Book Description

Runny Babbit lent to wunch
And heard the saitress way,
"We have some lovely stabbit rew --
Our Special for today."

From the legendary creator of Where the Sidewalk Ends, A Light in the Attic, Falling Up, and The Giving Tree comes an unforgettable new character in children's literature.

Welcome to the world of Runny Babbit and his friends Toe Jurtle, Skertie Gunk, Rirty Dat, Dungry Hog, Snerry Jake, and many others who speak a topsy-turvy language all their own.

So if you say, "Let's bead a rook
That's billy as can se,"
You're talkin' Runny Babbit talk,
Just like mim and he.

Book Description

Last night while I lay thinking here
Some Whatifs crawled inside my ear
And pranced and partied all night long
And sang their same old Whatif song:

Whatif I flunk that test?
Whatif green hair grows on my chest?
Whatif nobody likes me?
Whatif a bolt of lightning strikes me?...

Here in the attic of Shel Silverstein you will find Backward Bill, Sour Face Ann, the Meehoo with an Exactlywatt, and the Polar Bear in the Frigidaire. You will talk with Broiled Face, and find out what happens when Somebody steals your knees, you get caught by the Quick-Digesting Gink, a Mountain snores, and They Put a Brassiere on the Camel.

From the creator of the beloved poetry collections Where the Sidewalk Ends and Falling Up, here is another wondrous book of poems and drawings.

Notable Children's Books of 1981 (ALA)
Best Books of 1981 (SLJ)
Children's Books of 1981 (Library of Congress)
1981 Children's Books (NY Public Library)
1981 USA Children's Books of International Interest
Winner, 1983–84 William Allen White Award (Kansas)
Winner, 1983 Garden State Children's Book Award (New Jersey Library Association)
1984 Garden State Children's Book Award for Non-Fiction (New Jersey Library Association)
1984 George C. Stone Center for Children's Books (Claremont, CA) "Recognition of Merit" Award

Reviews (28)

Where does the sidewalk end? In the attic.
If you don't remember these rhymes from your childhood, then it's about time you visited the attic, "A Light in the Attic," that is. Silverstein combines humorous sketches, whimsical poetry and fanciful word play in another amusing collection. "Where the Sidewalk Ends" will always be my favorite, but poems like "Spelling Bee," "Deaf Donald," "Nobody" and "Little Abigail and the Beautiful Pony" definately make "A Light in the Attic" a close runner-up.

If you know Silverstein's work, then you are familiar with his simple rhyming style. His flair for combining drawings and words make for a book that's much more than just a collection of poetry. His poems are an experience that would be diminished without the visual aspect.

Silverstein's collections are great for all ages. I read them as a kid, but I enjoy them just as much now. Silverstein has the soul of a child, but the wit of a sage.

"The saddest thing I ever did see
Was a woodpecker peckin' at a plastic tree.
He looks at me, and 'Friend,' says he,
'Things ain't as sweet as they used to be.'"
-Shel Silverstein page 83

The best book of all times, exiting and very funny.
This poem book is the best yet, I have never read any poems as funny as the ones Shel Silverstein writes."A Light in the Attic" is a book for people of all ages.The whole class of seventh graders enjoyed it.We were laughing our heads out when we heard the poem,"Standing is Stupid".I recomend this book to anyone who is having a bad day and wants a moment of happiness!

A MUST HAVE
I am not a big poem fan but I love this book! Drawings are great and so fun!

A review by a children's author
I read Shel Silverstein when I was young and I loved his poetry. I used to read it to the kids I babysat (and I never sat on a baby) and I now read it to my own children. What can be said that hasn't been said already?

This: Shel Silverstein wrote more than just silly. Some of his greatest poems bring tears to my eyes and make me think about things like justice, death, love, and even my Creator. Pretty deep stuff. I personally believe it's that inane sense of humor he had combined with an almost philosophical take on life that mades Shel a great children's poet.

Some of my favorite poems by Shel are in this collection, The Light in the Attic.

The Little Boy and the Old Man should make any person who reads it think about aging and reaching out to our loved ones who are er, how shall I say it, a little past their prime and also to those who haven't quite reached their prime yet. And How Many, How Much is a wonderful reminder that friendship starts in your own heart.

And I wonder, was one of my favorite movies (Bruce Almighty) inspired by one of my favorite Shel Silverstein poems (God's Wheel)? Did the writer read that poem and think "What a great premise for a movie!" Could be. Whatever the case I know his work was one of my inspirations in becoming a children's writer. And now I'm writing a book of poetry for children and as I craft it I returned to all these funny, touching, ironic, wistful, poems and realized, "Uh oh, I set the bar too low. I need to kick it up a notch." I so I strive to do just that.

My nightmare is being compared by a cranky reviewer to Shel Silverstein, "This writer is an imposter to the throne of the great Shel." Let me state here and now that I don't want the throne. I would just like to sit under a oak tree in the courtyard outside the palace if that's okay. And while I'm there I'll just take a big whiff of the rosebush that stayed so very small (read the book and you shall see what I mean).

Finally, let me add this, I believe these poems expanded my creativity in my younger years and I believe they expand it to this very day. Buy a Light in the Attic for your children and read the poems together. You will expand their vocabulary, help them develop a sense of comedic timing, cultivate an interest in poetry, and give them their first lessons in philosophy, all the while having a fantastic time together. Now that's what I call maximum return on a minimal investment(...)

the laughing stock
Hula eels, magic carpets and tickilish tom are all things in A Light in the Attic. This hilarios book has fun filled poems all over! such as Little Abigail and the beautiful pony. What happens to Abigail when she doesn't get what she wants?
The author Shel Siverstein uses rymes through out the whole book to make it super funny. I would recomend this book if you like fantasy and magic. You will love these poems and be rolling on the floor laughing. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

No need to feel Helpless
No child should feel helpless when it comes to the jungle of a playground. This book encourages dialogue and an internal sense of courage. The book is very kid-friendly. The language is perfect for those grade 3-6. The format and cartoon characters make the whole book and subject very approachable for kids. Whether bullied or not, this raises awareness to help all kids help themselves.

Great in the Classroom!
This book has been a valuable part of my classroom read aloud program for 3 years now. It is valuable in that it really speaks to the students on their level. It is straight-forward about the problems and realities of bullies and teasing. This book often provided a great springboard into valuable classroom discussions. Students become empowered to stick up for themselves and to understand the thought process of a typical bully.

I would recommend this book for any classroom library.

GREAT BOOK FOR YOUNGER KIDS
I liked the cartoon explanations in this book, and the way the author explains that bullies are "self-esteem vampires" He goes into gang violence and what you should do about it as a child. He also goes into name-calling and general nastiness. I just wished that he would not have said that most children who are picked on, are shy children. In my experience, it is the children who are different in someway (race, religion, opinions, dress, hair color, braces etc..) that brings on the teasing. This book does not address that issue very well.

Bullies are more than a pain in the brain!
Recent events in our schools have shown that bullies -- aside from being a pain in the brain -- can bring out reactions from their victims that are dangerous. Teaching our children how to deal with bullies is important for parents, just as not being bullied is important to kids.

I bought this book three years ago, and read it to my then 6-year-old. The writing, and the cartoon-like pictures, made it enjoyable for him. We discussed the topic at hand -- bullies. At that age he was riding the bus to school, and was on the playground sometimes with older kids -- bullying was a concern he'd brought up often. I was concerned -- certainly I didn't want him to just turn the other cheek. I'd also noticed that sometimes his reaction to bullies was to 'out bully' them.

This book gave him some ideas on how to cope. It is a great conversation starter for parents and kids. Why do bullies bully? What else could they do? What can YOU do if bullied? What ELSE could you do? Does bullying the bully work? Why not?

A couple of weeks ago, before school began, I noticed that he'd pulled the book out and was reading up on it again.

A good book to read with your kids, and evidently one they can also read to themselves as a refresher course!

Great for both kids and parents.
Concise, yet comprehensive. Entertaining paperback with cartoon-like illustrations. Captured my son's attention and taught me a few new things about bullies and safe strategies for dealing with them. A must read for concerned parents and kids who are tired of being pushed around. ... Read more

Book Description

Millie McDeevit screamed a scream
So loud it made her eyebrows steam.
She screamed so loud
Her jawbone broke,
Her tongue caught fire,
Her nostrils smoked...

Poor Screamin' Millie is just one of the unforgettable characters in this wondrous new book of poems and drawings by the creator of Where the Sidewalk Ends and A Light in the Attic. Here you will also meet Allison Beals and her twenty-five eels; Danny O'Dare, the dancin' bear; the Human Balloon; and Headphone Harold.

So come, wander through the Nose Garden, ride the Little Hoarse, eat in the Strange Restaurant, and let the magic of Shel Silverstein open your eyes and tickle your mind.

1996 Children's Books (NY Public Library)
Editor's Chice 1996 (Booklist)
1997 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (ALA)
1997 Books for the Teen Age (NY Public Library)
Children's Choices for 1997 (IRA/CBC) ... Read more

Reviews (49)

Shel Silverstein Rocks!
Shel Silvertein's book Falling Up was the second of his books I ever recieved. (The first was The Giving Tree.) I loved it so much that I read it cover to cover in less than a day! His book has inspired me to write silly poems of my own. I look at his works for reference when I write school asignments because they give me great ideas. I now have all of his poem books and would reconmend each and every one (Where the Sidewalk Ends, and A Light in the Attic). His works should be spread across the nation to young and old alike. Read his poems and thank me later!

Shel Silverstein's Falling Up will not let you down!
Falling Up is the third collection of poems and drawings offered to us by the multi-talented Silverstien. This book will appeal to the child and inner-child alike. Regarding age, this book like: "Where the Sidewalk Ends" and "A Light in the Attic", knows no boundries. In addition to being a poet, Shel Silverstien is an accomplished cartoonist, playwrite and lyricist. Mr. Silverstein played a big part in the early career of Dr. Hook, writing such hits as "The Freaker's Ball", "Cover of the Rolling Stone" and many others. The popular country classic "One's on the Way" by Loretta Lynn was penned by Shel Silverstein. The Irish Rover's signature song "The Unicorn" was also written by Silverstein and can be found in "Where the Sidewalk Ends".
If the author is Shel Silverstein, you can't miss, as the copy within is sure to be a hit!

Falling Up
I read Falling up by Shel Silverstine. It has over 125 poems.All of them are fun interesting and humoreous. Most poems have drawings and rhyme. The poems are perfect for kids of all ages
My persoal favorite poem is called "the Monkey". I like it for two resons. The first is it tels a story. Seacond is it has great Illustrations. The last is it replaces words with numbers as in "He'd neverr climbed be 4". that poem is on page 40.
this is a great book filled with poems and storys for children. I rcomend this book to all people interested in poems and funny thimgs.

the best
since I was a little girl,I always wanted my mother to read me this book. It was full of deleight and surprises, I enjoyed it alot.when she finished 1 poem, I would always ask her to read another after another.Truly, this is a book that everyone should read and have.I have the entire collection of Shel Silverstein books.He has a very special talent in writing, I have always admired him.His books are one of a kind.

Falling Up
Falling up by Shel Sylverstien is one of the all time greatest poem books. This is a great book for someone who just wants to relax and enjoy reading something silly not serious. It is good to laugh and even better to laugh at what you are reading because at the same time you are working your brain as well as exercising your sense of humor. Mr. Sylverstien uses the most interesting words to express himself in his poems. It amazes me at how he can pull all of these funny things out of his head. There are so many great poems in this one book so that I could not possibly tell you about just one. Some of the poems are so outrageously funny and the few serious ones are still a little humorous which is what makes the poems so good. Shel wrights many poems and has published many books. It surprises me that all of these different ideas and feelings can come from one man. From a tattooed suit to a pet snowball, from a pencil made wrong to a world where things are completely opposite, even the stories that are about life lessons are still really good. Some books by Shel Sylverstien are Where The Sidewalk Ends, A Light In The Attic, and The Giving Tree. Those stories are just as good as Falling Up. The author Shel Sylverstien, the book, Falling up. It is an enjoyable read that can be found at most bookstores, libraries, and online. ... Read more

Amazon.com

If you grew up with Kay Thompson and Hilary Knight's Eloise books, someof her eccentricity probably rubbed off on you whether you realize it or not.Frankly, it's difficult to remain unaffected by a 6-year-old girl who lives inNew York City's Plaza Hotel, braids her turtle's ears, talks to Mars through apaper cup, and pours water down the mail chute. Eloise's Guide to Lifepieces together snippets from Eloise, Eloise in Paris, Eloise in Moscow, and Eloise at Christmastime in theinterest of instructing its readers on "how to eat, dress, travel, behave, andstay six forever." Of course, if everyone took this advice, people would putlarge cabbage leaves on their heads when they had headaches, throw occasionaltemper tantrums, comb their hair with forks, and pretend they were orphans toget food from strangers. Like the wee Seuss-isms, this whimsicalsampling of Eloise-isms is sure to renew a sense of rebellion and joie de vivrein nostalgic Eloise fans. This small book is perfect for new graduates or foranyone who has forgotten how much fun it can be to wear toe shoes on their ears.For adults who want absolutely everything Eloise, The Absolutely Essential Eloiseincludes the text and illustrations of the original title, along with ahistorical scrapbook detailing the making of Eloise. (Grownups) --KarinSnelson ... Read more

Reviews (7)

ELOISE!
I've been reading Eloise since I was 6 and I'm now 14! She represents freedom, and her wildness refreshes my mind. It's a great book for kids and it will expand their imagination.

Every child should grow up with Eloise!
Eloise rocked my world when I was little... now I'm 18 and bringing her books to college! She's an inspiration to six-year olds and adults alike. This book is just another great glimpse into the world of Eloise. I consider it a lesson on how to stay young through use of the imagination. It isn't as great as the original Eloise, but it's still wonderful! I read it to children I babysit for (who love her) and I plan on reading it to children of my own someday!

Not an Eloise fan...
My daughter received this as gift from her Aunt(an Eloise fan) for her 6th birthday. I found it to be confusing. I would not pick this for a child. Not my idea of a childrens book.

For Eloise fans only!
Let's face it-you are either an Eloise fan or not. There is no in-between. I happen to be a very loyal fan.

I ran across this by accident one rainy airport day and of course, knew it was going to be great. I was not disappointed. This is a book full of previous work collected into a life "guide".

The illustrations are once again, hillarious! Who couldn't smile at Eloise's antics? The "advice" is superb. But my favorite are the little pink colored advice tidbits on most pages.

I am so relieved that Eloise has not been censored by the politically correct. So many children's books are so soapy clean that you cannot enjoy them. However, all things Eloise remain classic.

Scrapbook of Eloise's Quirks from the Four Books
This book contains highlights of the four Eloise books (Eloise, Eloise in Paris, Eloise at Christmastime, and Eloise in Moscow), grouped into her habits about eating, dressing, travel, behavior, and staying young (six). The book is like having a brief scrapbook of these stories that capture and remind you of the essential character of Eloise. As such, this book will help you quickly drop the cares of the day . . . and it's healthier than a cocktail.

On the other hand, if you haven't read all four books, I think this assemblage will lose some of its charm. Some of the examples don't make much sense if you don't have the story context for them.

If you have read all four stories but don't have copies, this is the bargain basement way to have a little of each one.

If you can afford to indulge, I suggest Eloise: The Ultimate Edition as a better choice. That has all four stories, plus the wonderful scrapbook material about the development of the Eloise character and biographies of Kay Thompson and Hilary Knight. Once you own that edition, you don't really need this one (unless you just want to tuck it under your pillow for comfort).

Some of my favorite sections from this book include Eloise combing her hair with a fork, ordering room service, insisting on Sabena because they let turtles fly on that airline, and getting a new outfit from M. Dior in Paris. I'm sure you'll find some of your favorites, too.

By the way, Eloise must have authorized this book. Kay Thompson wouldn't have . . . because it's commercial Eloise rather than essential Eloise. The wonderful Hilary Knight drawings carry the edition, even when the context seems lost.

After you have finished enjoying this little souvenir, I suggest that you try boiling down your life into 20 elements of your own habits. Which 20 best capture the real you? If they don't capture you, what does that say? Hmmmm. Something to think about.

Remember the best . . . from midst all of life's little eddies. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Who hasn't looked at a fruit or vegetable and seen a funny face? In How Are You Peeling?--by the creator of the whimsical Play with Your Food--the "natural personalities" of produce are enhanced with black-eyed pea eyes and the occasional carved mouth--then photographed in vivid colors. One page reveals a wistful-looking poblano pepper being comforted by a cheerful red tomato, while another shows the amused, confused, frustrated, and surprised expressions of a green pepper, red pepper, orange, and apple. Adults and children alike will marvel at the range of expressions these fruits and vegetables possess--did you know just how many faces a kiwi could have? With simple rhymed text describing the emotions ("How are you when friends drop by?/ With someone new... a little shy?"), this appealing picture book is bound to spark discussion with young children. Parents can use it to talk about different emotions or to help children to identify and articulate their mood of the moment. Adults will just plain be amused. (Click to see a sample spread. Copyright 1999 by Play with Your Food, LLC. Used by permission of Scholastic Inc.) (Ages 2 to 6) --Richard Farr ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Amazing
Saxton Freymann and Joost Elffers are playing with their food and we are the lucky recipients of their charming and amusing latest effort, How Are You Peeling? Foods With Moods. The simple rhyming text discussing emotions we all feel at times...happy, sad, grumpy or worried, shy, insecure, amused or confused...to name a few, compliments the amazing fruit and vegetable sculptures. It's hard to believe an onion, kiwi, radish or mushroom (to name but a few) could express such emotions, but they do. A vibrant, visual treat the entire family will enjoy reading and discussing, this is a book that should find its way onto everyone's bookshelf!

A captivating, absolutely beautiful book!
From the moment I opened this book I was in love. It is amazing how the artists transform ordinary fruits and vegetables into loveable and wildly different characters. The text is simple for a child to understand, and wonderfully written. If you're looking for a way to talk with your children about emotions, look no further. I read this book to my daughters preschool class and we loved it! I never thought a book could make me want to give an affectionate hug to a green pepper, but this one does! Buy it for every child you know. Heck, buy it for every adult you know too!

Such a Fun Unique Way to Discuss Emotions with Young Kids!
I was reading how important it is for parents to help thier young children identify the different feelings that they experience. This is the first step in the process of planting the seeds of compassion and empathy for the feelings of others. Who would ever think we could turn to fruits and veggies to teach the lessons! These are truly works of edible art portraying such feelings as anger, fear, surprise, joy, pride, sadness, and jealousy. My two sons love this book and so do I. We read it all the time and sometimes use it to open up discussion about specific reasons that they are feeling a certain way and what they can do or say to others. Even my 3 year old "reads" it to me all by himself. I'm so glad that I found out about this book in my favorite source of quick-read parenting sanity, called "The Pocket Parent." This A-Z guide (written exclusively for parents of preschoolers) offers hundreds of tips to try when the kids challenge your sanity. If you have a 2, 3, 4, or 5-year-old, consider adding these two books to your personal library to refer to again and again.

I'm Peeling Fine, Thank You...
"How Are You Peeling" is an incredibly artistic and imaginative book that is fun for ALL ages. The bright colors and clever transformations of these foods are sure to leave you Peeling Great!

Entertaining and unusual
I finally purchased this book because my preschool aged grandsons wanted me to bring it home from the library all the time. They just love this book. It's a good way to talk about feelings and the pictures of the "veggie people" are very clever and interesting. The photos have inspired us to create our own veggie people which is loads of fun for little children. I recommend it highly. ... Read more

Book Description

Enchanted by the wildly successful Blue Day Book's poignant, often funny, photos of animals and clever, poetic insights, many parents and teachers from all over the world wrote the author asking, "When will you do a version of this book for children?" That day has finally arrived. The Blue Day Book for Kids features the same style of delightful black-and-white animal photos found in its New York Times best-selling predecessor. But this special edition for children is accompanied by compassionate words of wisdom written especially for children 12 and under. As BTG says, "Hey, even little people have big blue days." The deceptively simple, imaginative story line reflects a child's sensibility about the symptoms, causes, and cures for those times when children feel tired, grumpy, left out, or think that nothing ever goes as they planned. Even on days when brussels sprouts are served at dinner . . . a cherished toy must be shared . . . a homework avalanche looms . . . or a silly mistake is made in front of friends or family, The Blue Day Book for Kids provides children with a literary umbrella to laugh off the unexpected rain life can bring.

Book Description

"Have you ever done something and then thought, "Uh-oh, that was a bad idea"?We thought so.How about the time you asked your best friend to give you a haircut?Or when you went skating with your dog (who had just been kicked out of obedience school)?What if you put all you bad ideas into one book?Then you would have...

THE BOOK OF BAD IDEAS!" ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great read aloud!
As a 6th grade teacher whose students love picture books (though they wouldn't admit it), this is a great read aloud. The kids laughed and laughed and couldn't wait to create their own "bad ideas". Great choice for any age!

Everyone has Bad Ideas
I love this book! It reminds me of growing up in a house with three little brothers. Every family has their own memories of bad ideas. Laura Huliska-Beith tells of hers with flair and creativity. The illustrations are colorful and rich in texture. There is something new to laugh about every time I read it. I'm buying a copy for each of my brothers! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Caution: for advanced storytellers only! The tongue twisters in this book will have your children laughing for hours--and that laughter just might be directed at you! Mixing genuine words with classic Seuss vocabulary, Oh Say Can You Say gets trickier with every page.You'll start off easy with this cautionary limerick:

Said a book-reading parrot named Hooey, "The words in this book are all phooey.When you join them your lips will make slips and back flips, and your tongue may end up in Saint Looey!"

Reviews (9)

oh say can you say is a very good book
its a rhymeing book good for all ages and fun to read. It will leave you with a smile on your face wondering how he did it again. Dr. Seuss is a great author and shows you why once again in this book....

Tongue Fun for Everyone
We all know Dr. Seuss is the best,
put your tongue twister skills to the test!
Tho' this book's oft overlooked,
I am sure you'll be hooked
"Oh Say..." is a Seuss tongue-twist fest!

Tongue twisters, Seuss style
"Oh Say Can You Say?" is a collection of tongue twisters from the fertile pen of the great Dr. Seuss. Each twister is accompanied by Seuss's characteristically whimsical illustrations. The collection is introduced by a frazzled-looking parrot named Hooey.

"Oh Say" contains Seussian imaginary creatures (the Schnak, the Grox, etc.) and silly characters ("a musical urchin named Gretchen von Schwinn," the acrobatic Fuddnuddler brothers, etc.). Along the way are such tongue-torturing phrases as "Skipper Zipp's Clipper Ship Chip Chop Shop." The colorful illustrations, as one might expect from Seuss, are bursting with surreal energy. Overall, a lot of fun, especially if you love rhyme and alliteration.

Oh say can you say
I thought this was a really good book. I liked all the tounge twister. I could Hardly say most of them fast. I think this would be a harder book for younger children.

This is wonderful!
My 2-year-old loves the sounds and rhythms of the words. These are tongue-twisters that also rhyme, in that unique, Dr. Seuss style. Imaginative, wild and wonderful verses. I love reading them, as well, and my husband enjoyed them, too. Just alot of fun. ... Read more

Amazon.com

For over 20 years, kids and kids at heart have giggled at the jumbled,goofy nonsense poems of Shel Silverstein. And now, lucky readers canlisten to his mad meanderings as well with this 20th anniversary editionof A Light in the Attic, which includes a CD read by the author himself.Eleven classics, including "Twistable, Turnable Man," "The Dragon of GrindlyGrun," "Prehistoric," and "Backward Bill" are performed by the late virtuoso ofverse, while the tremendously popular book contains every one of the originalpoems that made Silverstein's name a household word: "Poemsicle," "Hula Eel,""Standing Is Stupid," "Moon-Catchin' Net," "Meehoo with an Exactlywatt," anddozens upon dozens more. Silverstein's amusing, cartoonish line drawings areevery bit as familiar and beloved to readers as his poems. Gone, but notforgotten, the creator of the irresistible poetry collections Where the Sidewalk Ends andFalling Up, left anindelible mark on children's poetry. (All ages) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (2)

This sequel's just as funny as First Day Jitters!
Mrs. Sarah Jane Hartwell is back, in this sequel to "First Day Jitters." On the first day of school, she sets up a mailbox for her students and the rest of the school staff to post letters to her. As the year unfolds, via the letters, the reader learns of all the important adventures and learning that occur in her classroom during her first year of teaching. There's the disastrous field trip, the unexpected visits from the firefighter, the observations by the principal, and the problems with snacks and classroom pets. The full color illustrations expand the detail offered in the letters. Some of the letters are shown in their childish handwriting, and there is a huge improvement in penmanship skills between the beginning and the end of the year. The others are typeset, which makes the reading easier. This is a delightful sequel, just as funny as the first book. Read First Day Jitters to a class during the first week of school, then save this one to read to the same group during the last week of school. Students and teachers will all wish they could be in Mrs. Hartwell's class!

Another great book for teachers.
FIRST YEAR LETTERS is a great sequel to Julie Danneberg's best selling FIRST DAY JITTERS. Filled with humor, charm and wonderful illustrations this is a must for teachers, especially those who wonder if they'll ever survive that first year of teaching! I had the opportunity to hear Ms. Danneberg read FIRST YEAR LETTERS to teachers at an International Reading Association conference and they LOVED it. The line to get copies autographed went on and on.... ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Super
This is great book for exposing children to idioms. I first present some of the espressions to my students and have them try to explain them. Afterward, they have fun going back and finding the actual meaning. We usually do this around the time that we read Amelia Bedelia. The children illustrate an expression of their own choosing and the rest of us try to guess what the expression is. There are many extension activities to do along with this fun book. It is a great way to immerse chioldren inour language and get them excited about it. Lots of fun!

Wonderful reference book
This is a wonderful book for researching what idioms mean. It has delightful pictures and very clear explanations.
It would be very useful for children in third and fourth grade or for use with people learning English. Even though I have a master's degree and I am an avid reader, I found some idioms that I have never heard before. I am planning to give some copies to some third grade teachers that I know. Also, I bought a copy for my granddaughter.

One of the most engaging picture books received this season
There's A Frog In My Throat! is one of the most engaging picture books received this season: an illustrated survey of zany animal sayings, from lucky and odd ducks to one-liners about birds, bears, and more. Expressions are explained and the artwork is simply gorgeous in this visually packed picturebook.

A gateway to literacy through beastly fun!
In There's a Frog in My Throat, Loreen Leedy and Pat Street capture the animals that run and leap and swim and fly and crawl through our beastly English language. Loreen's sprightly illustrations and Pat's on-target choices of animal expressions and clever clustering encourage children to have fun with idioms -- a colorful leaping-off point for increased literacy.

Richard Lederer, co-author of THE BIGGEST BOOK OF ANIMAL RIDDLES

Excellent!
Interesting names and nicely categorized. Very educational, I learned a lot of things from it. Not really in a reading type form, but you read the smaller notes. It is very easy to look up things for reports. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (4)

A 7-star blast (extra stars for innovation and illustration)
The dustjacket of "How to Keep Dinosaurs" gives the reader a great and accurate preview of the book: the front shows an intelligent, fun-loving little compsognathus chasing a tennis ball, with a food-dish labeled "Dino" on the floor; the back shows a rowdy, beautifully-feathered incisivosaurus having a pillow-fight with a little girl, with the pillow clearly on the way to Pillow Heaven afterward.

Robert Mash's "How to Keep Dinosaurs" is the hilarious, tongue-in-cheek, definitive guide to breeding, raising, feeding, housing, training, and optimally utilizing different breeds of dinosaurs. Along the way, Mash pokes fun at political correctness, Americans, British, politicians, talkshow hosts, and a variety of other concepts, people, and professions. The book starts with an introduction describing the history of human-dinosaur interactions, then moves on to suggest the kinds of equipment dinosaur owners will find handy. Following this are sections on dinosaurs for beginners; dinosaurs that make good house-pets; dinosaurs that have entertainment value (e.g., riding); dinosaurs that are good as guard-animals and in related security/law enforcement areas; dinosaurs that are prime candidates to be raised for meat, eggs, feathers, or hides; and, finally, dinosaurs that are spectacular but only suitable for zoos or safari parks. At the end, there is a brief list of common dinosaur ailments (e.g., many are prone to extreme flatulence and/or constipation), and a family tree showing how the dinosaurs described in the book fit into the overall taxonomy.

Each animal listed is accompanied by a beautiful, full-color "photograph" that often shows the beast interacting with a human. The linguistic background of each animal's name is given, but these derivations are intentionally skewed for humor. There is a well-written description of the animal's strengths, weaknesses, and quirks, plus advice on feeding, housing, and breeding them, along with recommendations on what the dinosaur is most suitable for. There is a map of the world showing the best locations to purchase that particular species, and the specific stores are named. Finally, there is a set of symbols that summarize important information about the animal (e.g., an icon of a teddy bear means the animal likes children; an icon of a teddy bear missing a leg means the animal likes children to eat).

The "photographs" in this book deserve separate mention. Many beautiful, colorful, often full-page pictures are included to depict the dinosaurs and emphasize each animal's special traits. Many dino-human interactions are shown in these pictures. A prime example is the final picture, which shows a magnificent, and quite colorful, Tyrannosaurus Rex, with a family standing very nearby, and above, on an observation platform. They are taking pictures of, and pointing at, the magnificent hunter supreme. The caption reads, "A picture taken mere seconds before tragedy struck . . ."

There is only one sentence in the book where the author "slips" and alludes to the fact that dinosaurs just happen to be extinct. That one instance relates to how all the restrictions involved in dealing with endangered species do not apply to dinosaurs, as they are already extinct. I think this "slip" was intentional, with the multiple and divers purposes of poking fun at zealous conservationists, giving parents one needed statement in case their children take the book as fact, and professionally stamping the book as fiction.

While "How to Keep Dinosaurs" is fiction and made for humor, the author knows his paleontology. The species named, and their characteristics, all fit with modern paleontology and are extrapolations thereof. More recent theories about how avian the dinosaurs might have been are strongly incorporated (i.e., many of the animals depicted have primitive plumage). I am no paleontologist, and I do not know whether or not Mr. Mash is either, but he is certainly closer to being one than am I.

This book is big (length-width) but only 96 pages; with the many illustrations, it could be used as a coffeetable book. It is extremely well-done and a lot of fun. Want a chuckle? Buy this keeper.

Hilarious...and informative
This book is saving my sanity. Our five-year-old has been obsessed with dinosaurs for so long that we've read pretty much everything you can get your hands on about the beasts. This refreshing and extensive manual has us laughing while reading it out loud over and over again. Our son loves the handy symbol key, which allows him to look up critical traits on each dinosaur, such as which ones "like children," or "like to eat children," or are, alas, "worryingly stupid." He's got it all figured out now, which ones we should get. The photos are great.

Creative amalgam of science and imagination
The book is a humerous mix of pseudo-field guide and dinosaur reference. It's funny and creative with excellent illustrations and imaginative "pictures" of humans interacting with their pet dinosaurs. The Amazon price is too low for this hard back book that would make a great gift for folks interested in dinosaurs and/or just like to laugh. Don't miss this one. I'm buying more to give away to friends and family.

Critical information for the dinosaur owner
"How to Keep Dinosaurs" is a must have for any dinosaur lover, because as the author clearly points out (using a handy graphical directory) some dinosaurs are good with babies and others eat babies, and knowing the difference is both critical and not easily discerned. Moreover, some dinosaurs are, er..., more openly amorous than is generally considered tasteful, and others pass worrying amounts of gas. Still others require government permits, so it is best to check local laws and regulations.

With tongue planted firmly in cheek Robert Mash has produced a book that is always entertaining, but which is also more informative than he would probably openly admit. "How to Keep Dinosaurs" is broken up into sections such as pets, flying dinosaurs and farmable dinosaurs; one might think of these sections as a cross between the groupings at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and those at a state fair. Within each section Mash then presents a variety of dinosaurs, and cogitates on their relative merits and weaknesses. Each one of these dino bios follows more or less the same approach: a derivation of the creature's name (usually accurately translated, but hilariously misunderstood), a general description of breed characteristics, a synopsis of housing/food requirements, breeding possibilities and finally, where to buy the dinosaur if you are interested. As I alluded to above, each dinosaur also comes with handy quick reference icons for such attributes as "worryingly smart" or "picky eater".

While much of what Mash writes is clever fiction, he has generally tried to be as accurate as possible. For example, the smart dinosaurs are generally carnivores, and information about diet and breeding is vague, but will get specific when supported by the fossil record. Furthermore, dinosaurs are always available for purchase where they have been discovered, so Mongolian and North American breeders are heavily represented. It is obvious that Mash didn't pick his dinosaurs at random, but rather tried to make logical choices for his various categories based upon what is know to science. Finally, Mash works in little bits of paleontology's history with such asides as Iguanadons being successfully raised in coal mines in Germany (they were first discovered in a coal mine in Germany).

All that said, "How to Keep Dinosaurs" wouldn't be the book it is if it not for the superb illustrations. Photo-realistic dinosaurs veritably leap of the page and are frequently shown happily frolicking with their owners.

The illustrations will engage any child, but it would be a mistake to consider this a children's book. The writing is well beyond the abilities of an early reader, and the humor, while by no means offensive, is aimed squarely at adults. So, if you are an adult who has never outgrown your fascination with dinosaurs, and who still whimsically ponders how cool it would be to have your own, this is well written and beautifully illustrated book is a must read.

Enjoy!

... Read more

Amazon.com

Douglas Florian (Insectlopedia, The Mammalabilia) is at it again. The 21 poems and paintings in his new collection, Bow WowMeow Meow, will tickle young dog and cat lovers—and just about everyone else, too. Florian’s painting of a poodle, essentially a riot of curls and a pink hair bow, accompanies a four-line concrete poem cleverly typeset in swirls on the opposite page:

Poodles have oodles and oodles of curls,
Which makes poodle boys look like poodle girls.
The curls may have whirls, while the whirls may have swirls.
Poodles have oodles and oodles of curls.

Reviews (3)

Bow Wow Meow Meow
As always, Mr. Florian writes and illustrates poetry on a young child's level. His poetry is short and to the point, and his illustrations are extremely creative. "The Poodles" and "The Dalmatian" is a great example of utilizing the features of the animal in the poem format. Mr. Florian gets young children excited about poetry and shows them that poetry can be uncomplicated and fun.

Twenty-one brief, humorous poems
Poet and painter Douglas Florian barks up the right tree in the young people poetry month release, "Bow Wow Meow Meow: It's Rhyming Cats and Dogs." Twenty-one brief, humorous poems about a kennel of dog and cat varieties playfully prowl its pages, accompanied by childlike watercolor portraits of each species being analyzed in verse. (Another quirky pleasure comes from the fact that Florian's loose, playful watercolors were painted on primed brown paper bags with bits of collage.) Setting the stage for the book's first half is "Dog Log" with its deadpan "to do" list of the average dog: "Rolled out of bed./ Scratched my head./ Brought the mail./ Wagged my tail.../ Chewed a shoe --/ Table, too." The next ten spreads all focus on a different doggie from the bulldog to wolf. Typical is "The Chihuahua" which manages to hilariously evoke the sound of the little beast: "Chihuahua seems a sorry sight:/ So small in stature, weight, and height./ But it can bark a brouhaha: / Chi-hua! hua! hua! hua! hua! hua! hua!" Segregating the cats from the dogs, the second half is devoted to the felines, starting with the lilting "Cat Chat" introduction, and ends with "The Black Panther": "Black on black / With big eyes green --- / At night the panther's sight is keen,/ A stalking shadow, sly and sleek,/ That every night plays hide-and-seek." As a poetry collection, this is the best-conceived, least-pretentious and most-fun work in years. The idea is simplicity at its best, perfectly conceived and cleverly executed with a just-right balance of smarts and playfulness. The witty, insightful nature of the poems is sure to delight all ages, particularly fans of ee cummings, Ogden Nash and Bennett Cerf. Even concrete poetry admirers will pleasantly note the subtly original ways in which simple type layouts are occasionally used to enhance the rhythms and rhymes, such as the lines of "The Poodles" which are each set in a tight swirl, mimicking their subject's "oodles and oodles or curls." Doggone good. To borrow a pun from Florian, it would "puzzle ocelot" if this didn't end up an award-winner by year's end.

Fabulous Florian
This clever collection of 21 dog and cat ditties by children's poet Douglas Florian is one of his best yet - how does he do it?! To be as talented an author as an illustrator is a double blessing for readers of this hilarious new collection. From the subtitle " It's rhyming cats and dogs", to the shape poetry detail of the dalmatian and poodle poems, this consistently funny and original look at cats and dogs is as appealing to this adult reader as it is to younger listeners. A must-have for parent and child reading together and laughing times, even if you're not a pet owner! ... Read more

Book Description

You have to write! It's a class assignment. But you have nothing to write about. All the other kids seem to have something to tell because they start in right away. What can you do? Stop and think. No one else can tell your stories -- about your family, your dog or cat. No one else can tell how it was when your library book got soaked in the rain.

But what if you don't like what you write? There are all sorts of ways to change it, to make it better. Keep on playing with your words, putting them together in different ways. You want whatever you write to be good. It will get better and better as you work on it.

This is an encouraging book, sympathetically illustrated by Teresa Flavin's charming pictures, for all young readers who worry when they're told to write something. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A must have for classrooms
I used this book in a 3rd grade classroom where I am student teaching. The students hate to write, but they loved this book. They realized that they really do have a lot to write about. We brainstormed a list of possible writing ideas for the days when they are stuck. They love to get out their list and pick something to write about. This book is a must have for any classroom!!!!!! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Star of 3rd Rock from the Sun, actor John Lithgow is less well known as a music enthusiast, but in his comical verse story The Remarkable Farkle McBride, he has created the musical prodigy he would perhaps like to have been. Farkle is a little boy with astounding talents (he's playing violin with the orchestra by the age of 3) but little perseverance. Each year he gets bored with his instrument, takes up and masters a new one, and then gets bored with that. Of his recently beloved trombone, he says, "The racket is more than my eardrums can bear! So return it or throw it away! I don't care!" In the end, Farkle realizes that the whole orchestra is his instrument: he finds satisfaction as a conductor, and the book ends with a gatefold of him triumphantly leading all the other musicians. C.F. Payne's illustrations combine a Norman Rockwell realism with a caricaturist's sense of humor. (Ages 5 and older) --Richard Farr ... Read more

Reviews (23)

The Remarkable Farkle is Fantastic!
This is one of the best children's books out there. I have read this book to several grade school classes (K - 3rd) and it's always a winner. Mr. Lithgow does a wonderful job of putting words to the sounds of instruments and his rhyme is fantastic.

Mr. Payne's illustrations are brilliant and are the finishing touch to this a new "classic"

It seems that there is a rush of actors writing children's books with varying degrees of success, but Mr. Lithgow does a first class job. If he decides to abandon his day job - he has a brilliant future as a children's author.

Buy the book - you or your children won't be dissappointed.

Music Made Wonderful
Farkle McBride is definitely a remarkable little guy. He could play the violin at three. But was bored with violin playing at four. At five he discovered the flute. But at six decided it was not for him. When Farkle was seven, he took up the trombone, but then gave it up too. Next he tried percussion, but decided that was not quite right for him either. After thinking and thinking he realized that his very favorite sound was all the different instruments playing together...the orchestra. And so when the conductor gets sick, Maestro Farkle McBride steps in, finding what he really likes to do most at last. John Lithgow as written a terrific children's book, full of rhythm, rhyme and wonderful sound effects. His text is complimented by C.F. Payne's very expressive and detailed, larger than life illustrations. This is a delightful story that will charm and amuse all youngsters aged 4-8 and is a wonderful introduction to both musical instruments and the orchestra. The Remarkable Farkle McBride is a winner and a wonderful addition to all home libraries.

Musical Fun
I judge a great children's book by how easily the words flow, how captivating and relevant the illustrations are, and most importantly, if my children enjoy it. The illustrations are what first caught my eye and since I have a very musical family, I thought this would be a nice addition to our library. My children loved it immediately! The rhythym is fun and the sheer silliness of this boy who is so musically talented but cannot seem to find his place, sends my kids into fits of laughter. Sometimes, as adults, I think we need to stop taking ourselves so seriously and find simple pleasure in things the way our kids do. This book comes highly recommended.

Way To Go, Mr. Lithgow!
Farkle McBride is not satisfied. He's a musical genius who masters every instrument he picks up, only to toss it away out of boredom soon after. By the end of this story, told in fun, lilting verse, Farkle has found a way to be involved in music; a way that also holds his interest.

John Lithgow's books are a cut above many other children's books written by celebrities. The rhymed verse that he uses to tell Farkle's story bounces and rambles along, and it's almost impossible not to hear Lithgow's voice in your head, "reading" the book to you.

The illustrations by C.F. Payne are at once sensitive and wonderfully silly; they're a perfect match for Lithgow's text. I have been known to bring this book out for friends and just open it to certain pages (such as the one showing Farkle with the cymbals) to exclaim, "Look at this painting! Look at the kid's face. Isn't that a riot? And the story's really good too!"

Fantastic Story
I purchased this book through day care for my 6 month old daughter. She loved it from the start. She is now 13 months, and this is her favorite bedtime story. She can point out farkle, the birds, and the instruments. Nice rhymes, clever story. The paperback version rips easily with a toddler, so I'm purchasing the hardback now. ... Read more

Amazon.com

If you're already well versed in Bat-trivia, you probably won't find The Ultimate Guide to the Dark Knight anywhere near ultimate enough. But as a broad history of Batman's friends, foes, and high-tech hardware and hideouts, this oversized, illustration-filled DK guide just can't be beat.

Just as DK did with the people and paraphernalia of Star Wars in Star Wars: Episode I: Incredible Cross-Sections and Star Wars: Episode I: Visual Dictionary, this guide pulls apart and pokes at the many gadgets and backdrops found in the Dark Knight's world. Exploded diagrams reveal the innards of the new and old Batcaves, and stat-packed tags and captions spell out everything from how the Bat-Signal works to where Catwoman stashes her bullwhip. Batman scholar Scott Beatty has compiled hundreds of excellent panels and covers from the original comic, and he displays commanding knowledge cataloging Gotham's most colorful characters in big, splashy spreads. (And no doubt future historians will appreciate his capsulized, 1939-on Batman timeline as an uncanny window into American pop consciousness.)

Die-hard fans will find much lacking here, though, like the near-omission of Frank Miller's genius Dark Knight Returns series and not even a passing reference to Batman's poignant love-hate relationship with the Man of Steel. But what DK's Ultimate Guide does, it does well--examining neat Bat-minutiae and providing a primer on the post-no-man's-land comic continuity. --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Reviews (19)

A Celebration of the Modern-Day Caped Crusader
This book is a blast to read. I wished this book had come out sooner when I was just finding my way around the modern Batman comics. Nevertheless, better late than never.

A word of caution. If you are looking for the DEFINITIVE guide to everything Batman, I wouldn't recommend this book to you. Les Daniels' book on Batman is by far the most comprehensive treatment on the whole history of the Batman from his pre-conception in the 1930s up till the recent stuff (including his incarnations outside the comicbook - TV, toys, cinema, etc.). Also, if you're interested in analyzing Batman as a pop-culture icon, you should check out Will Brookner's "Batman Unmasked" book. Finally, if you're interested in reading a one-volume collection of the definitive Batman - I'd recommend Frank Miller's "Dark Knight Returns" and/or "Year One" along with the "The Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told".

What then is this book by Scott Beatty about? It's about the modern day Batman. THIS Batman is as different from the classic Bob Kane/Bill Finger creation as the Tim Burton movies are from the Adam West TV show. For your information, THIS Batman is the one from Frank Miller's "Year One" (1986) and it includes the later revisions by Dennis O'Neil and Chuck Dixon up to today. In other words, this is the Batman of "Knightfall", "Contagion", "Cataclysm" and "No Man's Land". And in my opinion, this is the most exciting and rich version of the Batman since his conception in 1939. This book is not so much a guide but more a celebration of this modern-day Dark Knight of the comicbooks.

The book is neatly divided into sections. The first section is about Batman/Bruce Wayne and Gotham City. The second section covers his allies and loves (Alfred, Gordon, Nightwing, Oracle, Robin II, Robin III, etc.). The third section focuses on the many colorful villains in the Bat-mythos. Finally, there's also a foreword by Chuck Dixon, the man who, under the editorial-eye of Dennis O'Neil, pretty much shaped the direction of the Bat-books throughout the 1990s. Note: Dixon also teamed up with the author Scott Beatty on some other great works like the recent "Robin: Year One" and "Batgirl: Year One".

Great, but could have been better
When I heard that DK was doing a book on Batman, I was excited. The James Bond and Star Wars books that DK put out were some of the best visual dictionaries I had ever seen.

However, when I paged through the text, I found I would have preferred a more "inclusive" coverage of Batman in other mediums. I would have loved to have seen a few pages of the Adam West incarnation, the Superfriends, the movies, the current animated series, the filmation cartoons, and other appearances of the caped crusader.

(I would have loved to have seen a list of every Bat device that was used on the Adam West version, that would have been hilarious).

Perhaps a few episode guide would be in order from the varous series.

The graphics done on the Batmobile, utility belt and the Bat cave were tremendous. I just wish they would have included more pre-eighties art on the previous Batcaves and such.

For the "elseworlds" stories, a few less dark stories could have been mentioned. And I confess I'm being "nitpicky" here, but they forgot about Batman's alias of "Matches Malone."

But overall, it's a great text focusing on the past fifteen years of Batman in DC Comics.

I'm still looking forward to their texts on Superman, Star Trek, and hopefully the Justice League. If they could include the various versions of Superman as well.

Maybe DK Publishing would do a second Batman volume as well.

Sincerely,

JSmith

Answered a lot of my questions
I bought this book because I am new to the Batman world and I wanted to know about the people around him and his most famous adversaries. The graphics in the book are great. If you are looking for a primer on the major players in the Batman world (friends and foes), then this book is for you.

Why do it if you're not going to do it right?
128 friggin' pages. What an insult to Batman and Batman fans. There are too many omissions to begin to count. Actually, if you read the Batman timeline at the end you'll see how many characters and events were left out. The Dark Knight Returns is completely ignored, other stories such as The Cult and Batman: Year Two also go unmentioned. Nearly all of Batman's DC allies are left out, including Superman. Personally, I'm not a fan of The Man of Steel, I don't think he fits in well with the Batman mythos, but to leave him out of "The Ultimate Batman Guide" (yeah, right) is an outrage. What we get instead is tons of garbage about "No Man's Land". What is that anyway? People that grew up with Batman don't care about DC's latest trend. We'd rather not see the Dark Knight we love trashed and revised to fit the current (stupid) DC story-lines. A whole section is devoted to No Man's Land and some other city called Bludhaven. It infuriates me that they devote so much space in this painfully slim volume to that and blow off The Dark Knight Returns. It's as if they went out of their way to screw it up.
I gave this book 2 stars because when it is good, (Batcave, Bat-Vehicle, Wayne Manor specs) it is really excellent. But every time I see the pamphlet-sized length and think about the dozens of omissions, it dampens any enthusiasm I might have had. Try again, DC, and this time do it right.

Not just for kids!!!!
This is the sort of guide I would like to see for all DC and Marvel characters. At first glimpse I thought it was a kid's book but it proved to be an invaluable aid for me to catch up on some of the plotlines I had missed. ... Read more

Amazon.com

From the doomed planet Krypton to Smallville, Kansas, to the great (butoften troubled) city of Metropolis, a powerful superhero has fought for truth,justice, and the American way for over 70 years. In this breathtaking tribute tothe man of steel himself, all the nitty-gritty, fascinating details ofSuperman's life and career are investigated, analyzed, and celebrated. Discoverjust what happened back on Krypton to propel infant "Kal-El" to Earth as the oneKryptonian hope for rebirth of their civilization. Learn how a loving farmfamily named Kent adopted the baby, renamed him Clark, and instilled him withsolid American values. And meet the many, many friends and enemies of our hero,including, fiercely independent but lovable Lois Lane, the nasty Joker, andDoomsday, the unstoppable creature that killed Superman.

Allowed unlimited access to the archives of DC Comics, author Scott Beattydelved deep, coming up with the kind of details fans will fall all overthemselves to peruse, including each featured character's vital statistics andyear of appearance on the Superman scene. The large book format, compelling,readable text, and many crystal-clear illustrations in The Ultimate Guideare in keeping with Dorling Kindersley's signature style. A true treasure forsuperhero buffs! (All ages) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Best Suited for Younger Readers
I'd like to start off by saying this book deserves a 3 1/2 star rating.
The Ultimate Guide hardly lives up to its title. I am a serious Superman fan and was rather disapointed. Although richly illustrated and explained, this book was re