Book Description

What is a typical guy moment, anyhow? Daniel Pinkwater remembers the disappointment of meeting his Lone Star Ranger hero up close and personal. Gordon Korman relishes the goofy ultra violence of the old Looney Tunes cartoons. Stephen King realizes that having your two hundred- pound babysitter fart on your five-year-old head prepares you for any literary criticism. And that's just a sampling from Guys Write for Guys Read, a fast-paced, high energy collection of short works: stories, essays, columns, cartoons, anecdotes, and artwork by today's most popular writers and illustrators. Guys Write will feature work from Brian Jacques, Jerry Spinelli, Chris Crutcher, Mo Willems, Chris Van Allsburg, Matt Groening, Neil Gaiman, the editors and columnists from Sports Illustrated, The Onion and Esquire magazines, and more. Selected by voters at the Guys Read Web site and compiled by Jon Scieszka, this wide-ranging collection of authors and illustrators shows that guys do read . . . and will read more if given things they enjoy reading. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

What a delightful surprise!
I purchased this on a whim for my son's 13th birthday after receiving an Amazon recommendation.My son does not read voluntarily unless you count video game cheat sheets and Garfield cartoon books. The book arrived yesterday.I grabbed it along with the day's mail and headed out to pick up my son at school. I started reading the book in the middle, with Gary Paulsen's electric fence adventure, to amuse myself in a very slow carline.I was hooked and began racing through the selections picking out the authors of the stories our family has enjoyed over the years sometimes laughing out loud, othertimes recognizing all too well the growing pains of adolescence.My son finally arrived. I relenquished the book to him and asked him to indulge me and read the Paulsen story outloud.He did and was hooked as well.He read several selections to me outloud then took the book to bed with him, had it with him through breaksfast, and carried it to school as it is the last days of the school year so he will have extra time to read it.This from a boy who has never read anything over 100 pages in his life.

I will wait patiently for my chance to finish the book and will encourage Dan to write his own review but wanted to share the fun this book had brought us.I can see that we will be sharing this with Dad, Grandfather, and my young adult son and that this will be a college graduation gift for my daughter's boyfriend.What a great summer reading book for the whole family. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Believe it or not, 44 complete read-aloud classics and future classics--from Goodnight Moon to Stellaluna--are packed in this remarkably svelte, positively historic anthology. Flipping through the 308 pages of The 20th-Century Children's Book Treasury is like browsing a photo album of beloved friends and family. The familiar faces of Curious George and Ferdinand the Bull peer earnestly from the pages, and scenes from Madeline and Millions of Cats resonate as if you just experienced them yesterday. Think of the advantages of carrying this book on a vacation instead of a suitcase of single titles! (Your kids can always revisit their dog-eared hardcovers when they get home.)

This impressive collection of concept books, wordless books, picture books, and read-aloud stories was artfully compiled by longtime children's book editor and publisher Janet Schulman. Stories are coded red, blue, and green to designate age groupings from baby/toddler books such as Whose Mouse Are You?, through preschool books such as Where the Wild Things Are, to longer stories for ages 5 and older such as Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. The reason the book isn't bigger than Babar is because many of the illustrations from each story were reduced or removed to fitthe anthology's format.(Leo Lionni's Swimmy, for example, takes up 5 pages total, compared to its original 29 pages.)Brief biographical notes that are surprisingly quirky shine a little light on the 62 authors and illustrators, and an index helps, too, for the child who likes one story best. We love the idea of being within easy reach of a Star-Belly Sneetch, a William Steig donkey, and a Sendak monster at all times, and we're sure your little bookworms will, too. (Click to seea sample spread from The 20th-Century Children's Book Treasury, compilation copyright © 1998 by Janet Schulman, illustrations © renewed 1997 by William Steig.) (All ages) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (66)

A truly wonderful collection of classic stories!
I bought this book after checking it out at the library and being in awe at the wonderful stories in it. My boys are 2 and almost every night at dinner we read a new story. With classics from Curious George and Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel to the rhythmic Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, there are surely stories to fit every need. The book also lists which stories are appropriate for different ages. Most of the stories are condensed to 4-6 pages with lots of pictures, but some have few illustrations and are great for reading in the car, at dinner, or at bedtime when your child is really sleepy.

We own several of the individual books and will probably buy more of them for the boys to be able to read and hold. This book is too heavy and awkward for small children to be handling, but it is a convenient way to expose them (and me!) to some of the great stories that have been written over the years. Besides, you'll want to keep it in good shape to hand down to your grandchildren! This collection of stories will make a wonderful gift for new or expecting parents or for older children who love to read.

Absolutely amazing collections of children's favorites
Most of the 'greatest hits' collections - whether for a time period or a particular artist seem to always leave out the best song or super-star groups. This Treasury astounded me by collecting 'all' the great authors and stories (at least all of the ones I can thing of). Madeline, Dr. Seuss, Babar, Curious George, Where the Wild Things Are, The Berenstain Bears, Amelia Bedelia, Stellaluna, Pooh, etc... I am amazed that the editors managed to get the rights to publish all of these incredible favorites!

The texts of the stories are complete (as far as I can tell), but the illustration have been shrunk so that all of the stories will fit in one volume. Something is lost in the process, but I can imagine that it would be the perfect book for a trip, keeping a any kids' home-away-from-home (like grandma's house), or just to read to discover previously unknown classics (which is what my five year old and I are doing).

An added benefit is the history - the stories were all written in a historical context and to a greater or lesser extend reflect the society in which they were written. The editors wisely put the year of publication with each story. So when I read them to my daughter I can also comment (when applicable) not only about whether or not I had read the story as a kid, but also set the story in a historical context (take Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel, published in 1939, for example).

Of course, for stories destined to become favorites, the full-sized editions with illustrations are really needed; but for an anthology, this book cannot be beat!

Before you buy, know what you are missing
This is a good book for reference but if you intend to buy it INSTEAD OF the children's classics it includes, you will be missing out on a lot. Please read the School Library Journal review and Booklist review in entirety before making a decision to buy this, they both touch on the problem of condensing stories and missing illustrations with the effect they have on the stories' impact. It is especially noticable for stories that rely on illustrations for pacing or an element of surprise. I find that my kids, both beginning readers, do not go to this book on their own the same way that they will run to look at any of their favorite individual story books and although we use it, it is usually only as a convenience to me (to avoid hunting down and carrying several goodnight books). If it gets you to read more, great, but for fostering a love of these classics in your kids there is nothing like using the real individual books in their covers, formatted as originally intended.

OUTSTANDING!
We have hundreds of children's books, but this is the one we turn to over and over. (Our son is 3 1/2; daughter is 6). Great at story time, and even better when you need some help entertaining the kids (e.g., doctor's office, long trip, snow day at home). The collection is a real treasure of books we knew, and books we discovered for the first time. My prediction: your children will still remember this book when they are reading to your grandkids. By far, our family's favorite.

A terrific collection of classics
I'm an American journalist living in Germany and raising two bilingual kids. I've had this book for about 3 years now. It has been a wonderful source of bedtime reading for my oldest son, who is now 6. The stories offer a good variety of reading levels, so it has really grown with him. Yes, some of the illustrations are small, but I found that a small price to pay for the convenience of having a single book to grab at bedtime when we are both very tired, but needing a great story. ... Read more

Reviews (70)

I just love Dog Heaven!
This book is such a wonderful way to help anyone who has lost a dog, especially children. I teach preschool and one of my student's lost his dog. I gave him this book as well as I'll Always Love You. His parents said the books really helped, and it really helped our entire class learn about the passing of a beloved family member. It's hard for children to understand death anyway, but when it's someone like a dog or cat who just loves so unconditionally, books like this one really help to alieviate any fear that the pet is in pain, or that pet might forget us! I HIGHLY recommend this book!

Comforting to Think about Where our Sasha is now
This is a great book for kids and adults alike who may be grieving the loss of a beloved dog. The illustrations are charming, and the sentiments are great. (God makes dogs special treats in heaven, and they play with angel children, who need their company.) I have given this book to an adult friend who also lost a pet, and she found it very comforting too. We still miss our Sasha dog, but this book helped our family through a rough time.

TEACHER RECOMMENDS!
I have given this book to countless children (and adults) who are grieving the loss of a furry friend. Being a teacher, I am quite often faced with a student who experiences the loss of a beloved pet. If you believe dogs go to heaven, this book offers wonderful comfort in allowing children to imagine what it might be like for their dog in heaven. I would recommend this book to almost any parents trying to ease some of that heartbreak for their child and quite possibly themselves.

A very sweet image of Heaven!
I got this book for my 6 year old son to read for school (to earn AR credits). At the time, he had been very anxious about death, having lost one pet when he was 3 and having another who was very old. We also had two older neighbors die in the past year. He had often had deep worries about death and dying. I was almost afraid for him to read it - worrying that it would bring out those feelings again. But I am so glad he did read it.

The comforting way Dog HEaven is depicted was JUST what we needed. He did ask me if this was real - non-fiction, as he put it. I told him that nobody who is living today has ever been to heaven, so people just have to guess what it is like, and this is what the author believes it is like. That did the trick.

When our second dog passed on, it was very helpful to the children to remember the ideas in Dog Heaven. They were happy that Penny would be able to be with our other dog - Edison; and they had a good time thinking about Edison "showing Penny around in heaven". And also, thinking about our neighbor being there to give biscuits and throw balls to Penny.

It should be on the bookshelf of every family who has a dog!

Great book
This is a sweet book which I initially bought due to my love of dogs. I wanted to share that love with my children and teach them about God as well. Recently our dog passed away and my 4 year old was having a hard time dealing with it. This book helped her to think of Moose being in a special place where he doesn't hurt anymore, he can run and have fun. ... Read more

Book Description

It started the summer of 2002, when the Springfield librarian, Molly McGrew, by mistake drove her bookmobile into the zoo.

In this rollicking rhymed story, Molly introduces birds and beasts to this new something called reading. She finds the perfect book for every animal—tall books for giraffes, tiny ones for crickets. "She even found waterproof books for the otter, who never went swimming without Harry Potter." In no time at all, Molly has them "forsaking their niches, their nests, and their nooks," going "wild, simply wild, about wonderful books." Judy Sierra’s funny animal tale coupled with Marc Brown’s lush, fanciful paintings will have the same effect on young Homo sapiens. Altogether, it’s more fun than a barrel of monkeys! ... Read more

Book Description

Introducing a unique book every one should have to help him or her learn to love reading.With type set in three columns and three colors for easy readability, each short, rhymed story in this collection is like a little play for two voices.They are about all kinds of thing: bears, birthdays, puppies, snowmen, friendships, and more.But no matter what their subject, they all feature traditional reading techniques-rhyme, rhythm, and repetition-and finishing with a satisfying refrain. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

You Read to Me, I'll Read to You: Very Short Stories
This is an excellent book. My 5-year-old son, knowing all the sounds of the letters, was reluctant to try reading words. In part, I think his fear was that if he started reading, I would quit reading to him. This book is wonderful - he is thrilled to be able to read most of the words, and the fact that we do it together shows him that reading will not necessarily be a solitary experience for him. It has increased his confidence dramatically.

A Joy to Read Together.....
As the Mary Ann Hoberman explains in her introduction: "Here's a book/With something new-/You read to me!/I'll read to you!/We'll read each page/To one another-/You'll read one side,/I the other..." This clever and unique picture book includes 12 very short stories, written like a dialogue, and based on simple, lighthearted, friendly themes, that are perfect for emerging, and early readers. Each part is color coded for sharing and fun. I read the purple lines, you read the red, and we read the blue lines together, and then maybe switch. Ms Hoberman's joyous, rhyming text is full of rhythm, energy, and repetition and complemented by Michael Emberley's charming and humorous illustrations. You Read To Me, I'll Read To You is a delightful introduction to the joys and wonders of both reading, and reading together. As the author reminds your young reader at the end: "...But there are other/Books to read./Hundreds/Thousands/All we need./Any time/In any weather/We can sit/Right down together./In the shade/Or in the sun/Choose a book/That looks like fun./One that's old/Or one that's new./Make-believe/Or really true./I'll read one line/I'll read two./You read to me./I'll read to you."

Educators Recommend
Not long ago I was attending a conference for reading teachers. The main topic of conversation was, as you might imagine, books. After the third person told me You Read to Me is "simply wonderful," and "a must-have," I decided I'd better check it out.

My colleagues were not exaggerating. You Read to Me, I'll Read to You is one of those rare "must-haves." The book, as the title implies, is created for two voices. Thoughtfully, the text is divided into three columns, each done in a different color print. One reader reads the left-hand passages. The second reader reads the right-hand passages. Both readers, of course, read the text in the middle.

The dozen stories in the book are original, fresh, and funny. (Hoberman refers to them as little plays for two voices.) Each is short, rhythmic, and rhyming. Topics include: mice, cats, dogs, bears, snakes, snowmen, friendship, hats, and more.

Emberley's illustrations, done in pen, watercolor, and dry pastel, perfectly compliment and enrich the text. The character's actions and facial expressions are priceless.

The book works exceedingly well in the classroom. Perfect for "buddy reading," it also provides teachers a perfect vehicle for working one-on-one with students. As we know, reading aloud helps to build fluency-which in turn helps with comprehension. You Read to Me, I'll Read to You is the perfect fluency-building book.

You Read to Me receives our highest recommendation.

Reviewed by the Education Oasis Staff

Perfect!
This is a must have for every beginning reader. It's so much fun to have others share in reading it with your child.

kbyrdCR Fin

English 385.150
5/23/02
Dr. Michelle H. Martin
Book Review
Doberman, Mary. You Read to Me, I'll Read to You. Illus. Michael Emberley. Boston:
Little, Brown and Company, 2001.
You Read to Me, I'll Read to You contains many different short stories that two people can read together. All containing positive lessons, each story has at least two characters who face a problem or experience an adventure. For example, in "The Dime," the pig finds a dime, but his friend the cat feels that the money belongs to him. Instead of the characters keeping the money and destroying their friendship, they decide to purchase a book and take turns reading the book to one another. Another story that has a positive lesson is "I Hate My Hat." The characters in the story are raccoons, and one raccoon continually says, "I hate my hat." The other raccoon says that "hate" is not a nice word to say and compliments his friend for wearing the hat so that no one needs to speak the word "hate" at all.
The book also possesses characteristics of a play because the text offers two speaking part. One reader reads the purple colored sentences, the other reads the pink colored sentences, and both readers read the blue sentences together. The color-coding also teaches the concept of following directions. Children of all ages need to know how to follow directions because they will encounter many areas in their lives that will require them to follow directions both at school and at home. ... Read more

Amazon.com

When Christopher Robin asks Pooh what he likes doing best in the world, Pooh says, after much thought, "What I like best in the whole world is Me and Piglet going to see You, and You saying 'What about a little something?' and Me saying, 'Well, I shouldn't mind a little something, should you, Piglet,' and it being a hummy sort of day outside, and birds singing."

Happy readers for over 70 years couldn't agree more. Pooh's status as a "Bear of Very Little Brain" belies his profoundly eternal wisdom in the ways of the world. To many, Winnie-the-Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, and the others are as familiar and important as their own family members. A.A. Milne's classics, Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner, are brought together in this beautiful edition, complete and unabridged, with recolored illustrations by Milne's creative counterpart, Ernest H. Shepard. Join Pooh and the gang as they meet a Heffalump, help get Pooh unstuck from Rabbit's doorway, (re)build a house for Eeyore, and try to unbounce Tigger. A childhood is simply not complete without full participation in all of Pooh's adventures. (All ages) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (50)

The original is still the best
For all those who think that Winnie the Pooh is a Disney creation, this book will be a revelation and a delight. The ubiquitous and lovable Disney mass-market version of A.A. Milne's characters cannot compare with the simple wisdom of this children's classic. The writing and humor is far more sophisticated and subtle than the slapstick cartoon version cooked up for mass consumption.

The book also contains an interesting and informative forward and introduction that explains the origin of Winnie the Pooh, that Christopher Robin was really Milne's son and other fascinating facts about Milne's life.

Most importantly, it holds the original stories of Pooh and friends, and the original illustrations by Earnest H. Shepard. These illustrations provide a look at how Pooh first appeared 70 years ago.

The recommended age for this book is four and up, but we have been reading these stories to our son (who is also thoroughly immersed in the Disney version) since he was about two and a half and he loves them. I'm sure he didn't comprehend what was going on in the stories at first, but as time went on, he increasingly continued to understand. He still loves bringing us the book.

This book is a treasure. Anyone who has a child who loves Pooh owes it to him or her to hear the original version. It is fun for adults as well. It is the quintessential addition to any Pooh collection.

A bear of very little brains . . .
A. A. Milne would be proud of the interpretation of his story and characters that will always live in the forest of imagination. Ernest H. Shepard's artwork makes this adventure is a visual delight. The characters represent archetypes to which children can identify and relate. As long as there are children and parents to read to them, Winnie the Pooh will remain a favorite storybook classic.

* Pooh teaches a positive attitude; he will always get the honey, and get out of predicaments through his friends. His wisdom is simple and easy for children to understand and agree upon.
* Eyore is forlorn, pessimistic, and surprised by the good things that come his way. He never expects to be part of the crowd, but always is included. The emotion is easy to relate to from our own adolescence, and helps adults remember the trials of childhood.
* Tigger and his bouncy tail take us into the air in a never-ending enthusiasm for the joy in life. In addition, he shows the potential of getting into trouble because he does not think about the results.
* Rabbit, practical Rabbit, who is also a sourpuss, shows that we can always miss the joy in life, but if we join with others then good things happen.
* Kanga and baby Roo show the importance of love and protection for parent and child.
* Owl is the wise old teacher who always asks "Who?" in the quest for knowledge, and shows the value of learning.
* Christopher Robin represents the adult, the one who solves problems, and is a constant force even when not present. He is the focus, the thinker, and he shows the value of considering thought before words and actions. Since he is a child, children can see they too have control, make decisions, and find answers.

My daughter loves her long worn out book with the torn red cover, and although this book is its replacement, the original stays in the family.

Five stars and great thanks to Walt Disney Studios who keeps the Winnie the Pooh light burning.

Victoria Tarrani

Outstanding collector's book.
I got this for my wife (A Pooh fan if there ever was one) when she was six months pregnant with our son. She absolutely loved the classic illustrations, and reading through the book once myself the writing is quite good. I've been reading from this book to my now two-year old son about once or twice a week (I work nights =/) when I am able to when he is in bed ready to go to sleep, and we both enjoy the quiet bonding time while I read to him. He doesn't quite understand everything, but enjoys the rather bad attempts by me to give each character a different sound/voice/accent, but of course he can't tell it's bad. ;)

We keep this book out of his reach in a very special area, and plan to give it to him when he has his own child as a family heirloom. The book itself is beautiful, wonderfully crafted and illustrated, clearly worth saving for future generations. If you like Pooh and company at all, get it, you won't be dissapointed!

Good to see the classics live on
There is no way Disney's b*stardisation of A A Milnes characters is anything even close to the original. These stories and poems are works of art and it bothers me that they are so degraded by association with an unorignal cartoon very much pitched at the commercial realm and the lowest common denominator. But the originals live on. Do yourself and your children a favour. Buy this book. Introduce them to good literature and stories of timeless (and ageless) appeal. Turn off the TV and read to them. Then, when they go to bed, read them for yourself.

Very British!
I gave The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh to my older daughter for her 10th birthday. She reads portions of it to her younger siblings. This is one of her favorite, most cherished books.

Don't be deceived into thinking that Pooh is just for toddlers and pre-schoolers. The humor is very intelligent, and the characters are just plain wonderful. It is written in a very British style, which I think makes it a great introduction to English literature for children.

This is a true masterpiece, and would make a good gift for anyone who truly loves good literature, no matter what their age. ... Read more

Amazon.com

David, the out-of-control monster-child from David Shannon's Caldecott Honor Book No, David! is back... and ready to disrupt the class. Shannon remembers the word "no" all too clearly from his childhood, and, as he says in his introduction, "It seems that kids haven't changed much over the years, and neither have school rules, some of which date back even further than the invention of sneakers." In David Goes to School, young David shows up late to class, goes wacko at the blackboard, chews gum in class, yells answers out of turn, pulls pigtails, stares out the window, cuts in line, has a food fight ("I don't care who started it!" says the teacher), lingers at recess, and draws on his desk. Colorful, hilarious, childlike illustrations examine our strangely appealing demon-boy at eye level, which is especially disgusting as David stretches an enormous mass of bubble gum from his pointy-toothed maw. After an intense day of exuberant misbehaving, however, he stays after school and washes all the desks until they sparkle. The day ends with a gold star and a pat on the head... something that any child (or adult) would find satisfying. (Click to see a sample spread. Copyright 1999 by David Shannon. Courtesy of Scholastic, Inc.) (Ages 2 to 6) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (25)

If your child acts up in class, this may be useful...
I am surprised at the great number of rather poor reveiws for this delightful book. First of all, the book is geared towards first time school-goers who are just learning the ropes of good behavior in a school setting(and may be having a hard time of it!). Many children find it difficult to behave properly in school - not all children are perfect little angels in the behavior department. As a former teacher and currently a classroom volunteer, I have noticed many young students getting scolded for the many things depicted in this story - things such as not raising you hand before speaking, not paying attention to the teacher, etc. If your child is acting up in class, I think this book might be helpful in demonstrating what is and is not acceptable at school. At the conclusion of the story, David finally learns how to behave properly and is rewarded with praise. I think this is a positive lesson! If your child does not have any behavior issues, you may not relate to this book as much as the parent/teacher who is trying to reach a disobedient child. The pictures are bright and colorful and despite some of the previous reveiwers' comments, I don't think that children reading this book wuld assume that the bad behaviors depicted in this book are something to imitate. I think the message is clear: You will be scolded for bad behavior, praised for good.

David---the Saga Continues
Jamie, my two year old grandson loves this book. To adults, this book may seem overly cute and simple. To a toddler, it is a slice of everyday life. The large colorful pictures and simple text make this a must have. The child can easily learn the words and read along especilly the line where the teacher says "David, be quiet!"

Book for all kids
This is a great book for kids 3+. It teaches them the good and the bad side of things. Along with Stellaluna this is my son's favorite book. He is 4 and can read it on his own! He loves it so much it encouraged him to read and learn the words. He can relate to David with the things David does and reaction by the teacher. Great book, surely one to invest in.

david is my hero
this book rules. i have no soul and it made me cry from laughing so hard. i dont think david started the food fight, and i love how he has no idea that he is cutting the line in the cafeteria. i wish this book had been out when i was a kid so i could have given it to the teachers that said "bridget is always in la la land" or "bridget isnt working to her full potential" or "bridget spaces out a lot" or even "bridget writes on desks too much" and say "ha! this guy did these things too and now he writes famous books that people review on this thing in the future called the internet, watch out world!"

Ha!
What a great book! I bought it for my brother, also a David, who now has a three year old son. He's in for it!!
Fun book!!! ... Read more

Book Description

The set includes: Little House in the Big Woods, Little House on the Prairie, Farmer Boy, On the Banks of Plum Creek, By the Shores of Silver Lake, The Long Winter, Little Town on the Prairie, These Happy Golden Years, and The First Four Years.

Little House in the Big Woods

Wolves and panthers and bears roam the deep Wisconsin woods in the late 1870's. In those same woods, Laura lives with Pa and Ma, and her sisters, Mary and Baby Carrie, in a snug little house built of logs. Pa hunts and traps. Ma makes her own cheese and butter. All night long, the wind howls lonesomely, but Pa plays the fiddle and sings, keeping the family safe and cozy.

Little House on the Prairie

Pa Ingalls decides to sell the little log house, and the family sets out for Indian country! They travel from Wisconsin to Kansas, and there, finally, Pa builds their little house on the prairie. Sometimes farm life is difficult, even dangerous, but Laura and her family are kept busy and are happy with the promise of their new life on the prairie.

Farmer Boy

While Laura Ingalls grows up in a little house on the western prairie, Almanzo Wilder is living on a big farm in New York State. Almanzo and his brother and sisters work at their chores from dawn to supper most days -- no matter what the weather. There is still time for fun, though, especially with the horses, which Almanzo loves more than anything.

On the Banks of Plum Creek

Laura's family's first home in Minnesota is made of sod, but Pa builds a clean new house made of sawed lumber beside Plum Creek. The money for materials will come from their first wheat crop. Then, just before the wheat is ready to harvest, a strange glittering cloud fills the sky, blocking out the sun. Soon millions of grasshoppers cover the field and everything on the farm. In a week's time, there is no wheat crop left at all.

By the Shores of Silver Lake

Pa Ingalls heads west to the unsettled wilderness of the Dakota Territory. When Ma, Mary, Laura, Carrie, and baby Grace join him, they become the first settlers in the town of De Smet. And Pa begins work on the first building in what will soon be a brand-new town on the shores of Silver Lake.

The Long Winter

The first terrible storm comes to the barren prairie in October. Then it snows almost without stopping until April. Snow has reached the rooftops, and no trains can get through with food or coal. The people of De Smet are starving, including Laura's family, who wonder how they're going to make it through this terrible winter. It is young Almanzo Wilder who finally understands what needs to be done. He must save the town, even if it means risking his own life.

Little Town on the Prairie

The long winter is over. With spring come socials, parties, and "Literaries." There is also work to be done. Laura spends many hours each day sewing shirts to help send Mary to a college for the blind. But in the evenings, Laura makes time for a new caller, Almanzo Wilder.

These Happy Golden Years

Laura is teaching school, and it's terrifying! Most of the students are taller than she is, and she must sleep away from home for the first time. Laura is miserable, but the money is needed to keep Mary in a college for the blind. And every Friday -- no matter what the weather -- Almanzo Wilder arrives to take Laura home to her family for the weekend. Laura and Almanzo are courting, and even though she's not yet sixteen, she knows that this is a time for new beginnings.

The First Four Years

Laura and Almanzo Wilder have just been married! Their life on a small prairie homestead begins with high hopes. But each year seems to bring unexpected disasters -- storms, sickness, fire, and unpaid debts. These first four years call for courage, strength, and a great deal of determination. Always, though, there is love, especially for the newest member of the family -- baby Rose.

Reviews (70)

Real Live History- Without Boring Nonsense
I love the Little House Books. I have read every one of them at least 5 times. They never get boring. The Litttle House Books are Non-Fiction- They are the best history books about the pioneer days. I am currently reading Farmer Boy, which is about Almanzo- Laura's future hustband. I just finished reading Little House on the Prairie to my kids- they loved it. They are asking questions about the pioneer days. If you want to get someone intrested in history start them on the little house books. Little House books are worth so much. I also like them because it is easier for children to understand history from another child's point of view. I hope every one reads the Little House books and learn about pioneer days in a fun and exciting way.

Before there was Harry Potter ...
If memory serves me correctly, I discovered Laura Ingalls Wilder's "Little House" books around the age of seven. I do remember being the envy of my third-grade classmates when I received the entire boxed set AND "On The Way Home" for Christmas. Of course, newer generations only know Laura from the TV series, which, as an earlier reviewer remarked, was the epitome of schmalzy, rose-glassed views of pioneer life, but interestingly enough included some real incidents Laura never put in the books (the death of the baby brother and living in the hotel). The books, however, still stand the test of time. True, some of the harsher elements of frontier life are glossed over to an extent--these are books aimed at kids, after all--but overall the books are an fascinating study of life on the prairie in the post-Civil War years. Much like Harry Potter, the Little House books can be read and enjoyed by adults. My only quibble with the books is that I've always felt that there should have been another book between "On The Banks of Plum Creek" and "On The Shores of Silver Lake," since there's a jump of about five years between the two. According to some of Laura's biographers, however, Laura's family had some rough experiences during that time, so that might explain the lack.

Still, there's a reason these books are classics--the descriptions are top-notch, they're moralistic without smacking you over the head, and they're just plain fun to read. I still have the boxed set (not the same one I got for Christmas, alas), and on snowy days in my own little house I find myself curled up in front of the fire with "Farmer Boy" or "These Happy Golden Years." Enjoy!

Definately worth 25$
I first read these books when I was in first grade. Since then, my copies have disintegrated because they've been read so often. As an English teacher, I'm online right now looking for a new set to use in the classroom. Of course, at 23, I still plan on reading them again myself first. This set is amazing - it combines history and great writing.

A Childhood Favorite of Mine Too!
When I was a little girl in the 1970's I was a big fan of the Little House on The Prairie TV show and I was very happy when one Christmas, probably either 1974 or 1975 I received a boxset of the Little House book series by Laura Ingalls Wilder and I loved the books. I still have my books but no longer have the box they came in and the books have gotten a lot of wear and tear from many people reading them such as myself and with them being borrowed many times over the years by friends, cousins, my niece, etc but that just proves how well loved these books are. The set has 9 books which are all outstanding and are the true life stories and adventures of the real Ingalls family and written by Laura who wrote about her family, what life was like back in the mid to late 1800's etc and the books are Little House in the Big Woods, Little House on the Prairie, On The Banks of Plum Creek, By The Shores of Silver Lake, The Long Winter, Little Town on the Prairie, These Happy Golden Years which introduces Laura Ingall's husband to be, Almanzo Wilder, The First Four Years which details Laura and Almanzo's married life and their daughter Rose plus there is also Farmer boy. Most of the books detail The Ingall's family from their life in their homestate of Wisconsin to their journeys to Kansas, Oklahoma, Minnesota and finally The Dakota Territory which is where Laura met Almanzo but there is also the book Farmer Boy which Laura wrote about Almanzo's account of his childhood on a farm in New York state. These books are great and I highly recommend them to people of all ages, but I especially recommend buying the boxset!

A childhood favorite!
Heroines: varied

Travel westward in a covered wagon with the Ingalls family and experience the joys of family reunions, the daily drudgery of feeding chickens and milking cows, and the terror of tornadoes, sudden blizzards which dump yards of snow around you, and "wild" Indians who appear at your doorstep.

What worked for me:

These books just thrilled me as a child and they thrill me still as I read them aloud to my own children now. I love watching their fascination at what a struggle it was to survive in the rugged American wilderness, and can't help but smile as they absorb their first history lesson in such a painless fashion.

Size-wise Laura Ingalls was described as being round like a French pony, but she really longed to be willowy with golden curls like her older sister Mary. From the very first book we hear how five year old Laura was so disappointed with her appearance and see how she always measured herself against her sister's paler beauty.

What didn't work for me:

The only disappointment I have had with this series is that the final book is so short and lacks the warmth of the earlier novels, probably because Mrs. Wilder passed away before it was rewritten.

Overall:

Fans of historical and juvenile literature should enjoy these books. (And fans of romance should enjoy the later books when Laura meets her husband.)

Note: The series was the basis of the popular television show, "Little House on the Prairie".

Warning: The story is sweet and easygoing, but also deals with the harsh realities of life in that era. It is less than "PC" at times because it accurately depicts the general attitude towards native Americans in those days. If you are planning to read this to a youngster, be prepared for possible questions on these matters.

If you liked the "Little House" series you might also enjoy the "Anne of Green Gables" series. ... Read more

Book Description

Cajas de cartón is the first title in the literary series Nuestra visión: U.S. Latino Literature, which features original works by Latino authors living and working in the United States. This work is the Spanish version of the author's award-winning collection of stories, The Circuit. Jiménez' 12 independent but intertwined short stories chronicle the experiences of a Mexican-American family of migrant farm laborers, as narrated by one of the children, Panchito. Unlike many readers for this level, which anthologize standard works, this book presents authentic, outstanding literature and themes that are highly relevant to native Spanish speakers in the U.S.

Reviews (11)

A must read for all ages
Francisco Jimenez brilliantly captures the voice of the young Panchito and the struggles and triumphs of his migrant family. The issue of Mexican immigration has become become hotly bebated, causing us to sometimes lose sight of the human vioce of those about which we so passionately talk. Jimenez's stories transform our understanding of Mexican sojourners, moving us from an abstract understanding of Mexican immigrantion to a more humane frame of mind. In essence, these twelve short-stories enable us to bear witness so that we may make a compassionate connection with those people who are represented by Jimenez's stories. What is more, the style with which Jimenez writes makes this book enjoyable for all ages. The Circuit should propel Jimenez into an arena with the great Chicano authors of our time.

A Story of Democratic Justice Though the Eyes of a Child
Author - Jimenez, Francisco. The Circuit: Stories from the Life of a Migrant Child.

Publisher - University of New Mexico Press, 1997

Short Summary - A small book with huge heart, broken and mended over and over again, Jimenez voices the common "stories of many migrant children of yesterday and today", but not before asking "their forgiveness for taking the liberty to write about them." Many of the experiences shared bite like a bitter wind at the reader's heart. In his stories, tangible truths about what it is to live life in America rise out of the mists of these many invisible lives. Surviving some of the loneliest childhood moments, the boy teaches even more about life than he learns. Transformation of the spirit, like the delicate beauty of a butterfly's colors, belongs equally to all people. The poorest migrant boy who has nothing shows one who has everything how anything of value can only be kept by giving it away. When the boy, Francisco, learns to say, "It's yours," in English, the reader believes in miracles, and that miracles speak in all languages to all classes and races. 134 pages

Brief Evaluation - While green may not be a popular color for readers of this book, the stories receive the "green light" for readers to move forward, through the pages and beyond. Rates highly for poignancy and for shedding light on the on-going debates about the democracy and the development of social justice in the United States. Recommendations using VOYA evaluation codes: 5 for Quality/ 3 for popularity. A superior book for readers from late elementary into adulthood.

Read Aloud - pages 112-134, a deeply moving introduction to study of the Declaration of Independence
Literary Principle - Irony

Titles of similar interest For other interesting reading experiences, see:
Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan; Crossing Over: a Mexican Family on the Migrant Trail by Ruben Martinez; Baseball in April, and Other Stories by Gary Soto; Lost Garden by Laurence Yep; A Girl From Yamhill by Beverly Cleary; Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes and Louis Slobodkin; Istanbul Boy: the Autobiography of Aziz Nesin, Part I, translated by Joseph S Jacobson; The Beet Fields: Memories of a Sixteenth Summer by Gary Paulsen; For advanced readers, try The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck or, something a little shorter, In Dubious Battle by John Steinbeck. Others books by Francisco Jimenez are Breaking Through, La Mariposa, and The Christmas Gift/El Regalo de Navidad.

(...)

The Pope vs The Circuit
If you want to forget your troubles and focus on someone else's, then read this book "The Circuit" by Francisco Jimenez. If you are looking for a book which is entertaining, enlightening, informative, inspirational, or even slightly interesting, look elsewhere. I would give this book a two out of ten for interest, five out of ten for content, and ten out of ten for realism, and I can safely say I will not read this book again.

The story is about Francisco Jimenez, whose parents sneak across the border with him into California in the hopes of a better life. While his parents work at various farms around the country, Francisco struggles with life as a poor illiterate Latino child growing up in America. Hardly the plot for much excitement or adventure. I honestly believe a biography about the Pope written by an eighty year old blind priest would be more interesting.

This book was alright in context, but it completely lacked sense of exploration or depth. I would say this book is best for a young child, someone still amused by Powderpuff girls and Pokemon, but not someone looking for an entertaining, enlightening, informative, or inspirational autobiography. If I am going to read a book about someone else's life, I would hope it would be something I can relate to, which is exciting, insightful, and most importantly, being interesting enough to be worthy of my time. This book however, was not.

(...)

vivid without being polemic
A collection of interrelated stories based on the author's experience as an illegal immigrant from Mexico in the late 1940s, working with his family as a migrant laborer. Exposes hardships without being didactic. Ambiguous. Makes me feel what it would be like to be poor in a country where I didn't speak the language. A nice companion to books like Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry or Out of the Dust. Ages 10+

Unparalleled Compassion
Francisco Jimenez doesn't preach, he doesn't tell, he doesn't demand that you change your views about the migrant population in the US; he does tell a story of a migrant family with more tenderness than I have read anywhere. He doesn't rely on dramatic anecdotes to relay his point, but rather allows the realistic simplicity of the stories to speak for themselves. Doing so makes the stories all the more meaninful, as the reader never feels like he is being told exagerated accounts of a migrant child's life. ... Read more

Book Description

Once upon a mountaintop, three trees stood and dreamed of what they wanted to become when they grew up. Each of their dreams come true in the most unexpected of ways. ... Read more

Reviews (47)

An excellent addition to my Christian library.
I wasn't even looking for a childrens book the other day when I accidentally happened upon "The Tale of Three Trees". I was brought nearly to tears by this touching little tale. I took it home and read it to my children that very night at bedtime, and even they were touched by this story. The sysnopsis above really tells it all. It is a story of Gods love for us, and his own unique gifts to us all in this world. I plan on giving it as a gift to friends with children, so they may share this special little story with them as well.

WOW! This blew me away!
I had never heard this story before and had no idea what to expect when I read it...as I got to the part about the third tree's destiny, I started crying - it touched me that much...what a great lesson is contained in this simple tale -- each tree's dream was fulfilled although not precisely in the way that they anticipated...excellent jumping off point for discussions with little ones -- As the room mom for my 5-year-old son's kindergarten class, I got this book for his teacher's birthday and had all the children "sign" it - the teacher was touched by this powerfully moving story, as were the parents who came to her party...really a great book to keep and especially to give.

Good, easy read for Christian children
My homeschooled children (grades 1 & 3) enjoy reading this from time to time. The binding is great, the pictures are good, the print is large, and the text is easy to read. A touching classic.

Great Book!
I received this book from my parents for a Christmas gift when I was 25 years old. And I love it! It has become my favorite book to give as gifts to every child...young and old. This book stays on my coffee table through out the year and I pick it up and read it all the time.

The story is very good and really makes you think about what God has in store of each of us...usally not what we think!

Would definitely recommend to every one!

Tale of Three Trees- - - - - Spectacular
I received this book for Christmas this year totally amazed that my friend would sent me a child's book I thought of it as some sort of joke!! But as I read through the pages and looked at the pictures, my eyes filled with tears as the story unfolded, each tree received their wish, I was just amazed! Excellent book for young and old alike. I am glad my friend sent me this to treasure for years to come!! ... Read more

Book Description

These wonderful hardcover compilations of favorite stories include a mix of beloved classics as well as recent hits-sure to appeal to girls and boys alike!

Includes: We Look and See; We Come and Go; and The New We Work and Play. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Great Sight-reading Primer
The Dick and Jane series came out during a (strange) time when phonics was not being taught. If you use this book with your child, it'll be easy to understand why phonics wrongly fell out of favor. You'll find that your child, if she is ready, will learn to sight read words faster than she could with flash cards. It happens so quickly that it makes you understand the temptation to skip the phonics step.

My recommendation is that you use this book as a supplement to a good phonics program. For example, if your child knows her letters and her basic sounds, and she is beginning to read phonetically in her school program, you can then use this book to help build confidence and add to her sight-reading vocabulary. It'll give you lots of opportunity to praise progress too.

My daughter started this book at home when she was six and beginning first grade. She had a solid grounding in phonics, but reading was still pretty slow and tedious. It only took about five weeks to fully master the book and read any part at a relatively rapid pace. I built a reading vocabulary list in the order that words appeared in the book (see note below). We went over the list of learned words before each session, which kept her from forgetting faster than she was learning.

The fact that the book is a compendium of three earlier volumes makes it a little awkward in its progression of adding sight words. The hardest pages to read are about two-thirds of the way through the book at the end of the second volume. In fact, the best approach may be to read from page one to page 79 (about half way through the second volume), then jump to the start of the third volume and skip back and forth from that point as you alternately work through the third volume and the second half of the second. As confusing as this sounds, you'll understand immediately once you see the content.

I gave this book four stars out of five, because it's about as good as it can get without being phonics oriented. It's a terrific bargain with lots of content for the dollar and a beautiful binding. I only wish there were a phonics-based book that made learning sight words come so easily.

Good luck and God bless!
Tim Naff

Tried and True -- Put D&J back in the Classroom
I used to be a little chagrined to admit I learned to read in Kindergarten (1964) with Dick and Jane! It was almost "out of fashion" then -- in Grade 1 I remember the teacher introducing something "new" called phonics that was much more difficult to master than "sight reading" had been. (By Grade 1 I was already reading chapter books such as "Honey Takes a Trip" using my D&J skills.) So, when my own Kindergartener was not having much success with "Bob Books" and was in fact expressing great frustration, I was worried. I thought it was her "readiness" -- I never dreamed it might be the approach I'd selected. That became instantly apparent when she got her yellow D&J anthology. By the end of the first night she was reading stories. When Grandma later gave her the blue D&J anthology, she read the entire book that night out loud to Grandma! She still resists the Bob Books but night after night she's in her bed reading and re-reading D&J to her animals. Guess success feels good to her, too. And, her reading vocabulary is bigger than her school-mates. It's a shame that School Boards have still not put D&J back in the classroom!

A true gem returns!
Oh, Oh.
Look, look!
See, see!
Look what Mother found at the bookstore.
See Baby read to Mother.
Clever, clever Baby!

I remember my teacher reading a few of these stories in 1966. When I saw this book at our local bookstore, I immediately snatched it up. That night at bedtime, I marched my 4 & 3/4 year-old daughter upstairs, pulled out this book and said, "I am tired of reading to you, so tonight you will read to me!" After helping her sound out the word "Oh Oh" and "Look and See" imagine her surprise and mine when my daughter reads the first story all by herself and with her new-found confidence, began to devour the following stories over the next sixty pages! I was so stunned by this success, I could not believe it. Playing an active role in teaching your child to read is an absolute thrill! This book is a true gem. My daughter loves the pictures that go with the stories, gentle pieces of Americana artwork in themselves, not like the flat, highly-stylized cartoons in children's books today that may satisfy the whimsy of adults, but don't capture the attention or spark the imagination of children. Our favorite stories are when Baby Sally puts too much of Mother's powder on Tim, Spot and Puff and when Dick and Jane race Baby Sally to the market and overturn their wagon. Please buy this book for all your little loved ones in your life. I am excited to see there are other books in this series, too.

Learning should be fun!
Some people think that for their kids to be learning it has to be painful and challenging. This book begs to differ. It is cute, funny, and charming. My child would ask to read this book over his readers at school. It is simple, but it builds upon itself, word by word, precept upon precept. This is how kids need to learn. My son laughed at the pictures and read the words easily. Some he sounded out and some he memorized. This is good stuff. Learning and having fun to boot! Why did we ever get rid of these great learning tools.

4th Generational Learning with Dick and Jane
When my grandma started learning to read with the Dick and Jane books, they were brand new books and only two of the three parts of this book were published. My mother got the full effect though. So did I. My son has been able to master this full compilation in just a couple days. Dick and Jane have spanned four full generations of readers and is respected as much today as it was when my grandma was reading it. I just hope my son will be able to keep this book in good enough condition to have his children learn with Dick and Jane. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Ah, The Shrinking of Treehorn. Cloudy with a Chance ofMeatballs! Flat Stanley. Even the beloved, silly The Piggy in thePuddle. Janet Schulman, editor of The 20th-Century Children's BookTreasury and longtime children's book editor and publisherextraordinaire, knows how to pick 'em. Here, she has lovingly gathered 26 morebest-loved stories in one stout volume. Although You Read to Me & I'll Readto You functions as a companion to her earlier anthology, it is not, asSchulman says in the introduction, more of the same. These stories, from WilliamSteig's Amos and Boris and Daniel Pinkwater's Blue Moose toFreckle Juice by Judy Blume and The True Story of the 3 LittlePigs by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith, were carefully selected based on theirappropriateness for reading aloud. Storylines are more fully developed, withmore words and fewer pictures. In short, these stories are just right forchildren in their first few years of school who can now read--but still love tobe read to. This collection of absolute gems, including portions of longerchapter books, is sure to find a permanent, favored spot on young children'sbedside tables, long after they've mastered reading skills. An index of titles,authors, and illustrators allows readers to find their all-time favorites--orexplore a brand-new (to you) author's work. This excellent, positively historiccollection of the crème de la crème of read-aloud stories belongson every bookshelf. And, though hefty in size, remember that it's just one bookto throw in the travel bag! (Ages 4 and older) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Great Book
I found this book on the sale table at my local Border's Book Store and though it might be fun to read to my soon who was 4 - 1/2 at the time. We both enjoyed the stories and I have read some of them by myself. My favorite is The True Story of The Three Little Pigs. As a budding stand up comic I have always found that there is a lot of fun and laughs in fairy tales and this story proves it. My son likes the longer stories and if it is to long we do it over two nights. I would recommend this book for anyone who enjoys reading to their kids and it also helps with children learing new words and works on their attention span.

Disappointment
I bought this book to take on vacation for our 3 year old son, hoping that it would eliminated the need to pack 20 or so books. The selections are excellent however the pictures with the stories are small and it seems that many of the pictures have been deleted. And much of the joy of reading these stories comes from looking at the pictures.
My recommendation is to print out the table of contents and then go check the individual books out at the library.

Great book
This was a very good book to buy for my daughter she loves it!

Sharing the Love of Reading and Your Mutual Love!
Reading to children is tremendously important in helping them develop an interest in reading, a competence to read better, and a closeness between the reader and listener. With beginning reading books, children often memorize the pages and "read" the material back. Gradually, the memory is connected to the specific letter combinations on the page and words are learned.

For the adults, the retreat from reader to listener is often rapid during the years from ages 5-7. It is easy to forget that children love to be read to when they are older. With more difficult material, the same learning process applies. My daughter, for example, delighted in having an English teacher in 7th grade who read to the class every day.

Even if you do decide to read to one another, what do you read? It is hard to take on 150 page youth books.

Into this perceptual and content gap comes the very helpful You Read to Me & I'll Read to You. Having helped raise four children and being quite interested in reading to them . . . as well as being someone who often reviews children's books, I was humbled to realize that the very fine stories in this volume were mostly new to me. I wish this book had been published about 25 years ago so I could have read all of these stories with my children.

Most of the stories are at a third grade reading level, so the reading to one another will make a lot of progress over time. Some of the material would be appealing to kindergartners, but the vocabulary for most of the stories would be past many first graders. My suggestion is that you read all of the stories, and think about which ones will be right for the child you will be listening to and reading to. There is no organization for helping you select the stories, other than a suggestion of beginning with Maurice Sendak's "Pierre."

If vocabulary is going to be a barrier for some stories, you might start working on explaining the unknown words by working them into everyday speech before reading the stories.

Then, think about the strategy for sharing the reading. The first time you read the book together, you might explain that you are looking forward to having the book read to you in the future. Before the child can read whole sentences, you might let your child read whatever words she or he knows and you read the other words. As competence builds, you could alternate words, sentences, paragraphs or whatever is fun for both of you. A good discussion of which method to use, which story to choose, and how long to read can make the time together livelier.

Notice that if you live at a distance or have to travel, you could acquire two books and share the reading over the telephone.

One of the strengths of the selections comes in that there is a good representation of stories about both boys and girls.

The original illustrations appear with the stories, which give them extra character for encouraging the right kind of emotion for reading aloud.

My favorite stories in the book are "Wilma Unlimited" (about Wilma Rudolph overcoming challenges to become a track champion), "The Bears on Hemlock Mountain" (handling danger in the dark), "The Practical Princess" (turning a princess into a dragon slayer and brave heroine), "The Tenth Good Thing About Barney" (dealing with the death of beloved pet) and "Flat Stanley" (about a boy who is temporary flattened and experiences a change in his life style).

Other excellent stories are "Amos & Boris" (a whale and mouse pair who help each other somewhat like the lion and mouse do in the Aesop's Fables), "The Magic Finger" (Roald Dahl's fantasy about role reversals between hunters and the hunted), "Horton Hatches the Egg" (Dr. Seuss's classic story about faithfulness), "The Araboolies of Liberty Street" (challenging what "different" means), and "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" (a food fantasy).

The only story in the collection that I disliked was "No Kiss for Mother." If any of the stories are not your cup of tea, you can obviously skip it or them.

Having established the pleasant precedent of doing this mutual reading, I suggest that you continue to do it past third grade . . . graduating on to material that your child loves the most and would like to read and have read to her or him. I suspect you will have a happy reading partner at least until the teenage years arrive. Now, what could be nicer than that?

Give the gift of yourself and your love of reading . . . every day!

Some of the 20th Century's Treasures.....
Janet Schulman, editor of the 20th-Century Children's Book Treasury, is back with another wonderful collection of stories, this time geared to emerging readers and beyond. These 26 carefully chosen selections, from some of the 20th century's best known and favorite children's authors and illustrators, range from the true-to-life, autobiographical and poignant, to the magical, humorous and just plain silly. But all have one important thing in common. They beg to be shared and read aloud. Included in this volume are the very best and brightest, a veritable smorgasbord of entertaining and engaging stories...William Steig's Amos & Boris, Roald Dahl's The Magic Finger, Dr Seuss' Horton Hatches the Egg, Judith Viorst's The Tenth Good Thing About Barney, Crockett Johnson's Ellen's Lion, Judy Blume's Freckle Juice, Jon Scieszka's The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs, Maurice Sendak's Pierre, Florence Parry Heide's The Shrinking of Treehorn, Daniel Pinkwater's Blue Moose and much more. All are unabridged and feature their original illustrations. This is a collection that inspires the love of reading and invites you to read together, with your children. Perfect for youngsters 4 and older, You Read To Me & I'll Read To You is a masterpiece to share, savor and enjoy, now and in the many years to come. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (7)

A Great Book
I really like this book because you never know what is going to happen next. Also if you like books with varieties of stories then you should read this book as soon as you get it. There is also so much excitement in this great book, like characters get in twists and turns. Read how they get out of their troubles. All readers hear this: if you like excitement than this is the book for you!

This is a must read!
I am a college student attending Northern Michigan University in the Elementary Education program. I have read quite a number of books this semester and this has to be my favorite. While at first I was not crazy about reading a book that featured Mexican-Americans, I soon erased any doubt I had about the book. This book was not only about Mexican-Americans, it was about every single child that has grown up in the last twenty years. Mr. Soto has truly captured what it is like to grow up. The book talks about riding bikes, talking to girls for the first time, spending time with your grandparents, not having to go on the family vacation for the first time, and wanting to take karate lesson because you saw how cool karate could be. If you have trouble remembering what it was like growing up, read this book and you will remember everything that ever happened to you as a child.
What this book really hits on is that children grow up and have that same hopes and dreams that every other child in the world has. As a future teacher I would recommend this book to every teacher. While the book may not hold a significant academic value, it definitely holds a strong social value for children. It allows children to see that other children are going through the same exact thing they are. I commend Mr. Soto for publishing such a fine book that looks at the world in the simplest of ways; through a child's eyes.

A look at the spirit of children
Gary Soto reaches the soul of children and their day to day lives. My sixth graders in Minnesota were excied and drawn to all of the characters in his book and chose to keep reading. He touches the human spirit and stuggles so many have faced as middle school kids. Thumbs up and way to go Gary.

Good Collection
This is my first introduction to Gary Soto, and I must say that I enjoyed it. Most notable about these books is that they just follow the lives of the various characters in their stories who just happen to be Latino. Except for the glossary at the end of the book, this book was not written to "introduce" us gringo's to another culture. Rather, it's a book about boys and girls who have the same dreams and aspirations that are universal. These characters do not set out to change the world, but rather just get by day by day in the little space of earth that they inhabit. Very well done, perhaps written a bit simply at times, but for the most part, these stories are enjoyable.

Read this book, please.
It delivers a warm Mexican-American voice, and speaks to middle schoolers with great authenticity. My Mexican-American students who read this book have commented: "This book is about me, I can't believe how real it is." "Do you have more books by Gary Soto, I want to read them all." I never read a book like this before, it's so real." ... Read more

Book Description

In Hatchet, 13-year-old Brian Robeson learned to survive alone in the Canadian wilderness, armed only with his hatchet. Finally, as millions of readers know, he was rescued at the end of the summer. But what if Brian hadn't been rescued? What if he had been left to face his deadliest enemy--winter?

Gary Paulsen raises the stakes for survival in this riveting and inspiring story as one boy confronts the ultimate test and the ultimate adventure. ... Read more

Reviews (255)

This is an excellent adventure story for junior high boys!
This book offers an alternate ending to Paulsen's previous book, Hatchet. The story disregards Brian Robeson's rescue in Hatchet and continues his story of survival in the Canadian wilderness. Brian has found a survival kit on the plane that gives him more than just a hatchet to use for survival. However, Brian still has to be creative in finding ways to survive.

His days are filled with hunting, gathering wood, and doing what it takes to survive. When Brian realizes winter is quickly approaching, he knows to survive the winter he must have shelter, warmer clothes, and food. Brian begins to make preparations for the coming of freezing weather. Brian must also survive encounters with many wild animals, such as wolves, bears, elks, and even a skunk. While many things go wrong, Brian continues to learn from his surroundings, and uses that knowledge to survive.

Readers will find Brian creative and his adventures in the wild fun to read. While this book will probably be mostly enjoyed by boys, it can be enjoyed by girls, too. The best recommendation I can give, perhaps comes from my 13 year old son, who rarely reads for enjoyment. He only reads when the book totally captures him. He picked up Br