Book Description

How did the camel get his hump? How did the leopard get his spots? How did the elephant get his trunk?

These are questions that children around the world have asked for centuries, but it took Nobel Prize winner Rudyard Kipling's lively, hilarious stories to give them answers. For one hundred years, these classic tales -- drawn from the oral storytelling traditions of India and Africa and filled with mischievously clever animals and people -- have entertained young and old alike.Intertwined within these delightful tales are little pearls of wisdom about the pitfalls of arrogance and pride and the importance of curiosity, imagination, and inventiveness. Kipling's rhythmic prose makes these tales perfect for sharing aloud with the whole family.

This deluxe edition contains all of Kiplin's unforgettable stories as well as ten stunning watercolors, along with numerous black-and-white drawings, from award-winning artist Barry Moser, bringing this timeless masterpiece brilliantly to life for a whole new generation of readers.

Reviews (20)

Elephant's child in particular
This book is the most valued in my family history. Now my children are asking after it to read to their children because of all of the beloved memories it brings back. The language is a delight. The way Kipling draws the reader and listener in to feel they are part of the story, it is story telling magic at its very best. I can't believe anyone who has this book in their home, once read, will ever be without it. As long as children and that child in all adults long for the gifted story teller's magic, this book is special.

Delightful Stories to Read Aloud
If you enjoy language and good story-telling this book belongs on your bookshelf. I've been reading the stories to my seven-year-old daughter who eats them up. Yes, the vocabulary is challenging - it isn't Berenstain Bears! But there is a time for "I Can Read" books and a time for "Read to Me" books. This will challenge kids and their imaginations, especially if they love animals like my kids do. And it's not just for kids - I love the stories too! Buy it!

Charming stories with a charming presentation.
I recently purchased this set on cd with a gift certificate for my young daughter. The price tag may have put me off at any other time, but since I was getting it with a certificate, I went for it. I read these stories cover to cover repeatedly as a little girl and took great delight in the hilarity of the answers to such questions as "how did the leopard get his spots?" or "how did the camel get his hump?" Kipling's stories are marvelously nonsensical - which makes them fit for a child's world. However, it was not until hearing them read aloud on this very set that I realized his rhyme and use of repetitive words or phrases is very similar to our modern master of children's literature: Dr. Seuss. It would not surprise me to find that Seuss took his inspiration from the works of Kipling. This is not striking to a reader, but as you listen to his words brought to life by the human voice it is hard to miss.

Geoffrey Palmer, of As Time Goes By, is one of my favorite actors. His voice and interpretation of these beautiful stories enhances the experience so much that I was laughing out loud listening to him in my car. His dry sense of humor is felt in his characterizations of the cast and the lulling of his voice lends a calming, gentle, and sophisticated quality to the text. I now can simply not imagine these stories being read by anybody else.

Finally, the classical musical selection is superb and adds an intelligent whimsiness to the piece. I would highly recommend this set as a lovely gift for any child you find "tenacious and full of segacity". What a delightful alternative to the screech of today's cartoons and children's "pop" albums full of Britney Spears remakes.

Just So Stories
The just so stories
By: Rudyard Kipling Published by: William Morrow and Company

This book O best beloved (meaning you, in the language that the author used) is a short story book that has many adventures to it and the one that I'm going to tell you about is the story called, The Beginning of the Armadillos. This plot takes us to the steamy jungles of the Amazon rain forest in South America in the Northern part of Brazil. Also in this plot there lives a painted jaguar, a stickly-prickly hedgehog, and slow and solid tortoise. Now O best beloved (meaning you) this particular jaguar isn't very bright so he goes to his mother for advice on how to eat the hedgehog and the tortoise. Well, as any mother would, she tells him ohhh, so many times graciously waving her tail, "Painted Jaguar to catch the hedgehog you must dip him the water so he will uncoil and you must scoop the tortoise out of it's shell with your paw, got it?!" So he goes to the river to find the hedgehog and the tortoise so he can eat them. The first time they barely got away by confusing him. The hedgehog and the tortoise confuse him by messing up what his mother told him. But the second time Painted Jaguar is confused just by looking at them. You'll have to read it to believe it.

As you know, in this particular story you are introduced to a hedgehog named Stickly-Prickly and a tortoise named Slow and Solid. As you might see these two unique animals are very close and have the same predators. In this story Stickly-Prickly hedgehog and Slow and Solid tortoise are being hunted by a creature named Painted Jaguar, as you know, who is not too smart and has spots. Now since Stickly-Prickly and Slow and Solid were able to fool the jaguar once they want to make him so confused that he won't know which is which just by looking at them. So day after day they teach one another how the other works, like Stickly-Prickly teaches Slow and Solid to curl up and Slow and Solid teaches Stickly-Prickly how to swim. After they have done that and are comfortable with their skills they wait for Painted Jaguar to come looking for them but they don't know that they will never be the same again. Stickly-Prickly hedgehog and Slow and Solid tortoise help this particular story because they are smart and they fool the jaguar and they surprise the reader with their cunning and hard work.

This book has been really fun in the fact that there is more than one story in the book and for me more than one story meant that it was a page turner. The story that I described in this book review was easy to concentrate on because I liked it so much. Some stories in this book were just plain old boring so it was harder to read them . The thing that caught my attention was the language that the author used in the book, I thought that the language was very unique and very funny. To tell the truth I thought that there weren't very many surprises at all, the only surprises would be all the purposes of the story that was being told, like how the camel got his hump or the beginning of the Armadillos. To me they make the language in the book fun, like Oh best beloved and stickly-prickly and slow and solid. The people who might like this book would have to have a sense of humor, so if they have that then the person reading this book will have a very fun time indeed.

Complete lack of worthy content
This book lacks substance and the qualities that make a read worth the while, especially since it's for children who may not read that much in the first place. You'd be MUCH better off with something like The Wind in the Willows, or the Berenstain Bear. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Cute book!
I thought this book was the best when I was a kid, and I still love it! It is one of the cutest books I have ever read! I am now in the 8th grade, and I used this book for a speech competition with my friend. We got a superior (not to brag or anything). This book is probabally for kids from ages 5-8.

Beautiful illustrations
This is a great book for primary grade students. The illustrations are large and wonderful to look at. The text captures the devotion of a dog and the aloofness of a cat to perfection! I loved it!

A Perfect Depiction of Dogs and Cats
I Am the Dog I Am the Cat doesn't tell a story - instead it tells about the characters of a cat and a dog. Anyone who has ever owned either will recognize the essence of the animals in Hall's excellent verse, while Moser's elegant illustrations capture the dog and the cat beautifully.

I recommend this book to anyone who has ever had a pet or ever hopes to have one. Excellent for reading aloud, but be prepared for some rather urgent requests for a dog (or a cat) when the book is done. ... Read more

Book Description

MARTY WILL DO ANYTHING TO SAVE SHILOH

When Marty Preston comes across a young beagle in the hills behind his home, it's love at first sight -- and also big trouble. It turns out the dog, which Marty names Shiloh, belongs to Judd Travers, who drinks too much and has a gun -- and abuses his dogs. So when Shiloh runs away from Judd to Marty, Marty just has to hide him and protect him from Judd. But Marty's secret becomes too big for him to keep to himself, and it exposes his entire family to Judd's anger. How far will Marty have to go to make Shiloh his? ... Read more

Reviews (176)

Shiloh
Shiloh, what a magnificent book. It has many thrills, mystery, tragedy, and fun parts too. I have to say I would give it fout gigantic stars. The book is about a boy who loves animals. He has a mom, dad, and two sisters. One sunny day, the boy, Marty, was shooting his rifle around the forest. He finds a dog on a bridge. Read the book to find out what he names it. The dog follow him home. They find out the beagle belonged to a mean awful man named Judd Travers. He uses his dogs for hunting. The dog would run away from him. Read the book to find out why. The dog comes back, and Marty keeps him for awhile. Do his parents find out he's hiding Shiloh. Does Marty get to keep Shiloh? Please read the book to find out.

by Matt M.

The bond between a boy and a dog
"Shiloh," the novel by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, received the 1992 Newbery Medal "for the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children." While the book is certainly ideal for younger readers, don't be misled by either the award or the publisher's marketing approach: this moving, well-written book is good for adults, too.

"Shiloh" takes place in rural West Virginia. It tells the story of Marty, an 11-year old boy who seeks to shelter an abused beagle from his hard-hearted owner. Reynolds lets Marty tell his story in the first person, and her excellent prose captures the rhythms of rural West Virginia speech (and I say this because I spend a lot of time there with my extended family). Reynolds had me hooked with her opening sentence: "The day Shiloh come, we're having us a big Sunday dinner." Reynold's skill at rendering American vernacular speech evokes, in my mind, favorable comparisons to such authors as Zora Neale Hurston and Alice Walker.

"Shiloh" is rich with the details of life in that region: the food, the hunting, and social customs. Reynolds creates a wonderful portrait of a poor but loving family. But the heart of the book is the way she captures the special bond between a boy and his dog.

"Shiloh" is an "issue" book in the sense that it deals with animal cruelty, but Reynolds wisely tells a realistic story without overtly preaching at the reader. But the book still raises very relevant issues. Marty's moral dilemma is not presented as an easy "black-and-white" situation. Shiloh's owner, Judd, is not a cardboard villain. Marty's ethical and theological inner struggle is comparable to that of the title character in Mark Twain's "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." Like Huck, Marty is a compelling hero: courageous, loyal, and thoughtful.

In short, "Shiloh" is a contemporary classic, a book with true moral and psychological resonance. Naylor's portrayal of the enduring ties between a child and a beloved animal is comparable to such enduring works as John Steinbeck's "The Red Pony." This moving book deserves a wide audience.

shiloh
Shiloh was a great book. It was about a dog who lived with this evil man. There wa a kid who saw the dog and he wanted It. One day what thekid does is thinking about the dog. The next day the dog followed him so he took the dog home. The owner of the dog found out that is dog was missing so he went looking for his dog. Then he finds his dog. The kid tells the owner if he could have the dog. The owner made a deal with the kid that if he works for him for a month he will give him the dog. Af ter work he gets the dog. In the middle of the book there is this one part where the dog gets attacked by another dog that is probably best part in the book. If I was to rate this book out of ten I would give a ten
By
JJ

A boy who went crazy about a dog
Shiloh is a very interesting book. It is the first book in the Shiloh series. The book is based on a kid called Marty who finds a beagle and names it Shiloh. After one of his neighbors, Judd, comes looking for the dog because it's his. Marty will do anything to to keep the dog, but sometimes he goes too far. In my opinion this book is full of suspense and love. I would recommend this book to anyone that can read because it's good for all ages. I would give this book a four star rating.

Shiloh review for Miss O.
I thought this was a very good book. Most people would enjoy the story. It was entertaining and heartbreaking. The best part of the book was the end. It kept you in suspense. If you want to read a good book this summer, read Shiloh. You won't be sorry. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (2)

For hummingbird lovers of all ages
As a reading specialist I regularly review new children's books. As soon as I saw this one, I thought of my mom. She's a sharp-minded 87-year-old who loves poetry, art and hummingbirds. She gives the artistry, both words and watercolors, of this book an easy five stars.

Educators Recommend
One warm, February morning a tiny hummingbird began building a nest in a ficus tree on the patio of George's home in Claremont , California . For the next two months George kept a "hummingbird journal" of the daily happenings. "I still marvel," she writes, "over the surprising range of emotions one small bird and her family evoked: awe, worry about possible dangers, and laughter when the baby birds teetered on the edge of the nest for their daily flight practice."

George has expertly taken those emotions and woven them into this delightful collection of poems. In "Visitor" we are introduced to the small mother. She is nothing more than a "spark, a glint, / a glimpse of pixie tidbit." In the next poem, however, we see her bravado and determination in action. She becomes a "feathered missile streaking by," ordering the humans off her patio, out of her territory.

Soon two eggs are visible in the "cobweb ship" of a nest. Once hatched, the nestlings, "raisin black / an wrinkled," settle in. In "Flight Practice," George does a superb job at allowing the reader to visualize the drama taking place: "Four curled up feet grip / the top of the nest. / Two tiny motors / rev up for the wing test."

Moser is in top form here. His realistic, incredibly detailed watercolor paintings are small jewels in themselves.

The poems and illustrations combine wonderfully to allow readers the opportunity to vicariously witness nature up-close.

Highly Recommended.

Reviewed by the Education Oasis Staff ... Read more

Amazon.com

Tina Packer, President and Artistic Director of Shakespeare & Company theater and theater education group, brings ten of Shakespeare's most popular works to (abbreviated) life in this big, gorgeous hardcover volume. She retells the plays in a coherent style, incorporating paraphrases of some of the better-known lines for authentic flavor: "Is this a dagger which I see before me…" (Macbeth); "Ingratitude, more hideous in a child than in the sea monster…" (King Lear). Each of the ten tragedies and comedies is magnificently illustrated (one illustration per play) by an award-winning artist, including Mary GrandPre, Leo and Diane Dillon,Kadir Nelson ,Chesley McLaren , and others. A lengthy and interesting introduction provides useful context for readers new to the Elizabethan world of Shakespeare.

Ideally, this book will serve as a lush introduction to the Bard for children who will go on to read--and better understand--the classic plays in their entirety. It sure beats Cliffs Notes. (Ages 9 to 12) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (4)

Sweet Kitty!
Whether you're teaching your kids to tell time or not, this book is so charming! The illustrations are beautiful, and perfectly capture the lazy/hungry/cuddly nature of cats. It works as a picture book for younger children, with not too many words on a page, and I imagine it would be a good teaching tool as well.

Cat lovers delight
This pleasantly simple picturebook features a nicely illustrated cat who describes her day. A foldout moveable clock allows children to match the hands of the clock with the time of day being described by Mother Cat. The pictures are soothing and the work is both comforting and fun.

A cat lovers' book
We purchased this book for our two and three-year-old daughters as a way of introducing math concepts through literature. The concept of time passing is told firsthand by the cat as we travel with her throughout the day.

A delightful way for young children to learn about time
My children love this book especially because the story is very realistic and the moveable hands on the clock are wonderful tools for teaching children to tell time. ... Read more

Book Description

‘A child comes to terms with the fact that she and her family are leaving the prairie. . . . As she talks herself into acceptance, her Mama helps her let go, commenting that the baby will need someone to tell him where he came from. So the girl gathers mementoes—a bag of earth and a piece of cottonwood tree. . . .A novel hides in these few pages. As with Sarah, Plain and Tall, the subext vibrates. So much is told in each perfectly chosen phrase. The story is deep and specific, but the pain and denial of a child leaving a known and loved place is all too universal. Moser’s finely-wrought engravings, enhanced by moody tints, record the departure.’—SLJ.

1995 "Pick of the Lists" (ABA) ... Read more

Reviews (2)

I haven't forgotten what I knew first
For any of you who have left home..what you knew first..this book will deeply touch you. As I read this in the bookstore, tears came to my eyes. It's a story of a little girl who struggles to understand why she and her family must leave the only place they know. Though change has its sadness,this book shows the sweetness of memories you take with you forever. This is a good book for a child going through such a change or for an adult who still recalls all those familiar things of home.

Sweet, beautiful story of a child facing change
I love this book for the way the illustrations and story compliment each other so well. The story narrated by a small child facing the prospect of moving to a new home is achingly beautiful. You can feel the child's pain and anxiety about moving to a new place and being afraid of forgetting the old place and the memories therein. The child tells about all the things she will miss and then devises a plan to stay and not go with her family and baby brother. It is a story for anyone who has ever had to face a painful change in his or her life. I could read it again and again. ... Read more

Book Description

A thought-provoking collection of twenty-five stories that reflect the wonder and glory of the origins of the world and humankind. With commentary by the author. “A must for mythology shelves.”--Booklist ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Hamliton rises to the challenge
In this collection of tales, creation stories from around the world are retold by Virginia Hamilton. The book is beautifully illustrated with explanations included (for adults) about the choice of creation stories, and the categories they fall into. Reading this reminded me of the books of Greek myths I once read as a child. However, nothing I've ever seen compares to the beauty found within this collection's pages. Easily concerned parents beware. These stories haven't been rendered politically correct, nor have they been altered for modern sensibilities. In many tales, women are usually the catalysts of any problems with the world and violence occurs with steady regularity. Do not let this put you off. Though different, this is a text that deserves to be seen by all children from all walks of life.

Mind-broadening!
I'm puzzled as to why IN THE BEGINNING is listed by Amazon as a children's book! Perhaps a child would enjoy the astounding pictures, but it would be only a very advanced child who could read or understand the impact of this examination of the religious beliefs of other cultures. It's the perfect book for cultural anthropology students or mythology buffs. It would certainly tweak the curiosity of readers who wonder about the origins of religion.
I found it a book that led me into more exploration into a fascinating field.

Great stories, great artwork!
This is the perfect book to introduce readers of all ages to the creation myths of different religons and cultures. In these days when the teaching of evolution and modern cosmology are controversial, this book provides valuable perspective on the way different people have accounted for the earth and its inhabitants. It should be required reading for all public school administrators, and would be a valuable addition to any school (or home) library. ... Read more

Book Description

"Hold your horsepower," said the little man with a stamp, a stomp, and a snort. "This is a troll bridge. I'm the Troll. Now, start passing the buck."

Bill Bob, Billy Bo, and Just Plain Billy don't have enough money to cross the troll bridge. But by pooling their pennies with the Three Bears, Little Red Riding Hood, and Jack, the Three SIlly Billies are able to pay the toll and cross the deep river in jolly good style. And there's a whopping surprise in store for the Troll!

As in Earthquack!, Margie Palatini and Barry Moser combine their talents to create an inventive new version of a favorite folktale. ... Read more

Book Description

Translated by George Makepeace Towle. Afterword by Peter Glassman. Barry Moser's sixteen exquisite watercolors capture Verne's beloved novel of suspense in this deluxe gift edition that will be treasured for years to come. A "handsome new edition...The translation is clear and sprightly."--New York Times Book Review. ... Read more

Reviews (60)

Around The World In Eighty Days by Jules Verne
The book stars out by describing Mr.Fogg. Then Passepartout takes the place as his servent because the other had broughten his shaving water too cold. Fogg decides to travel around the world in 80 days or less after his friends bring up the conversation. He brings his newly hired servant w/him. Before they leave there has been a robbery discovered @ the bank. The first days are smooth riding, then a detective,Fix comes to the conclusion that Fogg is the culprit. He befriends Passepartout to find out info. on Fogg. They encounter many difficulties including broken tracks and herds. They mustcut aross India where they pick up an Indian Lady named Aouda. They also must buy ships too, because they are late. They @ one time purchase an elephant. They get attacked by Siox indians which causes Passepartout to get lost, which slows them down. They rush back to England only to find that they were 5 mins. late or were they? Verne's moral? Love and its' attaintment is more important then all the challenges and money in the world.

Very Good Even If No Balloon Rides
The story is about an eccentric Englishman named Phileas Fogg who makes a twenty thousand pound bet with five of his rich country club friends to travel around the world in eighty days with his trusty servant Passepartout a Frenchman. Along the way they have to overcome many obstacles. Fogg spends most of his fortune overcoming these obstacles and if they don't win the bet he will be ruined. There are some things however that even money can't overcome and several times Fogg is faced with a moral decision that if he pursues the right thing to do will significantly set him back on time.

Their travels take them through England, Paris, the Suez Canal, Egypt, India, Hong Kong, Japan, America, and Ireland. In India they rescue a princess who stays on with them throughout the rest of their journey and a love interest grows between her and Fogg. There is also another subplot involving a bank robbery in England where 55 thousand pounds have been stolen, and Fogg is considered to be the main suspect. A detective Fix is assigned to follow Fogg and to arrest him once he sets foot on English territory.

This book seems to be split into two parts. During the first part of the book when things are going smoothly the servant Passepartout seems to be the main character. At each port Fogg stays in his cabin and just focuses on the next leg of the trip while Passepartout ventures out and gives you a description of the land. It would seem a shame to travel all around the world and not pause to take in any of the sights as Fogg does. I found most of these early chapters pretty mundane and uneventful.

The subplot with Fix at times becomes annoying, and it isn't until they are all working towards the same goal, that this line of the story improves. I also found the exchange rate between dollars and pounds confusing at times. The pound must have been about four or five times greater than the dollar at the time this story was written. Fogg leaves England with around twenty thousand pounds and spends it seems over a hundred thousand dollars on the trip.

Later on as the story progresses and things start to go wrong the focus changes over to Fogg. Passepartout still does some heroic things, but Fogg takes charge and shows some redeeming qualities. The pace of the story quickens and becomes more enjoyable with a few skirmishes taking place in India and America. Fogg seems a different person upon returning to England, and his life is changed forever.

My wife has a framed poster that hangs on one of our walls with a collage of all of the movies that have won the best picture of the year award. "Around The World In Eighty Days" won the award in 1956, and the picture is represented in the collage with the main character Phileas Fogg and his trusty servant Passepartout taking a balloon flight. Based on this picture for years I always assumed the book was about a trip in a balloon around the world. I was surprised then to find out once I finally got a chance to read the actual book that they travel by boat, train, car, sled, and even elephant, but that they never travel by balloon. It turns out that the most memorable scene from the movie was made up by the director and added on to the story. The director seemed to have come to same conclusion that I did, that the written story itself was very good, but I was expecting something a little more.

The book was written in 1873. Jules Verne the author is a Frenchman. In this day and age it was pleasing to see both England and America looked upon in such a favorable light. Englishmen were portrayed as noble and Americans were portrayed as wild and adventurous.

by David Laing
If you saw the movie that was alledgedly based on the book, and now want to read the book, don't, the movie and book have nearly nothing in common. Phileas Fog is a rich English man who during a card game makes a bet that he could go around the world in 80 days. He buys train ticket, and goes to France where he meets his personal assistant on his journey. Phileas and his French friend begin to journey around the world, but people are after Fog, because they think that he is a thief. Along the way, Fog helps out an Indian princess, who accompanies him the rest of the way, and his assistant gets lost in Japan, and joins a circus troupe accidentally. My only gripe about this book is that the ending is kind of stupid, and you feel that Verne just pulled something out of a hat at the last second for the ending. But, in the end this is a legendary adventure, and you should read it. As you could tell, I couldn't remember the French guy's name, and some other details, because I read this book about a year ago, but you should read it.

Fast Moving Action Tale
This book is the quintessential action story - quick pacing, light characterization, implausible scenarios, comic relief, and lots of fun. Verne was ahead of his time; he could have been a action flick screenwriter.

It was a quick, enjoyable read. The 'romance' left me a little flat - particularly in that it manifested itself in a way that didn't fit the character of Fogg up to that point. The ending was great, though I was a little confused about the clocks in London - why do they chime at ten till the hour? I liked the suggestion of another amazon reviewer to utilize this book as a bedtime story. The chapters are short, self-contained units that should capture the attention of most children.

Great Adventure
Around the World in 80 Days continues to be an entertaining read even as world travel has become so common place. It also provides a snap shot of the countries as they were when Verne wrote the book. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A super version and now there's a music CD available for it!
This is a wonderful verison of Pilgrim's Progress. It reads beautifully and while it does not have all of the scriptural references it hits the mark enought o inspire most people. I know many people who have read this one and then gone on to read the original work.

There is also a music CD available with contemporary Christian songs that tie to the story line. ........

Enthralling version for children
I read John Bunyan's original work and found it wonderful, but I didn't feel it would entrance my children the way it did me with all of the heavy phraseology littered throughout the story. I normally detest "retellings" because they are usually literary trash not worthy of the time spent reading them.

This book was different. The story is extremely well written and maintains the rich flavor of the original story of Christian's journey of faith and his arrival in the Enchanted City. I read this version aloud to my four children, and they loved it. It is a chapter book, even though it looks like a simple "storybook." We took about a week with it at an approximately 20 minute per day rate. There are some alterations from the original, but nothing that changes the tone of the story.

The illustrations are exquisite, and I love how there are small paintings scattered throughout the text and not just large, page filling pictures. We checked it out from the library to read, and I enjoyed it so much I am planning to purchase a copy for our home collection.

Inspiring and moving
I have read the original Pilgrim's Progress a few times and portions of it many times. I have also read various versions and several of John Bunyan's other writings. I personally love the theology and consider it essential. Mr. Schmidt's version of the story is compelling for some important reasons. Though it does not contain the lengthy discussions of theology, it opens a door via the story line to share the story with someone else. He has added some This hopefully will raise questions and hopefully a healthy discussion of the things that John Bunyan was trying to communicate to his church members whom he wrote this story for. As I understand it, John Bynyan was using allegory (like Jesus used parables) to make important Biblically grounded truths understandable to his people. This retelling hopefully will be the springboard for many to share their faith. Those that believe already will find wonderful illustrations and a unique and encouraging way of seeing their own journey through this world to the Celestial City.

Allegorical Adventures
This retelling of John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress is a journey through the back countries of one's mind. Pilgrim takes the reader along the stages, discoveries, and challenges each person faces in his or her life. Each time Pilgrim faces and makes a decision, it forces a look within. The author takes this classic tale and moves it into contemporary language and idioms familiar to modern readers. By translating the essence of traditional religion into secular experience, Schmidt captures the struggles and solutions which face every person daily. Moser's beautiful watercolors crystalize the experience without diminishing the broad range of responses to the story. A wide range of readers will find themselves absorbed in the journey. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (289)

The Call of the Wild is a wonderful novel despite some of th
I found that The Call of the Wild by Jack London is a very odd but unique classic liked and disliked by many. Personally I found the beginning drab and it did not seize my interests. Around the time when Francois and Perrault bought Buck is when the action started to rise and grasp my attention. The overall plot of this story was found unlikeable but I really liked the theme that was expressed. "And not only did he learn by experience, but instincts long dead became alive again." (London p.14) In this passage London symbolizes the digression from civility and the progression into the primitive by displaying how Buck's ancestorial behavior was awakened when he adapted to a new environment. There were many passages I enjoyed because they were filled with description. This quote is a wonderful example of descriptive writing: "Something wriggled under his feet. He sprang back, bristling and snarling, fearful of the unseen and unknkown...a whiff of warm air ascended to his nostrils..." (London p.11) I found the dogs' personalities were believable however, London lacked realism in the people- especially Mercedes, Hal, and Charles. I have come to the conclusion that The Call of the Wild is a wonderful novel despite some of the weak points. I would recommend this to anyone.

Call of the Wild - an Exciting Book
The exciting book, "Call of the Wild" by Jack London, is a call worth answering. This book is about a loveable dog named Buck who has to learn suddenly to defend himself in the wild. The different characters will undeniably delight you for hours. Buck has an interesting life and you will surely want to find out about it.

From the beginning, the narrator starts the story with Buck's happy life in California. Unfortunately, Buck the Husky is stolen and taken to Alaska, where he is sold! As a result of his change, he has to gain the respect from other dogs and becomes happy again. Buck is sold to many masters and has as unusual a life as a dog has ever had. Lives that you will have to read about in this fascinating book.

Truly, Mr. London has captured the essence of the hard and unusual life of the wild. The characters are all different; therefore; this book is for everyone. For instance, Buck the dog is loyal and tough, but one of his masters is ignorant and weak. There are many places in this book, so everyone will learn something. The main places are California and Alaska, which are as different as night and day. All in all, this book will take you on a wonderful adventure.

To sum it all up, "The Call of the Wild" is one of the best known and loved books. In this book, we see the incredible challenges that Buck faces. This book tops some of Mr. London's other great books such as: "White Fang" and "The Star Rover". More importantly, this book will teach everyone that with perseverance and a little courage, you can do anything.

Call of wild
This is really one of the finest books on the market. The Call of the Wild is about Buck, a German Sheperd, who is dagnapped from his home when word comes of a Goldrush up in the Canadian wilderness. From then on, Buck experiences adventure, companionship, and tragic, tragic losses. This all, however, is character-building to Buck, and he becomes one of the best sled-dogs ever, except for the fact that this is fiction.

That is the overall premise of this book. In case you didn't know, this book was written in the early 1900's by the world-reknowned author, Jack London. Jack London wrote many other books based around canine-human interaction, but none were as masterfully done as this one. The whole adventure that Buck has in this book is both tragic and woderful at the same time.

One of the things that makes this book so wonderful is the way that it is written. The description, the emotion, all of the writing is done is such a great fahion to the point that that this book is amazing on a grand scale. In short, the writing is really good.

Another great thing about this book is that it deals mostly with what is going on in Buck's head, and dialogue is kept to a minimum. This book is just so great in ss many ways, that I am entitled to give it a five out of five stars.

Call of the Wild
The title of this book, "Call of the Wild," by Jack London, shows how Buck straddles between two worlds, one as a domestic dog with the ability to be loved and trained, and the other as a primordial beast constantly having the instinct to return to his primitive ways. His journey takes him from being a pampered household pet to running with the wolf pack and surviving in a savage environment. Along the way he learns to fear some humans, to survive among savage dogs, and to love a master.

No words to describe
In this spell binding, compelling, truly amazing book, London grabs you and never lets you go. It follows the story of Buck, and dog who is yanked out of his lazy life by a cruel gardener and forced to travel to the Yukon to aid men (and women) in search of gold. He experiences intolerable cruelty; he gets beaten and whipped almost to death, he is almost starved by a set of owners, and he learns the basic rule of thumb; kill or be killed. He often fights with the other lead dog until he finally knocks him off. It isn't until he is taken care of and showed what real love means by John Thornton that he finally warms up to humans again. But his love is cut short when a group of Yee-hats kill his entire team; Thornton, the other dogs of the team, and Thornton's friends. He then becomes full of rage; he spies the Yee-hats some distance away and knocks off almost the entire pack. He wanders around, not quite conscious of what has happened until a wolf pack come along...then he finally recieves "the call"; hence "The Call of the Wild"
This is one of the best books I have ever read, but also the saddest I've ever read. It had a huge impact on me; I wasn't quite sure of it until I almost burst into tears when talking about it. It hits you on a highly personal level...so if you are the type of person who gets affected by things easily, I would make sure you can handle it before you read it. But I guess that's what makes a great author; one that can touch you so deeply that you remember it for the rest of your life. ... Read more

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A calm and lovely view of Appalachia
Author Cynthia Rylant and illustrator Barry Moser were both reared in Appalachia, and they are completely in sync on this book. The calm, clear-eyed text and the evocative watercolor paintings balance and enhance each other beautifully.

Rylant doesn't shy away from the harder truths of Appalachian living. About coal mining, she writes, "Many [Appalachians] are coal miners because the mountains in Appalachia are full of coal which people want and if you are brave enough to travel two miles down into solid dark earth to get it, somebody will pay you money for your trouble." On the facing page from this plainspoken truth is a haunting Barry Moser watercolor of a green-clad coal miner, his eyes weary and his skin gritty with coal dust, his lunchpail resting beside him.

The beauties come through, too. Rylant writes, "Morning in these houses in Appalachia is quiet and full of light and the mountains out the window look new, like God just made them that day." Throughout the book is a sense of quiet and purpose and appreciation for a way of life most of us will never know. It's a moving and transfixing read.

Appalachia: The Voices of Sleeping Birds
Cynthia Rylant has once again captured the true spirit of the Appalachian culture. Her descriptions are right on target. Many of us, who live in this wild and wonderful country, know folks just like those she introduces to us in all of her stories. The significance of this book, for me, is to keep alive the warm, wonderful spirit of this amazing culture she so colorfully shares with readers. I'm giving this book to children and adults as well.

A Different World!
This book is wonderful! I read it to my class to help them understand what life was like in the Appalachian Mountains compared to their life in Chicago. My students were spell-bound, held by the wonderful descriptions and beautiful illustrations. They really understood that there are many different cultures within our nation! ... Read more

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Wonderful for Kids and Big Dog Owners
Loved the book, so did my little girl (2) it reminded the whole family of our deceased Mastiff. She had the exact same expressions.

Truman a Hit with the Grandkids!
This is a beautifully illustrated picturebook. The water colored pictures are so vivid that Truman seems to come alive. He is a huge mischievious dog that makes you laugh and steals your heart. As the words are few, we have fun using our imaginations in adding to his antics. We love him no matter what trouble he gets himself into. Therein lies the lesson for the little ones. Their faces light up everytime we pull Truman out, and that is quite often! ... Read more

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"I can assure you," said the young man, "that it will take a very tangible ghost to frighten me."

So says the foolishly brave narrator of H. G. Wells's "The Red Room," one of the thirteen great ghost stories gathered together in this deluxe illustrated volume. Selected and illustrated by Barry Moser, a master of the macabre, these spooky tales will send a shiver down the spine of even the bravest reader.

This new edition includes classic masterpieces of horror by H. P. Lovecraft, Brain Stoker, Richard Middleton, and Arthur Conan Doyle. There are also several chilling modern tales of the supernatural by such authors as Madeleine L'Engle and Joyce Carol Oates to petrify even the most seasoned explorer of the dark realms.

From the slowly gathering dread of being caught in the grips of a haunted house to the sure, sharp horror of realization that overcomes one entering the spirit world, nothing compares to the thrill of these tales from the great beyond. With Barry Moser's fourteen eerie watercolors, this collection is sure to satisfy readers with an insatiable taste for terror, as well as those who simply love the chill down the spine that comes from reading a great ghost

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Birds in an idyllic setting help a girl to find a new home.
Children are fascinated by this beautifully illustrated picture book about a homeless young girl who discovers a house where birds gather. Cynthia Rylant's beautiful prose makes this an excellent read-aloud.It has been a favorite in our school library, and has led to many interesting discussions and written responses. ... Read more

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unusual animals
Ever heard of an Aardwolf? Father-daughter duo Madeline Moser (author) and Barry Moser (illustrator) not only know the Aardwolf, but 19 other unknown mysterious creatures, including a babirusa, an emperor tamarin and a zorilla. Which are all creatively captured in this amazing book. Each animal has its own written description and pronunciation, that are easy enough for any child to read and detailed enough for any adult to enjoy. The famous illustrator, Barry Moser, highlights these descriptions with his rich dark wood engravings. Hand-colored with translucent watercolors they are perfectly suited for these interesting animals. An added detail is included in the back, were more history on every animal is featured. These over looked animals are treat for anyone childlike who enjoys nature's dark imagination. ... Read more

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Based on the latest historical research, this richly illustrated collection of poems gives readers a dynamic sense of everyday life in ancient Egypt. Each poem is the voice of a particular worker, explaining his or her job and its importance. Through the voices of the scribe, farmer, herder, clothes washer, birdnetter, embalmer, goldsmith, dancer, pyramid builder, and papyrus worker, young people gain new perspectives on this ever-intriguing civilization. Moser's vibrant watercolors bring these people alive-portraying the workers' clothing, tools, and jobs, and accurately showing how ancient Egypt was a multicultural mix of people of European, Arabic, and sub-Saharan African descent. ... Read more

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A fresh, gorgeous book to learn about everyday work in Egypt
Gorgeous watercolor illustrations of workers busy at work accompany text in prose style in this non-fiction picture book for children. The writing is eloquent and is a fresh change from the usual content of most history books. Using first-person narrative, the worker tells what their job is like. Some examples of the vocations covered are launderer, scribe, farmer, pyramid-builder, embalmer, and dancer.

There are two pages of background information about the 13 vocations, and a list of source materials at the back that is helpful for locating more resources to use when learning about life in Ancient Egypt.

I can't say enough about the beautiful illustrations by Barry Moser. The cover's illustration is exactly the type of high-quality work that lies inside the book. The background paper for the entire book looks similar to papyrus. A wonderful book! I hope that National Geographic makes this one in a series and that future book have equally high quality writing and illustrations.

A Beautiful and informative book about Ancient Egypt
This is a beautiful book and will be a great addition to classrooms and libraries, as well as to homes. Children study Egypt in sixth grade, and this book will add to their knowledge. But it is more than an informative book. It is unique in the way it is written. It is told from the point of view of different workers in Ancient Egypt--not the pharoahs we are used to hearing about, but the every-day people who made the kingdom run. And the voices are poetic and lyrical.
Kay Winters, the author, has written an excellent book and Barry Moser, the illustrator has painted beautiful pictures. The book makes me want to go to Egypt--or at least to give a piece of Egypt to the children I know. It will be a favorite Christmas gift this year.

About the daily lives and jobs that Egyptian people held
Voices Of Ancient Egypt is an extensively researched picture book that presents simple, moving poems by Kay Winters about the daily lives and jobs that Egyptian people once held, including scribe, marshman, birdnetter, weaver, goldsmith, and more. Flowing illustrations by Barry Moser and historical notes complement this excellent and fascinating National Geographic "window" into ancient times for young folks. ... Read more

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Henny Penny's sky-is-falling tale has been retold often enough that fewprobably even remember its source material--but that doesn't stop anotherretread, this one surprisingly conservative in its story-telling liberties, byMargie Palatini (The WebFiles) and dignified illustrator Barry Moser.

Little Chucky Ducky was just drying off from a swim when he "heard the groundgrumble. He felt the ground rumble. And then, with a stumble, Chucky Ducky wentdown in a tumble!" With that, Chucky Ducky takes off: "'Why, it's a quake!' hequacked. 'I have to warn my friends!'" So then Lucy Goosey, Brewster Rooster,Vickie, Nickie, and Rickie Chickie, et al., receive frantic and noisy warning.Eventually, a "wormy weasel"--a "sneaky," "very hungry," and "lying, conniving,wily" weasel--steps in to take advantage, cleverly disguised as Herman Ermine.Will the fowl and their farmyard friends find the true source of the seismicsurprise before they end up as "one big banquet buffet"?

For sure, the wacky Palatini does better with less restraint, and when she'steamed with an illustrator less precise than Moser (of the Pennyroyal CaxtonPress edition of The HolyBible). But surely Earthquack! is what it is, and accomplishesits goals with sufficient poise and skill. (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul Hughes ... Read more

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What's Shaking.....
Little Chucky Ducky had just finished his morning swim when it happened. "He heard the ground grumble. He felt the ground rumble. And then, with a stumble, Chucky Ducky went down in a tumble!" The earth is crumbling. It's a quake and he has to warn his friends. He races around the barnyard, telling everyone, Lucy Goosey, Vickie, Nickie, and Rickie Chickie, Brewster Rooster who finally sounds the alarm even though "...I only doodle-doo once a day," Sue Ewe and her kids, Sam and Pam Lamb, Nanny Goat, Iggy Piggy, and Merle Squirrel. They all hear the grumble, feel the rumble, and see the crumble. Now what are they going to do? And that's when a wiley, wormy weasel, disguised as benign and helpful Herman Ermine steps onto the scene with a solution..... Inspired by Henny Penny and his falling sky, Margie Palatini has written a fun-filled, manic romp that's sure to be a storytime crowd pleaser. Her engaging text, filled with lots of humor, rhyme, rhythm, wordplay, puns, and alliteration, just begs to be read aloud, and is complemented by Barry Moser's bold, bright and expressive illustrations. Each barnyard spread is rich in color, marvelous facial expressions, and eye-catching detail. With a hilarious surprise twist at the end to set everything right once again, Earthquack is perfect for youngsters 3-7, and is a rollicking good time that shouldn't be missed. ... Read more