Book Description

Where are Baby's hands?
Under the bubbles!

Where are baby's eyes?
Under her hat!

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

Reviews (64)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Book Description

Is Mommy behind the chair?

Is Mommy behind the plant?

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

Reviews (15)

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

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

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

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

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

Reviews (2)

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

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

Amazon.com

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

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

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

Reviews (19)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Captivating!

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

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

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

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

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

Book Description

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

Reviews (7)

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

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

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

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

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

Book Description

A favorite of parents and caregivers.Over 300 innovative and easy-to-do activities.Infants. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Lots of great information
It's almost overwhelming. There is no way you can spend this much time teaching everything, but it's nice to be able to pick and choose fun things to do with your baby. It's easy to use in a well thought out layout from birth on, divided by sensory perception.

What do you do with a baby?
As a first time mom,of a child with special needs to boot, I had no idea. This book and the others in the series are great resources for finding things to do with your child other than watching Teletubbies for the thousandth time. If your child needs extra help in a certain area, like fine motor or listening skills, you can easily find a variety of exercises to help here. The later books in the series (Threes, Fours, and Fives) would also be a great resource for a homeschooling parent.

Active Learning for Infants
Not just for daycare! I am a first-time, stay-at-home mom and needed a way to tell if I was "doing all the right stuff" in regards to play, development, speech, music, etc. This book gives you exercises that are so easy for each stage of the first year of life. There is not a lot to read like a typical baby care book, but each section outlines what the child should be accomplishing and gives you exercises to ensure that your child reaches those development milestones. If you can look past the idea that it is written for daycare providers, you will find this book extremely helpful. I knew I was giving my child all he needed because I had these exercises to use as a handy guide. Good luck to you!

wonderful ideas
I absolutly recommend this book for all providers working with infants. It is loaded with ideas and learning expeirences for babies. A must for providers and mothers who want to expand their child's learning!

SAHM loves this series
I have every book in this series which goes from infant to age 5. Each book is laid out into sections for development of gross motor, small motor, imaginative play, language and number concepts. There are finer divisions within each section (eg. music, dramatic play). Each activity is on a 'card' that has the developmental stage of the child, how many can do it, how long it takes, the materials and also what to say to the children as they do it. It is easy to leaf through each section and see which activity you've got the materials for and you think your kids would enjoy doing.

The book is geared mostly for daycare centers, but is wonderful for SAHM (stay at home Moms (and Dads) too especially if you can combine the setup work with other Moms. Includes ideas on charting what you were planning to do with each child so you DO IT but you don't have to use them. They are not big on pushing children, but rather encouraging them to develop at their own pace with lots of opportunities. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Splendid Read Aloud Bedtime Storybook
It's a tough business to tell a child a favorite story again, and again, and again, both for the storyteller who's tired of telling it and for the child who has, like a true die-hard fan, grown into a very devoted yet demanding critic. The story must be told "just-so", exactly the same way it's been told before and at the same time fresh, new, and even better than ever. Wolf Story is a story about telling a story, and both a parent and their child will recognize themselves in 5-year-old Michael and his father as they share the ritual bedtime story, a story about a very nasty wolf named Waldo. Little Michael seems to "know" the story even before he's heard it, but he isn't altogether conscious of this. He knows it much better than the tale's storyteller/author, his father, and isn't shy at all offering suggestions when his father doesn't tell it right.

Guaranteed this clever book will have you both laughing out loud at times, but I was also very pleased to find an amusing children's book that manages to operate at different levels without the wisecracking or cynical tone so common in children's literature now. Children can easily see the story from the point of view of the father, of little Michael, the scary wolf and the little farmer boy, Jimmy, who stands up to him. This makes the story all the more delightful for them. What a treat!

Captivating for Kids & Funny for the Adult Reader
This is a nearly perfect read-out-loud book. I have shared this book several times with my daughters (now 10 and 12). I am looking forward to the time when I can begin to read it aloud to my three year old son. The story within the story (the struggle between the Wolf, Rainbow and the heroic farmer boy Jimmy) effortlessly keeps the children involved. The external story (the father and son inventing the animal adventure tale over several days) makes me laugh out loud with its sly humor and insight; the boy's missing shoe gets me every time. It's great to see that a reprint edition is available again.

Wolf Story
Every year I read Wolf Story to my second graders and at the end of the year when I ask them their favorite chapter book read to them, Wolf Story is chosen every year to be the favorite. They love to follow the adventures of Rainbow and Michael. When you complete Chapter 1, the kids are hooked. They can not wait for the next day. I have even had kids who have been sick ask if I can re-read a chapter that they missed or if they can stay in at recess to read the missed chapter on their own.

Wolf Story is wonderfully written and captivating to young children. Every year I can not wait to read the book. I find myself anxious to share the next chapter.
When my own children have children, Wolf Story will be the book that I can share with them. I strongly recommend this book to every child and to every adult who enjoys reading to their children at bedtime.

fun, sweet dad-son story
Five-year old Michael is a demanding taskmaster, and his father must be creative to tell a wolf story within the constraints laid down by his son. For instance, the wolf must be named Waldo. A terribly fierce wolf named Waldo. Good natured teasing and realistic conversation make this the humorous and sweet story of a father and son who enjoy each other's company.

It's a mystery!!
I don't know why my children howl with laughter every single time Waldo, the wolf skins his nose, but they do. On the other hand, every single time Michael washes his face being very careful not to disturb the dirt, I break out in giggles.

We've read the book more times than it is possible to count and listened to the audio version even more times than that.(The voice characterizations are delightful!) It still delights my children and tickles my funny bone. How many books can do that? ... Read more

Book Description

How many times can you jump rope? This rhyme makes the game of rope jumping even more fun. It's a counting rhyme, and there are lots of others like it. There are also red-hot pepper rhymes for jumping very fast, and rhymes for jumping in and out of the rope. There are even fortune-telling rhymes that answer questions and help you predict the future!

The rhymes in this book began as a way to keep the rhythm while jumping rope, but they also lent poetry and humor to the game. Here are over one hundred traditional rhymes that will make rope jumping challenging and, best of all, fun.

Reviews (2)

Great fun
For anyone who jumped rope a great deal (this excludes me) or swung the rope while others jumped (this includes me), this book is sure to have some favorite rhymes. As such, it is an interesting way to initiate cross-generational discussions - jump-rope rhymes are school yard folklore with astounding staying power. The book is also useful as a way to encourage young "couch potatoes" to get a bit of time outside with requiring outside to be a large space.

Of course, the best way to use the book is simply to enjoy it.

Hopping fun! It will take you back to your playground days.
What great fun to be reminded of the jump rope rhymes of my youth. And even greater fun to share them with my daughter. I hope you enjoy this collection of rhymes as much as we do. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Comics! Puzzles! Jokes! Laffs! Flip-O-Rama! Stickers! Sound too good tobe true? Captain Underpants (TheAdventures of Captain Underpants: An Epic Novel, Captain Underpants and the PerilousPlot of Professor Poopypants, etc.) is all about making readers happy,especially in this "really cheesy" (hey, the captain said it, not me) activitybook starring everyone's favorite wedgie-powered superhero and his fourth-gradecreators, George and Harold. Learn how to write your very own comic book, solveword-find puzzles, find your way out of Doctor Diaper's Devastating Diaper ofDoom maze, pick up a few prank tips, make flip-o-rama pictures, complete theCafeteria Ladies' Crazy Crossword, read all about Hairy Potty, the evil nuclearwaste-enhanced toilet with werewolf fangs, and so much more. The exquisitelyjuvenile humor and (intentionally) unsophisticated artwork will have evenreluctant readers clamoring for more from the very talented and irreverent DavPilkey. Pass the final exam and you can send away for your P.H.D. (PilkeyHonorary Diploma), make-it-yourself graduation cap with real artificial tassels,and a membership card. All three Terrifying Name Change-O-Charts 2000 areincluded, as well as a sheet of full-color stickers featuring Turbo Toilet,jockey-clad Captain Underpants, and the snickering troublemakers, George andHarold. (Ages 7 to 10) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Avoid bookopia
I bought a used copy of this book marked "in good condition," but when it arrived, all of the puzzles had been filled in. There was tons of writing. I had meant to give the book as a gift, but I ended up throwing it away. I was very disappointed.

A++++ Material!
This book is great, including that it has ideas to make a comic book, ideas to make FLIP-O-RAMA, and a whole new Captain Underpants Comic Book "Hairy Potty." This is A++++ Material.

Hey at least they are reading? Right?
My 8 yr old is usually glued into one of these books, I have read them and I guess you really have to be young to get into them, they are truly silly to the point of no return.
But, hey, as long as they are reading! She gobbles every Captain Underpants book she gets her hands on and the charter school she attends hands them out for reading so many books per term.
Good reading for kids!!!

Not CU
As an activity book or comic relief, this book is purty good. As CU or a novel, forget it. Withoutta doubt, no plot, no humor, no CU!

Puzzles involve characters of CU books. There's even a create-a-comic! These puzzles are, well, fun!

BUT! Beware, CU fans, the series is falling, and I think we should cherish the CUs we have

Kinda Soggy
Not as much interest in this book as the others in the series, this is more activity oriented than reading entertainment as the other books in the series. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Excellent activity ideas
I am a music therapy student and I used this book in constructing activities for music classes at a summer camp. This book had so many ideas for activities with music materials and ideas that were easily adaptable to fit the groups' needs. I especially love that few of these games really have a single winner, so everyone gets to participate and enjoy. I would highly recommend this for music therapists and educators as well as anyone else looking for this type of game for children.

101 Music Games for Children
Being a music educator, I purchased this book in hopes toenhance my music program. I have found it hard in the past to find musical games that young children can enjoy outside of musical chairs! With this book, I will never have that problem. To insure that my students have FUN learning music, we spend the last part of class playing one of these games. It is easy to do because this book provides you with a guide indicating age appropriateness, how long the game takes (5 min., 15 min., 30 min., etc.), specific number of players needed, and instruments and/or props if needed. Oh, did I mention that you don't have to be a kid to love these games? Well, you don't! There are games in here for those competitive music know-it-alls like myself! Did I mention that this book is great for planning parties? Forget the clown, it's usually a rip off anyway! Besides, music and parties go hand in hand! Last, it's a totally great book! ... ... Read more

Book Description

Charming coloring book includes 30 black-and-white designs based on patterns made by a kaleidoscope (a Greek word meaning "beautiful form"). Optically enchanting, these images will appeal to colorists of all ages. Artists and craftworkers will also find them an exciting source of inspiration and design.
... Read more

Reviews (8)

My Favorite!
I ordered 4 "coloring" books at the same time. I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly I received my order. They shipped 3 of my books so I wouldn't have to wait (impressive!) & the last book came the very next day. The kaleidoscope coloring book is my absolute favorite, so I'm back looking for more.

A peaceful journey
I have found this book useful in putting to rest some of the exhausting days of being 'housebound' over the past few months. I have used every medium you can think of, from colored pencils, markers, and the myriad gel pens. the outcome has been exquisite. I have even copied some of the results on clear plastic and used them for suncatchers. They make me smile, and remind me of the snowflakes and kaleidoscopes of my childhood. I hope there are more coming.

creative childhood
I really enjoyed this coloring book--as in my very early yrs., I had kaleidoscopes to play with. I was always intriqued with the color spectrum in them.I was hoping to find more on line with the illustrator of this book. Sadly disappointed. Will keep looking at other book sites. By the way, I am 56 yrs. old--and I love to color. It's wonderful therapy for relaxing and bringing back some childhood fun.

ATTENTION BIG KIDS!
I am a 48 year old kid who loves to color! This is one of the best books that I have purchased. The designs are all different and wonderful therapy after a busy, hectic day! I take a copy with me in the car for those times of waiting - I even took it to the ballfield while my son waited for 2 hours for autographs! I recommend this book very, very highly.

A great teaching tool!
I teach middle school art. I use this book in my classroom to practice applying color schemes. My students enjoy this activity because the designs are unique and challenging. Unlike with some other coloring books, they have to think about where they are putting color.When they are finished with a group of three designs of the same pattern they have something "cool" to take home and display. I will use this book for years! ... Read more

Book Description

Enter the magical world of Disney princesses. The Disney Princess Ultimate Sticker Book will thrill young fans of animated films. Stick Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and other beloved princesses onto full-color backgrounds to create your own stories and scenes. ... Read more

Book Description

You'll laugh! You'll cry! You'll wet your pants with joy when you read Dav Pilkey's All New Captain Underpants Extra-Crunchy Book O' Fun 2. Filled with crossword puzzles, word finds, mazes and more, this is one book o' fun that Captain Underpants fans can't do without! Learn how to draw your favorite characters, tell cheesy jokes, and even make your own silly Captain Underpants story. Best of all, you'll get a brand-new 56 pagecomic called "The Night of the Terror of the Revenge of the Curse of the Bride of Hairy Potty," featuring Captain Underpants, Super Diaper Baby, and Diaper Dog! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

I love Captain Underpants
I love the activities in this book. The comics made me laugh until I wet my pants. The jokes and comics are hilarious. It's not my most favorite Captain Underpants book but I still love it. Though the jokes are a lliittttlle overoffensive.

Captain Underpants books contain free spelling lessons!
I shared the concern of a previous reviewer about the multitude of misspellings in the Captain Underpants books. However, instead of forbidding my 9-year-old son from reading the books (which he loves), I turned the Captain Underpants books into a spelling lesson. I have my son mark the misspelled words and then write them correctly. If he's not sure of the spelling, he looks it up in the dictionary.

A BIG concern
I am not a parent or a teacher. I heard good things about this series of books from public radio. However, I was surprised and distressed when a 10-year-old I know with significant learning disabilities was reading the book with me and I discovered that many many words in this book are spelled WRONG. I can only imagine this was intentional, a style of writing, I guess... Perhaps giving the book an urban "edge"??!!! But I found it quite distressing. In my view, parents and teachers should be warned about this... I see it as very questionable in a book for school aged kids still learning to read. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Pumped Up!
It's more than a book. It's more than a toy. It's a glimpse of our world at play. The inclusion of stunning photographs, from cultures and places that most readers have never visited, qualifies this as a "coffee table" book. We have all seen clowns who manipulate balloons into the shapes of dogs or other animals. But, hats? The authors of this book traveled around the world making "crowns" out of balloons, and photographing the people wearing them. Illustrated, step-by-step instructions are given that allow any person with a little creativity to make some fantastic designs. The Balloon Hat Kit provides hours of entertainment for ages 9 to 90. Readers are encouraged to participate in the art of making balloon hats because 30 balloons and a pump are included in the kit. The "Seven Reasons to Make Balloon Hats" will win over even the most doubtful. What I like most about this book is its promotion of the concept that all people of the world are more alike than different. The photos prove that the authors achieved their goal of uniting people across the global through laughter and a sense of fun.

Great
Hi all. You wouldn't believe this, I've met these people! At an Art camp. They came and showed us dozens and dozens of pictures likt the one in Thailand with a flower. It was a couple years back and they had planned to buy a book for us when it came back. They said they are going to go on Jay Leno and Rosie O'donnel. Well, I just got the book and I am advancing in balloon art. From crazy hats to a pup dog. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone! All ages!

Downright fun!
This is a great gift for any age. I got this book and kit for my 44th Birthday and did I have a ball with it. The book itself is beautifully photographed. It is amazing to see where the authors went and who they shared their wonderful, creative talents with. Even if you don't want to make balloon hats the book is a coffee table must. The kit part is loads of fun. The directions are easy to understand and within minutes we were making wonderful, goofy, silly hats, including my 5 year old son and his friends. A gift that will bring lightheartedness and lots of laughter and fun to all. I suggest buying extra balloons, once you get started you won't want to stop.

Great for beginers
This book has all the basics. What you learn in this book will help you make any kind of balloon hat you can think of!

The Inflatable Crown Balloon Hat Kit
I've order several balloon book but this is the best! The colorful balloon pictures are magnificant and the instructions are easy to follow. What really stands out in this book is how they have traveled all around the world to bring smiles to people faces with their creativate balloon hats that they have made. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (1)

Enjoy yourself!
Most of this book is for advanced but you can find also
beginning figures (Scissors, Jacob's ladder, Walking Sticks)

Then you will find figures a little less easy (Chest ornament, Fishing net and lightning).

Next you will try figures a little more difficult
(Hina's skipping rope, Teniako's bridge, Ten Men and Crayfish).

I'm very found of series. In the book there are three :
Mr Umake, Crabs and Mt. Fuji.

With a good friend, you will make the figures for two
(a Mountain, Looking Glass and Sting Ray).

Tricks are things i love because they amaze my children.
My youger child (6) did the "Buttonhole trick" to his friend.
Trick are easy and you feel like a magician!
The other tricks are Caroline Island catch, Cutting off the fingers 1 and Cutting off the fingers 2.

But i think people prefer, first, tri-dimensional string figures
(Two mountains and a stream, King'trone and Howler monkey'mouth).
When you see a "Butterfly" like a real, it's really magic.

An excellent book with photos to each step.

You have also the sources of the figures, if you want learn more
about string figures.

In the book you will find three good strings (not same longer).
An excellent idea. ... Read more

Book Description

Making chess accessible to kids. International Master Michael Basman invites you into the challenging and exciting world of chess. His simple and accessible text presents the beginner with the rules, skills, and techniques of the game. Every aspect is illustrated with clear step-by-step photography, from setting up the board and basic moves, to more advanced tactics and strategy. A must for any budding Grandmaster! ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Not serious book for kids to learn from
This is indeed a book where pictures are used for entertainment purposes and not a serious book for an older kid to learn from.
OK for smaller kids.

''Checkmate or draw!''
Before this book has been written, there aren't many chess books for kids in those days, but here comes a book that is specially designed for kids and is readily accessible whenever kids wanted it. Since his years as an international master, Michael Basman has devoted his time to teaching schoolchildren chess, and years after that he set up the UK Chess Club, a chess tournament which attracts thousands of players every year.

Since I haven't got time to write down Michael Basman's bio in this review, I feel his kids chess book is worth having and is highly recommended to any kid. You know, many kids will hate a book that is unatrractive and dull and will soon get rid of it but Michael Basman's book has very attractive pictures, that'll show kids the game positions, and they are very clear, only to find them done in digital photography!

Chess is a battle of wits between two players and checkmating the opponent is a very difficult task, requiring your skill and knowledge. Michael Basman explains this in his book with a very accessible text that'll allow kid readers to understand the game concepts and is simple enough to apprehend. Heck, if I'm a kid right now I'll be able to read through the book like water!

Apart from the very clear pictures and simple text, Michael Basman uses his teaching experience to let kids gain a clearer understanding of chess pieces through the ''Check it out!'' section of the book and this section offers a brief explanation of the piece in terms of history and piece effectiveness.

The book is well laid out, thorough and kid-friendly and is always there when kids need it. It covers all of the most important aspects of chess, including the basics. Most of all, it's highly informative and that means kids can have all the info they need in order to play chess correctly.

What more could I say, this is a great book, and I swear Michael Basman made it by heart and by using his chess experience not anything else! The book is well laid out, clear, thorough and easy to use anytime. The book CAN teach kids the game so what're you waiting for, get your chessboard and pieces and let the games begin!

Not that great
I have read about 6 chess books in my school library. I didnot find the teaching to be as serious as it should be for kids over 8 years old. I learned a lot more from "Chess For Juniors" and "ideas Behind the Chess Openings" in the library.

Attractive pictures but not for serious learners of Chess.
A typical DK book full of great pictures illustrating the game. But it has nothing for children who already know how to play the game and are looking for advanced topics. In my opinion, this book can get a kid started on Chess.

Great for children and adults
This book is useful for anyone who wants to learn how to play chess. Several adults (including myself) have learned something new from the book. It starts with the basics of setting up the board and piece movement. It moves into more complex issues like piece valuation and notation.

Too many people buy a chess book, only to give up because it feels more challenging than War & Peace!

This one fits the bill. It is thin; it has great pictures, and even some drama. Did you know that the bishop used to be represented by an elephant? Buy the book to learn more. ... Read more

Book Description

Play games from all around the globe!

Learn to play Mexican kickball. Practice throwing jackstones the way kids do in Kenya.Discover how to construct a galimoto (wire toy from Malawi) with pipe cleaners.With Kids Around the World Play!, you’ll have a great time exploring the traditions of other cultures while you sharpen your wits with the memory game from South Africa called dithwai, or challenge your racing skills in the South Korean flower relay, or make your own cool bilboquet, a toy from France.

Filled with games and activities from places near and far, including China, Japan, india, Mexico, Bolivia, italy, and Russia, among many others, this exciting collection also gives you plenty of fascinating facts about the history and culture of each country.All the toys and games can be made or played with just a few simple materials easily found around the house.So get ready for tons of fun and excitement while you discover just how much you have in common with kids around the world! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Another great book...
>
> This is a fun book!! If you're concerned about
> spending more time with your kids, then buy this book.
> Many of the games, especially Egyptian Senet, German
> Muhle, and Kenyan Bottle Cap Checkers, can be enjoyed
> by all family members. Our family had a great time
> playing these games. Plus, the historical and cultural
> information about games and toys is fascinating!
> Braman has done it again! I highly recommend this
> book. ... Read more

Book Description

A favorite of parents and caregivers.Over 300 innovative and easy-to-do activities. Ones ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great for people in daycare.
I found this book to have a lot of great ideas to do with toddlers ... Read more