Amazon.com

"If you give a pig a pancake, she'll want some syrup to go with it.You'll give her some of your favorite maple syrup. She'll probably get all sticky, so she'll want to take a bath." You get the idea. Baths lead to bubbles, bubbles lead to rubber ducks, rubber ducks lead to wanting a trip to the farm. If You Give a Pig a Pancake is a delightful exploration of the scenario "if you give an inch, they'll take a mile." But who could refuse the whims of this adorable piglet? Not us, and certainly not the pig's young caretaker. Parents will feel a familiar twinge as they witness the pig's increasingly elaborate demands, and kids will be delighted that the story circles back around to the original pancake. Laura Numeroff and illustrator Felicia Bond--well-loved creators of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and If You Give a Moose a Muffin--succeed again in concocting a marvelously skewed study of cause and effect that inevitably results in a riotous read-aloud. Your kids will ask for this book again and again, and you won't want to refuse. (Ages 4 to 8) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (55)

NICE TO SEE THE ROLES REVERSED FOR A CHANGE!
This book makes me laugh-out-loud; it is so adorable and cute!

"If You Give A Pig A Pancake" helps the child see what we as adults go through running after her giving in to her little whims and idiosyncrasies! Let's hope as she gets older she will understand what this book is trying to say:

1) Appreciate and be thankful for your parent(s).

2) Don't take life too seriously.

3) Live life to the fullest and have fun!

4) Be your own person.

5) You never have to grow up.

6) Don't worry about trivial matters; just say "oh, go have a pancake!"

7) Help others; what you give has a way of coming back to you-- DOUBLE.

This is a great book for all ages; it is the female version of "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie." I highly recommend both books; great illustrations and short easy-to-read stories.

Your child will be reading in no time if you read fun books like this to her, and simultaneously you'll be laughing as well!

GO BUY THIS BOOK!

Another favorite read.
We have several of the If you Give.... books by Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond. And they are all such favorite reading.

In this book we meet the cutest little pig, and the girl that owns the pig. She starts with giving the pig a pancake (a great way of playing with words with the kids), and when he gets the pancake he wants syrup, you find the syrup and he wants...... you are on the run untill you are back again on the last pages where pig's sticky hands reminds him of your favorite syrup, and of course no syrup without a pancake. Any child loves this way of playing with words, and playing with - what will happen next :-)

We live in Norway, and my youngest one understands only a little English yet, so I translate for her while reading. My dream is to have these books translated into Norwegian - what a treasure to give the small kids of Norway.

By the way, the book is also fun reading for older kids, and for grown ups. Why should the small kids have all the good picture books :-)

Britt Arnhild Lindland

So, So
Just another variation on the first book (Mouse Cookie) and to me the story did not flow together as well. My kids like it though.

A very poorly written book............
I've read this book to my daughter who loves it. I've also read the other books in the series. The illustrations are rather cute but the story is so poorly written. I feel anybody could have come up with the lame text this author has come up with. All her books are the same style and don't require much creativity or imagination. I give the book two stars because my daughter likes it and the illustrations are good. We borrow it from the library and I would never purchase it. For a good children's book, I think the British authors do a better job!

excellent
Totally gets into the kids psyche. They love to see what the pig will want next. This whole series is a fabulous display of cause and effect. very nice ... Read more

Amazon.com

Angus the Answer Dog is back! This time the ever-helpful pooch is hereto help kids learn all about their new baby siblings. As in the other populartitles in Heidi Murkoff's What to Expect Kids series, including What to Expect When Mommy's Having aBaby and What to ExpectWhen You Use the Potty, the format is fun, friendly, and informative.Each two-page spread features a question likely to be asked by new big brothersor sisters: "What do new babies look like?" "Why do new babies cry so much?""Why can't new babies do anything by themselves?" "Why do new babies get so manypresents?" In his sensitive, respectful way, Angus answers each of the questionsand offers some fun activities to help children get to know the newest member oftheir family, as well as making sure they get their own needs met. ("It's niceto be held, even when you're big.")

In her series for kids, Heidi Murkoff, coauthor of the bestselling pregnancybook (for grownups), What toExpect When You're Expecting, bestows a gift upon both children andparents, guiding them through some of life's tougher transitions. Her honest,down-to-earth style is reassuring to every reader who is expecting something--orsomeone--new! Laura Rader's cartoonish illustrations are a perfect match forMurkoff's easy-going text. Pull up a cozy chair and read aloud to big sister orbrother while the new baby naps or eats. (Ages 2 to 5) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Super book for an older sibling!
My daughter is 8 and she loved the book. Though it is simple, it is well written and fun to read. She loved the pictures too.

Great book!
My son *made* me read this to him over & over before his baby sister was born. It encouraged him to help out and helped me explain what would be different once the baby was here. Also included things to explain to him that I never would have thought of. Thumbs up!

love this book
I actually bought this book for my friends 3yr old who is going to be a big brother really soon, in days. And I love the way the book is written. So does my friend and her 3yr old!!

i love angus
i am 6 and my mommy just had a new baby and angus helped me to understand it. my mommy is writing this review for me, but if i knew how i would. i give this book 1000000 stars because it is so good. and i love it. and i love to read it cause angus is so cute and smnart and nice, because he is my friend. ... Read more

Book Description

The important thing about The Important Book--is that you let your child tell you what is important about the sun and the moon and the wind and the rain and a bug and a bee and a chair and a table and a pencil and a bear and a rainbow and a cat (if he wants to). For the important thing about The Important Book is that the book goes on long after it is closed.What is most important about many familiar things—like rain and wind, apples and daisies—is suggested in rhythmic words and vivid pictures. ‘A perfect book . . . the text establishes a word game which tiny children will accept with glee.’ —K.

... Read more

Reviews (9)

Great book
I used this book at the beginning of the school year to get my special ed students to write about what was important to them or about why the things in the book are important. They all loved the activity and it was one of their favorite picks for reading time.

affirming perceptions
This thoughtfull Brown book methodically affirms a small child's growing ability to construct opinions about his or her world. Misunderstood as asserting objective classifications, Brown instead elaborates on the ellusive season of child development when subjective and objective information are indistinguishable:
"the important thing about a daisy is that it is white" and air is "the color of air".
Recommended if you want the child in your life to catch Brown's vision of personal discovery.

Great author - mediocre book
This short volume has failed to spark much interest within me and my children. It lacks the poetic lilt of "Goodnight Moon" and the quiet force of "Runaway Bunny." The illustrations, many in black and white, seem from another era. Yet, they are not timeless and fail to inspire.

Brown's muddled characterization of the essence of everyday objects seems neither accurate nor absurd, neither artistic nor banal. Why, for example, are we told that the important thing about a shoe is that "you put your foot in it" when so many more relevant characteristics could have been chosen? (protects your foot from harm, keeps your foot warm, makes a fashion statement, leaves footprints, gets mud on the carpet, etc.)

Teach the"Main Idea"
We use this selection to teach the concept of the main idea. I start the entire year off using this book. I read the book aloud to the students.We discuss each aspect of the important or the main idea of each subject.After completing the book we then write a page about ourselves. Example: The important thing about Ellis is that he is a toehead,he loves computer games , he plays with his trucks and he always wears Carharts,but the important thing about Ellis is that he is a toehead. Ellis is a student that has the whitest hair you have ever seen...everyone always says something to him about his "toehead". The children (usually third graders) each do their own page and we publish our book for the classroom. We try to have this completed by our open house. The parents really enjoy it and they get to know their childs classmates in a special way. Just a thought!

Great for the beginning of the school year!
I use this book at a "getting to know you" starter for the 1st day of school. After reading the book, the students start to see the pattern. I then have them write something about themselves using the same pattern in the book. "The most important thing about Sue is that she likes to read. Sue has 3 cats, plays soccer and can pitch like Nolan Ryan, but the most important thing about Sue is that she likes to read." I then have them illustrate these things on manilla paper or with the computer, then bind all of the pages into a class book. The kids love getting to know each other this way. ... Read more

Book Description

The Emotional Impact Series... Anger can be a powerful and frightening emotion for children to see in others and experience in themselves. In this book, Dr. Moser explains the causes of anger and offers methods that can help children reduce the amount of anger they feel. He also gives effective techniques to help young people control their behavior, even when they are angry. This book will delight both children and adults. It's informative and it's bun because Dr. Moser examines the complex feelings of human anger with the proper blend of sensitivity and humor. And David Melton's colorful illustrations are bright and witty.

Counselors, teachers, parents and children who have read and used Dr. Moser's previous books are sure to welcome Don't Rant & Rave on Wednesdays! ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Don't Rant and Rave
I'm a therapist in private practice.I send this book home with elementary school age children and they love it so much that they don't want to bring it back! They are relieved to know that they are not the only ones who get angry.The bookgives them great tips on how to calmdown. Moser knows children and has a sense of humor.Enjoyable pictures.

Good One...
I'm a school counselor and use this one with my middle elementary aged kids (3-4 grade).They enjoy it and it's easier for them to understand.I really recommend this one.

Don't get mad, get busy
This 61-page picture book contains simple language easily read by first and second graders (on a par with Dr. Suess), but its sophistication about children's anger will keep them coming back until they are approaching middle school.

The premise is simple: Everyone gets angry--young people, old people, tall people, short people, fat people, thin people, nice people, mean people, men people, women people, boy and girl people. Including, of course, kids reading this book. When people get angry they do silly things--shake their fists, jump up and down, rant and rave, call bad names, throw things.

The book explains anger as the feeling we have when we are really annoyed or really mad. Anger, children learn here, affects their thinking, excites emotions, makes muscles tense. Kids learn why people get angry (it happens more easily when they don't fell well, or are in a grumpy mood, when someone calls a bad name, makes fun, pushes, hits or breaks a favorite toy). People can get mad at themselves, too--because they stub a toe, bump their head, dent their new bike, lose their lunch money or forget their homework. It also happens often--up to 12 times a day.

When people are angry, they do funny things. If someone laughs at them, they get angrier, lose control, hit and sometimes become so enraged, they even kill another person. Being so angry can actually make people sick.

About halfway through this book, the author notes that in order to become productive and happy, kids should avoid being angry. This section begins with the recognition that anger is often inappropriate. No one would consider it funny, for example, for the President of the U.S. to get so angry that he started screaming and yelling on national television. Feeling angry can be harmful. People who rant and rave get into more fights, are more apt to lie, cheat and steal, drop out of school and get sick or use drugs.

It's not good, either, to blame oneself for others' anger. They are responsible for themselves. We are responsible for ourselves. And we can quickly change from feeling okay to feeling angry, which in turn produces physical reactions, including tense muscles. It's like "speeding down the highway at one hundred miles per hour" in a car without a steering wheel.

The book's final 18 pages provide anger-control methods. "Before you race out of control," Moser writes, "put on the brakes. Give yourself time to calm down by counting to ten slowly. If you still feel upset, keep on counting." Staying calm, the book tells kids, will help them to think more clearly, listen to their thoughts and control their behavior. Reading a joke book can kids laugh, which creates good brain chemicals, which in turn kill pain. The author also advises kids to channel their anger to good uses: draw a picture, write something, clean a room, wash dishes, straighten a closet, take a walk or a hot bath. These exercises can reduce anger. (But hitting a punching bag, playing football or other violent activities won't.)

This book teaches kids how to develop self-control. Alyssa A. Lappen

Fantastic Tool
This book is very helpful on discussing anger management w/ children.I have a son that has ADHD and this is a great tool to use. I would recommend this book for elemetary children, 5 and up.

Don't Rant & Rave on Wednesdays!
This book is easy to read and understand. It has basic anger control ideas that children can use. I beleive that it should be geared towards a younger age group such as 7 to 11 year olds. It was a bit low end for my 12 yearold. Good graphics and good ideas. Have the child read it and then have thechild read it out loud to the parent. ... Read more

Book Description

IMPOSSIBLE!

When De Witt Clinton, a young politician, first dreams of building a canal to connect the Hudson River with the Great Lakes, folks don't believe such a thing can be done. But eight long years after the first shovelful of earth is dug, Clinton realizes his vision at last. The longest uninterrupted canal in history has been built, and it is now possible to travel by water from the American prairie all the way to Europe!

Join Cheryl Harness on a fascinating and fun-filled trip as she depicts the amazing construction and workings of the Erie Canal. From the groundbreaking ceremony on the Fourth of July in 1817 to a triumphant journey down America's first superhighway, it's a trip you definitely don't want to miss. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Well done!
This educational story tells about the construction of the Erie Canal. Colorful illustrations project the happiness felt by many once the waterway was completed. Along with these illustrations are diagrams and captions provided on most pages. Such graphic aids help the reader understand many different aspects of the canal. Readers ten years and older will appreciate the additional information as it explains how the canal operated. I would recommend this book for readers at the fourth grade level and higher. It is an informative story with exceptional illustrations. Readers will find the history of the canal engaging and the graphic aids intriguing.

Brings history alive with a mix of pictures & text
This is an excellent expansion of the "picture book" format for more mature readers; the colorful pictures show action scenes while text elaborates historical details. Additional embedded illustration shows map details of regional sections as the story unfolds. Fascinating information helps us understand why this feat was so important to the country's development at that time. ... Read more

Amazon.com

David, the out-of-control monster-child from David Shannon's Caldecott Honor Book No, David! is back... and ready to disrupt the class. Shannon remembers the word "no" all too clearly from his childhood, and, as he says in his introduction, "It seems that kids haven't changed much over the years, and neither have school rules, some of which date back even further than the invention of sneakers." In David Goes to School, young David shows up late to class, goes wacko at the blackboard, chews gum in class, yells answers out of turn, pulls pigtails, stares out the window, cuts in line, has a food fight ("I don't care who started it!" says the teacher), lingers at recess, and draws on his desk. Colorful, hilarious, childlike illustrations examine our strangely appealing demon-boy at eye level, which is especially disgusting as David stretches an enormous mass of bubble gum from his pointy-toothed maw. After an intense day of exuberant misbehaving, however, he stays after school and washes all the desks until they sparkle. The day ends with a gold star and a pat on the head... something that any child (or adult) would find satisfying. (Click to see a sample spread. Copyright 1999 by David Shannon. Courtesy of Scholastic, Inc.) (Ages 2 to 6) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (25)

If your child acts up in class, this may be useful...
I am surprised at the great number of rather poor reveiws for this delightful book. First of all, the book is geared towards first time school-goers who are just learning the ropes of good behavior in a school setting(and may be having a hard time of it!). Many children find it difficult to behave properly in school - not all children are perfect little angels in the behavior department. As a former teacher and currently a classroom volunteer, I have noticed many young students getting scolded for the many things depicted in this story - things such as not raising you hand before speaking, not paying attention to the teacher, etc. If your child is acting up in class, I think this book might be helpful in demonstrating what is and is not acceptable at school. At the conclusion of the story, David finally learns how to behave properly and is rewarded with praise. I think this is a positive lesson! If your child does not have any behavior issues, you may not relate to this book as much as the parent/teacher who is trying to reach a disobedient child. The pictures are bright and colorful and despite some of the previous reveiwers' comments, I don't think that children reading this book wuld assume that the bad behaviors depicted in this book are something to imitate. I think the message is clear: You will be scolded for bad behavior, praised for good.

David---the Saga Continues
Jamie, my two year old grandson loves this book. To adults, this book may seem overly cute and simple. To a toddler, it is a slice of everyday life. The large colorful pictures and simple text make this a must have. The child can easily learn the words and read along especilly the line where the teacher says "David, be quiet!"

Book for all kids
This is a great book for kids 3+. It teaches them the good and the bad side of things. Along with Stellaluna this is my son's favorite book. He is 4 and can read it on his own! He loves it so much it encouraged him to read and learn the words. He can relate to David with the things David does and reaction by the teacher. Great book, surely one to invest in.

david is my hero
this book rules. i have no soul and it made me cry from laughing so hard. i dont think david started the food fight, and i love how he has no idea that he is cutting the line in the cafeteria. i wish this book had been out when i was a kid so i could have given it to the teachers that said "bridget is always in la la land" or "bridget isnt working to her full potential" or "bridget spaces out a lot" or even "bridget writes on desks too much" and say "ha! this guy did these things too and now he writes famous books that people review on this thing in the future called the internet, watch out world!"

Ha!
What a great book! I bought it for my brother, also a David, who now has a three year old son. He's in for it!!
Fun book!!! ... Read more

Book Description

It's the Grouchy Ladybug's 20th birthday. To celebrate, we are introducing a new, larger format edition with brighter, more colorful pages created from Eric Carle's original artwork using the latest reproduction technology. The Grouchy Ladybug is bigger and brigher, as irascible but irresistable as ever and will surely delight new generations of readers, as well as her devoted fans of all ages. Happy Birthday, Grouchy Ladybug!

Reviews (38)

Great for all ages!
I am a mother of 3 aged 5,3 & 1 year. All three of my children love this book. They think the Grouchy Ladybug is a silly bug. They enjoy "reading" along with me because the book is so repetitive! Even my one year old sits & listens intently to the pattern. "Ya' wanna fight! " "If you insist..." "Oh- you're not big enough." Repetition is the best tool in teaching to read & Eric Carle books are PERFECT for that! The other concepts he introduces in his books such as TIME & DAYS are helpful in teaching too. GREAT WORK, MR. CARLE!

The Wonderful World of Insects
The Grouchy Ladybug is a wonderful Eric Carle book. I love his mosiac illustrations, and the moral he projects. The grouchy ladybug is mean to all the other insects that he meets. He does not want to share the aphids on his leaf with the friendly ladybug. He ends up making no friends at all, and the animals he is rude to are getting bigger and fiercer as the book goes on. In the end the grouchy ladybug ends up on the same leaf he started out on, and shares the aphids.

Note to teachers: This is a great book to introduce a unit on insects. Most students probably don't understand what aphids are, and the ladybugs feed on them. You could also incorporate all of the other animals in the text to do a unit on animals. There are so many wonderful teaching oportunities with all of Eric Carle's books, but this is one of my favorites.

Wonderful book--one of my child's favorites
This is a great book and the repetition is great for a emerging young reader. My 3 year old can "read" this book to himself and his baby sister because he can anticipate what will happen when he turns the page. He has language delays due to hearing problems when he repeated ear infections and these repetitious books that Eric Carle has done have been wonderful with slowly introducing him to language.

Repetition, repetition, repetition....
After reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar to my son enough times to have it memorized, I bought this book thinking that it would be a nice change, and expecting The Grouchy Ladybug to have a moral somewhere along the lines of Alexander And The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (if you haven't read that to your kids, get it). I found The Grouchy Ladybug to be repetative to the point of parental abuse. Eric Carle has good children's books, but this one was definitely not my favorite. The only thing my son has learned from it is "Hey, You, Wanna Fight?" It was okay to read once or twice, but the next garage sale, it's going to mysteriously vanish. I would suggest The Very Hungry Caterpillar instead, if you don't have it.

This book is crap
Eric Carle has done better. Read the "Very Quiet Cricket". This book is extremely repetitive and isn't really even a story so much as an excuse for the mediocre illustrations and a kind of irritating gimmick of having differently sized pages. These pages are have for my son to turn also.

I love reading real children's stories to my kids, and I don't mind some repetition (e.g., "Guess how much I love you" and "Are you my Mother?" are great...) But the ladybug keeps saying the same thing over and over and over. Yeah, I've hid the book from my kids and they don't miss it. ... Read more

Book Description

Amazon.com

How do you talk to your children about your divorce?How can you best handle their responses?Here's a children's book and parenting tool rolled into one. It's Not Your Fault, Koko Bear is a picture book designed to be read by parents to their children. Koko Bear's parents are getting a divorce, and Koko, a preschool-aged unisex bear, isn't happy about it."I don't like this divorce. I don't want two homes," Koko says. Koko Bear's story doesn't minimize kids' pain, but it doesn't wallow in it either. The message is positive: children are reassured that their feelings are natural, that their parents still love and will care for them, and that the divorce is not their fault. At the bottom of each page, there are bullet points for parents that give information and advice about what the kidsare going through, and the best way to handle each issue as it arises.(Ages 3 to 7 and parents) ... Read more

Reviews (12)

A must-read for pre-school kids of divorce!
This book hits home the message that divorce is not a child's fault, and that parents still love them, though now they are a family apart. My child was only 18mos. during that difficult marriage problem/separation period, and two years later raised many questions why Mommy and Daddy were divorced. This book helped to answer those important questions, and gave me excellent "talking points" to utilize.

A must have for 5yrs. and under.
It's Not Your Fault Koko Bear, is an excellent read aloud for a younger child. The fact that Koko is not gender specific makes it appropriate for all children and answers questions that many of the children will have. It is a lovely story and parents, grandparents,or councelors could make use of it. I can see this book being one of the books a young child will want read over and over. I especially loved the "bears blessing" that the mamma and pappa bear recited at night for Koko.

Indispensable book for young children
This is a wonderful book and I am grateful that it was written and published. My kids have had this book read to them by both me and my ex-wife at both of our homes, and it made a difference to them. It teaches them that the divorce is not their fault, which is a surprisingly tenacious thought pattern. I read it to my kids 3-5 times a week for several months, and still remember my daughter's exclamation when she truly processed that the divorce was because of the parents and not the kids, "Ohhhhhhhh!"

I am purchasing this book for a second time because after not having read it for many months, I passed it on to a friend with a youngster who is divorcing. We then moved to a new house and my 8 year old is going through many of the divorce emotions again, and she specifically requested this book and said "I love that book".

There is one excellent page with nothing but drawings of Koko Bear showing him feeling different emotions. Instead of asking your child how they feel, which they often cannot explain (heck even adults have trouble!), you can have them point to a picture of Koko Bear and then talk about that emotion.

This book will not make the pain of divorce go away, but it provides a good way to learn that what they are feeling is normal and appropriate, that they are not alone in feeling the way they do, and that life will be okay even if it is not what we want.

Too direct and too much details about divorce.
I've recently bought this book to help my three year old toddler understand about his emotions. But the two times I've read it to him, he always seemed uncomfortable, which I've never seen him experiencing this before. He couldn't stay still each time I read this book to him. This book is too direct, and too much details about the divorce issue that they're making my toddler uncomfortable each time I read this to him at bedtime. I don't think this book is helping him much with easing his emotions at all. He likes the "Mama and Daddy Bear's Divorce" book instead. And each time I read that to him, he'd always ask me to read that book over again. He's comfortable with that book.

A Sad Example
As a psychotherapist, I got this book to work with children who were struggling through divorce. This book normalized and legitimized divorce. It at no time emphasized adult problem solving nor that marriage is a contract of two consenting adults through good and bad.
Children are misled to believe they can identify a short term resolution of the horrible feelings of divorce (by a child). As a therapist it is always a lifelong scarring that is not resolved.
Indeed the first 11 year old girl I read this with, remarked that it made no sense and at no time was realistic to the process she had gone through years earlier. A sad example of political correctness run amok. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Borne from actual questions asked by her own daughters, journalist Maria Shriver's What's Heaven? is a gentle narrative following the conversations that pass between a mother and a young daughter in the days immediately following the death of the child's special great-grandmother. Initially, young Kate's concern is with the obvious change in her mother. Quickly, one question leads to another.

Kate asked,"Mommy, why are you so sad?" Her mom looked at her and said, "My grandma, your great-grandma, has died and gone to Heaven."Kate thought about this for a moment. "Then she asked, "Heaven? What's Heaven?"

Reviews (50)

A great helper
This book helped so much when trying to explain to my five year old son what happened to his baby brother. As a Catholic, I share many of the ideas and beliefs that Ms. Shriver brings forth in the narrative - however I feel this book would help children of many different faiths as well. My son would periodically pull "Whats Heaven" off his bookshelf to read together with me - more so right after his brother's death, but even now, 3 years later he asks me to look at it with him sometimes. Each time we'd go through it he'd ask some of his own questions and we'd struggle through them together. Sometimes we cried, sometimes not, but I believe by sitting down together and allowing him to think over these questions has undoubtedly helped in his struggle to understand death.

A Heavenly Gift
Death eventually visits everyone. Arguably, the most difficult aspect for adults is how to tell the children and grandchildren. Fortunately for all of us, Maria Shriver has written, along with the beautiful illustrations of Sandra Speidel, a classic in the making.

Although I had heard about this book when it was first published, it was not until the death of a very close friend prompted my purchase. I intended to make this book available to my friend's adult children as they explained her passing to her three granddaughters ages 4-6. Indeed, the book has been appreciated by the children. But, even better, like any classic children's book, it served to answer questions that adults have forgotten the answers to. Childhood is a magical time and young children seem to handle the notion of death better than we grown-ups could ever imagine. Thank you for bringing simple answers to difficult questions!

What the Bible Says About Heaven
My daughter recently purchased Maria's book for her children, ages 5 and 8. I read the book first and suggested she not read
it to the children. The book is not based on Biblical truth, but on Maria's opinion of what she hopes Heaven is like. The book could have been beautiful, had it been written according to scripture. The Bible says that forgiveness and eternal life in heaven are God's free gift. We cannot earn it by doing good things or being "religious". No church can give it to us. We must receive it freely. We must repent of our sins and trust Jesus Christ as our personal Savior. ".....but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" Romans 6:23b

Grief
Dealing with grief is so difficult for children. There are so many books out there that explain it in their own way. Maria chose what she wanted to tell her children. Each person may be different. I thought the illustrations were beautifully done.
Search for books and video's that you think will help your children. I don't see a section here to recommend other books/videos so I will just add it here. I liked After the Tears, A Gentle Guide to Help Children Understand Death (video).
The best to Maria and her family.

agree with gabsmom's review
I keep several copies of this book on hand to give to friends with small children when a grandparent dies. It's also a good therapeutic tool when a surviving grandparent reads it to a grandchild. No, it's not an all-encompassing discussion on death or God. But anyone who has been around small children knows that an explanation for one simple question will raise ten more questions. And those questions may not come until days or weeks later. At that point, "What's Heaven" can be revisited, or the discussion can lead to more in-depth issues. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

How Big Is a Foot
I read How Big Is a Foot to children that are in the third grade and found that it is not really designed for them. I think that it would be better for second grade. The book was enjoyable and I think that if I had read it to a more age appropriate audience they would have been more interested.

How Big is a Foot?
I think this book is more appropriate for younger children. The three seven year olds I read this book to seemed to understand it really well, but I don't think it kept their interest. I think that it is a wonderful way to introduce children to measuring, but overall isn't the most interesting for them.

Great book
I read this book to first graders in math class. It helped solidify the concept of why standard measurement is necessary. Thay loved it and wanted to read it again the next day because we acted it out and actually measured and cut yarn to make the beds using my foot size and the smallest child's foot size. They want to perform it for the whole school. Of course I have only 2 kids in my class so it's easy to do things like this.

How big is a foot?
I thought that this book had a different way of describing,"How big is a foot?" It was good but I didn't see as much of a response from the kids I was reading it to. It is definetely more appropriate for younger aged children. It puts into perspectve of how something was measured and the outcomes of different measurements used. I am giving this book an average rating because I don't know if a child would get a full grasp of measurements without further explanation.

good book
This is a great book for kids, I read it to a group of third graders, it was a good tie-in to the math lesson they were learning on measurements.

(...) ... Read more

Amazon.com

Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel Mary Anne make quite a team. Theinseparable duo digs the great canals for the big boats to travel through, cuts through thelarge mountains so trains can pass, and hollows out the deep cellars for the greatskyscrapers in the city. But the introduction of gasoline, electric, and diesel shovelsmeans big trouble for Mike and Mary Anne. No one wants an old-fashioned steam shovellike Mary Anne when a modern shovel can do the digging in half the time! Forced totravel far out of the city to look for work, Mike and Mary Anne find themselves in thelittle town of Popperville. Mike and Mary Anne make a bid to dig the cellar for the newtown hall, promising the town that if they can't dig the cellar in just one day they'll acceptno payment for the job. Will Mike and Mary Anne be able to complete the job? Thewhole town of Popperville turns out to watch. Virginia Lee Burton, author of such classicchildren's books as The LittleHouse and Katy and theBig Snow, offers a touching portrait of love and dedication while commentingon the modernization that continuously shapes our lives. Hamilton's wonderful crayondrawings bring Mike and the indomitable Mary Anne to life. (Ages 3 to 6) ... Read more

Reviews (53)

I Loved This Book!
Like so many other reviewers I have fond memories of reading this book as a child. I fondly recall being a child in the 1970's and of having had this book read to me and when I got older and could read on my own I read it myself and I enjoyed the story of Mike Mulligan and his beloved steam shovel Mary Anne and recall this book having positive messages as well as being an entertaining book for children. Mike Mulligan is a steam shovel operator who has named his machine Mary Anne and they have worked very hard for many years digging canels, etc but times have changed and with steam shovels being replaced by electric, gasoline and diesel shovels Mary Anne is thought of as being obsolete but Mike is a very positive and determined man who knows that he and Mary Anne still have what it takes and to prove that he agrees to dig the foundation for a new building but has to do it in one day but he knows that they are up for the challenge. Mike Mulligan And His Steam Shovel is a wonderful book for children and I think it's good for both boys and girls and I very highly recommend it.

A classic story with warm, active pictures
The cover of this book is the same as my old, dog-eared copy from my childhood 30 years ago. A Caldecott Award winner, the pictures drive the tale as much as the plot. An excellent book from cover-to-cover.

Re-reading it now brings back great memories and fascination of how Mike Mulligan and his beloved steam shovel worked hard to accomplish a fantastic task. Whenever people watched them dig, they always worked a little better and a little faster.

A modern John Henry, Mike faces the challenge of new technology. Undaunted, like the famous hammer-driving tall tale hero, he struggles to meet the task. Can he dig a hole faster than the new machine? Can he and his mighty red-metal friend do it by the end of the day?

A great story of perseverence and hard work, I fully recommend "Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel." Place it on your shelf next to "Make Way for Dcklings" and "Where the Wild Things Are."

Anthony Trendl

I loved it as a child, my childern love it too.
I couldn't wait until my twins were old enough for Mike. They're now 2 1/2 and love hearing about Mike and Mary Anne. A great story of friendship, taking pride in one's work and problem solving. Never mind the 1939 date, this story works forever. I now get to read it at least twice a day and it never gets old.

A Tale of Two Friends
Just thinking about this delightful book makes me smile. I remember Captain Kangaroo reading it on his television show, and I checked it out from the Bookmobile with my own library card.
Mike Mulligan and Mary Ann are best friends and co-workers. They might be running out of work soon, though, since Mary Ann runs on steam--not as efficient as the diesel shovels. A bargain with the town of Popperville gives the twosome one last shot to strut their stuff, and as the town gathers, a few residents at a time, Mike and Mary Ann prove that friendship lasts, even when diesel shovels take over.
This book is equally appealing to boys and girls, and it will forever occupy a favored place in my memories. It's as wonderful a story today as it was when published in 1939. God bless Mike and Mary Ann.

Nobody can do it like a steam shovel
I tend to bring a lot of picture books into my home. My husband doesn't mind, but neither does he show an inordinate amount of interest in them. Enter "Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel". Suddenly my husband was elated by the appearance of this book. "This was the only book we had in my Kindergarten class!", quoth he. After he'd picked through it once more, I had my chance to glance through the story. Admittedly, I did not know of the adventures of Mike Mulligan or trusty Mary Ann until rather late in life. But looking at my hubby's gleeful expression on seeing it again, I know that this is one of those classics that sits in the back of the memory for years and years and years.

Mike Mulligan (Irish, according to the book flap) runs a delightful steam shovel named Mary Ann. The opening spread shows Mike waving at the viewer, while meticulous arrows indicate every lever, cog, and line in Mary Ann's hull. In a rather John Henryish turn of events, Mary Ann is eventually determined to be obsolete in the face of the fancier gasoline, electric and Diesel shovels. Mike refuses to give up his precious steam shovel, however, and a race to prove that Mary Ann can dig as much in a day as a hundred men can dig in a week explodes in a riveting (ho ho) finish.

Books about trucks, construction equipment, and planes is commonplace today. But such modern day classics as "I Stink" owe a great debt to the path that "Mike Mulligan" paved. Here we have a beautifully illustrated (in color at that!) story about two of the best friends in the world. Those kids interested in the technical aspects of steam shovels will be in heaven. And those that just like a rip-roaring yarn about a race against the clock will have a ball as well. Interestingly, author/illustrator Virginia Lee Burton chooses not to close up on Mike Mulligan's face at any point. When we do see him, he's usually viewed at a distance, waving, weeping, and smoking to his heart's content. It's Mary Ann that get the full frontal treatment, and she's a joy. Who could have thought a steam shovel to be so eloquent and emotional? That's the joy of this story and the genius of Virginia Lee Burton's masterwork. ... Read more

Book Description

The three-time Caldecott medalist tells the tale of two ants who decide to leave the safety of the others to venture into a danger-laden kitchen. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

"Two Bad Ants" learn a valuable life-lesson.
"Two Bad Ants" was first published over ten years ago, but I somehow overlooked it. This gem is worth adding to your collection of children's books, and it's one that children enjoy hearing over and over again. Best of all, "Two Bad Ants" is a book that YOU won't tire of READING aloud to your kids!! What I love about this book is that Van Allsburg isn't afraid to use big words in a book for children; simplistic books are great for kids who are trying to learn to read, but they need books with more complicated vocabulary in order to increase their understanding of language. Van Allsburg really delivers with this well-written, suspenseful, entertaining tale of two ants who discover a scary world they'd never dreamed existed: a modern kitchen, replete with electrical appliances and the inherent dangers thereof. Van Allsburg delivers the story's message simply and directly on the last page of the book: the ants learn that they belong at home and that will be happiest in their familiar surroundings. The easy life they'd envisioned could be theirs in the strange new indoor world of the house was more dangerous than they could have imagined, and wasn't worth the trouble.

The drawings are simple and clean, and the color-pallette is limited, which makes for fewer distractions. The artwork is really fantastic, but the vivid pictures Van Allsburg draws with his rich, descriptive complex sentences are even more satisfying. This is a book that my children and I will enjoy for years to come.

"Two Bad Ants"
If you are looking for a great kids book, I recommend the book by Chris Van Allsburg, Two Bad Ants. This book captivates the reader with its descriptive text as well as its exciting story line. The book is about two ants who, instead of helping the colony by getting food, decide they will stay where the food is and live alone. They quickly learn that living by themselves is not an easy thing to do. They encounter many hardships and obsticles, finally realizing that they need the colony. Read this book and find out what happens to the two ants and whether or not they make it home.

ants are cool
I think this is great book because it is about 2 ants that go in a house and think that a sink is a water fall and think that grass are big woods and think that salt are big dimens and then fall into a big bucket of salt and took it home this is why I like this book and I think this is a great book

Two ants enter a whole new world (someone's kitchen)
The ant world is all excited because world has come that a marvelous crystal has been discovered in a faraway place. The queen declares the crystal to be the most delicious substance she has ever eaten, and so the ants go forth in a long line to bring her back more of the same. After marching through an a dark forest (of grass) and climbing a mountain (otherwise known as a brick wall) the ants find themselves in a strange world without wind or the smell of dirt and grass, with smooth shiny surfaces, all leading to the sea of crystals.

What has happened is that the ants have made their way in the kitchen of a home and that should be enough to let you guess what those delicious crystals happen to be. Two of the ants decide that the treasure they have found is so great they went their comrades return to the colony, these two stay behind. But then they discover that some of the strange things in this brave new world are pretty dangerous.

The idea behind "Two Bad Ants" is pretty interesting, but the story does not develop it as much as you would think and having it illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg is pretty much illustrative overkill. Certainly taking a different perspective on the ordinary world of their kitchen is something that should prove interesting to young readers, but what should have been a strength of this book, its essentially "realism," is abandoned as the two (bad) ants brave a series of dangers that take more of a traditional comic turn.

But the ultimate irony is that this 1988 book would have been more impressive if it had been done by someone other than Van Allsburg. From the artist that brought us "The Polar Express" and "Jumanji," just to name two Caldecott Medal winner books, "Two Bad Ants" comes across as a trifle. How is that for an exacting standard of excellence?

Hmmmmmmmmmm......
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the graphics in this book. They are really beautiful with a faux-woodcut style that is pretty fresh. If you haven't seen a copy, your eyes will thank you for tracking down a copy.

The title is great. Provocative - Unfortunately it implies a sense of humor to the story, which it lacks. It isn't funny (I mean situationally, verbally funny would be beyond it's target audience). For a book that has at most a paragraph of text, spending twice as much time on the story arc (ummmm... that would have been twenty minutes?) would have resulted in a full-on classic. As it stands 2/3rds of it is perfect and the last element does not hold it's own. I realize kids don't need Wagnerian intricacy, but adults reading the book to them them 4 dozen times, would have appreciated a smidge more depth, intent, beauty or humor to the story.

Bewilderingly, the greater goal of teaching responsibility & obedience is a bit lost while also making youngsters inquisitive about garbage disposals, toasters and electric outlets. !??! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Olivia would be Eloise, if Eloise were a pig.She is good at singing 40 very loud songs and is very good at wearingpeople out. And scaring the living daylights out of her little brother, Ian,particularly when he copies her every move. She is also quite skilled atreproducing Jackson Pollock's "Autumn Rhythm #30" on the walls at home. When hermother tucks her in at night and says, "You know, you really wear me out. But Ilove you anyway," Olivia precociously pronounces, "I love you anyway too."

The New Yorker artist Ian Falconer's endearing charcoal portraits of hisporcine heroine are spotted with fire-engine red gouache in all the rightplaces--perhaps a tribute to Hilary Knight's red, pink, white, and blackcelebrations of Olivia's human counterpart? When she dresses up, the bow on herears, her red lipstick, and her high-heeled shoes are all red. (The only timeher shades-of-gray body is pink is when she is sunburned and the area where herbathing suit was is white!) Falconer does a fine job of letting the spare textset up the jokes for the visual punch lines--a dryly humorous interplay thatadults will appreciate as much as children.

Preschoolers (and their parents) will see themselves in Olivia--a typicalhigh-energy, over-the-top kid who likes the beach and Degas paintings, but hatesnaps. On the other hand, she combs her ears and is unusually gifted atsandcastle building. While we are certainly reminded of Eloise, Falconer'sportrait is simpler in scope, less demented, and,as a result, less adult. Bottom line: precocious is fun, and we're tickled pinkto have Olivia join the parade of, let's just say, individualisticyoungsters. (Ages 4 to 8) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (100)

When I Need A Quick Laugh I Read Olivia
The cover caught my attention. Olivia was written big and boldly across it. A white piglet wearing a red dress with a black bow tie and zebra stripped stockings. It begged me to read it.

Author and Illustrator Ian Falconer has written a funny book about a little piglet named 'Olivia' who has too much energy. My favorite part of the book are the first four lines: "This is Olivia. She is good at lots of things. She is very good at wearing people out. She even wears herself out." The reader is shown (on two pages) a series of drawings in succession of Olivia jumping, running, standing on her head, yelling, playing ball, etc. and finally (the last drawing) she is flat on her back exhausted.

You can see her driving her mom crazy. She's adorable to read about but if she were my daughter she'd drive me crazy also. In my baby name book 'Olivia' means 'holy'. Not quite Olivia I thought. I got the dictionary and read through all the definitions for 'holy'. There it was at the bottom 'holy terror, a troublesome child'. Bingo! Now that's Olivia but in a funny way.

As I read through the book I could hear myself giggling. Laughter is good for the soul, so go ahead and get a heavy dose of Olivia. I recommend it. It's good for you!

The Quintessential Children's Book!
FIVE STARS! Ian Falconer comes up with a children's book that no matter how many times I read through it, it is incredibly pleasing. The storyline about an imaginative young girl named Olivia is simple and captivating. Whether looking at art, building sand castles, or dealing with her copycat brother, Olivia is charming. The humor in Falconer's work is contagious with its harmonious blend of illustration and text. The illustrations are done in a "limited" palette of black white and red with an occasional brown thrown in. Please do not make the mistake of thinking that this book may be handicapped because of its limited palette. It merely serves to increase the reader's delight in Olivia and her world. Olivia is one of the finest reading encounters that I have run across in my life. Olivia is quite simply... perfect.

Crazy James

Trying to be objective
It seems that people either love or hate this book, so I thought I'd try to throw out an objective point of view. When my four year old daughter picked Olivia out at the library, I could not figure out why. The illustrations are basically black and white with hightlights of red. I prefer bright, primary colors, especially for young children, so my first thought was that it was boring. I read it to my daughter and found the story to be cute. It draws you into the pictures because the text is incomplete without them.

I noticed that some people with boys didn't seem to like the book. I'm not surprised. Olivia is mischievous, but she is definately a girl, and therefore probably appeals to girls much more than boys. Of course, I have three girls and no boys, so I don't know exactly what appeals to boys.

No, Olivia is definately not a good role model, but do all of our kids' books have to show perfect role models? After all, what child is really like Emily Elizabeth of Clifford, and what parents are really like Caillou's? (PBS shows if you don't know.) Poor role models offer us the opportunity to discuss with our children what behavior is proper and what behavior is not proper when they are not misbehaving and therefore are much more receptive to hearing it. Not that they should be allowed to read anything and everything, but I believe that it's important to show them real life, too.

The important thing to me is not what other people think of the author or the book. Rather, do I approve of the book, and do my children like it. In my case, it is yes and a resounding yes (my daughter asked me to read the book so many times that I was glad it was a library book so I could return it!) Truthfully, if it was up to me I'd give the book only two stars. But since my daughter liked it so much, I had to go with four. But just because we like it doesn't mean you will. I'd recommend (as some others suggested) check it out from your library. Then you'll know if it's worth your money.

You Must be Kidding, This book is Horrible
I agree with one of the other reviewers who said that it's for the hip mommies and daddies, I don't agree that this book is wonderful however. This book is written more to impress the adults reading the book than it is written for the child listening. The illustrations do look like they belong in the New Yorker, and the last time I looked that magazine was not for children. There are alot of wonderful , beautifully illustated books out there for children , spend your money on them and let the adults read Olivia.

The most charming pig since Wilbur himself
Ian Falconer has done many an amusing cover for "The New Yorker" in his day, so it is only fitting that he be responsible for the most New York-inspired children's book since Eloise decided to wreck havoc in the Piazza. For those of you who have never met the charming Olivia, this is probably the best book to begin with. Less pretentious than its sequels, in it you meet Olivia, her family, and her penchant for extravagant imaginings. Drawn in beautifully shaded black and white, this particular tale is dotted with brilliant flashes of Olivia's red belongings. Her adventures are quite tame. Following the day to day adventures of an average child, the viewer views Olivia going to the beach, into her closet, to the museum, and at last to bed.

Reviewer Dwight Garner recently noted in his New York Times Book Review that, " 'Olivia' is one of those kids' books... that hip mommies and daddies like to give to the children of other hip mommies and daddies in order to demonstrate, yet again, what delightfully hip mommies and daddies we all are". There's no denying that this book is decidedly hip. I've yet to see a mom in a children's book look as particularly metropolitan (read: New Yorkish) as Olivia's black clad momma. And when Olivia creates a castle, she doesn't go halfway. She creates a sand-skyscraper. Mr. Garner does bring up an interesting point, though. Is "Olivia" something kids actually love and hold dear to their hearts, or is it something that parents love and hope their kids will get into? Who doesn't want their children to be inspired by a character that reads about Maria Callas before she goes to bed?

I don't know how kids feel about the story. But what I do know is that it's a quality piece of work. The art is beautiful. The story sublime. Plus it's a riot. Olivia stuffed into one of the legs of her mother's pantyhose is a black and white joke hidden in the corner of a colorful montage of Olivia wearing her full wardrobe (love the ballgown).

"Olivia" is not going to change the world of children's book publishing. And perhaps it's only ever going to be fully appreciated by people over the age of 18. But with all the crummy two-bit picture books out there ("Love You Forever" anyone?) sometimes it's just a small slice of heaven to read something to your child that's enjoyable to them and fun for you as well. ... Read more

Book Description

"Facilitating Online Learning: Effective Strategies for Moderators" is Atwood Publishing's latest title and one of your greates resources for distance education. It will help you build an online community and fuel online dialogue to create relationships between interactants. It will also provide you with a wide repertoire of strategies for sharpening your course's content and ways to fend off and avoid technological problems and roadblocks that you will invariably face during your class. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A fantastic help for online course moderators.
This book was an amazing resource for me. After seeing what Collison, Haavind, Tinker, and Elbaum do with online moderation, I recognized dozens of great strategies to add to my facilitation arsenal. Highly recommend it!

Excellent
I wish it had been a text for one of my classes. Had to discover it later. Well...a worthwhile discovery. It doesn't get 5 stars only because I hardly ever give anything 5. Probably 4.75. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Officer Buckle is a roly-poly bloke, dedicated to teaching schoolchildren important safety tips, such as never put anything in your ear and never stand on a swivel chair. The problem is, Officer Buckle's school assemblies are dull, dull, dull, and the children of Napville just sleep, sleep, sleep. That is, until Gloria the police dog is invited along! Stealthily pantomiming each safety tip behind Officer Buckle's back, Gloria wins the children's hearts. Meanwhile Officer Buckle assumes the cheers and laughter are all for him. As the master comedian Jerry Lewis once explained, every slapstick artist needs a straight man! Children will be highly entertained by the laugh-out-loud, adorable illustrations in this 1996 Caldecott Medal winner, while learning the value of teamwork and a pawful of nifty safety tips. (Ages 4 to 8) --Gail Hudson ... Read more

Reviews (31)

Stay with your buddy!
This book for children is about a police officer (I've been told that it is based, in part, on a San Francisco officer) who gives talks on safety to elementary school children. His talks are quite boring until he is accompanied by his police dog, Gloria. At first he is deflated that the students aren't cheering his presentation; but, with Gloria present they actually learn safety. The book won the 1996 Caldecott Medal for best illustrations in a children's book. One of the earlier reviewers gave this book only two stars apparently because they couldn't see the humor. Part of the humor can be found in the background and how it meshes with the text.

A Read-Aloud Hit!
Primary age students in our school love to have "OfficerBuckle and Gloria" read aloud to them, and upper grade studentsremember this story fondly.

While the story stands alone as a playful read-aloud, it can be an effective tool for opening a discussion on safety. Officer Buckle keeps thinking of new safety tips that he keeps thumbtacked to his bulletin board, like "never do tricks on the monkey bars without someone there to catch you." The endpapers of the book are also filled with stars containing more safety tips.

Just as the students in the story are entertained by Gloria, the dog, and come away with Officer Buckle's helpful tips, children who read or listen to this book read will be entertained, yet come away with some great advice, such as "always wear a crash helmet."

This one deserves the Caldecott Medal as the colorful, playful drawings are an essential part of the story.

Safety tips
Officer Buckle is a friendly police officer who enjoys m