Reviews (1)

Good Summer Review/Comments by Professional Educator at UAB
Engaging for the child. Mostly math and language activities of differnt types, styles, and complexities. Tasks get progressively harder toward the new school year. A good general purpose review and prep to keep skills fresh and build a few new ones before schools starts in August. Moderately well-illustrated.

Encourages independent reading and offers a suggested reading list--though parents should review any of these books for appropriateness for their child.. In choosing books for independant reading the key is for the child to enjoy reading challenging materials--let your child choose what interests them as much as possible. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Kept him busy!
I didn't want our son to forget what he had learned in Kindergarten over the summer, so I decided to challenge him for the 3 months he was off. This book was EXCELLENT! It breaks up the months and the activities so it's not all of the same thing until they get sick of it. The reward system worked great and if we missed a day, our son knew exactly how many pages he had to make up. I will definitely buy the 1 to 2nd grade book in June next year!

Good Summer Review/Comments by Professional Educator at UAB
Engaging for the child. Early math, shapes, sound matching, simple reading and other language activities of different types, styles, and complexities. Tasks get progressively harder toward the new school year. A good general purpose review and prep to keep skills fresh and build a few new ones before schools starts in August. Pretty well-illustrated.

Encourages independent reading (though what kids at this age can read is still fairly limited)and offers a suggested reading list. In choosing books for independant reading the key is for the child to enjoy reading challenging materials--let your child choose what interests them as much as possible. ... Read more

Book Description

There's this boy. Let's say he's somewhere between nine and thirteen years old or so. You'd like to see this kid get creative. You'd like to see him get some exercise. You'd like to see him get out from in front of the television. And you'd love for him to be motivated enough to find some stuff to do on his own. This boy NEEDS The Big Book of Boy Stuff!

The Big Book of Boy Stuff has all the important information that boys just have to know. Collected here for the first time in one place, it holds the answers to these timeless questions:What do I do if I get a bean stuck up my nose?How can I make lightning without killing myself?Where can I find new practical jokes to play on my friends and family?What is the best way to poop outside?How do I tell a girl I like her?WHY would I tell a girl I like her?How many mosquitoes does it take to suck all the blood out of a person? . . . and many, many more! This big, thick, durable book includes fascinating chapters on gross stuff, magic, emergencies, fireworks, games, experiments, jokes, activities, insults, pets, flying things, and, of course, duct tape. This is perhaps the greatest book ever published! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Funny and fun
It has great practical jokes and gross stuff. Besides saying this book will make my summer a lot more fun, IT ROCKS

Boys Dream
To every boy, and every 50 or 60 year old, boy at heart, you need this. Written by a genious, this book has everything you need to keep yourself busy. I, myself as a student in his amazing class, can certainly vouch for the fact that, in truth: This book is so well written and so funny, you will wish that YOU could write a book right now! So get on it, and take yourself on an adventure. ... Read more

Book Description

Inspired by the issues discussed in Loving Your Body / Loving Yourself, this journal gives teens the opportunity to explore their own feelings about their bodies, themselves, and other related topics in a unique, personal way. Author Kimberly Kirberger provides commentary, questions, and suggested writing activities to help girls use the journal to work toward loving their bodies and themselves. Body image is the #1 issue among preteen and teen girls. This journal is specifically designed to help them express and work through their feelings on this powerful, important topic.
... Read more

Reviews (1)

A great journal!
This is a great journal for teenage girls to discover their personality, values and stuff like that. lol. It's really fun to fill in! I recommend this to every girl from age 11-16. ... Read more

Book Description

A Boy and a Bear teaches young children how to relax and calm themselves.Written for children 3 - 10 years old, this book tells the story of a young boy who encounters a polar bear while they are both climbing a snow covered mountain.The boy and bear become friends and learn an important lesson in relaxation together. As the bear watches the boy breathing, children mirror their movements and learn valuable breathing skills to enhance their own relaxation.Children will not only enjoy the story, but will benefit by learning a self-calming technique to reduce stress, prepare for sleep, and improve self-confidence. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

GRANMAS WILL LOVE IT!
After a tiring day with a very cranky grandson, I decided to try reading A BOY AND A BEAR with him at bedtime (supposedly). I was pleasantly surprized that as we got into reading and doing the book, we both became more relaxed and calmer, and best of all, more loving to each other.
Thank you Lori

Best Goodnight Story I ever read!
Now my child can calm himself down with this essential breathing technique. He followed along without me telling him what to do. Not only is he using this to fall asleep but also during the day to calm down. My whole family is breathing like A Boy and a Bear and my entire family is de-stressing and calm.We are now using Lori Lite's other 3 relaxation books. They all help!

The Most Relaxing book I have ever read!
I bought this book for my over-active 6 1/2 year old. The first time I read it to him he was curled up ready for sleep, this from a child who would still be awake long after Daddy had fallen asleep reading to him! Even when upset, this book will settle both my children, I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Great nap time reading!!!!
My young child had lots of trouble settling down for a nap or even a quiet moment during the day. By using Lori Lite's book I was able to get my child to concentrate on breath, and breathing technque through her characters. Now we bring out the book when ever we need to relax. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Good activity book for summer.
This book is a nice introduction to kindergarden work. I'd particularly recommend it for kids who already like doing "worksheet" type activities. My son's older brother has started the 45h-5th bridge activity book, so both signed the contracts in the beginning-if they complete 20 days they get a trip to the toy store, and both work on their books at the same time. This is no substitute for interactive learning, or playing, or reading to them, but keeps skills from getting rusty, and in the case of my pre-kindergardener gets him thinking about the sorts of things he'll be doing next year. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

summer bridge activities- wonderful
This book is a great book it helps kids learn over the summer and kids just love it, its interesting to. Before my son did not want to do math language or reading, but with this book its a challenge for him so he does it, and not only for that, but the activities are fun, I even think so. I recommend this book to everyone. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Terrific
This is a great book to use to work with your child a little (10 minutes) every day during the summer months to keep the basic math and language skills up to snuff. It has lots of motivating rewards built in and my kids actually agreed to do it, in order to get the rewards. It was also a good opportunity for me to sit down with each of them and learn what they did and did not know from the expected grade-level skills. And to focus on the short-falls. I have used each of the books in the series now for the last 2 years and will again this year. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Fun for grownups, too!
A friend of mine gave me a copy of Ed Emberley's "Fingerprint Drawing Book" and some colored stamp pads for my birthday last year. I had so much fun with it, that I bought the "Complete Funprint Drawing Book" for my five year old niece. We both have lots of fun making "thumbies", and she's able to follow the steps very easily.

I enjoy decorating blank cards and envelopes, and have created scenes using combinations of various fingerprint figures. For example, on one card, I created a winter scene using the skiier, ice skater and snowman, and another using the football player and cheerleader figures. I also use a variation of the queen "thumbie" on the membership cards I've created for my local chapter of Sweet Potato Queens, known as The Couch Potato Queens.

Fingerprint art is fun for everyone, and the books are great!

Easy for anyone
I'm not crafty and this was so easy for me, my 7 year old son, and even my 2 year old daughter. A terrific activity for our cancelled school snow day. Simple instructions to follow and a great sense of self esteem for the children as they accomplish their creations. No frustration for mom trying to explain it either. I'm telling all my girlfriends about this book.

Fantastic book for all ages - easy to follow instructions
I borrowed this book from our local library to use for my daughter's kindergarten project. The drawings are very easy to follow.

I was first introduced to Ed Emberley's books when I received his animal drawing book as a young child. I spent hours drawing animals. It helped me to become creative.

This book combines 2 of Ed's books - thumbprint and fingerprint drawings. It is nice to have the choice because with the different sizes in fingertips, you can create different sized animals and depth within pictures. I especially love the section on fingerprint drawings. The detail and color suggestions are wonderful.

I highly recommend this book!

fun fun fun
What a fun book. My 5 year old son loved it and has already improved his drawing quite a bit. Thumbs up!

Why should kids have all the fun?
I love to be creative when sending out birthday cards and notes. The characters that you can create with Ed's books make you feel like you have an artistic flair...even if you failed art in grade school. What is nice is that there are a variety of ways to use the materials and make your own versions of cartoons by incorporating different faces, etc. I bought the first book by Ed for my son when he was in gradeschool and I promptly hid it...why should he have all the fun? You can make the prints in plain black ink and use colored markers to make the pictures pop. It is well worth the $. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Learning means fun with the curriculum-linked, classroom-provenworkbook series from Scholastic and JumpStart, creators of the populareducational software for children. Playful animal characters guideprekindergarten-age kids through the exciting new world of letters, numbers,shapes, colors, and sizes. The 320-page workbook contains an entire year's worthof exercises, with three different skill levels for "jumping" ahead. Every pagehas a new, sequenced challenge for the young learner, from tracing and writinguppercase letters to completing nursery rhymes to matching shapes and colors.Full-color art and lively games and activities make education an adventure,while reward stickers and Certificates of Completion reinforce children's senseof accomplishment as they complete each section. Helpful Eleanor the elephant ison hand to provide learning tips and offer support (and stickers!) to students.What could be more important than giving kids a jump-start in learning? The bookincludes answer keys and 120 full-color reward stickers. (Ages 3 to 5)--Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (8)

All Gimmick
My daughter recently received this book for her 4th birthday. Not to brag, but she has very advanced verbal and math skills for her age, so I consider her to be appropriately classified as Pre-K. That being said, this book is way over her head. She doesn't know how to read. She is trying to learn the alphabet, for which purpose this book is ill-suited. The first three pages instruct the child to trace the letters of the alphabet. From there, the child is expected to do a number of exercises requiring mastery of the alphabet. The directions make little sense if one doesn't already know how to read, which is unreasonable for anyone to expect as background knowledge for the Pre-K level. Often, it is not even obvious to me what the creators of the curriculum intend by some of the exercises.
Furthermore, the colorful cats, etcetera are distracting. I ripped out the "reward" stickers and gave those to her right away, after I noticed that she was rushing through the page, doing unacceptable work, in order to hurry up and get the sticker. I think the stickers are damaging to my attempts to instill in her the intrinsic value of learning.
This book may be useful for children who already know how to read somewhat as a review of the alphabet and numbers, but I do not recommend it for even the most advanced 4-year-olds.

Wonderful
I've been aware of this line of products for some time. Recently while cruising one of the large area booksellers I purchased this for my 3 1/2 year old son. -- I liked the format of having all of the activities in one large book which I could store safely in our book case, instead of having to search amongst the coloring books for the smaller single subject books. -- My son delighted in the book from the first time we worked on it together. -- I read the instructions and he is able to complete many of the activities. Just enough of the concepts are beyond his abilities right now that this will be able to provide months of engaging challenges for him. He seems to really enjoy figuring out the right responses 'all by himself' and the look of pride and satisfaction he gets is just priceless. -- The pages are also perforated, so just last week I took several pages with us on an airline flight. My son was content for the entire trip. - As we were leaving the airplane a woman seated in front of us complimented him on what a bright and well-behaved little boy he is. It made both of us feel great.

My neice can't put this book down!!
This is probably one of the best presents my 4 year old neice got. The first day she got it she did 55 pages in one day!! Now her mom has to tell her to take a break because she'll work on this book for hours! She's had it for a few months and its surprising that she hasn't gotten bored with it unlike her other books.

Fun step-by-step learning
My almost 4-year old daughter just received this workbook (the 1st grade edition) as a present from Grandpa. She enjoys completing the excersises, with a little adult help to make sure that she is following the directions correctly. I like that the book progresses in difficulty as the lessons get completed. My daughter is already learning how to read with a Phonics method, so the phonics excercises were at the right challenge level. The workbook did help her pick up new sound combinations in the middle of words, which she had not covered yet in her Phonics class. I was surprised that she seemed to be able to handle the beginning Math without much trouble, such as grouping and counting by tens, and how two and three digit numbers are constructed, since before this workbook she was only counting up to twenty, and adding very small numbers. My daughter really likes the animal characters, and of course, the stickers. I plan on buying her some of the kindergarten books and as soon as she finishes them go back to this workbook.

Wonderful learning tool!
My 6 year old daughter who will be in 1st grade this fall loves this book! This is one book that wont be thrown in the corner and forgotten. My daughter has worked hours on this book. She loves it!!! She does not feel like it is work either. I highly recommend this for summer work or to catch up. It is huge and not a tiny work book they will whiz through in an hour. Out of all the workbooks we have had this is the best. ... Read more

Book Description

52 playful and easy to understand activites to hhelp parents teach children moral lessons that they won't forget

A child says, "I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand." 10-Minute Life Lessons for Kids is a book about seeing and doing--a book that gives parents the ability to teach the powerful principles of honesty, trust, generosity, love, and other values. Children will discover the objectives themselves as they actively participate in fun games and activities.

The games can be done in any order, with very little planning and with very few supplies--just common objects most people have around the house like toothpicks, string, pennies, or an apple. Some can be done while riding in the car, and others can be expanded to fill a whole evening with family fun. The activities in 10-Minute Life Lessons for Kids will not only create cozy and enjoyable moments of family togetherness, they will have a lasting impact on your growing child. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Extremely valuable!
Jamie Miller provides detailed instructions on how to teach the lessons in the book. Not only is it quick and easy to follow but the lessons I teach my kids, will stick with them for a long time and hopefully pass on to their kids. I am thankful for a book like this to help me raise my child in a positive and fun way.

Great Idea
We use the games in this book as the basis for discussions about character at the supper table with our 11 and 15 year olds. Jamie C. Miller had a great idea with this book. I think our kids will take away valuable lessons on values for their whole lives, and maybe do the same for their own kids someday.
Also recommended: Norman Thomas Remick's book of character called "West Point: Character Leadership Education..", which is an education in and of itself, and which my husband and I constantly refer to.

Geared towards kids under 10
I purchased this book after reading the glowing reviews from other parents. The concepts are great, the games and activities - truly ten minutes or less - are creative and effectively teach the lessons they set out to teach. However, I disagreed with previous reviewers who found this book helpful for opening up lines of communication with their pre-teen and teenage children. These are sound lessons, but I don't see how any parent could get their older children to participate without a lot of eye-rolling and protests of "I am SO too old for this." More interesting for older kids are "201 Questions to Ask Your Parents" by Pepper Schwartz or "201 Great Questions for Kids and Parents" by Jerry Jones. Both books allow older kids to ask parents about their feelings and life experiences in a way that makes them recognize parents as regular people, just like them, who grew up just like they did, learning and making mistakes along the way - not infallible, inaccessible, or larger-than-life as we sometimes seem.

Wonderful Fun
I start our weekly family meetings with a lesson from this book. All three of my boys (ages 8, 13, & 17), have gotten lots of fun and value from the books lessons. Mom & Dad Too!

A must for school counselors
I am an elementary school counselor and found several activities in this book to use in my classes. The students cheer when I walk in the room. They expect to learn through the fun activities I used from this book. If you like to have creative lessons you'll love this book! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

WOW!
I just bought this recently, and it is much better than I even expected. I have a bunch of camping books in my library, and this one is better than many more expensive adult books. It has great advice even for adults, but is indespensible for camping with kids. It teaches you how to build a fire safely, cooking on the fire, (great kid favorites recipes), dealing with bugs, how to pick a camp site, what kind of Lots of safety tips too. The fun drawings make this a pleasure as well.

The authors show you how to make a reflector oven. The main feature if this book is the fun activities for around the fire such as stories songs, games, etc. Teaches kids how to identify the stars easily and even identify features on the face of the moon. I plan to use this with our Cub Scouts.

Great for Novice and Experienced Campers Alike
This book flows like the campfire. From gathering the supplies, to lighting the fire, to the blaze, to the dieing fire, to the embers it's an enjoyable experience.

It has lots of activities: stories, songs, skits, etc. to make your campfire an enjoyable experience.

I wish I had owned this book when I taught a Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation for teaching Cub Scout Adults about making a successful overnight campout.

This book has been added to my library and will be suggested at all future BALOO trainings.

Excellent source for camping with children
I am a girl scout leader and was looking for a book to help me on my first trip with young children (grades 2-4). It provided me with useful recipes for cooking on coals, cooking in a pit, or even a reflector oven. This book has many good suggestions for campfire games and even activities that can be used for achieving try-its or even junior level badges. Summer stargazing and moonwatching are covered in detail. This is a great book for beginners or experienced campers. You must have this book if you enjoy the outdoor overnight experience.

A fun book
"The Kids Campfire Book" is a wonderful collection of all sorts of things kids want to know and do with campfires: building a fire, songs, star gazing, stories, recipes and lots more. The illustrations are clear and charming! I've used it with Cub Scouts and at a lake cabin, and it adapts to any similar situation. A good resource for anyone camping or enjoying a campfire with kids. ... Read more

Book Description

Packed with striking animal photography and more than 15 exciting textures, the Touch and Feel Animals Box Set is the perfect gift for the curious toddler.

Contains: Touch and Feel: Farm, Touch and Feel: Baby Animals, and Touch and Feel Wild Animals ... Read more

Reviews (1)

My daughter LOVES these books!
My 10 month old loves the "Touch and Feel" books! We read some every night before bed and often during the day. She will even turn the pages and babble/read by herself! She loves the different textures (although she isn't a fan of the sticky paint or frogs feet) and pictures. I would recommend any of the "Touch and Feel" books. ... Read more

Book Description

The Greatest Dot-to-Dot Book in the World is a challenging collection of connect-the-dot surprises that stands apart because of its complexity and variety. In addition to traditional dot-to-dots, there are unique innovations and variations for those who can count into the hundreds and follow simple instructions.Readers will appreciate the fact that they can't tell what the images are before they start, as well as the twists and playful challenges that maintain excitement throughout the book. The final pictures cover a broad subject range, adding to the surprise element. This is a relaxing and fun book that will entertain young and old alike. Ages 8 to adult. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

The Greatest Dot To Dot Book In The World Book 1
This series of dot-to-dot books are wonderful. As a child, I loved games and challenges. Dot-to-dots and mazes were my favorites. I had no idea these books even existed until I saw them in a Bits and Pieces catalog several weeks ago. I looked them up on Amazon and found there were four books. I ordered all four books from Amazon even though I thought I would probably be disappointed if they were too simple. Even as an adult, I still work dot-to-dots when I find them in magazines and newspapers, so I figured I had nothing to lose even if these books were for children. I'm in the baby-boomer generation, so I confess I like to revisit my childhood era occasionally.

Boy, was I surprised! When they came in the mail, I sat up until 5 a.m. the next morning working some of the puzzles. I am retired with 30 years in my local school system, so it wasn't like I had to get up early. After I would complete one puzzle, I would think I'll just do one more. Then another. Then another. I tried all the different types of puzzles. I am so excited and I wanted your customers to know how much I enjoyed them.

Even my 76 year old mother enjoyed working the puzzles. Like me, she was very skeptical about ordering sight unseen.

I hope to see future publications of new books. I look forward to seeing Books 5, 6, 7, etc. real soon.

Dot to Dot Book 1
I found my first Dot to Dot in the GAMES magazine. Boy, was I hooked!!! As a kid I loved doing Dot to Dot books. I'm so happy that I came across that puzzle. I went to his web address and downloaded the samples there, I made several copies to do until my three Dot to Dot books that I ordered come in the mail. I highly recommend these books to everyone. I can't wait until Book 4 comes out. Mr. Kalvitis, keep up the good work.

Wonderful Books!
I heartily recommend THE GREATEST DOT TO DOT BOOK IN THE WORLD series! The puzzles are challenging and very enjoyable. I'm a 66 year old grandmother and my husband and I enjoy doing the puzzles together and we recommend these well-produced books to people of all ages and abilities. Thanks for the fun, Mr. Kalvitis!
Sincerely,
Patsy Koehn

lives up to its title
This is a surprisingly fun book. I was curious but mildly skeptical after reading the description and reviews here, but find that the puzzles are rewarding. In addition to challenging examples of the conventional connect-the-dot method, author David Kalvitis introduces creative variations called Sets, Stars, Field of Dots, Odd/Even and No Dots! Sound intriguing? That essentially captures the spirit of this tantalizing set of pictures waiting to be liberated from obscurity by your erstwhile efforts on their behalf! It really is fun to see what's hidden there among those dots. Kalvitis also gives some information about the origins of the form and getting the best results. If you're at all interested in this puzzle form, and want to exercise your left and right brain simultaneously, you will enjoy this fun book.

Note that even the simplest puzzle contains 49 dots and most contain many more, so this is too difficult for little kids but a very nice choice for those who are beginning to outgrow their lower-level puzzles or the child who enjoys/needs practice with fine motor skills or has some interest in art. Also for puzzle-loving adults. Nicely done.

A Great Connection
A wonderful collection for all of us who love dot-to-dot but despaired of anything beyond the kiddie level. Great way to relax for adults; kids learn as well as connect. Kalvitis makes it fun and informative at all levels; the results are intelligent and interesting'never obvious or cute. Introduces some variety into the traditional dot-to-dot with alternative ways to follow directions and connect. Well thought out and attractively produced; lives up to its title (so far, there are two books in the series). ... Read more

Book Description

Enjoy hours of coloring and activity fun!

This super-special book is packed with pictures of all your favorite ponies.

Reviews (1)

ALL THREE BOOKS!!!!!!!
In this coloring book, it's all three other books in one! It even has new ponies, some of them are Butterscotch and Strawberry Swirl. It even has the Christmas Ponies, Mittens, Candy Cane, and Snowflake in it! It is really fun to color in! ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

Chester and Wilson had their own way of doing things, and they did everything together. When they cut their sandwiches, it was always diagonally. When they rode their bikes, they always used hand signals. If Chester was hungry, Wilson was too. They were two of a kind, and that's the way it was - until indomitable Lilly, who had her own way of doing things, moved into the neighborhood.

Reviews (9)

Belly Laughin Four year old!!!
My four year old loves this book, when Lilly does her stuff my son loses it, he actually gets belly laughs. We read his book five nights in a row when we first got it, and we didn't mind reading it over and over. Lilly really is a crack up. The moral is great. I have since bought "Julius Baby of the World" and we have read this the past three nights in a row, and we look forward to reading more by Kevin Henkes.

School Counselor
We are going to be using this book on our unit on Friendship. We will discuss the likes of each of the characters in the book, and how different they may be, but how they are friends. Kevin Henkes has a wonderful website as well, where you can get reproducibles. As a counselor and parent it is an invaluable resource!!...

My Eye
When I read this book it made me reminisce about my friend and me. We do everything together.
When Lilly moved in, it was bad for Chester and Wilson to not like her. Then it was nice of her to help them out when they were in a predicament.

Kevin Henkes is humorous and clever, even for adults
I purchased this book because my maiden name is Chester- honestly, it's the only reason I got it! What a delight to find that the story is amusing and worth every penny. Chester is a mouse who does things his own way- he always eats the same thing for breakfast, he always uses hand signals when he rides his bike, and he never leaves the house without double-knotting his shoelaces. Chester's best friend's name is Wilson (my mother's maiden name- another delightful surprise!), and he and Chester are inseperable. When Wilson accidentally swallows a watermelon seed and cries because he's afraid he'll grow a watermelon in his belly, Chester swallows one too, so Wilson won't be alone in his predicament. This pair are like two peas in a pod...and then Lilly moves into the neighborhood. Lilly has HER own way of doing things, and Chester and Wilson avoid her like the plague. That is, until she scares of some neighborhood bullies trying to pick on Wilson and Chester. From then on, the three of them go everywhere together, and Chester and Wilson find that Lilly has many of the same interests that they do. An amusing and chuckle-out-loud story for all. Be sure to get "Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse", too.

Chester's Way is Wonderful
Kevin Henkes is an absolute treasure. His stories are a treat for both children and adults combining rhythmic prose and engaging artwork. "Chester's Way" is a delightful book about friendship. Wilson and Chester are the best of friends, and that's the way it was...until Lilly came along. Lilly does things differently than Chester and Wilson. However, they eventually become friends and learn from one another. My son and his best friend liked the story so much that they dressed as Chester and Wilson for Halloween one year. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

What it was like for kids to live during World War II
"World War II for Kids: A History with 21 Activities" really has three key components. First, there is a history of World War II from Hitler's rise to power in 1933 to the surrender of the Japanese in 1945. Second, Richard Panchyk provides excerpts from actual wartime letters written to and by troops on both sides along with personal anecdotes from people who lived through the war. Finally, there are 21 activities that can show young readers how it felt to live through World War II, both on the battlefield and on the Home Front.

Actually, the first function is the least impressive part of "World War II for Kids," although Panchyk provides a solid history of the war. It is just that the personal writings and recollections, along with the activities, are where Panchyk goes beyond what you would find in your standard American history textbook, which is why this is an excellent supplemental volume. Teachers can certainly use the activities and quote from the letters found in this volume to give students more of a sense of what it was like to live during that time.

The 21 activities are fairly interesting and cover a variety of subjects. Some are fairly complex, such as substituting a potato for an incendiary bomb and following the instructions on how to extinguish it, or staging a radio adventure program, while others are relatively simply, such as drawing a recruiting poster. There is an exercise in code breaking, learning how to camouflage, making a ration kit, going on a reconnaissance mission, figuring oat a coastal defense, the physics of dropping bombs, and a game that helps demonstrate the difference between mortar and howitzer fire versus anti-tank and anti-aircraft fire. There are also "Home Front" activities like making a bandage, putting together a care package, growing a Victory Garden, sending V-Mail, and extending butter, as well as a couple of activities having to do with the Holocaust by making a Jewish star and trying to find good hiding places in your home for the student and an adult helper.

Obviously some of these activities are going to be more practical and more beneficial than others, but Panchyk has made an attempt to come up with different ways of giving his young readers an idea of what it was like for kids and adults during World War II. Again, while young readers can certainly read this book and try the activities on their own, "World War II for Kids" is even better suited as a resource for teachers to use when teaching the pivotal events of World War II. Comparing what life was like for their grandparents during that war as opposed to the rather limited impact on their lives today during the war on terrorism could be quite an eye opener for young readers.

7 year old loves this book
My 7 year old son is a WWII fanatic and loves this book. It discusses not only events in the war itself, but also the impact of the war on life in the U.S. The activities encourage kids to think about far-reaching effects of war, not just the exciting battles. ... Read more

Book Description

Featuring more than 60 full-color reusable stickers - including all thehumorous character of the upcoming Disney/Pixar release - this book offers readers a huge range of interactive stickers and zany facts. ... Read more

Book Description

Wowie, wow, wow! It’s Junie B. Jones’s top-secret, personal beeswax! This hilarious companion to the best-selling series features Junie’s own original writings along with drawings, stickers, and lots of blank pages with creative prompts designed to get kids drawing and writing about their own top-secret, personal beeswax. Kids will love getting to know Junie up close in this fun, interactive writing format. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Great diary for adolescents
3/6/04 A young kin(who happens to be a girl) was given this book . The book brings out the creativity in children (more so since it is patterned like a diary and they do not have to worry about correct spelling .The sample by the character before the reader does similar is also done well(e.g.:the last chapter "Time To Say Goodbye"" Asks the reader to 1. rate journal experience 2. tell how it feels to be a real live author 3.sign the book and give a sign off message). It has no lock & key on and to the book so it did not put her in the position of hiding it somewhere as "confidential" where she wouldn't pick it up again to proceed nor did it put her under pressure to have to finish it (she's had it since last year's holidays and picks it up to work on when she feels like it....the author puts her character(Junie B. Jones) in 1st grade ,however the language and style of the book definitely would appeal more to adolescents of 3rd grade to about 5th or 6th grade .

it was fun making friend with Junie b.
I loved this journal. I had fun writing in it. And it was very fun to here what Junie B. had to say.

Great way to make writing fun!
I just got this for my 8 1/2 year old niece. She already loves Junie B. so I knew this book would be a hit. I think it probably works best for girls, but if you know a boy who loves Junie B., he'll like it. If she (or he) doesn't already know who Junie B. is, it's probably best to read a few of books before getting this diary.

My niece loves reading, but writing is still a struggle for her. With this book she's having fun writing, instead of it being a chore. She has done about half the book in just three days. She loves that it's her own personal book and that no one else can look at it (although we are sometimes allowed a peek). I've promised that when she finishes this, we can go and buy another diary, with a lock and everything.

I think this is a great introduction to creative writing. There's enough structure so that the process isn't intimidating. The book's format shows that there's a lot of freedom in writing your own diary. You can draw, make lists, and there's even a few times where Junie B. changes the writing suggestion to something she wants to write about.

This book is so creative!!
AWESOME!!!!!
I think this book is soo awesome because it lets you put what you think and you can make stories. It is sooo creative cause you can draw and it is fun to see what Junie B. said. I think all girls and i guess boys too should get this book and it is a great way for parents to relax while your kids read and write and draw.

why I love this journal.
okay I love this journal because I love to write! also I enjoyed reading what junie B. wrote!Okay bye! cause I HATE to type!
by Olivia b. ... Read more