Book Description

New! Positioned to be the next BIG hit-think Yu-Gi-Oh! and Inuyasha-this much talked about, hugely anticipated 52-episode series made its anime debut on the Cartoon Network November 7, 2004. The Fullmetal Alchemist� calendar features character and scene imagery from the television series, which is the story of the Elric brothers, who tried to raise their mother from the dead using forbidden alchemy. Not only did they not revive their mother, but they lost pieces of their natural bodies as punishment-Edward now must use mechanical substitutes for an arm and a leg, and Alphonse's entire body is gone; his soul is now attached to a suit of armor. Desperate, the Elric brothers embark on a quest to find the Philosopher's Stone, which will restore their bodies to normal. However, correcting wrongs often comes at a great cost . . . . -One of the most sought-after network properties, the buzz surrounding Fullmetal Alchemist�; is tremendous. -Fullmetal Alchemist�; ranked #1 favorite anime series in leading Japanese anime magazines. -Debuted as the #1 show on Adult Swim. -Target audience is boys and girls, ages 12-17 with a strong secondary base of men and women ages 18-24.

Book Description

"Open up, Pork Chop! Or I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll flatten this dump!"

Three little pigs are happily working away in their delicious family business -- making the best-tasting waffles in the world. Business is so good, in fact, that the three siblings can live comfortably in their very own homes -- Percy in his straw bungalow, Pete in his log cabin, and Prudence in her brick cottage. Then Tempesto, the meanest wolf on the block, shows up and wants more than waffles for breakfast -- he wants the three little pigs! Here is a zany retelling of a classic folktale from master storyteller Steven Kellogg.

Reviews (6)

Great Book
Once there was a mother Serafina Snow, she had 3 piglets, Percy, Pete, and Prudence. One day Serafina had a brilliant idea to start a waffle making business. Soon her piglets were enrolled at school, played basketball, and were involved in plays. When they grew up the waffle business was handed over to them. Each of them built a house; Percy built a straw house, Pete built a log cabin, and Prudence made his cottage out of bricks. One day they met a wolf named Tempesto who didn't want waffles but wanted to eat them! The wolf knocked down Percy, and Pete's houses and moved on to Prudence's. The three pigs bombarded him with watermelons, pumpkins, cantaloupes, grapes, and pastries. This caught Tempesto by surprise and he was knocked down. The wolf entered down the chimney but was soon turned into a waffle. In the end Percy, Pete, and Prudence married and had kids. I enjoyed this book because it gave a new idea to the story of the Three Little Pigs, it kinda jazzed it up a little and made it a little more interesting.

Wonderfully done!
I've read and reviewed most of the basic tellings of "The Three Little Pigs", as well as most of the variants. Here's my take on it.

This is quite possibly the best telling of "The Three Little Pigs" out there. Although it more or less follows the traditional storyline, it expands it greatly, having the mama pig start a waffle business, making the house of sticks a more believable log cabin, and giving all the characters names and personalities. Humor abounds, particularly in the artwork, such as "Pablo Pigcasso" and a "peopley" bank. It's subtle and may take you a frew readings to notice. Very good, nice twist at the end.

No one gets killed, but still violent.
I had the impression that this was not a violent book from a rview that I read. Even though no one dies or gets eaten up, it still is a violent book. I think this book could have been better if it did not have a house crush the police officer to the ground right before he was on his way to help the pigs. And the wolf being steam-pressed in a huge hot waffle iron and then smothered in butter-- ouch!
I feel it's important to teach children to have empathy for others. Even though the people in the book are cartoonized animal characters, children identify with them. I do not think that the violent situations in this book will teach children fellow- feeling. If this book is read to any child over and over again, the child may get descensitized to these hurtful situations. Not good.

A Bundle of Laughs
Steven Kellogg did a wonderful job. My five year old wants to read it over and over and over and over again. The story and illustrations are delightful.

Kellogg's traditional tales are terrific!
Steven Kellogg has been a favorite author and illustrator of mine since he visited my school library in 3rd grade--17 years ago! Now, as a first year Kindergarten teacher, I am sharing his books with my class, and they have really come alive for me, again. His traditional tale interpretations are creative, intricate and hilarious--not to mention beautiful. My favorite part of his Three Little Pigs tale is the illustration on the back jacket, which shows the wolf retired to a beach in Florida. He wears a tank top that pleads, 'thugs need hugs, too'. Also see Kellogg's version of Jack in the Beanstalk if your children love deliciously scary read-alouds! ... Read more

Book Description

"Perhaps not the funniest, it's funnier than many; and definitely a funny book."

- Publisher's WeeklyA Rick Walton classic (and one of his most popular children's books) returns in paperback! It's the three little pigs with a whole new twist! When three brothers (Pig, Pigger, and Piggest) meet three sisters (Witch, Witcher, and Witchest) the results are a muddy mess in which they all live sloppily ever after. Author Rick Walton is well known for his highly entertaining illustrated books, which simultaneously teach children language arts principles. This rollicking tale is enhanced by the lively illustrations of Jimmy Holder. Now available for the first time in paperback, Pig, Pigger, Piggest is a book your whole family will love.Rick Walton is the author of more than forty children's books. He lives with his wife and four children in Provo, Utah. Jimmy Holder is an illustrator who does work for magazines and advertising agencies, as well as illustrating children's picture books. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and daughter. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Teaching -er and -est
As a first grader teacher, this is the BEST book to really drive home the comparison of big, bigger, and biggest (and similar ideas). The students really enjoyed predicting what the next -er and -est would be once they heard "cheap sheep", "tall wall", "squeak", "cat", "witch", "huff and puff", etc. The story line was even OK for a children's book, but it's definitely worth it just for learning the skill of adding -er and -est to words!!

Clever and great for the classroom
I have a growing collection of works that are variations of classic folk and fairytales. This is one of the cleverest reworkings of the 3 Little Pigs I've seen. In the literacy program I am working on in Chicago Public Schools, we are using this book in several intermediate grade classrooms as an engaging way to teaching a point of grammar (comparative and superlative forms) and as one of a series of 3 Little Pig stories we are comparing--the end goal is to turn the kids into authors of their own "fractured fairy tale." ... Read more

Book Description

When poor Mrs. Pig gets a cold, Mr. Pig and the piglets devise a plan to get rid of her sniffles. The Pigs decide on the perfect remedy: to fix Mrs. Pig's favorite five alarm chili. Will the Pigs be able to cure Mrs. Pig with a spicy meal? Or will their measuring mistakes get them in hot water? Join the Pigs and see what trouble they can cook up in the kitchen. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A STELLAR review
This book is good for ages 5-7. Mrs. Pig was feeling under the weather so her family decided they would make her her favorite chili while she took a nap. Of course they put in too many ingredients and made a disaster. Nobody liked the chili. It was disgusting! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Big Pig on a dig (easy words to read)
A very enjoyble book. About a pig who finds a treasure map and sets out on a dig to find the hidden treasure. A good book for toddlers and childern who are learning how to read. ... Read more

Book Description

Adults, children, and reviewers have embraced the stouthearted Freddy the Pig since he and his Bean Farm chums first appeared in 1927. The Overlook reissues of this classic series-with almost 150,000 hardcover copies sold-have brought these timeless adventures to a whole new generation eager for a good time and a good laugh. As a recent USA Today feature about the Freddy phenomenon noted, the Freddy books brilliantly illustrate the cardinal virtues: "fair play and a good sense of humor."

In Freddy's Cousin Weedly, the irrepressible Freddy's cousin comes to Bean Farm, and what a timid soul he turns out to be. Jinx, the cat, decides to take charge of him, so as to help him get over his shyness and poor Weedly doesn't know what exciting events are about to occur. Does Weedly change? And what happens when Mr. and Mrs. Snedeker come to visit? Do they get what they came for? ... Read more

Reviews (2)

review
This is the best of the Freddy the pig books in my opinion.

THE LOST HAS BEEN FOUND!
Ever since third grade I have hunted for and read every Freddy book I could lay hands on, but FREDDY'S COUSIN WEEDLY was always among the missing.
Thanks are due the publisher and Amazon.com making this book available again. I was afraid it was a sort of one-off, or a minor book, but ordered it for Christmas and discovered a lost treasure. All our friends are there; Jinx the Cat, Mrs. Wiggins of the uncommon common sense, patient but indecisive Hank, and, of course, that paragon of poets, detectives, and pigs -- Freddy himself.
The book was obviously written after Brooks had hit his stride with the series, having a timeless quality and the morals clearly but unobtrusively stated. This book would've gotten five stars had I not compared it to FREDDY GOES CAMPING and FREDDY THE MAGICIAN. Compared to any other children's books, it gets the full five stars. Excellent! ... Read more

Book Description

The playful and expressive characters in this book -- Mama Pig and her eight piglets -- speak only one word, "oink," as the piglets run off in search of adventure while Mama naps. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

good for a variety of pedagogical purposes
If you would like for a reading student or ESL student to practice reading one word repeatedly without getting bored, this is a good book for that purpose.

If you would like more picture books of this nature, try
"Hug" by Jez Alborough, 0763615765

THE BEST BOOK WITHOUT WORDS YOU'LL EVER READ!!!
A most charming story of highly expressive baby pigletts who have fun getting into trouble and use only a variety of "oinks" to tell their tale ... Read more

Book Description

Being first isn't always best, as Pinkerton Pig finds out after an encounter with a mean Sand Witch. As always, Helen Lester's wonderfully offbeat humor and Lynn Munsinger's whimsical illustrations result in a hilarious lesson about piggishness. The picture book duo of Lester and Munsinger has created six previous books, including the award-winning TACKY THE PENGUIN. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

GREAT FOR TEACHERS AND PARENTS!!
Talk about a twist and turn of events! My first graders loved this book. It teaches children that being first is not always best. I use it now whenever my first graders fight to be first in line. We all yell out, "Don't be a Pinkerton!" and in a gentle humorous way the "pusher of the line" concedes. It is also a great book for a follow up discussion on homophones. When you read this book, you'll know what I'm talking about. You see, Pinkerton wants to be first when he hears someone offering a "sandwich" but it turns out to be a Sand Witch who makes him realize his selfishness. It is an adorable book and voted one of the top five in my classroom!

Me First
Pinkerton the Pig always wants to be first. He is "pink, plump, and pushy". Every day he is always first in line in the school trough-a-teria. One day he goes for a hike with his pig scout troop and hears a distant voice asking, "Who would care for a sandwitch"? Of course Pinkerton wants to be first and he meets a real "Sand Witch" who teaches him the value of taking turns and waiting patiently for your turn. This book is written in a humorous but it can be used to teach children a valuable lesson. Concepts that can be taught are, waiting, taking turns, respect for others, and functioning as part of a team. The use of language is unique and creative which helps to capture and hold young readers as does the humorous illustrations. This is a great book to help teach children appropriate behavior. Also, can be read for fun and enjoyment.

A Moral with a Chuckle!
Like all of Lester's books, Me First imparts an important lesson for primary aged children without being preachy or condescending. Her clever use of the English language and humor make it just as enjoyable for the reader as the read-ee!

This book is a must for every child.
Although we have bought, borrowed, and checked out (from the library) many, many books for our children, this is one of our all-time favorites. My wife and I have never read a better book for teaching children (and their parents) that being first is not always best.

The message is conveyed through the experience of Pinkerton, the "pink, plump and pushy pig" in terrific fashion. The illustrations are great for kids as is the entertaining (but educational) story line.

This book has become a classic for our family. In fact, although we don't buy that many books (usually we check them out from the library), we wouldn't be without our own copy. We even make it a habit to buy it for our friends and family with little "Pinkertons" of their own.

Don't miss this one, it's great. ... Read more

Book Description

Here is a riotous tale of two brothers-one small but enormously sensible, one big but a little crazy-told with the warmth and sprinkling of Spanish found in the author's other beloved, groundbreaking books, Abuela and Isla.

Don Carlos always likes more. "¡M&aacutes!" he says. More! More what? More of anything: He likes to wear more hats (sometimes ten at a time). He likes more ice cream (he'll eat several cones at once). But most of all, he likes to serve more at his restaurant, the only one in town. People love to eat his huge platters of food and listen to his little brother Alonzo's beautiful violin playing. But, never content, Don Carlos decides to add another dish to his menu-caracoles, snails. Unfortunately, the snails have their own dining plans, and soon the town is overrun by plague after plague of greedy animals. It's up to little Alonzo to clean up his brother's latest, greatest excess.

Diane Greenseid's illustrations glow with the sun-baked colors of the American Southwest, providing a setting as zesty as this flavorful tale. Like Don Carlos, readers will just want MORE. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A book with lots of surprises and show stopping illustration
This book is a wheel barrel full of fun and a joy to read.
Diane Greenseid's illustrations blast off the page with her vibrant sun dancing colors and deep perspectives. This parade of fun characters and a story that builds and builds, will have your kids asking to read it time and again! ... Read more

Book Description

Follow three little pigs as they outsmart a very hungry wolf!

Book Description

Sometimes life seems like it's all about hurrying--so many places to go! And sometimes it's hard when things don't go your way--it can make a piggy angry and sad. So how do young piggies find a peaceful place in a frustrating world? They meditate! They find a quiet spot, a special place with a few simple things, and just breathe. They do this every day, feeling their breath going in and out. They slow down and calm down. Not it's easier to deal with whatever comes their way, and they have time to notice all the magical things in life, too! ... Read more

Book Description

A postcard from Florida with a mysterious one-word message—OINK!—is the only clue to the whereabouts of the pigs that ran away from Bert and Ethel in The Great Pig Escape. Acting on this slim lead, Bert frantically searches the crowded streets and muddy swamps of the Sunshine State, never noticing the hilariously dressed porkers hiding in plain sight. Are there pigs under those beach umbrellas, or rocking and rolling to the tunes of the Squealers? Come along with Bert on his great pig search and discover who"s hamming it up under the sun. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Find Those Pigs.....
"The trouble started the day Bert and Ethel's pigs escaped from the back of their truck. Right after that, people all over town started missing clothes. Everyone searched everywhere. No clothes. No pigs." Soon a postcard arrived from Florida with the word 'OINK'. It was embarrassing, everyone joking about Bert and Ethel's runaway, postcard writing pigs. What they needed, Bert decided was to get away from it all, and take a nice vacation to someplace special, warm and fun, like Florida. He bought two bus tickets, and those two pig farmers were soon on their way..... Eileen Christelow is back with another charming and amusing missing pig tale that's sure to have kids squealing with pleasure. Her simple and entertaining story line is enhanced with expressive and hilarious illustrations, and little ones will enjoy poring over the pages and finding all the disguised pigs in the most unusual places. Perfect for youngsters 4-8, The Great Pig Search is a rip roarin' comical adventure that's sure to tickle your funny bone each and everytime you open the book.

A whimsical, fun story
In Eileen Christelow's picturebook story The Great Pig Search, Bert and Ethel's pigs escape on their way to market and their owners receive a postcard with one message: "OINK". Now they decide to head to Florida in search of their wayward pigs - and Bert seems to see them everywhere in this whimsical, fun story. ... Read more

Book Description

Freddy the pig, Jinx the cat, and Charles the rooster have been to Florida, and back again. But when the other animals who live on the Bean farm want to travel as well, Freddy decides to start Barnyard Tours, Inc. When word spreads across the countryside of the Bean farm's newest innovation, Freddy and friends decide to organize the trip of a lifetime-an expedition to the North Pole! Join Freddy, Jinx, and the rest of the hearty explorers as they trek north, encountering strange sailors, Santa Claus, and a pack of polar problems along the way.

"The American version of the great English classics, such as the Pooh books or The Wind in the Willows." (The New York Times Book Review) ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Freddy goes to the north pole
I thaught that freddy goes to the north pole was a great book enjoyable for all ages. I would recomend this book to anyone who likes adventure stories. It is one of those books that you never wan't to end.

An Awkward Sequel
"Freddy goes to Florida" was an instant classic, so I can see why a sequel followed. Unfortunately, Brooks and Wiese have some trouble figuring out exactly how to handle it.

The opening scenes at the Bean farm are excellent, but the trip to the North Pole is overlong and a mixed bag. The tone is uncertain, with the plot (a visit to Saint Nicholas) more juvenile than usual, but with more horrific humor than usual.

The writing is unclear and awkward in places, and, as always, Brooks attempts to win the pennant for overuse of the adverbial "pretty." A strong editor could have been such a help.

Brooks apparently felt the series needed some children to befriend the animals, hence the introduction of Ella and Everett. However, as finely as the author characterizes animals, he doesn't seem to know what to do with kids; the pair are completely devoid of personality, stay off stage as much as possible, and are ultimately dumped unceremoniously from the series. What happened to them?

I'm a little baffled by Kurt Wiese's change of style in this one, as well. For instance, Jinx was drawn as his usual svelte black self in the first book. In this one, he suddenly becomes a white, bloated monster. Why? In "Freddy the Detective," he's back to his old self and we finally have a formula that will keep the series going (after a few more false starts).

One more pressing question: How did the phaeton get home again?

Freddy the Pig meets Santa Claus
This is the second of the Freddy the Pig books written by Walter R. Brooks. The earlier books, while terrific for children, are not as entertaining for adults as the later books. The Freddy books are great moral instruction without ever being preachy, always entertaining. In this book, the Bean farm animals decide to visit the North Pole. They have adventures galore on the way and, at the Pole, help save Santa from some well-meaning pirates who are trying to bring efficiency to Santa's workshop. I didn't rate this book higher only because later Freddy books have an even greater appeal. For children, this should be at least a four-star ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Sweet and entertaining
My 4-year-old daughter loves this book. It has three stories, each on a different topic. She insists we read all three each time, and they are not long so it's OK. The language rolls off the tongue and is fun to read aloud. Pictures are cute, and characters whimsical and sweet. She also is learning about the concept of a Table of Contents because the three stories are listed there. ... Read more

Book Description

Help make reading interactive!This classic tale is simply told in a board book that features a built-in drawer in which are seven stand-up story characters and props. A child can use the sturdy cut-outs to retell the story in her own words or make up a new story. This version has no gratuitous violence. The wolf ultimately is propelled back up the chimney by the heat of the boiling pot - never to be seen or heard from again. The stand-up characters spark imagination and encourage creativity and story-telling skills. A child can actually make the wolf knock down the house of sticks and the house of straw! This new interactive reading concept is also appealing to a child who is a restless reader. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Bringing the story to life
Being the mother of a 3 year old, I thought I'd seen every variety of this story possible. But then I found this book, and I proved myself wrong!

The top of this item is a board book telling the story of the Three Little Pigs. But hiding behind the book is a drawer that contains stand-up pieces of the characters from the story and each of the pigs' houses. I've never seen a story come to life like it does when my little girl lines up all of the houses, and then, pretending to be the wolf, blows them all down again. She could do it for hours!

It's really a great product, and now that I see that there is actually a series of these Story in a Box books, I know what I'm going to be giving for birthday gifts this year... ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Lots of Fun
This imaginative book tells of an innocent little pig followed around the neighborhood by a hungry and scheming wolf. Each page shows Preston walking around the neighborhood seemingly in imminent danger (connoted by the words "when suddenly!" with "suddenly" in big bold type). As noted above, this is almost the pig and wolf equivalent of the Road Runner and Wiley Coyote (except the pig never plots against the wolf), and there are similarly benign results for the pig and violent injury to the wolf. The "violence" is cartoonish, but it's there (wolf is run over by his own steam roller, Billy the Bully gets bitten instead of our hero, Preston, the wolf crashes to the floor, and heavily bandaged wolf heads off to "wolf hospital): You may or may not believe such material is appropriate for your child. We thought it was alright, and the "Suddenly!" hook is a lot of fun (especially for you dramatic readers out there). Big, colorful, sometimes "Mad Magazine" style pictures in its 26 pages. This would also be a very good book for the beginning reader

cute little story...but...?
I got this book in hopes it would be a helpful tool in learning Vietnamese. The text is simple enough, but my Vietnamese friend kept giving me alternative translations because she was skeptical that it was the best translation into that language. Not that I personally could judge... However, I am looking for more of these parallel texts between Vietnamese and English and wish there were more...

good fun
easy reading level , but enough twists in the good humored plot to keep it interesting. If you like this, check our "the Trouble with Boys"

Suddenly! is an absolute delight.
Colin McNaughton's book, Suddenly! is an absolute delight from start to finish. The illustrations are precious, especially the ever present smile on Preston's face and the look of chagrin on the wolf's face. I liked the book because of its predictibility. Young children love that repetition. My five year old and eight year old were very happy to exclaim, "Suddenly!" and "Silly me!" after just one reading. I can't wait to read some of McNaughton's other Preston books. ... Read more