Book Description

Illus. in full color. A host of inventive creatures help beginning readers recognize many common "household" words. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

The Seussian imagination unleashed!
Dr. Seuss' best books tend to have a touch of fantasy (or light-hearted science fiction) to them, and "There's a Wocket in My Pocket!" falls into that category. In this book of simple rhymes, the narrator introduces the reader to the gallery of weird creatures that share his home. There's no plot, but there are Seussian creatures galore.

Beginning with the Wocket of the cover, each creature favors a habitat that conveniently rhymes with its name. Example: "And that Zelf up on that shelf! / I have talked to him myself." The creatures include the pink-and-yellow striped Zlock, the cantankerous Yottle, the creepy Vug, the gravity-defying Geeling, and many others. As always, Seuss' colorful artwork is rich in whimsical details.

The narrator loves his home and its weird inhabitants. The book thus seems to have the message that it's OK to be different, or to come from a home that others might find odd. And that's a lesson I like! So enjoy the book, and don't be surprised if you find a "Ghair" under your chair.

Wocket in My Pocket
"Did you ever have the feeling there's a WASKET in your BASKET?" Well this little boy did. This wonderful story is about a little boy and all the things he discovers in his house. There are tons of different creatures made up in the mind of Dr. Seuss. This books crazy rhyming patterns will have your child's full attention. There's just something about rhyming stories that children love.
I would recommend this story to anyone but mainly children from ages 3-9. I am almost positive they would love it. How do I know this? I know this because this has been one of my favorite books ever since I was a little tike. Any adult would love this story also. It's a fun book to read to little ones, I know because I read it to my cousins and they love it!! I would highly recommend you purchase this book or rent from the library. Although it would be smarter to buy it, because "it's a keeper!"

Is there a Wokect in your pocket?
This is probably one of my favorite Dr. Seuss books because I love how he makes up new creatures. In this book a little boy takes us around his house showing us "all those Nupboards in the cupboards" and telling us "they're good fun to have about."

As is expected with Dr. Seuss books it rhymes, most of the time that is. Often the comments made about the animals don't rhyme, but this doesn't impede the flow of words. The book still flows wonderfully.

I always am pleased to see how wonderfully the drawings are done. To come up with all those creatures and yet be able to have each of them look special and different is amazing. All the illustrations are bright, bold and colorful, like one would expect to find in a Dr. Seuss book. All in all, another great Dr. Seuss book.

Loggie-log-log-log

Theres a wocket in my pocket!!
The book there's a wocket in my pocket is about a young boy who belives to find things in all sorts of places in his house such as things in the shower, the cellar, the steps, the chimney. The young boy has a wide imagination and seems to like his house full of things. In this boys house there seems to be a different thing everywhere somethings he likes there others he dosnt.

There's a Wocket in my Pocket
There's a Wocket in my Pocket is a great book for kids. Its a book about a boy who finds all kinds of different Wockets all over his house, in his pocket, in his trash baket, in his bureau, in his closet, in his curtains, behind his clock, up on a shelf, in the sink, in the lamp, in the pots and pans, in a bottle, in and in his chair, they are everywhere. This book is a great book if you like to rhyme words, some a tongue twisting, and some are funny. In the end the boy talked about how he likes where he lives because of all the Wockets there. The reason I liked this book is because it was tongue twisting and it rhymed. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Too simple, no substance
I was disappointed and am reconsidering ever buying books online again! You can't really see what you are getting, and this is just too simple to be useful.

Doctor Maisy
If your child loves Maisy books as much as mine does, definitely add this one to your collection! Not only are the pictures colorful and inviting, but it also makes going to the doctor seem fun and exciting! Plus, it's always great to see Maisy and her friends playing different roles and doing fun things! Each page brings delight to my child's eyes! ... Read more

Book Description

The third volume of theMy Father's Dragon trilogy, this adventure may be enjoyed on its own. Here, the baby dragon summons Elmer to help save his family from hunters. "Elmer's plan is ingenious and plausible, the fantasy well-sustained."--(starred) Library Journal. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Elmer's adventures come to an end
Elmer has arrived safely home, but not for long. When his friend the Dragon leaves to find his own family, he discovers they've been taken prisoner by some men who want to sell them to zoos. Now the Dragon must find Elmer in time to help his family without being spotted by other humans. But what if Elmer can't come up with a plan?

This is the final in the My Father's Dragon series. It lives up to the second book, but both fall a little short of the creativity and humor of the first. Still, fans will want to know how the series ends and won't be disappointed with the story presented here. As with the others, the storyline and vocabulary are perfect for the beginning reader or as a read aloud story.

This series is a great way to introduce kids to the joys of reading. Parents will also enjoy the clever fantasy storylines. This is a fun book in a fun series that will entertain children of all ages.

4.5* Excellent Old-Fashioned Dragon Tale!
I love children's books that open with a map, and the "Dragons of Blueland" (the third in Gannett's series about the dragon) promises adventures in such exciting locales as "Seaweed Bay," "The Awful Desert," "Popsicornia," and the "Spiky Mountain Range."

The book delivers, as Elmo Elevator, a "brave boy of nine," helps his dragon friend Boris rescue his family. The story is comforting yet cleverly exciting and humorous. The soft black and white illustrations (done by the author's stepmother, who also did the illustrations for the first edition of Steinbeck's "Tortilla Flat") are a gentle compliment to the text. First published in 1951, this is good fun!

Could have been better
Not every childrens book can be The Wizard of Oz, Charlotte's Web or James and the Giant Peach. My son and I liked this one, but I'm sure within a few months we will have forgotten what is was about. It just wasn't very memorable.

One to read over and over again
I bought this book without ever having heard of it or the author; but my son was having a dragon birthday theme, so I took a chance. What wonderful luck. It is good for children age 4 to 40! We have read it numerous times and the chapters provide comfortable break points as well. This book stirs the imagination and keeps the reader and listener interested!

I love this book.
I like this book because it's very adventurous. They find a lot of really cool things. I like all the things they make-believe and the way everything is drawn. All the things they make in the book are really creative.

Rachel Davis, age 7 ... Read more

Reviews (13)

We love this book
My 1 year old son just got two Maisy books for his birthday. This book was one of them. It is amazing to see how much he loves this book. He brings it to us and makes us read it over and over and loves to lift the flaps. This has made bedtime stories much easier (since he is never still).

KIds Love These Lift the Flap Books
If you are the parent of a young child, you probably know who Maisy is. She's a mouse with a duck, a squirrel, an elephant, and a crocodile for friends. Why the crocodile isn't trying to eat the others is beyond me, but that's life in Maisy's world.

Both of my daughters love the Maisy books; there's something about their simple stories and colorful pictures that even appeals to adults. The books are short and easy to read. But, the stories are never obnoxiously simplistic, like so many other books for small children.

This is a lift the flap book in which the childen are lifting flaps in search of Maisy. They find all of her friends before finally locating Maisy. That sneaky little mouse; hiding at the end of the book. One caution, the kids might get a little aggressive with the flaps and tear a few, resulting in the purchase of a new lift the flap book.

She loves it!
My 5 month old simply loves this books. She gets excited whenever we bring it out to read. It's almost like she's anticipating to see what's behind the flip cover.

Mother of 14-month old
My daughter has had this book for about 6 months now and it's still her favorite (she has dozens of other books). I'm here ordering more of the Maisy series. Among her other favorites are the Baby Einstein books from their website.

Grandmas Take Notice
My two year old granddaughter thinks Maisey is the best. She has been fascinated by all the books and videos. Quiet, kind, simply presented characters teach colors, letters, and friendship. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Concluding the story begun in The Secret of the Unicorn, Red Rackham's Treasure follows Tintin and friends as they search for the pirate booty procured by Captain Haddock's ancestor, Sir Francis Haddock, in the West Indies. They receive some unexpected help in the form of a hard-of-hearing inventor named Professor Calculus, who would go on to become one of the most endearing characters of the series. (Herge admitted that the character was one "whom I never suspected would take on such importance.") It's a lot of fun, with some submarine and diving adventures, humor from the Thompsons, and an unexpected (but satisfying) ending. --David Horiuchi ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Prof. Calculus helps Tintin with his underwater adventure
Make sure you read the previous Tintin Adventure, "The Secret of the Unicorn," otherwise you will really not know all about the background on "Red Rackham's Treasure," despite the fact Hergé offers a bit of a recapitulation in the form of a conversation overhead in a bar. The main thing is that having collected all the clues regarding the titular treasure, Tintin and Captain Haddock are prepared to go forth and find it. However, almost as important as the search for the treasure is our introduction to the final pivotal member of the Tintin family, as Professor Cuthbert Calculus offers the service of his small shark-proof submarine for exploring the ocean floor. Tintin refuses the offer, but it turns out that Professor Calculus always hears somkething other than what somebody is really saying. Adding to the fun are the Thom(p)sons, who come alone with orders to protect Tintin.

"Red Rackham's Treasure" is mostly a pure adventure story, with Tintin using the small submarine and a deep sea diving suit to look for the treasure of the Unicorn. But there is still some detective work left to be done to decipher the final cryptic clues left by Sir Francis Haddock concerning the treasure's location. I still like Hergé's two-part adventure that sent Tintin to the Moon, but this two-parter is not far behind. This is the last of the Tintin stories Hergé wrote during World War II, and after this point we will definitely see his stories become much more allegorical in terms of post-War Europe. But this time around it is just Tintin, Snowy, and company out having fun beneath the deep blue sea.

Prof. Calculus helps Tintin in his great undersea adventure
Make sure you read the previous Tintin Adventure, "The Secret of the Unicorn," otherwise you will really not know all about the background on "Red Rackham's Treasure," despite the fact Hergé offers a bit of a recapitulation in the form of a conversation overhead in a bar. The main thing is that having collected all the clues regarding the titular treasure, Tintin and Captain Haddock are prepared to go forth and find it. However, almost as important as the search for the treasure is our introduction to the final pivotal member of the Tintin family, as Professor Cuthbert Calculus offers the service of his small shark-proof submarine for exploring the ocean floor. Tintin refuses the offer, but it turns out that Professor Calculus always hears somkething other than what somebody is really saying. Adding to the fun are the Thom(p)sons, who come alone with orders to protect Tintin. "Red Rackham's Treasure" is mostly a pure adventure story, with Tintin using the small submarine and a deep sea diving suit to look for the treasure of the Unicorn. But there is still some detective work left to be done to decipher the final cryptic clues left by Sir Francis Haddock concerning the treasure's location. I still like Hergé's two-part adventure that sent Tintin to the Moon, but this two-parter is not far behind. This is the last of the Tintin stories Hergé wrote during World War II, and after this point we will definitely see his stories become much more allegorical in terms of post-War Europe.

Fabulous
Tintin is great. I never tire of re-reading him.
Red Rackham's Treasure sees our erstwhile hero gallivanting off with Snowy, Captain Haddock and the Thompson Twins after the adventures outlined in "Secret of the Unicorn'. In this book we are introduced to the absent-minded Professor Calculus - it's always great to see how the drawing of characters change after a couple of adventures! - and his amazing shark submarine. Suffice it to say, deep-sea diving, bottles of rum, the odd shark, all lead to the golden treasure in a most unexpected place.
Everyone should read Tintin and this adventure is one of the best.

Simply Amazing
Tintin is a legendary character and this is one of his best adventures ever. It is just breathtaking, funny as usual and full of thrill. This is a must for any comics lover. God Bless you Herge.

Wonderful, wonderful
When I was a child, my grandparents had this at their home - part of a large children's book collection. I remember reading and rereading this book. As a child I loved everything about it. The wonderful art made me want to see each page time and again. Well worth it. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Simple, Soft, Explanation of Nightmares for Young Children
Both "Brother" and "Sister" Bear have bad dreams after they play with some toy monsters, and "Brother" sees a movie about them. "Mama Bear" and "Papa Bear" comfort them when they each have bad dreams that night:

"But it was so real!" she said, calming down a bit.
"That's how it is with dreams," he [Papa] said. "It's as if they're really happening, but they're not-they're just in your mind."

After Sister explains the dream, Mama explains that the mind keeps thinking during sleep, but in a nonsensical way, and that a dream "takes all the things you were thinking or were nervous about during the day and puts them together all jumbled like a mixed-up jigsaw puzzle." Mama validates that the dream is scary but also points out how it was interesting.

This may or may not help a child experiencing his/her first nightmares. It's might be useful as an initial explanation, but it doesn't (nor does it intend to) offer much more insight or coping strategies than those mentioned above. As usual, the drawings are fairly bland and unimaginative, but will be familiar to the Berenstain Bear fan.

The Bad Dream
Waking up from a bad dream isn't very pleasant, but after reading this story its not half as bad. This story helps explain to your children why they dream and why sometimes they are scary dreams. It's a great and fun way to show your child that dreams are all in their head, and not even close to being real.
It all starts when brother buys his new Space Grizzlies play set. He makes a deal with Sister so she will play with him. The next day Brother goes to see the Space Grizzlies movie and it scares him. That night both Sister and Brother have nightmares ... about Space Grizzlies. They both run into Mama and Papa's room, first Sister, then Brother, and that is when they explain to them how dreams get concocted in your mind.
This is a great story to show your kids that dreams aren't real. It also explains why they have bad dreams. I would recommend this story to any child who has bad dreams. If you are an adult I would recommend you read this to your child. It's great just like all the other Berenstain Bears books. I would also recommend you read some more books by Stan and Jan Berenstein to your children.

Great Kids Book
After the cubs go to see a scary movie with their parents, they have a horrible bad dream. Will Mama and Papa be able to help the cubs?

This a a really great book. It explains to kids why we have bad dreams and how they are not real. I suggest it for any child who loves good story!

Toddler loves it
She loved the picture of the cover on the back of another Berenstain Bear book. We have read it so many times that our 3 year old can tell the story word for word by the pictures. Any time she claims to have a bad dreams now "Space Grizzly's" are chasing her.

The Bernstain Bears and the Bad Dream
I bought this book because my 2 1/2 year old daughter was having nightmares. It explained to her what nightmares were in a way that she could understand. After I finished the book she said "no monsters Mommy?". I have read it to her before bed everynight since I bought it and she has not had nightmares since. I would recommend it to anyone who has a child who is having nightmares or who is afraid of monsters in the night. What a lifesaver this book is...I now get a full night's sleep again!

Heather ... Read more

Book Description

Take one alien, five kids, and the ability to change into any animal they touch, and you¹ve got a fantastic, unpredictable, edge-of-your-seat series best described as ³The X-Files for Kids.²Get books 25-28 in one boxed set. Great for collectors! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Best Yet
This section of the series is where the story starts to get really interesting, with Erek getting exposed,and AX discovering TV, these are the best set yet. A must read for fans.

And Non fans! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Young doodlers and dreamers of the world, take heart--the famous Dr.Seuss, creator of Whos and Sneetches, was a doodler and dreamer, too.Kathleen Krull's engaging picture-book biography of Ted Geisel, the realDr. Seuss, takes us from his early childhood on FairfieldStreet in Springfield, Massachusetts, to the time when he's 22 years oldin Greenwich Village and just starting to think he might make a go of it as a person who draws flying cows. Krull tells a lively story,carefully including details that help us understand how Seuss becameSeuss, from playground injustice (Geisel was a German American and WorldWar I loomed large) to his love for Krazy Kat comics.

Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher, who also illustrated Seuss's My Many ColoredDays, cast Seuss's childhood in a nostalgic light with lovely,old-fashioned paintings. A four-page section in the back picks up Seuss's story again,taking us to 1937 when he launches his children's book career with And to Think That I Saw Iton Mulberry Street and all the way to his death in 1991. Acomplete list of Seuss's books and recommendations for further research closes this fascinating look at one of America's most belovedcreators of children's books. (Ages 8 and older) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Good reading skills or parental assistance required
It's hard to know where to place this biography of Ted Geisel: Boy On Fairfield Street reads with the action and drama of fiction, yet is a bona-fide account of how Geisel grew up to become Dr. Seuss. Paintings by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher accompany a lively discussion of how Geisel got his ideas. Good reading skills or parental assistance required for this in-depth biographical survey.

Unique Children will Love this book!
Do you know a child who feels out of step with the rest of their class? How about one that seems to annoy their teacher because they see the world differently? This biography was made for them!

Dr. Suess seemed to frustrate his teachers as his drawings were so different from all the other children in his class - in this book, readers will learn that he reveled in his uniqueness and embraced his unusual view of the world. As a result, he was able to find success as a cartoonist -- though it did take time.

The biography isn't just for little kids, but could be gifted to any "child" who needs to feel proud of their uniqueness.

Do you hear a drum beat that no one else can hear? Be glad you do -- you might grow up to be as successful as Dr. Suess.

Seuss-on!
A great biography for the under-12 crowd, The Boy on Fairfield Street is beautifully illustrated and tenderly written. From Ted's experiences with bullies to a humiliating experience with former President Theodore Roosevelt, Krull has shown the reader Ted's common failings as well as his extraordinary perseverance. Disappointing, however, is the short-stop ending just after Ted moves to New York at 22, before any of his famous children's books were written. There is an additional four page narrative but it is not fully illustrated as the rest of the story is and may leave some children cold unless they have help to get through it. Overall, a wonderful book that is just perfect for a celebration of Dr. Seuss's birthday on March 2 or a celebration of this year's Seussentennial. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Why is Eloise, 6-year-old resident of the Plaza Hotel in New York City, going to Paris? She and Nanny were summoned by a cablegram from Eloise's mother, and, as we all know, "If you are going to Paris France / you have to turn into French and absolutely go wild / and put adhesive tape on you / and fall down a lot and sklathe the window / and stretch into the curtain and..." Ahh, the deliciously mad logic of Eloise. She promptly gets on the phone to tell everyone--including room service--that she is Paris bound. There's so much to do--shots, passport pictures, packing ("Here's what else you have to take / Everything"), and of course the endless good-byes. Fortunately, "Sabena is the only airline / that will allow you to travel with a turtle" so Skipperdee comes along for the ride. At last, ils arrivent!

Hilary Knight captures familiar Parisian sights in his delicately hewn pen-and-ink illustrations of everything from the Arc de Triomphe to the Seine to the Champs Élysées to outdoor cafés. Children will studyevery detail of each rawther extraordinaire illustration, from Weenie's snout (such as it is) peeking out from under the hotel bed to the bandy-legged, bunchy-shirted Eloise with her necklace of champagne corks. Even if children don't understand half of the quirks and language directed toward precocious grownups ("Langoustines make very good fingernails"), they'll find more than enough to delight them down to their very toes. Adults, of course, will also revel in this fascinatingly eccentric romp. And if you know anyone who loves (or will love) Paris, this book is the perfect bon voyage gift. Eloise in Paris was first published in 1957, the sequel to the original Eloise, and is every bit as wondrous. If you're in search of more Eloise (and who isn't really?), don't miss The Absolutely Essential Eloise, the original Eloise book with an additional scrapbook that tells the whole story of this impish character and her devoted creators. (Click to see a sample spread.Copyright 1957 by Kay Thompson. Reproduced with permission of Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.) (Ages 5 to 105) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Eloise from 5 to 32!!!
I'm 32 years old and I LOVE Eloise - she is an absolutely delightful character! I have bought several of the Eloise books for my 5 year old daughter and she just loves Eloise as well. How fun and inspiring is it for a little girl to read about a character as whimsical and independent as Eloise?

The illustrations in this book are fantastic and really bring Paris to life for children. I have read this book at least 100 times to my daughter, and each time I enjoy it more. My daughter now wants a champagne cork necklace just like Eloise...thanks Kay Thompson for laughs you have allowed my daughter and me to share!

I love this book!!
I read Eloise (at the Plaza) and Eloise in Paris - all 'very much' Kay. I loved that woman - a very good friend of my mom's. I worked with/for her when (as a teenager) I did her musical arrangements and orchestrations for her fabulous act with The Williams Brothers - which opened in Vegas and played all over the world.

She was one of a kind (you can see her in Funny Face) brilliant musical/vocal arranger herself, world traveler, racounter, incredible lady. I've bumper into her in Rome, Paris, London, New York, LA and was terribly saddened by her death (even though she was painfully painfully thin her whole life). She was one of the great women in the history of show biz. The Eloise books are thrilling to say the least and I continually laugh every time I pick one up even after I've gone through them 100 times. I'm ordering them once again as I left mine in London and MUST have them once again. Buddy Bregman

ElOISE IN PARIS: []
Eloise's First trip to Paris, is unforgetable.
With her Nanny (Nanny), Turtle (Skiperdee), and her Dog (Weenie)...It's a Treasure. It's a keeper. It's great. A+

Eloise Is At It Again
Eloise is at it again, only this time she's in Paris. She'll miss the Plaza, but she does so love visiting new places. The 6 year old is sent for by her mother, and is flown off to Paris with her Nanny, turtle (Skipperdee), and her dog who looks like a cat (Weenie). While in Paris Eloise hangs out with Koki, one of her best friends and chaueffer and gets into all types of trouble. From sneaking around the hotel at night to losing Skipperdee and Weenie at the museum.

This is an excellent book for all Eloise fans, so pick up a copy of this book, and charge it please.

Cest moi, Eloise!
This is my favorite Eloise book. As an Eloise fan and a dedicated Travel-buff, this book is a perreniel favorite.

My sister and I had a battered copy that had belonged to my mom. Little did we know that it was a first edition. Unfortunately, with the cover missing and many of the pages creased and loose, it certainly didn't look like much.

That didn't matter to us, all the pages were still there, and we read that book, along with Eloise and Eloise in Moscow, over and over again. How happy I was to see that these books have been re-printed. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Tintin tackles the end of the world and giant mushrooms
In 1942 the continent of Europe was totally embroiled in World War II, which may well explain why Herge offers up the most fanciful of Tintin's adventures. In fact, nothing else comes as close to "The Shooting Star," which begins with the world about to end because of a collision with a giant comet and ends with Tintin dealing with giant mushrooms. In between there is a race to find a meteorite that contains a new element of great scientific importance (another case of Herge's remarkable premonitions based on meticulous research no doubt). Tintin is aided and abetted in this adventure by Captain Haddock, who we first met in the previous tale, "The Crab with the Golden Claws." But I must say the supporting character who caught my attention was the seaplane pilot who helps our hero in the throughout the episode and in the thrilling climax. You do not usually see such as a realistic, levelheaded, intelligent person helping out Tintin. I find it to believe Herge did not even give this fellow a name, who more than makes up for the eccentric college of eggheads whom Tintin is trying to help. "The Shooting Stars" is one of the best Tintin straightforward adventures and his adversary is more often the elements than the bad guys trying to beat the good ship "Aurora" to the meteorite. The contrast of Herge's simple drawing of characters against more realistic backgrounds finds several excellent sequences in this story, the first to be originally printed in color.

Herge's wartime Swiftian satire.
After a string of stories loosely based on mystery/crime plots, 'The Shooting Star' initiates the formula that would become fairly standard in the Tintin books to come: the science-fiction adventure, a kind of modernist Jules Verne. A huge meteorite flying past earth splinters a large fragment which lands near the North Pole. Containing a new metal called phostlite, named after the astronomer who detected it, Tintin and Snowy join an expedition of world-class scientists to lay claim to the rock, in a ship captained by one Haddock, now unlikely President of the Society for Sober Sailors (despite smuggling crates of whiskey for the journey). Their quest, however, is pre-empted by another expedition, financed by crooked Sao Rico banker, cigar-chomping (anti-Semitic caricature?), Bohlwinkel.

The first dozen pages of 'Star' are unequalled in literature for sustaining a nightmare mood of unaccountable suspense and anxiety (appropriate given the Occupation context [1941] in which the story was written). The meteor is introduced as both a speedily growing incandescence in the night sky, and by a melting heat afflicting the usually drizzly Brussels, the tar on the roads melting, armies of rats fleeing the gutter, car-tyres popping and mad prophets pronouncing millenarian judgements. The spangled blackness of the sky is offset by the dreamlike twilight blue that illuminates the streets. When Tintin rushes to the observatory, he finds the spanking, steely modern technology run by an eccentric gaggle of Dickensian relics, all black frock-coated dodderers, running around in the vicious circles of their own self-absorption, headed by the appropriately-named, anvil-headed Phostle. When he encourages Tintin to look into the giant, cannon-priapic telescope for himself, he sees a colossal spider heading towards the planet.

No work could keep up that sweat-making momentum, and Herge wisely lets the narrative dip, mixing comedy (including Haddock's pathetic attempts to sneak a nagan, Snowy's incessant raids on the kitchen, and the sight of the world's finest minds keeling over in green-faced sea-sickness) with race-against-the-clock suspense as our heroes strive to reach the meteor, despite various chilling sabotage attempts by their rivals. The meteor itself is a creation worthy of Swift, soon erasing memories of 'The Black Island'. The affirmative faith in science that propels the action is undermined by the instabilities of the sinking meteor, with its magnified lifeforms (including flies and spiders) and exploding toadstools (among the book's many great visual effects, the best is possibly the shrinking in successive frames of our hero as the mushroom enlarges). The massive apples that knock Tintin on the head may be an ironic allusion to the great Enlightenment hero Newton, who could be said to usher in modern science, and the famous fruit in the Garden of Eden (like Adam, or Columbus, Tintin explores virgin land), a warning against the dangers of pursusing too much knowledge (earlier predicted by the decline into madness of the scientist Philippus); nature will always fight back, in ever more aggressive and distorted forms.

The most INTERESTING tintin book
No, not the best, but definately the most interesting. This book was written in war time, in occupied belgium, and is a key point in deciding whether or not Herge was a fascist. I wrote a short essay on this, and if anyone would like to read it, email me at Wills_b@yahoo.com.

This is definately a must for any tintin fan though.

sureal--in a good way
I agree with the other reviewers before me that this episode of Tintin, is, well a little bizarre. For example, in the first few pages we learn that the world is coming to an end due to a predicted meteor that will crash into earth. One of the series strangest and most satirical character, Philippulus the Prophet makes an all too brief appearance with his words of doom for all the sinners of this world. Well, by morning of the next day, the world has not ended. Life goes on. The real adventure begins when Tintin, Capt. Haddock and a group of international scientists go on a quest to beat out their competition and to be the first ones to find a piece of the fragmented meteor that fell into the arctic oceans. It's basically an old fashioned space race but in cartoon. Personally, I liked this episode. I think it's charmingly weird--like reading a dream because it's full of imaginative stuff: armageddon, Tintin parachuting onto a boiling hot rock, spiders that grow into the size of cars, exploding pokadoted mushrooms from outer space.... Like I said, The Shooting Star could very be the name of a painting by Salvador Dali. Still, in general, this episode is quite worthy because you do have some pretty funny and exciting moments--which is, of course, the essence of Tintin.

A bizarre, exciting Tintin adventure...
The beginning is really bizarre. The world seems to be falling apart. Everything is messed up. It turns out a meteor is about to fall into the earth. But when a piece of it falls into the ocean, there is a scientific race to claim the island first...

Really neat, the "race" setting provides us with much amusement, and lots of suspense. Once on the island, even more bizarre and strange things begin happening...

Read the rest for yourself, its so worth-while... ... Read more

Book Description

Illus. in full color. Three terrified little bears explore the inside of a mysterious old tree and go into, up, through, over, down, and out. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

TRADITION
I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR THIS BOOK TO READ TO MY GRANDCHILDREN. I USED TO READ IT TO MY CHILDREN WHEN THEY WERE LITTLE. IT KEPT THEIR ATTENTION TO THE END AND I READ IT TO THEM SO MUCH THEY COULD LOOK AT THE PICTURE AND TELL ME WHAT WAS HAPPENING WITH THE BEARS. I TRIED TO REMEMBER MOST OF THE STORY TO TELL MY GRANDCHILDREN BUT IT IS NOT THE SAME AS HAVING THE BOOK OF ILLISTRATIONS. THEY TO ASK ME TO TELL THEM THE STORY OVER AND OVER. IT IS THEIR FAVORITE.

Woohoo! I Found It!
Excellent children's book! One of my all-time favorites when growing up. I STILL have the copy and I am old enough to wipe my own hiney and drive it around. ;) Anyhow, Jan and Stan Berenstain did a marvelous job writing this book. The pictures are what you would expect from these creative writers.

Basically, 3 bears go out on an adventure carrying 3 items to which they eventually use and lose on their journey through the dark, spoooooky old tree. Will they dare go into that spooooky old tree? Yes! They dare! And read it to find out what happens! What will they find? What will they lose? Will they survive? Fate shall choose! ;)

Warm childhood memories relived
Like the others this was the first book that I learned to "read." My parents read it to me so many times that I memorized it before I actually learned to read the words themselves. Unfortunately because it's been my favorite book my three younger sisters, the youngest two being significantly younger, never got to read it because I hid it away. Now that I've found it again here they'll have a chance to see my favorite book. Of course it ends with one of the best lines in childhood literature, "Home again, safe at last."

Classic!
Like others who have reviewed this book, I read it when I was a little kid and it is one of my earliest memories. However, I had forgotten about the book and the whole series until we were assigned to do a essay on children's books for one of my english classes. Someone brought up the Berenstain Bears and I was instantly filled with warm childhood memories and the image of the Spooky Old Tree as if I had actually visited it. I can't beleive I could forget something like that. Anyway, it is a definite classic and I can't wait to read it to my kids someday. The tape definitely adds to the book also.

Thank you very much!
This was the very first book I learned to read as a child and that was over 18 years ago. I completely forgot the name of this book until today when I just HAD to find it. I am going to buy this book because it was so much fun when I was a boy and when I have kids they will have the pleasure of reading it too. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A timely tale with an Iraqi version of the Cinderella story
"The Golden Sandal: A Middle Eastern Cinderella Story" is based on the Iraqi folktale of "The Little Red Fish and the Clog of Gold" retold by Rebecca Hickox with illustrations by Will Hillenbrand. Cinderella in this case is a young girl named Maha. Her widowed father is a fisherman who has to be away from home often so Maha has been wishing for him to remarry the kindly neighbor lady who has a daughter of her own. Maha gets her wish, but in the great tradition of such characters her stepmother makes her do all the work and only lets her eat dried dates. Then one day Maha throws a red fish back into the water, sparing its life, and the wish tells her "call for me any time and ask what you will." So it is that the magic fish helps Maha prepare for the big event in town, the Grand Henna and shows her stepsister the penalty for trying to be mean to Maha. Then there is Tariq, the brother of a rich merchant, who finds the golden sandal and searchers for its owner.

Obviously the attraction here is not only the unique variation on the familiar Cinderella theme but the fact that this is an Iraqi story, since "The Golden Sandal" clearly shows that there are some things American kids have in common with Iraqi kids even when a glass slipper becomes a golden sandal. Hillenbrand works in some nice Middle Eastern architecture into his art along with the strategic use of the color red. In the back of the book both the author and the illustrator explain how there research of this story informed the telling and the illustrating of the tale. If you like variations on the familiar Cinderella theme look out for Nina Jaffe's "The Way Meat Loves Salt: A Cinderella Tale from the Jewish Tradition," Ai-Ling Louie's "Yeh-shen, a Cinderella Tale from China," and Penny Pollock's "Turkey Girl: A Zuni Cinderella," which are just a few of the many versions out there. "The Golden Sandal" is one of the better of these tales out there and it has the added virtue of being timely given world events.

A great book to expand cultural understanding
This is a Cinderella type story that takes place in the middle east. It takes some tradional customs and places them in a context that is easy for the western student to understand. A great book for fans of Cinderella, too.

Great book for middle eastern students!
Their are not that many books for Middle Eastern students. A Cinderella book was sorely missing and this one will please my students immensely. ... Read more

Book Description

Arthur has the hiccups, and none of the traditional cures suggested by his parents help. Ignoring his pesky sister D.W., who claims she knows how to get rid of them, he calls on his friends for help. The Brain suggests standing on his head; Buster says laughter is the best cure and reads him jokes; Muffy’s old family cure is licking a lollipop while hanging upside down. But nothing does the trick. Dejected and still hiccuping, Arthur goes to bed. And that is when D.W. proves she really does know how to get rid of hiccups.
... Read more

Reviews (12)

I like it a lot!!!
It's a good book. I like the adventure they have. Some parts are very exciting. I like the pictures. They are awesome! Good reading level for me (I am 7 years old). Pokemon is one of my favorite things. That's why I liked the book.

Very unusual
I just wanted to say that this book is one of the most unusual Pokemon books ever written. Basically, Pikachu, along with most of Ash's other Pokemon, get stranded on a desert island where they meet Pokemon that are ten times bigger than they would normally be. Not only that, when the Pokemon speak in this episode, there are subtitles so we can understand them. This is the first time we get to find out what the Pokemon are saying. We get to see things from their point of view, and that is what makes this book so interesting. I think this is a book that just about every kid will enjoy, whether he or she likes Pokemon or not.

Excelent story For Teens and Older
The story takes place in Germany and in the U.S.A. but mostly in Germany. There are two boys one 17 and one 15 Spence is 15 and Dieter is 17. They both are in World War 2. One is in the Nazis and another is an American paratrooper. They go through hard times and think, " this is not the war we had in mind" Because there is no fighting going on.

Then they have a small war in a forest where they can only trees and they all look alike. Dieter (the Hitler youth instructor) is shot and Spence trys to help him out and gets shot by dieters friends to help him and is rough with him.

The reason I gave this book 3 stars is it had bad grammar and words misspelled but it is fun to read.

lost island
The story is about Ash and his friends go on the s.s Anne for a Pokemon cruise. The guy said some body battle me.Ash said I would .Ash won the battle . Then he asked do you want to trade Pokemon with me. He said o.k. the guy took him to the special room where you trade pokemon.Then team rocket came and wanted to battle ash. So he did. Then the ship started to sink in the ocean.Ash said I want my Pokemon back.The guy took him back to the room to trade back pokemon.Then all of a sudden The boat started to sink.They all were at the bottom of the ocean.Ash said how are we going to get out of here.Mistey said we can use are Pokemon to get us out of here.So they helped them get out of there.Team rocket used there only Pokemon magikarp.James said I don't want you any more.He let it go.Then it evolved to a Gyarados.Then he used dragon rage.They all got trapped in it. Then they woke up on the island.They couldn't find there pokemon.So they went looking for them.At night they saw the three birds that were very rare.They had to run a way from the birds so they wouldent get hurt.Ash Found his Pokemon when they were running from the birds.They got in the cart.The Pokemon were running for the cart with there owner in it.They were saved by the people on the other side of the Island.At the end of the day they said that they couldn't wait until the next adventure.

Awesome Book!!!
This was an exciting book because they were trapped on a ship and nobody knew what was going to happen, they were stuck on Pokemon Island. They saw 2 legendary birds and they got off after a long time, it was really good!! ... Read more

Book Description

Guess who's
at bat?

Reviews (6)

Amelia Bedelia "literally" plays the game of baseball
Not since Abbot asked Costello "Who's on First?" has the national pastime been taken so literally. Taking things literally is precisedly what Amelia Bedelia has been doing ever since she first became a housekeeper. Tell her to "Dust the furniture" and she will dutifully find the Dusting Powder and do as she was told, even though at her house they undust the furniture. In Peggy Parish's "Play Ball, Amelia Bedelia," the Grizzlies baseball team is in trouble when one of their players gets sick and they need a replacement for their big game with the Tornadoes. Who steps up to the plate to save the day up the literal-minded Amelia Bedelia.

The fun, of course, comes when the kids tell Amelia Bedelia to tag a runner or make a base hit. Then there is the uniform that she comes up with (you need a uniform to play baseball, right?). The illustrations by Wallace Tripp capture the fun as Amelia Bedelia plays the game of baseball like nobody has ever played it before. Besides, you should see what Amelia Bedelia looks like when she swings a bat. Fortunately, one things she knows how to do right is to fix an empty cookie jar because she makes really great cookies (although she has doubts about using home plate to serve them on to her teammates). Fans of Peggy Parish's creation will enjoy seeing her on the baseball diamond while there might be some fans of the sport who will be introduced to the literally-minded housekeeper for the first time.

Great Baseball Story
In this edition of Amelia Bedelia, Peggy Parish has done another wonderful job at telling a wonderful story. Amelia Bedelia is making an attempt to play baseball, and she has managed to take the lessons literally, as always. She learns stealing bases are okay and putting players out. This is a favorite in my household, and we laughed at Amelia Bedelia's attempts of playing baseball.

Our favorite part was when she hit the winning run, 'stole' every single base along the way, and she ran home like everyone told her to with all the bases. The kids were wonderful in this story and patient, and it was a fantastic read.

I recommend the Amelia Bedelia books for every household. Amelia Bedelia is a fun character, and it will make the kids laugh.

Joy.

fun fiction
My son is 7 and he loves Amelia Bedelia. He thinks all of these books are a hoot! I loved thim as a child as well!

Great Baseball Book
I came across this book while looking for books about baseball for my preschooler. Not much to choose from in this niche market, but this book is a hit! My son thinks it's funny when Amelia Bedelia "steals the bases" and "runs home". Wish there were more books like this!

Fun for Adults and Children Alike
As a child, I read many Amelia Bedelia books and never tired of them. As an adult, I am looking forward to sharing so many of the stories with my own child. The fact that Amelia takes everything so literally allows for countless scenarios which children (and adults) will find hilarious. Whether "stealing home plate" or "dressing the turkey," Amelia always surprises and delights. Children will be begging parents to read these stories again and again. We can all use good, clean humor in our lives. The time to instill that love of laughter should begin in childhood, and the Amelia Bedelia books will certainly delight children everywhere. ... Read more

Book Description

"The room shared by Brother and Sister is a mess because the cubs argue over who should neaten up instead of working together. Sure to make toddlers smile while they absorb an implied lesson."--Publishers Weekly. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

One of the best books of all time
I read this book when a child, and still remember it at age 25. Now, it didn't turn me into a neat person, but with fond memories of this book in my heart, I plan on having a clean room ... one of these days.

Cleaning is fun?
After my son and I read this book, he stopped me right before the last lane and said to me "Cleaning your room is supposed to be fun?" I sat there for a moment pondering on how i could reply in a way that i wouldn't be lying. "It depends on if you make it fun." I replied. Before hearing the last line, he stood up and ran to his room. He grabbed a hockey stick and started shooting his toys under the bed. He said "Cleaning can be fun."

Messy Room
The Berenstain Bears and the Messy Room is about Bother and Sister Bear who never clean their room. One day, Momma bear had enough and made the cubs change their way. After talking, they decide to do something about it. This book teaches children about responsibility. This book is good for children from 4-11. I thought it was a pretty good book.

The berenstain Bears and the messy room
The Berenstain Bears and the Messy room by Stan berenstain is an exciting and hilarious book. My favorite part of this book is when brother bear fell down with the mess in his room. This book is an exciting and hilarious book. Ihope you read this book.

completely unsuitable
As usual the lesson is right on target, but decapitating sister as an example to the family sends entirely the wrong message to children. ... Read more

Reviews (40)

The title says it all...
I'll start from the very beginning.

The YJK series is a spectacular read for teens or for any Star Wars fan who doesn't mind the upper primary to middle school level reading. Hey, I'm 18 and I don't mind reading a young teen book because I LOVE THE STORY. It's a change from all the blood, gore, goose-chase plots, and meaningless sex that have frequented the shelves more and more. I own all 14 volumes in their original paperback form. ^_^ Great for passing by the time and relaxing or for a little Jedi-action - geared for teens of course. The series basically takes off where the Jedi Academy series ended -- with the introduction of the children of Lei and Han at the Yavin 4 Jedi Training grounds with Luke. Albeit it starts quite a few years later, but just the same...

Heirs of the Force introduces the twins of the Solo family -- Jacen and Jaina, and their Jedi comrades -- Tenel Ka and Lowbacca. The story moves in different ways for different people. If you are like me and want a change from total slam-bang action and could use a little more descriptions, then you'll prolly think the beginning of the story is great. It doesn't move too fast I'll admit because Anderson and Moesta are introducing the people and places and the circumstances. TERRIFIC USE OF DESCRIPTION AND IMAGERY! If you're not all that familiar with Star Wars and didn't keep up with everything (I did! Star Wars forever!), then the long-winded intro may do you a little good. The existence of the Imperials (HA! Can't be missing for long!) are reintroduced by the means of a stranded Tie-fighter pilot and when Jacen and Jaina come across a wrecked tie-fighter and its pilot in the forests, they know that the Imperial forces may not be as dead as the Republic thought. And since this is a series, you just have to wonder exactly what's to happen next and how it correlates. And I assure you - it DOES correlate! The main ideas? JEDI TRAINING, CHARACTER AND SETTING DEVELOPMENT, AND SOME GOOD 'OLE IMPERIAL TROUBLE.

The physical aspect of the book? I bought the book many years ago when it first came out and I am the proud owner of the first edition -- complete with the foil-embossed covers that gives it a super trendy look. David Dorman's cover artwork is AMAZING and I'll admit that in this case -- it's A-OK to judge a book by its cover! ^.^ If you collect Star Wars books -- this is a terrific series to collect -- not as hardcore, but still your Star Wars, BEAUTIFUL covers, and it's MORE JEDI! More from the teens' perspective that is. Perhaps this series is most powerful to the teen readers because all of a sudden with the intro of teen Jedi Jacen, Jaina, Tenel Ka, and Lowbaccca -- the fantasy of becoming a Jedi Knight seems closer to home... It doesn't matter how old you are -- you are never too old to dream!

Great series, Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta!
Written by the terrific husband and wife team, Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta, the Star Wars Young Jedi Knights series are not to be missed! These series of books center on the young twins of Han Solo and Lei Organa, Jacen and Jacen, and their friends, Lowbacca and Tenel Ka, as they journey on the road to becoming Jedi Knights.

The first book, "Heirs of the Force", begins on the planet Yavin 4. There, Luke Skywalker has his Jedi academy where his nephew and niece, Jacen and Jaina, are enrolled. Both of them are fourteen and are being trained as Jedi Knights, along with their good friend Tenel Ka. One day, the twin's father, Han Solo, drops by, along with Chewbacca and his nephew, Lowbacca. Lowbacca is also going to be trained as a Jedi and soon, he and the other three humans are good friends. While Lowbacca is riding his T-23 skyhopper in the jungle, he chances upon a wrecked TIE fighter. Jaina, who loves mechanics, is eager for a challenge, to try to fix the broken fighter. So along with her friends, they begin the task of repairing it, and to also install a hyperdrive which Jaina's father had given her. Little do they know that the original Imperial pilot, Qorl, is still a live and watching them as they work. He has been waiting for years for a chance to return to the Empire and it seems that his chance has come...

I must say that I just love the Young Jedi Knights! I really like all Star Wars books but this series one of my favorites for the reasons that, 1) the characters are very interesting and close to my age, 2) superbly and well written, and 3) all books are exciting and full of adventure. The five main characters of the books are well likable because each of them have their own personalities, characteristics, and quirks.

JACEN: He loves all living thing from plants, animals, to insects. In his own room he has his on menagerie of them. He has a special talent in using the Force to communicate with living creatures, though he doesn't know exactly how.
JAINA: An almost complete opposite of her brother, she takes after her father, Han Solo. She is a mechanical whiz and just loves taking apart and putting together droids, machines, and just almost anything. Also like her father, she is very spirited and has a self-confidence which makes her a natural leader.
LOWBACCA: Called Lowie by his friends, he is a Wookie and the nephew of Chewbacca. Very courageous and strong, he loves his friends very much. But sometimes he can't but just help missing his home planet Kashyyyk.
EM TEEDEE: Very much like C-3PO (almost to a fault), Em Teedee is a miniature translating droid who is always kept on Lowie's belt. Though talkative and annoying at times, Em Teedee is a member of the five friends.
TENEL KA: My personal favorite character, Tenel Ka is the daughter of Teneniel Djo, one of the witches of Dathomir, and Prince Isolder of the Royal House of Hapes. Loyal, a little humorless, brave, and strong, she is a warrior and most of all a true friend. Though strong in the force, she tries not to rely too much in it so she is very athletic.

But the reason I gave only four stars for this book is not one of best in the series since, in my opinion, the books just get better. So I highly recommend you read all of the fourteen books in order. The series are divided mostly into three parts. The first six books are about the rising force of the Empire and its Dark Jedi Knights. The next five books are about how the Jedi's must stop the Diversity Alliance. And the last three books are how the Jedi's deal with Czethros and Black Sun. Another Star Wars series I very much recommend are the "Jedi Apprentice" series. Don't miss them!

a good book for younger star wars fans
this book is the first of the young Jedi books and it is very interesting. All of your favorite characters like Han and Luke show up in this book but the Solo kids have their own adventures as well. The story about the wrecked tie fighter pilot was a pretty good one and I think it will keep all readers interested

Awesome continuation of Return of the Jedi
This is a exciting continuation from Return of the Jedi.
Han and Leia get married and have twin children,Jacen and Jaina, brother and sister. One day Lowbaca, Chewbaca's nephew, Tenel Ka, Jacen, and Jaina were in the jungel and found a crashed X-Wing Tie Fighter. As they search deeper into the jungle they found the pilot of The X-wing fighter and they all were scared because he was shooting at them. They knew that The Impire, Darth Vader, was evil and so if he was evil then his men were also. Tenel Ka and Lowbaca got away but Jacen and Jaina were stuck with the Imperial Pilot and they were slaves.
Star Wars fans READ THE WHOLE BOOK!!!

HEIRS of the FORCE
This book is about two young Jedi named Jaina and Jacen that go to the Jedi Acadamy run by their uncle, Luke Skywalker. When Jacen and Jania go for a ride in their friend's ship, they see something shiny. They decide to go check it out. When the get there they find a crashed Tie Fighter. When Jacen looking around he finds a path. Jacen follows the path and finds a hutt.The owner the owner of the hutt and of the crashed Tie Fighter takes Jacen hostage. If you whant to find out if Jacen escapes read HEIRS of the Force. I like this book because it has a lot of action in it. There is a series of Yuong Jedi Knits so the action wont end so quickly. ... Read more

Book Description

A Queen is dying. Her son is conspiring to thwart his planet's elections and maintain his rule. But he might not be her only heir. There may be another....bearing the elusive Mark of the Crown. Qui-Gon Jinn and young Obi-Wan Kenobi came to the planet of Gala as the guardians of peace. Now they are facing a deadly battle for power and royal position. The heir must be found. The Jedi must find the way. ... Read more

Reviews (43)

Great book in the Star Wars Jedi Apprentice line!
This is definetly a good Apprentice book, in fact, you SHOULD read it. It features many unique characters, and a good scenario. If you ever wondered why Obi-Wan is left alone so many times in Episode 1, you'll find out here. I loved reading about how Obi-Wan handles the situation in this book by himself, while his master (Qui-Gon) goes elsewhere to investigate. Betrayal, dueling, drama, its all in here.

Another great book in this series!
After reading the first book in this series, i was hooked! i have read the mark of the crown more than 5 times, and can't wait for the next one to come out! everyone who loves star wars, and want to find out how obi-wan and Qui-gon came to be a master and apprentice should read this amazing book!

The best!
The Mark of the Crown was really an extrord