Book Description

With Marilyn Hefner's new full color illustrations, bacteria and viruses have never looked so good! As packed with wit and good humor as with charts and diagrams, this book is still the best explanation of how your body fights germs. ‘An introduction to bacteria and viruses and how each of the two forms attacks cells and makes a person feel sick. The text mixes information with reassurance. . . . A nonthreatening first exposure, administered with a pleasant bedside manner.' 'K.

A Reading Rainbow Featured Selection
Best Children's Science Books 1995 (Science Books and Films) ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A missed opportunity to teach about hygiene
Although this book is thorough in describing the differences between viruses and bacteria, I think it misses an important opportunity to reinforce hygiene...wash your hands, cover your mouth etc. These are given a cursory review on the last page, with no accompanying illustration. I had hoped that this book would help my almost-4-year-old to understand how people get sick, how they get well, and how they can help prevent communicable disease to reinforce what I teach at home. I do not think that the authors did a very good job of meeting those expectations.

An untimidating, practical account of germs for young reader
My three-year old son really enjoys this book. The book's fairly simple, yet informative account of how viruses and bacteria can make us sick helps to make the abstract concept of germs more concrete for him. As an added bonus, the book gives a plug for handwashing, covering mouths when sneezing or coughing, and not sharing cups that most preschoolers can benefit from. I must also confess that, despite having read the Times Science section for years, I learned quite a bit about viruses and bacteria from this simple, well-illustrated book. A good buy, especially for parents who field a lot of factual queries every day. The Let's Read and Find Out series is a great way to let someone else do the explaining for a change. ... Read more

Book Description

Bobbi Brown Teenage Beauty

Bobbi Brown Teenage Beauty is the ultimate beauty guide for young women. It takes the mystery out of all those confusing rituals so that you can figure out how to feel happier and more relaxed about your looks. You'll look your prettiest!

Your teen years are the most emotionally charged of your life. Your body's developing at a rapid pace, your skin changes from day to day, and your hormones are raging (in case you didn't notice). Everything in your life is in total flux. Bobbi's mission is to help boost your self-esteem and confidence. By listening to Bobbi's straightforward and useful beauty principles, you'll gain a sense of control over your body, your looks, and your life. Bobbi's hip, no-nonsense, and timeless advice covers such real teen problems and issues as:

Zits! - Being Overweight - Braces - Beauty School 101 Eight Simple Steps to a Pretty, Natural Makeup Look - Preteen Basics - Prom Beauty - Global Beauty - Mother-Daughter Beauty - Rock 'n' Roll Babes: Hip Beauty Style - Go for It: Experimental Beauty

Written with sensitivity to help you navigate the difficult self-image issues that you face, Bobbi Brown Teenage Beauty empowers you to discover and celebrate your own unique, natural beauty. This fresh and honest makeup guide is your ultimate source for advice, tips, and lessons for achieving beauty inside and out.

Reviews (59)

A basic beauty manual for teen girls
"Bobbi Brown Teenage Beauty" is very much like Bobbi's beauty book for women, "Bobbi Brown Beauty." As always, Bobbi emphasises her philosophy of natural makeup that lets your inner beauty shine through. Bobbi has written the book in an easy-to-use and understand manner that many teens can benefit from. This is not just a beauty manual; it's also a guide to help you gain self-confidence and self-esteem and to accept yourself for your natural beauty.

Bobbi covers typical teenage beauty issues throughout the book such as covering up and preventing zits, makeup with braces, beauty for prom and special occasions, what to keep in your makeup bag, and more. Included are individual chapters on skincare, the right makeup for your skin tone, an eight-step makeup application process with photos and instructions, tips on experimenting with makeup, and basic instructions on how to apply eyeshadow, lipstick and gloss, concealer, etc. Additional chapters include health and fitness plans for all body types, how to dress to flatter your body, answers to frequenty asked beauty questions, preteen beauty, and beauty for different ethnic groups such as Asian, African-American, and Latina.

Since this book doesn't really dive into makeup application beyond the basics, I would recommend this book to any teen who doesn't want too much makeup or any teen who has only started wearing makeup. It's a great self-confidence booster and a great beauty manual for most teens.

"PRETTY...AWESOME"
Professional makeup artist Bobbi Brown has her own line of cosmetics available at fine department stores, as many girls may know. Here, she has brought forth a book not completely about eyes, lips, cheeks, and nails, like some girls might think. BOBBI BROWN TEENAGE BEAUTY... also stresses physical and mental health, as well as self-confidence. It is also a reference book for various makeup looks, some natural and subtle, others less tame and featuring the more vibrant shades of the rainbow.

Some of these looks are more on the wild side. Nonetheless, some girls my age may enjoy them. Other looks seem as if they'd require a real artist, as in it would be a difficult task to complete in the comfort of your own home bathroom, even if you had all the supplies it called for. I still enjoyed seeing clear glossed lips AND neon blue-lined eyes.

My favorite line in the book is spoken by Bobbi herself. She says something along the lines of, "You should learn to accept yourself no matter what, or you can never be happy over any personal gains you make." That statement couldn't be closer to the truth. Some may roll their eyes and think, "Everyone knows that!" But if so, why are the majority of teenage girls lacking confidence? I was also quite appreciative of how Brown addresses different body figures, saying that if you eat healthy and excercise regularly, you will fall into your normal body shape. So true! Lately, our society has wised up and is beginning to stress this positive point more and more on a daily basis.

Visually, this book is stunning. Some pictures are quick snapshots. Others were put together to look more immaculate: background, possible airbrushing, perfect angles, etc. The models aren't always merely those chosen for the profession - Bobbi has made over real teens, too - regular girls with regular flaws.

Great holiday gift. It also serves as a nice reference. Although it is primarily for teen girls, I think adults may benefit as well.

It was allright
i received this book as a gift from one of my friends who loved it. i found it helpful but not necessary. it told me a lot of tips that i already knew. it didn't focus as much on beauty as i wouldve liked. there weren't styles or anything like that to help you piece together a look. it was basically telling you what it was. some other stuff, like being yourself etc, was nice and comforting, but not all i expected from a beauty book. i think it shouldve focused more on cosmetics, as that is what people were paying for! still a good read, but borrow your friends-dont buy your own. you could buy a better book with more help. this is great for the 1st read, boring the next. as i said, a good book to borrow but not buy.

Great
I thought this book was tottaly awesome. I couldn't belive how good it was. It's like my favorite book now. She answers all the questions i have. And now i look a lot better thanx to this book. I hope there will be more books like this. I reccomended it to all my friends. Now we can do our own makeovers. Yeah i reccomend this book to guys too, if ur in to this stuff, which i totally am.

Beauty essentials for beginners
I HIGHLY recommend this book to ages 13 and under or anyone else that considers makeup foreign, and they are trying to learn the basics. Bobbi speaks from experience in every topic of the book and gives you great tips on things like choosing the right foundation to match your skin tone - to dealing with braces,acne and other tough things that most teens face. I really think that those searching for answers to these basic makeup questions should definatly buy it. I just bought this book a couple months ago, and it didn't help me much though because I am 17 and I have had about four years experience with makeup. The information in the book was a majority of things that I had found out on my own - and I REALLY wish I would have known about this book when I was younger.... because I was on my own as far as help! But it is really an awesome book for those that are wanting to know the basic beauty things without feeling stupid - Bobbi clues you in like a big sister would. ... Read more

Book Description

Are you ready? It's potty time. DK has just what you need to introduce the concept to your little one. Here are two new his and hers photographic potty books perfect for toddlers. My Potty Book For Girls and My Potty Book For Boys demystifies the often strange world of toilet training with ease.These step-by-step books start with the "novice" who is still in diapers and progress to the successful child who is gaining control of the situation. Toddlers are encouraged to "Take a seat" with a gentle "Take your time, there's no need to rush" approach. Photographs of real children will capture any child's attention and help develop confidence. At the end of My Potty Book parents will confidently exclaim, "Hooray! You did it!" ... Read more

Reviews (6)

This book is a bad influence
My daughter loves this book, but I hate it. It shows pictures of a little girl standing in a potty, and with a potty on her head. The accompanying text says that this is not what you do, but the pictures are compelling. AFter reading this book, my daughter started standing in the potty, saying "no, no, no!" I think the book would be a lot better if it only showed positive pictures.

This is a GREAT BOOK!
This has got to be the best book I've bought for my daughter! I bought this book when she was 6 months old, and it has been her favorite book. After reading this book to her hundreds of times, she was able at 11 months say "Potty" and have the concept of what & where her's was. We bought a POTTY to match the one in the book. And at 13 months she is very close to being potty trained. What I love the most is the photo's in this book, They are actually little girls of all kinds using all kinds of POTTIES! This is also why my little girl loves this book, because what child don't enjoy looking at other children!

Cute, Nicely Done, Book
I got this to go along with 2 other potty books. I like to get a little of everything, I guess. I really like that this has photographs of real girls and real potties. Which I still think is helpful to see other little girls like themselves demonstrating.

You can't tell from the picture here but it has a cute shape - cut out around the girl on the front. There isn't a whole lot of actual content as far as words -more of a commentary. It's good but as far as myself and my daughter we prefer more of a story. (eg: "The Potty Book for Girls") This is probably her least favorite of her "potty" books but she still likes to look at it esp. while sitting on the potty.

I personally would not recommend this to be the ONLY potty book you get, it is better as a supplemental. If you only get one I suggest one with more substance and story that covers more ground (like the aforementioned book)...

Adorable!
This book is great for all those little girls out there who are just starting to potty train. I have 2 year old twin girls and they love this book! They are just starting to get serious about the potty and this book was just the thing to help them figure it out. The pictures of real little girls using various brands of pottys really helped and made it a bit more real for them I think.

A simple book
My daughter is 2.5 years and still struggling with potty training. This book is very simple for her to understand and she can see the pictures of the girls with their potty on their head or feet - something she has done with hers - and the story tells us that this isn't what pottys are for. There are lots of different types of pottys in the photographs of this book so you might be able to spot the one you are using at home ... we did and we found that very helpful. The fact that they use photographs and not illustrations is also helpful so my daughter can actually see a nappy (diaper) and then the girl move on to "big girls pants". After reading this book to my daughter every night for the past month I'm finding that it is helping us move closer to a positive result with potty training. Helping her with the right words and what the end result will be - big girl pants! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Too simple, no substance
I was disappointed and am reconsidering ever buying books online again! You can't really see what you are getting, and this is just too simple to be useful.

Doctor Maisy
If your child loves Maisy books as much as mine does, definitely add this one to your collection! Not only are the pictures colorful and inviting, but it also makes going to the doctor seem fun and exciting! Plus, it's always great to see Maisy and her friends playing different roles and doing fun things! Each page brings delight to my child's eyes! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Following up their bestseller How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?, Caldecott Medal winner Jane Yolen and illustrator Mark Teague have penned this instructive lesson on dinosaur health care. Eachdouble-page spread features one enormous dinosaur looking wan and sniffly but mostly cranky, petulant, ornery, sullen, and disagreeable. The human moms and dads are visibly worried and/or frustrated by their sick dinos behaving badly. Witness the nice lady dragging her gigantic Styracosaurus out of the elevator and across the hall to the doctor's office: "What if a dinosaur goes to the doc? Does he drag all his feet till his mom is in shock?" The look on this mom's face will be familiar to anyone who's ever forcibly moved a child, who seems to have suddenly gained a million pounds, from one place to another. And of course, it turns out that dinosaurs don't misbehave when they're sick: "He drinks lots of juice, and he gets lots of rest. He's good at the doctor's, 'cause doctors know best."

The rhymes are somewhat forced, especially toward the end of the book, but Teague's marvelous paintings are bright and expressive throughout. Each dinosaur is cleverly labeled, and these aren't yourrun-of-the-mill dinos; dinosaur-obsessed little ones will crow over Parasaurolophus, Euoplocephalus, and Tuojiangosaurus. They'll also learn a little something about how to behave when they're sick. --Jennifer Lindsay ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Mom of 2 in TX
I bought this book for my son (who is 4). We already have its predecessor "How Do Dinosaurs Go to Bed". They teach great lessons about how to behave at bedtime and the doctors office. Both are bedtime favorites - he even loves to look at the dinosaurs on the inside covers! Anything Mark Teague does is beautiful work and I recommend his books highly. Jane Yolen makes this book very easy to read, my son knows both dinosaur books by heart. Beautiful book, a must for childs book collection!

Great Book for 4-6 Year Olds
I purchased this book for my five year old nephew who is a BIG Dinosaur fan. I previously purchased for him "How do Dinosaurs Say Good Night" Both were Big Hits. Large print and very few words on a page and easy vocabulary to help the youngsters learn to read. Also helps the children realize that everyone, even Dinosaurs, get sick once in a while.

A bt of a disappointment...
My daughter likes dinosaurs a lot, and we loved the first "How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?" However, this sequel does not compare in originality and wittiness. The illustrations are good, similar to those in the first book, but that's about it (a repeat). The first book was fun, funny, and more than anything VERY original in its approach. Plus, most kids can relate to the attitudes portrayed in the first book, while this one is mostly for conventional families that go to conventional doctors and use conventional medicine (as if that was the only way to get well). Not us, and not so many families I know... I sincerely hope the authors are not planning any more sequels like this one (a collection of subtle "how to behave" manuals for kids), and keep in mind that their readers are young kids --keep their books FUN!

Mom of Dinosaur lover
These books are great! My 5 year old daughter is a dinosaur fanatic and received "How Do Dinosaurs say Goodnight" as a gift. She loved it and when we found out there was another, we knew we had to have it. The rhymes are easy for her to remember and recite. And they teach great lessons that help her see a better way to resolve some problems with going to bed and going to the doctor. I only wish there were more....

Mrs. Larson's 1st Grade Class
We liked this book a lot! We liked that it had a rhyming pattern. We liked the illustrator. He uses really bright colors. His pictures made us laugh. He hides the names of the dinosaurs in the pictures. WE had to use our eagle eyes to find them. It was a very good book. ... Read more

Book Description

With the help of the staff and equipment at a Seussian spa, the Cat in the Hat explains the basics of healthy living, from eating right and getting enough exercise and sleep, to having a positive body image, to the distance and speed of a typical sneeze! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A little mistake on one page
I was surprised that on the, "Dry Beans & Nuts" page of this book, peanuts were listed as a nut. Maybe the author wanted to teach that peanuts can be a source of protein, but I don't like the idea of teaching inaccurate information! These days, people learn that nuts grow on trees, that peanuts are not nuts and they grow under the ground. Has the author read any food allergy articles describing peanuts as a legume related to the pea or bean? Or her editor? Fortunately, peanuts were listed close to the "Dry Beans" list, because other legumes such as peas and lentils were also listed.

A great book to teach the food pyramid to young children!!!
I am a first grade teacher in Indiana. I used this book with my students when studying the food pyramid. It was a big success. The illustrations were very bright and kept the students attention! The text idea of the restaurant was fun for the children. Their most favorite part was trying to figure out what the creature was that kept trying to get some food. Look and see if you can guess!!! ... Read more

Reviews (23)

A GREAT BOOK FOR CLASSROOM SHARING!
I teach children with learning disabilities and behavior problems at the elementary level. A parent shared, "This Is Asperger Syndrome" with me and I now have a greater understanding of this disability. I shared it with the children I teach and it led to a wonderful discussion. I encourage other educators to read this book with their students.

True to life
I am the mother of three children with Asperger's Syndrome. I'm offended by the review that suggests we should just "celebrate" the special gifts of people with Asperger's and that this is a negative book. My entire life is consumed with Asperger's and I manage to maintain my sense of humor most of the time. But I'm sick of constantly being expected to put on a happy face and pretend that all is rosy for me or my children. The reality of AS is not always pretty! If I had a nickel for every public place my kids have meltdowns I'd be rich. We try to avoid having public meltdowns and I am compassionate toward them because they usually just can't help it (sensory overload), but it isn't necessarily a bad thing for people to see. People need to know that disabilities are hard to live with, they need to learn to be compassionate too. People need to understand that things they find easy are very very hard for children like mine. I applaud these authors for not putting a sunny fake mask on Aspeger's Syndrome!

A Good Explanation
This is a book I wish had existed a generation ago. It is written in a clear and direct fashion. For many people with Asperger's, having instructions and/or information broken down into manageable portions is a very effective approach.

I like the way this book explains behaviors that are common among many people with Asperger's. Since this is a neurological spectrum condition that is on the autism spectrum, many of the challenges people with Asperger's face are sensory ones. People with Asperger's often have heightened sensory modes and have extreme reactions to stimuli, e.g. strong adverse responses to loud noises. Meltdowns are gently explained; sometimes they are the result of sensory overload. Sensory overload makes me think of the 1967 George Harrison classic "It's All Too Much" which explains sensory overload so well, "it's all too much for me to see...it's all too much for me to take." I also like the way coping mechanisms are described in this book.

Another challenge many people on the spectrum face is difficulty in the subtle nuances of communciation, e.g. facial expressions and use of certain idiomatic expressions. Many people on the spectrum see issues as "black or white" with no gradations in between. Sadly, comments perceived as "blunt, rude or hostile" by others are often faux pas on the part of the person with Asperger's and if the objection to the comments in question are explained, persons on the spectrum become cognitively aware of what constitutes social savvy. The 1966 George Harrison classic "I Want to Tell You" is a good description of the communication challenges many people on the spectrum face: "but if I seem to act unkind, it's only me, it's not my mind. That is confusing things." So often misinterpretations are the result of verbal meanings being misconstrued.

Since Asperger's IS a spectrum condition, it varies from individual to individual. It can range from severe and closer to the Autism end of the spectrum to mild and barely discernible to most people.

Must have book for families, teachers, and friends.
My 7 year old son is in class with a child with Asperger's Syndrome. I needed something to explain what Asperger's is and how it impacts the actions and responses of this child. THIS WAS THE PERFECT BOOK. It is short, easy to read (my son could actually read it himself) and it explains several of the difficulties that many Asperger's children experience. Best of all, it is from the perspective of the child that has Asperger's. Not only did my son (and I) learn a great deal about Asperger's, we also learned how about how a child with Asperger's might feel about being different from other children. This really helped my son to understand and react appropriately to the child in his class. I am donating the book to his classroom in hopes that others can also use this great resource.

The unique persepctive of a boy with Aspergers Syndrome
I liked this book.

Each page contains a picture accompanied by a vignette describing a particular problem or perception experienced by the protagonist. The examples are clear and concrete. The drawings are clear, but perhaps a little too cartoonish. This story could help students in a classroom understand the behavior of a classmate with these characteristics. Instead of labeling behaviors as "obnixious" the other students might be stimulated to see the world from the perspective of the child with Aspergers.

This book is not meant to be a comprehensive text, but it describes the reactions and feelings of a particular individual. Because people with Aspergers are each so unique, it might not fit the exact behaviors of each person. Still, it is a good book because it gets you thinking from a another perspective--and that is what Aspergers is about. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The title of the first chapter of this workbook, printed in a wavy,spooky font, is "What's Happening to You?" Appropriate, when you think about theemotional and physical changes wrought in a boy's body as he enters puberty.Based on the bestselling classic by mother-daughter team Lynda Madaras and AreaMadaras, What's Happening to MyBody? Book for Boys, this workbook by the same authors uses games,drawings, photographs, quizzes, personal stories, checklists, and otheractivities to help boys learn about the transformations that will take place intheir bodies during puberty. Similar to the My Body, My Self for Girlsworkbook, but with a more masculine slant (and obviously, a lot of differentinformation), this is an invaluable resource for boys with questions, curiosity,and a need for reassurance. Topics covered include skin and hair changes, bodyimage, acne, reproductive organs, voice changes, masturbation, and more.Although What's Happening to My Body? explores these issues in greaterdetail, this workbook enables boys to delve into the nitty-gritty of puberty ona more personal level. One exercise, called "Racewriting," asks boys towrite--whatever comes into their heads and as fast as they can--about theirfeelings about growing up. Then there's the "Test Your I.Q. with This P.Q."true-false puberty quiz. Tremendously useful side features list acne do's anddon'ts, ways to cope with erections ("wear baggy pants and long shirts if theykeep happening, just remember that it's probably more noticeable to you than toanyone else"), and dangerous side effects of steroids. Written in a lively,nonthreatening style, the authors have placed a strong emphasis on honest,straight talk about the concerns that boys are bound to have as they approachadulthood. (Ages 8 to 15) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Book Description

This jewel-like vignette from Sandra Cisneros's best-selling The House on

Mango Street shows, through simple, intimate portraits, the diversity among us.

"This exuberant bilingual picture book, with eye-catching artwork, is an

affectionate picture of familial love and a cozy bedtime book."--The Horn

Book.A Dragonfly Book in English and Spanish.


A Parenting Magazine Best Children's Book of the Year




... Read more

Reviews (5)

A Gem
I went to Barnes & Nobles and to my surprise, the children's section had a few Spanish/English books. I took home TOO MANY TAMALES, CHATO'S KITCHEN, TOCA, CHAVI, TOCA!, CARAMELO, and all of Sandra Cisnero's books. Finally, there are books that represent the diversity of Latino's in the United States... PELITOS and TOCA, CHAVI, TOCA! were my daughter's favorites. In both books you can hear, see, touch and smell the settings. One author is Cuban, the other Mexican and they both bring us into their culture in a beautiful way. Pelitos is lyrical beyond words. Sandra Cisneros is a poet. This treasure is a must!

Great book
I love this book! It is written with the words both in English and Spanish. It is short, sweet and so comfortiing. It's also great for discussing diversity, even in one's own family. My daughter and I love to read this at bedtime.

Wonderful Hairs
Hairs Pelitos by Sandra Cisernos is an excellent resource for early childhood educators and parents. It is a bilingual story that describes the differences between family members' hair. It offers children the experience of diversity within one's own family and how we can accept the differences within our own family. As a teacher, the concept of diversity can be extended from family to community and beyond. The language is beautiful and can be used to demonstrate to children how a writer uses descriptive language. The story captures an up-close look at one example of wonder..how simple things mean a lot. Children can pull from their own family rituals, similarities and differences to write their own story.

a warm tale
Hairs- Pelitos, is a poetic short story about the various heads of hair in a family. Mama's is the most wonderful as it carries with it the odor of fresh baked bread, a smell the narrator associates with being close to mama. Difficult to capture in a short review, I recommend this book to those who appreciate poetry and lyricism within a short story for children. It is especially wonderful how appreciated the mother is in the story, and how cherished. My three year old finds it touching.

Charming for Children of all Cultures
This is a little picture book that accomplishes many things and it has captured the attention of my preschoolers. It attempts to describe things that are different and things that are the same. The story describes each member of a Hispanic family by varied hair types, a phenomenon not uncommon in Hispanic families. The colorful illustrations play on this theme and depict different interests for each person of the family. What I sense is the same is that all these varied individuals belong to the same family and are subject to the mother's love. The words, both in Spanish and English, are lyrical and enchanting. The narrator is a young girl whose "hair does not obey barrettes or bands" yet still enjoys sleeping next to her mother. This story may help young children celebrate the differences within a close family. The illustrations are fun and vibrant (at least in my hardcover edition). It may also be an excellent tool if you want them to know a story in two languages. This is an enjoyable, creative story that takes no more than ten minutes to share with your children. ... Read more

Book Description

A cultural phenomenon, Grossology has been turned into a wildly popular travelling exhibit and featured constantly in the media, including CNN, the Wall Street Journal, and NPR. Jam-packed with even more revolting yet scientifically accurate information than the original edition, this new format delivers more yucks for less bucks!

Illustrated by Jack Keely ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Very enGROSSing
I bought this book along with the companion "Grossology and You". I didn't have to remind my 10-year-old son to do his nightly reading for weeks! The subjects are all things that boys find oddly entertaining, ie., snot, fatulence, diarrhea, etc. Each article has the facts of how and why these natural processes occur along with more "colorful" excerpts (ie., the diarrhea song) that kids love. This is a great way to entice young boys to get interested in biology and reading. After my son finished reading the book, he pointed out the others in the series and asked if I would get them as well. ... Read more

Book Description

Making friends, finding true love, enduring rough days at school, or just being yourself -- we all meet new (and old!) challenges every day. Carol Weston, teen advice columnist, has good advice for whatever you're facing.

In For Teens Only, Carol collects the words and thoughts of the wisest and wittiest thinkers of all time from every corner of the globe, from Pablo Picasso to Jennifer Lopez; from Mark Twain to Indira Gandhi and Halle Berry. Then she adds her own insights, collected over the years from her conversations and correspondence with thousands of real teens.

Reviews (2)

A real treasure trove!
I don't care what kind of advice you're looking for -- whether you're trying to fix a romance, a summer job, or a problem at school -- this book has got something helpful to say. Carol Weston herself is terrific -- practical and funny -- but the book also insludes quotes and advice from a lot of other people, too -- famous writers, artists, thinkers. It's a lot better than just hearing your best friend, for the tenth time, tell you the same old things. A definite recommend!

I LOVE this book!
FOR TEENS ONLY is so good!... Whenever I get depressed or frustrated, I read a few pages and start feeling better. I guess that's because she seems like a real person (well, obviously she is) and because all the quotes seem to be talking right to me. My brother has been reading it too and he doesn't usually read books like this. But her advice make sense and isn't preachy. It's funny and inspiring. I recommend this book to all middle school and high school students. It REALLY explains everything, from how to tell if your crush likes you to when to use "it's" and "its"(which I now finally get)! And if you ever need a quote for a yearbook or paper, it has 580! FOR TEENS ONLY IS A GREAT BOOK!! FIVE STARS AT LEAST!... ... Read more

Reviews (1)

fabulous find!
This book is part cookbook, part menu guide, part nutritionist, and completely a fabulous find. The book is a great resource for parents who don't think they can make one more peanut butter sandwich. There are great ideas that would please any taste buds, and there are definitely picky ones at my house! There are time saving tips included, as well as a list of items to have on hand to make packing those lunches a little easier. Two of my childrens favorite items are: Flour tortillas with melted cheddar cheese in between, cooled and cut into triangle wedges; and a "sandwich" with cheese and ham rolled and cut into pinwheels! I cannot write enough positive things about this book. It is FAB! ... Read more

Book Description

Today's children hear about sex all the time-on television, in the movies, and from their friends. But what they hear and see does not always give a healthy or even an accurate view of sexuality.

This unique book, the only one of its kind for preteens, uses a question-and-answer format to offer straightforward information on a wide variety of subjects that often concern and mystify young people.

Reviews (8)

Could it get any worse!?d
This was a pretty dumb book I already knew all of this stuff!

Not the best choice.
I bought this, along with several similar books, for my 11 year-old son. The Q&A format of this book made it easy to read, but many topics were handled in a clinical, vague manner and spent way too much time on trivial subjects (e.g., a whole chapter on "Crushes.") I actually checked the copyright, to see if it was written in the '50's. (It's 1988.) I was very troubled by the section, "What Happens if a Young Girl Gets Pregnant?" It ignored the boy's role & responsibility, and glossed over the topic with vague statements such as: "Her whole life will change, and not usually for the better." And, "She may feel upset for a long time afterward." There's even a section, "Why Would a Girl Let Herself Get Pregnant?" which suggests "Sometimes a girl secretly wants to get pregnant..." The section ends with: "The surest way to prevent pregnancy is not to have intercourse." I found a much better book for my son: "What's Going on Down There." Silly title, but much more thorough, balanced and practical.

Simple, well written but best for adolescents...
I bought this book hoping to have an early broad conversation about sexuality with my 9 year old boy and found this book to be too detailed for someone that young. The illustrations are over-simplified and may be good for younger kids, but it doesn't jibe with the text which is more complex and biologically, fact-based. A great book- but I found I have to leave it on the shelf for another year or so. I don't think most 9-year olds will get this stuff yet so I'd advise you to hold off buying this unless you have an exceptionally mature child of this age. I'm sure it will be an excellent reference at 10 or 11.

Great Info, Too Many Pictures
As a mother and a teacher, I appreciate Cole's sensitivity and frankness with a difficult subject. I am afraid, however, that the adolescent audience for whom the book is intended will be distracted by the many graphic illustrations. This is unfortunate because the book has many good things to say. I especially appreciated the chapters on AIDS/STDs and sexual abuse. Children need this information. I would like to see this book reprinted with fewer illustrations. Descriptions will often suffice as children have vivid imaginations!

Great questions.
This is a question-and-answer book which covers much of the same ground "It's Perfectly Normal" and other books for pre-teens, and would be unexceptional if the questions weren't so good. The authors assume their readers know the basics about pregnancy and doesn't bother with much detail; it focuses instead on puberty in boys and girls, masturbation, having crushes, pregnancy, homosexuality, and one chapter entitled "The Most Important Thing to Know About Sex" (to respect yourself and others). There's an excellent chapter on teen pregnancy. This quiet, unassuming book with non-graphic pictures is an excellent choice for kids who don't ask many questions about sex - and for parents who are uncertain how to answer them (also look see "Sex is More Than A Plumbing Lesson"). An added bonus - your kids may recognize the illustrator from Beverly Cleary's Ramona Quimby books. ... Read more

Book Description

Mama Bear lays down the law when she notices that Papa and the cubs are

getting too chubby. With the help of Dr. Grizzly's slide show on how the body

works, the Bear family makes a healthful adjustment in their diet and fitness

habits. "A most enjoyable introduction to good nutrition and

exercise."--(starred) Science Books & Films.




... Read more

Reviews (5)

Too Much Junk Food
This, like all other Berenstain Bears books, teaches a valuable lesson about eating healthy. It's a great story to inspire your child to eat healthy.
It all starts when Mama bear notices her cub are getting a bit chubby. So she takes all of the junk food in their house and locks it in the freezer. Well Papa bear wasn't too happy about this but he went along with it anyways. The next day the bears go to the grocery store. Mama Bear passes all the junk food and heads straight for the healthy food. At the checkout counter they run into their family doctor who tells them to stop by the next day. When they get there she shows them a slide show of how the body works and how much it needs healthy food. She also tells them to exercise.
This is a great story for kids who have a sweet tooth. It will show them that some healthy foods are good too. Also it can teach them that its good to have healthy food most of the time but a little snack is good here and there. Also it shows that exercise pays off, because in the end the bears are the only family to complete the Bear Country Marathon. I recommend this book to anyone. It's a great story and teaches a very valuable lesson. I am almost positive that you and your child will enjoy this book.

Well intentioned but...
While I am a firm believer in healthy eating for kids, I was disturbed that this book seems to emphasize appearance as the primary motivation for avoiding junk food. The family decides it's had enough when the children start looking "chubby." While obesity is certainly a big problem in the U.S., so is anorexia and bulimia and too much emphasis on a skinny body. Maybe I'm being overly-sensitive, but I really cringed when reading this book (which I fortunately only took out from the library) to my 4-year-old daughter. I'm glad we'll be taking this one back soon.

Junk Food
To muck junk food features all of the Berenstain Bears. In it Brother, Sister, and Papa all get a little chunky. What is a mother bear to do when her husband and cubs gain to much weight? Maybe a healthy trip to the supermarket, or a visit to the doctor.

STOP BASHING CANDY!!!!!!
I agree that you should eat healthy, but this makes it sound like you should never eat candy! Kids won't like that(I know I sure didn't) and it will probably make them want to eat even more sweets.

Great for teaching children about healthy foods
The book not only stresses eating healthy foods, but why our bodies need healthy foods. Book also gives a brief description of the body's different systems, digestive, skeletel, etc. Book finishes with the importance of exercise. Book stresses this lifestyle for children as well as adults. ... Read more

Reviews (36)

A great resource for pre-teen parents!
I purchased this book over a year ago when my daughter was nine. After a short perusal I decided it wasn't quite time to bring it out, but have kept it in the back of my mind for 'the right time'....it amazes me how quickly 'the right time' sneaks up.

This book is well organized into several sections and addresses the basics of various 'sex' topics: sex and sexuality, physiology, puberty, the 'scientific' side of reproduction, health issues, and family life. The discussion is both frank and appropriate; assuming your child has begun asking questions and/or started through puberty.

The chapter layout provides the ability to address topics one by one or as you see fit. 'Sensitive' topics such as homosexuality, birth control, abortion, and STD's are covered (distinct sections if you are not ready to address them ) along with some history and 'varieties of public thought' discussion.

The illustrations are commendable - all of shapes, sizes, ages, and colors. The author integrates the various slang body terms - addressing both their humor and/or disrespectfulness as well as discussing gossip, teasing, superstitions, and all the confusing things that abound. Many of the other positives are addressed in earlier reviews.

My one critiscm is lack of pronunciation guides or 'sounds like' references. I think it's critical to provide confidence in saying the words correctly - for both children and parents! (Though a good incentive to promote use of the dictionary.)

A great resourse for pre-teen parents!
I purchased this book over a year ago when my daughter was nine. After a short perusal I decided it wasn't quite time to bring it out, but have kept it in the back of my mind for 'the right time'....it amazes me how quickly 'the right time' sneaks up.

This book is well organized into several sections and addresses the basics of various 'sex' topics: sex and sexuality, physiology, puberty, the 'scientific' side of reproduction, health issues, and family life. The discussion is both frank and appropriate; assuming your child has begun asking questions and/or started through puberty.

The chapter layout provides the ability to address topics one by one or as you see fit. 'Sensitive' topics such as homosexuality, birth control, abortion, and STD's are covered (distinct sections if you are not ready to address them ) along with some history and 'varieties of public thought' discussion.

The illustrations are commendable - all of shapes, sizes, ages, and colors. The author integrates the various slang body terms - addressing both their humor and/or disrespectfulness as well as discussing gossip, teasing, superstitions, and all the confusing things that abound. Many of the other positives are address in earlier reviews.

My one critiscm is lack of pronunciation guides or 'sounds like' references. I think it's critical to provide confidence in saying the words correctly - for both children and parents! (Though a good incentive to promote use of the dictionary.)

Pornographic? I think not.
As a summer camp counselor who works with 9 to 11 year olds, and as an 18-year-old who is still young enough to remember how uncomfortable puberty can be, I cannot stress enough the importance of sex education at a young age. After reading reviews of this book stating that the content was too graphic, I decided to take a look for myself.

What I found was a refreshing and frank discussion covering almost everything a preteen would want to know. From physical changes to contraceptives to masturbation, a 9-12 year old can easily have his or her questions answered without feeling shame or embarassment. I was impressed with the overall tone of the book - it was very reassuring, and emphasizes that everything that happens, however and whenever it does, is "perfectly normal." The illustrations throughout the book best depict this, as they feature bodies of every shape, size, age, and ethnicity. In fact, the illustrations are one of the most effective parts of the book - they are detailed enough to give kids an accurate depiction of a human body, yet not so vivid that they are intimidating.

As for parents that are afraid to give their kids a book of this nature, keep in mind that your kids are talking about sex more than you know or may want to know. The high volume of sexual content that kids are exposed to, be it through the media or though hearing about it from their friends, makes it an absolute necessity that they are given proper, accurate information. Preadolescence is also a time during which a kid's sense of self is exceptionally fragile, and it is imperative that they are reassured that what they are going through is, as the book implies, "perfectly normal."

Sorry, folks. Sex IS embarrasing to talk about...
I've read and heard lots of thing about this book and checked it out for myself. Quite frankly, I think this is a great way to let kids educate themselves, simply by reading it. YES, it is embarrasing. But remember when you were a kid and you snuck into your parents rooms to look at your dad's porn? Or you found "The Joy of Sex" or "Our Bodies, Our Selves"? Cartoon drawings are far less offensive than learning about sex in this way and the idea of these books is to open a dialogue...it ain't pretty either way. And kids... you gotta deal with it. I take serious offense to a parent allowing a kid to right a review about this book to say how embarrasing it was for them to read. If it weren't embarrasing, I would think your kid was the dalai lama reincarnated.

Great book - even better because it annoys the right wingers
Not only does this book serve its purpose of providing children with a sane, fair and intelligent approach to human sexuality, it really, really annoys the right-wing freaks. That alone makes it worth every penny. ... Read more

Book Description

Franklin's shell has cracked, and he needs to be a brave turtle when it's time to go to the hospital. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Wonderful!
This book was great for preparing my daughter for an upcoming surgery. It went through the basics of what she would experience, even if the reason for the surgery was different, and it was done with a character she was already familiar with. The day of her surgery she was telling me what would happen next.

It's Ok
This shows that it's ok to be scared at the hospital. Franklin got hit in the chest at a soccer game. He ends up having to go to the hospital. He thinks that when you take a x-ray. Everyone will see how scare you are inside. Franklin didn't want everyone to know how scared he was. This a good book for any child that has to go to the hospital. I t shows you don't have to be scared. The doctors and nurses are there to help you.

A Must-Have If Your Child Is Having an Operation
I purchased Franklin Goes to The Hospital for my 5 year old son, who was having abdominal surgery last week. He loved the book so much, that he read it every night until the surgery. It really explained all of the different procedures involved in going to the hospital - on a level that he could understand! I strongly recommend this book to any parent who is faced with having to explain surgery to a small child!

Highly Recommend for young children facing a hospital visit
Franklin came to our rescue by going to the hospital for an operation. My three-year-old son needed surgery and I wanted to prepare him for all the strange equipment, people, and procedures he would experience. This Franklin book actually had him excited to see the hospital. Many of the routine procedures were familiar to him after reading Franklin. His only disppointment was not seeing Dr. Bear at his hospital. ... Read more

Book Description