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A clever book for a clever dog, Dear Mrs. LaRue collects a seriesof guilt-inducing letters sent home by the cat-chasing, chicken-pie-eating Iketo his "cruel" owner Mrs. LaRue, whom he hopes will come to her senses andspring him from obedience school.

Desperate to come home, Ike shows great enthusiasm for stretching the truthabout his treatment at Brotweiler Canine Academy. Illustrator and author MarkTeague has developed a hilariously disdainful and dignified voice for thenot-very-put-upon Ike, but Teague's most cunning innovation is the book'sformat: He splits each spread between what's really happening, done in color,and what Ike's imagining and exaggerating to Mrs. LaRue, in big thought bubblesusing dramatic black and white. As Ike delivers his first letter, in his thoughtbubble we see Ike carted away in the Brotweiler Canine Academy paddy wagon ("WeAim to Tame"!), up a windy road to a scary-looking quasi-Transylvanian compound,complete with lightning and bats; in full-color reality, Brotweiler looks muchmore like the UCLA campus in spring bloom, with a sign pointing to the sauna (onthe right) and the pool (on the left).

Ike's first carefully typed letter pleads, "How could you do this to me? This isa PRISON, not a school! You should see the other dogs. They are BAD DOGS, Mrs.LaRue! I do not fit in." Subsequent letters describe the staff ("The GUARDS hereare all caught up in this 'good dog, bad dog' thing"), the "crimes" that landedhim there ("I'd like to clear up some misconceptions about the Hibbins' cats.First, they are hardly the little angels Mrs. Hibbins makes them out to be.Second, how should I know what they were doing out on the fire escape in themiddle of January? They were being a bit melodramatic, don't you think?"), andhis eventual plans for escape ("I'm sorry it has come to this, since I am reallya very good dog, but frankly you left me no choice"). Teague drew inspirationfrom a couple of sneaky dogs in his own life; kids and grownups reading Ike'stall tales might be reminded of loyal and misunderstood pooches of their own.(Ages 4 to 8) --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Snoopy's successor
Not since Snoopy himself penned those famous words, "It was a dark and stormy night", has a canine been so eloquent on paper. Having been sent to obedience school for what he deems minor infractions, Ike LaRue finds himself writing pitiful letters to his owner afar. Kids reading this book will have to distinguish between the overdramatic things Ike says and the colorful pictures that display how life really is. As they read the book, children will see that while Ike may state some over-exaggerations, he truly does feel affection for his owner, Mrs. LaRue.

Author Mark Teague is hardly unknown to the world of children's illustrations. The ever-popular "How do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?" featured his own unique illustrating methods. But he is just as able an author. "Dear Mrs. LaRue", is an adept melding of text and artistry. In each scene the viewer sees the truth in color, and Ike's fabulous imaginations in bleak black and white. Interestingly enough, it is difficult to say exactly how much Ike says is fanciful. For example, Ike's insistence that he has saved his owner numerable times from speeding vehicles turns out to be more than true at the end of the story. Also, a final shot of the cats Ike has hounded suggests that they may not be the angelic creatures so believed of their owners.

The book is an excellent one for children, containing more than a few visual jokes for adults. Parents can choose whether or not to explain what Ike's diagnosis of "hypochondria" really means or why they laughed when one of the final pictures displayed a jubilant display of people carrying "I like Ike" signs.

Mark Teague notes on the book flap that when his own dog wanted attention it would feign a limp, "But if he was distracted by something - a squirrel or an interesting smell - he was likely to forget which paw was supposedly hurt and give himself away". With such an inspiration, this book wasn't necessarily bound to be good. It just happened to work out nicely that way.

Great Read Aloud
I love this book! It's a great read aloud composed of letters written from Ike to his owner about his time stuck in obedience school. A very funny story, which is only enhanced by the splendid illustrations provided by Teague, make this book a storytime winner!

Little Details
This is a really fun book. Children will delight in the contrasting artwork. Adults will appreciate the little details of each illustration. The sarcastic comments of the dog will be humorous to all who read this story. I bought the book for my 5 year-old nephew. While awaiting his birthday, I read it three times.

I like Ike, and so will most children and their parents
When I came across this book, I knew I had to read it. A dog writing letters home from dog obedience school? How can this not be an enjoyable book? Poor, misunderstood Ike has been sent off to the Igor Brotweiler Canine Academy by his harried owner Mrs. Gertrude R. LaRue. Ike does what any dog would do in such a situation; he tries to make his owner feel so guilty about putting him there that she will come and get him. He does have a point of sorts, as the straw that broke the camel's (or, in this case, Mrs. LaRue's) back has two very different sides to it. As the days pass, Ike becomes defensive, then he changes tactics in an effort to show his owner how much she needs him back. Will poor Ike ever see his home again? Will he never again be able to munch on another one of Mrs. LaRue's apple pies? Perish the thought.

This book is aimed at children four to eight years old, although parents and weird adults like me should also get a kick out of it. The letters are funny, and one could - if one were so inclined - make an object lesson out of comparing Ike's situation with that of a misbehaving child, but the big sell here is really the pictures. Each page is graced with vivid illustrations contrasting the reality of Ike's life at the Academy with the melodramatic visions of oppression and misery he tries to convey in his letters to Mrs. LaRue. If you are looking for that special book to convince your young child that reading is fun, Dear Mrs. LaRue: Letters from Obedience School may well be that book.

That's one irrepressible pooch!
Ike LaRue is a dog wronged. Accused of eating a chicken pie without permission, scaring the neighbor's cats, and tearing his owner's camel hair coat, he finds himself shipped off to a posh obedience school. But Ike, being quite the ham, exaggerates his "imprisonment" in a series of letters to his accusing owner, Mrs. LaRue. Despite his protestations concerning the food, the "guards", and the lousy medical care he receives (being unfairly labeled a "hypochondriac") while in the clutches of the Igor Brotweiler school, his judgmental owner never springs the poor pooch.

Mark Teague brings his pretentious pup to glowing life in a series of truth vs. fiction illustrations that show Ike's reality in contrast with the imagined conditions he portrays in his notes home. It's difficult not to smile at the lengths Ike goes to in order to prove himself innocent, while pleading for his owner to rescue him from a fate worse than death.

Is Ike justified in the end? Let's just say that all dogs have their day and Ike's is better than most.

This is one of those exceedingly rare books that will appeal to children AND parents. The large, lively graphics, wit, and overall cleverness in concept make this an endearing classic already. Even my three year old son, who can in no way understand many of the sly jokes, repeatedly wished to have us read this one - always a great endorsement. On first reading I thought the book was a little much, but it grows on you, getting funnier with each reading. I've never really seen a children's book like this one before and for sheer flair "Dear Mrs. LaRue" gets a big thumbs up. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (9)

I loved it!
I bought one of the I Spy books while on vacation in America.It was intended for the kids next door, and eventually I gave it to them (after having gone through it myself.) I liked it so much I ordered more from Amazon. com, some for me, some for Christmas presents. But the books have been so much enjoyed by my family I doubt whether they'll make Christmas. I can't find the sixth safety pin on the page with all the kitchen stuff, beautifully arranged like a sci-fi scene.Where is the errant
safety pin?How our eyes deceive us!I only found 4 small candles in the Sweet Shoppe, where are the others?

Great!
These are great books for distracting our pediatric patients (and parents!) during procedures/tests.

Very Good I Spy Book
Great for all ages. This set of books is very good for testing your eyes. You will have tons of fun with these books. Families love these books.

Fantasy in Every Page!
Unless your memory is photographic, you will find it challenging to find the things described in these rhyming riddles to be a brand new each time you open this. Pretty soon, the items in the puzzle all look alike. Growing a little weary of looking, you eventually call out for help, which makes these a great family time.Funny but the older the person the more frustration they seem to have.My children's grandfather still gets so amazed with these then he gives up and says " its not on there...I looked " then the three year old will spot that same object he was looking for.The I Spy Fantasy has the most unbelievable pictures.There are also extra credit riddles in the back of the book so these books never get old.My family owns each one and these are truly our favorite!

Teaching and Old Dog to do New Tricks
This book in the "I Spy" series was a long-lasting adventure for my children, ages 3 and 5. They were able to complete many of the riddles on their own, working together to solve them. Then we (the parents) jumpedin, and we were hooked immediately. Once we solved all the riddles, we thenused the "extra-credit" suggestions in the back. That prompted usto make up our OWN riddles from the pictures. Then, it gotinteresting....one day, Poppy (Grandpa) came to visit, and he saw the girlsworking on the Fantasy Book. He became deeply engrossed in this book, as Ihad never seen before. After 10 minutes, my kids were helping my fathersolve the riddles. Seems he needed a refresher course on powers ofobservation (although eyesight was mentioned once, but discounted). Myfather spent an hour of his visit working and playing with my kids on thisbook. I know what his stocking will be full of this Christmas. I canrecommend that to others as well...not for kids only! ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Friends to the End.....
"My friend Rabbit means well. But whatever he does, wherever he goes, trouble follows..." So begins our little mouse narrator's tale of the stuck airplane. Generous Mouse let Rabbit take a turn and fly his plane, and now it's sitting out of reach, high in a tree. "Not to worry, Mouse. I've got an idea!" And what a huge idea it is as Rabbit struggles to pull and push an enormous elephant to the tree, and plop him down right under the now stuck airplane. Next he carries a rhino, then a hippo, a deer, an alligator, a bear, and a duck onto the scene, making a tall pyramid with Rabbit poised on top holding Squirrel. "The plane was just out of reach. Rabbit said, "Not to worry, Mouse, I've got an idea." So Rabbit held Squirrel and Squirrel held me... but then..." It can all be summed up in one word, disaster..... Eric Rohmann's spare, witty text is kept to the bare minimum. It's his bold and engaging, Caldecott Medal winning illustrations that really tell this hilarious chain of events story. Each two page spread dazzles with expression, drama, suspense, humor, and marvelous eye-catching details. Little ones will revel in all the captivating fun, and also understand the gentle message of sharing, tolerance, and the importance of friendship. Perfect for preschoolers, My Friend Rabbit is a treasure and soon to be classic that kids will beg to read again and again, and is sure to become an instant favorite at story time.

A great picture book!
My Friend Rabbit is a picture book in the truest sense-- it relies on its illustrations rather than its text to tell the story. Understanding a story told through illustrations requires cognitive thinking, more so than absorbing a story passively through the written word alone. Therefore, a picture book requires a more patient, imaginative and helpful reader when it is read to younger children.

It strikes me that those who have criticized this excellent book may need to stop relying on a book's text alone and brush up on their picture-story-telling skills.

The Caldecott Jury has justifiably recognized this book.

Not to Worry Mouse I Have a Review
This was in the nightly reading stack for weeks and returns frequently. The book is short on words and requires you to look at the details before the whole story unfolds. We have had fun as we notice different details the more we read this book. My little one is about to turn 3 and may be on the verge of outgrowing this book. I'll be a little sad when she does.

Caldecott-worthy
This book, as stated previously, is a true (and great!) picture book in every sense of the word. It ignites the children's vivid imaginations--that would otherwise be 'unimaginative' if it spelled every event out to them--by forcing them to ask questions and or tell the reader (us parents) what they think is going on.

Lately books are full of words with minimal pictures, but not this one. Thank you Mr. Rohmann for creating an imaginative book with a wonderful message. Kudos!

Creative Page Layouts
Eric Rohmann's book, "My Friend Rabbit," is about a mouse and a rabbit that are very good friends. Rabbit is the friend that is always getting into trouble, and mouse is the friend that always stands by Rabbit's side. In this story, Mouse lets Rabbit play with his new airplane, to which Rabbit gets the airplane stuck in a tree. Rabbit thinks he has the solution as he drags all the animals over to the tree and has them stand head to toe to reach the airplane. However, when the animals plunge to the ground, they are very unhappy with Rabbit. But, Mouse still loves Rabbit, and lets him fly away with him on his airplane.

In the book, "My Friend Rabbit," Eric Rohmann uses hand colored relief prints for the illustrations. I love the bold colors Rohamann uses in the illustrations to portray a joyful and energetic plot. Beyond coloring, I love Eric Rohmann's use of line in this story. He uses dotted and loopy lines to let the reader follow the airplanes path. I think children will love following the lines of the airplane's path.
I really enjoyed the use of line on the page with all the animals stacked up to reach the airplane. I think kids will enjoy turning the book to see how high the animals stretched up towards the tree. ... Read more

Book Description

A long time ago there lived over the waters,
A Duchess, a Duke and their family of daughters.
Everything went smoothly and happily in this large family, until one day the Duchess decided to make:
A lovely light luscious delectable cake.

Would she take the cook's advice? No, she would not. The Duchess put many things into the cake, adding the yeast six times for good measure. So the cake rose, and the Duchess with it -- and how were they to get her down again?

It is Gunhilde, the youngest of the daughters, who suggests a happy solution. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Still baking after all these years...
This book is the reason I got a library card as a child. I loved (and still love) the predicament of the duchess. She was only trying to bake "a lovely light luscious delectable cake" for her family--but things get a bit out of control when she adds too much leavening to the batter. The rhyme and meter are lilting and memorable, the names of her daughters (e.g. "Gunhilde") sound exotic and old-fashioned to a child's ear, and the illustrations are delightful. I'm now in my 30's, and am pleasantly surprised to find that the book is still in print. Even though I don't have any children, I have purchased the book so that I can read it to my siblings' kids and pass on the laughter (and memories) to another generation in my family.

Pure Joy
This is a lyrical, rhythmic, rhyming book of pure joy. Read to a toddler, it will sooth and enchant; to a pre-reader, it becomes a lesson in language and a memory exercise; as an adult with grandchildren of my own, it is a sweet remembrance of my childhood to share with the little one in my lap. It comes with my own personal five star rating.

A Treasured Memory!
What wonderful memories of reading this book as a child! My oldest sister would bring me and my siblings to the library. We would sit in the corner and read The Duchess Bakes A Cake. The rhymes quickly capture a child's attention. The book is an engaging tale of the royal Duchess' mishap in the kitchen. Solving the problem was difficult because their poor brains were such that they hadn't thought often and they hadn't thought much. My own children quickly learned the chorus,so to speak, of the lovely light lucious delectable cake. I know they, too, will treasure this memorable book.

A wonderful book, to which I refer occasionally, even now.
I bake a lot, and so my kids have heard all about the Duchess and her cake. If I could only show them the actual book, which for me, exists only as an ephemeral memory, and for my kids, is only a concept. They have never enjoyed reading the book, or relished the great illustrations.

Delightfully whimsical story in captivating "musical" verse
I checked this book out of the library numerous times as a child and I wish it were in print. The story is quite simple but highly imaginative. It is the music in the poetry that makes this book a delight. This was written before any thought was given to "dumbing down" children's books and the vocabulary is surprisingly advanced. Not only does the Duchess set out to bake "a lovely, light, luscious, delectable cake" but my very favorite line when I was a child was where the Duke exclaims "I fear an improper proportion of leaven has carried our dear Duchess right up to heaven!" The uncomplicated illustrations do a good job of supporting the story. ... Read more

Book Description

The last time the elephant sneezed, he blew monkeys out of the trees, stripes off the zebra, and spots off the leopard. This rollicking new edition of the favorite nonsense verse again shows the panic that follows the elephant's dreaded announcement. ... Read more

Reviews (27)

THIS BOOK IS GREAT!
I used to read this book to my son, John, when he was little and he absolutely loved it. He never tired of hearing me read it to him.

The story is funny and involves lots of jungle animals. It also has suspense. Will the elephant sneeze or not? This book allows the reader to use a lot of different voices and a lot of drama, something young children love.

Later, when my son had grown older, I joined an acting troupe, memorized this book and performed it in children's theater. It was always a hit.

I highly recommend this story to people who have or work with young children.

THIS BOOK IS GREAT!!
I used to read this book to my son, John, when he was little and he absolutely loved it. He never tired of hearing me read it to him. John will soon be 27 years old, but he still remembers this story and so do I.

The story is funny and involves a variety of jungle animals. It is also filled with suspense. Will the elephant sneeze -- or not? This book allows the reader to use several different voices and a lot of drama, something young children love.

When my son grew older, I joined an acting troupe, memorized this story, and performed it in children's theater, with others acting out the parts of the various animals. It was always a hit!

Somehow my original copy was lost and I have searched for years for another one. No one ever seemed to know about this book. I never even found anyone else who had ever read it. I am so happy that I now have a chance to get another copy and to get additional copies for all of the nieces and nephews in my family and for! ! the children and grandchildren of my friends. It will make a fantastic gift that will be greatly enjoyed and remembered for years.

I highly recommend this story to people who have, know, or work with young children.

A Timeless Classic
This is a wonderful book. It's funny, full of surprises, and the rhythm of the rhyming is so well done. I read this book to my children when they were young and it was one of their favorites. Now I read it to my grandchildren and they love it as well. The humorous but touching story line and the rhyming verses make the children want to learn to read it themselves. It's a classic and should be in every child's reading library.

No no no
I think this book trivialises a horrendous, life-threatening condition. I worked for several months in South Africa, with elephants, some of which had heavy colds. I've seen, close up, the horrific after-effects of an elephant sneezing. It ain't pretty, let me assure you. There can be deaths.

Wonderful and silly
A great book to read before you go to the zoo with the little ones. My 4 year old loves it but I will say there are a lot of words on each page for my 2 year old but he likes the pictures so it works out ok. ... Read more

Book Description

Poor Hermit Crab! He's outgrown his snug little shell, so he finds himself a larger one -- and many new friends to decorate and protect his new house. But what will happen when he outgrows this shell, and has to say good-bye to all the sea creatures who have made Hermit Crab's house a home?

Children facing change in their own lives will relate to Hermit Crab's story -- and learn a lot about the fascinating world of marine life along the way. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

A House for Hermit Crab
'A House for Hermit Crab' is about Hermit, the Crab, is looking for a nice, new, and especially, comfortable, new home to live in. When he finally finds his knew house, he decides it needs a few things to perk it up a bit. Along the way, he meets a few friends who help him very much. The lesson that this book teaches people is that; it teaches to never give up hope in finding something that you need, because if you're not looking hard enough, it would be right in your face and you wouldn't see it. It also teaches that friends are always there if you ask for them. The age for this book would be about 1st ' 2nd grade. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning about the ways sea creatures help each other.

A House for Hermit Crab
In my own opinion i think that "A House for Hermit Crab" is a good childrens book. I would definetly recommend it to kids. I, myself enjoyed reading this book, so im sure that children would too. The book is about a hermit crab that grows out of his shell and looks for a year to find different things to decorate, protect, and clean his shell. He finds a another little hermit crab that is in need of a shell too, so Hermit Crab gives him his shell and tells him to take good care of his friends. This is a story of friendship and growing up. Its a cute story, and i advise you to read it.

A House for Hermit Crab
The book A House for Hermit Crab I thought was a great childrens book. It was about this Hermit Crab that lives in a shell but soon grows out of it so one day he makes up his mind to go and try to find a new shell that would fit. As hes out adventuring he finds a shell that fits but its too plan he thinks. As he goes on with his shell he finds all these plants and other items that will make his shell pretty and better looking to him. He soon builds a wall up around his shell and then after all that work he grew out of that shell because getting all those things took a year. Then another hermit crab comes and says that she was out grown her shell too so he give his shell to her and he makes her promike that she will take care of all her friends that are attached to the shell. Now he goes on to find a new shell for himself but like before the shell that he found was a little to plan so he thinks hes going to find some more things to put on it hes excited to do this because he remembered what good friends he made last time.
I would definitely recmmend this book to any child.

A wonderful book for ALL ages!
This book is so good - and a wonderful allegory for anybody facing a life change. A child will enjoy the simple story of a hermit crab looking to decorate his shell, and all the creatures who agree to help him. But the sub-context of change - and greeting it with enthusiasm - is what draws me to this book. I plan on buying it for my son when he enters kindergarten this fall, and will give it to others who will be facing similar challenges.

A House for Hermit Crab
You will enjoy reading about this crab who takes his time in selecting just the right house. "A House for Hermit Crab" encourages reasoning and thinking skills for the young listener (aged 2-6). This book will help give your Eric Carle library a new protective shell. ... Read more

Book Description

A young boy and his father visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Remember.
Over a quarter of a century has passed since the U.S. involvement in Vietnam came to an end, yet the effects of that conflict are still etched throughout the fabric of our modern day society. But another generation has been born in the time since the fighting ended. Many have never heard of Vietnam let alone the fighting that went on there. How does one introduce a child to a subject that is still as electrified as the Vietnam War? Perhaps by reading THE WALL with them.

THE WALL is simply a story about a young man who takes his son to the Vietnam War Memorial to find the name of his dad. The young boy's grandfather died in the conflict and at the end of the book the reader knows the boy's head is full of questions. The story doesn't answer these questions, but allows children to verbalize these questions themselves: Why are there flags all around here? Why did that teacher say the Wall belongs to all of us? Why does that soldier not have any legs? The story can also be used as in introduction for not only the Vietnam War, but to also talking about war in general. The illustrations and the story are molded together perfectly into one beautiful harmony. Sometimes kids will be anxious during a story, but when reading this story most kids will remain completely still, taking in the simple, yet profound story. This is a great book to read to children not just during Memorial Day, Veteran's Day, or Independence Day, but at any time during the year.

A boy and his dad visit "The Wall" to find grandpa's name
For over a quarter of a century the key imperative in American Foreign Policy has been to avoid another Vietnam. Now we have a new generation of children, born to the sons and daughters of those who fought in Vietnam but never came home. How do we tell them the story of Vietnam so they understand how much it scarred the national psyche and how their is such a national resolve never to let it happen again in some way more substantial than showing them "Forrest Gump?" Eve Bunting comes up with one way in "The Wall," ably assisted by the watercolor illustrations of Ronald Himler. "The Wall" is the simply story of a little boy and his father who have come from far away to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. to find the name of the boy's grandfather.

What makes "The Wall" so moving is that instead of answering questions it will get children to ask them. Like the little boy in the story, children reading this book will see man in combat fatigue in a wheelchair because he does not have any legs; an older couple hugging and crying; flags, teddy bears and letters laid against the wall. The little boy does not ask any questions about what he sees, but I have to believe that students reading this book certainly have questions that they want answered. Whether it is used for Memorial Day or Veterans Day, or any discussion in which children are thinking about war and its consequences, "The Wall" is a very thoughtful book that should be very helpful to teachers and students alike.

All teachers should use this book in their classroom!
As a college student studying to be an elementary school teacher, I recommend that every teacher use this book in their classroom around Memorial Day and Veterans Day. This book has a great message and the fact that it is written from the boy's perspective makes it easy for students to realate to the characters.

"The Wall" is a Patriotic Book
"The Wall" is a patriotic book. It was easy to read; that made me understand how the Vietnam War turned out in the end.

The boy and his father try to find the grandfather's name on the Vietnam Wall memorial when they pass many other names. When the father reads the names on the wall, the boy imagines each name as a real person, standing next to him and talking to him.

If you are interested in the Vietnam War and how people sacrificed their lives fore us, then "The Wall" would be a good book for you to read.

I gave this four stars out of five because I found the book to be very moving. If you like books about wars, then you'll like "The Wall."

I am a teacher
I am a sixth grade social studies teacher. Yes, this book is below the average sixth grade reading level. However, I read this along with other books, orally, to my classes at the beginning of the school year. It gives the students a sneak preview as to what their studies are going to be all about. It also encourages the idea that history is not so bad after all. It should encourage them to read about history and may even introduce the genre to some students. The book also provides realism to the plight of the Vietnam War. It is a good book experience for all who read and/or listen to it. ... Read more

Book Description

Three strangers, hungry and tired,pass through a war-torn village. Embittered and suspicious from the war, the people hide their food and close their windows tight. That is, until the clever strangers suggest making a soup from stones. Intrigued by the idea, everyone brings what they have until-- together, they have made a feast fit for a king! In this inspiring story about the strength people possess when they work together, Muth takes a simple, beloved tale and adds his own fresh twist. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

great book
This is told differently than the version I read as a child, but it is told very nicely. The pictures are nice as well. Both my 4 year old son and my 11 year old niece love it.

food really does bring people together
what a wonderful book. the watercolor is enchanting and the book is beautifully written. the subject matter of sharing and rebuilding a community not only teaches children to love their neighbors, but it also reminds adults to live in harmony.

I too can make Stone Soup.
Stone Soup.....what a lovely retelling of an old tale. I like that it takes the simple message of one by one sharing, gaining happiness and all sharing to gain community. I bought this book for my nephews. We very much enjoyed reading the story and examining the wonderful pictures. They very easily noticed the beautiful color progression as the story develops into something full, warm and sweet. The best part was reading all about the same foods we have at home. It is good to know that we too can make Stone Soup.

Wonderful! New Soup from an Ancient Recipe!
My two children and I loved this book. They enjoyed following the little girl and her cat and finding them on different pages. It works very well to read out loud at bedtime. The monks were sweet. I don't know how they could have scared anybody. It was nice to see these faces in this story. Some of them were very funny. I was surprised to see how well it all fit. This was a nice retelling.

Share this Book
This is a beautiful book. The illustrations are masterful, and the story is quite sweet. I would definitely share it with young children, yet the exquisitely depicted images make me want to show it to adults. The cross-cultural elements of the story are especially good for young children. To find a children's book that contains this much beauty is a treasure for any child. ... Read more

Book Description

A popular Potter favorite is available again in a handsome new package. The carrying case comes complete with a handle, and buckle closure, and has the smart new design celebrating 100 years of Peter Rabbit. Books inside include titles such as The Tale of Peter Rabbit, The Tale of Tom Kitten, and The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck. Now being re-issued because of high demand, this is a great way to start a Potter library. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Frankly, one can never have too much Eloise. For all those who love lovelove the irrepressible 6-year-old resident of New York City's haughty PlazaHotel, and shining star of Kay Thompson and Hilary Knight's classic Eloise, the ultimate joy is tosee four favorite titles collected in one enormous volume: Eloise: TheUltimate Edition. Sit back and watch as our heroine braids Skipperdee theturtle's ears, brushes her teeth with pear lemonade in Moscow, absolutely goeswild in Paris, and jingles around her lobby at Christmastime, tying tassels onthe thermostat. This edition, with a lovely new dust jacket by Hilary Knight,includes our absolutely darling little sweetnik in Eloise in Moscow, thefantastique Eloise inParis, the rawther festive Eloise at Christmastime, andthe splendid scrapbook of memorabilia, photos, and drawings, The Absolutely EssentialEloise. It's all absolutely essential, if you ask us. (All ages)--Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (6)

great, except for some errors..............
The picures are wonderful, stories are great, but the part of The Story of Eloise, they miss judged the spacing and left out the 1st letter of the starting paragraph. Someone didn't proofread it right. You get all 4 book, one great buy with the extras! ( the scrapbook and the story of Eloise) Hopefully they caught the errors for the next printing. A book you can pass down from generation to generation!

Finally A Treasury
This is definitely one of the best treasuries I have ever bought. Eloise is such a fun and adorable character. I don't know who couldn't like her.

This treasury contains Eloise in Moscow, Eloise, Eloise in Paris, and Eloise at Christmastime. Not only that, there's a special scrapbook all about the author Kay Thompson featuring pictures and info about the author of this beloved character.

This is a must have book for the holidays, or anytime. So pick up a copy, and charge it please.

What am I missing?
A spoiled brat lives in a fancy hotel in New York: that's kind of what this series boils down to for me.

I read to my kids a lot, and this is the one series that I completely don't get: I don't see why it's funny or touching or...anything. Neither do my kids.

Her language can be quite fun and ingenious, but holy cow...I don't understand all the fuss.

It's about time we had all 4 at once
A few years ago, I was waiting with baited breath for all the Eloise books to be reprinted. It just could not happen fast enough for me. Finally, all 4 were out, and I was happy. Then they came out with this book that collects all four books in one volume for the first time, and I bought this too. Why did I buy this? Well, for one thing, the new Hilary Knight cover is rather fabulous. I am all for new Knight artwork whenever it appears, and this cover was obviously not dashed out but carefully drawn, and it shows. This is definitely worth having for the Eloise fan.

Oooooooooooooooo I Love This Edition of Eloise Best!
This is the book about Eloise that Eloise would buy. As you may remember, Eloise is the six-year-old who lives on the top floor of The Plaze Hotel in New York City with her English Nanny, pug (Weenie), and turtle (Skipperdee). Here are some of the ways that Eloise has been characterized: "Holden Caulfield for kindergarten girls"; "a mini-Auntie Mame -- a protofeminist"; and "independent and saucy."

Contained in this volume are the original Eloise story, the Scrapbook by Marie Brenner (containing the origins of Eloise and the story, and biographies of Kay Thompson and Hilary Knight, and how readers responded to the stories as they appeared), and the three sequels (Eloise in Paris, Eloise at Christmastime, and Eloise in Moscow). Each of the four stories contains the deluxe fold-out drawings from the original books, and the Scrapbook has many wonderful photographs and drawings that will delight those who would like to know more background about Eloise and her creators.

With one exception, the material is outstanding. The story, Eloise in Moscow, is very poor in its humor and plot line. But having the story in this collection will allow you to savor those parts of the story that happen to appeal to you.

The reproduction is also superb, except for the frontispieces of the four stories. These should simply have been omitted.

I usually avoid recommending expensive editions, but this one is a good value. It contains all the best material about Eloise, and you may have trouble finding the same versions by buying the books separately. Also, this edition is likely to be a hand-me-down item from one generation to another and another. The cost per reader is probably going to be quite small as a result.

To me, the best of the four stories is still the original. Reading the Scrapbook adds a lot to my enjoyment of that story. Of the sequels, I like Eloise in Paris best. Some people will not like Eloise at Christmastime because Kay Thompson's rhymes are not the best. I can enjoy fractured verse, so I found it appealing instead.

Space does not permit me to review each of these sections in detail here, but you can read my reviews of each story elsewhere on Amazon for the individual books. I gave five star reviews to all but Eloise in Moscow, to which I gave a two star review.

After you have enjoyed this book, I suggest that you grab a partner who also loves Eloise and write a new Eloise story that brings her into the 21st century in a locale and at a time of your choice. Then find a young person to read that story to, and draw some illustrations together. That will add to your enjoyment of this book and of your love of Eloise.

J'aime beaucoup Eloise . . . toujours! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Eric Carle first published The Very Hungry Caterpillar in 1969, fully intending to create a series of interactive creature books for children. The beloved busy spider, quiet cricket, and lonely firefly books followed, but the artist's quest was not truly complete until The Very Clumsy Click Beetle was born. Carle, who says he'd rather watch a bug attempt to climb over a pebble than join an expedition to Mount Everest, appreciates the small things in life: the Eyed Elator (Alaus oculatus), to be exact--unremarkable except for that when this beetle falls on its back, it can't roll over to get up. Instead, it will stretch and release a snap mechanism that clicks and flips the beetle through the air, and ideally, back onto its feet.

The very clumsy click beetle has no trouble with the clicking and flipping part, but it does have trouble landing on its feet. The young beetle tries and tries again, encouraged by an ambling turtle, a slithering snail, and a scurrying mouse. Finally, when a curious boy approaches, the beetle takes coaching from a wise old click beetle ("QUICK, CLICK and FLIP!") and succeeds. Children will love the bright, bold, tissue-paper illustrations that tell this story of perseverance, as wellas--of course--the unusual clicking sound (emanating from an electronic chipwith built-in battery and light sensor) that accompanies this playful book. (Click to see a sample spread. Copyright 1999 by Eric Carle. Permission of Philomel Books.) (Preschool and older) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Very Clumsy Click Beetle
I'm a Branch Manager of a Public Library and we have found that this book is very good for the children that comes over for school visits. It is so funny to be reading them the book and they start hearing the Beetle make it's sound they start looking around the room trying to find out where it is coming from then they cant believe that it came from the book. Every year when school starts back this is the book that i read to my Kindergarden classes. I suggest that everyone should get this book and watch the look on your childs face when you read this book to them.

Library Users say thumbs down
I'm a children's librarian. I bought this book for my library. I've read it to two groups and showed it to some of the children who come to the library everyday. I thought they would like it since Carle's other book The Very Quiet Cricket is so enormously popular. Their reaction has been thumbs down. The children like the chirping sound from the cricket book, but the click sound from this beetle book doesn't impress them. The dull "click, click" really pales in comparison to the lilting cricket chirp. We've had our copy of the beetle book for almost three months, and it's only been checked out once.

I think a teacher or parent might be able to encourage a child to enjoy the click beetle book by incorporating it into a discussion about bugs. Also, a child who is fascinated with bugs might enjoy it. However, for the average child, I recommend buying The Very Quiet Cricket instead of the Beetle book. For a child who already has and loves the cricket book, I recommend buying Carle's The Very Lonely Firefly, which has fireflies that light up. My library kids like to crawl under desks to enjoy that book in the dark.

Great Book to Teach Kids to Keep Trying!
This book is well-liked by my class of four and five year olds. The story is clear and engaging. My students especially enjoy opening to the back page to hear the beetle's CLICK!

The little click beetle repeatedly strives in the story to CLICK and flip over onto his feet, a feat shown to him by an older, wiser click beetle. He tries to show this new trick to a variety of other critters with no success. The critters encourage him to keep trying.

We used this story in class to discuss the importance of persistence and practice to learn something new. This book also sparked a discussion about being kind and respectful, as we talked about how things might have been different if the critters in the story had ridiculed the click beetle for his failure instead of encouraging him. You could challenge children to tell how the ending would have been different if the little click beetle hadn't mastered his CLICK at the right time at the end.

Definitely a classroom staple, along with most of Eric Carle's other titles.

My 4 year old loved this book!
My 4 year old came home from preschool and talked about this book for 2 weeks! He drew click beetles over and over again, and told me how the story goes. He was one impressed 4 year old and any mom knows when their child mentions a book over and over again, it must be good! ... Read more

Book Description

When a tiny snail meets a humpback whale, the two travel together to far-off lands. It’s a dream come true for the snail, who has never left home before. But when the whale swims too close to shore, will the snail be able to save her new friend?

From the creators of Room on the Broom and The Gruffalo comes this touching tale of adventure and friendship. With vibrant illustrations and rhymes that are both playful and lyrical, here is a story that shows us that even the smallest creatures can help others in a big way. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Great Book!!
This is the best book my daughter and I have read in a while. She is 4, and I have been reading it to her every day since we got it. We liked it so much that we had to check out all of the other Julia Donaldson books. We also love Room on the Broom. Both of these are fun rhyming books that tell a wonderful story.

Absolutely Beautiful Book
We just received this book and it has already become one of my son's favorites. We had to read it twice the day it came and he is asking for it every night. It is a beautiful book, I fell in love with it the first time I read it to him. The text flows smoothly, the story is wonderful, it shows how even if your different you can get along and help one another. It also teaches that it doesn't matter what size you are , you can make a difference. The illustrations are wonderful, alot of detail and color. Just all around one of the best books I have ever purchased.

IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT COUNT
Rhyming texts are always appealing to young ears, and this adventure tale by Julia Donaldson is no exception.

A tiny sea snail lives on a rock overlooking the sea. The more he looks at the sea the more he dreams of sailing around it. Ignoring the advice of his fellow snails who want him to stay put he posts a sign on the rock: "Ride wanted around the world." As they say, nothing ventured nothing gained.

One night a giant humpback whale came to the rock and invited the snail to sail with him. It didn't take the snail but a second to decide - he hopped on the whale's tail and they were off.

They saw many wonders: icebergs, penguins, mountains, golden sands, underwater caves. Such excitement!

But one day there was a bit too much excitement as racing speedboats forced the whale to swim too close to shore. Then as it does every day, the tide went out leaving "the whale beached in a bay."

Now, how can a tiny snail possibly save his friend the whale?

Youngsters will love this story's ending, and also learn a valuable lesson.

- Gail Cooke

My Favorite!
My children and I love this book! The rhyming verses just flow beautifully, holding my children's attention as well as mine. I have yet to tire of reading this out loud to them. The pictures are wonderful and we love the snail! Not only is it fun to read but it has a great message for children. This will remain one of my all time favorite children's books. ... Read more

Book Description

Ma has made a dozen delicious cookies. It should be plenty for her two children. But then the doorbell rings--and rings and rings.Each ring of the doorbell brings more friends to share the delicious cookies Ma has made."Refreshing, enjoyable and unpredictable."--School Library Journal. Also available in a Spanish-language edition, Llaman a la puerta. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Great Book!
What a cool book! I think it is funny how the doorbell keeps ringing and ringing. I can learn how to show equal shares.

Great for Childeren of Any Age
This a great book for almost every child. I am an Education Major at Pima Community College in Tucson, Az. I work also work at a Pre-school and the childeren love this book (Childeren ages 12 months to 3 1/2 years). We read it atleast once a day. This is a great book because they don't know it but they are learning how to add and subtract, using cookies. It's great because if you read it aloud to them and then show them how many kids show up, then they start to realize how many cookies are actually there, and then it gets to how many cookies each child will get. The first time I read this book to my kids, they loved it and after the second time they stated to pick up on the subratcion part of the book and now every time we read the book they can come up with the anserws on thier own. It's really amazing to me how they will start to pick it up.

good book to learn how to read at a little bit higher level
This book is good for children that are learning how to add and subtract. For example in the book the mom made 12 cookies and they had to spit them in half and then two more people came and then 4 more people came until every one only had gotten one cookie. Also this book teaches that it is important to share.

Fun to Read
This book was one of my daughters favorites when she was little. She giggled every time I said, with great zeal, "And the doorbell rang"! My house has always been quite active which made this story perfect for us. For any parent with a busy life, this book with tickle you to the core. I enjoyed reading it as much as my daughter enjoyed listening to it. Truly a fun read!

A user friendly story with great illustrations.
I have got a lot of mileage out of this book. With my own son, it has brought back wonderful memories of his own Grandma's cookies. As a Day Care Provider, I have delighted my day care children with this story during "circle time". They would get a kick out of following the kitty in the illustrations. As an investigations math instructor, I have relied on this story for Grade levels 2&3 to explain the concept of fractions and division. Every kid that has heard this story, for whatever the reason, gives it a two thumbs up. ... Read more

Book Description

Parents and children alike will be won over by the lovable innocence of Gigi, a little girl who just knew she was a princess-she had known it from birth! But where were the castle and royal jewels? With a little help from Mommy and Daddy, Gigi realizes that she is not just any princess-she is the daughter of the greatest King of all!

A wonderful discovery for little princesses everywhere, Gigi, God's Little Princess will subtly teach girls of their importance and belonging to the King of all kings.

Reviews (1)

Pink-loving princesses will love it!
What's not to love about a curly-haired, freckle-faced "princess" with an attitude? Gigi had known from the day she was born that she was a princess-although she wasn't exactly sure why. With no castle or royal treasures, she didn't live like a princess. She had no subjects-even her cat didn't obey her. Yet, through this little story, Gigi learns that it is not the castle or the crown that makes a princess, but the declaration of the King-"you are God's little princess."

This simple message of belonging to "the greatest King of all" was created by Christian communicator, singer, and songwriter Sheila Walsh. Pink-loving princesses will love the whimsical illustrations by Meredith Johnson. Although royals of all ages may enjoy Gigi and her quest, its simple story line is probably geared to the youngest princesses who lay in wait for a bedtime story and a sweet reminder of God's gracious love. -- Susan Hammond, Christian Book Previews.com
... Read more

Book Description

Do you
wake up
with a
wiggle?

Do you
wiggle
out of bed?

For energetic toddlers (are there any who aren't?), here's a book that invites them to wiggle along with the story. Told in rollicky, wiggly rhyme that begs to be read again and again, Doreen Cronin's latest romp will have toddlers wiggling, giggling, and then (hopefully) falling into bed, blissfully exhausted! ... Read more

Book Description

Sometimes mommies are funny and playful. Other times they are warm and comforting. And mommies always know when to laugh, where to play, and how to love. Through simple, moving text and endearing illustrations, Sebastien Braun captures the spirit of motherhood in a celebration for every mother and child.

Reviews (1)

A new great illustrator !!
His first book is amazing !! A magic world for kids....and theirs parents !
I 'm waiting impatiently the next one !!
Indisputably a great illustrator ! ... Read more

Book Description

This book addresses children's worries with humor and imagination, as hilarious scenarios teach kids the use of perspective and the art of creative problem--solving. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A Teacher's Review
I am a first grade teacher who had the opportunity to read this book to my class. All of the children enjoyed the story. They loved looking for the Worry. Most importantly, this book generated a lot of discussion about things that worried them and how they could make their worries go away or find alternative solutions.
I highly recommend this book for children of all ages.

A Great Book for Kids
The clever text and delightful illustrations of Is a Worry Worrying You? speak directly and honestly to the audience. They let the reader know that there are ways to deal with worrys,
that there are solutions to problems and that we are not alone, all the while keeping it light and enjoyable.
I read this book to my fifth grade students and they truly enjoyed it. I also shared it with our guidance counselor.

The children love it!
Is A Worry Worrying You? is entertaining, educational and visually astounding!The worry monster is a brilliant representation of this sometimes very scary problem children face.The clever writing and phenomenal illustrations make this book an instant favorite.

Author, journalist
Ferida Wolff and Harriet Savitz know how to best serve the teaching of life lessons - with a generous helping of humor. Is A Worry Worrying You? is just plain fun to read. The illustrations invite children in, then they discover the universality of their fears and concerns while having a good laugh at the characters inhabiting the story.The fiendish worry monster gets thwarted by the authors' hilarious solutions to some of life's thorny problems.

A visual treat and a fun read for children and grown-ups as well.

Helping Children Deal With Common Fears
Is a Worry Worrying You?

Ferida Wolff and Harriet May Savitz


Ms. Wolff and Ms. Savitz have written a beautiful book that speaks to children in their own language.Instead of talking at children from the adult's perspective, they enter the childrens' world so they can walk with children and explore their fears and anxieties with them.Rather than being condescending, their lighthearted approach shows a deep respect for childhood and its fears as well as a sound awareness of the inner resources residing in children.Just as fairy tales help children externalize their fears (Bettleheim, B; THE USES OF ENCHANTMENT), IS A WORRY WORRYING YOU?enables children to investigate their fears and tells each child he/she is not alone in having these fears.Finally, the fanciful suggestions entertain and amuse children while the very valid and practical solutions empower children to creatively resolve their concerns.As a former school psychologist in an elementary school, I know that when adults minimize childhood fears, they do not go away but can linger and harm.When I read this with children in my school they responded to it immediately and wanted to hear it again and again.


Claire Laufman
... Read more

Reviews (39)

Great for educators!
Sometimes for little ones, anger can be a very scary and confusing place. "When Sophie Gets Angry - Really, Really Angry..." does a wonderful job of showing how one little girl not only feels when she gets angry, but how she chooses to deal with her anger. The story begins with Sophie playing with her little sister. When Sophie's little sister grabes her stuffed gorilla out of her hands, Sophie immediately screams "No!" and reaches out for her mother to correct the "problem". However, her mother informs Sophie that she needs to learn to share and allows her little sister to keep the stuffed gorilla. This makes Sophie really, really angry. The author describes Sophie's anger as "a volcano ready to explode". She stomps, screams, and even kicks--she is so mad. Bright reds, oranges, and yellows are used to emphasize just how angry Sophie has become. Overcome by anger, Sophie runs out of her house and finds solitude in nearby woods. There, she is able to cry, think about what she has done, and manage to find peace. The colors of the book change the more and more Sophie manages to calm down. The bright and firey colors used previously turn into softer, more muted blues, whites and greens. Sophie eventually runs home, where is she is welcomed by loving hugs and sense of peace.

Many have criticized this story for downplaying the "tantrums" Sophie throws and for the fact she basically runs away from home to avoid her problems. Even though I am not a parent myself, I can see where this would be a concern. However, as an educator, I really thought this book did a good job showing young readers that anger is an emotion we all share and that this was how one little girl chose to deal with her anger. I agree that it is unacceptable to run away from home when you are angry, but I think one misses the point if that is all they notice about the book. Seeing Sophie welcomed back home with loving arms will give children much needed comfort in knowing no matter what happens (or how big a tantrum they may throw) they will be loved in the end. The wonderful use of color is another stong selling point to this book. Bold brush strokes and full color "childlike" illustrations will draw children to this story. I would recomend this book to anyone, but especailly those who work with small children.

When Sophie Gets Angry
My 2-year old daughter loves this beautifully illustrated book about a little girl coping with a temper tantrum. I think it helps her label and understand her own feelings when things don't go the way she wants them to. As for it teaching kids to "run away" when they are angry--that's not the way I read it. To me, it describes getting out and doing something physical (running, then climbing a tree), and then enjoying nature, as a way to cope with angry feelings. My daughter also seems to find it deeply satisfying when Sophie goes back inside to a warm home where people are happy to see her, and she is able to join in the family's activities again, with no hard feelings. I think it's important for preschoolers to understand that angry feelings can be coped with and survived without harming either individuals or relationships.

WV State College Student
I am a student at West Virginia State College currently taking a class called Children's Literature. Our instructor required us to read a Caldecott Honor book as part of our assignment and write our personal view of the book.

This book is about a little girl named Sophie who is playing with her favorite toy gorilla and her sister decides she wants to play with it and grabs it from her. This causes Sophie to be angry and she runs out and climbs her favorite tree. Sophie feels better and returns home and everything is all normal.

This would be a great children's book to read aloud in a classroom. You can discuss with the children what they would do when they get angry and what would make them feel better. I would highly recommend this book for K - 2 grade students.

Teaching mindfulness to kids
I am a parent and also a yoga teacher. I think this book very beautifully illustrates what anger may feel like, a volcano ready to explode! Sophie lets off steam by running... and crying... then she comes to her senses, seeing, hearing, feeling nature. "The wide world comforts her." "Sophie feels better now." She returns home to the warmth and familiar smells and sounds and sights of home. She is welcomed home. She is not her anger. This book really offers a way to open up dialogue about anger and other emotions. Kids can relate their feelings to colors, to things in nature. Mindfulness is about being aware of the present moment while you are in it. Coming to our senses brings us into the present moment. Mindfulness is a wonderful anger management tool, feeling the emotion in the body, focusing on the sensation rather than reacting from it. Teaching mindfulness allows for opportunities to respond rather than react. The thing to remember is that it is mindfulness PRACTICE!!! I think this book could help lessen tantrums, giving kids a sense of control over their anger. It is a chance to LEARN from anger. The illustrations are vibrant and engaging. My son is going on three, and he was definitely able to relate to Sophie. We just recently read this book together and I think it will serve us well! I highly recommend it!

Express your feelings
This book is really great to use when discussing how to deal with your feelings with your child or a group of children. I am a first grade teacher and we teach empathy lessons at our school and this book really relates to the children. They can relate to having these feelings of anger and not knowing what to do with them. Reading this book really helps them know what to do with these feelings without doing it because they are told to. ... Read more