Amazon.com

"I objurgate the centipede,/ A bug we do not really need," writes Ogden Nash. Carl Sandburg hums and strums, while pages later, William Jay Smith compares a toaster to a silver-scaled dragon. And of course A.A. Milne must add his two cents' worth, "tiddely pom, tiddely pom." What a labor of love! Children's poet and anthologist Jack Prelutsky has collected 211 of his favorite poems by 137 poets, representing the best of verse from each decade of the 20th century. "Until this century, most children's poetry was either syrupy sweet or overblown and didactic, and tended to talk down to its readers," Prelutsky writes in his introduction. "Contemporary children's poets have thrown all that condescension and moralizing out the window, and write with today's real child in mind."

What's in this anthology for today's child? Food fights, outer space, animals, noses, monsters, sports, and sibling rivalry. Each of award-winning illustrator Meilo So's spectacular watercolor-splashed spreads reflects a theme: one buggy watercolor romp is surrounded by Deborah Chandra's "Cricket," Walter R. Brooks's "Ants, Although Admirable, Are Awfully Aggravating," and Robert Frost's "Blue-Butterfly Day." Five nocturnal poems nestle into a moonlit cityscape. Four music-related poems, from Bruce Lansky's "My Violin" to X.J. Kennedy's "The Girl Who Makes the Cymbals Bang," burst from So's cacophonous paintings. This excellent collection, a companion to The 20th Century Children's Book Treasury, belongs on every poetry lover's bookshelf. Prelutsky, creator of The New Kid on the Block, The Dragons Are Singing Tonight, and more than 30 other poetry books, has perfect pitch. (Click to see a samplespread. Illustrations copyright 1999 by Meilo So. Permission of Alfred A. Knopf.) (All ages) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The 20th Century Children's Poetry Treasury
My daughter's favorite bedtime reading. A wonderful collection of poetry for children (and entertaining reading for adults too!). Fun rhymnes, bright illustrations and humorous approach make my 3 1/2 year old laughout loud. She asks for poems by name -- especially "My Name Is". This book makes reading poetry a joyful experience and will be the first Christmas gift I send the children on my list this year.

Great collection with beautiful illustrations
This is a great gift to kids (and adults) that like playing with words. Jack Prelutsky has compiled some of the best poetry of the 20th Century. His aim is true. There are no clunkers in this anthology. The poetry covers the broad range from wistful to joyful, with imagination to spare.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the illustrations by Meilo So. They gorgeously illustrate the gist of many poems. Just like the poems, the paintings drip with imagination and wonder.

Some people may frown at spoon-feeding images, rather than letting the child make up his/her own. They may have a point, yet you can always discuss the images with the kid, decide whether they properly frame the poems and/or discuss what other images would have been better. In other words, these illustrations can be used a spring board for further imaginative work.

All in all, I highly recommend this book.

Engaging way to introduce children to poetry.
When I ordered this book, I was very curious to see how my first-grader, a beginner reader, would respond to poetry that was more sophisticated and literary than the rhyming words of her preschool books. She absolutely loved it, understanding enough of the content, intrigued by the colorful illustrations and entertained by the way poems sound when read aloud. For the parent, it's a welcomed change of pace from reading stories aloud. For the child, it's an imaginative introduction to the different ways words can be used to express thoughts and feelings. I liked it so much that I ordered a copy for my child's first-grade class. ... Read more

Book Description

In My America, Lee Bennett Hopkins weaves together fifty poems -- grouped by geographic region -- to create a remarkable portrait of the United States. Here is America in all its stunning variety, from the dramatic seacoast of the Northeast and the rippling cornfields of the Plains States to the shimmering deserts of the Southwest and the majestic redwood forests of the Pacific Coast. But here, too, are the ties that bind this nation together -- the hopes and dreams of those who live in our cities and towns and on farms.

The voices of beloved poets like Langston Hughes, Carl Sandburg, Nikki Giovanni, and Lilian Moore blend with new voices to sing not just of landmarks like the Mississippi River, the Grand Canyon, and the Everglades, but of daily life across the land. Complementing these personal, moving visions of America are maps of the regions and fascinating facts for each state.

Stephen Alcorn's brilliant, textured artwork makes this book a feast for the eyes as well as for the imagination. Impressive for its breadth, depth, and beauty, My America is a volume readers will savor as they read it time and time again. It is fitting homage to our wideranging, ever-changing land. ... Read more

Book Description

A creature whispers:

If not for the cat,
And the scarcity of cheese,
I could be content.

Who is this creature?
What does it like to eat?
Can you solve the riddle?

Seventeen haiku composed by master poet Jack Prelutsky and illustrated by renowned artist Ted Rand ask you to think about seventeen favorite residents of the animal kingdom in a new way. On these glorious and colorful pages you will meet a mouse, a skunk, a beaver, a hummingbird, ants, bald eagles, jellyfish, and many others. Who is who? The answer is right in front of you. But how can you tell? Think and wonder and look and puzzle it out!

Book Description

Welcome re-issue of Stevenson's delightful collection of children's verse, cherished by generations of children and parents.Beautifully illustrated with black and white drawings and full color paintings by renowned artist Jessie Willcox Smith.128 pages. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

A Child's Garden of Verses
Stevenson originally published these poems in 1885. The words and ideas are old-fashioned and a little dry. This book makes a worthwhile companion to others in a poetry study. Contains excellent color illustrations and will be of interest to teachers and students from K through the 4th grade.

A beautiful melding of words and pictures
Most everyone knows that Robert Louis Stevenson was sickly, both as a child and as an adult, and the happy result for the reading public was his nearly feverish flights of imagination. Here, in an edition of his classic "A Child's Garden of Verses," that fever is complemented in spades by the fantastical illustrations of English artist Joanna Isles.

Isles uses an arsenal of utterly frivolous flowers, borders, insects, birds, kings and queens, fairies, and more to expand upon the imagination exhibited in Stevenson's poems. The children in these pictures are depicted as being in charge, being at one with their environment, and being delighted to be alive.

Some of the illustrations hint at the influence of artists more famed than Isles (Henri Rousseau appears to be a special favorite of hers--see the illustration for "The Unseen Playmate," in which a boy lies down in weeds that might have sprung from the edge of Rousseau's painting "The Dream"). Using both primary colors and pastels, Isles creates a world within the world of Stevenson's verse. The marriage of the two is a happy one.

Great gift for young readers
I remember reading this collection of poems when I was a little kid. My dad bought it for me and we'd read the poems together before I went to bed. Stevenson seemed to have a good understanding of how to talk to a child("Bed in Summer" was a favorite!).

I've given copies of this book to a niece and a friend for her young daughter. It's certainly a book that should be part of any child's library.

A book to Treasure
Author of The Rebel's Pledge, a historical romantic novel of Colonial Maryland.

Beautifully illustrated, my children and I enjoyed reading the poetry of Stevenson on rainy days and before bedtime. My children are in their teens now, but this book has stayed on our library shelf and will be pasted down to a grandchild one day.

This book is a wonderful way to build a love for classic poetry in your child. I highly recommend it!

Beautifully done, but not complete
This is a very lovely edition of Stevenson's "A Child's Garden of Verses." The paintings illustrating each poem are well chosen and quite beautiful. The print quality is also excellent. However, I was a little disappointed to see this selection not include some of my favorite poems from Stevenson's work, most notably "The Pleasant Land of Counterpane." What is included is exceptionally well done, but this is not the complete Garden of Verses. ... 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

Bartholomew and the Oobleck easily qualifies as a Seuss classic, first told way back in 1949. And its message--the importance of owning up to your mistakes and saying that you're sorry--is as timeless now as it was then.

Bartholomew Cubbins serves thanklessly as pageboy to King Derwin of Didd, a headstrong man who's decided he isn't satisfied with mere sun, fog, rain, and snow. ("Humph! The things that come down from my sky!") He wants something else, something uniquely his own, so he calls in his royal magicians ("Shuffle, duffle, muzzle, muff. Fista, wista, mista-cuff. We are men of groans and howls, mystic men who eat boiled owls"). Happy to oblige, the magicians tell the king they can make "oobleck" fall from the sky, only nobody--not even the magicians--knows just what oobleck is.But after a night of arcane incantations, everyone in the kingdom gets a taste of the stuff (in the case of the Captain of the Guard, literally!), as the green, gluey goo gums up everything in sight.

Of course, Bartholomew tries to help, but it's up to the king to save the day, as he learns to utter not magic words but simple words with magic in them: "I'm sorry." (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Science is fun, but not always
Bartholomew and the Oobleck is my favorite Seuss. The King wants something new to come from the sky. He's tired of the sun, the rain, the wind and the snow. He sends his magicians to their secret cave in mystic mountain Neekatave. In the morning green sticky oobleck falls from the sky and gums up the entire kingdom. It's great fun watching everything get stickier and sticker. Even the King gets stuck to his throne. Of course Bartholomew saves the day. And the King learns that the right thing to do when you've messed up other people's lives is apologize. Silly me, I'd hoped that my daughter would learn to apologize when she's made a mistake -- if kings can do it --- but she didn't get the message. Still, the book is delightful. I don't see it as an anti-science tale. Yes, lots of folks tried to talk the King out of his experiment, but scientists get that anti-science fear all the time. They have to ignore it or they can't do their jobs. The King didn't fire the magicians. This experiment was a failure. That didn't mean he should give up his throne and quit trying. He apologized, and went on with his life. That's the way life is.

Growing together,

Lois...

The power of two little words!
Boy, this book takes me back when I was very young. I really enjoyed it. And, now that I'm considerably older, I still enjoy it. It is a story about a king who is bored with the things that fall from the sky (for example, rain, snow, etc.) and orders his magicians to make something new. They come up with oobleck, a green, gooey substance. But, when it begins to fall, it messes up everything and the king's page, Bartholomew, teaches the king the power of the words, "I'm sorry." The book was a 1950 Caldecott Honor book (i.e., a runner-up to the Medal winner) for best illustration in a children's book.

A great story for making up voices...
Although "Bartholomew and the Oobleck" is different in style than the Dr Seuss books most people are familiar with, it is still a good story. Bartholomew is pageboy to the king, and apparently the smartest person in the kingdom. When the king orders his magicians make "something new" fall from the sky, with disasterous consequences, which threaten to bury the kingdom under an ocean of green sludge, only Bartholomew takes action.

I love doing different voices when I read stories to children, and this book certainly lends itself to that as Bartholomew runs through the castle trying to alert people of the danger, and get help from anyone, exchanging dialogue with a large variety of people along the way.

I'm only giving this book 4 stars, instead of 5, because it doesn't hold the attention of my kids as well as many of the other books we own, but we certainly have a lot of fun with it anyway.

A timeless classic for children and adults
Bartholomew and the Oobleck begins with the King of Did being irritated and bored with the weather. His page, Bartholmew, tries to enlighten the king with simple common sense. The king ignores him and turns to (literally) magical solutions for his current peeve. When the results turn disastrous, Barthlomew tries to warn his friends in the castle. No one listens to him, being more concerned with their own business and as a result, they all end up worse off. Then, when the king finally listens to him, a ray of hope appears amidst the crisis.

Written in 1949, "Batholomew and the Oobleck", like its prequel, "The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins" hardly feels like a Dr. Suess book. The illustrations look like charcoal sketches (except of course for the green oobleck) and the text lacks the sing-song poetry commonly associated with Suess books. Despite this, the Bartholomew books have withstood the tests of time and tastes because they touch on a subject that is near to the hearts of all children, but which is rarely addressed in children's literature. Many times children find themselves surrounded by adults hurrying about, fixated on their own agendas. When a child is in the thick of such a situation, he or she will often be ignored. After all, why should adults listen to children? BATO tells us why; children can sometimes see situations as clearly or moreso than adults specifically because they are not distracted by adult agendas! The lesson of BATO stands for all generations, and that is what makes it a timeless classic.

Scary!
This was without a doubt my favorite of all Seuss books.l It is different than the others, darker in tone and more daring.

The Oobleck might be a metaphor for nuclear proliferation, but whatever it is, it's sticky, nasty, green and scary. It rains from the sky (fallout?)and it gums up everything.

A brilliant book, and one that has kids shivering and adults wondering at the skill of Dr. Seuss to tell a kid's tale and at the same time, make some acerbic commentary. HIGHLY recommended. ... Read more

Book Description

"Amoeba"

Don't ever tease a wee amoeba

By calling him a her amoeba.

And don't call her a him amoeba.

Or never he a she amoeba.

'Cause whether his or hers amoeba,

They too feel like you and meba.

What if a boring lesson about the food chain becomes a sing-aloud celebration about predators and prey? A twinkle-twinkle little star transforms into a twinkle-less, sunshine-eating-and rhyming Black Hole?What ifamoebas, combustion, metamorphosis, viruses, the creation of the universe areall irresistible, laugh-out-loud poetry? Well, you're thinking in science verse,that's what. And if you can't stop the rhymes . . . the atomic joke is on you.Only the amazing talents of Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith, the team who createdMath Curse, could make science so much fun. A CD with text read by Scieszka andSmith is included. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The haughty ruler of Didd, King Derwin (who would foolishly go on to summon green goo from the sky in his later years) showed the first signs of his silly self-importance back in this 1938 Seuss classic, The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins.

When Bartholomew visits town one day, selling cranberries at the market for his parents, the King's procession screeches to a halt in front of him; King Derwin then leans out of his coach, demanding to know why Bartholomew hasn't respectfully removed his hat. "But, Sire, my hat is off." He shows the king the hat in his hands that he's just doffed, but sure enough, another identical one sits atop his head. He takes that hat off only to reveal another... and another, and another, and another. Poor Bartholomew goes through 45 hats, then 136, then 233, as the angry king calls in every expert in the kingdom, from Sir Snipps the haberdasher to the Father of the Father of Nadd. In the end, Bartholomew barely gets away with his head (forget about the hats!), as Seuss spins this weird and wacky tale, a strange thing that "just happened to happen and was not very likely to happen again." (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Keep your "Eggs and Ham" I like the HATS!!
This is a truly AMAZING book. The first time I brought it home from the Grade School Library I was enchanted! Bartholomew Cubbins is challenged with the difficulties brought on by his hat. He is almost beheaded for not taking his hat off before the King. He get's out of that though because of his hat. He is chanted upon by wise men and cats. The nephew of the King does not like Bartholomew because he is getting more attention than he. Bartholomew continues to remove hat after hat the entire time. In the end they become grander and grander. The thing that almost got Bartholomew killed it what saves him in the end.

I brought this book home over 500 times. Before I could read my mom read it to me, even when I could read I made her still read it to me. I treasure this Seuss book above all of my others. Bartholomew has an amazing time trying to take his hat off. This book has all the wonderful Seuss words and adventure that is to be expected.

Wonderful to enhance the imagination of young children.
I run a day care in my home and I read everyday to the children. They love the story of Bartholomew Cubbins. After reading about the first few hats, the children pretty much read it on their own. They knew what would happen when the next hat came off. Needless to say, I had to read it many more times before I had to return it to our library. Dr Suess never disappoints his readers. Here is another example of his perfect writing skills.

Can Bartholomew Remove His Hat?
Bartholomew Cubbins, lowest of the subject of King Derwin has gone into town to sell some cranberries for his parents. When the king passes by, he doffs his hat, only have the king stop and accuse him of not taking his hat off. Surprised to find it is true, he takes his hat off, only to find a third hat on his head. The king has him arrested and begins trying to figure out ways to keep the hat off. His wise men and magicians are certainly no help. Meanwhile, Bartholomew must figure out a way to get his hat to stay off his head before the consequences become drastic.

This is an early Dr. Seuss book, and a lesser known of his works. Still, it tells a fun story about a boy in trouble for something he didn't do. Everyone can relate to that. Even when the king becomes obsessed with the hat, Bartholomew never looses his respect for the king.

This doesn't have the charm, creativity, or poetry of some of his other works, but is still fun for kids because of the absurd length they reach to try to get rid of that hat.

memories for a lifetime.
As a adult in my 40's, it is not easy to recall many specific details from my early childhood. But I have never forgotten the specialness of my favorite book - The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins by Dr. Seuss.
The delight I felt in reading it - or better yet, having my Grandmother read it to me, is a memory I cherish. The whimsical and ever more fanciful hats that Bartholomew found upon his head captivated me.
This book is a treasure and to this day, when asked for a recommendation of my favorite books, I secretly think of this childhood tale.

The Awesome Book called 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins
The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins, written by Dr. Suess, at Random House

If you like fantasy choldren's books with lots of pictures then this is the book for you. A boy is going to the market to sell cranberries and the king rolls by on his carriage, everyone takes of their hat but whenever Bartholomew takes off his hat another one appears. The king's nephew wahnts him to be executed because he is getting all the attention and even he can't take off Bartholomew's hat. After each hat pops off a new one comes on Bartholomew's head. The kind tries many ways to get the hat off, including shooting them iff with arrows and other ways to. Get ready Bartholomew this will be one funky ride.

Bartholomew is the main character, the poor farm boy that just can't take off his hat. There is also the king's nephew, the Duke of Wiinfred, is a snob and tries to kill Bartholomew after he can't take off Bartholomew's hat. There is also the king who is rather clueless throughout this whole book.

I would definately recommend this book to kids because it isn't hard to read and is very easy to understand. It is also very funny with many wierd and hillarious twists in it. Dr. Suess is a very good writer and i would recommend any of his books. He does a very good job of giving each character their own voice. The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins is a Dr.Suess is a classic and everyone should read it. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Ready or not, here she comes! That clever, mischievous, loving matriarch of the nursery knows more verses and ditties than you can shake a stick at.From the familiar "Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater" and "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush" to the more obscure "I'm Dusty Bill from Vinegar Hill," this lovely, good-humored collection of nursery rhymes is sure to find a place on the shelf of classics. On the heels of her first award-winning collection, My Very First Mother Goose, world-renowned folklorist Iona Opie brings together still more of her never-ending supply of childhood verse. And once again the incomparable Rosemary Wells (Max's Bath, Max's Bedtime, Max's Ride) has joined Opie to enchant young readers as the two blend ancient verse with fresh new pictures. Soft, appealing watercolors depict a comical menagerie of ducks, bunnies, cats, and guinea pigs, wittily interpreting more than 60 old favorites. No new parent should be without this indispensable treasure. (Click to see a sample spread. Copyright 1999 by Rosemary Wells. Used by permission of Candlewick Press.) (Baby to preschool) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (6)

disapointing
This has a fairly nice selection of rhymes, and the pictures are bright, but the pictures seem rather unrelated to the rhymes -
and for a child just learning to speak it seems important that
the pictures and the rhymes match. I was given a copy but I do
not read it to my 2-year-old. I much prefer the Orchard Book of
Nursery Rhymes which i found at the local library. (Why three stars and not fewer? Because I saw at the library many nursery rhyme books that were worse.)

great children's book!
I just want to respond to the person who said that there was an error on what boys and girls are made of (p.26-27). This is a children's book of the 90s and the reversal was made intentionally to try to rid of stereotypes of boys and girls. This book has wonderful illistrations and large print, perfect for young children!

Down with stereotypes!
What a wonderful book! The text is classic and the illustrations are, of course, marvelous! To the disappointed reviewer who thought there was an error in the illustrations, you are incorrect! I just returned from a conference at which Ms. Wells spoke. The switch in the "what are little girls/boys made of" indeed was intentional on the part of the illustrator to stamp out those gender stereotypes! As Ms. Wells told us this weekend, "Mother Goose should be the Shakespeare of children's literature."! READ ON!

Great fun for parent and child!
The book is wonderful...as to the comment about the editor's error on the "what are little girls and boy's made of"...I too originally thought it was an error. After a closer look I discovered pictures of cute little girls in pigtails playing with frogs and mud and cute little boys in chefs' hats baking and having a great time. A terrificly subtle blast at stereotypes...give the book to someone you love!

An accessible and refreshing Mother Goose for all ages!
I loved Here Comes Mother Goose. My 11 year old daughter loved it too. Rosemary Wells is so clever, mixing up the what little boys and what little girls are made up was wonderful! The art and characters are what make this book standout for us. The ryhme selection also is great - the rhymes with violence have been skipped, nice for a change. We have both collections now and have given many as gifts. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This classic Seuss title stars a happy-looking quadruped from the shores of Lake Winna-Bango who has the most amazing antlers and the kindest disposition. Alas! Everyone, but everyone, takes advantage of his generosity, and before long he has three-quarters of the animal kingdom nesting in the convenient perches atop his head. ("They asked in a fox, who jumped in from the trees, / They asked in some mice and they asked in some fleas.") You might think someone would take pity, but nobody seems to like an oddball, and all Thidwick gets for his trouble is complaints and contempt. Unable to cross the lake when winter threatens, he looks all set to starve--and then things get even worse. He is saved from certain death just in time, swims the lake, and joins the herd again. One reason this Seuss is so good: it has a moral, but the moral isn't pressed too far and the exuberant linguistic fun isn't subservient to it. (Ages 4 to 8) --Richard Farr ... Read more

Reviews (9)

39 years of loving this book!
I bought this book 39 years ago at a church sale when I was 6 years old--yes, I used my own money! I loved it then and I love it now. The illustrations are a hoot--seeing one critter after another move into poor Thidwick's horns has always made me laugh. And, I like to think of myself as a nice guy too and a moral fellow, just like poor Thidwick. So, the lesson of seeing people take advantage of one's good nature has served me as I've gone through life. In college I majored in Political Philosophy and I thought of this book then. The lesson for me was--Bad people will use your morality against you while themselves being unaccountable. Bad people will break the law all the time, but if a good person breaks the law...listen to them scream! And of course, poor Thidwick will do anything to keep from breaking the law (in this case the law of hospitality), even starve to death or be shot by trophy hunters, rather than eject his "guests." The law has been distorted and perverted in Thidwick's case. His immoral guests remind Thidwick that if he's to be a good host then Thidwick must cater to their needs. They don't / won't consider Thidwick's needs. The ungrateful guests seem offended that they might have some responsibility for Thidwick's suffering. Years later when I read a book by Ayn Rand, I thought of Thidwick during several passages. But this is most importantly a children's book that children love! My 4 year old son picks this book to have me read it to him regularly. If he didn't like it, what would it matter that his dad likes it so much!

My favorite Dr. Seuss book
..I won't write pages retelling the whole book. I just want to tell you that this is my favorite Dr. Seuss book and I have a copy that I received as a gift when I was 7 years old. My copy is over 30 years old and I have taken it in twice to read to my children's classes. My four kids love this book and their classes loved it too. A great book - buy it for your child and I'll bet that they will have the book 30 years from now and will be reading it to their kids!

Get Stuffed! Fish and Guests Smell in Three Days!
Thidwick's adventure begins simply enough. He is marching along on the shores of Lake Winna-Bango, on the far northern shore, looking for moose-moss to eat with 60 other moose. A small Bingle Bug nicely asks Thidwick for a ride "for a way." Thickwick replies, "I'm happy to share!" Most of us would have said the same.

But what happens when a guest overstays her or his welcome? In Thidwick's case, his horns become a veritable zoo of wildlife. There is a Tree-Spider spinning a web, a Zinn-a-zu Bird who gets married and builds a nest, and their uncle the woodpecker who pecks holes the squirrel family inhabits. And so on it goes, to include a bobcat, turtle, fox, mice, fleas, a big bear . . . and 362 bees!

Thidwick is like the horse in Animal Farm. He's providing all of the work and benefit, and everyone is bossing him around. Why, they won't even agree to let him leave with the other moose to find more moose moss. Why is Thidwick willing to put up with this? What are the benefits of having a big heart in this situation?

How does Thidwick end up in this mess? Well, having accepted the Bingle Bug, the subsequent guests ignore Thidwick and ask the earlier guests instead if they can move in. Thidwick honors his first commitment, extends it in time and to the new inhabitants.

As a result of Thidwick's dilemma, this book provides a good opportunity to discuss sharing with your child . . . and explain the benefits and limits of sharing.

Your child will run into people who will try to take advantage. This gives you a chance to ask your child what he or she would do in Thidwick's situation.

The story's resolution is a most original and humorous one that makes good use of the mental picture of shedding your onorous burdens.

This story is illustrated by Dr. Seuss, as well as written in his best rhyming way. The drawings of the creatures in Thidwick's horns come close to matching many of Dr. Seuss's most imaginative mechanical devices. The horns of this dilemma are funnier than those devices, because this concoction is based on animals and natural processes.

The story is a pretty easy one for five to six year olds to learn to read, because many of the words are short and rhyme. The illustrations also "name" many of the nouns. The humor provides "hooks" for memorizing the words.

I also liked the idea of introducing children to the concept of treating a guest well, even if the guest does not behave well. Our society would be much improved if we all did a little more friendly hosting.

After you finish enjoying this story, ask your child if she or he knows of anyone who is like Thidwick. Ask your child what that person should do differently.

Enjoy having a big heart . . . and hosting others!

One of two of my favorite Seuss's
I remember this book from growing up 30 years ago. The story of a overly gracious moose and how some of his woodland 'friend' take advantage of him. It is classic Seuss with wonderful rhyme and wording. This and McElligot's Pool are now staples for our children's bedtime reading.

Thidwick is always remembered
This is a wonderful children's story that I remember reading as a child. It has such an impression on me, I never forgot the story nor the moral that Dr. Suess implied in this tale. ... Read more

Book Description

Roald Dahl's inimitable style and humor shine in this collection of poems about mischievous and mysterious animals. From Stingaling the scorpion to Crocky-Wock the crocodile, Dahl's animals are nothing short of ridiculous. A clever pig with an unmentionable plan to save his own bacon and an anteater with an unusually large appetite are among the characters created by Dahl in these timeless rhymes. This new, larger edition is perfect for reading aloud and makes Quentin Blake's celebrated illustrations even more enjoyable.

"Will elicit a loud 'Yuck.'In other words, children will love them." (Children's Book Review Service) ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Oh man!
I remember reading this in 5th grade (1995) and laughing so hard. From the Ant Eater that ate aunts (due to American mis-pronounciation), to the cow that sprouted wings and flew around crapping on thigs, this never got old. This was pretty hard to find back in the day, but it's good to see Amazon has a lot of them in stock. This is dirtier than Dahl's other stories...as the name suggests...but it's nothing too offensive for anyone younger than 9 or 10. Go for it, it's nuts and a half.

A favorite
From a six year olds' point of view.
"It is fun to ready and funny. I love the part of the boy with the talking tummy."

I thought some of the Rhymes might be a little to grody for a little girl, but that is the essence of this little book. She takes delight in reading it aloud to her friends at school. And she never tires of it. She is a Roald Dahl fan and I am over the moon about it. I think Dahl and his books are a great alternative or addition to Junie B. Jones and Magic Tree House. But I think ultimately he will outlast many of these other books. He is a classic.

Goodness Gracious Me
A classic piece of Dahl lunacy. Whether you are 5 or 50 this Roald Dahl classic will have you squirming and tittering. Quentin Blake's wonderful illustrations capture Dahl's beasts and bring them hairily to life. ... Read more

Book Description

Mrs. Honey and her cat find themselves in each other's dreams.They fly and fall and fight off sharks with knitting needles.They almost drown and are rescued by sailors, attacked by pirates and saved by Mrs. Honey's cakes, only to end up walking the plank into the briny drink!And then...and then...they wake up!So, that's how you get rid of pirates! ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Wonderful book!
My son (2 years old) absolutely adores this book! We typically read a minimum of three books together every evening, and this, is always one of them! (The other constant is another Don and Audrey Wood book - The mouse, the red ripe strawberry and the big hungry bear). The "quick as a cricket", "slow as a snail" similies through the book are wonderful. I would highly recommend it!

Great book for toddlers!
My one year old daughter is a book-a-holic. She loves me to read ot her and I have, in the process, been given an opportunity to become quite adept in my knowledge of great children's books. This book is a winner! It is her very favorite. She loves the illustrations and the story delights her. She loves animals and is able to see many of her favorites, namely, the dog and cat. She also loves the end of the book where the boy has his arms overhead. She likes to mimic this gesture everytime we come to the end. If your kid loves to read, loves animals and you want a book that is not too wordy this book is for your child. Happy reading!

I'm as Quick as a Cricket
My children all grew up with this book. My oldest child is handicapped and ABSOLUTELY loves this book over all the others. When read with enthusiasm and accents on the words, it makes it all the more enjoyable. The last page with the big smile is the ultimate ending and my daughter pulls the book to her face with glee. If you enjoy reading to your kids and enjoy wonderful pictures---this is a keeper. This is at the top of my list and has been for years. All of the new nieces and nephews recieve this as a gift. Absolutely the greatest!!

Quick as a Cricket
This lovely book has won the heart of my 2 year old daughter. She requests the "cricket book" perhaps a little too often :-). I do really enjoy reading the quick paced, bouncy rhyming style of Audrey Wood. She is one of my favorite children's authors and with her husband Don Wood, they have created beautifully illustrated pages to go along with it. It is colorful, fun, interesting, and predictable enough so that the toddler can help you finish the sentences and join in the story FUN!

All-time Favorite
I got this book for my son, when he was three years old. And it's been his favorite book ever since. At age 5, he still asks for it at least once a week.

The pictures are great and the child is drawn in a gender-neutral way that lets each child relate to the story as they want. I've given this one as a gift several times, and the boys always assume the character is a boy and the girls see a girl.

The story reinforces the concept that we can all be different ways at the same time -- and that ability is to be celebrated. ... Read more

Amazon.com

For parents pure of heart and intention, the Real Mother Goose isthe only way to fly. And this sturdy little board book, chock full of best-lovedrhymes from the classic edition is sure to enchant readers of all ages.Old-fashioned illustrations by Blanche Fisher Wright may appeal especially tothe older set, but the pastel tones, pretty images, and traditional nurseryrhyme scenes will definitely strike a chord with the very youngest readers, too.Edwardian-looking girls and boys frolic with geese and pigs, gaze at stars, andjump over candlesticks. Fifteen of the simplest rhymes were chosen for thiscollection, including Jack and Jill, Ring Around the Rosies, One, Two, Buckle MyShoe, and Baa, Baa, Black Sheep. Wright's lovely Mother Goose illustrations canalso be found in The OriginalMother Goose and another baby-friendly board book, The Real Mother Goose. (Baby topreschool) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Perfect Choice!
This adorable book is entertaining for the parent as well as the child! It's great to be able to share these familiar rhymes with my child. The pictures are bright and detailed, and the board book is the perfect size for a diaper bag!

My kids love this book!
My son is 2, my daughter is 1, and I have another baby on the way! My toddlers love this book. This Mother Goose board book is perfect for us because we get to read my old favorites without the worry of tearing up the book, spilling something on it or cleaning up the typical crayon marks often found in books. I often let the kids take the book to bed with them, and they pretend to read it by themselves. Never underestimate the power of reading to your children! ... Read more

Book Description

Shel Silverstein's three best-selling, beloved poetry collections -- Where the Sidewalk Ends, A Light in the Attic, and Falling Up -- are now available together for the first time in exclusive smaller editions in a beautifully designed slipcased box set.

Reviews (1)

Couldn't ask for better
These were my favorite books when I was in elementary school and they still remain high on my list. This is the set of all poetry and drawings books - makes a great gift!!! Your kids will loves these poems and the pictures that go along with them - and so will you! ... Read more

Book Description

Eleven-year-old Stevland Judkins Morris Hardaway hit the big time when he signed a Motown recording contract. At the age of thirteen, Little Stevie Wonder had millions of fans dancing to the number-one song in the nation.

Little Stevie Wonder is the true story of a boy who lost his sight shortly after birth, grew up in Detroit, Michigan, and became one of the twentieth century"s most creative and influential musicians—an instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, musical innovator, and cultural activist.

Here in Quincy Troupe"s joyful poem and Lisa Cohen"s vibrant art is an uplifting celebration of life, peace, and music. ... Read more

Book Description

Translated by Carlos Rivera. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Painful to read
I must agree with several of the other reviews. This book was translated with no thought to rhyme or flow. That's part of what makes Dr. Seuss books attractive to kids. It is a joy to read the translated version of "Green eggs & ham", but the "Cat in the hat" is positively painful.

I agree with Ms. Denise Caramagno
The spanish version of this book is pathetic. We also have "Huevos verdes con jamon" (Green eggs with ham) in spanish and it is delighful to read it.

At least, in this edition you still have the english version to read.

I think this book needs a re-edition with a more accurate translation.

El gato en el sombrero/The Cat in The Hat
When I first bought this book in Spanish (many years ago) the translation was so awful that I wrote the publishers begging them to improve future editions. I recently saw the book again and not a word has been changed-it's still a abomination.

What good is Dr. Seuss if it doesn't rhyme?
The Spanish portion of this book doesn't rhyme. I have seen other Dr. Seuss books in Spanish that do. This one is a direct translation of the English. I think it would have been a lot more effective to stray from the English enough to make the Spanish rhyme too!

I'm teaching my children Spanish . . .
(...) The point was made that the translator could have done a better job had he used a little license to play with the words and make it read with an improved cadence and rhyme. However, I really wanted a literal translation! My kids speak English and are learning Spanish -- they know the English version well. It is helpful to have a direct translation because the kids can pick out the words they do know and fill in the rest because of the context --- this only works if the translation is exact/literal. The English version is also written on every page to help with that process of word-deciphering. For me, this was a very good choice. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

I had to read this for my 12th grade English class
At the time, I could not understand anything about poetry. And today, I still do not understand it. I have been re-reading this book lately (yes, I still have it 15 years later!), hoping to understand the appeal of poetry. Rime of the Ancient Mariner is in this one!

Best Collection Of British Poetry I've Found
I got this book for a class and then lost it, since then I've been looking everywhere for it. All your favorites, and some new ones to treasure. One great little book! ... Read more

Book Description

The extraordinary four color and black and white art of the renowned Jessie Willcox Smith makes these classic nursery rhymes come vividly to Life.Here is everything from Mary Had a Little Lamb to Old King Cole was a Merry Old Soul, and so many others, making this the perfect keepsake to give anyone with young children. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Sumptuous Illustrations Accompany Historical Nursery Classic
This splendid book should be in every nursery library. It contains hundreds of nursery rhymes, some very well known to American children and some not so familiar including the 51 rhymes with morals found in the original Mother Goose collection that was printed by Isaiah Thomas in Massachusetts in the years just following the Revolutionary War.
The book is printed on high quality silk-smooth paper and is printed in large clear type with charming black and white accent illustrations of children and characters from that era. Familiar and well-known Mother Goose verses as well as perhaps unkown verses are included. Many beautiful illustrations by the amazing Jessie Willcox Smith enhance this volume, a few in black and white, but most in full color, full page glory. Smith, born in 1863 is, in my opinion, one of the finest illustrators of children ever. She never used professional models and preferred to search out the right child for the picture. As a result her illustrations bring images to us straight out of history and capture with an appreciative heart the sweetness of childhood, unsurpassed.
This book is truly a treasure, one that is sure to be enjoyed for many years to come. ... Read more