Book Description

This book is based on the simple idea that every writer has a "tool box." Instead of awls and hammers, a writer's toolbox contains words, imagination, a love of books, a sense of story, and ideas for how to make the writing live and breathe. I wrote this book to give you some practical strategies to throw into your toolbox. I hope you'll try them, because these are ideas that can make you a better writer.

This book is titled Live Writing, and you may be wondering what I mean by that. Most of us have read (and written!) the opposite kind of writing-dull, drab language that sounds about as interesting as a city phone book. By "live writing" I mean the kind of writing that has a current running through it-energy, electricity, juice. When we read "live writing", the words seem to lift off the page and burrow deep inside us. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Third in a Fantastic Trio by Fletcher
Ralph Fletcher has written a trio of fantastic books for young writers. "A Writer's Notebook" is about gathering material; "How Writers Work" is about the process of writing; and "Live Writing" is about craft, or how to write well. Most importantly, these three books are written directly to kids, in a warm and personal rather than "textbook" manner. I don't know of any other author who writes books on writing for kids, and this genre is so needed! Plus all of Fletcher's books are very engaging and well-written.

Fletcher selects what he feels are the most important aspects of craft for this book. My notes on some of them follow:
Characters
· Characters are the most important part of a story.
· The plot should grow out of the characters, and not the other way around.
· Characters must first be born in your mind.
· Build characters from people you know.
· Give physical descriptions of your characters.
· Characters should be complex, containing both good and bad.
· Write letters to and from your characters, asking them questions!
Voice
· Best way to develop it is through your writer's notebook.
· Think of writing as chatting on paper.
· Always have a particular audience in mind.
· Be honest!
· Writing is trying to get readers to see something as you do.
Conflict
· Types of.
· Don't wait long to develop it.
· Don't solve it too quickly.
· Don't end a story too abruptly or predictably.
Time
· Writing time isn't the same as real time.
· Slow down "hot spots."
· Skip over unimportant time quickly.
· Narrow the time frame to key points.
· Flashbacks are usually needed; they represent memories, what makes a character tick.

Great for Teaching Writing
This easy to understand book is good for writers of all ages. I have used lessons from this book to help my middle school and high school students improve their writing. Fletcher concentrates on specific aspects of writing, like leads or characters, and uses simple but powerful examples that implicitly show students how to improve their writing. If you are using a workshop class, many of his ideas lend themselves to effective mini-lessons.

Live Writing
I think everyone should go and buy this book. It is worthy of 5 stars.This book trys to help you become a better writer by sharing some of Ralph Fletcher's experiances. If you like this book I reccomend you read Spider Boy or A writer's notebook. ( The book before Live Writing) ... Read more

Book Description

"Allie the Allergic Elephant" helps children learn about food allergies and how to be a good friend when you can't share snacks. "Allie" explains peanut allergies in a way that parents, teachers, and children themselves can talk about allergies and understand them better. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

From a kid whose been there, done that
awesome book! zeroes in on the key parts of having an allergy! great book to read to little kids. I personally have a life threatening allergy to peanuts and all tree nuts. thank you for your time.

Librarians loved it!
I bought the first edition for my nephew with a peanut allergy. He enjoyed it because it addressed his difficulty in explaining his allergy to his classmates.

I bought 2 copies of the second edition and donated them to elementary schools where I volunteer in the library. Both librarians were excited to receive the book and were anxious to read it to their students. One librarian took the book immediately to the Kindergarten teacher because a student had arrived that day with a peanut allergy.

I like the book because it explains how an allergic child must be "excluded" when it pertains to peanuts, but wants to be "included" in everything else. I can't wait for the author to write more books about other allergies.

Brings Compassion to a Clinical Subject
With three children in my family, all of them know people who can't eat nuts. At first, they think it's wierd. "What? No peanuts? Why can't you eat peanuts?"

Allie helps those with the allergy understand, and Allie brings compassion to those who live with, work with, and play with an allergic child.

As the author of three non-fiction books, I appreciate a good tale. And Allie's tail is precious.

Charming story -- Important message
I purchased this book as a gift for a friend with an allergic grandchild. He told me it was a special delight to read the book together with his grandson. The story is charming, and effectively communicates an important message about acceptance and coping... in a way even a very young child can grasp. The wonderful illustrations (by a gifted young artist) captured the boy's imagination and brought the story to life.

Excellent book for kids with food allergies
I bought the 1st edition over a year ago and the teacher in his classroom has said that the children love it. They like to hear it read to them. They love the pictures! She said after a year it was well used as they play with it alot. A book needs to hold up with kids at this age. I just purchased the 2nd edition feeling that it was different enough to own it. I am glad I did. The pictures have changed a bit and look wonderful, but the message is still excellent and kids can understand it. Most messages are lost with kids at this age when dealing with serious issues such as food allergies. Geat job! Even though the book is 100% focused on peanut allergies, which is why I got it, the rules remains the same with all food allergies in how they relate to other children playing with the children with the food allergy. I would recommend any parent that has a pre-schooler or a child in K-5 or thier school to buy this book! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Parents and kids looking for a break from the ordinary will appreciate this imaginative collection of stories and songs from quirk-rock kings They Might Be Giants. Fresh on the heels of their highly successful children's record No!, Bed, Bed, Bed features four brief stories written by the Giants and illustrated with surreal panache by Marcel Dzama along with a CD featuring all four stories in song version. "Impossible" explores the possibility of turning into fantastical animals like Octofish and Octofee or growing violet hair that flows down the stairs. Kids will find the silly animals and warped reality delightful and will love singer John Linnell's spacey conspiratorial tone. "Happy Doesn’t Have to Have an Ending" tells the story of a hippie kitten "on a secret mission to make a valentine for everyone on earth," who wants everyone to dance and be happy. "Idlewild" slows things down with a softer, sleepier beat and a story about a dreamy trip to the carnival. But the Giants save the best story for last; "Bed Bed Bed Bed Bed" is a well-reasoned and catchy argument for slumber. "I did so many things today, there’s nothing left to do", sings guest vocalist Kimya Dawson (in a slower, different version than the one on "No!"). While the story features familiar bedtime milestones, Dzama’s illustrations lend the proceedings a compellingly skewed vision in which kids eat three meals in the company of bears and go to bed accompanied by their pet octopus and a tuxedoed rabbit. While the lyrics flow nicely in the songs, they can sometimes be a bit clunky on the page. But even then, the stories and Dzama’s illustrations are more imaginative and memorable than most children’s books today. --John Moe ... Read more

Reviews (18)

CRUCIAL element of my 2-year-old's bedtime routine
Here's the routine: jammies, brush and floss, Bed Bed Bed, lights out. Every night, like clockwork. In fact, the only way I can get her to stop fooling around with the toothbrush is to say, "Let's go listen to Bed, Bed, Bed!" And she hops down from her stool and runs on tiptoes to her room shouting "BED BED BED BED BED BED BED BED BED BED BED BED BED!" When I start the CD, she alternates between studying the pictures in the book very carefully and dancing wildly. She calms down a bit at Idylwild (her favorite song?), and at the end of the fourth song she says "Night night time" and curls up with her pillow and doll. THAT'S IT! Is that amazing or what! Yeah, I'm a TMBG fan, but this CD/book isn't about me and my interest in TMBG, it's not about being a great work of art, it's about the MIRACLE of getting my daughter to go to bed without a fuss.

A must for TMBG fans, not sure kids will like it
I love They Might Be Giants. I love love love them. I've been listening to their music for more than 15 years, and it's been very exciting to hear their music evolve over that time.

Their foray into the world of children's entertainment has been exciting for me, since I'm a children's-book junkie. But while I think the "No!" family CD hits the mark, the Johns' "children's book," "Bed Bed Bed" is a bit off.

The design and illustrations are beautiful, of course. TMBG is known for their cutting-edge taste in designers almost as much as for their music, and so the design and illustrations of the book are bound to catch a child's attention and hold it for a bit.

The text of the book, however, is just song lyrics, and I'm of the opinion that song lyrics generally don't make good reading -- without the music, at least half (if not more) of the experience is missing. And TMBG lyrics are so typically strange, you really do need the music to complete the context.

Of course, the book was meant to be read along with the enclosed four-song CD, and I do think the book is rather pointless without the CD. I take issue, however, with the recasting of the book's title song as a "lullaby." This plodding, tuneless version of the song would put anybody to sleep, in the hope of getting away from Kimya Dawson's monotonous voice. They may have done better to kick off the book and CD with the march-like, sound-effects studded version of "Bed Bed Bed" as it's featured on the "No!" album, and saved the floating, lovely "Idlewild" for the closing lullaby.

Last week I attended one of TMBG's "family concerts," and it was pretty clear that the "No!" album is building a very young sector in the TMBG listening audience. There's a lot to love about the "No!" disc, with its upbeat songs and fun animations. The "Bed Bed Bed" book and CD, while a beautiful package, is less accessible. I do hope the Johns will give children's publishing another shot!

Love it, oh . . . and my daughter likes it too.
Many of us Giants fans are now introducing John's and John's genius to our children. Their new crop of kid friendly products is just what we need to bring our progeny into the fold. The CD has some "kiddy" versions of NO songs and some other ditties, all good. My daughter loves the book! It delivers as a bed time read. Just weird enough, just hypnotizing enough.

My TMBG kid...
My 3 1/2 year old son LOVES this book and cd! We listen to the cd while following along with the book at least twice every night. And being a huge TMBG fan myself, I will never get tired of it. My son was initiated into the world of TMBG with "No!" so we HAD to have Bed Bed Bed when it came out. Thank you Johns!!!!!

Is It A Good Bedtime Tool For Kids?
YES, ANOTHER THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS FAN AM I who bought this 48 page book, accompanied by a 4-song CD, intended for children; however, it's just as hot in hands of adults who appreciate the cleverness, vitality, and care that this band has been producing for over twenty years.

Therefore, it's not a question of whether or not this 5-star TMBG project will please us fans. It boils down to "Is it truly a good bedtime tool?" to help your children into slumber. As a kids' book, I give it 4 stars.

We'll see what you think.

First of all, based on the disappointment I felt upon receiving this package in the mail, I would disagree that it's a book of stories. I'd been lead to believe that it was. BED, BED, BED contains no stories, no more than you'd find in any song. It's a hardbound collection of read-along lyrics set to Marcel Ozama's energized artwork. Still, once the disappointment faded--and it faded fast--I saw the light. This is a wonderful product.

But let's keep things in perspective. The "Note for You" on page 1 tells us, "We have sequenced the stories to help parents and kids find their way to slumberland." In my opinion (maybe I'm wrong), the songs should have been organized in descending order, bouncy-fun to mellow-drowsy

The second song, "Happy Doesn't Have to Have and Ending," is slightly more rockin' than the first song, "Impossible." Their order is not conducive to the gradual fading into sleep we were promised. The last couple of songs are debatable. I feel the CD could have ended with the song "Idlewild," musically, instead of "Bed, Bed, Bed, Bed, Bed." B.B.B.B.B. calls too much attention to the lyrics. Lyrically, however, if this weren't about inducing sleep, I'd have kept the order as presented.

I realize this matter of order is up to the listener. I just thought I should let you know.

The songs themselves are typical of They Might Be Giants. One or two will get your rhythm meter swinging right away, and, after you've listened to the whole CD, you'll find that you love all four songs. The messages, as I translate them, are child-friendly:

1. Don't worry about the limits others place on you. You can grow up to be anyone you imagine yourself to be.
2. The secret to life just might be to make room for fun and happiness.
3. Take a trip into fantasy.
4. Look at everything you did today! You've had a productive twenty-four hourse. The only thing left is to go to bed, the importance of which should not be overlooked.

The neat thing about They Might Be Giants is that their studio albums appeal to children as well as adults. It's no wonder they aimed two CD's exclusively at children. In both BED, BED, BED and their successful kids' album NO!, however, I sometimes felt that the songs weren't perfectly suited for the very young. Again, maybe I'm wrong. I'm not an educator.

In BED, BED, BED, for instance, particularly in the song "Happy Doesn't Have to Have an Ending," words are used that might not fit into your child's repertoire. The word "Gavotte" is used, as well as "moderately." Children aren't idiots, of course, but these words could soar over their heads. (In the Giant's defense, they define "Gavotte" using apt lyrics.)

Also, the phrase "long-haired hippie kitten" is questionable, the "hippie" part. I'm not about to say it's wrong, but it does isolate a passé social class. I feel we should avoid using such terms when providing our children with entertainment. In a sick world, it could become a short journey from "hippie" to "Mexican" to "ni**er."

Despite that, "hippie" is a mostly harmless word, I know. I'm just saying we should avoid terms that come ready-replete with (possible) negative connotations. I'm not normally a crusader against labels. But we're talking about a children's album here.

I've nothing else "bad" to say about this product. Man, I had to listen to it four times in a row. HAD TO. As an adult, I loved it. The message of the song "Possibly" made me misty--which I tend to get over perfectly realized messages of good will. The kitten in the "Happy" song also had an emotional effect on me. . .though, I might point out, he's referred to as a long-haired kitten, and the pictures paint him in short brown fur.

Okay, I lied. So there's a couple more things to say that are not so positive: 1) the short-hair/long-hair issue that I just mentioned and 2) pages 31 to 40.

In pages 31-40 we receive a string of short lyrics, one line per page. This is supposed to be a read-along book, right? I found that I had to turn pages pretty darn fast in order to keep up with the CD. Frantic page-turning during the last song will surely jostle your child from his or her near slumber.

There. No more bad stuff. I, an eternal Giants fan, have tried to review this book without bias. Ah, but, in the end, counting pros and cons won't render a just verdict. BED, BED, BED is a wonderful purchase. You're kids are going to love it.

I dare you to feel differently. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Poor Horton. Dr. Seuss's kindly elephant is persuaded to sit on an egg while its mother, the good-for-nothing bird lazy Maysie, takes a break. Little does Horton know that Maysie is setting off for a permanent vacation in Palm Springs. He waits, and waits, never leaving his precarious branch, even through a freezing winter and a spring that's punctuated by the insults of his friends. ("They taunted.They teased him. They yelled 'How Absurd! Old Horton the Elephant thinks he's a bird!'") Further indignities await, but Horton has the patience of Job--from whose story this one clearly derives--and he is rewarded in the end by the surprise birth of... an elephant-bird. Horton Hatches the Egg contains some of Theodor Geisel's most inspired verse and some of his best-ever illustrations, the dated style of which only accentuates their power and charm. A book no childhood should be without. (Ages 2 to 7) --Richard Farr ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Review
This is the tale of a bird that has an egg but he gets bored sitting on it. He decided to ask Horton the elephant to sit on the egg for him. He says he will and the bird flies away to go on vacation. He sits and sits on the egg and the bird doesn't come back. Eventually people find the elephant sitting up in the tree and he will not leave because he promises he will sit on it for the bird. Some people take him to a carnival as a show. Then the bird shows up at the carnival and sees the elephant on the tree. The egg starts to hatch and the bird comes back to take all the credit for it but when the egg is hatch it is an elephant bird.
This is a story that shows that you can't just let someone else do all the work and expect to get something. This is a great moralistic tale and I think Dr. Suess does a really good job illustrating this point. I think that this is a great book for children because it teaches them a lesson and it is a fun story at the same time. It also has great pictures as all of Dr. Suess books do.

Excellant Lesson to be learned
This playful and imaginative book is about an elephant that comes across a bird that is extremely stressed and does not wish to sit on her egg anymore. So Horton decides to sit on the egg so the bird can take a break. Well the bird ends up taking a tropical vacation and doesn't want to return. Well Horton very patiently sat on the egg through sleet and rain and the most horrible conditions. Well some people decide that this is a hilarious site and feel that he should be on display for all to see. So the men dig up the tree in which Horton is patiently perched and is taken down south. When Horton and the tree reach the south the mother bird finds Horton just as his egg starts to hatch and she demands it back. Horton is very displeased and states that he did all the work and deserves the egg. Well just as that was said out of the egg jumps an Elephant bird, which is a trophy for all Horton's hard work.
Dr. Seuss yet again did a wonderful job with rhymes and engaging children to read. I love the moral that was being put into place that if you work hard and stay focused then it will all pay off and you will be rewarded in the end.
This is one of my favorite Dr. Seuss book if not my favorite. I have always been a fan of his ability to draw children in and engage them in reading. Also the rhymes and silly words are great for young readers. Also what better then to have a moral tied along with it?

faithful 100%
As I kid I loved this book because I thought Horton was a pure wonder. I always loved the line "an elephant faithful 100%". And my little innocent heart took it all very seriously and I wanted to be just like Horton... faithful 100%. As an adult this book has taken on a very new stronger meaning that I did not see as a child... And I am very happy to be passing along the message to my children.

This elephant's faithful, one hundred percent
You've gotta love the Horton man. Dr. Seuss's popular elephant starred in not one but two of Theodore Geisel's great picture books for the kiddies. Now with the 100th Anniversary of Dr. Suess's birth nigh upon us, it's a good idea to take a look at some of his most successful books to appreciate them fully once again.

Mayzie bird is a lazy bird, and would much rather be flying off to somewhere fun rather than tend to her egg. But when friendly (and gullible) Horton passes by her, Mayzie sees her chance to grab a little R & R in sunny Palm Beach. She convinces Horton to sit on her egg, a ploy that works despite Horton's concerns. Once gone, however, Mayzie decides "never" to go back to her nest again. Horton, stuck with the egg on his own, does everything he can to ensure it's safety. Through blizzard, teasing, capture, and seasickness Horton is faithful to his promise, "One hundred percent". When the egg finally hatches (and Mayzie insists on claiming it once the work has been finished) the result is a surprise and delight to the patient elephant.

There's a lot to love in this old story. The Seussian rhyming schemes (often parodied but rarely equaled) have the perfect amount of syllables per line. Every page scans easily, and you cannot help but hear the words spoken in your brain as you read them. I remember growing up in Kalamazoo, Michigan as a child and delighting at the reading of the places Horton travels (ala circus) that mentioned my own rhymable home town. Such lines are coupled with the fabulous illustrations that show every minute of Horton's misery in wrenching detail (though not so much that you ever think the elephant is under too serious duress). Thus the payoff at the end is even better than you could hope for. It's amazing how memorable I find these illustrations, even now some twenty years later. There's something about Dr. Seuss that just connects with children on the deepest level imaginable. And there's something about "Horton Hears the Who" that deserves that connection.

WONDERFUL!!!
Just imagine! An Elephant sitting on a nest! How Ridiculous! But wonderful! Horton is soooooo friendly, and kind, and faithful, he's just wonderful! I really like what comes out of the egg when it hatches! It is soooooo cute! I just love it! (The book and the creature) ... Read more

Amazon.com

Chester Raccoon doesn't want to go to school--he wants to stay home with his mother. She assures him that he'll love school--with its promise of new friends, new toys, and new books. Even better, she has a special secret that's been in the family for years--the Kissing Hand. This secret, she tells him, will make school seem as cozy as home. She takes her son's hand, spreads his tiny fingers into a fan and kisses his palm--smack dab in the middle: "Chester felt his mother's kiss rush from his hand, up his arm, and into his heart." Whenever he feels lonely at school, all he has to do is press his hand to his cheek to feel the warmth of his mother's kiss. Chester is so pleased with his Kissing Hand that he--in a genuinely touching moment--gives his mom a Kissing Hand, too, to comfort her when he is away. Audrey Penn's The Kissing Hand, published by the Child Welfare League of America, is just the right book for any child taking that fledgling plunge into preschool--or for any youngster who is temporarily separated from home or loved ones. The rough but endearing raccoon illustrationsare as satisfying and soothing for anxious children as the simple story. (Ages 5 and older) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (51)

Review of The Kissing Hand
Chester Racoon and his mother prepare for Chester's first "night" at school. He is a little apprehensive, and, of course, he wants to stay home with his mom. Mrs. Racoon shares a secret with Chester called the Kissing Hand. She kisses Chester's palm and tells him to put it to his cheek when he begins to feel lonely at school. This book makes a great gift for a child entering school or going to camp for the first time, or for any occasion where a child will be temporarily separated from home and loved ones. It can also be used to help a child through the death of a parent or special loved one, and for children placed in foster families and residential facilities. For teachers, this book would be super to read the first day of school. It could also lead up to wonderful science, social studies, and reading/writing activities.

A Mother Reviews The Kissing Hand
Chester is about to start school and he's terribly nervous. In a single, calming gesture, his Mom helps him feel loved and secure by kissing the center of his hand. She reminds Chester that her love is always right there and if he should feel frightened or scared or lonely he should simply hold the hand to his cheek and he will feel her love.
We read it just before our son began kindergarten on September 5, 2001 for several days in a row. Although he had been attending Day Care since birth, this was still a new experience for him and he was naturally nervous. So now, each morning we kiss his palm and send him off on the bus. It's a wonderful new ritual.
September 11, 2001 began a tremendously difficult time in our country. Our children are 4 and 5, and we have been reading this nearly every night since then. A friend's daughter was having terrible nightmares and great fears about not seeing her Daddy (he's a Police Officer currently assigned to Ground Zero). We lent them the book to read to her. Her Mom now tells me she is sleeping soundly as long as she has been kissed in the palm of her hand.
Sweet Dreams, America and the world.

We love The Kissing Hand!
This story is about a racoon who is scared to go to school. His mom gives him a kiss in his hand and tells him to put it on his cheek when he gets upset. This book is about love. Our favorite part was when the little racoon gave his mom a kiss in her hand. We think you should read this book because it shows how much a mom loves her child.

Text and Illustrations Don't Work Together
No matter how sweet the plot (and it does edge a bit on the saccharine for my taste), no matter how beautiful the illustrations, this book just doesn't work as a whole.

The story has animals going to school--probably to the supermarket and church too, for all we know!!! Meanwhile the illustrations are glorious, naturalistic works that would be great for a nature book, but look TOO real here. Combined, there is a discordance that really spoiled the book for me.

There are tons of books with anthropomorphized animals, and they serve the purpose of letting children identify with their feelings, regardless of race or gender. But in books of this ilk that WORK, either the animals are more cartoonish or the setting is clearly human based(houses, schools, etcetera), so it's easy to accept the idea of the animals acting out human roles.

Too bad--it's a nice idea, and has a lot of potential as a back to school or starting school book.

One of the best
This is an excellent book. I first checked it out from our library and the first time I read it to my 3 year old son I could barely finish it because it touched me. My son is going through some regression right now as we are expecting our second child and he has shown a lot of increased anxiety away from me. This book was so appropriate for children who are feeling anxious about being away from their parents whether it be school or for any reason. Change is hard and this book reminds children that they will always have your love. I cannot recommend enough. We had to own this one!! ... Read more

Amazon.com

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the publication of L. FrankBaum's The Wizard of Oz,master paper engineer Robert Sabuda has created a pop-up version of Dorothy'sadventures in Oz that fans will find hard to resist. Modeling his depictions ofDorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the rest after W. W. Denslow'soriginal art, Sabuda adds a third dimension that would have rockedDenslow's--and Baum's--world. A rapidly spinning cyclone actually casts a breezeover the startled reader's face. Glorious red poppies wave seductively in afield. And the Emerald City positively glitters with green, especially whenyoung readers try on the special tinted "Spectacles for You" provided in apocket on the page. The abridged text, provided in minibooklets set onto eachpage, covers enough basics for the Oz novice, but we recommend a read-aloud ofthe original, as well, for all the glory and detail of Baum's fantastic tale.Sabuda's homage to the classic is truly spectacular; even purists will gasp indelight at the sight of the humbug wizard floating away in his shiny green,gold, and blue hot-air balloon. This great introduction to the story of Ozdoubles as a fun collector's item. (Ages 3 to 7) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (60)

There's no place like a Robert Sabuda pop-up!
I just have to disagree with the folks who say this is not a book for children...this is THE book for children! If you are looking for a book to give this holiday season that rates 100% on the "oooh-ahhhh!" meter, this is the one. Any child, in particular a reluctant reader, will be dazzled and fascinated by the Emerald City jumping to life in the middle of the book, the whirling balloon and spinning tornado. The artwork warrants accolades even without the magnificent engineering, and there is enough text to make this pop-up perfect for older kids as well. This book does great honor to the Wonderful Wizard, and will be as treasured in your home as a pair of ruby slippers. Whether or not this book actually survives the twister of children's handling, you'd be a real wicked witch not to share it with your favorite munchkin.

"Magical experience"
I collect children's books that are "special" and added this book to my collection as one of my favorites! The experience of looking through the pop-ups can only be described as a "magical experience". The illustrations are done in a nostalgic format with vivid colors. The first page really grabbed me...when you open it up a tornato rises up in a whirling motion and goes completely off of the page. There is fine detail (look under the house in "Munchkinland" and you will actually see the wicked witches feet underneath). Emerald City pops up and actually glitters before your eyes (you would swear it was really made of emeralds)! Oz's hot air balloon rises out of one page and spins in suspension. This is more of a collector book and I would not recommend putting it in the hands of a young child to do with as he/she pleases! It is just too beautiful! But, you would definately have fun viewing/reading the book to a young child...and a child of seven or eight would probably be old enough to care for it! There are also several small pop-ups within the sections you open up and read that are quite charming! There is quite alot of story to read within small sections of the pages, or within flaps that open up. But; if you are a collector of "Oz" memorabilia, or love creative pop-up books... this book would be a great addition to your family!

Spectacular Pop-Ups Illustrate A Timeless Classic!
Robert Sabuda is one of my favorite illustrators and certainly the most renowned pop-up book artist and paper engineer working today. Combine Sabuda's entrancing three dimensional illustrations with Frank Baum's glorious story about Dorothy, the Tin Woodman, the Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion, Toto and their amazing adventures in the Land of Oz and you have pure magic!

The pop-up illustrations are quite intricate, with artwork that's faithful to W. W. Denslow's original illustrations. Sabuda works in a fresh, new style here using prints made from cut linoleum blocks. He brings the drawings to life in a way that will enchant children and adults alike. Each page contains a large pop-up and a small booklet which tells part of the story. And each mini-book contains small pop-ups too. There's a cyclone that really twists, a wizard's balloon that sails into the sky, holographic foil creates a true, sparkling Emerald City made even greener with the included green glasses for the reader

The text is slightly abridged so I would suggest that true "Wizard of Oz" fans include an unabridged copy in their library. I recently bought a copy for my cousin's little girl. She calls it her "magic book" and can't seem to put it down. This very special edition, published to commemorate the book's 100th Anniversary, is well worth the price and will surely find a place of honor on your bookshelf. It is spectacular!
JANA

WOW!
This is impressive! Something really great for Wizard of Oz enthusiasts to keep for years. Don't buy it intending it for small children to handle independently, though. The amazing detail is somewhat fragile. But don't be afraid to get it and hang onto it until they're old enough to be careful with it. It's really incredible!

The Best Pop up book ever!
Hey buy this one for your young friends and read it with them and share the 3-D glasses! Its wonderful you gotta see it to belive it! I am one happy reader!! ... Read more

Book Description

Which letter of the alphabet does Elmo like best? Elmo likes A, because juicy apples begin with A. But the word baby begins with the letter B, and Elmo loves babies.
Oh, no! Can you help Elmo decide? ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Best Alphabet Book
This is one of my daughter's favorite books and it also the best ABC book that I've come across. Elmo tries to decide what his favorite letter is, from "D" is for dogs, "I" for imagination, and "Z" for Zoe. Each page has the letter highlighted and a reason why Elmo likes the letter. This books has a good pace and pleasing pictures. It's a great addition for anyone trying to teach the alphabet in a fun and exciting way. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Babies and toddlers who loved the "real" ladybugs in Ten LittleLadybugs will adore the nine sparkly, three-dimensional butterflies inGood Night, Sweet Butterflies. Each glitter-covered butterfly flitsthrough a color-themed spread which offers a place for the little winged oneto sleep: "on red roses as a red robin sings good night," is the textaccompanying a psychedelic, color-saturated image of birds, flowers, andvarious insects. The meter of the rhyming text is a bit off, which makes ithard to read the book rhythmically, but little ones are likely to be soenthralled with the illustrations that it won’t matter. The thick,kid-friendly pages are easy to turn and hard to tear; the butterflies aresecurely mounted, but not impossible to remove, so it might be a good ideato keep this one for reading together. (Ages 2 to 6) --Jennifer Lindsay ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Good Night, Sweet Butterflies
My 23-month old daughter loves this book. The butterflies are pretty and sparkly, the illustrations are bright and colorful, and the text is flowing and poetic. She asks to read this book nearly every night. It's also a fun way for her to learn her colors!

My Daughter's New Favorite
This book is absolutely beautiful. A brilliant bedtime story with vibrant colors and gorgeous illustrations. Each page teaches a different color and the illustrations boldly burst with that color. ..., is how the book starts off and we are then led all around this color dreamland. ...The butterflies in the book are popped out and sparkly. As we turn each page the color butterfly we are reading about disappears. Each page mentions the color twice and an animal. The last page reunites all the butterflies and the colorful animals as we say goodnight...My daughter loved this book since she was 4 months old. The colorful illustrations keep her interested and she likes to grab at the popped up butterflies. A delightful story I enjoy reading again and again. I sometimes even read it to myself. The purple page is MY favorite.

My daughter loves it
My daughter 1 year old really likes this book. I bought it because of its similarity to the 10 little ladybugs book. It has the same sort of colorful illustrations and I like it better as the ladybugs are not as pretty as the sparkly butterflies. This book teaches colors as each of the butterflies finds a place to stay for the night.

Beautiful book !!
Each page has a color theme that is comparible with the color of the butterfly. Lovely.

Wonderful book with educational value
I bought this book for my 1 year old daughter because it has some beautiful illustrations. Little did I know, we would be reading this book daily at bedtime. Now she's 17 months old and she knows all of her colors, but not just the color pictures in the book. You can ask her to bring you something red and she will bring you the nearest red toy she finds! I attribute much of her progress to this book. Mom likes it too! ... Read more

Book Description

When Papa Bear tells the cubs why they should never talk to strangers,

Sister begins to view all strangers as evil until Mama brings some common sense

to the problem. "The Bears' rules for safe conduct among strangers are listed

on the last pages, including a rule about the privacy of a bear's body. A good

book to start awareness in young children."--School Library Journal.




... Read more

Reviews (20)

The best book on strangers for young children
I used this book about 6 years ago to help teach my child about "stranger danger". This book helps to teach about strangers without scaring children away from everyone and everything. All the Berenstain Books are definately worth reading to youngsters - they all teach a lesson or two in a very positive, easy to understand way that is suitable for a wide age range. Most of them also make excellent bedtime stories (I didn't think this one was good for bedtime) and often help children to open up about a subject and discuss what they are thinking or feeling. They are also very good First Books for the cild to read as they get older. I highly recommend this and all of the Berenstain Bears books. My child outgrew them and had given them away, so I am now purchasing a few to give as a Christmas present to a co-workers 3 year old who I think will enjoy them as much as my child did.

One of the least paranoia inducing "stranger books"
I have gotten rid of most "don't talk to strangers" books because they are mostly fear inducing. I want my children to use common sense, and this version emphasises that. Sister (gotta love the names :-) ) fears everyone when first told that not all strangers are trustworthy. Mama comes to the rescue with some much needed common sense and moderation. The book concludes with a plausible example of Brother maybe trusting a stranger too much.

A good starting point for working with young, very trusting children, on appropriate interpersonal interactions, and may help prevent the child from fearing even the grocery store clerk.

What about the rest of the strangers?
The book does teach children about what to do with strangers, but the view of strangers is not appropriate. They are all darkened men. A more developmentally-appropriate, anti-bias book would include strangers of all races, class, personality, and gender.

The Berenstain Bears Learn About Strangers
This is a great book for teaching young children about strangers. My son is 5 and really enjoys reading this book over and over again. The content is informative, but not scary. The comparison momma bear makes between strangers and a barrel of apples is so simple and accurate. The simplicity allows the children to understand you never know what is on the inside of an apple or a stranger. A visual key kids are likely to remember.

Learning About Strangers
This is a good book. My 5 year old son enjoyed the story, and the lessons that I wanted to convey about strangers (what is a stranger, stranger rules, etc.) were covered very well. The story shows how one can become too afraid as well as how one can be lured into leaving with a stranger. Children learn to be careful without being paranoid. Children also learn that "telling" is not the same as being a "tattletell".

We have enjoyed all 8 books that we purchased from this collection. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

God's love and forgiveness--for any age!
This wonderful book is a parable about a girl who discovers that privilege without responsiblity is not at much fun as she imagined. Children and adults can enjoy discovering the love of the King toward His wayward child. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

this book is not racist
I was dismayed and saddened to see the customer review saying that this book is racist. That comment reveals more about the "politically correct" sensibilities of the reader, I suspect, than about the spirit of the book as a whole. We will truly be a healthy society when people of all colors and sexes can be depicted in all their humanity, both good and bad. It would have been all right, I suppose, for Mr. Rongo to be white and Mr. Wright to be darker-skinned. What are we to make of the fact that the punctuation marks themselves have yellow, pink, green, and blue faces? Is there an insidious message there, as well? I wish we could all relax a little, enjoy a sweet and clever book, and and stop being so ready to find offense.

Racially Disrespectful
I rescently read this book to my two very young and impressionable daughters. It was supposed to be for their enjoyment but turned out to be quite disappointing. The information on punctuation is expressed well enough for the average child to understand however the subtle racist ideas that this book promotes was more than obvious to my five and eight year old homeschooled, ethnic daughters. The idea that Mr. Wright's class (a caucasion man and teacher) was well organized, orderly and propper as the marks of punctuation can do for anyones writing once they know how to use them: And that Mr. Rongo's class (a man and teacher of color) was wild and disorderly with marks of punctuation that didn't know there propper place, was easily detected by my daughters as well as myself. I was outraged. I am not sure that the author took into account the intelligence level of the children that would read her book and discover the subtle racial sterio type it engenders. Nor do I think that she considered that any parents would read it, see it and know it for what it is. I would not refer this book to anyone with a racially moral conscience. It is too disturbing to learn how early the racism is instilled in our young and on what level they are promoting it.

A World Without Punctuation?
This is a great tool for showing children the importance of punctuation in a fun format. In this book a teacher decides to give punctuation a vacation. Postcards arrive and the reader has to guess which form of punctuation wrote it to the class. Children are able to make connections to the chaos of not having punctuation and how it impacts understanding. Fortunately, punctuation returns and classroom life is much improved. I recommend this book.

Rip Roarin' Grammar Romp.....
"Day after day, the punctuation marks showed up in Mr. Wright's classroom. Day after day, they did their jobs. They put up with being erased and replaced and corrected and ignored and moved around. Then on the hottest, stickiest day the class had ever seen, right in the middle of a lesson about commas, Mr Wright mopped his forehead and said, "Let's give punctuation a vacation..." Those cruel kids cheered and ran out to the playground. The punctuation marks looked at each other in disbelief and grew angry, very angry. If the kids could take a break, well they could too. And with that, they rushed out the door and left school on a little vacation of their own. When Mr. Wright's class returned, they discovered a big problem. They couldn't read or write or learn. In fact, nothing made any sense at all without punctuation. A few days later, some rather unusual postcards began to arrive from Take-a-Break Lake..... Author, Robin Pulver's zany and engaging story is a lesson in disguise, filled with droll humor, clever wordplay, silly sound effects, and lively punctuation fun. Lynn Rowe Reed's bold, bright, and busy childlike illustrations are playful and entertaining. Together, word and art offer a delightful, manic romp that's perfect for story time, or as a help reinforcing grammar lessons. With a straightforward list of rules at the end to complete this manic, fun-filled treasure, Punctuation Takes A Vacation is a delightful crowd pleaser, and kids 6-10 may find that punctuation lessons will never be boring again. ... Read more

Book Description

"There was a girl in the village who loved horses... She led the horses to drink at the river. She spoke softly and they followed. People noticed that she understood horses in a special way."

And so begins the story of a young Native American girl devoted to the care of her tribe's horses. With simple text and brilliant illustrations. Paul Goble tells how she eventually becomes one of them to forever run free. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

A horse is a horse, of course of course
The ultimate girl/horse story. There are plenty of tales in which a young girl bonds with a very special horse. This is the rare book in which the girl not only bonds with a horse but, in the end, becomes one herself (as well as that horse's mate). Paul Goble made quite a career out of telling Native American folktales in picture book form. In this particular story, a girl's love for four-legged beasts is taken to its logical extreme.

In this book, a girl once cared for her tribe's horses during the day. She would water them and find them places to feed. One day, a storm rose while the girl slept and the horses grazed. In a panic, the animals began to stampede away, and it was only by her skill that the girl was able to climb aboard one. When at last they stopped, the girl met the leader of all the wild horses, a beautiful spotted stallion. The girl continued to live with the creatures until one day she was successfully captured by members of her own tribe. She was happy to see her parents once more, but begged to return to the horses. The tribe agreed and each year she would return briefly to give the people a new colt. When she didn't return one year, riders swore that they saw a black mare that greatly resembled the girl, now the mate of the spotted stallion. The book ends with a Navaho's song about his horse and Black Elk (an Oglala Sioux)'s dream about a stallion's song.

I was a little shocked that this tale never identified the tribe to which the girl belonged. Since, however, this is an original story and not a retelling of a classic Native American tale (or so the book would lead you to believe) I wasn't too perturbed by the omission. After all, when people tell stories about themselves, they rarely identify their nationality or allegiance. In this book, the girl's tribe is referred to simply as "the people". If you've ever seen a Paul Goble book before, you know what to expect when you read this. His characters are fairly featureless, though as an artist he spends a significant bit of time detailing their clothing, hair, weapons, homes, etc. He expresses a great love of color in all his pictures, and it's quite enjoyable to flip through the shots of multicolored horses. In its construction, this book is incredibly lovely. But the question that came to my mind while reading it was, how interesting will children find this tale? For those kids obsessed by horses, I think this book will go over like gangbusters. After all, as horse-love goes, this girl is an extreme example. In other ways, the book is a bit dull. When you illustrate a tale in which emotions are not visible on the characters, you're going to lose those readers that like seeing happy and sad expressions. It's a style choice on the part of the author/illustrator and while I respect it I cannot wholly recommend it.

Just the same, it's a lovely book to flip through. Just know that it is an original Native American tale and not a retelling. For every child that has imagined running away and joining a band of wild animals, this is the perfect story to read. A lovely lively concoction.

Wild Horses actually do drag this young girl away
"The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses" is a straightforward tale of the Plains Indians, retold and illustrated by Paul Goble, unlike those that he has told about the trickster, Iktomi. This myth does not folllow any one story exactly but is put together from a great number of stories belonging to the peoples who lived on the Great Plains that Goble had read or listened to over the years. This story is premised on the importance of horses to these peoples. The title character is a girl in the village would loved horses so much that she would led them to drink at the river and when she spoke softly to them they would follow her. Her people recognized that she understood horses in a special way, which explains why this story ends the way that it does.

Every day after doing her chores the young girl would run off to be with the horses. One day there is a great lightning storm that drives the horses, carrying the young girl, over the horizon to a land she had never seen before. There she finds a beautiful spotted stallion, stronger and prouder and more handsome than any horse she had ever dreamed of. He is the leader of all the wild horses who roamed the hills and he welcome her to live with them. But a year later two hunters from her people discover her in the hills where the wild horses lived and they will try to bring the girl back to her parents. The question is whether the girl can be happy back with her people now that she has lived with the wild horses.

Goble's distinctive artwork, which recalls the art of the Plains Indians of the 19th century, is particularly well suited to this simple tale. As was the case in one of his earlier books, "The Gift of the Sacred Dog," which told how the first horses came into the lives of the people, you can tell that Goble likes to draw horses. In "The Girl Who Loves Wild Horses" he has ample opportunity to draw dozens of them, as well as the young girl decked out in her colorful garb, and I particularly liked the plant life he draws this time around. No wonder this book was the winner of the Caldecott Medal.

Beautiful art.
Paul Goble transcends perfection. Any artist, or anyone who loves art, will want to look at this book again and again...

Simon & Schuster recommends the book for ages 5 to 8, but any child approaching or in his or her early teens would be enchanted by the simplicity of the artwork and the way it so powerfully conveys the story the words tell. Even adults will enjoy this poetic picture book.

The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses
The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses is about a young girl who struggles to find a friend in her tribe but finds herself to be very close with the wild horses that graze near her tribe. One day a thunderstorm comes and scares the wild horses off and she feels lost. The leader of the wild horses comes to her one night and asks if she wants to be one of them and she excitedly answers yes leaving her home and family behind her. Many children can relate to this book if they feel as though they have no one to confide in but there pets or different animals. Kids that are socially impaired would benefit from reading this book along with any child who has an interest in reading a good book.

Wonderful Book!
My daughter and I just love this book. The illustrations are simply beautiful and the story is enchanting. This was one of the first books my daughter read by herself. We have read almost all of his wonderful books. ... Read more

Amazon.com

My Father's Dragon--a favorite of young readers since the 1940s and a Newbery honor book--captures the nonsensical logic of childhood in an amusingly deadpan fashion. The story begins when Elmer Elevator (the narrator's father as a boy) runs away with an old alley cat to rescue a flying baby dragon being exploited on a faraway island. With the help of two dozen pink lollipops, rubber bands, chewing gum, and a fine-toothed comb, Elmer disarms the fiercest of beasts on Wild Island. The quirky, comical adventure ends with a heroic denouement: the freeing of the dragon. Abundant black-and-white lithographs by Ruth Chrisman Gannett (the author's stepmother) add an evocative, lighthearted mood to an already enchanting story. Author Ruth Stiles Gannett's stand-alone sequel, Elmer and the Dragon, and her third volume, The Dragons of Blueland both received starred reviews in School Library Journal and are as fresh and original as her first. (Ages 4 to 8) ... Read more

Reviews (25)

A favorite read aloud book!
These three adventurous tales by Ruth Gannett kept my 5 year old son spellbound night after night--he continually begged me to read "just one more chapter!" and we are almost finished with our second time reading it. The trilogy begins with the main character, Elmer Elevator, venturing away from home to save a baby dragon from being abused by the animals of Wild Island. What follows are a series of Elmer's and the baby dragon's exciting adventures. This is a great read aloud book for ages 5-9!

Outstanding read-aloud book, very clever story
Much like Harvey Potter's Balloon Farm, the My Father's Dragon trilogy is a fun read, and has a mixture of absurdity and humor that appeals on multiple levels. It's an easy read to a toddler, with several pictures throughout, and journey maps on the inner covers.

Since the chapters are short, you can do two or three a night without losing continuity. At the same time, the story has enough depth and cleverness that the parent can remain engaged. Thus, it's a catalyst for bonding.

One of the things that makes it special is the main character. Elmer Elevator, on the advice of a stray cat, starts out on a noble odyssey to free a baby dragon from its animal tormentors. In his preparation, Elmer packs dozens of seemingly useless items, including a magnifying glass, brush, sandwiches, and lollipops. While he travels across Wild Island, all these items become essential, and you wonder if the story was being told by MacGyver :-)

We've read the trilogy to completion five times and it's still a hit with everyone.

Delightful Surprise
I was browsing the list of audiocassettes and happened across "Three Tales of My Father's Dragon." I read the other reviews and decided to buy it for my son (who is 4). We absolutely fell in love with all three stories! We listen to it ALL the time! We leave one cassette in the house to listen to at night and one in the car. We have had the tapes for two months and have not tired of listening to them. My son just laughs and loves all the aspects of these stories. The acting of all the characters is so vibrant and you quickly realize that each character has his own distinct personality and voice! I would HIGHLY reccomend these stories! They are fantastic!

My Fathers Dragon
My Fathers dragon written by R.S.G, may be the best book ever! Elmer is a boy who lives in Evergreen city. One day he meets a cat who tells him about a Dragon .The was trapped on Wild Island and Elmer goes to save him, On the way he tricks a lot of animals. One of them was when he gives lollipops to crocodiles to make a bridge. Does he save the dragon? Read this book to find out!

I love this book and recommend it to anyone who likes to imagine, loves excitement, adventure and danger! It's celebrating 50 years in print, I think it is perfect the way it is! With this book you can experience the magic!

Dragons and Adventure - What Kid Wouldn't Love it?
This volume is the complete set of tales about Elmer and his friend the dragon, including the fun illustrations. The complete set includes "My Father's Dragon," "Elmer and the Dragon," and "The Dragons of Blueland."

These stories are perfect first chapter books for kids. The vocabulary is simple and the chapters are short. I'd forgotten just how short until I started rereading them. Yet the stories are packed full of adventure. Elmer is especially resourceful, and I still get a kick out of how he takes the simplest things and makes them work in whatever situation he finds himself.

Whether kids read these stories themselves or listen to them being read, they're sure to become favorites. And adults will enjoy the clever story lines as well. ... Read more

Book Description

Mommy got me a brand new potty!
But I'm not ready yet!
I want to run and play.
Uh-oh, I peed in my pants.
But Mommy says, "That's okay!"

Children will love following along and lifting the flaps to see the child play, sit on thepotty, eat, sit on the potty, sleep, and then sit on the potty...until finally there is success.

Written from a child's point of view, this new potty-training book will help children join in the final refrain, "I'm so proud of me!" ... Read more

Book Description

Now children can play all day with Caillou, thanks to a beautiful doll and bath book package.Featuring removable clothing, this adorable Caillou ragdoll is the softest, most huggable Caillou ever.The companion vinyl book features simple text and a hidden squeak toy to make bath time extra fun!Packaged in an attractive carrying case, this set is an ideal gift that’s just right for playtime – or anytime. ... Read more

Book Description

Reading to young children helps foster strong emotional bonds. Spending time together discussing the stories and interacting with the pictures also helps kids internalize the Word of God. Younger children will enjoy studying the pictures and watching the words as parents read them; early readers may want to read the stories on their own. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Read with Me Bbile
I picked this book up as an impulse buy about three years ago and began reading it to my then two year old daughter. At first I was a bit surprised by the violence of the stories. (The scarry snake in the garden of Eden, Abel killed his brother Cain, God flooded the world and everything living thing was wiped out, etc). After comparing it to a full version Bible, I realized how closely it follows the real text. And so we continued reading, with me doing some pretty heavy editing.

Well, my daughter just loved her Bible book. It wasn't long until we had read the whole thing cover to cover. Not only did we read it through another time or two, she then had her favorite stories that we read night after night.

Now that her brother has turned two, we've started from the beginning again. He's not quite as intranced as she was... I think we're dealing with a different level of attention span. But he's listening and it's quality time.

Everybody's right... the pictures in the book are great; the kids love them. It's not an "alls-happy-with-the-world" book of bible stories, but it is true to the full versions they'll be studying later.

I'm going back to buy a second book as ours is completely worn out and pages are falling out.

This Good Book is a Good Book
Recommended Age: 3-5 (the back of the book recommends 4-8). I have to disagree with the statements that this book's descriptions diminish the intent of the stories. Reading some of the stories of the bible to a child at that age is tedious enough. To bog the storylines down with detail at that age bores the child. They don't exactly have the patience of a "saint". I agree that this is a good preschool version though. By eight years old I was using an adult Bible and memorizing passages. I imagine my son will probably be pretty bright at that point also. I seriously doubt he will be using this Bible except as a cross reference. As for the book itself the illustrations are rather entertaining and in some cases comedic. They are very colorful and eye-catching for a 3-5 year old. As stated before, the storylines are easy to follow and don't dwell to deeply which caters to night time reading when a child is most receptive to stories. Another plus is that it intelligently smoothes the corners on some of the more violent or touchy subjects within the text of a standard Bible. If you want the whole story including the graphic nature of Christ's death you should just buy a regular Bible and attempt a translation for you child. Personally, I don't feel a child the age of three necessarily needs a detailed description of what a scourging with a metal tipped whip is or the knowledge that spikes were driven into His hands. Allow children to be children and innocent for a few years. The brutality of human violence and stupidity will become painfully evident as they get older anyway. All in all I thought this was an excellent, entertaining, educational first Bible for teaching my son the Word of God. Hope those that read this post will find it to their liking also.

Read to Me Bible
We have this Bible and it's great to read to small children. It is written so that kids can understand it and the pictures are excellent.

Nicely illustrated; oversimplified Bible stories
I find that my young sons pay better attention when I read Bible stories from a book with good illustrations. This book's illustrations are colorful and engaging. But the stories are simplified, sometimes to the point of diminishing the story's intended message.

Easy-to-read, attractive summary of Bible stories.
The stories are familiar, and the book is not a complete Bible. Struggling teen readers have read it like a "chapter book". Put it on a bookshelf with other books in a classroom or library and it will be pulled off and at least flipped through. It has also been chosen by adults who are emergent readers of English lacking the reading skills to delve into an NIV or Living Bible. The pictures look like animated drawings. Would make a nice gift for either type of reader. ... Read more