Book Description

Jack and Annie are off on another adventure! This time they are sent to

ancient Greece, where a very important event is taking place. Join them as they

race against time and witness the very first Olympic games!




... Read more

Reviews (10)

Take An Hour And Read This Book
The book you are going to read about is called Hour of the Olympics. Mary Pope Osborne wrote it and she is a great writer. This story is about the first Olympic game. The two main characters are named Jack and Annie. This book comes from a series of books, so this is only one adventure. The problem in this story is that Jack and Annie are at the first Olympics and no girls are allowed. Annie sneaks in and gets caught. Can Jack get her out of this mess? To find out you will have to read Hour of the Olympics.

Hour of BOREDOM
I did not like this book because it had the most boring mysteries I have ever read.Like most boring books,the kids go somewhere, find what there looking for and, in the case of this book, fly back on a horse with wings.They say boring things along the lines of "how did you learn to read and write?My opinion is that it is a very boring book.

Fantastic in more ways than imaginable
"Hour Of The Olympics" is good because of the ways you learn about the Olympics, and the Olympic events, plus the legend of Pegasus, the flying horse. So amazing, I almost applauded so loud my neighborhood could hear me! Trust me, you can't miss out on this one.

Fantastic in more ways than imaginable
"Hour Of The Olympics" is good because of the ways you learn about the Olympics, and the Olympic events, plus the legend of Pegasus, the flying horse. So amazing, I almost applauded so loud my neighborhood could hear me. Trust me, you can't miss out on this one.

Magic Tree House #16: Hour of the Olympics
Magic Tree House is the Harry Potter for the ages 6-9 crowd. The stories are always delightful, and they always have action in it. This is a very good book. I recommend to all kids from the ages 6-9. Kids younger than that can have parents read it to them. ... Read more

Amazon.com

When Duck gets the zany idea to ride a bike one day, each animal on thefarm has a reaction. "M-o-o-o," says Cow. But what she's really thinking is, "Aduck on a bike? That's the silliest thing I've ever seen!" Pig and Pig say"Oink," thinking all the while, "Duck is such a show-off!" But it's not until acrew of kids shows up and leaves their bikes lying about that the true feelingsof all the animals come to light, and for one brief, glorious moment, the farmis a mad, mad world of two-wheeling road hogs (and chickens and horses andgoats). David Shannon, the creator of Caldecott Honor Book, No, David!, fills the pages ofthis barnyard romp with sun-soaked color, charming animals, and unusualperspectives. We see Cat, for example, looming belly-first in the foreground,with Duck merrily pedaling away in the distance. The story itself is nothing towrite home about--No, David! is far snappier and more original--butyounger kids may well enjoy the repetitive crescendo and the goofy finale. (Ages4 to 8) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Perfect for storytime at home, school or the library
As a children's librarian, I am always searching for the next perfect book to read for preschool storytime. I have read this book to several groups now and always have had an enraptured audience--both children and adults love it. Duck decides to ride a bike for the fun of it and greets the animal on the farm as he passes by. It might sound trite, but in this book, it is all magical.

The full bleed illustrations are bright and colorful while the story is humorous and engaging. Don't miss the last page either. All the kids love it. This has become my favorite picture book this year and I will be disappointed if it doesn't receive a Caldecott nod. Add this one to your child's library or give it to a favorite child as a gift. Then sit down and read it together. Neither of you will be disappointed! A great companion book also out this year is "Do Like a Duck Does" by Judy Hindley.

A Ducky Good Time.....
"One day down on the farm, Duck got a wild idea. "I bet I could ride a bike!" he thought. He waddled over to where the boy parked his bike, climbed on, and began to ride..." So begins David Shannon's creative and silly picture book, Duck On A Bike. In no time Duck's mastered the art of pedaling, and is zooming around the barnyard waving and calling to his friends. The cow thinks it's silly, and the sheep is sure Duck will hurt himself. The dog thinks it's neat, and the pigs think Duck is a big show-off. Mr Goat isn't so interested in riding, but would like to eat the bike, the horse just wants to remind Duck that he's still faster, and the cat is so self-involved, he doesn't even look up as Duck rides by. And that's when it happens...a whole gang of kids come riding onto the farm, park their bikes, and go inside. And in just a matter of seconds, Duck discovers he isn't the only animal riding around and around the barnyard..... Mr Shannon's engaging text begs to be read aloud, and is full of animal sounds and clever asides. But it's his bold, bright, and busy illustrations that really make this book sparkle. Each two page spread is filled with endearing oversized animals, marvelous facial expressions, and hilarious details. Perfect for kids 3-7, Duck On A Bike is a joyous, manic romp that little animal lovers and bike enthusiasts shouldn't miss.

Duck duck bike
Not since Doreen Cronin created her own enterprising foul in "Click Clack Moo" has a duck so single handedly taken farm matters directly into his own hands. In this particularly charming tale, a curious duck eyes a shiny red bicycle on the farm. Judging himself a worthy rider, Duck hops onto the bike and visits all the other animals on the farm. Each animal responds with their own particular sound (moos, meows, woofs, etc.) but think what they will about Duck's exploits. When a large bike riding group of youngsters arrive on the farm and head inside the house, their own bicycles become too much of a lure for the barnyard fellows and soon the yard is full of wheeling critters.

Using a selection of beautiful paints, novel characters, and interesting angles, author/illustrator David Shannon (of "No, David" fame) has created a truly delightful tale. His attention to detail is remarkable. Kids that remember that when Duck passed the goat his thought was, "I'd like to eat that bike!" will be rewarded if they notice that once on such a contraption, the goat makes a point of chewing on the available basket. And honestly, who else could draw a horse sneering any better than Shannon? The curl of the lip is an expression I've often expected on certain finicky animals. Safety conscious parents will note that the pack of kids arriving on the farm, aside from being nicely multicultural and of different genders, are almost all wearing safety helmets. So well done there. And as a personal note, I always give extra points to those illustrators that understand the beauty of the silent gag. The two page spread of the animals eying the new bicycles eagerly will make parents laugh in appreciation and make gleeful those kids that can figure out what is about to occur. And much like the more recent "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus", we can appreciate the troubles that might come from Duck's curious perusal of an unmanned tractor on the last page. All in all, a fun story that would read aloud very very well to large groups of children. Highly recommended.

A Story with Perspective
Duck on a Bike is a whimsical tale about a duck who seizes the opportunity to do something out of the ordinary. After spying a parked red cruiser, he decides to take a ride. As he passes the rest of his barnyard friends, they all express their opinions in their native tongues (moo, meow, squeak, m-a-a-a, etc...) Just like people, they all think something different. Some are scared, one is boastful, some appear jealous, and one could care less. Yet, when a gaggle of kids flies by and parks their bikes in front of a house, all of the animals are struck with the idea that what duck is doing isn't so bad after all.

It is great to see the barnyard animals grasping at handlebars with hoofs and wings. The pigs ride a tandem bike, rooster a tricycle, and goat gets her wish as she munches innocently on the bike's basket. After all, kids will be kids.

Shannon uses interesting perspective and great staging to bring the illustrations in this book to life. The bicycles are rendered beautifully, and the style of illustration is very different than the one he uses in the David books. It is worth it to buy this book for the artwork alone.

Don't pass the last page of this book without paying attention, or else you'll miss the next big adventure duck is planning!

Duck rides on!
Duck on a bike is a favorite in my house! My favorite! My two year old wants it almost every night. My four year old loves to "read it" and my eight year old really does read it to his brother. The pictures are wonderful. It's simple yet clever and totally enjoyable! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The Big Kick
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have a chance to be a millionare? The Million Dollar Kick by Dan Gutman is about a shy seventh grader named Wisper Nelson that enters a huge contest and gets a chance to kick a penalty shot past a professional goal keeper for 1000000 dollars! The only problem is,she hasn' t played soccer since she was 8. What is she to do? She decides to get training from a goalkeeper that plays high school soccer. She works extremely hard. When the big day comes something goes terribly wrong. will Whisper make the kick? Read and find out!

I think this is a spectacular book! I would recommend this book to anyone who is into sports. This book also has a lot of twists and turns so if you like surprises, this is the book for you!

the greatest book
in the book million dollar kick a girl plays soccer. she scored her own team and then she won a prize and gets to kick a million dollar kick. she had to score on her teacher. will she make it.

Another Kick!
Dan Gutman has done it again with "The Million Dollar Kick", a sequel to "The Million Dollar Shot".

I know Dan Gutman through e-mails, I once met him at my school two years ago in Oklahoma City.

The character in this book "Carmen Applegate" was the name of my librarian at my elementary school. Also, another small character "Dan Mills" is the librarian at my middle school. "Bobbie Frisk" is the name of a teacher in the same district, though I have to tell you I don't her.

Please try to read all of Dan Gutman's books, they are very good, and I am sure you will enjoy them.

And also go to [their website] and find out about Dan's books, do some cool activities, read some of his rejection letters for "Honus & Me", and a lot more cool stuff! ... Read more

Book Description

Well before yoga became fashionable via Sting and Madonna, the beloved elephant king Babar and all the residents of Celesteville were finding peace and tranquillity through yoga. And now elephants everywhere can join them! Through easy-to-follow instructions and step-by-step illustrations, Babar's Yoga for Elephants presents 15 positions and stretches as well as helpful breathing exercises. The book also provides useful advice on what to do with your trunk while in position, a dilemma that human yoga books often ignore.

Written by Babar himself, the book explains how yoga was introduced to Celesteville and how he and Queen Celeste keep fit doing yoga on their many travels. Including a pull-out poster showing Babar in yoga poses, Babar's Yoga for Elephants is sure to become a classic for elephants as well as their human friends. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

A Darling Book
Hatha Yoga is generally form based. Elephants need to know the "proper" position for their trunks while they perform asanas. The author shows where the trunks should be positioned for maximum effect.

Humans can also follow the book's pictures, sans the trunk positions, and perform a nice hatha class.

Stretch, Breathe, Relax, and Enjoy.....
As Babar earnestly tells us on page one, archaeololgists recently discovered drawings on cave walls of elephants in yoga positions. After much research and study, these scientists came to the conclusion that "not only were elephants capable of performing yoga, it seemed they had invented it." Unfortunately, over many millions of years, this ancient art was forgotten. But now, yoga has once again become popular among elephants, especially in Babar's home of Celesteville. "The life of a modern-day elephant is stressful and complicated. Yoga turned out to be exactly what we in Celesteville needed, offering calm and control in days that were busy and demanding..." Join our friendly and endearing pachyderm as he explains in detailed, easy to follow, step by step instructions and pictures, fifteen yoga exercises. And then join Babar and Celeste on their many travels and adventures as they demonstrate just how they use them. Often they try and match their yoga positions to the things around them. "I think it is a nice way to meditate. This allows us to connect to the world around us." At the Metropolitan Museum of Art Babar posed in the Arm Balance position and looked just like a skyscraper. Paris' Eiffel Tower inspired Proud Warrior, and Venice's Piazza San Marco was the perfect setting for Standing Head to Knee. And at the Golden Gate Bridge, he and Celeste enjoyed doing the Cobra together..... Laurent De Brunhoff's engaging and humorous text begs to be read aloud and shared and is complemented by his playful and entertaining, signature illustrations. Together word and art create a clever how-to picture book, that will have youngsters out of their seats and on their mats, practicing yoga poses and breathing exercises, stretching, and improving their balance and strength. Perfect for kids of all ages, Babar's Yoga For Elephants is a timeless treasure and a sure classic in the years to come. As Babar reminds us on the last page..."Do a little yoga every day. At first you may not notice any difference. But keep it up, and after a few weeks I believe you will feel better in body and spirit. All of us in Celesteville hope that Yoga for Elephants will bring you peace and inner harmony."

My Elephant Aide
After teaching Yoga for 30 years, it's wonderful to have my favorite character Babar, as an aide. I'll use his book as a humorous textbook for my practice.
Thank you dear Babar, I've always admired you.
SUSIe

what a smashing success
I very much enjoyed the adventures of Babar when I was younger. This book has just tickled my fancy and I am ordering one for my yoga teacher and partner. It is well done, entertaining, extremely accurate (how do elephants get into those poses when I can't?) and a great treasure for someone into the practice of yoga. This will be on my list of Eastern-themed gift books to give this Holiday season, along with my other favorite gift book Open Your Mind, Open Your Life by Taro Gold.

Pachyderms Practicing Peaceful Poses
I bought this book after seeing some of its illustrations - a little elephant in red shorts turning a backward sommersault - in a magazine. Written in an endearing, matter-of-fact tone by Babar the elephant, the book begins with Babar's explanation of how it came to be known that elephants are actually capable of doing yoga. In the next several pages, Babar provides the reader with instructions of very basic yoga poses, and he himself illustrates how to do the movements. The illustrations of Babar folding and stretching himself into yoga poses are hysterical and adorable. Babar then takes the poses on the road, while travelling internationally. He uses the yoga to relax and meditate in front of inspiring world famous monuments. This book is fun for children as well as adults. Entertaining, cultural, clever, imaginative and just so darn CUTE. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The Snowy Day, a 1963 Caldecott Medal winner, is the simpletale of a boy waking up to discover that snow has fallen during the night.Keats's illustrations, using cut-outs, watercolors, and collage, are strikinglybeautiful in their understated color and composition. The tranquil story mirrorsthe calm presence of the paintings, and both exude the silence of a freshlysnow-covered landscape. The little boy celebrates the snow-draped city with aday of humble adventures--experimenting with footprints, knocking snow from atree, creating snow angels, and trying to save a snowball for the next day.Awakening to a winter wonderland is an ageless, ever-magical experience, and onemade nearly visceral by Keats's gentle tribute.

The book is notable not only for its lovely artwork and tone, but also forits importance as a trailblazer. According to Horn Book magazine, TheSnowy Day was "the very first full-color picture book to feature a smallblack hero"--yet another reason to add this classic to your shelves. It's asunique and special as a snowflake. ... Read more

Reviews (48)

Snowy Day Review
"A Snowy Day," by Ezra Jack Keats is a true classic. The story is about a child named Peter. Peter was a city kid who woke up one morning to discover yhat the entire city was blanketed in snow. Seeing this Peter begins to engage in activities that any small child who grew up with a snowy climate would engage in such as: making footprints in the snow, striking a snow-covered tree in order to knock the clumps of snow off of the branches, making snowmen and snow angles, and sliding down a snowy hill. He ultimately sets it off when he stuffs a snowball in his coat pocket. This is a great book due to it's real like partrayal of a child and the significance of snow in his life.

Magic, Wonder, and Possibilities.....
"One winter morning Peter woke up and looked out the window. Snow had fallen during the night. It covered everthing as far as he could see..." Peter can't wait to jump into his snowsuit and run outside. There are footprints to make and watch as he walks along, snowmen to build, and angels to carve into the snow with his arms and legs. There are mountains of heaping snow to climb and then slide down, again and again, snowballs to pack, and snowball fights among the bigger kids to watch. And after a long cold, wonderful day outside, there are warm and cozy snow dreams to dream until he wakes the next morning to another fun-filled snowy day..... Originally published in 1963, Ezra Jack Keats' The Snowy Day, is still as fresh and inviting today, as it was forty years ago. Mr Keats' gentle, engaging text captures the essence of the child in all of us on a snowy day, and is complemented by his simple, expressive and evocative, award winning illustrations. Together, word and art brings all the wonder, magic, and imaginative possibilities of a big snowfall to life on the page. Perfect for preschoolers, The Snowy Day is a captivating treasure, to read and share now with friends and family and future generations in the years to come. A MUST for all home libraries, this is a timeless classic that shouldn't be missed.

Very cute, and the illustrations are lovely
I agree with other reviewers that the story in this book isn't heart-stopping exciting and it does drag on a bit toward the end, but frankly, I'm not sure that's a bad thing. The slow, languid pace of this story makes it a very calming and relaxing bed time read. The chunky, colorful illustrations are adorable, and the fact that the little boy is not very detailed makes him sort of a child's "Everyman." The story is really about a little boy whose imagination is maybe a little too big for the fact that he's only 4 and not able to do everything he'd like, but it's cute and engaging and well worth reading.

Let it snow (y day)
When "The Snowy Day" first came out, it was considered groundbreaking. Unprecedented. Here, at last, was a picture book in which the protagonist is black. It's not an overtly political book, mind you. Just a nice story about a kid in the city playing in the snow. Having heard about this story for a long time, I decided now was the moment to see how well this book has stood up over time. Ezra Jack Keats has long passed from idle picture book author to a somewhat god-like figure of the children's book world, so does this early work stand out even today? If it was introduced for the first time now, would it be considered as good as it is? Yes and no. The book is both a fabulous creation, and a very simple, very normal, tale that everyone on one level or another is familiar with.

In this book, Peter wakes up to discover that snow has covered the city in the night. Delighted, he pulls on his bright red (and now world known) snowsuit and plunges into a day of exploring and playing. He makes fun tracks, and hits snow off the branches of trees. He constructs a smiling snowman and slides down steep mountains of snow. At the end of the day his mother gets him out of his wet clothes and gives him a nice hot bath. The next morning the snow is still there, and an ecstatic Peter calls up a friend to do the whole day over again.

When I was a child I loved (and still do) stories that took place in the big cities. Keats never draws an inordinate amount of attention to Peter's surroundings. So while you won't see skyscrapers or taxi cabs, there's a distinctly urban feel to the lay of the land. The text is nice and easy for the youngsters to understand. As for the cut-outs, they're a delight to look at. Picture books featuring cut-outs may be remembered best as belonging to such artists as Eric Carle or Leo Lionni, but I consider Mr. Keats to be the granddaddy of the art form. Aside from the beauty of the landscaping in this pictures, I loved the papers used in the book. The section in which Peter sits on the snow, a snowball embedded on his chest, the black sky is a-swirl in greens, blues, and browns. When Peter slides down a snow covered embankment, the sky is then a delightful twisty series of white smoke-like curlicues. And Peter's home itself is eloquently rendered. From the wrought iron bed frame to the multicolored wallpaper and tiles that enhance the setting, the book is the best possible combination of elegance and realism.

If it came out today, "Snowy Day" wouldn't garner an overly enthusiastic response from publishers and critics. Which isn't to say that it's unworthy of the praise already received. As I've tried to show, the book is a wonderful amalgamation of text, pattern, and emotion. One of the finest books written for children, and a great evocative story.

The Snowy Day
The Snowy Day is a great book for kids of the age 4-6 years old.
The book is about a little boy who has a great time out side. He plays in the snow making snow angles and snowmen and many more great things. He try's to have fun with older kids but he seemed to not fit in.
He soon learns that not all things are here to stay.
The book is not one of the best books out there but the pictures are pretty. ... Read more

Book Description

Free Mia Hamm photo inside!

Mia loves playing soccer. That is, until she has trouble scoring a goal when her team is about to lose. Before she can lose, she quits. Fed up with her attitude, Mia's brothers and sisters will not let her play with them anymore. Will Mia learn that beinga team player is more important than winning or losing the game?

This wonderful and motivating story from America's soccer champion shows kids that:

Winners Never Quit!

Book Description

N-R-E S N T-S.

N-Q = Thank you.

S M-T = It's empty.

D N S 5 X = The hen has five eggs.

It looks like a secret code, but read the letters aloud and solve the puzzle! ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Cdb!
A gift at 16, I laughed at every page... at 42, I am ordering 4 copies...a difficult book to review as you really have to see it to believe it. So order one up, and one for a friend. Enjoy, laugh and learn to C D B.

Letters make the world go round!
Hello friends!, I hope that you have had a chance to read this wonderful book. The magic of letters truly comes alive with excitement! For me, my favorite part is all of the silly letters that can be found throughout this outstanding book! I know this book is going to be my favorite for a long, long time. So, now that you have read my review take a moment to read this extraordinary book-anytime-anywhere! Enjoy!

I M N X-T-C!
smart! adorable! unexpected! (the book, not my kids...)
This book really has us rolling in laughter. My sons (ages 4 and 6) and I have been playing with an electronic toy: push a letter and the thing says the letter's name. We had been using it to make word sounds -- pressing U R A Q T for "you are a cutie" and so forth. When I saw this book I just had to get it. It is amazingly clever -- and to think it was written in 1968. It's fresh, not at all dated. My sons are very good readers for their respective ages, but it is definitely appropriate for them. I had to explain a phrase or two (they didn't know the word "ecstacy" when they saw X-T-C) but otherwise it was totally on their level. I still crack up reading it, and I've read it at least ten times. The watercolor illustrations are perfect. Stieg conveys a lot of emotion and expression with just a few brush strokes. When a boy sees someone with a lollipop and tells him "I N-V U," you can see the envy.
I won't mind if my kids want to read this one again and again. I M N X-T-C 2!

taught me how to read
This book helped me learn to read when i was 3 years old. As long as you know the alphabet you can read this book, which makes it perfect for children who are learning to read.

This is the most fun book!
I remembered this book from my elementary school library, and was delighted to find that it had been reprinted. This book is meant to be read out loud and deciphered - our children ages 16 down to 6 were entertained, as were the adults in the house too. This book is just plain fun. ... Read more

Book Description

When you grow up in a small town in the north woods, you have to make your own excitement. High spirits, idiocy, and showing off for the girls inspire Gary Paulsen and his friends to attempt:

• Shooting waterfalls in a barrel • The first skateboarding • Jumping three barrels like motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel–except they only have bikes • Hangliding with an Army surplus target kite • Bungee jumping • Wrestling . . . a bear?
Extreme sports lead to extreme fun in new tales from Gary’s boyhood. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Richie's Picks: HOW ANGEL PETERSON GOT HIS NAME
I was laughing so hard that I woke up Shari AND both dogs!

A longtime friend of mine, who works as our school's counselor--and who gets to borrow the books that I write about--has occasionally asked me very sweetly whether I could find more funny books for our students. J.T., this one's for you!

"We built countless ramps with old boards laid on barrels or boxes, at the bottom of a hill if possible, and we would try to jump over things with our bikes.

"Remember, these were one-speed fat-tired bikes with a crowned-up, castrating brace bar and the things we tried to jump were fences, wooden walls, barrels, bikes, each other. On one memorable occasion Alan--after carefully calculating distances and angles--tried to jump his stepfather's Ford coupe end to end. He didn't...quite...make it and left a face print on the windshield of the car, but that might have been because he was distracted by the scream when his mother came out just as we finished the ramp and Alan made his jump..."

Now, I can remember some of the "really neat stuff" we did when I was young: There was a telephone cable hanging from a wooden utility pole in this vacant lot filled with mounds of dirt left over from digging foundations in he neighborhood. It made for great swinging (à la George of the Jungle) until Jimmy Dean got a concussion by swinging straight into the pole. There was "skitching" --kids in Beatle boots grabbing onto the back bumper of any car that was cruising through the snow-slickened parking lot behind Modell's. I can also recall the thrill of aiming our banana bikes full speed over the edge and down the big drop-off at Sunshine Acres Park. But my sitting here today (in one piece) attests to the fact that I did NOT spend my impressionable years hanging out with Gary Paulsen and his buddies:

"Alan, again after carefully calculating and measuring..., decided that if you got up to twenty-six miles an hour and angled a ramp to ensure (that's how he put it, 'to ensure') that you got at least seven point six feet in the air, it was possible to do a complete backward somersault and land on your wheels upright. Alan, having gotten at least seven feet in the air after a screaming run down Black Hill, landed exactly, perfectly upside down, bicycle wheels straight up, spinning, in a cloud of dust and gravel."

Decorating the cover of HOW ANGEL PETERSON GOT HIS NAME AND OTHER OUTRAGEOUS TALES ABOUT EXTREME SPORTS is an illustration of a young man on snow skis. He is wearing one of those old leather flight helmets (à la Snoopy) and flight goggles, and he is being pulled through the snow behind a sporty automobile that dates back to my father's adolescence. The young man is Angel Peterson who in 1954, inspired by a newsreel proceeding the Saturday matinee, decided he'd break the speed record for skiing despite being a thousand miles from any hills. Such was passion for scientific curiosity (and impressing girls) amid the "Brain Trust" that hung out with the young Gary Paulsen.

"Alan tried once more, getting a lift from an unsuspecting truck by hanging on to the rear corner and hitting the ramp so fast that it gave way and he went through it like a tank, barrels and boards and splinters flying everywhere."

"Wayne completed the only true backward flip off a bicycle but he didn't take the bike with him..."

Of course Shari, ever-the-mom, shakes her head, appalled by what I'm reading her from the book--a sure sign that this book will be absolutely worshiped by young boys. (Shari says that's why I like the book so much.) No, really, it's a book for girls, too. (Rosemary, who can tell you about trying to bounce through the air from the trampoline to the rope hanging from the tree, is going to love this one.) In fact, the only fault that I can find with the book is its size: One hundred and eleven pages is way too brief for so funny a book. Guess I'll just have to read it again...right after I take my government surplus target kite out in the next heavy wind and see if I can...

Hilarious! What were Paulsen and his friends thinking?? :)
It's the 1950's and Gary Paulsen and his friends are 13 years old. For whatever reasons, they chose this year to be the year of "extreme sports"-Paulsen's term for the outrageous dares they took.

These days, extreme sports refers to organized teams and individuals who participate in sport activities that involve rules, certified equipment, and lots of padding and head gear. For Paulsen and his buddies, the equipment was usually purchased at the army surplus store and converted to fit their needs. Their padding and head gear? Didn't exist.

They jumped off of things, help onto things, went fast, went high, broke records, turned, twisted, and rolled along all in the name of "What's the worst that can happen?"

Just one page into this autobiographical sketch of life at thirteen, the reader can perfectly imagine the northern Minnesota town in which Paulsen grew up and can picture the adventurous, comical moments that made up this crazy year of his life. The dialogue brings to mind so many young adolescent boys, all trying to fit in another ten minutes of fun before their parents call them to dinner.

These stories are laugh-aloud fun, and they make the reader want to go out and put some wheels on something!

A knee slapper
This is a great book for the average male reader who needs a quick funny read. This book tells the story as it unfolds of thirteen year olds back in the fifties after the Korean war and how they spend their spare time. These daredevils perform the unthinkable just because they don't have anything better to do. Gary Paulsen twists a wacky sense of humor into this piece that will keep your side splitting with laughter. A must read!

How Angel Peterson got His Name
The Book How Angel Peterson Got His Name by Gary Paulson is a fun, and hilarious book to read. If you are looking for a funny book, pick this one. It is for the grade level of 6-8.

This story takes place in a small town in Minnesota in the early fifties. They barely had television, mostly radio, and all the kids want to do is have fun. They had fun by doing daredevil stunts. The book is based on Gary Paulson's stories from when he was a 13 year old boy and the crazy things he and his friends did.

Throughout the whole book Angel and his 13 year old friends do crazy dare devil stunts. Such as, break the record for the speed on skis, trying to go down a waterfall in a barrel, hang gliding with an army parachute, and trying to wrestle a bear. These boys did anything and everything possible. They also tried to put dynamite in a box, go in it, and have it blow up. Jumping through a ring of fire was another one of their wild stunts.

The point of this book is that you can do anything you want as long as you put your mind to it. I recommend this book to anyone that likes to laugh. I also recommend the book to anyone that likes humorous books

Wild and Crazy Kids comes to a Book.
If your looking for an absolutly hilarious book, you've found it. Gary Paulsen does it again with a wonderful book for when you just want to kick back, relax, cut up, and laugh in this book about best friends who think of crazy stunts to do.
This book has five different stories about best friends who live in Minnesota and just want to have fun. All of the stories or most start out with the guys going to the Army surplus store(because this is just after the Korean War and all of the left over equiptment in on sall dirt cheap)to buy things like skis, parachutes, jackets, gloves, and other things that you could use to do anything stupid such as try to break the world record for speed on skis, which they try to do by the way. Or see how high you can get in a parachute, or even try to wrestle a bear for crying out loud these guys will do it all.
Look I don't care if you don't like to read when the names of the stories include, How Angel Peterson got his name, The Miracle of Flight, Orvis Overson and the Crash and Bash, Girls and the Circle of Death,(which is definitly my favorite, if may bring memories to you guys that make you say, "man i was dumb")and last but not least And Finally, Skateboards, Bungee Jumping and other Failures. How could you not want to read this book.
So take it from a person who absolutly hates reading. If you truly enjoy outragiously funny things then I would by, borrow, or even rent from the library. So whatever you do, just read this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Award-winning author Walter Dean Myers presents the amazing story of Muhammad Ali¹s childhood, his rise as a champion, his politics, and his battles against Parkinson¹s disease. Packed with dramatic black-and-white photos, this critically acclaimed biography is the perfect choice for both young adult sports fans and fans of Walter Dean Myers in general. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Determination + Talent = Champion
Muhammed Ali may not have been the biggest, meanest boxer of all time, but he definitely has to be one of the most determined athletes ever to set foot in a ring. That is why Myers, like Ali himself, refers to the boxer as "the greatest." Through easy reading, Walter Dean Myers paints a picture of what life was life for working class blacks in the near South (Louisville, KY) in the 1950's. He describes the fighters who came before Ali (the heroes like Joe Louis and Archie Moore), and goes into detail in describing both the person and the boxing style of Ali's opponents--Floyd Patterson, Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier, George Foreman and others). Of course, Myers also details the mental strategies and physical competency of Ali. It is here that the reader realizes that much of Ali's game was fought outside the ring, with not only his next opponent, but with the press, the public, and the government. The subject of the war in Viet Nam, the military draft, the Nation of Islam, the skewing of the military to induct more minorities, and the subject of 'conscientious objection' are all handled in an introductory fashion, which will give young readers a sense of the social history of the period without the ho-hum of a history book. Walter Dean Myers' book, The Greatest, also dissects the boxing industry, where young talent is often beaten to a senseless pulp for the sake of audiences, public approval and a very few dollars. I have already recommended this book to several students who think a career in professional athletics could be within their grasp. Myers does an excellent job of conveying the fact that the young boxer from Louisville was the greatest in his determination to win, not because of his physical ability, but because of his mental agility. The one negative trait of Muhammed Ali which Myers noted was the way he insulted his opponents. His vicious slurring of his competitors, especially some of the black fighters, set the stage for the trash-talking which is now rampant in sports, professional and amateur, alike. He may have been first in a long list of other traits, but this one is nothing to be proud of. It was the beginning of a very negative type of competitive spirit which has now permeated sports, school, music, and the very fiber of today's society. This book will intrigue a variety of students in middle school. It is easy to read, with enough black and white photographs and large page margins to attract even reluctant readers. The book includes an Index (very small print); a list of Photo Credits; a Bibliography; and a Fight Chronology. It is a good introduction to what actually goes on in professional athletics, and appropriate for students, grade 5 and up.

THE GREATEST MUHAMMAD ALI
The book"THE GREATEST MUHAMMAD ALI" is one of the best books ihave ever read. When I first read this book I coudn't put it down. this book only took me a week to read and also you get information you never herd of like I never knew that Muhammad Ali's real name is Cassius Clay. When Muhammad was young he used to get beat up and his bike was stolen. After he got beat up he started taking boxing lessions. He lost most of his boxing matches when he was young. In the book you lean about others like Joe Louis and Sugar Ray Robinson Ali never misted a practus. The reason I liked the book is because I took boxing lessons and now Iknow how to protect myself if I need to. Also you get good information on the boxers Ali's life. In the book they say that Ali has skills of most of thebest fighters that ever lived.Reading this book helped me change the way I look at things like the way I treat people andto be tough competitor at sports I play. It also helped me see how his life was as a African American boxer. I'm glad I found this awesome book to read because it made me want to be a boxer.

A Great book
This story is a portrayal of a young boy named Cassius Clay who grows into one of the greatest boxer's of all time. Walter Dean Myers presents the amazing story of Ali's life and his rise as a champion, his politics, and his battle against Parkinson's disease. It is a story of determination, energy, pride, and strength. From a daring young boxer with disease, Myers covers Ali's life with prowess and honesty. Ali's accomplishments, both in and out of the ring, present him as a man of principal, willing to take risks to achieve his goals.
Ali was a young man with a lot of boxing talent who grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. Raised by his grandmother, Ali possessed a work ethic of none other. Although Ali was a great fighter, racism and disouragement made it hard for Ali to achieve his goals.
If tou choose to read The Greatest you will experience fast paced action, crisp writing, photographic events and personalities, and vivid fight scenes. Ali followed his heart and became a symbol respected by all races, religions, and ideologies. Ali was the world heavyweight champion four times and may be the greatest boxer ever to step foot in the ring.
Delving into the civil rights and the Nation of Islam, Concientios objector status during the Vietnam war, and the danger of boxing. Myers presents a man of courage and inspiration. The story gets in depth with Ali's fight against Parkinson's disease and how he fought in the ring. "Float like a butterfly and sting like a bee" was Ali's famous line. He was well known for his cocky attitude and he was also the center of attention.
Ali's story is a great one, thus, that is why he is the greatest. I would reccommend this story for anyone to read, it is really a great book.

Perfect For A 13 Year Old & Under
This is a perfect book for a kid 14 or 13 years old and younger - it's a fantastic introduction to Muhammad Ali - I just bought it for my friends son - he's 12 - not that familiar with Muhammad Ali - just a basic knowledge of the myth and legend - he knows "Float Like a Butterfly - Sting Like A Bee!"

This is a great way to show a youngster that in addition to being the Greatest Of All Time that he was (and is) one of the most influential, courages and important figure of the 1960's and up -

It gently shows and explains the race issues of the 60's without overwhelming a child or blasting it in their face - it's very difficult for a kid these days to understand that as little as 40 years ago (which is actually life times to a kid) that if you were black then you had to sit at the back of the bus - or couldn't drink from certain water fountains or had to "know you're place" and how Muhammad Ali shattered that mold - I'm hoping that this actually creates a dialogue with parent and child - anyway - it shows Muhammad as the Champ both in and out of the ring.

The book goes over some of the famous fights and rivalry's - from Liston to Frazier - once again I found myself excited about the blow by blows of these fights - no matter how many times I read it I'm just awe struck about the Rumble in the Jungle -

I highly recommend this for any child as a great introduction to The Greatest Of All Time - Muhammad Ali!

Not the Best
The Greatest Muhammad Ali written by "Walter Dean Myers" tells you about how it was for a black man to grow up in the racism and be successful. He did so well all over the world that he got respect from the white crowd. It tells you all the struggles he had while he was fighting and how he went from Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali; also how he took it when he got Parkinson's disease. This man was a phenomenon in boxing and you learn that by reading this book. I would not buy the book but get it for a little while from the library. ... Read more

Book Description

Test Your Tony IQ ...

Don't worry, this isn't some busted quiz that counts for anything. It's a simple true or false test about the most famous skateboarder in the world. There's a lot about Tony Hawk's life that might surprise you. He didn't skate out of the crib landing every trick he attempted. He had tons of ups and downs on and off his skateboard -- sometimes he landed and sometimes he slammed. Here he takes you behind the scenes of the skateboard world and describes what it's like to be Tony Hawk: Professional Skateboarder.

True or False

a. Tony Hawk ate chewing gum from between Steve Caballero's toes.

b. As a child, Tony was so competitive that he pelted his mother with tennis balls in order to win a tennis match.

c. Tony failed to land a trick for more than fifteen years.

d. Tony was such a spastic nightmare as a child that he was expelled from his preschool.

e. Tony was such a small kid that he looked three grades younger and was often picked on by bullies.

Reviews (7)

T ony Hawk
Envision being the only skateboarder in your school. Looking different, standing out like a sore thumb, and of all else you are the smallest kid in your grade. In Tony Hawk: Professional Skateboarder an autobiography by Tony Hawk you will hear about Tony's life from when he was born to his retirement from professional skateboarding at age 31.

Tony first started skating when he found an old, ratty skateboard under a heaping pile of junk in his garage, and thus began the career of one of the worlds best professional skaters. As Tony progresses through skating he sees all of the changes of skating from just being done by surfers when the waves were flat until present when skateboarding is as popular as it's ever been. This autobiography captures every aspect of Tony Hawk's life in such detail it feels as if Tony is sitting in front of you telling his whole life story.

Tony Hawk started out in a town in California and describes him self as a spaz kid. I guess this is what caused him to be kicked out of his pre-school. From here the book goes through his accomplishments such as making the Bones Brigade (a pro skateboarding team of the best skaters), landing the Mc Twist (a 540o spin with a flip in it), and one of the greatest and most recognizable accomplishment of all landing the 900 (a 900o spin). Tony's life also had some faults including having to call his son by his middle name after the release of the box office bomb Riley Hawk. Tony went through some tough times but came out on the brighter side. Except when his father died of cancer. Tony stopped skating for a while but was back on the ramps before long.

If you like a good biography or if you like skateboarding the tiniest bit this book is definitely for you. I rate this book 5 out of 5.

Flipping 360
This book will make you flip or do a 360!! This is a great book! This book is about the ups and downs of Tony Hawk's life. From road trips to just hanging out at the local skatepark. This book is an awesome book to read and very easy to understand. I reccomend this book to anyone who likes skateboarding. Find out what Tony's life is like by reading this awesome book.

Critic, Justin

Tony Hawk: Professional Skateboarder
This was an awesome book. I love this book, and I would recommend it to everyone. I hope that you guys will enjoy it as much as I did.

A wonderful book
There is nothing in this book that is improper for children. This is a book specifically designed for young readers with no foul language and nothing indecent. Tony is a very moral and respectable person and a great role model for children.

I liked it alot
My mom bought this for me and I just finished it.
It was really good. ... Read more

Book Description

For twenty years, Cynthia Rylant's story of childhood in the Appalachian Mountains has been an enduring favorite. Growing up in the mountains is depicted with a spare, lyrical text and beautiful, tender illustrations by Diane Goode. The book was awarded a Caldecott Honor Medal.

To celebrate its twentieth anniversary, When I Was Young in the Mountains is being released with a commemorative copper-colored band.

Illustrated by Diane Goode ... Read more

Reviews (9)

A wonderful story!
I read this book to my children (then ages 3 and 6) and they both loved it. I always look for stories about people who live or lived differently than we do today to help my children realize how EASY we have it today. They were especially interested (and amused by) the "johnny house" (my son still paraphrases the part about the child promissing not to have more than one serving of okra again after having to make repeated trips to the johnny house at night).

The illustrations were charming and complemented the text beautifully.

Appalachia never looked so good
Author Cynthia Rylant has written a tender story of her childhood days, living in the Appalachian Mountains not so long ago. Accompanied by the excellent illustrator Diane Goode, the book is a straightforward look at life amongst the best-known American mountain folk. Scenes of daily life include everything from needing a brave adult to accompany you out into the dark scary night (on your way to the outhouse) to getting baptized in the local swimming hole.

The book is remarkable for its lack of overt sentimentality. Some might disagree with me, but I was struck by how this book did not fail to note the less than desirable elements of living in the wilderness. Swimming in a swimming hole of your own might be fun. Just watch out for snakes. And baths required an awful amount of work. Pumping the water. Carrying it to the house. Heating it. Goode's delicate illustrations accompany the text of this story perfectly. If Rylant says that the proprietors of the local store (Mr. & Mrs. Crawford) were identical, then gosh darn it, the people look identical. And I especially adored the moment when the narrator's grandmother kills a big nasty snake in the woods. The next picture displays the narrator, her brother, and two other red-headed childred posing sheepishly for a traveling photographer, gigantic dead snake draped across their heads.

I cannot think of many other book that take place in Appalachia. And I certainly can't think of any that are better than this. A sweet good-hearted story, "When I Was Young In the Mountains" understands what it meant to live a difficult life with pleasure and human warmth.

When I Was Young in the Mountains
This is a magical book for those of us who remember grandmothers who were just like this. For me, a nostalgic evocation of time spent years ago in the West Virginia mountains with my grandmother doing the very things that are mentioned in this book. A very special book.

A love song to the Appalachian region
Cynthia Rylant's enduring favorite "When I Was Young in the Mountains" is the tale of her own childhood growing up in the Appalachian mountains of West Virginia. The gently repetitive text details her everyday life, from swimming in a swimming hole (even if there were snakes!) to taking a bath to drinking cocoa made by her grandmother. Each page starts off with, "When I was young in the mountains . . . " By the final page, we see that not only did Ms. Rylant appreciate her low-tech, memory-making childhood, but she wouldn't have traded it for anything.

Diane Goode's softly colored illustrations beautifully dovetail with the text, whether she's showing a river baptism, a nighttime trip to the "johnny-house" after too much fried okra, or a stint at the water pump. It's a lovely ode to the simple life, and to being happy with what you have instead of worrying about what you don't have.

Wonderful Memories
Reading this book was truly a joyous experience for me. I grew up in southern West Virginia and spent many days with my grandmother at her house out in the hills. Ms. Rylant's book reminded me so much of my own childhood! This book is beautifully written and illustrated, and brings to the reader a wonderful feeling of warmth and friendliness. Her descriptions are true-to-life, heartfelt, and easily understood by young children. ... Read more

Book Description

It's been two months since his dad's fatal accident, and eleven-year- old Ricky is still haunted by memories of violent beatings and hurtfulwords. The kids at school won't let him forget, either, and he's gotteninto so many fights, he's on the edge of serious trouble. Ricky canwalk away from taunts on the playground, but not when the kids cornerhim on the bus. So he comes up with a new way to get to school. Notonly will he run every morning and afternoon-he'll race the bus.Andone day he will leave the past behind-and win. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Racing The Past
Racing The Past is about Ricky, 6th grader, trying to so the right thing. One day Ricky gets in trouble for fighting so he makes a deal with the principal. That he wouldn't go to recess if the principal wouldn't tell his mother. Ricky rode the same bus as the kid he fought, so Ricky started to walk home from school. The first day his friend walked the 3 1/2 mile walk. Ricky hated the look the kids gave him as they rode by on the bus. After the look his decided tobeat the bus home.Training and training he was faster and faster. Until he was going to beat the bus. The book shows the strength of a young boy and what he tries to overcome. If you have a dream in life you should read this book.

Beating the Bus
Racing the Past
By: Sis Deans
Reviewed by: J.Lau
Period: 6
Racing the Past is a book about a kid named Ricky who just lost his father. Ricky gets into a lot of trouble at school and doesn't want to get his mom involved because she is already under a lot of stress. So Ricky makes a deal with the principal that he wouldn't get into anymore fights as long as the principal doesn't call his mom. The deal meant that Ricky had to miss recess and riding the bus to avoid getting into fights with Bugsie, the school bully. Since Ricky had to walk to and from school, he thought that it took too much time and decided to run the 7 miles to and from school and just maybe beat the bus home. Ricky makes notes on how to run faster and finally gets what he wants.
I like this book because it shows how you should have endurance when you run and never give up and the book also shows how a family works together after the loss of a close person. Ricky started out walking the 7 miles everyday and then he came up with the idea of beating the bus. So every morning and afternoon Ricky starts out jogging to and from school, working his way up to running the whole thing. Ricky took notes to help him be able to improve his running. While jogging or running Ricky did number problems in his head to pass time. Then one day a high school coach saw him running, "Keep that up and we'll be good friends when you get to high school." The coach supplied him with new shoes and paid for his doctor's bills as long as Ricky would run for him when he got to high school.
After Ricky's father died from drinking and driving, Ricky and his little brother, Matt, were happy that their father wasn't around anymore because of all the abuse and trouble their father caused. Ricky's mom was always at work so Ricky had to stay home to watch his little brother and sister. Ricky also helped take care of housework since his mom was a too busy getting bill paid. Matt was still scared of their father, even though he wasn't alive anymore, that Ricky had to go in the house first after school to make sure that their father wasn't around and Matt held a frying pan while sleeping and still wet his bed at night from bad dreams. When the funeral day came Ricky thought that it was time that they all got rid of the bad memories. Then Ricky decided to get rid of his father's plastic window covering. "Come on!" he told him. "Let's tear it all down."
My favorite part of the book is when Ricky finally beats the bus home. Ricky came out of the building as soon as the school bell rang and did his stretches. Ricky started running home with confidence and strength. When he got to the 2nd mile all he could think about was winning but then the thoughts of Bugsie made him mad so he sped up. Turning the corner, Ricky crashed into Tom Guimond and hit the ground but got up just as quick remembering the race. When he got to the last 100 yards he could hear the bus coming and gaining, he found the energy to sprint the last 25 yards with cheering in the background. Ricky had beaten the bus.

A remarkable first novel
This book is an astonishing book for a first novel (for any novel!)It's heartfelt, honest, and well told.I read it in one sitting because I couldn't put it down.

I couldn't care less
This book is fairly well written though not very challenging. I had to read it, maybe that's one reason why I couldn't really like it. Though the characters are quite convincing and Ricky is likeable enough, I asked myself while reading: Which kid really wants to read this??? The ones with a violent father? Kids who are into running? I don't know, it seems to be a book that's more interesting to adults - it's not really something teenagers will get into. - It's one of the books teachers will give you to read, right there, Mrs. P.? ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Quidditch Through the Ages
Quidditch Through the Ages is a sort of addition to the Harry Potter series. If you've read the Harry Potter books, you probably remember the characters talking about what a wonderful, exciting and informative book it is.

I kind of expected it to be longer, but I suppose that you can't get everything you want... all in all, for an additional book I thought that it was pretty okay. The best things about it were the little comments and tid bits that made it really seem like a book from the Hogwarts library.... the card in the front that has the names of all the kids that checked it out, the introduction from Dumbledore, and the conversion from dollars to sickles and knuts on the back are all really cool.

If you're a Harry Potter fan, you have to get this, if just to ease your curiosity on what it's about. But beware- this book has no plot and reads pretty darn boring, except for a few select parts. It clears up quite a bit of the fourth book's Quidditch Cup, and if there are any more matches in future books, I suggest keeping this close at hand.

This is rated G, and is really really tame. The fifth book was kind of crazy, what with the teen angst and such, but this takes you back to the happy, carefree world of Harry Potter.

Quidditch Through the Ages
The book "Quidditch Through the Ages"by J.K. Rowling is a great book to read if you like the Harry Potter books and the sport Quidditch als from those books.This book guides you from the beggining of Quidditch until the present of what Quidditch is now.The book is focused only on Quidditch,it talks about the many teams from England and many other countries as well. It also talks about where the bludgers came into existence, and why the teams have certain logos on their uniforms.The book mentions amazing events and things that have happened in historic matches.Also it talks on how rules have changed through time.There are many other features that this book includes,I hope you like it as much as I did.

Funny, likely prized by serious Harry Potter fans
Summary:
The book was published as a charitable publication; all of the proceeds are supposed to go to a charitable organization with the writing and publication costs being taken care of by donations. As for the contents, the book covers the history and rules of Quidditch and talks about some of the professional teams in Great Britain.

My Comments:
First, the book is quite funny, with numerous humorous notes and stories. It is more reminiscent of Rowlings earlier Harry Potter novels than it is of numbers 4 and 5 that do have some funny elements but tend to be much more serious than the first three.

The book is also probably highly prized by Harry Potter fanatics because it further develops the already incredibly detailed magical/muggle world of the series. Rowling has accomplished something few other authors can claim - the creation of a credible world - and this is just another doorway into that world.

The only problem I could possibly see with this book is that it is hardly long enough to be called a book; it is more a monograph or pamphlet with its roughly 50 pages. Granted this is a fictitious history which means every detail and story has to be developed from scratch. What's more, it has to be incorporated into the existing stories and future stories. Nevertheless, this can only be described as a 'brief' history of Quidditch.

Overall, you can read the entire thing in about 30 minutes and if you are a die hard Harry Potter fan you'll probably appreciate it and find it disappointingly short. If not, it won't likely keep your interest like the novels will. I'd recommend it for die hard fans but be aware that it is short.

A fun book
This cute little book was actually part of a pair (along with Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them) produced by J.K. Rowling for the charity Comic Relief. Written in a tongue in cheek manner, this books appears to be straight from the Hogwarts School Library, complete with borrow & due date list that includes one H. Potter! Purportedly written by one Kennilworthy Whisp, this book covers the evolution of Quidditch from its inception, and along the way explains how Quidditch is played.

This is a fun book for any Harry Potter fan to own. It's a good, light-hearted read, and helps explain Quidditch to us muggles, in a manner much more clear than in the regular Harry Potter books. Bet this book!

Great!!
Very useful and very funny. Delightful reading. Makes me wonder how she got to imagine all the fantastic history of Quidditch. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (1)

A must have for preschoolers/kindergarteners!
I just bought this book Saturday at the book store and when I started to read through it, it was just too cute & I had to buy it. On Monday, I read it to my Preschool class (4-5 year olds) and they LOVED IT! It's easy for them to follow along and they where chiming in as I read it. Also they caught on to the pattern and would say the words before I read them. I also taught them the hand motions too. They kept singing it later. If your child(ren) love to sing "Wheels on the Bus" then will love this book.

... Read more

Book Description

Complete rules to nine classic games, spiral-bound for playground referral, along with two Chinese jump ropes in brilliant colors.Plus instructions for making your own rope out of rubber bands. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Learn or Re-Learn Chinese Jump Rope- fun for kids gatherings
... ~ - ~
~ My niece got this last year when she was ten, and brought it to a family party.
The rope supplied with the set was the right size for the kids, and the illustrations were very clear.

I had remembered playing Chinese jump rope as a child, but couldn't remember any of the games.
The girls age 8-11, enjoyed playing, and even my mother and I jumped in!

This is a nice set for a girl age 7-11 who has friends or cousins enough easily available to start a game.
A nice guide, and entertaining at a children's gathering.

Chinese Jump Rope
This is a great manual for a PE or Elementary teacher. The pictures and directions are very easy to understand and Chinese jump rope is a fun, low cost activity for a classroom teacher. There are a lot of great ideas for individual and team games. Overall, this is an excellent activity guide for kids, but might be hard for younger children to comprehend without adult assistance. The two jump ropes that are included are very helpful because they are almost impossible to find in stores. ... Read more

Book Description

If you could see with your eyes closed, how would you use your power? That’s what Henry has to decide in "The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar,"one of the seven stories in this extra-ordinary collection. In addition to imaginative and magical tales, this book also contains the true story of how Roald Dahl became a writer, as well as a copy of the very first nonfiction story he wrote for The Saturday Evening Post. Packed with wit and adventure, the collection is a clever mix of fantasy and reality — and a stunning showcase of Dahl’s prose. ... Read more

Reviews (36)

Marvelous tales from a master
A recent discussion with several friends left me fending off accusations that the only material I read or watch pertains to the horror genre. I had some difficulty convincing these misguided souls that I do indeed like to read literature and watch films that don't contain a masked maniac. Exhibit A in my defense is Roald Dahl's "The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More," a book I adored as a child and one that fully deserves to sit alongside the author's better known "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and "James and the Giant Peach." Dahl the man had an interesting life; he worked in the oil business in Africa before joining the RAF during World War II to fight the Luftwaffe. Injuries incurred from a plane crash briefly sidetracked Dahl's military career, but eventually gave the world something to sing about because it directly led to the beginning of his writing career. You get all of this information from one of the stories in the book, but Dahl's fiction deservedly receives the most attention. Fortunately, we get a lot of that here too. Roald Dahl died in 1990.

The non-fiction pieces here are wonderful. His first story, "A Piece of Cake," is here, along with an account of how Dahl became a writer. Entitled "Lucky Break," this story is really a short autobiography of the writer from his early school days through his war experiences. The sections outlining his years at one of England's public schools should be read by anyone who thinks American places of learning are terrible. English public schools, Dahl writes, are actually very private academies devoted to the total education of their pupils. During the writer's childhood, this meant harsh, rigid discipline of a type usually seen in the military. The brutality exhibited by teachers and elder classmates at the school is shocking: the older students routinely whipped younger pupils with switches, an activity mirrored by the teachers whenever students misbehaved. There are great, tension filled descriptions of the beatings endured by Dahl at the hands of these tormentors. The author advises that wearing thick pajamas and undergarments will protect one's posterior from the brunt of a switching administered by a fellow classmate, but nothing will save you from the headmaster's canes. Yikes! And to think the worst thing that happened to me in school involved losing my locker combination. School wasn't a total loss for the young author, however, as it was the place where he learned to love literature.

The centerpiece story, "The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar," is one of the best in the book. It's really two stories in one, about a wealthy but frivolous soul named Henry Sugar and his discovery of an unusual book in a friend's library. The book tells the story about a man in India who has learned to see through objects without the use of his eyes. Sugar gets the sudden inspiration to attain this ability and soon discovers that he is a natural at it, one of the rare people with the amazing gift to learn this art in just a few years. Henry's motivations are highly suspect at first