Book Description

Shirley Temple Wong sails from China to America with a heart full of dreams. Her new home is Brooklyn, New York. America is indeed a land full of wonders, but Shirley doesn't know any English, so it's hard to make friends. Then a miracle-baseball-happens. It is 1947, and Jackie Robinson, star of the Brooklyn Dodgers, is everyone's hero. Jackie Robinson is proving that a black man, the grandson of a slave, can make a difference in America and for Shirley as well, on the ball field and off, America becomes the land of opportunity.

Notable Children's Books of 1984 (ALA)
Best Books of 1984 (SLJ)
Notable 1984 Childrens' Trade Books in Social Studies (NCSS/CBC)
Children's Books of 1984 (Library of Congress)
1984 Children's Books (NY Public Library)
1985 Jefferson Cup Award (Virginia Library Association)

Reviews (45)

nice book about cultural changes
On the other side of the world from Brooklyn, New York there lives a little girl known as Bandit. After living in China for 8 years, Bandit's clan gets a mysterious letter from Father, announcing that Bandit, her mother and he will go to Mei guo, meaning beautiful country, which is America. Her new American name is Shirley Temple Wong. That's how Bette Bao Lord begins her book about Shirley. As far as I know, that's pretty much what the author experienced herself. This is a great book about cultural changes, making friends and 'America's Favorite Past time', Baseball.

As I already mentioned above, a kind, but a little bit shy, girl called Shirley comes to America without the knowledge of a single English word. Shortly after that she attends an All American school. Even though she knows a bit English after a few months, she still doesn't have any friends. Then, on one nice day, when she played Baseball for the first time in her life she makes a spectacular Home Run. The next day Jackie Robinson isn't only the Dodger's hero, but also Shirley's.

After you read this book, you will probably know more about China, then when you first touched this book. Many of the changes that Shirley has to make are described funny, some even hilarious. You, no matter how old, or what gender you are, you should definitely read this book.

In the year of the boar and Jackie Robinson
This story is about a little Chinese girl, Shirley, who goes to America and interacts with foreign friends. She couldn't speak English and she had a hard time with adapting to the new culture of America. She got interested in a game called stickball but she spoiled all the games because she didn't know how to play. Everyone ignored her. Read the rest of the book to find out if Shirley gets a best friend or not.
I like the way the author describes the new school and the children in the class. " The room was large, with windows up to the ceiling. Row after now of students, each one unlike the next. Some faces were white, like clean plates; others black like ebony. Some were in between shades" -page.44
I think people who live in new countries other than their home country should read this book because author makes the story interesting and you'll know what it was like for Shirley and what it was like for you. I felt this book was good for class time but I wouldn't choose for myself if I was not in a foreign country.

my book review
(...)

This book starts out in China where a young girl, named Bandit is forced to go to America. She must go because her father wants Bandit and her mother to move to America and make it their home. Bandit is not sad however, because she'll finally get to be together with her father. Bandit takes the name of Shirly Temple Wong and starts her trip to America. At first she struggles but soon, she learns to play baseball and starts making friends.

Something i like about this book is the way it is clear and understandable and also a little funny. Many people would be able to relate to some of her embarressing moments. I think the book is very understandable because there are no big words and the sentences are kept simple. I could just read through the entire book without going back to make sure i read some paragraph right."One sunny afternoon, Shirly leaned out the third story window of P. S 8 slapping the chalk from the class erasers." This quote is one of the good ones. It is clear and the author keeps it simple with enough detail to satisfy the reader.

One part that was funny, and i could relate to was when shirly got lost on her way back from the store."What a fool she was! Nothing but a fool. Utterly ashamed, she hid her face in her arms." This quote from the book describes Shirly after she is lost and gives up. I remember many times when i was young and would get lost alot and start getting scared.

My favorite part of the book was when Shirly is told to go home. She thinks that the kids hate her and want her to go home, but really they meant to get her to run to home base. It is funny how some things can be misconcieving and how people may think very differently from others.

Multi-Cultural Clash?
My book is called In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson. The author of this book is Betty Lao Lord. This story is about a girl named bandit. She gets a letter from her father telling her she is coming to America. It's a long plane ride and a long train ride but she finally made it. Then she thought about what she had to do to fit in in America. She had to speak English and make new friends. Well that didn't go very well. The first person she met punched her in the face but the next day she apologized and taught her how to play stick ball so she wouldn't get in trouble. When she ran the bases everyone called her Jackie Robinson because she was pigeon-toed. Then she started to get interested in baseball. She watched every game from there on that Brooklyn Dodgers played. She was heart-broken when they lost to the Yankees in the World Series. But her next quest was to become class president.
I thought this was a great book. I couldn't put the book down. I would give the book five stars. I would give it five stars because it kept me guessing until the very end. It was also very funny.

The Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson
Reading this story I feel as if I am the protagonist, Shirley Temple, of the book. I think the author has done a good job by writing this book such a story as this, especially for children who move from one country to another. Bette Bao Load's style of writing is so vivid. I can picture Shirley. I like the author's style. This story is about Shirley being in a new country, with no friends and she can't speak English properly. Later Shirley is able to make friends. We can learn a lesson from this story of Jackie Robinson. Shirley wanted to make a difference in her life as well as in America. The book is really good and it makes you realized that we are here for a purpose come what may, with strong determination life will be good . ... Read more

Book Description

Shortly after a breakfast generously supplied with pancakes, Natethe Great got an urgent call from Annie.

"I lost a picture," said Annie. "Can you help me find it?"

"Of course," said Nate. "I have found lost balloons, books, slippers, chickens. Even a lost goldfish. Now I, Nate the Great, will find a lost picture."

"Oh, good," Annie said.

Nate, with the cool detachment of a Sam Spade, immediately plunges into his new and baffling case. Getting all the facts, asking the right questions, narrowing down the suspects. Nate, the boy detective who "likes to work alone," solves the mystery and tracks down the culprit. In the process he also discovers the whereabouts of Super Hex, the missing cat. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Hilarious!
This is a very cute and quirky detective story for the advanced first to third grade reader. I believe even older readers (including adults) will thoroughly enjoy this book as well.

Nate the Great is a boy detective who is on a VERY big case. He has to help his friend Annie find a lost picture. We follow Nate as he unveils clue after hilarious clue until he reaches a rather unusual conclusion. One of the funniest stories I have read. We'll be ordering the entire series.

Enjoy!

Nate the Great Detective Debut
NATE THE GREAT is the first book in a wonderful series that introduces young readers to the world of mysteries, clues, and pancakes that is Nate the Great. Shortly after a big breakfast of pancakes, Nate is contacted by his friend Annie. She has a mystery for him. The picture, painted in yellow, she did of her dog Fang is missing. She wants Nate to find the picture for her. Nate leaves a note for his mother and is in hot pursuit of the clues that will let him know where the missing picture is. During the course of his investigation, Nate meets Rosamond and her four cats-Super Hex, Big Hex, Little Hex, and Plain Hex, and Annie's little brother Harry. One of them holds the secret of where the missing picture is.

Marjorie Weinman Sharmat is the author of over twenty Nate the Great adventures, including NATE THE GREAT STALKS STUPIDWEED, NATE THE GREAT AND THE BORING BEACH BAG, NATE THE GREAT AND THE HALLOWEEN HUNT, and NATE THE GREAT AND THE MUSHY VALENTINE. She has written dozens of books for young readers. She named Nate the Great after her father. Her books have been named as Children's Choice books and Junior Literary Guild selections, and been picked as Books of the Year by the Library of Congress. Nate the Great was named after the author's father.

As in every Nate the Great book she writes, Marjorie Sharmat plays fairly with young readers (ages 4-8) regarding the mystery and the clues. Her prose is tight, clean, and concise. Reading aloud to younger readers is an absolute hoot, and if the reader can manage the tough-guy private eye voice of a Mickey Spillane novel, the effect on young readers is even more mesmerizing. The illustrations by Marc Simont-the long-time artist of the Nate the Great series-complements the story very well, lending humor, clues, and vibrant color for young eyes. NATE THE GREAT is the perfect place to join the series because this book sets up all of Nate's world, from the frantic call by friends that have lost something, to the note Nate always leaves his mom on the refrigerator explaining his whereabouts, to the regulars that make up Nate's world.

The entire Nate the Great series is recommended to younger readers and parents who love reading to their children that might have tired of (or memorized!) all of the rhyming Dr. Seuss books. This series makes a great transition to leap from to Nancy Drew or the Hardy Boys later.

Nate the Great
Would you want to be a detective? Well i do. Nate the Great works like a detective. He likes to eat pancakes. He works alone. And he has so many friens.
I like Nate the Great books because Nate the Great tells
some jokes and he does some funny things.
I recommend Nate the Great books to anyone who likes Nate the Great books because Nate the Great is so funny and he tells some jokes to anyone.

Fun Picture Book All Will Enjoy
Meet Nate the Great, the neighborhood detective. He's just finishing up breakfast (pancakes, of course) when Annie calls. She's lost the picture of her dog Fang that she just painted and wants help finding it. So Nate goes over and helps her hunt down the leads. But can he solve the mystery?

I remember this book well from my childhood, and it's still good for a few grins today. Nate has some great one-liners, especially when read with a Joe Friday monotone. The plot is very creative if a bit obvious at the end to adults. The pictures only add to the pleasure.

This is the strongest book from the series. Children will ask for it over and over; I know I did. Parents will enjoy the humor and characters as well. Buy it today for read aloud pleasure.

Hilarious children's book in verse
"Nate the Great" is, in a word, great. In Nate the Great, Marjorie W. Sharmat has created a hero for young boys. He acts very independently, walking around the neighborhood by himself, making his own pancakes, etc. but he wears his rubbers, and he *always* leaves a note for his mother. Marc Simont really comes through in his laid-back illustrations (some shaded, some in color) that reveal important points of the case, but do not force things down the readers' throats. Also, like the writer, Simont manages humor without going overboard.

As in the best children's books, the writing style is simple yet powerful, like a haiku. Although the "Nate the Great" series is written in full sentences, Sharmat has slyly created a wonderful introduction to poetry-that-doesn't-rhyme with his carefully placed line breaks and page breaks. Here is the first page of text: "My name is Nate the Great. / I am a detective. / I work alone. / Let me tell you about my last case: / I had just eaten breakfast. / It was a good breakfast."

The first book in the Nate the Great series is by far the best, because the funniest parts are in the character development that, of course, takes a back seat in later volumes. The establishing shots of and paragraphs talking about Nate, Annie, Fang, and Rosamond are absolutely hilarious. Continuity watchdogs will note Fang's slightly more menacing nature (and color change) and Annie's lost fascination for yellow in later books. Of course, kids won't notice or care.

The official reviews don't make it clear which books in the series are actually in this volume. The cover is definitely not the original cover of book 1. You might want to look into that before buying.

This series is great fun for little kids and whoever is lucky enough to be reading to them. Get all the Nate you can find! ... Read more

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

"It was a great day for a picnic," begins Marc Simont's lovely,touching, happy-ending picture book, The Stray Dog. And indeed, judgingfrom the opening spread's clear skies, sparkling water, zooming boats, andadventure-bound cars it looks to be so. The story begins as a scruffy little dogmakes an appearance at a family's picnic. The children name him Willy, and bythe end of the day they desperately want to take him home. The family drivesaway, but all week they can think of nothing but their new furry friend. Theyreturn to picnic at the same spot the very next week, much to Willy's goodfortune--and that of the newly smitten family.

As in all the best illustrated children's books, Simont lets his pictures tellthe story. We don't have to be told how wrenching it is for the kids to leaveWilly behind--we see their small outstretched arms out the car window and thepuppy watching them go. Simont doesn't have to tell us that the next Saturdaythe family is completely preoccupied with the possibility of another Willysighting. We see the family, silent, munching, and just to the side is a plateof meat they've put out, just in case. Young readers will adore this simple taleof puppy love, but adults will be equally charmed. Simont illustrated his firstbook in 1939, and since then has illustrated nearly 100 titles, including the1949 Caldecott Honor Book TheHappy Day, by Ruth Krauss and Janice May Udry's A Tree Is Nice, winner of the1957 Caldecott Medal. This book is our favorite so far of the year! (Ages 4 to8) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Great!
I bought this book in a paperback version at a book fair. I heard good things about it and I like Marc Simont's illustrations in other books. I picked it up because it is a Caldecott Honor Book. It turns out to be a beautiful story that everyone in the family will enjoy. It is based on a true story but depicted in a way that children can understand the storyline easily. It shows children that fall in love with a stray and the parents tell the kids that the dog must belong to someone else. Eventually, everyone in the family is thinking about the dog and what happened with him. At the end of the week, they return to find the dog running from the dog catcher. I am not sure if children are familiar with dog catchers but it can lead into a discussion. It shows that the family is willing to take on the responsibility of loving a stray. It shows empathy to animals and caring by kids. Children need to learn love animals but to be careful of stray animals. However, children will be moved by this sweet story and cheer for the dog! I definitely recommend it!

Love at First Sight
One Saturday a very nice family of four go to the park for a picnic and find a straggly stray pup. They name him Willy and spend the day playing with him. When it's time to pack up and go, the children want to take Willy home with them, but their parents tell them no, Willy probably belongs to someone else and they sadly leave him behind. The next week is excruciatingly long and whole family spends it thinking about Willy. When Saturday comes, they go back to the park on the pretense of another picnic, but are really hoping to find Willy. Just when they think they'll never see him again, he appears, in the dog catcher's net. Happily, the family claims him...Willy's found a new home and they've found a new pet..... Award winner, Marc Simont has written a lovely, gentle, true to life story that will capture your family's heart. His simple and straighforward text is only outdone by his very detailed and expressive artwork. While looking at these illustrations, youngsters will actually feel the joy of finding this little furry friend, sense the sadness of leaving him behind and worry, right along with the family, about his welfare. This is a terrific picture book, perfect for kids aged 3-7, your entire family can share and a wonderful addition to all home libraries.

The Stray Dog
My children(ages 6,4,2) and I love this book. It has a lovely little story with a very nice message. Any parent or child who loves animals, especially dogs, will love this story. The illustrations are lovely too. Highly recommended for children aged 2-8.

Heartwarming and beautifully illustrated
There are certain books that I hope my 3-year-old will pick out for me to read to her. You know the type; you move them to her eye level and hope that the power of suggestion works. This is one of those books.

The illustrations are so beautiful, I wish I could find the original galleys for the book and frame them. The story is everything that's good in the world: compassionate children, understanding parents and (of course) happy dogs.

There was an earlier reviewer who was appalled the story didn't have the parents bring the dog to the SPCA to go through the proper channels for adoption. A nice thought, but I used to volunteer at an animal shelter and I have news for you: If people didn't rescue strays, shelters would be more overcrowded than they are now. The way of the world is 100 abandoned animals come into a shelter for every 1 that is reunited with an owner. With that in mind, "The Stray Dog" is even more touching.

A winner
This lovely book, a true story, spans several age groups--2 year olds can respond to pictures of the puppy, the family, the picnic, while older kids can relate to missing the dog during the week and the children's successful effort to claim him as their own. The author uses simple enough language for beginning readers without being simplistic, accompanied by excellent color illustrations. The Caldecott prize is well-deserved. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Critique of Nate the Great and the Boring Beach Bag
I, Melika the excellent really adore the book Nate the Great and the Boring Beach Bag. This book is about a boy who solves a mystery of a missing beach bag.In my opinion this is a easy mystery, but you might think differently. I don't admire an easy mystery, but I prefered the rest of the book, and I really recommend this book.

Mystery At The Beach
Trying to take a day off and bask at the beach just doesn't work for Nate the Great. As a detective, his detecting services are always on call. This time Oliver, Nate's next door neighbor and the world's greatest pest, has come up with a new mystery. Oliver has lost his beach bag. The beach bag contains Oliver's clothes and shoes, which Oliver will need. Nate signs on for the case at once, and the search begins-with Oliver following closely after, of course. During the course of his investigation, he runs across the usual suspects: Annie and her dog, Fang, and Rosamond, who is running a seaside restaurant.

Marjorie Weinman Sharmat is the author of over twenty Nate the Great adventures, including NATE THE GREAT STALKS STUPIDWEED, NATE THE GREAT AND THE BORING BEACH BAG, NATE THE GREAT AND THE HALLOWEEN HUNT, and NATE THE GREAT AND THE MUSHY VALENTINE. She has written dozens of books for young readers. She named Nate the Great after her father. Her books have been named as Children's Choice books and Junior Literary Guild selections, and been picked as Books of the Year by the Library of Congress.

NATE THE GREAT AND THE BORING BEACH BAG offers more than the usual high standard of entertainment readers have come to expect from Marjorie Weinman Sharmat. Filled with the wit and humor of any other Nate the Great book, this particular entry also involves rudimentary mapping skills and an introduction to logical thinking. Also, long-time fans will really get the humor in Rosamond's Restaurant, where the sandwiches actually come packed with sand! The first-person voice of Nate the Great is an absolute delight to read on its own, but even better to share with a young reader just beginning to discover the worlds and adventures that lie between the covers of a book. Marc Simont's artwork, especially since it is out of the urban locale that the Nate the Great adventures usually favor, is eye-catching and colorful.

Young readers will enjoy the whole Nate the Great series because the tales are told in a familiar fashion and involve a solid cast of characters that return book after book. These books are also some of the best to choose for read-alouds to pre-readers or for the last story before bedtime because they can be read in just a few moments. The Nate the Great mysteries are fun and addictive for both parent and child.

I like the Nate the Great books!
This story is about a boy who lost his beach bag and Nate the Great finds it. It's a detective story and it's also funny. Kids who enjoy detective stories will like this series. ... Read more

Book Description

Trees are beautiful. They fill up the sky. If you have a tree, you can climb up its trunk, roll in its leaves, or hang a swing from one of its limbs. Cows and babies can nap in the shade of a tree. Birds can make nests in the branches. A tree is good to have around. A tree is nice.

Reviews (10)

Create Tree Envy by Planting One!
The best early readers are those that focus on a subject that a child can easily understand, use simple words, and have illustrations that perfectly capture the words. A Tree Is Nice easily passes those tests. The book is a Caldecott medal winner for its illustrations.

The book explores all of the many benefits that trees bring us. They "fill up the sky," and "make everything beautiful." "Even if you have just one tree, it is nice too." The book goes on to describe the beauty of leaves, the fun of playing in them, and even bonfires with them in the fall when they are at their most beautiful. You can climb the tree, lean things up against the tree, enjoy the shade, be protected from winds, use the sticks for drawing in the sand, and hang swings and flower baskets in the branches. Trees make perfect backgrounds for picnics, too.

My favorite part of the book is the section about planting a tree. Ms. Udry points out that you can put a tree in, and watch it grow. Then you can tell others that you planted it, and they will want to plant one, too. I remember planting some trees as a cub scout, and revisiting them as a middle-aged man and taking great delight in seeing them become a large, leafy oasis in what had been a barren field.

The illustrations are terrific. The book's designer has created a vertically elongated page shape that accentuates the graceful trunks of trees. Half of the illustrations are in color (using watercolors with inked outlines and details) and half in black-and-white. The choices for full color are good ones (fall leaves, being next to a house, and with a picnic). The pen and ink ones with grey washes are very poetic in their simplicity. The design also minimizes the words, which appear almost like a memorial plaque at the base of a tree in an arboretum. The style is very reminiscent of the best simple drawings of the fifties, and provide a nostalgic feeling.

In addition to reading this book to your child, and having your chld read this book to you, you each must plant a tree!

Where else does nature provide well for us, where you can help nature along a little? Perhaps you should consider a bird feeder or bird bath (if you have a yard).

Enjoy the natural sculpture and art all around you!

Sheer Magic
This is a beautiful book. It describes all the joyous experiences that trees provide for us including shade for a picnic, a place to tie a swing, a place for cows to rest in the shade on a hot day. I have read it many times and never tire of it. The words are like poetry. A must for any young child.

The giving trees
Evocative. In this simple 1957 Caldecott winner, the author and illustrator take a little time to give their full attention to the glory of trees. In simple easy to understand sentences we hear about all the wonderful things trees do for us. From protecting houses from dangerous winds to shading us from the sun's strong rays, this is all about the wonders of foliage and greenery. Written in 1956, it's definitely lacking in the minority department. You might be able to make the case that some of the kids are Asian, but on the whole there are a ton of children in this story and they are white white white. Then too, even in a book about the timelessness of trees, there are dated elements to the story. In one section the author revels in the wonders of autumnal leaf piles. She then goes on to say, "We build playhouses out of the leaves. Then we pile them up with our rakes and have a bonfire". Accompanied, of course, by a shot of a kid standing next to a smoldering pile. Better explain quickly to your children why setting huge piles of leaves on fire, as the child in the picture is, probably isn't the best of ideas in this day and age.

Altogether though, I've few complaints. The pictures are truly stunning and the story a nice quiet read. I was a little baffled by the gargantuan apple tree the kids climb at one point. Where the heck do they grow apple trees that TOWER over the land like this one? But this is a great tale to read in terms of environmental consciousness. The story ends by telling the reader that if he or she plants a tree of their own, their friends and neighbors will see how much fun it is and suddenly wish that THEY had a tree to plant as well. So the cycle continues. Consider bringing this book up on Earth Day. It's a nice compliment to a simple staid message.

A Tree Is Nice
This book is a good book because it teaches kids how important a tree is to the world. It also teaches them how much fun they can be. Young kids will enjoy the pictures while parents enjoy reading the story to them. I strongly suggest reading this book to someone you love.

sweet and simple
This is a nice book...it tells you about many of the reasons that trees are nice. The only part I didn't like was the part about burning leaves. Not environmentally cool. ... Read more

Book Description

"It is almost Friday night. Outside, the dark is getting darker," and here and there around the city ninety-two men and thirteen women are getting dressed to go to work. First they bathe and put on their underwear. Then they don special black-and-white apparel. Then when the one hundred and five people are completely ready, each takes a musical instrument and travels to midtown. There, at 8:30 tonight, they will work together: playing.

In these pages Karla Kuskin and Marc Simont combine their talents to give us a delightful and unusual inside view of one way an orchestra prepares.

Nominee, 1983 American Book Award
Notable Children's Books of 1983 (ALA)
1983 Fanfare Honor List (The Horn Book)
Outstanding Children's Books of 1982 (NYT)
A Reading Rainbow Selection
1983 Teachers' Choices (NCTE)
Children's Books of 1982 (Library of Congress)

Reviews (11)

The Philharmonic Gets Dressed
I am a music teacher and I was purchasing books for my classroom. I was very disappointed with my purchase. The illustrations would not be appropriate to show in any classroom without causing quite a few laughs.
I think I could share the book with my own children , but would not recommend this for any teachers out there.

Inspired description of the hidden world behind work
My son began to show an early interest in music as a baby, and we've been delighted at the wonderful storybooks about music. This one focuses on how the musicians prepare for their evening at work. The illustrations are charming and full of the personality of each individual musician depicted. This book does a wonderful job of showing that the "show" is not the only thing, and that many hours of preparation go into getting ready for work! I highly recommend this book for children who already love music, for teachers of music who want to show that there is an opportunity for people to "play" for work, or for professional musicians who have heard, "What do you do for a living?" one too many times.

Friday night fun.
This is a terrific book for adults and children that follows the ritual of a number of people who are getting ready in different ways to do one thing together. To make music.

I love the quiet humour and the little details in the illustrations.
I had a copy of the book as a child and loved to look over it and observe something so different from my own experiences of being a second grader in a small town.
The book just radiated glamour to me and still does.

This book is equally sophisticated and sweet.

The Title Says It All
This is a great book for toddlers and preschoolers who are learning to put on their clothes. It is not a book on music, but on dressing, just as the title states. My son enjoys looking at the different ways people shower and put on their clothes and comparing how he bathes and puts on his clothes.

surprisingly good
I am a music lover not a musician, so some years ago, when I thought of buying "The Philharmonic Gets Dressed" for my kid who was starting music lessons, I passed it over, thinking it was not about music.

Guess what? I was so wrong. My offspring, now a teen who has been in an advanced orchestra for years, went out bought it for self. Absolutely loves it. "This book rocks, mom, why didn't you buy it for me? The picture at the end says all there is to say about makig beautiful music." ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The Goose That Almost Got Cooked
The story is about a goose who alawys did flips.So one day she got really tired and fell.Then she fell asleep and the next day she went to a farm.When she was there she almost got cooked.I recommend this book for kids who like adventure and like cooked goose!Michael F.

Emily the goose
Emily the goose did fancy loops and stunts while flying. Emily's antics got her in trouble when the flock was migrating. The stunts made her too tired to keep up and she landed on a farm with a farmer, his wife, andtheir flock of domesticated geese. Things go well until Emily notices agoose is missing. Emily searches for the missing goose and finds a pail ofgoose feathers. Emily's expression reveal horror and fright. Happily Emilyis able to escape. The story gets funny during Emily's escape attempts. Ilike this book because younger children can look at the pictures andunderstand the story. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Top Sercert by John Gardiner
crazy! Exciting! The book was exciting because something was always happening.It is a story about a boy,Allen Brewster, who wants to do a science project on human phytosynesis.His teacher, Miss.Green doesen't like his idea and makes him do his project on lipstick. He figures he will do his project on human phytosynesis top secert. When he figures out the way to human phytosynesis but when he tells people no one belives him.his faces tons of adventures on the way like getting the president and growing roots. The book made me never what to stop ;it was exciting.I liked all the problems in the book.If he did one thing another problem always came up.It was an on going adventure.Getting sick is one thing but getting bugs is an another story. In conclusion this is one of the best books I ever read. I hope you read it too.

Top Secret keeps you guessing!
I just read this book aloud to my 4th grade class and they loved predicting what would happen next. The events of each chapter are exciting and often humorous. It also happened to tie to our plant study in science since Allen believes he has solved the mystery of human photosynthesis!
The one thing my class didn't like was the ending-they are calling for a sequel. They plan to write to Gardiner to ask for a follow-up. What happens to Miss Green? What happens to Allen?

Can You Keep a Secret
Human Photosynthesis! Thats Allen Brewsters great but wacky idea.

Allens mean science teacher Ms. Green wants him to do a project on lipstick. But Allen is still going to do his project on human photsynthesis. Will he flunk or solve the mystery?
How is he going to do it and why? Join the story of Allen Brewster in Top Secret by John Renolds Gardiner.
I recomend this book to science fiction lovers and people who want a good mystery. I liked this book because I love science fiction.

A great "science" fiction book.
My 8 year old son does not read a lot but he read this book in 3 days and then started reading it again. He learned alot about plants and the scientfic theory while reading this book. He just loved it. We had some great discussions!

The best book ever!!!!!
This book was so good. I love to read, and it kept me in suspence the whole story, untill it ended. I wish there were more books like it in the world. It has comedey, but it seems like it almost could really happen when you read it. I love this book and would order it all over again if I could. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

My 5 year old loved this book.
My 5 year old son brought this book home from the library. He got very interested in the story. Since it was our first Nate the Great Mystery, it gave a craving for more. Next we read Nate the Great and the Missing Key. Now we're hooked on these series of books and we own the set.

Nate the Great Stalks Stupidweed
Of all of the Nate the Great books, this one is the worst. I could not get interested in this story because Nate was reduced to looking for a weed. Isn't there more interesting puzzles for him to solve and things to find than a weed? ... Read more

Book Description

Guess what's growing in the basement... A baby monster! Minneapolis Simpkin is hiding it down there. But a monster is a hard thing to keep secret, especially one that hiccups and cries, and gets bigger every hour.

Children's Choices for 1982 (IRA/CBC)
Children's Books of 1981 (Library of Congress) ... Read more

Reviews (4)

The cool monster
Title: No More Monsters for Me
Author: Peggy Parish
Favorite Characters: Monster, Mom

Minneapolis Simpkin wants a pet so bad that when she comes across a monster, she takes it home. Her mom said that she could not have any pets, but she didn't mention monsters. The problem is hiding the monster when it cries so much and continues to grow every time it eats. Things get even worse when the monster gets hiccups and eats everything in the basement.
Near the end, Minn tells her mom about the monster, but her mom doesn't seem to believe her. Her mom does make a certain promise to Minn if she gets rid of the monster. Read the book to find out what her mom promises.

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OK
Minneapolis Simpkin wants a pet. She and her mother fight about it all the time. Then one day she finds one, but it is a monster. But how can she ask her mom for a monster? Minneapolis hides the monster in her basement. When it eats everything in her house, she does not know what to do.

This is a more humorous story, especially if you are the kind of person who wants a pet. I think Minneapolis learns a lesson, that maybe what you want is not always what you expected. I think all of us can pretty much relate to that. If you enjoy homor stories, this is the right book for you.

Fun book!
My daughter has a fascination for monsters, so I knew that she would adore this book. Now she has a book about a monster that I can read to her at bedtime without worry of bad dreams. It's a very cute story.

No more monsters for me
I cannot tell you how much my sons love this book! They love this green monster and all the silly things that he has done with Minn. My sons will ask me to read this story in the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening and for their bed-time story for a month and not feel tired of it! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The Really Fishy Prize
This story tells about Nate entering his dog Sludge into "The Smartest Pet Contest". Rosamond loses the prize. Read this funny story of how Nate the Great and Sludge find the "Fishy Prize".

funny little story
My daughter loves Nate the Great! She laughed through the whole book, "who wants a tuna fish can as a prize?" All the little characters in this book. I could see her trying to figure out where the tuna fish can went. A nice way to keep them interested through the whole book. ... Read more

Book Description

‘[An] irresistible account of a child’s imaginary 8,000-mile journey through the earth to discover what’s inside. Facts about the composition of the earth are conveyed painlessly and memorably.’ —SLJ. ‘An exciting adventure. . . . Illustrations [by Caldecott Medal winner Marc Simont] explode with color and action.’ —CS.

Best Books of 1979 (SLJ)
Children's Choices for 1980 (IRA/CBC)
A Reading Rainbow Selection ... Read more

Reviews (1)

childhood favorite -- i can still recite the poems!
Mr. McCord was my grandfather's best friend throughout life, so his books were always around. Every Time I Climb a Tree has been my favorite of his children's poetry. His poetry creates a child's experience of life. "The Pickety Fence" and "Pen and Pencil" as well as the ladybug poem are wonderful. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Mushy Valentine
I thought that the book, Nate the Great and The Mushy Valentine was a pretty good book to read. It was about a young boy solving two mysteries on Valentines Day. One for his dog and another for his friend. He thought hard to put all his clues together and fingured them both out. I recommand you to read this book if you are looking for a easier book to read and to understand. It was easy to follow along and to know what was going on in the story.
Brandon M.

Nate The Great
Nate The Great by Marjorie Sharmat

Ever got a valentine? Is it a mystery? Nate
The Great And The Missing Valentine by Marjorie
Sharmat is good book. I recommend this book
because a boy is trying to find who put the
valentine on his dog's dog house. This book will
bring a mystery to your school. ... Read more

Book Description

Snow is falling. All the animals are fast asleep in their animal homes. They awake. They open their eyes. They sniff. They run. What will they find?

Reviews (1)

A single flower blooming in the woods brings joy.
A short children's book about animals hibernating in the winter yet who come out to see a happy sight, a flower growing in the middle of the snow. Spring must be near! The book was a 1950 Caldecott Honor book (i.e., a runner-up to the Medal winner) for best illustration in a children's book. ... Read more

Book Description

‘This trim overview gives young readers an excellent grounding on volcanoes in an efficient few words. There [is] a succinct and easily readable explanation of how volcanoes are caused by magma pushing up between (or through) moving plates in the Earth's crust. Then comes a pair of snappy maps, with bright little bursts of color denoting the Pacific Ring of Fire and other volcano locations throughout the world.' 'K.

1985 Best of the Season (Science Books and Films) ... Read more

Book Description

Celebrate 25 years of Nate the Great with this interactive, fun-filled mystery:

Annie's dog, Fang, is missing, and Nate the Great needs YOUR help in finding him!You and Nate track down the clues: Fang was learning party tricks and running from two poodles and a woman wearing bunny shoes!Nate will share his expertise in solving mysteries, while you sharpen your talents at sleuthing. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Nate the Great by Rachel
I really like mystery and suspense. Its a very good story. I
really like the detective tips! Nate the Great helps me be a
better detective!

Nate the Great and Me was terriffic fun
This Nate the Great issue was terriffic. My boys were entertained and excited to participate with Nate and the gang. They hung on every word and eagerly answered the questions. My boys were so proud to be declared detectives. Now they want the rest of the series. I highly reccommend it!! ... Read more

Book Description

Meet Ant, the little brother who's big on laughs. In four upbeat stories, Ant and his big brother confront the monster under the bed, recreate the story of the three little pigs, and write a letter to Santa-in July! Sometimes funny, always endearing, Ant is invariably entertaining."A great storyteller and a great illustrator are at their very best in this tender, funny easy-to-read." -Booklist, starred review ... Read more

Reviews (3)

My 6 year old son was roaring with laughter!
What a delight! This book humerously delivers anecdotes of "brotherly love"! As a mother of two boys, I found it very endearing. My oldest son must have been able to relate to Ant's big brother's methods of tender teasing. I've never seen him laugh so hard. Hurray Besty Cromer Byars, we'll be looking for more of your cleverly written "brother" stories!

Appeals to two ages of readers
"My Brother, Ant" has the stories of the boy who is afraid of the monster under his bed, who draws a picture on his brother's homework, who insists his brother read a story the way it's written, and who writes a thank you letter to Santa in July. It is also the story of his older brother who vanquishes the monster, who finds a solution to the picture on his homework, who finally begins to read the story the way it's written, and who takes dictation of the letter to Santa. This book accomplishes something that most easy readers do not: it appeals to the younger child for whom this level of readers are generally written, but it also appeals to a slower reader of an age group several years older. Ingeniously, it has all of the best features of an easy reader: many sight words but an easy vocabulary--including recognizable compound words, and short sentences amidst a lot of space on the pages. Best of all, it's funny, and the dialog and pictures are magnificent!

Small words, BIG story...
My Brother, Ant, written by the great Betsy Byars, and Illustrated by Marc Simont, is sure to be just the ticket to encourage your child to enjoy reading. Unlike the sing-songy, uneventful easy readers of days past, this story is delightful and engaging.

Ant's older brother tells the story, and while he is often exasperated by his younger siblings "ANT-ics", the love shines through. The words are simple, but they are woven skillfully to create an enjoyable read. Mix that with the humorous, jump off the page illustrations and you've got a winner! ... Read more

Book Description

What happened to the dinosaurs?

For millions of years these fantastic creatures roamed our planet. Then, suddenly, they all disappeared. Scientists wonder why. What could have caused this huge extinction 65 million years ago?

In this enlarged edition, distinguished writer Franklyn M. Branley and award-winning artist Marc Simont provide the perfect introduction to an always fascinating subject - the disappearance of the dinosaurs.

Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children 1989 (NSTA/CBC)