chewing gum, the skillful Mr. Brown just keeps topping himself, with a "sizzle sizzle" or a "grum grum grum." "Mr. Brown is so smart he can even do this: he can even make a noise like a goldfish kiss!... pip!" As usual, the words and pictures of Dr. Seuss make reading (and making all sorts of funny noises) impossible to resist. Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? will stay fresh through many a giggling reading. --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Reviews (89)

A wonderful first book for your baby!
I first started reading this book to my baby at 2 months old, and she was fascinated by the sounds and the bright pictures. I've read it to her so many times that I think we both have it memorized. When my baby was 3 months old I could simply recite the book to her while I was driving in a car trip and she would be entertained.

I highly recommend this book, along with Sanda Boynton's two books "Barnyard Dance" and "Moo, Baa, La La La!" books for infants and toddlers. With books that are interesting like these, my baby will sit for 45 minutes at a time to be read to!

A great way to interact with your child and teach her to love books and read.

AN ABSOLUTE MUST FOR SPEECH-DELAYED TODDLERS!
My son (now 3) is speech-delayed, and this is one of the first books that actually had him talking along! I would read, "Oh, the wonderful sounds Mr. Brown can do. He can sound like a cow, he can go..." and my son at 2 would yell "MOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" and do the same with the other sounds! It ENCOURAGES your child to speak by having them make some silly sounds! We even came up with hand gestures for several of the sounds to supplement my son's sign language (ASL) he used at the time. We read this book every night at least 4 times before bed. As his speech flourished (yay!), he began to want to say more of the words himself (we've memorized the book - not hard, and very fun to recite when waiting in lines, etc, heeheehee). Then, we bought him the Dr. Seuss video of ABCs, which has this book's "video" at the end. He watches the video with this book in hand, although the video has a few more sounds (I think this board book is a bit abridged, but not too much), and is now learning to read with the video/board book combination! I am HIGHLY pleased with this book, from it's hilarious illustrations (see lightning/thunder page) to it's musical cadence and silly sounds - it helped my son realize sounds can be fun and silly and encouraged him to play with them when speech was so frustrating for him at the time.

Fun reading, but not very sturdy
I have bought several of the Dr. Suess Bright and Early Board Books, and they simply don't stand up to the abuse a toddler dishes out. None of the other board books we own have fallen apart the way these have.

My 2 year old loves this book!
My daughter just loves having me read this book to her. "Boom boom boom, Mr. Brown is a wonder. Boom boom boom, Mr. Brown makes thunder!" She has memorized most of it, and has such fun making the sounds in it along with me. It really is worth buying for your little one - this is really a fun book to read!

Dr. Seuss inspires parents and kids to make wonderful noises
In the old days it was Old MacDonald who had a farm and on this farm he had a cow, duck, and all sorts of other animals, each of which made a particular sound that can be imitated. But then along game Mr. Brown, a creation of Dr. Seuss, who makes Old MacDonald look like the strong silent type. That is because as we learn in "Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You?: Dr. Seuss's Book of Wonderful Noises," Mr. Brown can do more than "moo" like a cow, "buzz" like a bee, and go "hoo hoo hoo hoo" like an owl. Mr. Brown can go "pop" like a cork, "eek eek" like a squeaky shoe, and even make the sound of a hippopotamus chewing gum.

I think one of the reasons this is a popular book with beginning readers is not only because kids enjoy making all these noises, but also because parents and other adults get to embarrass themselves in making the sounds on these pages come alive (or a reasonable facsimile thereof). Trying to make the sound of the rain or a big cat drinking is not too hard, but doing a very hard noise to make like the sound of lighting (which is a "splatt" apparently) or a noise like a goldfish kiss ("pip") might be pushing the envelope too much.

Of course, you can make up any sound you want when you are reading this to very young children. But you have to keep in mind that the whole point of these Bright and Early Books for Beginning Beginners is to inspire them to read on their own one day, which means you can look forward to being confronted by an indignant young child demanding to know how the noise you made every time you read them the book has anything to do with what is highlighted on these pages. So be forewarned, that sooner or later you are going to be embarrassed reading this book. ... Read more

Amazon.com

As young Tammo dreams of joining the Long Patrol--the legendaryarmy of fighting hares that serves the Lady Cregga Rose Eyes, Ruler ofSalamandastron--the brutal reality of a battle with Damug Warfang'smighty battalion of savage Rapscallions fast approaches.

Brian Jacques has proved time and time again his ability to transportreaders into a world of fantasy and adventure that many writers ofadult books would love to emulate. The Long Patrol certainlyproves the point yet again, but distinguishes itself by being perhapsthe very best of all the Redwall books so far. Relying less and less onthe old, familiar Redwall characters and more and more on the ingenuityand passion of younger blood, The Long Patrol will certainly winJacques a fresh following while continuing to delight his existing armyof fans. --Susan Harrison ... Read more

Reviews (181)

One of Jacques best! A great addition to the Redwall Series
In this, the tenth book in the Redwall series, a young hare named Tammello De Fformelo Tussock (Tammo for short) leaves home to find adventure in the famous Long Patrol. During his travels with the squirrel, Russa Nodrey, he joins the famous hares in a desparate mission to save the Abbey of Redwall from a yet another vermin horde threatening the peaceful woodland creatures. However, this time there's a glitch in Jacques usual pattern: The south wall is falling down. Jacques again uses his masterful recipe for excelent and fantastic storytelling to create one of the best in the series yet. With "Pearls of Lutra," Jacques finally created a sequel to his best, Mattimeo. This sequel to "Pearls of Lutra" is well worth reading, more than once. Brian Jacques is easily one of the greatest story tellers, and the greatest English fantasy writer since Tolken.

ok good book
This book is about a hare named Tammo. He wanted to be in a group of highly praised hares called the Long Patrol. The long patrol is a bunch of skilled hares that defend a huge mountain called Salamandastron; this is also where they live. A squirrel named Russa Nordry is taking Tammo to be in the Long Patrol. He gets with the Long Patrol and there is only a small group of them. They are going to Redwall abbey to help them from the big army come to the abbey. The abbey is full of peace-loving creatures such as; mice otters, and moles. Before the war the abbey has gone through problems. To find out more and what happens to Redwall, read the book.
Some things I liked about the book were that it had a lot of action and action and suspense throughout the whole book, especially at the last battle at the end of the book. Many events take place during it making it a very suspenseful book. There is many more things I liked about this book, but I can't tell you all of them.
Some bad things about the book are: it's only a type of book for people who like war. It also took a long time to pick up. There was barely any action at first, but when it picked up it got really good.
This is a good book and I recommend it to people who like suspense, war, and action.

The Long Patrol Rules
Tammo is a young hare who has ambitions to join the regal ranks of the Long Patrol, a battalion who defends the area from thieves and bandits. One of these bandits is Damug Warfang, leader of the Rapscallions, and almighty enemy of the leader of the Long Patrol, Cregga Rose Eyes. Unknowingly, the combined efforts of these two characters is the only way to defeat the massive force of the evil Rapscallions, but what sacrifices must be made to achieve this goal?

Once again Brian Jacques shows his writing skills with a addititon to his great Redwall series. The Long Patrol is a awesome novel which places animals in the roles of people, but still consumes you in a heart felt and powerful story. With humor, drama, and love, The Long Patrol can set its place as a classic novel in the heart of all its readers. This book will entertain you in all aspects and keep you occupied for hours. If your up for a good book, this is a good one.

Jolly good!
I love the Redwall series, and I mean that I love every book in it. This one, however, is my favorite. I think that the hares are my favorite group of characaters in Jacques' books and since this book centered around the elite fighting unit known as The Long Patrol, it makes sense that this is my favorite. You can't help but fall in love with Tammo and Russa as they make their way to Redwall and it's famed fare. And Damug Warfang is one of those villains that you just love to hate. Redwall fan or not, this book is totally great!

Move over Watership down
This action pack book is the squeel to Mattimeo and Pearls of Lutra and Red Wall. A young rabit runs away from home to join the Long Patrol. They engage in epic battles aganist the evil Raspcallian army. The main villian is not as well protrayed as the others were.

Your favorite charactes such as the Guosim return. No abbey warrior in this one that has a large roll. Martin of Redwall is now dead. Rollo is no longer the recorder.

A good with lots of swash buckling. I you like adventure I suggest you read this and the other 15 books in the series. ... Read more

Book Description

For many years the scientific and educational community has wondered and worried about the possibility that semi-sane scholar-pretenders would find the means to put out a series of reference books, filled with ludicrous misinformation and aimed at children.

So here we are with GIRAFFES? GIRAFFES! by Dr. and Mr. Doris Haggis-On-Whey. A world-renowned and much feared expert on everything, Dr. Doris Haggis-On-Whey has seventeen degrees from eighteen institutions of higher learning. With her husband, Benny, she has traveled the world many times over, has learned about all aspects of life, including outer space and food, first hand.

When is the last time you actually sat down and had a conversation with a giraffe? That's what I thought. You are hopelessly clueless on giraffe culture, their likes/dislikes and voting patterns -- most giraffes are probably libertarian. GIRAFFES? GIRAFFES! is the authoritative text on the biology, history and overall nature of giraffes.

You are so behind on giraffes that it's rather embarrassing and you obviously need this book more than health insurance. Things you probably don't know about giraffes -- and can only be found in this book -- include giraffes' preferred mode of transportation (conveyor belt), what their bodies are made of (paper mache, a clock, fruit juices and a super-strong lightweight titanium alloy), where most giraffes live (Terra Haute, Indiana -- known for many things, including buildings made of wood and ground made of dirt), and basic giraffe history (in 50,000 B.C giraffes began to hang out with primitive man, they found him to be likeable and helped him paint buffaloes in caves).

Cheat Sheet on Giraffes (good for slumber parties and barroom brawls):

• Giraffes invented plastic. "No, not plastic--latex. My bad. Still, though isn't that amazing?"

• Frequently Asked Question: Why do we call giraffes "giraffes?" Answer: Because when they came to Earth they asked us to.

• Rarely Asked Question: How fast can giraffes run? The giraffes have tried to phase out running from their lives but if they had to, they could still run much faster than you. Let's say, for the sake of argument, that they can run 780 mph.

With the wit and irreverent sense of humor for which Dave Eggers and McSweeney's is known, comes the first volume in the revolutionary Haggis-On-Whey World of Unbelievable Brilliance books. More than just entertaining and informative, GIRAFFES? GIRAFFES! will help you appear smarter, more in touch with your sensitive side and whiten your teeth. And much, much more that will likely sicken you. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

BIG, BEAUTIFUL & BIZARRE!
Do you like nonsequitors? Do you enjoy insanity? Are you comfortable living in a permanent state of confusion and/or Terre Haute, IN? Have you ever secretly been attracted to a giraffe? Are you wearing a yellow sweater?

You don't? You aren't? You haven't? Oh, well. Then fine, be that way.

But if you answered "yes" to any of the above, check out "Giraffes? Giraffes!" Good book!

WOW
This is one of the best books i have ever read! It is so unbelivably random and funny. It is just great! I advice everyone to read this great book. The randomness is hillariously funny!!! When I read it i couldn't contain my laughter. If you are looking for a fun book about random things this is your best bet! 5 stars all the way! ... Read more

Book Description

Irresistible to the very young, these delightful new novelty books feature young children's favorite animals with different tactile patches to feel and explore. Simple text and bright pictures provide talking points for parent and child. These sturdy books are perfect for little hands to hold and feel, over and over again. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Hopefully the lion won't got bald from all of the touching..
My 4-month-old loves this book. She expecially loves the lion's long fur. She grabs it and will hold on for a long time. Needless to say, we spend most of our time on the lion page! But the other animals are neat too; a bumpy lizard, a smooth dolphin, a frog with sticky pads on its fingers, etc. This is a nice book to share with your child.

My son loves this book!
This book has the greatest variety of different touch sensations that I have seen anywhere. My 2 year old son received this for Christmas last year and it has been his favorite. The sticky tree frog was the best page for him. It did lose the stickiness quickly, but I found an adhesive at a craft store that was specifically for tackiness. I just put it on the spots whenever they wear out and then we have weeks of fun again.

Beautiful photos and unique textures
All of the DK (publisher) books have gorgeous photographs, and this one is no exception. The photos are sharp and bright and the animals are highlighted against a white background, which makes them look like they are about to jump off the page. The textures in this book are really unique too. So many of the touch and feel books have all the same textures (fur, sandpaper, etc). This book has really unique and interesting textures (e.g. a cool, rubbery, soft, smooth surface for the dolphin - it really feels like the skin of sea mammals I have touched; and a bumpy shiny surface for the lizard skin). My 14 month old daughter really enjoys feeling all the different textures and "reading" this book to herself. Highly recommended.

A great hands on book!
Well, as a mom of a now-16 month old, I have to say that the "Touch and Feel" guys have "Pat the bunny" beat hands down. My son loves the diverse textures of this one and at a time when he rarely sits still for an entire book, we go through this one several times before he moves on. I love the diverse animals and the large "touching" sections. My only complaint is that the sticky patches for the tree frog lost their stickiness in about a week. Just proves that it is well loved already!

Wonderful Baby to Toddler Book
My 11-month old daughter can't get enough of this book and the "Touch and Feel" series. We started reading them to her when she was less than 6 months old because we thought she would enjoy the different textures. Not only does she still love touching the various textures, but she grabs the books and hands them to us so we read them to her over and over again. Nice short phrases on each page, beautiful pictures, cool textures, and very durable construction. ... Read more

Book Description

Crawling through the dirt, worms are hard at work, helping plants to grow. Worms help the fruit and vegetables we eat by loosening the soil and feeding the plants. Read and find out about these wiggling wonders!

Amazon.com

This classic Seuss title stars a happy-looking quadruped from the shores of Lake Winna-Bango who has the most amazing antlers and the kindest disposition. Alas! Everyone, but everyone, takes advantage of his generosity, and before long he has three-quarters of the animal kingdom nesting in the convenient perches atop his head. ("They asked in a fox, who jumped in from the trees, / They asked in some mice and they asked in some fleas.") You might think someone would take pity, but nobody seems to like an oddball, and all Thidwick gets for his trouble is complaints and contempt. Unable to cross the lake when winter threatens, he looks all set to starve--and then things get even worse. He is saved from certain death just in time, swims the lake, and joins the herd again. One reason this Seuss is so good: it has a moral, but the moral isn't pressed too far and the exuberant linguistic fun isn't subservient to it. (Ages 4 to 8) --Richard Farr ... Read more

Reviews (9)

39 years of loving this book!
I bought this book 39 years ago at a church sale when I was 6 years old--yes, I used my own money! I loved it then and I love it now. The illustrations are a hoot--seeing one critter after another move into poor Thidwick's horns has always made me laugh. And, I like to think of myself as a nice guy too and a moral fellow, just like poor Thidwick. So, the lesson of seeing people take advantage of one's good nature has served me as I've gone through life. In college I majored in Political Philosophy and I thought of this book then. The lesson for me was--Bad people will use your morality against you while themselves being unaccountable. Bad people will break the law all the time, but if a good person breaks the law...listen to them scream! And of course, poor Thidwick will do anything to keep from breaking the law (in this case the law of hospitality), even starve to death or be shot by trophy hunters, rather than eject his "guests." The law has been distorted and perverted in Thidwick's case. His immoral guests remind Thidwick that if he's to be a good host then Thidwick must cater to their needs. They don't / won't consider Thidwick's needs. The ungrateful guests seem offended that they might have some responsibility for Thidwick's suffering. Years later when I read a book by Ayn Rand, I thought of Thidwick during several passages. But this is most importantly a children's book that children love! My 4 year old son picks this book to have me read it to him regularly. If he didn't like it, what would it matter that his dad likes it so much!

My favorite Dr. Seuss book
..I won't write pages retelling the whole book. I just want to tell you that this is my favorite Dr. Seuss book and I have a copy that I received as a gift when I was 7 years old. My copy is over 30 years old and I have taken it in twice to read to my children's classes. My four kids love this book and their classes loved it too. A great book - buy it for your child and I'll bet that they will have the book 30 years from now and will be reading it to their kids!

Get Stuffed! Fish and Guests Smell in Three Days!
Thidwick's adventure begins simply enough. He is marching along on the shores of Lake Winna-Bango, on the far northern shore, looking for moose-moss to eat with 60 other moose. A small Bingle Bug nicely asks Thidwick for a ride "for a way." Thickwick replies, "I'm happy to share!" Most of us would have said the same.

But what happens when a guest overstays her or his welcome? In Thidwick's case, his horns become a veritable zoo of wildlife. There is a Tree-Spider spinning a web, a Zinn-a-zu Bird who gets married and builds a nest, and their uncle the woodpecker who pecks holes the squirrel family inhabits. And so on it goes, to include a bobcat, turtle, fox, mice, fleas, a big bear . . . and 362 bees!

Thidwick is like the horse in Animal Farm. He's providing all of the work and benefit, and everyone is bossing him around. Why, they won't even agree to let him leave with the other moose to find more moose moss. Why is Thidwick willing to put up with this? What are the benefits of having a big heart in this situation?

How does Thidwick end up in this mess? Well, having accepted the Bingle Bug, the subsequent guests ignore Thidwick and ask the earlier guests instead if they can move in. Thidwick honors his first commitment, extends it in time and to the new inhabitants.

As a result of Thidwick's dilemma, this book provides a good opportunity to discuss sharing with your child . . . and explain the benefits and limits of sharing.

Your child will run into people who will try to take advantage. This gives you a chance to ask your child what he or she would do in Thidwick's situation.

The story's resolution is a most original and humorous one that makes good use of the mental picture of shedding your onorous burdens.

This story is illustrated by Dr. Seuss, as well as written in his best rhyming way. The drawings of the creatures in Thidwick's horns come close to matching many of Dr. Seuss's most imaginative mechanical devices. The horns of this dilemma are funnier than those devices, because this concoction is based on animals and natural processes.

The story is a pretty easy one for five to six year olds to learn to read, because many of the words are short and rhyme. The illustrations also "name" many of the nouns. The humor provides "hooks" for memorizing the words.

I also liked the idea of introducing children to the concept of treating a guest well, even if the guest does not behave well. Our society would be much improved if we all did a little more friendly hosting.

After you finish enjoying this story, ask your child if she or he knows of anyone who is like Thidwick. Ask your child what that person should do differently.

Enjoy having a big heart . . . and hosting others!

One of two of my favorite Seuss's
I remember this book from growing up 30 years ago. The story of a overly gracious moose and how some of his woodland 'friend' take advantage of him. It is classic Seuss with wonderful rhyme and wording. This and McElligot's Pool are now staples for our children's bedtime reading.

Thidwick is always remembered
This is a wonderful children's story that I remember reading as a child. It has such an impression on me, I never forgot the story nor the moral that Dr. Suess implied in this tale. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

My 2nd favorite baby sign book
My favorite of the series is the "My first signs" book, as it gave our baby her start on signing. This one is a close second. Our daughter's always been enchanted by animals, and she loves to look at the pictures of the animals in the book. Some of the signs are a little confusing to her (she won't do horse, cow, mouse, or butterfly (she thinks butterflies are flowers no matter how much we sign "butterfly" to her))

But she loves to look at the pictures and do the signs for the rest of the pages. She does like to look at the pictures of the signs she doesn't do yet. Once she started to get the idea of signing animals, I've had to invent new signs for zoo animals and other animals not in the books! (camel, which she loves to sign, is pretending to spit, btw).

My baby loves this book!
We got this book at the library and my 16 month old loves it so much I'm going to buy it for her. She learned how to make the signs in just a few days and loves the book so much she is contantly bringing it to me. She always want to look at the pictures and gets a fantastic smile on her face. Then she kisses the the photos. Very cute.

Baby Signs for Animals
I got this book for my 15 month old daughter and she LOVES it! Though she still has problems with some of the hand positions (bunny), she just LOVES going through the animals and making the signs for them. Now she goes through her other books, making the animal signs she has learned. I only with there were more pages of animals. I guess I'm not creative enough to make up a sign for camel! ... Read more

Book Description

The bestselling Redwall series has gained new fans through the beautifully animated series that began airing nationwide on public television in April. . . and now the adventure continues.

The mighty badger warrior Lord Brocktree-with the help of the spirited young haremaid Dotti-must reclaim the mountain land of Salamandastron from the army of a villainous wildcat . . .

"Completely drawn and full of surprises as the complex subplots. [Jacques] is an old-fashioned storyteller. His tale is layered and detailed-and it twists as tightly as the winding corridors and hidden passages of Salamandastron, until readers are completely immersed in his world." (The Cincinnati Enquirer)

... Read more

Reviews (84)

Big Badger vs. Blue Vermin and Ambitious Wildcat
What would you say if you were face to face with thousands upon thousands of weasels and stoats dyed blue? What if you were a hare and all you could think about in times of trauma was your stomach? What if you saw a badger tromping over miles and miles of forest and field with a double-hilted sword? Lord Brocktree gives you the full effect of all these situations. A wonderful adventure story, this is one of Brian Jacques's best! If you have read any of the Redwall books(assuming you have, if you searched this book), you will expect comedy from the hares, moles, and other logical yet silly creatures. The hare sense of humor is at its best in Lord Brocktree. This book is about a badger lord seeking out Salamandastron to begin his reign there. On his quest, a chorus of hares, moles, hedgehogs, and otters join Brocktree in his quest for Salamandastron. But before Brocktree makes his home in the mountain, he must conquer the Blue Hordes and the self-proclaimed ruler of the world, Ungatt Trunn.

One of Brian Jacques Best!
Lord Brocktree is yet another masterpiece of author Brian Jacques. This tale depicts an adventure of two companions, Brocktree of Brockhall, and Dotti the haremaid. These two warriors set out to defeat Ungatt Trunn and his Blue Hoarde to bring peace back to the mountain of Salamandastron, once again.
I thought this book was fantastic. Brian Jacques really puts images into the readers' minds. For example, "It was situated in broad, beautiful woodland glade, backed by a steep, rocky hill, with a stream bordering one side, fringed with [junk] willow, guilder rose, and osier." This book was a lot like Martin the Warrior and all the other Redwall books because they all have characters who set out to bring peace to good creatures and to defeat evil. You won't be able to put this book down!

All hail " Lord Jacues"
This is a cross of adventure, chivalry, and friendship that only Jacues would conjure up. From the moment I picked it up, until the moment I put it down, I was entranced in a spellbinding story that took me to a place that was filled with magic and wonder. Only Jacues' next book could be so captivating.

Few surprises
By the time one has read twelve books in the Redwall series, he has a pretty good idea where he's going to be by the end of the thirteenth journey. And, indeed, by the end of Lord Brocktree, our horde of characters were exactly where I expected them to be: standing victorious on the shores of Salamandastron, not really too devastated over any losses, very cheerful about new friends made, and even more cheerful about the dozens of feasts put away.

Lord Brocktree opens with a salvo of extremely slow chapters; in fact, the first part, by itself, almost isn't worth the read. It begins long ago, before Redwall, before Martin the Warrior, even before the famous hare Long Patrol, when Salamandastron, guarded only by the ancient badger Lord Stonepaw and his retinue of equally aged and feeble hares, is placed under siege by the wildcat conqueror Ungatt Trunn the Earth Shaker. The mountain's only hope is the arrival of Stonepaw's son Brocktree, who is journeying from faraway Brockhall to take his place as ruler of Salamandastron.

Joined on his trek by a "fatally beautiful" haremaid, an otter, a mole, a battalion of mountain hares (with that delightful Highland accent), a gang of squirrel mercenaries, and a tribe of hedgehogs, Brocktree manages to get himself to the mountain in one piece just in time to give badger-sized warfare to the cunning Ungatt Trunn.

The story holds few surprises, especially for those who've already lived through Jacques's previous works. It suffers from an overabundance of characters, far too much time spent journeying, and several passionless battle scenes. However, it is redeemed by a typically witty and amusing grouping of hares and one of the best villains in Redwall lore.

Lord Brocktree
Lord Brocktree is one of my favorite books. It beats all the other Redwall books, and I will tell you why in this review.

This book seems ultimate, as in everything is x100. The huge hordes of Ungatt Trunn, The massive Brocktree, and the hopelessness of when Stonepaw was lord. The only part I don't like is that Redwall wasn't around yet, so there aren't the huge feasts like thy are in some other 14 Redwall books.

I strongly recommend you to read this book first, as it is first in the chronological order of Redwall.

Have a good read!!

-A helpful Redwall fan ... Read more