Reviews (18)

A very good book for the young girl!
I bought this book for my 9 year old daughter who has yet to start her period. I wanted to give her some information without boring her or confusing her. This book covers many good topics in such a wonderful way! It explains things I wouldn't of thought to explain (emergency situations, bra sizes etc.) I did read this book with my daughter since it does cover the topic of intercourse which I don't feel she needs to know the details of yet. It explains the parts of her body without being overly graphic (pictures are of female organs only) which is wonderful. Overall it has given her confidence in what she is and will be going through. She asks questions and is no longer afraid of what is to come. I'm so glad to have found this book!! I will be using it again with my younger daughter when the time comes.

Perfect first "growing up" book for the preteen girl
I have been searching for a book for my daughter (she turned 10 today!) that will help me to explain some of what will be happening to her body over the next few years. So many of the books contain too much information about sex, birth control, etc., that I feel is more appropriate for an older girl (say, 13 and up). This book, though, is just perfect for her age. It touches on all the things I think are important (breast development, first period, pubic hair and so forth). The information, language and tone of this book are just right for a girl who is still a little girl but who will not be for much longer. I am totally comfortable with reading this book to my daughter and then discussing it with her over time. I am sure she will want to take it to read on her own later, too. A wonderful book that I cannot recommend strongly enough for 9-13 year old girls.

Patronizing, lacks good illustrations
I was extremely disappointed in this book, given the glowing reviews it has received here. The introduction describes the author's fond memories of her uninhibited mother asking her to fetch sanitary napkins, walking naked around the house, and positioning her breasts in her bra. Perhaps this book is best suited to the daughters of similarly uninhibited women. I found the semi-burlesque description embarrassing, and worried my daughter will feel deprived because her mommy values a modicum of privacy. The cartoonish diagrams were vague and unhelpful. I'm afraid the introduction set the whole tone of the book, and I found the rest just plain annoying. I will save this book for when my daughter is 13, she may find it amusing. In the mean time I'll get a good anatomy book, explain what all the "parts" are for, and go from there.

Informative book for girls
My daughter is 9 and found this book to be very interesting. It answers alot of questions girls have and are afraid or embaressed to ask. This book opens the doors to communication, a must have for all girls to read!

Not what I expected...
I was very disappointed when I receieved this book that I ordered for my nine year old daughter. In fact, I have decided not to give it to her at this time. I think it is for a little bit older girl or one who is already "maturing". I was looking for a "first" book about periods, growing/changing bodies, etc. From the reviews I read online, that is what I thought it was. It seems more geared towards girls who are already experiencing these life changes. ... Read more

Amazon.com

"The wheels on the bus go round and round.... All over town." Thistraditional song, a favorite of children everywhere, is adapted and illustratedby Paul O. Zelinsky, winner of the Caldecott Medal for his lush version of Rapunzel, and Caldecott honorsfor Rumpelstiltskin,Hansel and Gretel, andSwamp Angel. Fantasticpaper engineering with movable parts, flaps, and wheels that spin makes this aninteractive book that young readers will love to pieces (maybe literally!). Pullone tab to make the "wipers on the bus go swish swish swish," and another to seethe "babies on the bus cry Waah! Waah! Waah!" On closer inspection, childrenwill be tickled to discover several subtle and humorous subplots, as well as afull-circle finale: the last stop on the bus is at the Overtown public library,where the day's program includes a folk singer. Guess what he's singing!

Zelinsky's warm, inviting illustrations are a perfect match for this classicplay rhyme. Children who have learned the hand motions to the song will enjoyhelping the characters in the book enact their own roles. The back coverincludes the musical notation for "The Wheels on the Bus," so everyone can singalong. (Ages 3 to 7) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (42)

a great pop-up and lift-the-flap version of a classic song
Our two-year-old loves this book. It is colorful, interactive and fun fun fun. It is one of those gems among children's books that is actually bearable the 500th time you read (or sing) it. The artistry is exceptional -- clever manipulatives and delightful illustrations help bring this classic song to life. You will open the doors, swish the windshield wipers, ssshh the babies, and yes, you will make the wheels go round. Manipulatives are generally lift-the-flap or tab.

The material is not very thick, so we also save this book for use with an adult. We have had to tape the wheels back on though, and have lost functionality on one or two pop-ups. Nevertheless, this is a delightful book that will bring smiles to your child -- and not drive *you* crazy!

Two thumbs up for this little cute masterpiece
I learned that this book is number 174 on the list of most popular children's books ever sold. This threw me a little since, prior to discovering it, I had never even heard of "The Wheels on the Bus". The book is not particularly overwhelming in any literary sense. Anyone who has long since forgotten the words to the song will immediately remember them when confronted with scenes of children crying and their mothers hushing them. Zelinsky has added his own little touches to each scene, showing various background storylines continuing from page to page. In one sequence a little dog escapes its owner and chases the bus in a mad attempt to reach the kittens on board. In another scene, the aforementioned kittens are flung hither and yon on the bus, one of them making a near escape. Kids will love pulling the tabs and seeing everything from the window wipers "whooshing" to the mothers rolling their eyes as their babies cry. I can't imagine the book would work after long hours of tab pulling, however. Even for an adult, some of the pop up sections require a steady gentle hand (a thing some youngsters lack). Still, this is a great book for large group or individual child presentations. The sections are inventive and the song, no matter how people complain about it, is catchy. On the whole, an inventive and enjoyable creation.

Fantastic!
I first bought this book when my older son, who is now 12, was a toddler. Although it has many moving parts (all great fun), it lasted through his brother's use as well. I have since bought it for several nieces and nephews as a gift for each one's 2nd birthday. All of them have loved it, and read it for many years. The story is true to the song, but the illustrations have small side stories running through them, allowing older children to enjoy as well. Definitely a great purchase!

My daughter loves it - 16 months old
I bought an older version of this book at a thrift shop - (...) My daughter loves it, and when I left her a few minutes ago she was moving the baby's arms singing "wah, wah, wah" (the baby on the bus goes wah wah wah...)

She tore out the mother on the bus, so I am keeping the book up high except to read.

(...). It's a great gift book. The pages are sturdy, too.

Absolutely delightful
Without a doubt, my 2 yr. old's favorite book. Over and Over and Over again. The illustrations are wonderful. Another one of our favorites is AWAY WE GO! Illustrated by Dan Yaccarino.
Just pops with fun and brightness. Transportation, cars, etc. is
quite big at this age! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Officer Buckle is a roly-poly bloke, dedicated to teaching schoolchildren important safety tips, such as never put anything in your ear and never stand on a swivel chair. The problem is, Officer Buckle's school assemblies are dull, dull, dull, and the children of Napville just sleep, sleep, sleep. That is, until Gloria the police dog is invited along! Stealthily pantomiming each safety tip behind Officer Buckle's back, Gloria wins the children's hearts. Meanwhile Officer Buckle assumes the cheers and laughter are all for him. As the master comedian Jerry Lewis once explained, every slapstick artist needs a straight man! Children will be highly entertained by the laugh-out-loud, adorable illustrations in this 1996 Caldecott Medal winner, while learning the value of teamwork and a pawful of nifty safety tips. (Ages 4 to 8) --Gail Hudson ... Read more

Reviews (31)

Stay with your buddy!
This book for children is about a police officer (I've been told that it is based, in part, on a San Francisco officer) who gives talks on safety to elementary school children. His talks are quite boring until he is accompanied by his police dog, Gloria. At first he is deflated that the students aren't cheering his presentation; but, with Gloria present they actually learn safety. The book won the 1996 Caldecott Medal for best illustrations in a children's book. One of the earlier reviewers gave this book only two stars apparently because they couldn't see the humor. Part of the humor can be found in the background and how it meshes with the text.

A Read-Aloud Hit!
Primary age students in our school love to have "OfficerBuckle and Gloria" read aloud to them, and upper grade studentsremember this story fondly.

While the story stands alone as a playful read-aloud, it can be an effective tool for opening a discussion on safety. Officer Buckle keeps thinking of new safety tips that he keeps thumbtacked to his bulletin board, like "never do tricks on the monkey bars without someone there to catch you." The endpapers of the book are also filled with stars containing more safety tips.

Just as the students in the story are entertained by Gloria, the dog, and come away with Officer Buckle's helpful tips, children who read or listen to this book read will be entertained, yet come away with some great advice, such as "always wear a crash helmet."

This one deserves the Caldecott Medal as the colorful, playful drawings are an essential part of the story.

Safety tips
Officer Buckle is a friendly police officer who enjoys making up safety tips and sharing them with school children. However, the school children find Officer Buckle's safety lectures boring, until the day when he takes his new police dog Gloria along with him to the lecture. Officer Buckle doesn't know it, but Gloria has a habit of acting out the tips behind his back while he is speaking. When Officer Buckle finally finds out what Gloria is doing behind his back, he decides to stop giving lectures. But Gloria finds that she can't go on without him, and the school children also miss the fun. The story is very cute and not at all scary.

An officer and a gentle dog
Widely regarded as the least deserving Caldecott winner in the last 15 years. Now that's a pretty negative opening comment about a book that is, all in all, an amusing story about a man and his eclectic dog. And I'm not saying that this book is THE worst Caldecott winner to have ever existed. That honor belongs to the ludicrously racist and factually inaccurate "Abraham Lincoln" by the Parin d'Aulaires. Certainly this is a nice little tale about safety, and it presents actual important safety tips in a fun and original manner. But it's hardly deserving of a medal. Hardly.

In this tale, Officer Buckle finds that his school safety tips are being met with more than a little disregard on the part of the students. Kids are just snoring in the aisles when Buckle reads the list of tips. All that changes when the Officer acquires a police dog named Gloria. Suddenly the kids are wide-awake for Buckle's safety demos, and it's no wonder. Gloria is faithfully acting out each and every safety tip as her owner reads them out. From "Never leave a thumbtack where you might sit on it" to "Do not go swimming during electrical storms". Of course, Officer Buckle has no clue why there has been such a rise in his own popularity. But when watching a taped recording of his own program, the law enforcement agent must decide whether or not he is of any real importance to the community, or if it's all Gloria's glory.

There's a lot to love in this story. Rathmann has fitted many a scene with tiny interesting details. Buckle fans (as well as the Officer himself) sport anti-banana peel badges and t-shirts. Officer Buckle's book collection (containing such titles as "You Can't Be Too Careful" and "Safety in Numbers") is held together by Gloria shaped book-ends. And check out Buckle's final safety tip written in front of him while angrily refusing to do anymore speeches (#100: Never turn your back on a strange dog). The plot is cute as well. It's nice to see an energetic dog in the vein of Snoopy or Mark Teague's Ike that's female for once. And there is a real affection between Buckle and his trusty canine friend. I think back to the scene of the policeman feeding Gloria an ice cream cone after she's given a stint of autographs to waiting fans. Finally, there's no denying that Buckle has come up with some really good safety tips. The front and end papers of this book show some useful stars containing Gloria acting out why one should or should not follow such n' such a tip.

Now when I said the book didn't deserve the Caldecott, I meant it. It's a swell book with a fun story and lovely pictures. But it's not superb. I can only assume it won solely on the basis that it is the only Caldecott book to discuss safety in any serious manner. And it does so without causing undue fear or worry on the part of the small child reader. Which is good. So by all means, go out and read this nice little story. Just don't expect to be blown away by its wit or depth.

just so so funny
we just read it together and laugh and laugh and laugh. and then one of us, my son or i will point to another illustration of gloria's expressions or antics and we just laugh and laugh again. a lovely book. ... Read more

Book Description

Wendy Pfeffer describes the amazing metamorphosis from tiny, jellylike egg, to little fishy tadpole, to great big bullfrog. Holly Keller has created the archetypal frog pond and we see it through the seasons as the tadpoles grow legs and lungs and eventually hop onto land: bullfrogs at last. "Well-designed ink drawings washed with soft-toned watercolors stretch across the double-page spreads, showing the action above and below water level. . . .an attractive, general introduction."—BL.

1994 "Pick of the Lists" (ABA)
Best Children's Science Books, 1994 (Science Books and Films) ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Another Great Kids' Book
This is another great STAGE 1 book in the "Let's Read & Find Out" Science Series. The STAGE 1 Series books are written for preschool and kindergarten-age kids (age 3 to 6) about basic science concepts.
This book has 32 pages of nice illustrations (artwork NOT photography) to help the words tell about the developmental stages of frogs.

Some children's books miss the fact of who their target audience is. The "Let's Read & Find Out" books consistently keep subject matter easily understood using age appropriate vocabulary and keep a child interested at the same time.
We recently bought a home science frog growing kit. This book is perfect read along material to show my five year old son what to anticipate in coming weeks.

The books are written for the reading ability of an "average" 3 year old. Older kids may very well get bored with the simple reading in this book. But, they should find the information about frogs fascinating, especially if they are participating in growing some at home or in class! Remember how much fun frog eggs and tadpoles were as a kid?

We have several books in this series and are pleased that our son enjoys them so much.
John Row

very good
This book is very appropriate for any young one learning about frogs. My nephew has learned alot from this book about where frogs come from. The pictures are real and not drawings which I like. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Very disappointing
The story is REALLY silly.
Moreover, throughout the book the value given to Pi
is WRONG (it is stated to be 22/7, and only at the very end is it casually mentioned to be an approximation).
This book is a perfect example of how NOT to attract kids to Math.

Good Intro to Pi
Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi is the story of a boy that must use math to save his father. Most of the character's names are terms found in math, like Sir Cumference and Radius, which cleverly adds to the effect of the story. The use of a dragon gives the story more of a fantasy feel which appeals to the younger audience. The illustrations in the book are done well and add to the medieval setting of the book because they look like oil paintings. The goal of this book is to introduce kids to the concept of pi in a fun and easy to understand way. It pulls this off by having a fairy tale setting and actually having a reason to use pi that kids can understand. This book is not a quick read, yet it's not long enough to lose the attention of a child. Even though this is a children's book, it should only be used for older children since it involves division with fractions. Because of this, it works as a great educational tool for those older children by introducing them to a fundamental math term they will most likely use later in life.

Excellent Conceptual Intro
The Dragon of Pi is an excellent conceptual introduction to Pi, a concept not even clear to most adults, for children. The ideas are clear and playfully woven into the plot. Using the globally favorite dragon as a character, this book is animated, informative, and an effective educational tool.

Silly motivation of pi
Of all the reasons to be interested in pi, surely curing your father's belly ache is the least inspired. This book is about politics not mathematics.

Nice idea, but ...
A young boy gives his father the wrong potion to cure a bellyache, and must solve the riddle of the ratio of a circle's circumference to it's diameter to get the dosage to cure him. I enjoyed the fun names (Geo and Sym, the Metry brothers), but I was disappointed in the author's choice to use 22/7 as the value for pi. If the story hadn't made such a big point of getting the dose correct (or Dad would never be cured), I wouldn't have had any trouble with introducing an approximate value. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Exotic, beautiful, and instructive, this "mathematical folktale" by author-illustrator Demi emerged from her love of India. The narrative and the evocative illustrations combine to create a real sense of the culture and atmosphere of this romantic land.

It's the story of Rani, a clever girl who outsmarts a very selfish raja and saves her village. When offered a reward for a good deed, she asks only for one grain of rice, doubled each day for 30 days. Remember your math? That's lots of rice: enough to feed a village for a good long time--and to teach a greedy raja a lesson. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Beautiful Math, Eloquent Ethics
Demi sweeps us away with this story of a little girl whose quick thinking and knowlege of mathematics teaches a raja a lesson and saves her village.

This story touches on many levels, the first of which is the visual. A few of its glossy pages, each the quality of a fine color print, unfold to over two feet in length for the purpose of illustrating a mathematic principle that could never be explained as well only in words, no matter how many. It also serves up a well-told tale, set in India, that holds a child to the last. Finally, it offers lessons in generosity, keeping one's word, providing for the future, and helping the poor. "A Grain of Rice" is truly original, however, in the way that it brings all of these elements, particularly the mathematic and the humanitarian, together in one arrestingly beautiful book.

This would make a touching gift to anyone who enjoys Indian art and design or mathematics, regardless of age. It is also a perfect gift for a child as it is both aesthetically pleasing and educational--what parent could want more in a children's book?

My daughter loves this book!
We checked this book out from the library 3 years ago when she was five. That year it was at the top of her Christmas wish list. Now three years later it is still one her favorite books. This book has a positive moral about greed and courage. It features a smart, courageous and generous female character who uses math to out whit a greedy raja. It also shows children that sharing and kindness are rewards in themselves. Plus the math lesson is fun and educational. What more could a parent ask for? We could ask for fantastic Indian art illustrations which the book is filled with. So this book does have it all. A positive moral, a brave heroine, an educational math lesson and wonderful vibrant illustrations.

Wonderful Story!
Just wondering if anyone can give us all information on when this book will be available again. It is one of the best storys with the most beautiful pictures for young and old alike. It is a classic that will always be on top of my list!

A lovely book. But why is everybody WHITE?
This book has many strong points. It features a strong and clever female heroine. It makes mathematics fun. The sumptuous illustratations imitate the style of Classical Indian miniatures. But I have a major reservation: all the characters appear Caucasian, with very white skin and very rosy cheeks, even though the book is set in India, and the characters wear Indian clothing. We bought this book for our daughter, whom we adopted from India. I wish that she could see in this book a brave and resourceful heroine who is BROWN like her.

A great book for young kids!
When I was little, this was one of my favorite books. I loved the way the one grain of rice would turn into over ten billion! Every kid from 1st-4th grade will love this! Its fun to read and a great math lesson! Hope you enjoy this sweet book! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A Hands on Book for the Creative Minded
I just used this book to teach my daughter (8) and son (5) the same exact lesson on two different cognitive levels. Late last night, I sat down with a paint program and drew two diagrams just like Mrs. Comfort's. I folded and cut a piece of paper into eight squares of approximately the same size. I used multicolored paper clips as chairs. Tonight, we had so much fun that we spent almost five minutes per page, counting guests as they arrived, counting chairs as they dissapeared and reappeared from around the table perimeters and following the detailed chaos as garlic bread, salads, vases and pasta flew around the room. I have one question. Did Mrs. Comfort get the last meatball?

Variable Perimeters and Fun, Practical Problem-Solving
Ah! If spatial relations had been taught like this when we were all young, everyone would be fluent mathematically.

Instead of all those problems about two trains rushing towards one another, this book takes a practial problem and uses it to illuminate spatial problem-solving.

Mr. and Mrs. Comfort decide to invite their family and neighbors over for dinner. Pretty soon, 30 people have accepted so they will be feeding 32, including themselves. In a role reversal from the sexual stereotypes, Mr. Comfort is the cook and impractical one while Mrs. Comfort is the left-brained problem solver. She knows what needs to be done, but everyone else has to work it out for themselves by moving the furniture around.

Mrs. Comfort figures out that they don't have enough tables and chairs for this many people. So she rents some. She correctly figures out that 8 tables seating four people each will do the trick (8 times 4). She rents 8 tables and 32 chairs (but they deliver only 31, and she has to find an extra folding chair).

All is well, until the guests start to arrive. They don't want to sit at separate tables. They want to eat at one big table so they can be closer to everyone else.

That creates a problem. Each time two tables for four are put together, two places are lost (you now have only two ends, while you had four before with separate tables). That's not immediately obvious to the guests, because most of the chairs and tables are unused in the beginning and they don't know how many people are coming.

Mrs. Comfort tries to warn everyone that it won't work, but they ignore her. She finally gives up.

When most of the people arrive, there are not enough places for them at the table (even though there are enough chairs), so they begin pulling the tables apart from one another.

Sure enough, in the end, the guests are seated at 8 separate tables for four. Isn't logic wonderful?

Mrs. Comfort could have ordered more tables and had everyone sit closer to one other. But she wanted to save money. That makes sense, doesn't it?

There is an adult's guide in the end for how to work with your child to make this a problem that she or he can work on. The suggestion is to make 8 little cut-out squares, and to move them into different configurations to handle the various numbers of guests. From this, the child can see that the perimeter varies for the same area, depending on how the area is configured. That lesson will never need to be taught again.

You can also use some of the cooking quantities in here to do math as well. Assuming the children eat so much, and the adults so much, how much will be left over of the meat balls?

Having seen how such a problem can be constructed, I suggest that you develop your own story puzzles. I can guarantee that your child will remember you as a cross between Einstein and Diderot if you do. Here's a hint: How would you go about planning a trip for your family if you were going to have to use frequent flyer miles and the number of miles you had to use varied with when you flew? You can complicate that one for older children by introducing variables like the cost of hotel room nights and car rental days, and having a fixed number of frequent flyer miles to work with in order to find the solution that optimizes the trip and its cost.

But I'm sure you will have even better ideas!

Math teachers: This book will bring the gladness back into your heart, as well as create dedicated, happy students. Do yourself and your students a favor and use this book as a teaching aid.

Think carefully about the periphery to get to the heart of the matter!

My students thought it was "awesome"
I used it in my 4th grade classroom as the basis of a formal observation by my prinical. The kids were enthralled by the book and activities I made using this book to reinforce ideas about area and perimeter. Just as important, my principal liked it too!

Great for introducing perimeter and area!
This book is an excellent tool for introducing perimeter and area to an elementary school class. The story is engaging and funny. The children can easily move colored tiles to imitate the movement of the tables in the story. ... Read more

Book Description

"Once there was a tree . . . and she loved a little boy." So begins a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein.

Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk . . . and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave.

This is a tender story, touched with sadness, aglow with consolation. Shel Silverstein has created a moving parable for readers of all ages that offers an affecting interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another’s capacity to love in return.

Reviews (345)

Deeply powerful
I had read and treasured The Giving Tree as a child, but I had largely forgotten it when I discovered a copy in a children's book store last year. I picked it up and showed it to my friend. "Look," I said. "I remember this book. What a cute story it was." We read it together, in the bookstore, for the first time in many years.

I nearly cried. What I remembered as a cute and slightly silly children's story is in fact an extraordinarily powerful parable of life and faith. The wisdom and simple power of this book still holds, even after all these years. We have lost a very fine author who wrote some of the greatest children's books in our language.

This is Essential Reading For Fans Of Children's Literature
The Giving Tree, written by Shel Silverstein, is a controversial story for children. People either hate or love it. Like The Little Prince, The Giving Tree ultimately delivers a message which is both moving and profound. The illustrations, rendered in simple black and white line drawings, tell the story of a tree and the little boy who comes to visit her every day. As the story progresses the boy grows into a selfish adult who does nothing but take from the tree. He takes and takes until nothing is left of her but a stump. Finally one day the boy returns as a beaten down old man with no place left to go. The tree, always happy to see him, offers the old man the only thing she has left. She offers her stump for him to rest on. The Giving Tree is a powerful metaphor for the unconditional love parents and children share. Frustrating, sad, and ultimately beautiful, this is a story no child should miss reading.

Preston McClear, author The Boy Under the Bed

The spirit of giving with nothing expected in return
This is my favorite book of all time. In fact, I have designed the nursery for my newborn around this book, with the main focus of the room being a mural showcasing the cover. I believe the book shows that giving without expecting anything in return can be fufilling. The last line in the book states this, "and the tree was happy", what better lesson for a parent to teach their child. Sure you can look at the dark side, and focus on the selfishness of the little boy, but I choose not to. Shel Silverstein purposely left the meaning up to the reader for interpretation.

The Power of Simplicity, Taps into the Deeply Human
There's not really a "plot" in this story in any traditional sense. It is a series of vignettes in the relationship between a boy and a tree. The symbolism is pretty straightforward, the tree representing parental nurturing, but there is nothing trite about it. This illustrations are simple black-and-white line drawings. Somehow this simple book really packs a punch. All I can really say is that I have never once, ever, in dozens of readings, whether alone or to the kids, made it through this book without crying. It's simply...touching.

Further Comments: Silverstein was one weird, scary-looking dude. If you're interested in very idiosyncratic people, Google him and you'll be surprised. He has several other children's books with which I'm only vaguely familiar (I remember Where the Sidewalk Ends being on the shelf at my grade school, but I'm not sure if I ever read it. I think it's a collection of poems). I'd love to see some of those reviewed.

(...)

inspirational
I first read this book 3 years ago when I started working with children...my reaction was that this kid was a selfish little (...). As I have matured I've realized that children are supposed to be selfish and as a child care worker or parent it is our job to sacrafice everything that we have for the benefit of the child and then to give a little more. Personaly I think the highest point that a parent or teacher can reach is that of a stump. Everytime I feel myself tiring as the kid next to me at the dinner table eats 2 servings of potatos and leaves nothing for me, I picture myself as a stump and I pass them the rolls. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Who invented numbers? What are prime numbers? How do you do longdivision? How do you calculate percentages? If your child is asking for help with these questions, and you're feeling a little rusty, this is the perfect book to have on hand--for yourself and your inquisitive fourth- tosixth-grader. Colorful and accessible, this clear guide defines math terms and concepts with both visual and written description. For example, authors Anne Zeman and Kate Kelly describe a fraction as "one or more parts of a whole or a set," and they also offer the image of a necklace of beads to show how each bead is part of a set. The book is divided into the followingsections: "Numbers and Number Systems" (ancient number systems, the decimal system);"Basic Math Functions" (math symbols, addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, fractions, rounding and estimation, averages and medians, properties and orders, story problems); "Measurement" (measuring length, distance, weight, perimeter and area, volume, temperature, time); "Geometry" (geometric shapes, symmetry, congruence, similarity); "Money and Monetary Systems" (U.S. currency, other currency systems); "Graphs" (plotting information, four kinds of graphs); "Statistics and Probability"; "Computers and Calculators" (the abacus, simple calculators, the computer); and a complete index. Information for the Scholastic Homework Reference Series wasgathered from current textbooks, national curricula, and the assistance of the UFT Dial-A-Teacher staff. (Ages 9 and older) ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A Parent's dream come true
This was an excellent book for me, the parent, AND for my child. We referred to this book many times throughout the 4th, 5th and 6th grades. I only wish they had one for high school!

Needs to Be Re-Edited for Errors
I am now reading this book and have completed the first 41 pages. I have found at least three content errors so far, which would certainly confuse someone who did not already understand the topic in question. (1) On page 35, at the top of the page, in an example of multiplication, the text lists "190". This should be 180. (2) On page 38, while discussing integers, it states "The product of a positive integer multiplied by another positive integer will always be a positive integer." So far, so good. But then it gives a series of examples, including 1/2 x 3 = 3/2. Integers are whole numbers, negative or positive (1,2,3,4,-1, -2, -3, etc., and zero), and do not include fractions. So the illustration is not apt and is confusing. (3) On page 41, in a sideabar discussing equivalent fractions, it says "To reduce a fraction to its lowest terms, divide both the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common denominator." This should read "by their greatest common factor." As I am less than a third of the way through the book, I suspect other errors exist. I still think this book could still be useful because some of the material is good, but be aware that if something does not make sense, it may be the book, not you, that is the problem.

Perfect reference for 4th to 6th grade math
This is exactly what the title says it is... Everything you need to know about math homework.

My daughter and I used it all last year when she was in 5th grade. At first, I was the user; later she would start looking up her own answers. For homework, she was given math worksheets that would reference something just covered in math class, such as, the associative, or the commutative property, or the formula for finding the area of a triangle. If she didn't remember the rule or formula from math class, she had a ready reference. It covers the same material as her math textbook, but this was always on her desk. The math textbook was sometimes sitting in her locker.

This book is well written, and edited. It includes clearly laid out examples, with colorful graphics. The index and table of contents are complete, and make this reference quick and easy to use. Well worth the money... I highly recommend this book.

A Great Reference Guide!
This little gem continues to amaze me! Everytime I get stumped with my son's math terminology or the mechanics of a math problem I turn to this reference book and the answer is always there. If there is one book you should own to help your children with their math, this is it!

A Life Saving Book For Students
This book takes the mystery out of math. It's a must for any student reference library. As the home schooling mom of three, it's important to have quality references close at hand and this book makes explaining and mastering math a breeze. Each section is color coded for quick, easy reference. All basic math functions are explained in clear language and completed with easy to follow diagrams. There are numberous table including a table which shows Greenwich Mean and U.S. Standard Time Equivalents. This book is a must have book for all math students. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This encyclopedia can make anyone feel like a scientist! Not only does it have fascinating facts on everything from atoms to zephyrs, it also shows how scientists work--describing, measuring, and asking questions about the world. Filled with detailed, sharp illustrations and eye-catching photographs, this book could keep a curious kid (or adult!) occupied for weeks. The one- and two-page entries are thematically organized--much more useful than alphabetical entries for making connections and thinking about whole systems. Some of the best categories are "Reactions," "Materials," "Weather," "Space," and "How Living Things Work." But every entry has accurate, well-written text cross-indexed to related pages and to the "Fact Finder" section in the back, with charts, tables, and maps to use with each section. A glossary and index round out this thorough package. You may grow so attached to this fantastic encyclopedia that you never want to leave it behind.... For portability, we recommend the pocket version, which weighs less, but is jam-packed with great science. And for budding biologists who can't get enough of the "Living Things" section in the Science Encyclopedia, the The DK Nature Encyclopedia is sure to please. (Ages 9 to 12) --Therese Littleton ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Typos
This book covers almost everything school children will learn in science class. My children refer to it often to look for those extra new details concerning their classes. However they have discovered some errors (and this is the revised ed.)which I will call typos especially in the Periodic Table, which did dampen their enthusiasm with the book and shook their trust a little.

Compact Visual Encyclopedia
This is a kid-size book even adults will love. It is small enough to toss in your purse or put in your pocket. There are over 1,000 full-color photographs, diagrams, charts and cutaway artworks. The information is organized into four key sections and packed with scientific facts, figures and statistics.

This book explains the basic concepts of "matter," "Kinetic Theory," "atoms," "elements (including the Periodic Table)", "Metals" and much more. A Timeline of Scientific discoveries is fun to read and lists discoveries up to 1995.

The Geography section will help children understand the planet more and it explains volcanoes, earthquakes, rocks, minerals, mountains, rivers, lakes, climate and weather. The Gemstone section was quite pretty with rubies, emeralds and turquoise in their natural state. The section on animals gives cutaway pictures that show the insides of each animal so children can understand how a cow chews its cud or how other animals digest their food. How does a whale trap krill in its mouth? This type of information was very interesting.

All I have to say is..."If God didn't design and create our wonderful world, I am not sure who did!" This book will give a child a basic understanding of main concepts, but some parents might want to consider explaining their own views about evolution and creation.

"All Men by Nature Desire To Know." -Aristotle, a quote found in: The Story of Philosophy by Bryan Magee

The inquisitive soul will enjoy reading this book!

And this is a science book?!
This book has a very good section on nonbiological science, but when it gets to the biology, it has, in my opinion, a very wrong premise. It assumes macroevolution is a biological fact, when it is, in fact, quite the opposite. This premise saturates the book, and in doing so, biological facts do not fit together nicely at all. Microevolution has been proven by science to be a true, and normal, scientific occurence, but macroevolution, as presented in this book, is a mixture of very good imaginations (as manifested by their colorful illustrations), outdated theories,and a few observations twisted to fit their outlook on science. But as to the section on the non-living aspects of science, I commend this book. This part is unslanted and it has helped me understand many matters of science. Its illustrations make it voluminously easier to understand.

Excellent combination of graphical and textual learning
This book can clearly teach you the core basics of every branch of science. This book is a joy to read and see.

This book will appeal to old and young alike.

This book does not dwell on any subject for too long so don't expect exhaustive information on a particular category.

For people who like comics this book is especially suited.

With this book alone, anyone can have obtain an extensive understanding of the world of science and nature. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Perfect for teaching about seeds.
This is an excellent book for younger students (K-3) about seeds and plants. I am using it as part of my summer school reading/writing program. First, I read the book to the students and we planted little radish seeds (they grow quickly) in see-through plastic cups. Later, the students read the book out loud to one another and we discussed the seed to plant concept. They also kept a journal to record their observations of their seeds with illustrations about every other day. This book presents a great opportunity to combine reading, writing and science.

Superb, simple explanation of plant life.
This book's big, colorful illustrations and simple language do a superb job of explaining subjects such as plant reproduction, seed dispersal, pollen transference, and seed germination. Although intended for a younger audience, I read this book aloud to my fourth grade students to quickly build their background knowledge. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (1)

math fun
This is a picture book about the Zills family.The family is off on an adventure to hiddenburial site of an ancient pharaoh.The twin brothers in the family get stuck inside a pyramid with their dog.They must use math to figure out a way to escape the pyramid. They must use skills to figure out the riddles written on the wall and locate the hidden burial chamber. Will they ever figure it out?Read Mummy Math to find out!

It's one of those special books which children will read without realizing they are learning a mathematical concept.

This is a recommended book for those teacher or parents that want to make math a little more exciting for children. ... Read more

Book Description

Shawn McDaniel is an enigma and a miracle--except no one knows it, least of all his father. His life is not what it may seem to anyone looking at him. Not even those who love him best have any idea what he is truly like. In this extraordinary and powerful first novel, the reader learns to look beyond the obvious and finds a character whose spirit is rich beyond imagining and whose story is unforgettable.

My life is like one of those "good news-bad news" jokes. Like, "I've got some good news and some bad news--which do you want first?"

I could go on about my good news for hours, but you probably want to hear the punch line, my bad news, right? Well, there isn't that much, really, but what's here is pretty wild. First off, my parents got divorced ten years ago because of me. My being born changed everything for all of us, in every way. My dad didn't divorce my mom, or my sister, Cindy, or my brother, Paul--he divorced me. He couldn't handle my condition, so he had to leave. My condition? Well, that brings us to the guts of my bad news.

Books for the Teen Age 2001 (NYPL), Books for Youth Editor's Choice 2000 (Booklist), Top 10 Youth First Novels 2000(Booklist), 2001 Best Books for Young Adults (ALA), 2001 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Readers (ALA), and 2001 Michael L. Printz Honor Book

Reviews (116)

Review on Stuck in Neutral
I really liked this book because it had alot of emotion and true thought. A boy named Shawn Mcdaniel has cerebal palsey and a dad that's trying to kill him. And if that's not enough, he can remember everything he ever heard, and saw. It could be an extrodinary gift, but noone will ever know because he can't talk, or communicate with anyone. He's a vegetable. I like this book because his father loves him, very much. Shawn goes through seizures every day, and when his dad see's him having them he feels that he's suffering. But really Shawn looks forward to them. His dad feels that he should put him out of his misery, by killing him. It's a story of bad new's and good news. The only part I don't like about this book is that at the end it has kind of a cliff hanger ending. Out of nowhere the book just ends. I wish I could know what his father was going to do to him, or if he did anything at all. This is a very good book because, it keeps you interested,and you never know what is going to happen. I would recommend it to anyone who likes fast reading with emotion in the thought.

An Interesting Read
Stuck In Neutral is a book about a boy, Shawn, who can't control his muscles, so he can't talk, walk, write, ect. The book is written in first person, so you can see everything in Shawn's point of view. Throughout the book, Shawn explains his frustrations about not being able to show his family and everyone else what he is really like, what he feels when he has his seizures, and about his thoughts on what he thinks his father was going to do.

The book, is based on some truth, but in several parts it is quite fictitious. Stuck In Neutral is a good book to read to get the feeling of what it's like to live with someone with that kind of disability, but might not be accurate in showing what it's like to have that sort of disability because you would only know if you actually have it, which the author doesn't. I have to admit, I didn't particularly enjoy the book because on many parts I found it a little hard to believe. However, the book did broaden my outlook on disabled people and their abilities. The book wasn't the best, but I still recommend that some people read it because it makes you think more about what disabled people really go through.

Stuck in Neutral
This is a book that you won't want to put down, even after you have read the last sentence. As a reader, you feel honored to get inside the head of Shawn, a 15-year old boy with Cerebral Palsy. You are able to see how the world seems or feels to someone like him. I laughed and cried while I read this book. You might not, but you will definitely think. Be prepared because the book deals with serious issues, such as euthanasia.

good piece of work
My only complaint is the book was extremely short. I hoped maybe the plot could have been a bit more developed, but unfortunatly- the writer felt it wise to leave the rest to the reader. I guess thats a virtue, but I was left wondering and wishing that I could delve deeper into Shawn's life and truth.

The story's plot was unique, and the end left me biting my nails and begging for more. If you want a good read, this is definatly your book!

mikes magnifacent all time best reviews
this book is about a boy named Shaun McDanial, a young crippled boy who cant move or talk. His parrents are divorced, and he lives with his mom. On the outside he looks misrable and barly alive but on the inside hes is the happiest person ever. he livs in Seattle and he loves going for walks to see new things. As the book progresses his father starts seeing him more and more. In one scene his father was sitting outside with him and a crow flys by and his father throws a glass cor when it starts flying towds him. Then he says, "If i wasn't here the bird could of atacked you." His father sees him more and more and he thinks his son is misrable but he is extreamly happy. on the last time he takes his son he brings him to his house and then tedders on killing his son. you will need to read the book to see what happens.
Stuck in Neutral is an outstanding novel about life and how to value it. Truman realy brings you through a thrill ride of emotions and nail-biters. He had the caricters comeing to life and he creates realistic dioloug between him and his father.
Stuck in Neutral is a edge of your seat kepp you reading every night novel.I recomend this novel to any one who wants to read a novel that will teach you to love and charish life. This is and exrordanary novel and i hope you will read it to. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Fancy Cover, Bad Book
Quite Frankly, this new Holt Phyiscs book, does NOT cover all the content that is involved in the detailed study of Physics. Not only that, but it leaves out some of the most important principles that are in physics. For example, Chapter 5-2, we talk about Energy, it doesn't give the law of conservation of energy, which is one of the most important laws in physics. It also when talking about Newton's laws, doesn't use the ideas that Newton had. There are so many things missing, I could go on forever, I wish I could give this book a negative score, but I can't do so. I'm currently in Physics at my school, and I like to study Physics in my spare time. Serway is a very good author of the college books, that I have, but this one does not cut it for a full understanding of Physics.

Superb Physics book!
This was the text book used in my honors physics class.Though it may not go into extremely advanced issues, it does touch on A LOT of material, including basic collisions, fluids, rotational motion, relativity (a bit), and even some quantum mechanics.This book is definitely useful to anyone who wants a better education in basic physics and a start into somewhat beginner's advanced physics. ... Read more

Book Description

This friendly little book acknowledges kids’ fears and makes them aware of things they need in order to feel safe in different situations. They learn, for instance, to look both ways when crossing a road, to wear special clothing for sports, to know their parents’ names, phone number, and emergency numbers, and many other details. A First Look At… is an easy-to-understand series of books for younger children. Each title explores emotional issues and discusses the questions such difficulties invariably raise among kids of preschool through early school age. Written by a psychotherapist and child counselor, each title promotes positive interaction among children, parents, and teachers. The books are written in simple, direct language that makes sense to younger kids. Each title also features a guide for parents on how to use the book, a glossary, suggested additional reading, and a list of resources. There are attractive full-color illustrations on every page. (Ages 4–7) ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Geometry: Misconnections
This is a very poor math textbook.Here's the main problem: End-of-chapter problem sets require knowledge and skills that have not been clearly introduced in the chapter.Chapters meander through irrelevant or mundane points (e.g., how to bisect an angle using a compass...this is middle school stuff) but then call on different skills in problem sets (e.g., where was this postulate discussed in the chapter?).If you are looking for a good geometry book, I suggest that you look elsewhere.Unfortunately, our school district didn't.

Real world geometry
This text illustrates the fact that math need not be dull and abstract. In citing real-life examples such as calculating the load that a bridge can take, versus how to arrive at deciphering the tilt of a building, this bookelevates math to a fun and practical level. In doing so, it convincesstudents that math can be applied to everyday life and that itsapplications are indeed, widespread. It is a great introduction for anyoneseriously interested in pursuing math and math-oriented professions such asengineering. ... Read more

Book Description

Lewis Carroll Epstein explains deep ideas in physics in an easy-to-understand way. Thinking Physics is a perfect beginner's guide to an amazingly wide range of physics-related questions. The book targets topics that science teachers and students spend time wondering about, like wing lift. Epstein elucidates the familiar but misunderstood - such as how tides work - along with more obscure but fascinating phenomena like the "Bernoulli sub" and the "artificial aurora" created by hydrogen bombs. Broken into many short sections and peppered with Epstein's own playful hand-drawn illustrations, the book does not simply give the right answer: It also goes into the answers that seem right but are wrong and shows why they are wrong - a rarity in science books. Thinking Physics is a rigorously correct, lighthearted, and cleverly designed Q and A book for physicists of all ages. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

A fun book that should be in your library...
This book gets one excited about physics. Common physical phenoman like rate, speed, mass and force are explained in very ingenious ways. What is more the writing is good and to the point. Even though there is not much math to speak of the author explains things in a concise manner. What got me hooked to this book is that it does require thinking on part of the reader. One quickly finds out that what may seem intuitive and common sense is in fact precisely the wrong answer. Another major advantage of the book is that you do not have to read it from page one onwards. Turn to any segment and you are sure to be sucked in. Page after page is filled with nice little nuggets of fun. Get this book you will not regret it.

This is the Best
If you ever took a college class in physics, or maybe even high school, or ever wanted to understand physics, this is the book for you. I'm an electrical engineer, and my physics classes were 20 years ago, but I love this book. It really does make you think!! Buy it now (and get one for your friends).

Very Useful Book
No, this isn't a perfect book. Some of Lewis' explanations are a bit vague and some are incomplete but despite these minor flaws this book does a wonderful job of explaining important concepts of physics in very simple terms.

I can't think of anyone who wouldn't benefit from reading this book. Oh yes, it's a fun read too!

teachs you how to think about physics problems
I like this book because it has interesting and motivating physics problems that can be solved, without math, with just carefull thinking on the truly physical aspects and principles. I do not mean that math should not be used in physics books, nor that all physics problems can be solved without math, but problems that do not need math are also very interesting and should be taught, and this book is very good in doing that. I think high school should use this book (as complement to conventional books) because it would have great effect on kids's mental habits. One thing I do not like from this book is that answers are upside down. It deserves 5 stars.

Honest and clear teaching
It's amazing the capability of being clear and to get to the right point. Ingeneous! I recommend for every one who search for learn physics, even those who already studied it! ... Read more

Book Description

Mommy got me a brand new potty!
But I'm not ready yet!
I want to run and play.
Uh-oh, I peed in my pants.
But Mommy says, "That's okay!"

Children will love following along and lifting the flaps to see the child play, sit on thepotty, eat, sit on the potty, sleep, and then sit on the potty...until finally there is success.

Written from a child's point of view, this new potty-training book will help children join in the final refrain, "I'm so proud of me!" ... Read more