Book Description

"Climo has woven this ancient tale, a mixture of fact and myth, with clarity and eloquence.The beauty of the language is set off to perfection by Heller's arresting illustrations.A stunning combination of fluent prose and exquisitely wrought illustrations [that makes] a winner for story hours, as well as a useful resource for the study of Cinderella through the ages." —SLJ.

Notable 1989 Children's Trade Books in Social Studies (NCSS/CBC) ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Racist? Step-sisters? Read the book!
I'm surprised to hear this book described as racist. The inaccuracies in that review leave me to wonder whether the poster actually read the book.

The heroine's name, Rhodopis, referenced her sunburned skin. A real person may have inspired the fable, a light-skinned slave who married a Pharaoh.

The other girls were not step-sisters as the reviewer states, but servants. Rhodopis was a mere slave, making their unkind treatment of her more logical. Due to their rank in the Ancient Egyptian class system, she would be expected to do the less-desirable chores. For a lowly slave to be favored by their master would spawn jealousy and resentment. I don't recall any inference that their demeanor related to their skin color, and the reviewer overlooks the kindly Master and Pharaoh also being dark-skinned.

Such hotly-debated subjects a the race of Egyptians or of Cleopatra have no bearing on the story. Rhodopis is a Greek slave girl, and is neither described as Egyptian, nor called Cleopatra.

A good story with interesting historical references, it's a shame to see it dismissed as racist by a reviewer who clearly has overlooked many details of the book.

WARNING!
I was extremely disappointed in this book. I found it to be overtly racist. I had bought it to share with my grade 3/4 classroom as we are studying Ancient Egypt. I like to stretch the curriculum with literature, art, and more. Unfortunately, I did not read the book carefully before I bought it. When I did, I noticed immediately that the 'cinderella' heroine of the story had golden hair and fair skin while the evil, lazy, etc step-sisters had dark hair & skin. This was explicitly written and illustrated. This is a shame and so unnecessary. Obviously, Egypt is in northern Africa and while some tales of Cleopatra suggest that she may have been fair due to the Ptolemy's Greek lineage, I would suggest that most inhabitants of ancient egypt were of african, mediterranean, semitic, or arabic descent and dark-hued. I strongly recommend that you NOT buy this book.

Review of The Egyptian Cinderella
I really liked this version of Cinderella. It would be a great book to use in elementary classes when reading different versions of a story. Also you could use it as an introduction to an Egyptian unit because there is some fact within this story. This story of how Rhodopis' red slipper was taken from the falcon, the god Horus. Little did she know the falcon was bringing the slipper to Amasis, the Pharaoh. When he saw the slipper he was determined to find who it belonged to and marry her. His long travels led him to Rhodopis... This version had some similaries to the original but I liked how there was some fact behind the story!

Very nice twist on classic tale
My kids really liked this one. We had been talking about Egypt and they loved hearing this version of the story. There's no fairy godmother, but the god Horus intervenes in the form of a falcon. And there's even a happy ending. I liked the historical fact at the end of the book.

Elementary School Teachers: Buy this book!
Climo and Heller are a superb team. This is not only an excellent book for a children's comparative literature study on fairy tales, but also for examining ancient Egyptian art. Heller's work contains surprisingly accurate illustrations of ancient Egyptian decorative motifs and historical and cultural traditions. Students can compare Heller's work to the real thing and find many similarities, such as the lotus blossom architectural columns, the Pharaoh's crook and whip, the feather-patterned jewelry, the false beards worn by royalty, the distinctive combination side-view/frontal-view depiction of humans, etc. Climo's historical notes at the end of the book are fascinating. Her enchanting tale also provides a focal point for class discussions of racial prejudice. This is a gem of a book. ... Read more

Book Description

Sally, Huckle, and Lowly are supposed to go sailing with Huckle and Sally's father, but it starts to rain. Father says they will have to stay inside and play, but their friend Rudolf von Flugel saves the day when he picks the kids up in his airplane-car and whisks them off to the airport for a fun day of sightseeing. Full of airport fun and "Scarry" mishaps.
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Reviews (2)

Will make airports more exciting for your kid
Apart from the usually brilliant, somewhat old-fashioned classic style of Richard Scarry, this book has the added value of being a brilliant travel companion. If you spend a lot of time in airports, you'll be pleased that your child will view the same old routines - check-in, security, boarding - with a lot more informed interest.

My 2 year old daughter LOVES this book!
Everytime we read this book about the airport, she notices something new. She points everything out to me and wants to read it over and over and over again. ... Read more

Book Description

Illus. in full color. The Bears' adventures take them in, out, around, and about. "A good job of combining words and pictures into a slapstick but cohesive story."--School Library Journal. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Great book!!!!!
I have this book and i like it alot!!! I think the bears are cute in it!! i love to read it over and over again!! Great Book!!!!!!!!!!!!=-}

A Must Have for begining readers
I am in my 20's now, but I still have my copy of "Bears in the Night" that was passed on to me from my cousin in the 1970's. That book holds so many great memories for me. My mom and I read it together many, many times and was it especially helpful in teaching sight words. It is funny too, I still laugh everytime I think of the bears sneaking up "Spook Hill"!

Great illustrations
In this story a group of 7 little bears creep out of bed and out of their house to go adventuring during the night. Their adventures take them all the way "Out the window. Down the tree. Over the wall. Under the bridge. Around the lake. Between the rocks. Up Spook Hill." On Spook Hill they meet with a creature that sends them all clamoring back to their safe bed; an owl.

The pictures are done mostly in shades of blue, in order to make it look like nighttime. I think they do a wonderful job of conveying the mood- the lantern gives off yellow light and adds a neat effect.

The story is told in a very, very simple way. It is told entirely in short, three word sentences, which fit the sneaky mood of the bears perfectly. The lack of elaboration draws the eye to the drawings to look for explanation there. This works amazingly well, and makes for a fun, concise book.

Loggie-log-log-log

My 3-year-old's favorite.
I've been reading this book (an old copy - the one my dad read to me) to my 3-year-old son lately, and I've noticed it has helped open up his vocabulary to a wide array of prepositional phrases.

The book focuses on these - "Down the tree. Over the wall. Under the bridge. Around the lake." etc. - with words and illustrations. My son had a decent grasp on the concept of prepositions (he understood them when he heard them) - but after a few readings of this book, they've begun showing up in his speech.

The book is a fun one. Repeat readings, and my son still laughs at the ending.

A great start
This is the book that taught me how to read, plain and simple. Before I picked it up, I couldn't read. When I was through with it, I could. Seems like magic now. ... Read more

Amazon.com

In older versions of the classic tale Rapunzel, it always seemed improbable that a grown man could scale a tower using only his beloved's hair.Not so in Paul O. Zelinsky's Caldecott Medal-winning version of Rapunzel. Here, Rapunzel's reddish-blonde mane is thick with waves and braids, and cascades like a waterfall down the walls of her isolation tower. In Zelinsky's able hands it's easy to believe that a prince would harbor no hesitations about scrambling up our fair heroine's hair.

Of course, this is not the work of an amateur--Zelinsky's lush versions of Hansel and Gretel, Rumpelstiltskin, and Swamp Angel all earned him Caldecott Honors. His gorgeous, Italian Renaissance-styled illustrations are characterized by warm golden tones and the mesmerizing sensation of trompe l'oeuil. Not only does he have the touch of a world-class illustrator, Zelinsky has also proven himself a master storyteller. We are frightened when the sorceress demands to take the baby Rapunzel, we are alarmed when the flowing locks are cruelly shorn, and we rejoice when the prince and his now modest-haired love are reunited. The notes at the back of Rapunzel reveal his careful scholarship regarding the long history of the story (tracing its origins and transformations from Italy to France and finally to Germany and the Grimm brothers)--work that no doubt contributed to his clean, compelling version of the age-old tale. Children will be captivated by the magical story and evocative pictures and adults will delight in the fresh feel of a well-loved legend. (Click to see asamplespread. Illustration © 1997 by Paul O. Zelinsky, published by Dutton Children's Books, a division of Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers.) (Ages 4 and older) ... Read more

Reviews (27)

A visually beautiful rendition of a timeless tale
"When I was a young girl, I had long braids, and always wanted to be Rapunzel," confided a colleague at a recent meeting. Paul Zelinsky's Caldecott award-winning retelling of this age-old tale of a mother-to-be's craving for the forbidden rapunzel, a possessive sorceress, a beautiful girl with an unending cascade of silky hair shut away in a remote tower, and a handsome prince just might reawaken those desires. In his informative "Note About Rapunzel ," Zelinsky relates how he drew on elements from the early French and Italian sources as well as from the better known Grimm version of this tale to create his own compelling version. Thus, some details of the story are less familiar. Rapunzel naively reveals that she has had a visitor in the tower when she asks the sorceress to help her with her dress for, "It is growing so tight around my waist, it doesn't want to fit me anymore." Other elements, retold in their familiar spare rhythm, such as "Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair!" retain ther original power. Zelinsky uses the formal beauty of Renaissance art to evoke both the physical beauty of the characters and the Italian landscape. His large oil paintings overflow with softly muted colors, billowing folds of finely detailed period costumes, ornate architecture, and majestic landscapes. His masterful use of glinting and filtering light illuminates every page. Zelinsky's Rapunzel is a book to be treasured by anyone who appreciates a timeless tale and delights in an object of visual beauty.

Beautiful illustrations and a traditional retelling
Paul O. Zelinsky's "Rapunzel" is a delight of renaissance-like oil paintings depicting a delicately beautiful girl, a frightening witch, and a handsome prince. The illustrations are truly superb, and each page features a beautifully rendered painting rich with color and detail.

Zelinsky's retelling of the story is traditional yet satisfying, but the illustrations really steal the show. Children will get caught up in the fairytale landscapes and the magical locales. Readers will also appreciate the additional information provided by Zelinsky about his retelling of the story and his study of Italian Renaissance art. It's always nice to know why artists choose to illustrate stories in a certain way.

This book won the Caldecott Medal for its fantastic illustrations.

Provacative story line with beautiful illustrations.
"Rapunzel" retold and illustrated Paul O. Zelisky is a version of the fairytale more closely relating to its original form dating back to 1635 called "Petrosinella". The story of "Rapunzel" has been found all over the world and has transcended time and culture, with few minor changes in the detail of the story for instance Rapunzel's hair color. The most distinctive difference between Zelisky's version and more modern interpretations, beginning with the Brother's Grimm is whether or not Rapunzel's pregnancy is mentioned. I think the story is for a more mature audience but children are not likely to catch the fact that Rapunzel is pregnant because they will be enchanted with the illustrations. The illustrations are reminiscent of the Italian Renaissance and will transport any reader into the fantasy world. Having researched several versions of Rapunzel, I have found that Zelisky's version is the most real to life because it does raise issues of sex, the inability for some parents to take care of their children, stealing, and cruelty to others. This book is provocative and will make readers of all ages asked questions; I would recommend this book for both children and adults. I think that both age groups could learn from each other by reading this book together, just be ready to answer your child's questions honestly.

The rare non-Disneyfied fairy tale
The winner of the Caldecott Medal, "Rapunzel" is one of the most lush and beautiful stories ever created for children. Carrying many of the distinctive Zelinsky elements (staggered perspectives, reoccurring background characters, gorgeous lighting, etc.) the book is a joy to look at. Each picture evokes the spirit of the Renaissance, from the first tableau (the husband and wife feeling her pregnant stomach in contentment) to the last (the loving family poses with the cherubim-like children). The text is a little more racy than your average children's picture book. Zelinsky doesn't shy away from the fact that Rapunzel is pregnant when the witch learns of her illicit relations, though he does legitimize the girl's newfound glow with a hasty "marriage" of the prince to Rapunzel in her tower. Sans priest, no less. The book is also remarkable for the dramatic shift that occurs in the character of the witch. A scowling ghoul in one picture, she transforms into an almost nunlike character when receiving the little Rapunzel baby. One might well ask what happens to the witch after she casts Rapunzel and her prince into the desert, but Zelinsky doesn't feel this is worth discussing. A perfect book for storytelling, as the pictures are colorful and easy to see from a distance. Would pair well with his other oil painted fairy tale "Rumplestiltskin".

Gorgeous book
This book has a great story, but above all: the illustrations are AMAZING. They are like oil paintings, full of colour and detail. Very young and older child both will really enjoy this book. This book is essential to any home or school library.
Slight warning- Rapunzel gets pregnant with twins after 'letting down her hair' for the prince.....i was asked 'how did that happen?' :) Some parents might not want their kids to read that part. ... 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

Amazon.com

The Secret of the Unicorn was one of the first truly great Tintin adventures and Herge's personal favorite, combining a puzzling mystery with a ripping pirate yarn.When Tintin finds a magnificent model ship in the street market, his attempt to buy it for Captain Haddock leads him on a trail of pickpockets, burglars, and secret treasure, and Haddock enthralls him with a tale of his seafaring ancestor, Sir Francis Haddock (who was exclaiming "Thundering typhoons!" generations before the Captain ever did), and his fateful encounter with the fearsome pirate Red Rackham. The story is also notable for Herge's fantastic eye for ship detail as well as the first appearances of Nestor and Marlinspike Hall. The Secret of the Unicorn was Tintin's first official two-book adventure, continued in Red Rackham's Treasure. --David Horiuchi ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A Sea Adventure Everyone Will Like
This is the first part, the second part is 'Red Rakham's Treasure'. This is also the series when Marlinspike Hall makes its appearance. The second part is also when Prof Cuthbert Calculus enters Tintin cast for the first time. This is a story every Tintin lover will cherish and other readers will also enjoy. Despite being more than half a century old the story has lost nothing of its charm and sense of fun.

The plot concerns miniature models of boats that bear a striking similarity to a boat in a portrait of one of Capt Haddock's ancestors. From there begins a tale of pirates, of a treasure, of theives after the same treasure, of three hundred year old rum, of our adventurers' attempts at getting to it. The story finally culminates in the Marlinspike Hall, with Capt Haddock being restored to what turns out to be his ancesteral home.

This is the first and perhaps the best of the three adventures Herge wrote that ran into two books. The others two book adventures are 'The Seven Crystal Balls' and 'Prisoners of the Sun', and 'Destination Moon' and 'Explorers on the Moon'.

All in all, an excellent comic book to read, anytime, anywhere.

Tintin begins the search for Red Rackham's Treasure
First off, be forewarned that "The Secret of Unicorn" is only the first half of a two-part Tintin adventure, which is concluded in "Red Rackham's Treausre." So do not get all bent of shape when you get to the end of this 1943 adventure and Tintin looks out and you and tells you to find out what happens next in "Red Rackham's Treasure."

As our story opens, the Thompsons are trying to solve a rash of pockets being picked and Tintin decides to buy on impulse a model of an old galliard ship. But suddenly two other gentleman want to buy the model from Tintin, who refuses because he intends the model to be a gift to his friend, Captain Haddock. Then Tintin finds a small piece of parchment that was hidden in one of the masts talking about a treasure and a ship called the Unicorn. The mystery deepens when it turns out that Sir Francis Haddock, an ancestor of Tintin's good friend, was the captain of the Unicorn. After the captain tells the exciting story of Sir Francis and his glorious victory over the dreaded Barbary buccaneers, Tintin races off to track down the final pieces of the puzzle that will tell where the treasure of the Unicorn can be found.

This is only Captain Haddock's third Tintin adventure but he is already as important to the story as Snowy. Nestor and Marlinspike Hall make their first appearance in "The Secret of the Unicorn" with Professor Calculus making his unforgettable first appearance in the second half of the tale. Herge is obviously staying as far away as he can from what is happening in Europe during World War II, but that does not take away from the fact this is a first rate tale of detective work by our intrepid hero and the second half is an equally fun adventure as Tintin and company race for "Red Rackham's Treasure."

The Secret of The Unicorn; A Funny Mystery Book
How would you feel if you bought a boat and found a treasure note inside? How would you feel then, if the boat got stolen? This is what happens to TinTin and his dog, Snowy, in The Secret of the Unicorn, by Herge. Once they try to find the boat, but are not successful. After looking for the boat, they start looking for the treasure. They search by submarine, by scuba diving,and by swimming in shark infested water. Do they find the treasure? Read The Secret of the Unicorn to find out.

The Second Best Tintin Comic I Ever Read
The Secret Of The Unicorn Is The Second Best Tintin Comic I Ever Read ( My Favourite Is Red Rackham's Treasure) The Main Charecters Are Tintin, Captain Haddock,Thompson & Thomson And Of Course The Criminals . I Advice You All To Read It

Best of the Tintin series
The first Tintin book I ever read was The Secret of the Unicorn. I still consider it among the best along with King Ottokar's Sceptre. The plot moves along, the dialogue is humorous, and the characters are vintage Herge. I highly recommend this one. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Pippi Goes Away
Pippi has always had adventures with Tommy and Annika, like shipwrecks and shopping and finding a spink, but now, Pippi's father King Efraim has come back and ready for Pippi to come with him! Will Pippi have to say good by to Ville Villakulla? Finf out in Pippi Goes On Board!

The 2nd Great Unique Book
This book was a great novel, sequal to Pippi Longstocking, Pippi Goes On Board is an extremendous book. This book explained of Pippi and her friends venturing an island. If you live adventure stories, this is on book you do not want to miss! It's a very funny, adventerous, couraging, fun book! You will not be able to put the book down once you start reading it. This book is a favorite book of many childen in the United States. If you loved Pippi Longstocking, you'll love this great sequal. The beginning, middle, and end of the book are all great words! If you're kid doesn't like to read, or doesn't want to, sit down and read this book to them! They will enjoy this book more and more. Then they will want to start reading other books by Astrid Lindgren. Astrid Lindgren is a very good author. Read all of the favorite Pippi books. The author has done a great job! ... Read more

Reviews (26)

The Honorable Knights of the Round Table
The Knights of the Round went through numerous adventures in their time. In the book, King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, the author, Sidney Lanier, illustrated some of the knights' quests. Written from Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte d' Arthur, this novel has eight mini books on the Knights of the Round Table. From the "Coming of Arthur" to the "Passing of Arthur" Sidney Lanier depicted Arthur's knights such as Sir Lancelot du Lake, Sir Gareth of Orkney, La Cote Mal Taile, and Sir Tristram. There wasn't much conflict between the different knights, except for when they decided to joust.
This medieval book, written in third person, concentrates on the Knights of the Round Table, not as much on King Arthur. I highly recommend not reading this book because it doesn't have much conflict, so it isn't very interesting. For this reason, the book, King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, is unique (because of the fact it doesn't have much conflict). This book should be read by people 13+ because of its unique words and ideas, and by people who are interested in learning more about King Arthur and his Knights.

A great legend that everybody should read
The Legend of King Arthur is a book that everyone should read at least once in his life. The Legend actually consists of hundreds of stories passed down for generations orally. Then somebody wrote it down, someone else read different ones of those and wrote his own. This way there are many different versions. The one that I read, and this review is about, is written by Roger Lancelyn Green. Unlike the other ones, which are hundreds of years old, this book is written in modern English. Because of that you can read it pretty fast.

Every chapter in this book is a story for itself, which have only a little to do with each other. The only character which is mentioned in every of those stories is King Arthur. He is the famous King of Logres, the holy realm. The story takes place in the 400s, when the Saxons invaded Britain. God thought that Britain will fall if he doesn't support them. So he decided to establish the Realm of Logres, which should be ruled by King Arthur. As soon as he began to ruled Britain, most of the world's best knights were at his court. The most famous one is Sir Launcelot. He was the best knight at the Round Table, but Logres also fell because of him and the beauty of King Arthur's wife.

And when Britain is in need, the Holy Realm of Logres can be reestablished at any time.

Awesome tales in the truest sense of the word.
I really like Rosemary Sutcliff's books, including her Arthurian
trilogy; however, I prefer Green's King Arthur because, for me,
it captures the sense of dread and awe that hangs over the
legends so well. The illustrations are very nice, as well. For my money this is a first-rate rendition.

a little fantasy for a change - almost interesting
I am 14 years old. I had to read this book for school, and considering the school usually assigns boring books, this one was pretty good. I thought it was okay, because I like fantasy books, and this book has a lot of fantasy and love stories. It was rather interesting, but I never would have read it if I hadn't had to.

King Arthur and his Brave Knights
King Arthur and his Brave Knights
King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table by Roger Lancelyn Green, were a whole bunch of different stories. They were how Arthur was raised and became king, how each of the knights came apart of the round table and how each of the went on their quest for the Holy Grail, and the departing of King Arthur and his kingdom.
The author, Roger L. Green, emphasized some differences to the original tale. For instance, Launcelot never loved Elaine. Elaine loved Launcelot very much but she was sad because Launcelot did not love her back. So Elaine went to Brysen who was a sorcerer and she made Elaine appear as Guinevere (Launcelot's love). When Launcelot saw Elaine that appeared as Guinevere he asked her to marry him and she said yes. The next morning when Launcelot saw Elaine in bed with him instead of Guinevere he went mad and started to live in the forest. Another change in the story was that the author called the Lady of the Lake, Lady Nimue. This book took place in the 6th century and the narrator is in 3rd person. The themes of the book were basically stories of each knight on their quest for the Holy Grail.
I would recommend this book to avid readers and people who enjoy fantasies. This reason because it is hard to understand some of the words are difficult to understand. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Watch out - Small Size
This 3-in-One volume is smaller size than the regular Tintin books, making it harder to read and lessens the enjoyment of the illustrations. I am not sure if a large-size 3-in-one series exists.

Tintin is Great for Children
My father and I accidently ran across Tintin whenI was 8. I'm 19 now and we both still hooked for the little guy and his cute little dog, Snowy. People who say that the type is to small should buy the larger book, there are 2 sizes, the small one with three books in one and indivisual ones. You can also find video tapes in many different languages that are superb.

VIVA TINTIN
Tintin is wonderful, delightful, fun, and as a 26 year old I sitll enjoy it as much as when I was 5 years old. I think everybody should get to know these wonderful stories. You can read them over and over again and it feels like you are with the characters. The stories are funny, witty and truly adventerous. I RECOMMEND TINTIN (ANY OF HIS ADVENTURES) HIGHLY.....

Excellent in both French and English!
I read these books when I was a child, and loved them so much I cannot describe it here. They are not for everyone - some children find them confusing and don't get it completely, but the ones that do get it have tremendous affection for the books.

I still have a lot of love for the books as an adult, and now that my daughter is hooked on the adventures of Tinton and Milou (Tintin and Snowy), I often find myself engrossed in the copies we now have for her.

Also - The original French editions are great for teaching a child French, as long as you have the English version nearby to compare.

Excellent choice. . .

BEST Comic characters
Reading any Tintin book is a joyous experience. It feels as if you are actually watching a movie, such is the power of the pictures with appropriate short and long shots, immaculate detail. Tintin books are not only humorous, but have wit, intelligence and superb buildup of the plot. Time flies before you are already on page 62 ! ... Read more

Book Description

Illus. in full color. The animal residents of Busytown learn useful lessons about manners, thoughtfulness, and caring in this perky, funny paperback. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A book to remember
I remember my mom reading this book to me and we still laugh about how much I loved that book. Today, twenty-five years later, I bought a copy to treasurer those great memories.

Good illustrations
A cute book that teaches kids about manners and helping out.

Great for little ones
This book presents manners in a fun and familiar context for little readers. My kids already love Huckle and Lowly, so it was easy for them to enjoy this book. My favorite story is Pig Will and Pig Won't. At my house, we need constant reminders on good manners, and this book makes it fun. Parents will enjoy it too. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Oh, why won't Marvin K. Mooney just please go now? In this 1972 classic for "beginning beginners," Dr. Seuss devotes his rhymes to budging the reluctant young Marvin K.: "The time has come. The time is now.Just go. Go. GO! I don't care how." But despite his impatience, our narrator certainly isn't short of ideas on how Marvin could make an exit. "You can go on stilts. You can go by fish. You can go in a Crunk-Car if you wish." Seuss's ever wacky illustrations accompany each new mode of transport, from balloon to broomstick to Bumble-Boat. And if those who are just learning find a word they don't know, chances are Seuss has simply made it up to fill out this ear-pleasing, easy-to-read text. This book is yet another fun and euphonious entry from the good doctor, a silly primer for budding rhymers and readers. (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Go, man go!
I once heard a rumor that the Dr. Seuss book "Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now!" was written by the author as a kind of plea to President Nixon. Written around the time of the Watergate scandals, the rumor I heard stated that the book (a delightful collection of different ways in which Marvin K. Mooney may leave) was a cry that the President should step down and (in the words of the book), "Just go, go, GO!". Reading the story today, I wish I could say that this rumor is unequivocally undeniable, but I can't. The Marvin K. Mooney in this book doesn't look a thing like our dear departed President. If you want a picture book representation of Nixon, I suggest you locate, "The Boy Who Looked Like Lincoln". Otherwise, read this story solely for its enjoyable plot.

There are approximately two characters in this tale. One is the aforementioned Mr. Mooney who stands in purple pajamas upon a circular floor rug. The other character is an unseen narrator who appears only as a pair of hands and arms. These hands proceed to point to a watch, point out the door, and gesture in a variety of different ways as to how best Marvin K. Mooney could go. For quite some time Marvin doesn't budge, and we are treated to visual hypothetical images of him leaving ala the mail, by cow, on a Bumble-Boat, or even (my personal favorite) by camel in a bureau drawer. I don't want to give away the ending so I'll just say that the narrator is a persuasive fellow.

The book's not, perhaps, the best known of the Seussian repertoire. And, admittedly, it's not his best. Still, there's something innately amusing about trying to convince a fellow that he should leave posthaste without giving much in a way of a reason. The illogical logic of this picture book, accompanied by Seuss's lilting cadences, is great. There are plenty of better Dr. Seuss books out there, but I think that there may be some people in the world who grew up with "Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now!" and will love it just as much today as they ever did. It's good clean fun, simultaneously crazy and lovely. A real treat.

Okay, but what is he REALLY saying to Marvin K. Mooney?
"Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now!" is a Bright and Early Book for Beginning Beginners from Dr. Seuss, which is level before you get to the regular Beginner Books (the "I Can Read It All By Myself" books like "The Cat in the Hat"). The idea with these books is that the stories are both brief and funny, that the words are both easy and few, and the rhymes are not only simple but are not concerned with whether the words are found in a standard dictionary. Add to this pictures that make what a Zike-Bike, Crunk-Car, and Bumble-Boat happen to look like as clear as blue shoe or lion.

As the title indicates, the time has come for Marvin K. Mooney to go. We know this because a large, long and possibly adult arm, wearing a wristwatch repeatedly points an imperious finger in the desired direction of departure. While this otherwise unseen figure insists that they do not care how Marvin K. Mooney departs the premises, they sure offer a lot of suggestions, beginning with leaving on foot and ending with seven strange looking birds carrying some sort of vehicle through the air. There are, in point of fact, twenty-one different modes of departure suggested for Marvin K. Mooney in this book, and I would not be surprised if even beginning readers can think of an additional twenty-one modes once they get into the spirit of this book.

There are two things I really like about this Dr. Seuss book. The first is that it applies his considerable imagination to an extreme level as he comes up with more and more ways for Marvin K. Mooney to go. The second is that I really appreciate that Dr. Seuss employs near rhyme. Most rhymes for children are going to play it straight, rhyming "fish" with "wish" and "boom" with "room." But the good doctor rhymes "skis" with "please" and "know" with "go" (and "K" with "Zay"), thus opening the minds of beginning readers to even more possibilities for words sounding alike. This is a vitally important skill, not only for making your own rhymes (as in songs you are inspired to make up on the spur of the moment) but more importantly for being able to make more puns.

"the time has come..."
A very, very amusing early reader book. Absolutely hilarious at times with the usual great illustrations by the author. I love reading this book to my kids. It's one of the few books I can read OTT, which the kids enjoy. Certainly not one of Seuss' greatest books, but it has a fun rythm that all can enjoy and it's written in a way that makes the book seem very fast paced.

Marvin K. Mooney
I read this book when I was a little kid, to the point that I still remember all the words as an adult. This is a good story to read a child. When I had kids, I bought the book, because I remembered enjoying it when my big sister read it to me.

You can go on a Zike-Bike if you like
Another delightful Dr Seuss marvel.
A simple instruction to a guest who has outstayed his welcome is put into the wonderful poetry unique to
Dr Seuss, that is a delight to children around the world, as well as to adults who are young at heart.
Dr Seuss introduces some of the marvelous technological inventions of his world, such as a Zike-Bike, a Crunk-Car, a Zumble-Zay, a Bumble-Boat and a Gazoom.

It is a great way of teaching children reading and language, and as 'go' is one of the first words children learn to recognize, this teaches the meanings in a really fun way. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Picking up where he left off in the Egyptian adventure Cigars of the Pharaoh, Tintin travels to China in The Blue Lotus, a tale which is generally considered Herge's first masterpiece. It's also Tintin's only foray into actual history, specifically the Sino-Japanese conflicts of the early 1930s. The political tensions combined with the chilling threats of drugs give the story an especially high and realistic sense of danger. Herge's interest in China was spurred by a friendship with a young Chinese student named Chang Chong-chen, a relationship that Tintin mirrors with a Chinese boy also named Chang Chong-chen. Herge paints a vivid picture of China and takes the opportunity to denounce ethnic prejudices (though ironically his artistic depiction of the Japanese businessman Mitsuhirato is quite grotesque).Years later, Tintin's relationship with Chang would become the basis of Tintin in Tibet. --David Horiuchi ... Read more

Reviews (12)

One of the best Tintin books
The Blue lotus is a very interesting book. It has lots of adventure and humor. Drawings are very nice, detailed and clear. The story is great and the ideas are superb. It is one of the best Tintin books written by Herge.

I want to be buried with this book.
Those delightful boobies, Thomson and Thompson, reappear in this sequel to 'Cigars Of The Pharoah', at one point ostentatiously disguising themselves in 'Mikado'-like finery to blend in with the Chinese locals, as they attempt to surreptitiously capture Tintin, only gathering an amused crowd in their wake.

For many Tintinophiles, 'The Blue Lotus' is the most precious of all Herge's masterpieces; certainly, in the event of a fire, after my dogs, and maybe my wife, my long-battered copy would be the first thing I would rescue. From its famous front cover - a giant, twisting black Chinese dragon on a rich red background, facing Tintin and Snowy as they hide in blue vase patterned with a bird and flowers, the images lit by a pale green lantern - every frame is a detailed artwork in itself. Set largely in Japan and European-occupied Shanghai in the early 1930s, every frame painstakingly evokes the Oriental setting: every wall-covering, item of clothing, ornament, building, street, poster, vehicle. Some of the landscapes and silhouettes are etched with the complex simplicity of a wood-cut by Hokusai, Hiroshige or Taige. The eye-dazzling colour is complemented by a much higher proportion of night scenes than previous Tintins. The deep, sombre colours give the story a melancholy (as do the peeling walls found everywhere behind the prettily picturesque Orientalist scenes). This sadness is matched by the plot's events, not just the violent expansionist plans of Japanese fascists or the culpability of European colonialists, but a world where brave sons turn mad, and orphans nearly drown by sheer chance. Herge's storytelling has also matured significantly since his early efforts: his pacing and variations of tone, his crosscutting and fragmenting of narrative, his sustaining mystery - all come together with superb mastery.

And for the first time, because the fictional world created is so believable and historically rooted, Tintin takes on the contours of a genuine hero, much more than a mad marionette endlessly dodging melodramatic villains. His genuine nobility, loyalty and courage, his touching friendship with the orphan Chang, all bespeak fading values in a world crashing towards totalitarianism. A beautiful, urgent book.

The Blue Lotus
After a few days in royalty in India, Tintin is summoned to a new mystery in China. This time he has to investigate the doings of a secret drug dealer, the only problem is that they are too secret. Ofcourse this book has mystery and suspense and I reccomend it to any person who loves the genre.

Herge's masterpiece!
This is probably the most exciting and the most interesting of all the 25 Tintin adventures. Considering it was written early in Herge's career (c. 1930s), the level of proficiency and artwork is extraordinary. In this adventure, really the continuation of "Cigars of the Pharaoh" but able to stand on its own, Tintin travels to China to root out an international drug-smuggling gang. During his stay in China, Tintin gets enmeshed in the politics of the time, when the Japanese were secretly creating pretexts for extending their occupation of China. At a time when the European powers were practicing appeasement towards Japan, this adventure is a daring stance in solidarity with the underdog - here being the Chinese. Much of the day-to-day events of the time are interwoven seamlessly with the action of this adventure comic. Neither is the opium trade (the centerpiece of this story) that the colonial powers pushed on China far removed from reality.

What is perhaps the most amazing thing about this creation is that Herge never traveled to China, not before nor after this story (though he did go to Hong Kong much later in his life). For information about China, he relied on magazine photos and articles, and on the information provided by a friend and roommate Chang Chong Ching, who played the role model for the Chang Tintin befriends in the story (and whom we encounter later in Tintin in Tibet). Chang is the one who wrote the myriad excellent specimens of Chinese calligraphy ornamenting the book. All the Chinese signs in the adventure are meaningful inscriptions, from simple restaurant signs "Foods" and advertisements for international companies "Siemens" to anti-imperialist and anti-Japanese slogans grafittied on the walls. These signs paint a realistic portrait of the Chinese environment at the time. All my Chinese friends who have read this adventure swear that the depictions of China are realistic and cannot believe that Herge never visited that country!

This comic story has all the components for a great piece of art/literature. The artwork is masterful, the settings and scenery realistic, the plot and action entertaining and suspenseful, and the characters well-developed and possess considerable depth. In addition, while the ending is happy, the story is not free from life's tragic moments that bring tears to the eyes. A definite must-read for all Tintin lovers, as well as for those wishing to learn something about China and its recent history.

Tintin travels to China and makes friends with young Chang
"The Blue Lotus" begins where "Cigars of the Pharaoh" left off, with Tintin and Snowy in India as the guests of the Maharaja of Gaipajama. The evil gang of international drug smugglers had been smashed and all of them are now behind bars except for the mysterious leader, who disappeared over a cliff. A visitor from Shanghai is hit with a dart dipped in Rajaijah juice, the poison of madness, which is enough to send our interipd hero to the Chinese city where his rickshaw runs into Gibsons, an occidental who is not looking where he is going and starts beating the rickshaw driver for daring to barge into a white man. Tintin intervenes, calling the man's conduct disgraceful and Gibbon vows revenge. The next thing we know Tintin is being shot at every time he turns around. Things become even more mysterious when another bystander is hit with a Rajaijah dart and Tintin embarks on a ship for Bombay only to wake up in the home of Wang Chen-yee, who begins to unravel the mystery for our hero.

This Tintin adventure was first published in Belgium in 1934-35, although the story is actually set in 1931, which was when Japanese troops were first occupying parts of China. Shangai, the great northern seaport on the Yangtze river, had an International Settlement that served as a trading base for Western nations. Hergé incoprorates several actual events in this narrative, including the blowing-up of the South Manchurian railway, which served as an excuse for further Japanese incursions into China, and led to Japan walking out on the League of Nations.

Of course, it is the Japanese invaders who are after Tintin, who is pretty much on his own for most of this adventure until the Thom(p)sons show up with orders to arrest him (of course the duo don native dress, wanting to avoid causing a scene by walking around dressed in European clothes). The title of the story comes form an opium den that figures prominently in the resoltuion of the tale. "The Blue Lotus" finds Hergé fully committed to providing accurate cultural details in is stories, although this story has the added virtue of being the most "realistic" in terms of portraying current events in a world poised on the brink of war. His drawings of Asian figures can certainly be considered caricatures, but then this is pretty much true of the way he draws everybody in these stories, with the simplistic look of Tintin being the exception that proves the rule.

"The Blue Lotus" is also the adventure in which Tintin meets Chang Choug-chen, a young orphaned Chinese boy our hero saves from drowning. Chang is surprised a white devil would bother to save his life and Tintin haas to explain how not all white men are wicked. The character of Chang is based on Chang Chong-Chen,a young Chinese student who became Hergé's friend in 1934, as is the case with Chang and Tintin. When the Communists took over China the two friends lost touch. Decades later Tintin would race across half the earth to help rescue his friend in "Tintin in Tibet" in 1960. Even though he does not appear in the interim, Hergé makes it clear that Chang is a very special friend to Tintin. "The Blue Lotus" is a first rate Tintin adventure, made all the more special because once World War II began Hergé made a concerted effort to distance his stories from the horrors of the real world. After the war Hergé would deal with East-West tensions on a completely fictional level, making this early adventure of more than passing interest in Hergé's career.

Oh, and in 1981, Georges Remi (a.k.a. Hergé) and Chang Chong-Chen were reunited. ... Read more

Amazon.com

After The Seven Crystal Balls set the eerie stage, Tintin and his friends continue their adventures in Peru. There Tintin rescues an orange-seller named Zorrino from being bullied, and the young man becomes their guide in their quest to find the Temple of the Sun. But they find more than they bargained for and end up in a hot spot. The perils of this engaging two-part adventure are especially harrowing in their combination of the supernatural and the real, although the resolution is a little too deus ex machina. Calculus and the Thompsons provide their usual comic relief. --David Horiuchi ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Wonderful the first time...
The first time I read this one (when I was about ten) I absolutely LOVED it - the way the adventure overtakes Tintin & Haddock so quickly, the Peruvian roads, the mystery and 'hiddeness'of the Inca temple, and the way it reached civilization only in rumours and whispers - but now I've found I've read it so much that the feelings have faded a bit; so, don't overdo it!

The conclusion of what may be the greatest Tintin adventure
"Prisoners of the Sun" concludes the epic Tintin adventure that begins in "The Seven Crystal Balls." The Sanders-Hardiman Ethnographic Expedition had returned from a trip to Peru and Bolivia exploring Inca burial chambers when all seven members fell into comas induced by mysterious crystal balls. Tintin is already involved in the mystery when Professor Calculus is kidnapped and put aboard a steamer bound for Peru. With Snowy and Captain Haddock in tow, Tintin arrives in South America ready to rescue his friend and solve the mystery of the curse of the Incas. This involves a journey through the Andes Mountains and the jungles of the rain forest. There is seriousness to what happens in "The Seven Crystal Balls" and "Prisoners of the Sun" that reflects a significant turning point in Hergé's work. The point that Europeans need to respect the cultures of other peoples is not only explicitly articulated by Tintin in these volumes, but is reinforced by the attention to details he puts into Tintin's visit to foreign lands. The ability of Hergé to grow as a storyteller over the course of his distinguished career is impressive and these stories deserve the accolades they have received and the affection with which they have been embraced by generations of readers. I have always liked his foray into science fiction with the two-part Moon story, but Hergé never did anything any better than this Incan epic. "Prisoners of the Sun" also has one of Hergé's best running gags: no, not the perpetual confrontations between Captain Haddock and the llamas, but the attempt by the Thom(p)sons to use dowsing to help solve the case.

DEFINETLY THE VERY BEST TINTIN BOOK
I am a huge Tintin fanatic and have read just about every book. This book stands out because it is a great follow-up to the seven crystal balls that has myth, adventuring, danger, and "BLISTERING BARNICALS," Capitan Haddock the hilarious friend of Tintin. A five star book for sure!

I thought that prisoners of the sun was a great adventure.
"Prisoners of the Sun" was the first Tintin adventure that I read. It was so good, that it got me hooked. I'm now a big fan of the series. I like the adventure/fiction story put into a great comic strip. I hope to be able to read all the Tintin comics.

Very good book.
Prisonersof the sun is the best Tintin adventure yet. One can never get tired of reading a book like that. It starts off a bit boring but once the search in the forest begins, the book is really gripping. It has a lot of humor, mainly from the Captain, but Calculus' hearing problem also brings a few laughs in the ending. This is a great book. Herge's idea of Tintin &his friends escaping with the help of an eclipse is brilliant. The pictures are very well drawn too. The whole idea of the book is great. ... Read more

Book Description

One hot summer day, George and the man with the yellow hat go to the beach. What fun George has at the beach! What fun he has feeding the seagulls! It's fun, that is, until they fly away with something valuable and George must find a clever way to save the day. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

george is wonderful
George is good to read after an exasperating day with your toddler or preschooler. It reminds you that it could be worse, you could REALLY have a monkey to care for, and your monkeys don't really mean to get into mischief, they are just very very curiouus.

Just as good as the original stories
To date my daughter has been reading the "Curious George" books that belonged to my husband when he was a child. I was a little skeptical that the newly written stories would capture the same spirit as those written more than 30 years ago. However, my daughter absolutely loved it especially as both the storyline and the illustrations were more detailed than usual and made it fun for her to point out different things and extend into a discussion with us about beaches, lifesaving etc. Like her other "George" books she has reread this one over and over. ... 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

Book Description

When Mama Bear decides her family spends too much time in front of the TV,

she bans it for a week. Then the Bear family finds other ways to have fun and

keep busy, so they watch less when TV is allowed again--and they don't even

miss it.




... Read more

Reviews (7)

This book is boring, lets watch TV
Berenstain bear books are usually great reads, with a good lesson within the fun and enjoyable text. This story had a good message, but wasn't a fun book to read. I lost attention, and attentiveness. My voice as i read it became slowly more monotone. If you want a strickly educational book, its better to read them the dictionary.

The bernstien bears and too much TV
This book is good especially for this jnew generation of kids. It starts when all the family besides mama bear start wastching TV way too much. It tells the importance of limiting how much you watch TV. I think it is a good book for children ages 2-9 yrs. old.

No TV?
In this edition of the Berenstain Bears series, Mama Bear decides that the Bear family is spending way too much time watching television. So, the whole family, including Papa Bear, goes one whole week without watching television. Though upset by the idea at first, Brother and Sister Bear soon realize that there are a whole bunch of things they enjoy doing more than watching television...

Excellent children's morality story.
This book is a delightful little story told and illustrated in the quality typical of the Berenstains. It has a clear message without being preachy, and presents the need to balance different activities in our lives. I purchased to give me a starting point to talk to my six-year-old-son about watching too much television, and I will say it fulfilled this purpose admirably. I don't think it's quite as entertaining to children as some of the Berenstains' other works, however. Still, an enjoyable story.

great to read to kids who are watching too much TV!
What a wonderful find. We were in a rut with my 3 year-old watching too much TV and I read this book to him. It was nice to read about Mama Bear thinking the kids are watching too much TV which is what I have taken to chanting lately. It is funny to realize it is a bit dated as they reference having had a black and white TV and now their current color TV has an antenna. No VCR, DVD, TV video games, cable, or satellites are mentioned here! For that matter, computers are never mentioned either (no "too much computer time"). But the main theme is true: as with these Bears, our kids should be outside more, talking to their parents more, not eating in front of the TV like a zombie, and could be reading books and newspapers more, and watching the stars at night. The Bears go without TV for one week and lo and behold are happy and enjoy each other all week long. I had to laugh when Papa Bear thought he could continue watching his sports even when the Bear Kids were banned from the TV. This is all-too-much like the scene in our home! At the end, when the Kids can watch TV, they prefer crafts and toys, and even Papa Bear tires of the TV and goes fishing instead. A note: the Bear Kids go to school and homework is seen in a negative light. Time off from school is portrayed as entertainment time rather than learning time. This is a different mindset than the homeschooling family (like us) usually has. ... Read more