Book Description

Reviews (1)

Especially recommended as a read-aloud tool for parents
Thornton Burgess' stories 'interview' typical birds for kids, using these interviews to teach the basics on different common birds' appearances, behavior, eating and songs. His classic appeared in 1919 to much acclaim, and Dover's economy-minded paperwork reprint offers new generations the same introduction. The Burgess Bird Book For Children is especially recommended as a read-aloud tool for parents. ... Read more

Book Description

This is a clear, vivid text with charts and maps showing the positions of the constellations the year round. ... Read more

Reviews (34)

A permanent addition to my stargazing library ! Wonderful!!
About 12 years ago, I checked this book out of the library and was immediately pleased to discover how quickly and easily I was able to become familiar with a sky that used to be a confusing jumble of stars. I ended up renewing the book over and over again until I finally bought myself a copy. The author does such a wonderful job of drawing the constellations by connecting the stars in a way that makes them so easy to find. He also provides a little bit of history about each constellation which adds to the significance of what you are learning. An excellent manual for those who want stargazing to be easy and a whole lot of fun!

The One Book to Take with You to a Desert Island
This book will change the way you look at the night sky. Instead of just looking up and seeing a random scattering of stars, you will look up and see familiar old friends who rise and fall every year right on schedule. Even in city lights you will be able to pick out the brighter constellations. Leo, Virgo, Gemini, and all the other stars of the zodiac, which were only known by the horo- scopes in the daily paper, will take on new meaning as the flight path for the planets. Trips to the southern latitudes will be seen as an opprotunity to see new stars not visible from home, and trips out into the country will become opprotunities to try and spot some of the dimmer constellations. And best of all, it's very easy. H.A.Rey has taken the old confusing star charts, and reconnected the lines. Now Leo the Lion now actually looks like a lion! And Gemini the Twins, actually looks like a pair of twins! It is a wonderful book for everyone from ages eight to adult. And for those young- er, Rey has put out an equally wonderful children's version called "Find the Constellations." If you've ever had a child who has looked up at the night sky and asked you, "Daddy, what star is that?" and you didn't know, you need this book.

The best book ever on Stargazing
This is my first book I ever read on stargazing but it feels like I know the stars since ages. The format is very simple, organized and interesting. The author assumes no prior knowledge and goes on to explain the cosmos in a very very simple language.
I just love it and am going to recommend this to whoever is interested in Stargazing...the first and the best book on the subject.

A "New" Old Book
Here is a book review of an old book, written by H. A. Rey, the author of the "Curious George" books (no relation to me!). _The Stars: A New Way to See Them_ was first written in 1952. Houghton-Mifflin's 3rd edition, dated 1973, is available in bookstores and online at Amazon.com. I recently picked up a used 1966 edition.

Rey's book was written for children to help them learn to recognize the constellations. As you may know, few of the constellations seem to resemble the character or object they are supposed to represent. It takes an awfully good imagination to see Bootes as a shepherd, or Auriga as a charioteer, or Aries as a ram. Rey takes those same star patterns and rearranges the lines to produce stick figures that actually look like something. Not only that, they have the appearance of the intended object or character of mythology. Perseus looks like he's coming to Andromeda's rescue. Monoceros looks like a stick-figure unicorn, and Camelopardalis looks like a skinny giraffe.

Rey's book _The Stars_ is laid out in four parts: Part 1 is "Shapes in the Sky", where he describes old and new ways of arranging the stars. Part 2 is "Meet the Constellations", where he shows a diagram of each constellation and gives a bit of information about it. In Part 3, "The Stars Throughout the Year" he has twelve sets of calendar charts - with and without the lines drawn in -- and explains that the sky is always changing, as the earth travels in its path around the sun. Additional calendar charts include viewing areas farther north and south than most of us are familiar with. Part 4, "Some Whys and Hows" goes into some technical details on the celestial sphere, the path of the ecliptic, why we have seasons, the earth's orbit, solar and sidereal time, precession, and other topics for those with an inquiring scientific mind. It is not necessary to read or understand this section to enjoy the book, but it adds to its value as a learning tool. Rey tells about the moon and its phases, gives a good description of a cross-section of the Milky Way galaxy, and gives some facts about the planets. The planetary tables won't do me much good in the twenty-first century, though. My 1966 edition has planetary tables from 1961 through 1970. The newer edition may have updated tables, however. A 2001 reviewer of the book on Amazon.com says it has planetary tables for the next ten years.

The back pages of the book contain a good index and glossary, a whole-sky chart, an index to the constellations by their English names and by their classical Latin names, and a list of the twenty brightest stars. Hans Augusto Rey has provided enough information in this little 160-page book to satisfy any "Curious George", me included.>Now, if you prefer the classical representations of the constellations, you might not care for Rey's rearrangement of their appearance. For instance, the tail of the Great Bear becomes her nose, and Hercules's body becomes his head. But at least the figures are memorable, and if it helps kids - or adults - to learn the star patterns in the night sky, I would say it has accomplished a lot. I highly recommend this book to stargazers everywhere, young or old. Amateur astronomers can use it to help young people and astronomy novices get comfortable with wandering the skies at night.

I was stunned...
I bought this book for a (now ex)girlfriend, a Ph.D. candidate in Astronomy, as a gag gift.

Having a fairly good science background, I thought it was a children's book that would have no use to me.

My GF fell in love with the gift and it has lasted much longer than our relationship. Using this book, she explained things about astronomy to me that I had never even heard of. She went on to use it in teaching an undergraduate astronomy course.

Rey uses his talents as a children's author to make concepts clear and give an excellent basic understanding of astronomy. I highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in astronomy, or even someone dating an astonomer ;) ... Read more

Book Description

This book is different! It is specially designed to give answers to the many questions of brothers and sisters of young people on the autistic spectrum. As well as explaining the characteristics of autism, it is full of helpful suggestions for making family life more comfortable for everyone concerned. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

MARCHING TO YOUR OWN DRUMMER
This is an excellent teaching tool that paves the way towards acceptance of persons who display autistic behavior. Autism and its related neurobiological condition, Asperger's are spectrum conditions. Common spectrum behaviors include a myriad of sensory issues such as strong aversions for loud noises; strong reactions to certain smells and tastes and distinctive speaking styles. Many spectrum behaviors overlap and Asperger's, while considered at the higher end of the autism spectrum does indeed share common neuro-sensory ground with autism.

This book does a heroic job in explaining and addressing these issues to young children. It is a good way of empowering children on and off the spectrum with knowledge that will in turn pave the way to greater acceptance. ... Read more

Book Description

Well before yoga became fashionable via Sting and Madonna, the beloved elephant king Babar and all the residents of Celesteville were finding peace and tranquillity through yoga. And now elephants everywhere can join them! Through easy-to-follow instructions and step-by-step illustrations, Babar's Yoga for Elephants presents 15 positions and stretches as well as helpful breathing exercises. The book also provides useful advice on what to do with your trunk while in position, a dilemma that human yoga books often ignore.

Written by Babar himself, the book explains how yoga was introduced to Celesteville and how he and Queen Celeste keep fit doing yoga on their many travels. Including a pull-out poster showing Babar in yoga poses, Babar's Yoga for Elephants is sure to become a classic for elephants as well as their human friends. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

A Darling Book
Hatha Yoga is generally form based. Elephants need to know the "proper" position for their trunks while they perform asanas. The author shows where the trunks should be positioned for maximum effect.

Humans can also follow the book's pictures, sans the trunk positions, and perform a nice hatha class.

Stretch, Breathe, Relax, and Enjoy.....
As Babar earnestly tells us on page one, archaeololgists recently discovered drawings on cave walls of elephants in yoga positions. After much research and study, these scientists came to the conclusion that "not only were elephants capable of performing yoga, it seemed they had invented it." Unfortunately, over many millions of years, this ancient art was forgotten. But now, yoga has once again become popular among elephants, especially in Babar's home of Celesteville. "The life of a modern-day elephant is stressful and complicated. Yoga turned out to be exactly what we in Celesteville needed, offering calm and control in days that were busy and demanding..." Join our friendly and endearing pachyderm as he explains in detailed, easy to follow, step by step instructions and pictures, fifteen yoga exercises. And then join Babar and Celeste on their many travels and adventures as they demonstrate just how they use them. Often they try and match their yoga positions to the things around them. "I think it is a nice way to meditate. This allows us to connect to the world around us." At the Metropolitan Museum of Art Babar posed in the Arm Balance position and looked just like a skyscraper. Paris' Eiffel Tower inspired Proud Warrior, and Venice's Piazza San Marco was the perfect setting for Standing Head to Knee. And at the Golden Gate Bridge, he and Celeste enjoyed doing the Cobra together..... Laurent De Brunhoff's engaging and humorous text begs to be read aloud and shared and is complemented by his playful and entertaining, signature illustrations. Together word and art create a clever how-to picture book, that will have youngsters out of their seats and on their mats, practicing yoga poses and breathing exercises, stretching, and improving their balance and strength. Perfect for kids of all ages, Babar's Yoga For Elephants is a timeless treasure and a sure classic in the years to come. As Babar reminds us on the last page..."Do a little yoga every day. At first you may not notice any difference. But keep it up, and after a few weeks I believe you will feel better in body and spirit. All of us in Celesteville hope that Yoga for Elephants will bring you peace and inner harmony."

My Elephant Aide
After teaching Yoga for 30 years, it's wonderful to have my favorite character Babar, as an aide. I'll use his book as a humorous textbook for my practice.
Thank you dear Babar, I've always admired you.
SUSIe

what a smashing success
I very much enjoyed the adventures of Babar when I was younger. This book has just tickled my fancy and I am ordering one for my yoga teacher and partner. It is well done, entertaining, extremely accurate (how do elephants get into those poses when I can't?) and a great treasure for someone into the practice of yoga. This will be on my list of Eastern-themed gift books to give this Holiday season, along with my other favorite gift book Open Your Mind, Open Your Life by Taro Gold.

Pachyderms Practicing Peaceful Poses
I bought this book after seeing some of its illustrations - a little elephant in red shorts turning a backward sommersault - in a magazine. Written in an endearing, matter-of-fact tone by Babar the elephant, the book begins with Babar's explanation of how it came to be known that elephants are actually capable of doing yoga. In the next several pages, Babar provides the reader with instructions of very basic yoga poses, and he himself illustrates how to do the movements. The illustrations of Babar folding and stretching himself into yoga poses are hysterical and adorable. Babar then takes the poses on the road, while travelling internationally. He uses the yoga to relax and meditate in front of inspiring world famous monuments. This book is fun for children as well as adults. Entertaining, cultural, clever, imaginative and just so darn CUTE. ... Read more

Book Description

Today's children stand on the threshold of a new millennium that promises incredible scientific and technological advances. The need to understand basic scientific principles has never been greater and these principles are brought within the grasp of every child by The Kingfisher Science Encyclopedia. All the essential subject areas, from Space and Time, Materials and Technology, to Human Biology, are covered in this one-volume encyclopedia. Accurate, approachable, and an indispensable source of information for school projects, The Kingfisher Science Encyclopedia is the perfect gift for the up-and-coming Bill Gates, Albert Einstein, or Marie Curie in the family.Special Features:More than 3,500 indexed references.Thematic arrangement.Important events highlighted.Illustrated biographies of key figures.Cross-references.Comprehensive index.Glossary. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

An incredible book for kids interested in science
I think this is an incredible book. Our grade school children like to discuss science facts at bedtime. Reading from this book opens up lots of topics for us and keeps the kids fascinated. I'm thinking of ordering more to use as gifts since the Amazon price is so reasonable and the shipping is free.

Nice Book
Our family really enjoys the format of this book. The 10 thematic chapters seem more coherent than the old books alphabetic style. Concepts are tied together rather than merely a list of factoids. There are plenty of ways to look up information alphabetically. I have to say we much prefer this verion. Great illustrations throughout. I wish the 10 volume set was available here.

Kingfisher Science Encyclopedia, 2000 edition
....This new one is not really an encyclopedia. Instead ofcompletely alphabetical it is alphabetical by subject, i.e.,chemistry, botony, etc., and made topics very hard to find. The 2000version also left out definitions/explanations.... I don'trecommend the 2000 version at all. Sorry. As usual the second remakeof something never seems to be as good as the first. END ... Read more

Book Description

Ms. Frizzle's class is growing a beautiful garden. But, Phoebe's plot is empty. Her flowers are back at her old school! So, the class climbs aboard the Magic School Bus. And, of course, the kids don't only go back to Phoebe's school, but they go inside one of Phoebe's flowers! Follow the kids' adventure and learn how living things grow. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great fun!
I enjoyed this book very much because it is such a fun way to learn about science. This is the first of many Magic School Bus books I purchased, and I've been hooked ever since. ... Read more

Book Description

Tell me again about the night I was born . . Tell me again how you would adopt me and be my parents... Tell me again about the first time you held me in your arms . .

In asking her mother and father to tell her again about the night of her birth, a young girl shows that it is a cherished tale she knows by heart.

Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell come together once again to create a unique celebration of the love and joy a baby brings into the world. Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born is a heartwarming story, not only of how one child is born but of how a family is born. ... Read more

Reviews (47)

This is a heartwarming book for adopted children.
This book is about a young girl, who is asking her mother and father to tell her again about the night she was born. This little girl is adopted. She knows the story by heart. So, she ends up telling the story herself. This is a very heartwarming book. It begins with the phone ringing to tell them that she has been born. I cannot begin to express how touching this book is to me. The illustrations are adorable. They are so enticing to observe. The pictures capture Curtis's writing perfectly. Laura Cornell is a gifted illustrator who brings books to life in her drawings. I would definetly recommend this book. It makes me feel all warm inside when I read it. This book really brings out the true meaning of family and what it means to be loved.

Another hit by Jamie!
This is a nice adoption story which little adopted kids will find easy to understand. The questions asked by the little child will stimulate the young readers into asking questions about their own birth and drawing comparisons. The pictures are delightful and whimsical. I like Curtis' simple explanation that the birthmother was too young to take care of the child and needed to find parents for her baby. She avoided confusing the young reader with the "chosen baby" story and that the birthmother gave the baby up because she loved the child. I am an adoptive mother of a four-day-old girl and I too kept my explanations to the fact that our birthmother was not able to take care of the baby. It would have been fun to have had this book when our little girl was young.

Gisela Gasper Fitzgerald, author of ADOPTION: An Open, Semi-Open or Closed Practice?

Better Adoption Book
I debated 4 or 5 stars. This book is not perfect but it is one of the better adoption tale books out there. Jamie Lee Curtis writes very nice childrens books!

This story doesn't quite follow how our adoption went but our children love it just the same. It follows how the parents get the call and bring the baby home.

The book is written the way young childrens book should be written so the parents can read the book with a nice pace, etc.

The book that I couldn't forget
I read this book in a bookstore, before my husband and I were even considering adoption. It brought tears to my eyes, and I thought the story was beautifully, touchingly told. Several people in my family have been adopted, in different ways and at different times, and yet they all consider their adopted families their "real" families,and they all loved this book. It makes me cringe to hear adoptees talking about "completing their family trees" in such a way that they acknowledge the people who raised them as if it was a simple favor. Now, as we complete our own adoption, I can't wait to read our children this book. It's not exactly the same as our story, but the message is perfect.

great for introducing kids to adoption
I bought this for a friend who had just adopted a toddler. It is such a sweet book about the emotions the adoptive parents go through, and how special adoption is. What a good way to introduce a small child to adoption. ... Read more

Book Description

A lyrical creation tale of the Florida Everglades with stunning landscapes by Wendell Minor.

Reviews (3)

A 5th Grade's Class Review
We just finished reading EVERGLADES by Jean Craighead George. The storyteller was a great idea. His words really caught our attention. This book, even though it was about real life, read like a fictional story. We especially liked the way Ms. Craighead George used various synonyms to express just how many creatures were in the Everglades in the beginning. In addition to the colorful language, the incredible illustrations by Wendell Miner made the book come to life. Above all, we learned we should respect nature. A great reading experience!

A spectacular environmental story
Another spectacular picture book from one of today's greatest writing/illustrating teams, EVERGLADES isn't just a story--it's an epic, one begun thousands of years ago, when water carved this spectacular ecosystem in Florida. Jean Craighead George, author of over eighty remarkable nature books for young readers, lends awe-inspiring power to the pages of the book, while Wendell Minor's lush, colorful illustrations beautifully depict this environment, full of wildlife and vitality. The book, like Ms. George's many others, also has an important lesson to tell. In JULIE OF THE WOLVES, we see the importance of Alaska's North Slope to the animals that inhabit this seemingly bleak, barren landscape (this area is now in danger of more oil line construction). In FRIGHTFUL'S MOUNTAIN (third in the MY SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN trilogy), we come to know the threatened peregrine falcon, and the many threats humans have posed to it. In EVERGLADES, one feels a strong admiration toward this magnificent, but, sadly, endangered environment, and those who, like me, have never visited it, will surely long to see it for themselves. The narration is moving and fascinating, as a Seminole Indian describes to a group of children the evolution of the Florida Everglades, and inspires them to fight to help it survive. When one visits the Everglades, they will want to see the alligators, wetlands, and panthers of Mr. Minor's paintings. If you enjoy EVERGLADES, you'll fall in love with other spectacular George/ Minor collaborations, such as ARCTIC SON, the story of Ms. George's grandson who lives at the northernmost point in Alaska. As he grows up, he learns about the Inupiat Eskimos who make their home there and the tundra land around him. Mr. Minor's illustrations are quite lovely, and there's as much snow and ice in ARCTIC SON as there was grass and water in EVERGLADES. There's also MORNING, NOON, AND NIGHT, which focuses on the day-to-day lives of different animals throughout the U.S. The text it written very poetically, and Mr. Minor's illustrations of raccoons, seals, antelope, and birds are full of warmth and inspiration. And next year, a new book entitled LONESOME GEORGE will be published. This is about the famous, oldest Galapagos tortoise. Ms. George has also written a new young adult book about the Okefenokee Swamp, which is sure to be as full of environmental splendor as EVERGLADES. I can't wait to see them.

The Everglades
Jean Craighead George has done it again! What a wonderful perspective and simple telling of the history of the Everglades. As told by a Seminole Indian to the children, this story (and wonderful illustrations) produces a profound respect for the "River of Grass" and its future. As a teacher in Florida, this book was a fantastic read-aloud to my students during our unit on the Everglades. I also used George's other ecological mystery, Missing Gator of Gumbo Limbo, to study Florida's ecology. ... Read more

Book Description

This delightfully illustrated "chapter book," geared for eight-to-twelve year olds, tells the charming tale of five family members (each with a different sensory processing challenge) and their naughty dog, and how they get in sync after a tough day.The book is designed with the action of the story in larger print for younger readers to read or hear.Explanations of sensory processing disorders are woven through the story in regular type, for proficient readers to linger over at leisure.

This wonderful book from the best-selling author of The Out-of-Sync Child and The Out-of-Sync Child Has Fun, is a must-have for every family challenged by sensory processing problems. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The Goodenoughs Get in Sync Review by Lisa Angel
The Goodenoughs Get in Sync by Carol Stock Kranowitz was a great book to read because it so helpful in the classroom.Many times we think that a child is just being mean or annoying when in reality it is a sensory disorder and the child can not help it.I felt the definitions provided to certain words such as sensory under-responsivity, auditory defensiveness and visual defensiveness, to name a few, were extremely enlightning. My son has a friend who has a sensory disorder.I didn't know about the disorder until he came over to spend the night.When it came time to go up the stairs to my son's bedroom he began to freak out.Of course, I called his mom and she explained everything to me and I began to understand.This is a wonderful book to recommend to her.I also enjoyed reading about each family member and how the sensory disorders varied so much.However, each had their own issues to deal with, they really stuck together as a family and supported one another.Even the dog had sensory issues.I would really recommend this book to teachers so that they have better sense of some of the behaviors that go on in the classroom.

The Goodenoughts Get In Sync
It is NOT AMAZING to me that Carol Kranowitz has done it again! I know how LIFE CHANGING her book: The Out-of-Sync Child was for me and for my son! That book made LIGHT BULBS go off in my head and I was able to read it inserting my son's name on every page after I had read page number two! Her resources brought HOPE and took away so much self-doubt, guilt, fear, sadness, frustration, etc...!All of her books are something I could put my hands around, my head into and helped open my heart!Her books CHANGED my life and changed "WHO" my son is FOREVER! Doctors, parent, teacher, grandparents,etc...need to read this book as well and share it with the children they are trying to understand/help! Perhaps they will see themselves on these pages?
BRAVO CAROL!

Greatest resource for SI kids!
Carol Kranowitz has done it again!I cried when I read her book "The Out of Sync Child" 6 years ago after my son's therapist diagnosed him with Sensory Integration Dysfunction at age 3; his behavior all finally made sense.I wasn't just a neurotic mom!Over the years, we've been very open with both our boys about their "hidden disabilities".This book now helps them understand on their level what is happening with their neurological systems.And, it helps them share their differences with kids (and adults) who aren't neurologically challenged.I particularly appreciate the fact that each of the Goodenoughs struggles with his/her own sensory issues so you get the bigger picture of how sensory processing disorders affect people daily in all activities.

This book is a must for every therapist and family dealing with SI issues!Thank you, Carol, for your ongoing support of children! ... Read more

Amazon.com

"I stink!" How can you not love such swagger and candor? And Kate andJim McMullan's big-eyed, loudmouthed garbage truck really must stink--byits own admission, and given all those smelly bags it's been cramming into itshuge back hopper.

Most kids already love garbage trucks on general principle, and one assumes thatcan only go double for a sass-mouthed, animated dumper like this one, out on itsearly-morning rounds: "See those bags? I SMELL BREAKFAST! Crew? Get me to thecurb! Lights? Blink! Brakes? Squeal! Tail gate? SAY AH!" The many opportunitiesfor loud, large-type sound effects should make for spirited readings, and arecipe for "alphabet soup" lets young readers practice their letters, workingthrough the ABCs from apple cores to zipped-up ziti with zucchini.

The text to I Stink!, while fun, is nowhere near as clever as the art.But fortunately Jim McMullan's fun, fat drawings and type treatments more thanmake up the difference, loading Dumpsters full of personality into thisgrimacing, grinning, growling--even burping!--big rig. Kids will have a goodtime doing diesel-powered imitations, but even more importantly, they'll learnwhere they'd be without their neighborhood trash truck: on top of "MountTrash-o-rama, baby." (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Have you ever heard a 2 year old say Mount Trashorama Baby!?
We read this to our 2 year old son and a couple days later he repeated it back to us! In the stroller, in the car, when the garbage truck would come on Monday mornings.....i think you get the picture! He would say the Alphabet part too! Not only a GREAT book, but also teaches something (whitout seaming to!) at the same time! We love it and the illustrations are equal to the story! GREAT BOOK - a must have for any children's library!

Defecation: The Book
The most testosterone laden picture book ever conceived and executed. You thought "Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel" was a tad bit too masculine for your kids? Then forgo the wonders of "I Stink". A rip roaring celebration of the joys of sanitation (THERE's a new word for your kids to learn!) this book follows the daily work of a garbage truck as it makes its daily rounds in the wee hours of the day. The book is so good natured in its exclamations you just can't help but love it either. And trust me, the kids will.

Here's how the book begins. No namby-pamby openers for this morning vehicle. "Who am I? I've got lights. Ten WIDE tires. No A.C., not me. I've got doubles: Steering wheels, gas pedals, brakes. I am totally DUAL OP". You half expect this truck to disintegrate into a series of well-chosen cuss words, it's so certain of its own glory. Acting more like an Oscar the Grouch in garbage truck form, the dirty monstrosity exhibits its own forms of belching before launching into the ABC's of its morning diet. A word of warning: don't read this book too early in the morning. You may find yourself growing nauseous (even as your kids howl for more) reading about fish heads, ugly (stained) underpants, and year-old yams. The authors aren't squeamish about defecation either. Here we can clearly see dirty diapers, kitty litter, and puppy poo (not to put too fine a point on it). The truck then explains how indispensable he (I'm only assuming it's male, but it's a pretty clear guess) is summarizing the predicament we'd be in. Without the Sanitation Department, "You're on Mount Trash-o-rama, baby". Never thought you'd ever hear a garbage truck call you "baby"? You obviously could not have predicted this book.

The authors are careful to thank not only garbage men Earl Harrington and Billy King in their opening, but also "everyone at the New York City Department of Sanitation". It is a fitting tribute, and an excellent book to offer unto them. Capped off by beautiful endpapers (displaying our friend the Garbage Truck in mesmerizing shades of deep blue and turquoise) this disgusting, smelly, filthy book is a class act through and through. Kids love it, grown-ups (that aren't prone to sickness) really get into it, and the world is a better place for it. Garbage workers rarely get their due. Now, they're not only commended for their work, but lauded as well.

My two-year-old's favorite book
And mine, too. You can't beat the art and typography or the story and text. That the authors have done research and write with verisimilitude only adds to the relief and joy that you feel after having read so many boring children's books.

Favorite of boys 2-4+
We love this book! It's a bit tiring to read aloud with all the exclamation points, but the "alphabet soup" recipe guarantees lots of giggles. This truck has attitude to spare and then some. The art is terrific. Highly recommended!

(...)

I Stink
Lately, the preschoolers have gotten into the habit of saying things stink, so they loved this book. We've been telling them not to use "bad" words like stink and this book is one way to get it out of their system. They're absolutely enchanted with the idea of a stinky truck that eats stinky garbage and that talks! They find it hysterical when I pretend to be repulsed by the "stinky" pictures of garbage. Very entertaining book. Excellent text and pictures ... Read more

Book Description

The Uncover series combines the best elements of a book with model elements to help readers truly "uncover" the mysteries of what makes things work. A fascinating three-dimensional presentation allows in-depth, hands-on exploration of the subject at hand. This unique "model" is easily built, deconstructed and re-built layer by layer, system by system just by turning a page, until an understanding of the topic is achieved. The complexities of the human body can be daunting, particularly for children. This book-model combination takes some of the mystery out of how the body works. It covers all the major systems and processes. Children get to look at each system on a different page, then by closing the book, combine them into a whole. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Visible Person!
Remember the great "Visible Man" and "Visible Woman" anatomical model kits by Revell? After several hours or days of careful painting, gluing and assembling, you had a human figure with clear plastic skin, through which were visible the skeleton and internal organs. Best of all, you could remove the chest plate and remove those insides to study how they all fitted together. It was one of the coolest model kits ever, and an invaluable anatomical reference for the budding surgeon or the medically curious. It was also a tempting target for little hands.
Well, Uncover the Human Body, written by Luann Colombo and illustrated by a host of artists, safely satisfies the curiosity of the owners of those little hands, and also delights their parents (or in this case, uncle) with its clever construction and wealth of useful and fascinating information. Each page is made of sturdy cardboard, and the entire center of the book is cut out in the shape of a human figure. Suspended within this cutout by support rods of clear plastic are parts of the skeleton and the various organ systems (minus the reproductive system) - eight layers in all, including the front cover. It's based on the same concept as those acetate pages in an encyclopedia that show human anatomy, but in this case the body parts are sculpted in the round from plastic, affording an even more coherent view of just how all those "guts" fit together inside your body. It even includes the musculature of the left arm and leg.
The text is well-researched and clearly-written with children in mind. It can be read aloud to younger children, and those who already read well can enjoy it on their own. The fact entries have humorous titles, such as "Gimme Some Skin!" and "Of All the Nerve!" Difficult words are italicized and followed by pronunciation guides. The scientific names for body functions are paired with the more commonly-used terms with which children may already be familiar. It contains fun little experiments children can do with little or no supervision, such as the de-calcification of a chicken bone in vinegar and a recipe for fake blood.
However, this is not strictly kid stuff. I've been an armchair anatomist for decades, and yet I learned things from the text that were never quite clear to me or that simply had not been addressed in my studies. (For example, the exact purpose of the small intestine; atlas and axis vertebrae; lobes of the lungs; that when you feel thirsty, you're already a little dehydrated, etc.)
A few words of caution: the book does contain small plastic parts that could be broken or ripped out, so keep it out of reach of children under three years or who tend to break their toys. Also, the model is not intended to be removed from the book, and would not fit together properly without the support of the pages anyway. These caveats aside, Uncover the Human Body makes a great gift for children who are endlessly fascinated by the body and how it works. ... Read more

Book Description

You live on Earth, so you already know a lot about it. But do you know about its place in out solar system? For instance, it's not the largest planet. If Jupiter were a hallow ball, 1,000 Earths would fit inside it. And did you know our planet Earth takes 365 days to go around the sun, while the planet Pluto takes 248 years?

This simple text by Franklyn M. Branely introduces the nine planets in our solar system and is complemented by Kevin O'Malley's full-color illustrations, which incorporate some of the newest space photographs available. How hot is it on Venus? Which planet takes longest to orbit the sun? Find out the answers in this updated version of this popular text. Kevin OMalleys often humorous illustrations depict a group of children and an astronomer as they learn all about our solar system. Included are some of the newest space photographs available, as well as many hands-on activities.

... Read more

Reviews (6)

fun
I liked this book for my kids as I tend to like educational stuff. There is another book on amazon that I and my kids loved, because it was not only educational but super funny. It is DR JONES AND CAROLYN by carolyn apel
Both books are great.

Excellent Introduction to the Solar System...
I purchased this book for my five year old son, who loves anything that has to do do with outerspace and the planets. This is a terrific book for a young child, the information is direct and to the point and easy to understand. I think children in the older recommended age range would be somewhat dissappointed, it is not really meant for in depth understanding.

I agree with one of the editorial reviews that lauded the thematic organization over examining each piece as an isolated item-- it allows the child to understand the relation between each part of the solar system... overall, a very good introductory book.

Out Of This Place
I got this book for the boy I nanny for. He is on this kick about anything to with outer space. He loves it, and I don't get sick of reading it to him. Good buy if you love space.

Lightspeed fun!
The Planets in Our Solar System is a fun way to teach children about the solar system. Kids will enjoy the many fun facts in the book. With great illustrations and a section in the back of the book on crafts and reference to other space related material. This book is a wonderful book on astronomy. Also check out the book "Arty the Part-Time Astronaut" which includes a CD and website with a ton of learning activities and games. These two books made a great way to introduce the solar system to any child.

Excellent!
I home school our daughter and got this book from the library. I plan to purchase this book for our home school library because of the wealth of information it contains. It makes learning about the solar system an adventure. I really like the fact that the author included a section of craft ideas to reinforce what the child read in the book. He also included web sites so that you can really see the planets. I think every teacher should have this book! ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Not Just For Children
Although this book was meant for kids - everyone will certainly enjoy it! I bought it for my nephews this past Christmas. (11 and 9 years old) James Cameron's film had just come out. The boys hadn't seen it, but they were interested in the disaster. When I saw this book I knew they'd love it! I honestly thought about keeping it for myself! Beautiful illustrsations and a captivating story. You really get the feel of how immense this ship was to two very young boys. It may not be exactly accurate - but it was designed as a children's book and not as a practical schematic for engineers. If you have kids who are interested in the Titanic disaster ( or if you're a history buff) I highly recommend this one!

A great picture book full of detailed pictures of Titanic.
A really great book full of really detailed pictures. The story of a first class kid and a third class kid both abord the Titanic. Shows the time of things that happened. A really great book for kids of all ages.

Superb
This book is a superb piece of art. For whom have little or no idea about Titanic architecture, it's a must have. The big drawing in the center of the book is truely amazing. It's also an ideal companion to have when reading testimonies by survivors, for it adds much to the feeling of being there.

Inside The Titanic
Inside the Titanic Book Review

Frank's room is a tiny third-class cabin. Billy and his family are traveling in a luxurious suite. But both boys are thrilled to be on the first voyage of the greatest liner ever built. They can't wait to explore every deck of this fabulous new ship. Read this book and you can follow "two young passengers as they explore the Titanic from top to bottom". This book is by Ken Marshall. I liked it because it showed and told how it sank. So I hope you like Inside the Titanic...

Ken Marshall's work
As always, Ken Marshall's depictions of the liner are as true to life as he can make them, making this book an invaluable reference in my model bulding and serves as an excellent link to remind people that behind that steel skin was a huge floating place of temporary residence, containing all the opulence of the finest european hotels inside a giant steel structure. Definitely worth having in an ocean liner book collection, especially if you like Titanic and her sisters. ... Read more

Book Description

Yoga is fun! Get kids bending, breathing, and stretching with The Kids’ Yoga Deck. Playful poses such as Cat, Flower, Airplane, and Gorilla—as well as partner poses that can be performed with friends—teach kids the basics of yoga. Easy enough for children to do on their own, The Kids’ Yoga Deck engages bodies and minds to help youngsters build strength, flexibility, balance, and mental focus. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A wonderful gift for creative play!
I teach yoga to people of all ages, including my son's preschool class of three year-olds. I think this set is truly wonderful. :-)

I guess I'm writing in response to the oh, please review. That parent might wish to take a second look from a different perspective. I am an instructor and know the value of good instruction with a qualified teacher, but kids just naturally do yoga! Parents can use common sense to help kids practice safely at home. This deck stimulates creativity. Yoga for kids is FUN!!! So many things in life are serious enough. I am serious about my own practice, but light-hearted, too. I have Babar's Yoga for Elephants (LOVE IT!), but that is a little too "old" for my son, as yet. This deck he has been using since his third birthday. The illustrations are light-hearted and bright! The names reflect things found in nature and our world. The author named parsvottanasana "pyramid" and pascimottanasana as "river" in this deck. She uses imagery i.e., "Imagine that your legs are the sandy river bottom and your spine is the water flowing down." Pyramid works! Your legs need to be really strong and stable to hold this pose, like a pyramid. Maybe the cutesy name referred to was "upside-down gorilla." (The deck is recommended for ages 4 and up. I wouldn't use some of the names with my adult classes, unless the intention of the class were PLAY!, maybe! but this deck is intended for children. A lot of the names match the English translation of the Sanskrit.) The author knows that kids loooooove imaginative play! She gives suggestions for encouraging kids to use their imagination within the poses to get a real feeling for the poses as they practice.

The deck is color-coded with breathing poses, sitting and standing poses, upside-down and forward-bending poses, backward-bending poses, twisting poses, partner poses and resting poses. She gives suggestions for incorporating artwork, language arts, cooperation, non-competitiveness and listening to one's own body into the practice of yoga. Their are some "strings" of poses suggested as well as ideas for creating your own strings, using cards of different colors. Each card has on the front side an illustration of each pose, like the one shown on the front of the box. On the back she has written instructions to give for getting into and out of the pose, as well as suggestions for how to be in the pose - breathing, feeling sensation different places. Below she has suggestions for moving deeper, for expressing how the pose affected you with words, art, finding things that resemble the pose in nature, etc. This deck is truly a wonderful gift for those wishing to share the spirit and beauty of yoga with children. This touches kids beyond the physical of just how to get into the outer form of a pose.

There are some other neat books for kids out there like Fly Like a Butterfly, Playful Family Yoga, Thia Luby's book, The Idiot's Guide to Yoga with Kids, among others. This deck is very accessible (easy to just pick a card, more so than paging through a book, to be honest), safely and effectively sequenced, inspiring for children's (and adult) creativity and just a joy to use! I highly recommend it!!! I hope this review is useful!

From the heart of a teacher and a yogi
I use the yoga deck in my 4th grade classroom with my 9 and 10 year old students. They LOVE it! It's a fabulous way to integrate a holistic and nurturing physical education program into my language arts curriculum. The cards are so easy to use that my students can use them independently and in small groups. A "must have" for all teachers!

Matisse does the Lotus
What a beautiful and fun way to learn about Yoga. Great Matisse inspired graphics and color coded guides make this a very accessible route for children to be introduced into the wonderful world of Yoga. In this age of video game and media overload this deck promotes healthy exercise in a fun way. I wish I had been introduced to Yoga with a deck like this when I was young and effortlessly limber. Promoting the building blocks of good health, good spirit, and good muscle tone. A winner.

A terrific idea beautifully executed!
A delightful blend of art and exercise, Yoga For Kids, is a wonderful gift for children of all ages willing to explore yoga through play. Original art by the author/designer makes the poses simple to understand and the thoughtful arrangement of cards, rather than a plain book, makes it easy for parents and children to select which poses they would like to practice in one session. A treat for the whole family-whether you are a students of yoga or not- Yoga For Kids is a lovely gift for everyone.

Oh please!
Oh please! These illustrations are AWFUL and the cutsey text and made up names for some of the poses are just dreadful. Do your kids a favor and leave this item in the store. Babar's Yoga For Elephants is a much better bet. If you want your kids to do yoga, sign them up for a good yoga class--don't let them practice at home-they could get hurt. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Heads Above the Rest
Everything you need to know about potty training (oops! I mean potty LEARNING as per Dr. Sears) is contained in this 32-page picture book. The first three pages have helpful notes to parents and caregivers. The story itself includes sidebars, or blocks of supplemental material, designed to answer the persistent questions (Why? Why? Why?) of curious children. The last page provides details about attachment parenting, a responsive style of raising children, and a list of various Internet, textbook, and organizational resources. The special bonus? A pull-out poster with seven simple steps to hang in the bathroom.

Renowned pediatrician Dr. William Sears and his R.N. wife Martha team up with writer Christie Watts Kelly to produce a book that stands heads above the rest. Impressive credentials, comprehensive content...but does it pass the read-aloud test?

I didn't discover this book until late in the game. My girls had already graduated to big-girl underwear and pull-ups. But I read it to them anyway. The cartoon illustrations rendered by Renee Andriani captured their attention - for awhile. Then they lost interest. Too wordy? Or just too late? My third child is due next year. When the time comes, I'll try this book again to teach the fundamentals. When s/he understands what to do, but needs extra time to do it, we'll read potty books I find more entertaining.

Really good!
My son (2 1/2) loves this book. I found that it really helps with explaining the process and motivating him to use the potty. The poster is nice too.

Another great parenting book by Dr. Sears!
This book is excellent for parents who practice Attachment Parenting. It starts by explaining that when the child was a baby, their parents did everything for them. This shows a mother breastfeeding, parents and baby co-sleeping, and a father "wearing" the baby in a sling. It then talks about diapers and how as children get older, they use the potty like their parents. There are lots of parent tips that appear in the margins, encouraging further discussion and customizing things to suit your family's needs and preferences. As always, Dr. Sears encourages you to follow your instincts.

The story itself isn't much different from the one you'd find in The Potty Book or other training books. It follows a child through potty training, buying underwear, etc. The narrative uses language a child can understand, but sometimes it seemed a bit too babyish for me. ("poo-poo goes bye-bye"). I don't think you have to talk down to kids to get them to understand. But, that small complaint aside, the book is informative and positive. It's a wonderful teaching tool, and perfectly suited for Attachment families.

best potty learning book out there
We have purchased many books in this genre :-) and are delighted with this book by childcare experts William and Martha Sears. The book starts with a three-page introduction for parents, discussing readiness and approach. The text for children is comforting and informative -- letting kids know that there was a time that parents did everything for them but now they are growing up, and using the toilet is another aspect of their growth, like dressing or feeding themselves. Cartoon pictures show a little boy using a potty seat and his older siblings using the adult toilet seat. An older boy urinates standing up, and handwashing is shown. Sidebars on most pages address questions that children might ask with suggested answers. The process is emphatically positive though constipation and accidents are also mentioned. The book concludes with a page about attachment parenting.

The only thing I didn't like was the use of the terms "pee-pee" and "poo-poo" but that's easy enough to change as you read. The message is comforting at the same time the text is informative for kids, discussing the mechanics of the process as well as the benefits.

There is also a pull-out poster that shows the steps involved, and this can be placed on the bathroom wall or maybe in a spot your youngster tends to seek out when s/he feels the need to go potty.

Excellent.

great philo
The philosophy of all of the work that CWK and the Sears' have done together really embraces the attachment parenting, and this book is no exception. The provision of parent guide is really a nice touch. I highly recommend. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Not so great. Thanks.
It's got really bad binding and it's usually incomprehensible. I am good at math, but I got really lost when I tried to use it to figure anything out...but nice try, Foerster! ... Read more

Book Description

In search of the origin of individuality, world-renowned scientist and author Robert Wilson takes the reader on a tour of the human mind and body. Wilson's exploration of the human body goes beyond cells and anatomy to examine how genes and experience determine who we are.

This brightly colored and vividly designed book takes a new and exciting approach to learning about human beings. What Makes Me Me? is the first children's book to explore how genes, experience, and biology work together to make every person unique. ... Read more

Book Description

The perfect introduction to the natural world! Examine insects, record animal tracks, grow crystals, monitor your heartbeat, test for acid rain. These are just a few of the 50-plus exciting experiments packed into Nature Lab. From photosynthesis to volcanoes, life-science lessons are made fun and memorable by the easy-to-follow experiments. The Nature Lab kit contains everything a young scientist needs to get started: magnifying glass, collecting net, tweezers, test tube and stand, eye dropper, petri dish, thermometer, specimen slides, rock samples, aquarium tubing, and volcano core.The Science Lab series includes Science Lab, Optical Illusions Lab, Chemistry Lab, and Nature Lab. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Nature Lab is fun for children and adults
Nature Lab is a wonderful combination of hands-on science experiments and descriptions of how things happen. Providing the basic scientific tools like a magnifying glass, litmus paper, test tube, tweezers, a pop-up labtable (which becomes a veiwing platform for viewing the plastic slides alsoincluded) and a variety of additional tools and materials, the kit leadsone through a series of natural and chemical experiments to broaden thescientific knowledge of a young child and bring back that knowledge for anadult. From sprouting an avocado seed, to examining insects, to making arock disappear in a benign solution, each step is carefully explained andcolorfully illustrated. From the natural world we explored volcanoes andmade one. We sprouted seeds and made a flying "origami" seed toillustrate how plants release their seeds to the winds to propigatethemselves. And my granddaughter loved having all the small child-sizescientific tools and played with them by making up her own experiments. IfI have one disappointment in the Nature Lab, it is that, while it suppliesthe tools to conduct the experiments, many of the experiments requireproviding the essentials of the experiment such as baking soda, vinegar,seeds, and other things to complete the procedure. But once we read throughthe book and decided which experiments we wanted to perform, it was easyenough to gather the materials. We were not be able to do many of theexperiments right after opening, which somewhat dampened the excitement butwhich did not, in the long run, diminish the enjoyment and enthusiasm forthis product. It was a great way to introduce hands-on science to a nineyear old girl. ... Read more

Book Description

When you are very young,
there are some things that you just know....

This treasured story of childhood faith
rewarded is now avaliable in a board book
edition for the youngest child.

Reviews (19)

simple book about perseverance
This simple, short book is about a boy who plants a carrot seed. Everyone tells him it will not grow, but he perseveres and in the end is vindicated. A nice (and important) lesson for children. Illustrations are by Crockett Johnson, the author's husband, who gave us the Harold and the Purple Crayon books.

The granddaddy of all picture books in America
In his essay "Ruth Krauss and Me," author Maurice Sendak says "that perfect picture book, The Carrot Seed, the granddaddy of all picture books in America, a small revolution of a book that permanently transformed the face of children's book publishing. The Carrot Seed, with not a word or a picture out of place, is dramatic, vivid, precise, concise in every detail. It springs fresh from the real world of children."

This is a timeless classic that has been known and loved by children and parents for years.

A young boy is told by his parents, competition and his big brother that his carrot will not grow. After a long time of pulling weeds, watering and patience the carrot finally grows, and it is huge.

The author Ruth Krauss was born in 1901 is also the author of A Hole Is To Dig; I'll Be You and You Be Me; Charlotte and the White Horse; and many other childrens classics.

Naysayers
I do not feel the important lesson from this book is simple perserverance (as others have said). Nor do I feel it is about blind faith. The lesson I take from it is perseverance in the face of all the naysayers in life who would bring you down with them. Dare to dream big, work hard, and have faith in oneself in the face of adversity. This is the only children's book I have seen with such a theme.

Sweet without being overwhelming
When the New York Public Library announced its "100 Children's Picture Books Everyone Should Know" for 2003, I had never heard of "The Carrot Seed". It isn't as if the author and illustrator are unknown. After all, illustrator Crockett Johnson welded the pen that created "Harold's Purple Crayon". Yet the book recommended on this list is certainly one of his lesser known titles.

"The Carrot Seed" is a simple story of a boy and his burgeoning carrot. Informed by his family members, one by one, that his carrot will not grow and that any actions to help it are useless, he ignores them bravely. Initially when I looked at this book I was certain that its protagonist sported a yarmulke. This is not the case. I believe it is more of a jaunty cap. The book itself is very straightforward, with accompanying pictures of relative simplicity. Additionally, the payoff at the end is sweet and funny, but not particularly unexpected. You're not going to find any real surprises in this book and, admittedly, I'm a little amazed that it's so well remembered. Much of its popularity stems, I'm sure, from the lesson learned. This is a book about the benefits of perseverance. If that's your cup of tea, so be it. But if you'd like to delve into some of Crockett's better works, check out "Harold's Purple Crayon" or his little known (but lovely) comic strip "Barnaby".

My favorite book then, my favorite book now
My parents gave me the paperback version of this book as a child many years ago (which I still have), and I recall reading it over and over and over during my formative years. My mom bought me the hardback version again when I graduated from high school. I am nearly 30 years old now, and I still gravitate toward the very simple yet profound message it teaches all of us: have a quiet childlike faith, trust, persist, persevere and you will be richly rewarded. Today, I run a $2.5 million a year professional organization, and we recently completed a large corporate visioning project for the next several years. I read Krauss' book at the close of the first phase of our vision meeting. My colleagues--with a cumulative total of nearly 75 years of professional business experience--spontaneously applauded at the end of the book, no joke! I also purchased several copies of the book to give to my team as a reminder of the core values it espouses--simple, yet profound values that will guide us and lead us to the next level. It is a book of timeless value that touches my heart each time I read it--and one that you, your child, your family, your peers, or your colleagues will treasure for years to come. Buy it and share it with others, if you haven't done so already. ... Read more