Amazon.com

On one of their weekly balloon flights over Celesteville, Babar and Celeste notice that the railroad station is standing empty. Elephants, it seems, now prefer cars over trains. Interestingly, although Babar comments on the roads "jammed with traffic," he and his queen decide to focus on the other issue--the abandoned station. Celeste comes up with an idea to turn it into a museum to house their art collection, and soon an architect is drawing up plans and workers are renovating the building. When the great day of the opening arrives, what a show! The royal couple had acquired some pretty impressive and well known works of art--all featuring elephants, of course. Laurent de Brunhoff outdoes himself with the real-life art-inspired paintings and sculptures, from Mary Cassatt’s"Mother and Child" to Edvard Munch’s "The Scream" to Leonardo da Vinci’s "Mona Lisa." Young art buffs will enjoy the very age-appropriate art appreciation lessons, as the children are encouraged!to say whatever they want about the art: "I like this picture because it’s red," says Arthur about Van Gogh’s "Self-Portrait." When pedantic Cornelius tries to pontificate, Celeste gently hushes him. Includes a free pull-out poster. (Ages 4 to 7) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Note Cards
Buyer beware -- these note cards fold to 3"x5".

wonderful
My wife's parents gave this book to my daughter. I was as delighted as she was! I grew up on Babar. What a lovely children's book! My four year old daughter absolutely adores it. Buy this for the children in your life and they will love it.

A delightful visit to Babar's Museum of Art
A balloon ride over Celesteville leads to Babar and Celeste deciding to turn in an abandoned train station into a museum in which they can display their great collection of fine paintings. Everyone in town gets more and more excited waiting for the big day when the museum is opened and everyone can see everything that is hanging on the walls inside. The paintings might be intended for the elephants and other animal friends of Babar and Celeste and this book might be intended for younger readers, but the readers who will most enjoy Laurent De Brunhoff's book are going to be those old enough to appreciate the witty elephant-inspired version of great paintings from Michaelangelo's "Creation of Man" and Sandro Botticelli's "Birth of Venus" to George Surat's "A Sunday on La Grande Jatte" and Edvard Munch's "The Scream." There is just something intrinsically enjoyable about taking Leonardi Da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" and making the lady with enigmatic smile an elephant, and the idea of doing the same thing with Vincent Van Gogh's "Self Portrait" is hysterical since Babar is an African elephant and not an Indian elephant. The more you know about great art the more you will enjoy strolling through the galleries with Babar and his family. The book also includes a pull-out poster of the delightful art found in "Babar's Museum of Art." The adventures of Babar have been delighting children for half a century and this is a charming addition to the series. It should also inspire its young readers to check out the "real" versions of these great paintings so that they can find out what the adults are chuckling about as they enjoy "Babar's Museum of Art." Is it too early to be thinking about books that would be great to give as gifts to young readers for Christmas? This one should be high up on that list.

Wonderful for preschoolers through elementary children!
Some of us remember having "Babar" books read to us when we were children. This book rekindles those warm thoughts while providing an interesting, entertaining look at art and life. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (35)

Great story of a family working together to survive
This is a great tale of a tiny family living under the floor in a house. It shows how the father goes up into the house when everyone is asleep and "borrows" things his family needs or wants. He must only borrow things that will NOT be missed. They are not to be seen by the "big" people. Some of their relatives were seen and had to move from their home to stay safe. Once seen the "big" people will bring in exterminators and try to catch the tiny people (they think they're rats). In this story, the Borrower's daughter befriends the young boy of the house. He does NOT try to harm the family. Mater of fact, he befriends them and brings them things they need. Unfortunately, the Borrower then feels useless and their house gets cramped. It's a great book for young children (and even adults to read). It's easy to get lost in the story, even when you know people like this cannot exist. I won't tell you the ending, you need to read it for yourself. I highly recommend this book.

Great book, but check out the age level
When I was a child of 12 or 13, I loved the Borrowers books. The idea of a family of tiny people, living in my own house and taking, for the most practical of purposes, things we'd thought we'd lost was quite enjoyable. The best part of the books, for me, were the descriptions of what they did with the buttons and baubles they risked their lives to 'borrow' - (imagine bumping into our family cat late one night while you're trying to lug a teacup back home).

Because I was a young girl who thought girls could do anything, I didn't really appreciate Arrietty's spunkiness. As the only child of the last Borrowers in this household, she's allowed to do many things her own mother hadn't done as a child. And perhaps because she can do some things her mother couldn't, she moves a step further and does whatever any boy could do.

I thought I could read these books to my 8 year old, who loves the Harry Potter series and The Wrinkle in Time books, but these books are too difficult for little kids (even those reading at an advanced level).

The language is very British and there are side explanations that are much too lengthy. Evidently I missed, as a pre-teen reader, the notion that the Borrowers might have been fabricated by the boy who was narrating the stories. (It is rather absurd to think that they were made up - I've lost too many socks and earrings in my lifetime, so I know Borrowers exist.)

Before the John Goodman version of the movie, we watched British video of The Borrowers and The Return of the Borrowers (great for younger kids). It was excellent, even though the special effects aren't where they were in the American version, the British version was excellent.

For those 11 and up (to 111) this is a great series to read.

The Borrowers
I've always loved this book, ever since I read it in fourth grade; the thought of little people always appealed to me. The style the book is written in is sort of old-fashioned for today's readers, but if a person can read it, then I definitely recommend it.

It's about a type of people, Borrowers, that are very tiny. They live in houses and 'borrow' things, like food, paper, and basically anything that they can get their hands on. They picture people as giants that are put on this earth to make things for them to 'borrow'... They live under floor-boards, behind pictures, over mantles; basically anywhere. That's how Arrietty's mother and father tell it.

But, in all reality, there is only herself, her mother, and her father left in that one particular house. Every other Borrower family had emigrated to somewhere else... and Arrietty accepts that until one day she is seen by a boy that puts the thought into her head that maybe her family is the last of the Borrowers.

And that's really how it all starts. Arrietty and the Boy form a sort of friendship, where the boy takes a letter to the place where Arrietty's Uncle is supposed to live, and Arrietty reads to him. (The Boy says that he's bilingual, and that's the reason that he can't read well.) And taking the mail isn't the only thing that the Boy does- he also brings the Clocks furniture, food, and other things.

Things which are discovered missing later.

And that brings in the cat and the rat-catchers...

One of my favorite childrens' books; I think the reason I like it so much is that it doesn't take for granted that kids wouldn't be able to understand a longer book... I think that's also what I love about the Harry Potter books, as well.

Anyway, read this. Very sweet, very family friendly. Altogether enjoyable.

Story Student
The Borrowers is a really good book. Borrowers are little people who live in the bottom of peoples houses and borrow their things. There is a family called the Clocks. There are worried and lonely for other Borrowers! Are there any borrowers left in the world? On day they go out, and they try to find any other Borrowers. Then they run into a cat! The cat grabs Mrs. Clock, and I recommend this book for all its joy and charm, and the author wrote this book for the short people of the world.

A very old fashioned , but well written book
This yarn takes place under the kitchen floor of a house where no human child has lived in a very long time.The book begins when a lady named Mrs. May is telling a girl, Kate, about the world of the "Borrowers." From a borrowers' point of view humans are as large as giants. The human "beans," have not seen borrowers since the time of one in particular named Egglantina as it is disastrous to be seen by a human.Borrowers borrow such things as spools for seats,and even borrow names as you will see. The most interesting idea in the book was that Mary Norton wrote about a species that is a logical impossibility. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Great books, great service
I love TinTin and snowy. Herge created wonderful books for us, kids and adults. The size of book is just right, the hard cover can last long time. ...

Tintin and Snowy are great!
I love Tintin books and this one is no exception. I like the size of the book, the hardcover has a good binding so that it doesn't come apart and with three adventures in one you are getting a great deal.

A very neat presentation
This standard hardback sized 3 in 1 is just the thing. Most adults find Tintin an excellent toilet book and the single adventure large versions just aren't right. This neat set of three: The Broken Ear, The Black Island and King Ottokar's Sceptre (the best 'early' Tintin, by the way - i.e. no Captain Haddock or Calculus ; though the Thompson twins are not in their first adventure) fits nicely into the bathroom alongside the other volumes. I'm not sure why they stopped at three - or, at least, I can't find volume 4, but it was high time a decent-sized version of Tintin appeared and this does the trick nicely.

Wonderful stories, but don't get the 3-in-1 books
The print and pictures are TINY in this edition. Definitely get the bigger books. But my 3 kids LOVE all these stories -- they're 8, 6, and 5.

A great book!
... I LOVE this book!The Broken Ear, The Black Island,and King Ottokar's Sceptre are the best Tintin books ever written! I reccomend this book highly! It's great for all ages! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Learning words and numbers is fun with Big Bird, Elmo, Grover, and the other Sesame Street friends along to help. In the first half of this sturdy oversized book, every page features a letter, A to Z, accompanied by a scene featuring objects starting with that letter. The M spread, for example, shows a moonlit mountain landscape, with Sesame Street detectives Ernie and Bert investigating (with a magnifying glass, of course) the mystery of the missing mitten. Young readers will take pleasure in pointing out the mitten under a tree with a mouse curled up inside and a moose lurking nearby. In the second half of the book, illustrations depict one broom sweeping, swooshing; two hammers pounding, pounding; three big bales of hay; four round rubber tires, and so on up to 20, then continuing with 30, 40, 50, etc., to 100. By then, it takes an entire Sesame Street Fair to show all the items so far enumerated. Two educational books in one terrific treasury! (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A True Sesame Street Fan
I bought this book for my 16 month old son. He loves The Sesame Street Word book and thought this would be a good addition to his collection. He likes it okay, but still prefers the Word Book hands down. It starts with the alphabet devoting one to two pages per letter. Each page(s) has the letter and pictures of things starting with the letter. It also has the word naming the picture. I agree with other reviewers..some letters were not depicted very well compared to others. The second half covers numbers 1-20 then skip counts by tens numbers 20-100. All are done with pictures. If you had one book to buy I'd get The Sesame Street Word Book. However if you want to add to other educational books you have, this is a great purchase.

A Big Favorite for Toddlers!
My two year old son absolutely LOVES this book! There are many colorful and interesting drawings of objects on every page. I find that my son's vocabulary has greatly increased since Sesame Street Treasury ABC and 123 came into our house since a wide variety of words are clearly depicted. Of course, all the Sesame Street characters are also included in the illustrations which accompany each letter or number. This is a fun and educational book and I would very highly recommend it to anyone buying for a toddler.

Perfect for your toddler!
I bought this book for my 14-month-old nephew and he absolutely loves it! The pages are big, yet simple with lots of stuff for baby to look at. Each page is a full color picture devoted to a letter of the alphabet or a number. Perfect for promoting early learning skills. Given the choice, I'd definitely buy this book again.

Good sized picture book
Pages are big pictures with one word text next to an object. Apple, airplane, bicycle, boat, etc. Nice feature, 2 books in one. 1st half, abc, 2nd half 1,2,3. I wish there were more words for the neglected letters q,u,v,x,y,z. I liked that the pages where completely colored. No blank areas. Good sized book. All the characters show up in the book, plus a few more which I liked. There is no set theme or story, just the alpha and numbers. Good for little ones that just are learning objects and pointing to them. I enjoy that with my 19 month old son. ... Read more

Book Description

Nobody could capture the Phantom. She was the wildest mare on Assateague Island. They said she was likethe wind, that the white "map" on her shoulders was her mark of freedom.

Paul and Maureen Beebe had their hearts set on owning her. They were itching to buy and tame her; andworked hard to earn the money she would cost. But the roundup men had tried to capture her and for twoyears she had escaped them....

Pony Penning Day holds a surprise for everyone, for Paul not only brings in the Phantom, but hernewborn colt as well. Can Paul and Maureen possibly earn enough to buy them both? ... Read more

Reviews (48)

Misty of Chincoteague/bunny
Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry was published in 1947. The main characters are Pual, Maureen,a hose named The Phantom, and Phantom's colt Misty.Paul and Maureen buy Misty and her mother at Pony Penning Day ,when men from Chincoteague go up and try to get wild ponies Assateague Island. Pual and Maureen raise Misty and the Phantom on their own. Their grandpa didn't think that they could raise both of the horses on their own because they were just kids.They proved him wrong by giving a lot of their time to train them.They had to work hard on the Phantom because she was wild.Tthe two kids learned that hard work pays off.Both Pual and Maureen changed in the story.In the end the kids are more resposible and work harder.I like this book because it shows that can do things that grown-ups usuay do. I rate this book five out of five stars.

A basic for the horse-lover's library
If you have a child that loves horses, you've probably already seen this book.......either brought home from the library... or in their own collection. This is one of the staples of any horse-lover's collection.

The story of Misty, a wild pony from Assateague Island off the coast of Virginia who is captured as a foal and adopted by Paul and Maureen Beebe. True story of a truly wonderful foal and her family. This story sparked three sequels that still sell millions of copies around the world.

Misty of Chincoteague
Misty of Chincoteague is a wonderful book for all ages. The Phantom is the wildest horse on the Island of Assateague. The "map" of the United States on her whithers and the fact that she ran like the wind made the lead mare of the Pied Piper's herd the most desirable horse on the entire island. Paul and Maureen Beebe want the Phantom, and work hard to earn the hundred dollars to buy her if she is caught. But no one can catch the Phantom, right?
Surprises are in store for the young reader, and old friends will enjoy coming back time and time again to this book for all, Misty of Chincoteague.

ANIMAL lovers this is the book
Misty of the Chincoteague is about the Phantom, a horse that is wild and free. Little does the Phantom know that there is a dream of a little girl and boy? The boy's name is Paul and the girl's name is Maureen they are brother and sister that have the same dream to buy the Phantom. Their grandpa owns a horse farm where a whole bunch of people go out and capture horses to sell them. So Paul and Maureen start working because they want that horse so bad. They're going to do anything to get the Phantom. Does Paul and Maureen's dream come true?
Misty was one of the best stories I have ever read! If you are a horse lover then this book is for you! This is all thumbs up. An animal lover out there if you are looking for a magnificent irresistible wonderful book to read this book is for you!

Great book for pony lovers!
This is one of our daughter's favorite pony books and a classic story. As a publisher of another children's pony book, "Mint's Christmas Message" we think "Misty" is the standard against which other children's pony books should be measured. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Subtitled A Book for Obsolete Children, this unusual item in the Seuss canon doesn't really belong among the children's books. Written to celebrate the nonsense master's 82nd birthday, it follows "you" (an elderly gent in a suit and white moustache) through a physical check-up in some fiendish geriatric clinic. You are measured, prodded, and subjected to all the medical indignities familiar and unfamiliar to the elderly. "You must see Dr. Pollen, our Allergy Whiz, who knows every sniffle and itch that there is... He will check your reactions to thumbtacks and glue, catcher's mitts, leaf mould, and cardigans too. Nasturtiums and marble cake, white and blue chalks, anthracite coal and the feathers of hawks." It's clear that the process is going to be long, but much shorter than the bill. The blurb on the back says it all: "Is this a children's book?Well... not immediately. You buy a copy for your child now and you give it to him on his 70th birthday." Actually, it would make an amusing gift for anyone over 40. --Richard Farr ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Brilliant work from one of the world's best satirists
Call me crazy, but I love the Seuss-meister. His work is so often overlooked in the world of satire, and too often plunked into the children's book catagories. This book was not written for kids! How quaint; how rare! He's written for gram and even gramp-air! "Only Old Once" addresses adult fears of doctors in the unique Seuss way, without being distinctly childish. He mocks the testing methods and treatments that many of us don't even want to think about. Another Seuss gem in a similar vein, is "Daisey-Head Mayzie", who also endures the poking and prodding of modern medicine, all because she was different. If you haven't read Seuss since your youngest child entered middle school, shame on you; consider yourself properly rebuked, and go get a few Cat in the Hat logoed volumes. Then curl up with a plate of green eggs and ham and let yourself go!

Seuss for Adults
Yes, this really is a book for adults. It has page after page of insights about the clinic "Beckoner," and the waiting room fish, and your gratitude that you're, " . . . not quite as deaf as a post." For most of us, it has been far too long (since childhood?) since anyone read to us just to read to us, rather than pass along information. So for something very special, if you are over 50 or so, read YOU'RE ONLY OLD ONCE to your Significant Other. You'll probably end up hugging each other while you chuckle.

Absolutely Love This Book
Even though I'm only in my 30's, this book give insight into the plight of the older generation. Granted, I haven't been afflicted by any of their ailments yet, but I'm so glad Dr. Seuss was able to write about them in his usual style. This is one of his best!!

Great Gift For Those Milestone Birthdays!
When I turned a "certain age," one of my friends gave me this book (and inside was a gift certificate to a book store), and I loved it! What a great way to "present" a gift certificate for a "milestone birthday!" I have to admit that I've copied the idea and I love how people enjoy it. And, who doesn't love Dr Seuss??

Brilliant look at aging!
I originally bought this book for my husband's 40th, and then decided to get a second copy for my dad's 50th. We read the book at my dad's surprise birthday party and everyone thought it was hillarious. It is certainly a great way to celebrate a special birthday, especially if you know the person well and know that they can handle the "teasing" about growing another year older. ... Read more

Book Description

As the New Republic takes devastating losses in the ongoingwar with the scattered remnants of the Empire, the galaxy's future depends on three small children -- among them the Jedi twins -- born to incredible powers and perils, as an extraordinary new saga unfolds...

while the New Republic struggles to decide what to do with the deadly Sun Crusher -- a new doomsday weapon stolen from the Empire by Han Solo -- the renegade Imperial Admiral Daala uses her fleet of Star Destroyers to conduct guerrilla warfare on peaceful planets. And now she threatens the watery homeworld of Admiral Ackbar. But as the battle for a planet rages, an even greater danger emerges at Luke Skywalker's Jedi academy. A brilliant student delves dangerously into the dark side of the Force and unleashes the spirit of an ancient master of the evil order that warped Darth Vader himself. Working together, they may become an enemy greater than the New Republic has ever fought... more powerful than even a Jedi Master can face. ... Read more

Reviews (57)

Jedi Fanatics this is a must read !!!
I just finished reading Dark Apprentice By K.J. That book is just great it tells all about the war of the Dark Lords of the Sith and the Jedi Knights. It also explains some information on Exar Kun A very powerful Dark Lord of the Sith.The ending is kind of weird since it has a "DejaVu" kind of feeling with the book " Courtship of Princess Leia" after Luke Had fought the great battle aginst Dathomir's evil Force weilding witches.

On other events Admiral Daala is preety unsuccessful in her attempts to Strike damage especially when Kyp Durron had something to do with it....Grand Admiral Thrawn Is A muchg better tactician and also smater in the case of knowing your enemies better than they know you.

Overall the book is graet especiall with sudden illness of MonMothma And the departure of Admiral Ackbar. This also adds depth to the book.However Anderson's following the twins childish games with 3-PO can be very annoying especially after an eventful part with Luke's Jedi Accademy or "PRAXEUM".

THIS BOOK TAKES YOU RIGHT INTO THE STAR WARS UNIVERSE!
This is one of the best books I have ever read! This is an exxelent read! Better than the first one JEDI SEARCH! YOU MUST READ THIS NOVEL! The New Republic is trying to decide what to do with the Sun Crusher captured from the Imperial Admiral Daala by Han Solo with the help of Kyp Durron and Imperial defector Qui Xux, a scientist who thought she was building weapons for a good cayse. Finally, the decision is made to send the Sun Crusher into the heart of the gas planet Yavin, and the New Republic figures that problem is solved, although they have another: Daala has come out of hiding to attack with her fleet of three Star Destroyers. Young Kyp, hoping to learn how to control his Force potential, heads to Luke's Jedi academy on Yavin IV. There, he encounters the spirit of Exar Kun, an ancient Sith warrior defeated by the Jedi during the great Sith War thousands of years ago. Exar Kun twists Kyp's already confused mind to his advantage, luring him to the Dark Side of the Force. Get this book you will not be dissapointed, but first read JEDI SEARCH or else you will not understand everything!

Weakest of the trilogy
The second novel in Kevin J. Anderson's Jedi Academy Trilogy is, if anything, even more disjointed than the first. It doesn't feel like a novel so much as a series of interconnected short stories. In that way it comes across as being somewhat aimless, as if Anderson knew where he was going but only had a vague notion as to how to get there.

The plot? Well, what there is of it centers primarily around Luke's efforts to train a new group of Jedi. But lurking in the jungles of Yavin 4, the new home of Luke's Academy, is the evil essence of a long fallen Sith Lord, who is trying to subvert the untrained students toward the dark side. And here is where the novel starts to come apart, because rather than dealing with this threat directly, Anderson has Luke be somewhat wishy-washy about the whole thing. "Oh, my students are being killed in very mysterious circumstances. I think I'll go meditate about the meaning of this a little while longer." Meanwhile, there's more intrigue between the New Republic and what remains of the Empire, Admiral Daala is causing mayhem and destruction in a guerilla war against Republic targets, Leia and Ackbar crash a spaceship into a cathedral, Han and Lando keep using the Falcon as a betting token, and Wedge gets a girlfriend. Oh yeah, and Han & Leia's twins get lost in the most blatant piece of story padding you'll ever encounter.

This novel is all over the place. Much, much too wide a focus. It would have been a lot better if Anderson had cut out some of the incidental stuff and focused more on the ostensibly central point of the books, namely the resurrection of the Jedi as an order. Instead he skips around from one area to the next, with little more than a cursory glance at what one set of characters or another are doing at that particular moment. All in all, it wears thin very, very quickly.

The best that can be said for the book is that it's adequate, but little more. However, it is the second book of a trilogy, so if you want to get to the climax of the series it is required reading. At the very least it's a quick read, so you won't waste too many brain cells over it.

Worst of the Jedi Academy Trilogy. That's not saying much..
This book is the worst of the subpar and ouright terrible Jedi Academy Trilogy. Middle books usually tend to lag, and this definately lags. The story was terrible to begin with and just drones on and on. I get bored just writing about it. I have read every Star Wars book ever written so I do have a grip on what makes a good Star Wars book and Dark Apprentice is just terrible. Anderson has no coherrant plot, his characters are way too powerful and really his writing style is juvenile. In about 6 days Kyp Durron (aka Luke if he had met a 4,000 yar old dead Sith master) is able to learn more about the Force and in another 6 defeats Luke Skywalker, last Jedi Master? Come on! It took Stackpole's I, Jedi just to make this trilogy work. The story has so many plot holes that it is amazing the book is solid. Overall a terrible effort and the worst of a terrible series.

A melee of sci fi entertainment
This is the sequel to Jedi Search. It is a little dark, and weird, as in the Empire Strikes Back. Well written and some characters from other books show up here, too. This is a good book, and I recommend it. ... Read more

Book Description

The Grinch, whose heart is two sizes too small, hates Who-ville's holiday celebrations, and plans to steal all the presents to prevent Christmas from coming. To his amazement, Christmas comes anyway, and the Grinch discovers the true meaning of the holiday. ... Read more

Reviews (62)

A Great Children's Book With Lots of Heart
I pondered the idea of writing this review like Dr. Seuss would, but I didn't want to try and fall on my face. "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" is one of those children's books that are almost flawless (right up there with "Where the Wild Things Are"). The Grinch has spent years looking down at Whoville and hating the Whos for their joy, and especially at Christmas time. He decides to put an end to their joy by masquerading as Santa and stealing Christmas. Of course, it doesn't go exactly the way he planned.

The story's beauty comes from three sources: the heart in the story, the way it's written, and the maturity of the approach. By "the heart" I mean that it deals with a transformation of the Grinch that could be called an epiphany. It ranks right up there with the transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge in "A Christmas Carol". The character finds a much better way to live.

I think everyone knows what I mean by "the way it's written" but, just in case, I'll say a little on the subject. Theodore Geisel (Dr. Seuss) wrote some of the best, most lyrical, most amusing poetry in history. The only reason he isn't routinely grouped with The Great Poets of History is that his poetry was very (and beautifully) simplistic and designed for children.

By "the maturity of the approach" I mean that this is a children's book that hits the perfect tension level for children. It does not treat that them as totally fragile (Santa gets kidnapped, Christmas almost gets sabotaged, Max the dog is treated as a slave) but it also relieves them and rescues them from their fears in a well-paced and realistic way that mirrors how parents can talk to their children about real-life fears and scary incidents.

One of the top children's books. In my opinion, this is the best of Dr. Seuss.

Charming tale!
As Hollywood prepares to unleash yet another dreary, mangled version of a classic book, I found myself sitting down to read "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" yet again.

The Grinch, for no apparent reason, REALLY hates Christmas and the Whos of Whoville love it. Angered by their holiday festivities and happiness, he plots to steal their presents and decorations, under the assumption that Christmas can't/won't exist without them. So he sets off with faithful but much-kicked canine Max to destroy Christmas. But is Christmas only presents and ornaments?

Dr. Seuss's delightfully-skewed rhymes and names are as enjoyable as ever, making the important message of Christmas infinitely more palatable than if it had been a much-regurgitated, cliched book. I admit it--at the beginning the Christmas season I tend to act Grinchish, and I felt much better after reading this book...

If you like this book, then check out the old cartoon special (though not the live-action one). "Grinch" is a treasure in kid's literature and can be enjoyed by anyone...

How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Dr. Seuss's "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" is a story about a character who is miserable and dislikes anything good and happy.
The author believes it is because the Grinch's heart is too small. The Grinch tries to stop Christmas from coming to the Whos down in the village below called Who-ville. He stole all their presents, food, decoratons and everything they owned. He thought they woud have nothing to celebrate without gifts. Instead, he learned a valuable lesson - that Christmas is something much more that presents. It is the spirit of giving and being together that bring joy. Dr. Seuss has a way of teaching a lesson with funny characters and rhyming phrases. I think this is a good story for all ages.

Great Christmas Story
This Childrens book is one of my favorites. It teaches kids a very good lesson. It teaches them the true meaning of Christmas. It shows them that Christmas isn't about just toys. I think this is one of the best children's books I ever read.

Scrooge for Kids
Maybe that's oversimplifying a bit, but the basics are the same. In this story, we have the Grinch, who hates Christmas and every year must put up with the celebration of the Whos who live in the valley below his cave. But this year things will be different. This year, he intends to do something about it. Surely the Whos will be disappointed when they wake up Christmas morning to discover that all their presents and decorations have been stolen. Or will they?

Told is classic Seuss fashion, completely in rhymes, this book appeals to kids year round. I know I insisted that it be read to me more then just in December. The fanciful illustrations, also classic Seuss, are just as engaging as this story. After all, what could be worse to kids then no Christmas? Yet there is a message here that there is more to Christmas then the commercialism we see around us. It's subtle and not expanded on greatly, but it's there none-the-less.

Surely Charles Dickens' classic tale was an influence when Dr. Seuss sat down to write this book. Both the main characters hate Christmas and miss the point, but have a revelation that shows them how important Christmas really is. Of course, the meat of the stories is completely different, so kids not ready for Dickens will love this one.

If there is such a thing as a classic picture book, this belongs in that category. Enjoyable at Christmas, or the whole year round. ... Read more

Book Description

Friends all year.

Reviews (13)

Amphibians for all seasons
Along with Seuss, Lobel is perhaps the most beloved writer and illustrator of beginning readers. In this effort he turns in another winning series of five short tales, each one in plain language but highly entertaining, enlivened by Lobel's superb two-tone illustrations. Frog and Toad are distinct and likeable characters, comically foolish in their own ways but buoyed by their genuine friendship. This book features the added appeal of stories from all the year round, from winter (how funny they look in big winter coats!) to spring rain (a genuinely sweet tale) to summer ice cream (what a mess!) to fall leaf raking (in gift-of-the-magi form, each rakes the other's yard in secret) and Christmas Eve, perhaps the most pleasant story of all - nothing sloppy or sentimental, just goodhearted. Readers of these domestic adventures will also enjoy Lobel's "Owl at Home."

By now, you're hooked...
If you've read the first two books in the Frog and Toad series, by now you and your child are hooked!

This book, published in 1976, is the third of four books about Frog and Toad, written by Arnold Lobel. This book has five stories, starting and ending with Winter tales.

As usual, Toad is a bit negative and nervous, while Frog is calm, positive and dedicated to being a very good friend to Toad.

In "Down the Hill", Frog gets Toad to come outside and try sledding down a hill with him. Toad goes reluctantly along, and for a moment enjoys the ride. Frog gets bumped off the sled, and Toad still enjoys the adventure until he realizes he's alone. He decides Winter is best spent inside.

The next story is about a story told from Frog to Toad, one rainy day when they are wishing Spring was here. Frog promises that Spring is just around "The Corner."

"Ice Cream" is a funny story about what happens when Toad buys ice cream cones for himself and Frog, and carries them a long way on a very hot day.

"The Surprise" is a story about what happens when two friends try to do something special for a friend, in secret.

The last story, "Christmas Eve", has a worried Toad frantically searching for his best friend, sure that something terrible has happened. It has a happy ending, of course!

The stories are short, sweet and about friendship, but in a simple manner. Drawings of Frog and Toad are on almost every page, and are detailed enough to warrant a lengthy view and some comments from young readers. The words are understandable and readable enough for very young readers, yet they manage to tell a story with an amusing message.

Wonderful!
I loved Frog and Toad as a child and now I'm buying them for my own daughter. What I like best about them is that Frog and Toad never do anything cruel or spiteful or rude as you see so many other characters in children's books. They are always polite and helpful to each other, and whatever they do is done out of friendship. Not just this, but all of the Frog and Toad books are full of good stories and good examples for young readers.

Great for adults too! Heartwarming...wonderful...read it!
I read this book as a child and loved it. Now I am going to be an English teacher soon...and I am constantly on the lookout for great books! A couple years ago I came across this book while looking through some old things. I read it again was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. It made me smile, laugh, and cry.

I am very close to my older sister (who is taller and thinner and I am shorter and fatter). I gave her the book as a gift, and she loved it as well. Now she's working overseas and I don't see her very often, but when I read this book I think of her...

This is a very special book...read it and see for yourself. It will touch your heart. In a world where people are taught to be selfish, Frog and Toad All Year shows us that we need to put others first. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have and still do! ^_^

charming tales of friendship for early readers
Young children who are beginning to read longer stories will enjoy these five tales of friends Frog and Toad through the seasons. The stories are: Down the Hill, wherein Frog coaxes Toad out of his warm home for some winter fun; The Corner, in which Frog tells Toad a story on a rainy day; Ice Cream, about a long walk with large ice cream cones; The Surprise, concerning the friends' giving each other a secret good turn a la O. Henry; and Christmas Eve, in which Toad worries about Frog's arrival on a snowy night.

Sweet, soothing stories for your little reader. ... Read more

Amazon.com

In the fourth "epic novel" by the wildly popular Dav Pilkey, young troublemakers George and Harold are back with Mr. Krupp, the Jerome Horowitz Elementary principal they previously transformed into the superhero Captain Underpants with their 3-D hypno ring. This comic adventure begins in New Swissland, where everyone has a silly name. ("Just ask their president, the Honorable Chuckles Jingleberry McMonkeyburger Jr. or his lovely wife, Stinky.") New Swissland, just southeast of Greenland, is the home of the inventor of the Shrinky-Pig 2000 and the Goosy-Grow 4000--Professor Pippy P. Poopypants. When the professor decides to pitch his inventions in the United States, he is laughed out of every institution of higher learning because of his unusual name. Frustrated, he decides to become an elementary school science teacher where the innocent children will, he assumes, be accepting and loving.

This is where his world collides with George and Harold's, who are not accepting of his funny name, but instead explode with laughter and promptly craft a new comic book called "Captain Underpants and the Pied Pooper of Piqua." This hilarious book will crack Pilkey fans up with tiny toilets of truth, evil gerbils, and even Cher's greatest hits. (The children--not notoriously good spellers--note: "All animal cruelty was simulated. No actual girbles were forsed to listen to Cher.") And what becomes of Professor Poopypants? He gets even, devising a method to convert all names into silly names. He creates a chart in which everyone has to use letters from their own first and last names to create a madcap moniker. In the end, George and Harold learn that it's not nice to make fun of people: "'Wow,' said Harold. 'I think this is the first time one of our stories ever had a moral!' 'Probably the last time, too,' said George. 'Let's hope so,' said Harold." --Flunky Pizza Chunks (Ages 8 to 12) ... Read more

Reviews (51)

Captain Underpants and Perilous Plot of Professor Poopypants
I am six years old. I liked it because it's funny and George and Harold are 2 kids and at the beginning they're always changing this sign! The sign one time said "Pick your own roses," and George and Harold turned it to "Pick our noses!" There's something called flip-o-rama, which makes it look like a cartoon! You see, Captain Underpants in the book, he's usually a teacher, but if he snaps his finger he turns into Captain Underpants. He only wears underpants and a red curtain with black spots! I think you will like it. That's all for now, folks!

Captain Underpants
Gorge Beard and Harold Hutchines are trouble makers that could not go on the field trip because they got in trouble. Both of the boys had to clean the teacher's lounge and it had to be spotless by the time the children got back. George and Harold wanted to get even with the teachers so they did some mean things. And the teachers quit teaching. Then the children got a new teacher and when the teacher told his name, Professor Pippy P. Poopypants, the children laughed. He showed them the Gerbil Jogger 2000 to try to teach them science. After that Professor Poopypants got so mad he made a shrink ray and shrank the school. Then Captain Underpants flew down and fought against the robot. I like this book. Because the lauphter is so much. Anyone who likes fun books like it.

This book was great
As you all know most of the Captain Underpants books have been great. Like in all the book something silly happens to one of the "soon to be villian", like in this book how Professor Poopy Pants gets made fun of for having such a silly name. So in order to get back at everyone he shrinks them all to itty bitty size so he can control them, changing all there names to something really silly. So that they can all share his horrible fate, But not if Captain Underpants can help it!

Captain underpants
This book was my favorite book because Profesor Poopypant only trys to raise money but he looses money.
My favorite part is when the professor chages everybody's name to funny names and shrinks the whole school .
If my name was changed it would be Lumpy Gidget.
This was my favorite book.

Revenge is sweet!
According to his website, Dav Pilkey did not like school. The
teachers kept sticking him in the hall, where he wrote and drew
to his heart's content. They told him he would never amount
to anything. Well, he has, and also got some really good revenge! Said revenge exists in every one of his books, which
are about idiotic principals and various retarded teachers. Hmmm...wonder where he got the models for his characters? The plots of all of Pilkey's books are goofy and bizarre, and involve the antics of two boys who...you guessed it...write and
draw comic books about their adventures in school. These books
are supposedly for children, but any adult who didn't like
school (which is probably the majority) will smile at a world
in which toilets chase and eat teachers, and principals who,
when hypnotized, chase bank robbers in their underwear. ... Read more