Amazon.com

Yet more wisdom cast down from high atop Mt. Seuss, this cheerful trio of tales teaches some valuable lessons in humility--thanks to a sharp-eyed worm, a bragging bear and rabbit, a fuzzy-tailed bird, and a couple hundred turtles led by their foolish King Yertle.

Yertle's story leads off with his attempt to build a bigger kingdom on the backs of his loyal subjects (literally). King of everything he can see, Yertle orders his turtles to stack up under him to build a towering throne.("He made each turtle stand on another one's back and he piled them all up in a nine-turtle stack.") But a plain little turtle named Mack--stuck at the bottom--decides he's had enough. ("I know up on top you are seeing great sights, but down on the bottom we, too, should have rights!")

Following Yertle's downfall, a whiny girl-bird named Gertrude McFuzz wishes she had two feathers, just like Miss Lolla-Lee-Lou: "One droopy-droop feather. That's all that she had. And, oh! That one feather made Gertrude so sad." But even when Gertrude gets her wish--and then some--she finds that vanity has its price. Meanwhile, in "The Big Brag," a proud rabbit and an even-prouder bear duke it out in a battle of the senses, arguing over who's the best of the beasts, only to get their clever comeuppance from a wild-eyed little worm. (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Dr. Seuss understands leadership
Yertle the turtle is a great book on leadership. It teaches you how NOT to be a leader. Yertle ordered the other turtles to pile up in order that he could be on top and be "king of all that I see." In the end the turtles collapsed and Yertle was back on earth with the rest of the turtles.

We see so many leaders that are like Yertle. Climbing all over others to get to the top. They often take the big fall much as Yertle did.

True leaders will develop those who work for them. The other "turtles" will elevate the leader to the top creating a sound foundation to allow the leader to stay at the top.

Don't be like Yertle.

To the store, the book's no bore, Dr. Seuss scores once more
Three great Dr. Seuss Stories in one book.

Yertle The Turtle presents what Dr. Seuss does so well -- Reaching kids with good morality tales that are fun and easy to commit to memory. The three lessons (Don't be greedy, be happy with how you look, and don't try to one-up each other)are well presented in a format that's fun and leads easily to discussion.

The art is fun, as always, and the poems clever. Dr. Seuss scored with this one, also.

tower of turtles!
I LOVE this book! Yertle is just soooooo selfish! He is King of all he can see! But he can't see very far! So he sits on turtles! Then they fall! Ouch, that must have hurt! Poor Yertle! But he deserved it! GREAT book!

lessons on greed, pride, and envy
The book of Proverbs (in 16:12 to be exact) states that "It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts, For a throne is established on righteousness." Yertle the Turtle (Who Dr. Seuss modeled on Hitler) commits just such an abomination...he fulfills his avaricious desires by abusing his fellow turtles. It is a fun story that packs a message.

The other stories are entertaining as well:

"The Rabbit, the Bear and the Zinniga-Zanniga" is about a wily rabbit who escapes from a hungry bear by the use of its wits.

"The Big Brag" has a particullarly funny ending. A little worm chastizes to the Bear and the Rabbit for having nothing better to do than sitting around and bragging about their capabilities.

"Gertrude McFuss" is about the insidiousness of envy. One feather...two feathers...we always seem to want more. This is interesting reading for those of us here in America which is absolutely driven by consumerism--which is really just envy wearing its "Sunday Best."

Yertle the Turtle is yet another jewel in the crown of the doctor...I recommend this book.

Another great book from Dr. Seuss...
My daughters are huge Seuss fans. My six year-old, in particular, loves the way Seuss puts words together with his irresistable blend of scansion and rhyme. His books can be read on several levels at least, and most of his stories contain some sort of lesson or other that a parent can use to initiate discussions about larger topics.

This book has three stories, one about an ambitious turtle, one about a vain bird, and one about two silly braggarts. All three are short, can be read easily, and raise questions about morals which young children can understand and explore. My favorite of the three is the first, Yertle the Turtle, and his insatiable quest to be the biggest and best, which leads to his eventual downfall.

This is not my absolute favorite of all Seuss's books, but it's a good one, and one I can recommend heartily for any parent and child. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Verdi is a proud python, flourishing in the flower of his youth. He loves to swiftly slither around the forest, brandishing his bright yellow skin, and can't fathom why anyone would want to be sleepy and green like the adult snakes he knows. Verdi insists, as so many youngsters do, "I will never be lazy, boring or green!" Despite his resolve to stay young, one day he notices a patch of green spreading down the length of his body. Verdi does everything he can think of to erase this first sign of the inevitable tide of age. But in his frenzy of youthful, Icarus-like bravado, he nearly kills himself. Finally, Verdi learns that even though he can't stop the aging process, green skin won't keep him from being a fun-loving, young-at-heart, figure-eight-forming snake.

Janell Cannon's illustrations are exquisite. As in her award-winning Stellaluna, not only are the animal drawings painstakingly accurate, they are also awash with movement and beauty. The countless shades of greeny-yellow and yellowy-green have the effect of a cool eye compress for the reader--calming, inviting, and enticing readers to reach into the lush environment of the pages. Verdi's lesson is never didactic, always compelling, and pleasantly surprising. (Ages 4 and older) ... Read more

Reviews (32)

artistically mesmerizing and fun for all ages
i work in the public library system here in st. louis, mo, and i almost never get a chance to put "verdi" on the shelve. why? because it's ALWAYS checked out! both parents and children love this coming of age story about a young snake who, like everyone else in life, is afraid of becoming "old" and "boring". once he realizes that with age comes wisdom, he's much happier as an older, greener snake than a younger, more yellow snake. i read this book whenever i get a chance, and because of the kids at the library, that's not very often!

Great!
Once a week I volunteer to read books with children at the local library. "Verdi" by Janell Cannon is one of the most popular choices (Ms. Cannon's "Stellaluna" is also highly popular). It seems that children of all ages enjoy this book about a little yellow snake who doesn't want to grow up and become a boring green adult.

As other reviewers have mentioned, this is a great coming of age story. We always discuss the books after reading them and after reading "Verdi," the kids always say something like "even adults were young once" or that "you can still have fun when you're a grown up."

I also must comment on the illustrations, as they are exquisite - so colorful and detailed. Everyone just loves looking through this book again and again.

Exceptional!
Janell Cannon is the queen of children's books. Her stories are heart warming and illustrations are beyond compare. I have purchased this book numerous times for gifts (along with the stunning "Stellaluna") and it has always been well received. Kids just love how colorful and exquisite Ms. Cannon's books are!

In "Verdi" we have a young python who doesn't want to grow up. He vows to always be free spirited and never boring like the adults he knows. When he hurts himself doing a silly stunt, he learns that the adults were once as young and carefree as he is and that age doesn't affect your spirit.

"Verdi" is truly a wonderful coming of age story that will have you wanting to read it again and again. It is listed here as a book for first to third graders, but I feel it goes much beyond that due to the fantastic art work and sweet story line.

Verdi review
This book is about a snake named Verdi that doesnt want to turn green. Verdi is a young yellow snake that is very athletic. When Verdi visits other snakes that are old, boring and green he hopes that he will never be like them that is when the trouble starts.

I would rate this book a 4 out of 5 because it was a good story and had great illustrations. I would recommend this book to people that enjoy reading about animals and to artist that like to draw animals.

Soon to be a favorite!!
This book will become a favorite for many children, as it was for my child. Its vivid illustrations are tremendously life-like. Children will feel a kinship with the young snake's tribulations about growing up.

It has a strong emphasis on Personality Development. It is like a "coming of age" story where a child does not want to grow up but finds it happens anyway. As much as Verdi the young snake tried to seek independence from adults, he learned that he still needed the warmth and security from the adults in his life.

Social Development skills could also be learned from Verdi as he began to understand the adult pythons' points of views. When Verdi gave them a chance, he realized the adults were quite amazing. ... Read more

Book Description

The Enormous Crocodile is incredibly hungry-and incredibly greedy. His favorite meal is a plump, juicy little child, and he intends to gobble up as many of them as he can! But when the other animals in the jungle join together to put an end to his nasty schemes, the Enormous Crocodile learns a lesson he won't soon forget. Dahl's wicked humor is as delightful as ever in this new, larger edition of a hilarious favorite.

Illustrated by Quentin Blake. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

fun book, but the ending falls short
I really enjoyed "The Enormous Crocodile." It is one heck of a tale. But the abrupt and rather too serious ending leaves me pondering the greatness that could have been.

The story follows the exploits of the tittle character as he sets off one morning to find something to eat. He has a hankering for children from the nearby village. He broadcasts his desire to the other creatures of the jungle as he passes them.

The only problem is that besides being greedy and ill-intentioned, the crocodile is also nasty to his fellow wild creatures. This comes back to haunt him.

The story is a masterpiece of dry humor. Its verbal pacing is darn near flawless. The illustrations are great. Several (especially of the Crocodile's disguises) made me laugh.

Outside of the ending, I highly recommend "The Enormous Crocodile."

Enormous Crocodile
The author is Roald Dahl. He wrote this book called The Enormous Crocodile. The Enormous Crocodile is about two crocodiles. One tries to eat the children but his plans never work. His friends help the children get away from the Enormous Crocodile. They are tired of the crocodile's secret plans and clever tricks. I think this book is really excellent.

Sheer pleasure for all ages!
I dare you to pick up this book in a book store, read the first page to your child and then tell him you're not going to buy it. You'll never get away with it. Roald Dahl excels at writing stories that grip the reader in the first paragraph and don't let go until the end. If you can't get your child to read, let Roald Dahl come to the rescue. Even if you have to read it yourself, your kid will want to read it afterwards. This is a great Roald Dahl starter.

Crocodile Review
The Enormous Crocodile is a fun story with animals of all sorts. The Enormous Crocodile plans to get children, but the plans fail because of the animals. It is like a fun mystery. And the story has so much suspense. There is an elephant, a Roly Poly bird, a monkey and a hippo named Humpy Rumpy.

A Funny Book with Silly Tricks
I just finished The Enormous Crocodile by Roald Dahl. The story is about an Enormous Crocodile who goes through a jungle to a city, so he can eat children. I thought it was funny because the EC did some pretty silly tricks like when he pretended to be a see-saw. What I liked best about it was that the EC's friends warned the children or the town before the EC could hurt them. I thought this was a nice thing to do. The Enormous Crocodle is a good book to read. I would especially recommend it as a family read. ... Read more

Reviews (27)

Lizard Music is awesome!
This is the second book I read by Daniel Manus Pinkwater. I loved it! It's a great story, and one that kids will definetely like.. It's just got the exact mix of realistic adventure and silliness that makes a good read. Plus, it's got the Chicken Man, a character from several of Pinkwater's books, it features large lizards, and a healthy dose of Walter Cronkite. I don't think it gets much better.

Incredible and mind-bending story.
This is one of those books that you read, and because of its originality, it makes a lasting impression and you never forget it. I, like many other reviewers first read this book in the third or fourth grade. Our little private Catholic school got two D.M. Pinkwater books added to the library, and everybody in my class wanted to read them. I actually wanted the other, Fat Men From Space, but it was taken, so I picked up Lizard Music. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made! This book is amazing, it's funny, fascinating, and very strange. Everything from the Chicken Man to Raymond the Lizard(s), to some island made invisible because of... refraction of light... or something. (It's been a while.) Anyway, my point is, this book has made a great and long-lasting impression on me, and if you like strange and semi-eerie things, or just great fiction... this is a MUST READ!

Lizard Music
The book that i am going to tell you about is called Lizard Music. It was a pretty good book. The setting of Lizard Music is in more than one place. The setting helps to make the story more exciting because because where victor goes is a little weird. Especially the the people. The Chicken man was a really weird character. He would walk around with his chicken Claudia on his head. Victor the main characterwent from being a scared little boy to a brave little boy. In the beginning he kept on getting scared because ke kept on seeing lizards all over the place. In the end he didn't mind seeing the lizards. I think that the moral of this book is do not judge a book by it's cover because the cover that I saw was a really boring cover,but if I saw the new cover I would probably want to read it. It ended up being a good book though. The end of the story ended up being very predictable. If Victor kept on seeing lizards everywhere then you could assume that he was going to meet them.

Read this book about 15 yrs ago
I read this book about 15 yrs ago when I was in Elementary, and I loved it. Even as a little kid, I had a weird sense of humor, and this book appealed to that bizarre little brain of mine. I dug it, and I still think every kid should read it. If they don't like it, they will grow up to be boring and humourless adults. Some boy I went to school with did a book report on this book every year from 2nd grade until middle school.

This is the coolest book ever!
I started reading Daniel Pinkwater books when I was 7. The first book I read was Lizard Music. I like it the best. I think it's cool because it's a magical book and I like magic. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Delightful
I was fortunate to hear the author speak in the early 90s in my hometown of Syracuse, NY. He is an engaging storyteller. It was then that I discovered his book. The artwork in this edition is rich and appealing. The vignettes of each moon, combined with the illustrations, make an appealing canvas for young and/or exploring minds.

Traditional View of Seasonal meanings
This book is an excellent work of Native American children's literature. Joseph Bruchac is a well-known Abenaki story-teller who profiles in this book the thirteen moons of the year, and profiles for each moon what is important about that season to different Native Nations. The artwork is a beautiful compliment to the story. If you are looking for a solid and sensitive look at inter-tribal stories for children, this is a great place to start! ... Read more

Book Description

A cranky neighbor puts Lyle in the zoo but experiences a change of heart when the crocodile saves him from a fire. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

A Book to Remember
I am now 21 years old and I can still remember the opening line to this tape. The Lyle books are wonderful for children and this tape is a great way to put your child to sleep. The Lyle books are truly one of my greatest childhood memories!

A crocodile just as sweet as Pogo's Albert the Alligator
A picture book with more backstory than you could possibly imagine. For many, the delightful "Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile" is a perennial favorite. I, myself, had never read it before. When first we see Lyle, he's standing in the center of Central Park (this is most definitely a New York based book) feeding the ducks. Occupying a swank apartment (you should see his bathroom!) with the Primm family, Lyle is everyone's favorite crocodile. He's polite, helpful, and wonderful at double dutch. The ever dour Mr. Grumps next door has problems with the beloved Lyle. Mr. Grumps continually threatens to send Lyle away, but it isn't until an unfortunate department store incident that Mr. Grumps makes good his threats. In the end, however, all turns out for the best and Lyle is reunited with his loving family.

There's a certain amount of suspension of disbelief involved in this tale. Apparently it is not a particularly odd thing to live with a crocodile. I was especially taken with Mrs. Primm's relationship with the lovely reptile. The two do their shopping together and take a turn about the ice skating rink. (...) Mr. Grumps refuses to even speak with Lyle until a fortunate accident towards the book's finale. And in the end, it's just a lovely book. The writing is superb. The illustrations adorable and evocative all at once. The book has CLASSIC writ large all over it. If you've any wit or intelligence about you (and you wish to pass such virtues onto your darling children) pick up the wonderful "Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile" immediately.

You have to read tis book - school project / Mr. Boon
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile by Bernard Waber is a really good book. It's about a crocodile that lives on East 88th street with Mr. and Mrs. Primm and ther son Joshua. He helps them out with many things and is very loved. There is a man named Mr. Grumps that lives two houses down. He has a pet cat named Loretta and Lyle always tries to get her to like him because she seems so scared at the sight of him. Mr. Grumps thinks that Lyle's causing problems so he gets papers authorizing Lyle to be sent to the city zoo. While Lyle is in the zoo he is rescued by Signor Valenti. He takes him to visit his house on East 88th street. While there, he notices that Mr. Grumps' house is on fire. He rescues him and Loretta and then everyone is happy again because everything is put back together.
I think this is a book for children that are already quite a bit into the reading process. There are some pretty big words. Other than that, I think this book is very well put together and that alot of you out there will enjoy it very much. I highly recamend that you read this book with your children. "With", meaning that they defiently need a chance to have fun with it also. This book is highly recamended by me.

good for children
this series is good for young people. give it a try!

Absolutely Adorable........
..............kids are guaranteed to love Lyle and his adventures! They will also learn from this story how to overcome misfortune, difficult situations and about the perils of pre-judging others as they watch Lyle become a hero. Set in Manhattan, NY, Lyle is loved by his human family, but greatly feared by a neighbor and his timid cat. This ultimately lands him in trouble (and in the city zoo) despite his best efforts to make friends with the little cat. In the end though, Lyle proves his good nature by performing a heroic deed that wins over absolutely everyone, including the little cat. Kids will respond to Lyle's persistence, his goodness and his incredible bravery.

This book is written on approximately a second grade reading level. Young readers will enjoy the language in this book, its climb to a climax and its victorious ending. Additionally, the illustrations are lovely in their simplicity. Kids will get a kick out of Lyle! ... Read more

Book Description

Liza Poole lives with her mother in one of the last balanced ecosystems in North America -- the Gumbo Limbo Hammock deep within the lush kingdom of the Florida Everglades. Some may think it strange to live outdoors, but Liza feels lucky to live it strange to live outdoors, but Liza feels lucky to live in her small yellow tent amidst tropical birds and exotic plants. And at the center of this natural paradise lies Dajun, the majestic alligator who protects Gumbo Limbo's environment.

Then, one day, a state official arrives with frightening orders. Dajun is scaring people nearby -- he must be killed! Liza takes action to save the invaluable 'gator, but suddenly, he is nowhere to be found. Now, she must find Dajun before it's too late, and her search will lead her into the heart of an exciting eco mystery!

Reviews (8)

The Missing Gator of Gumbo Limbo
I have just finish reading a book call The Missing Gator of Gumbo Limbo. It's about a family who don't have a house yet, because they don't have enough money to build a house. The father was in another country, doing business around the world. He doesn't even know what's happening to his family. Many people say that they don't have house. Well they are, but the mother says that they were on a vacation. She always said that every time because she doesn't want people to know it. So now, their daughter named Liza K., is an adventures girl. She knows all the places in the forest. She even has an alligator friend. Now, she and her friends must save the forest from the people who want to destroy, but then, her alligator friend lost. Now, she's on an adventure to find the alligator and stop the destruction of the forest.

I think this book is good because it tells everybody how important the forest is to us. If we don't have a forest, then how can we live? How can we stay a life without oxygen? Where the oxygen come from? Oh well I think you know where it is. So this book, did, teach us something.

I recommended this book who loves to safe this world.

The Missing 'Gator of Gumbo Limbo
My story was about a missing gator. Travis is a gator hunter who is trying to shoot the gator. The gator is too big for the protection law. All the characters except Travis are trying to protect him. The main characters are Dujen, Travis, Liza K., and James James. Because he is a smart young man, James James is my favorite character. In my own life I try to be good and kind to others. James James is like this, he is always considerate and thoughtful.
I liked my book. I don't have a single favorite part; My least favorite part is the authors choice of where the characters lived at the end of book. My favorite part was that Travis didn't find Dujen.
I would recomend this book to a person who likes mysteries.

could've been better
I thoguht this book was OK but could've been better. It has an exiting plot wiht a hunter trying to hunt the gator[dajun] but the ending is so typical. They end up finding...oops I shouldn't give away the story...but the book's ending is not as fun as it could've been. But if you love animals and a good mystery you should definitly read this book.

A greater gator story
This fascinating novel is for anyone who has ever fallen in love with a wild place, with a wild animal, or who is concerned about our jeopardized natural world. Only Jean Craighead George could write such a comprehensible and informative children's book about nature. While they're not JULIE OF THE WOLVES or MY SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN, Ms. George's Ecological Mysteries Series are sure to be enjoyable for any naturalist--inspiring and educational. In THE MISSING 'GATOR OF GUMBO LIMBO, Liza K. Poole lives with her mother and some eccentric neighbors in the heart of the Florida Everglades. (Anyone who was born to live in a tent and fish for food will be envious of this "wild" lifestyle.) When the woods peoples' "dragon", a regal alligator, disappears, they begin to try to track down the great beast, especially Liza K. A ranger is after the gator, for he has been frightening nearby home-dwellers, and should be shot. Liza K. and her unique friends--including a talkative African gray parrot-- go through a series of clues to find out where the gator has disappeared to. The ending, I admit, is slightly disappointing--the threat of the ranger seems to be forgotten after the gator is found, Liza K. and her neighbors must abandon their way of life--but all in all, it's a fine read. The other Eco-Mysteries should be kept in mind--WHO REALLY KILLED COCK ROBIN?, in which a boy tries to solve the mystery of his clean town's feathered mascot; THE CASE OF THE MISSING CUTTHROATS, quite a lot like THE MISSING 'GATOR; and THE FIRE BUG CONNECTION. No young naturalist or ecologist should overlook the wide, wonderful world of Jean Craighead George.

OK
I read this book in my class and it took me forever to finish it. I am a big reader but I just couldn't get into the book. I think it should have been more exciting. In my opinion, it seemed as if the author kept repeating the same information. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Twelve Snails to One Lizard
This is a delightful book about the problems a beaver has measuring a log to repair the dam on his pond. His friend, Bubba Bullfrog, offers him many non-standard measurements that would be appropriate to use. All prove to be a pain for Milo, in more ways than one!Bubba realizes he has a yardstick at home to prove he's correct. What a great way to help children learn about equivalent measure! I recommend it highly. ... Read more

Book Description

With spectacular close-up photographs and astonishing illustrations, this extraordinary book is the guide to more than 3,000 snakes from around the world. Fascinating physical and behavioral characteristics of these creatures are presented, with the most up-to-date information available about snakes' habitats, reproductive behavior, feeding practices, defense mechanisms, and much more. A complete, detailed directory lists all species of the 18 snake families; the special "Fact Files" section gives at-a-glance information about every featured snake. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Wonderful beginning book
This is a stunningly visual book with fantastic general information on snakes. I have a number of books by Chris Mattison, and this is his best! Well worth the price.

Very educational
I'm a college student and I work in a Science Center with several snakes from Texas; I'm always interested in learing more about snakes in the world. This book is amazing! It covers all topics related to snake's evolution, envirnoment, size and shape, scales, anatomy and movement, reproduction, classification of snakes, among other contents! With a gallery of beautiful and large pictures of these fenomenal creatures; the only problem is that it covers only 61 species that were chosen to be in the gallery to show readers the diversity of size, color, shape, and behavior, that is excellent! But I would've liked to see more variety of snakes. As a conclusion, this book is a MUST for people interested in learning more about snakes.

Best Snake Book !!
This book probably the BEST snake book I owned. Large of photo (I mean: really BIG photo!!, double pages). This book give you a very comprehensive section about the anatomy, how they hunt, habitats,and senses ...
It written in a very short informative way ....
I really love this book !! This book is "A MUST" for all snake lovers ...

Stunning!
This is a wonderful book, full of captivating pictures and beautifully written explanatory chapters. A serpent enthusiast myself, I have thoroughly enjoyed this book. Its excellent visuals guide you through the first few chapters which discuss several aspects of snakes themselves. The majority of the rest of the book looks at many different types of snakes..a page or two devoted to a certain individual species. I was impressed at the variety it covered, from boas to pythons to colubreds to venomous species. I applaud the author...this book will entertain beginners to professionals. This is a must for anyone who is interested in these amazing legless creatures.
--Lauren

Excellent for everyone
This book starts out by giving a very comprehensive section about the anatomy, hunting, evolution, habitats,and senses of the snake. Each of these topics were given two pages, of which were filled with interesting information. I keep snakes, but I still found myself learning things. After this, the book goes into a section that tells about many interesting species of snakes in a great format including color pictures. While the book doesn't feature as many species as I would have liked to have seen, the ones it does show are well chosen(for the most part). After this section, the book goes into a huge directory of genuses and species of almost all the snakes in the world(including some rare subspecies). This section of the book is invaluable for a herpitoligest or just someone looking up the latin name of a snake. Overall the book is great for average person and person who knows alot about snakes alike. I think the book could have been better if he had featured more species of snakes, but the book is fine as it is. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Excellent children's book with beautiful drawings
The author is a superb artist. I have been collecting this African artist's one of kind ceramics for a number of years so I was excited to find that he wrote and illustrated a book. My seven year old son loves this book. His first grade teacher read the book in class when they were studying the folk stories of the world. The drawings in the book are worth the price of the book.

I read the book in my classroom then saw it come to life!
I loved this book! One day an author named Baba Wague Diakite came to our school to talk about his book "The Hunterman and the Crocodile." Each classroom got a copy of the book which I read. Soon I discovered that the story was going to be performed as part of the first school play of the year! Even though my class wasn't in it I got to meet Baba-Wague while working on the set since he lives right down the street from my school! And though I had to see it performed four times( because I was asked to do sound) I never got tired of hearing the same same story. I guess seeing "The Hunterman and the Crocodile" come to life gave the meaning of the story even more meaning. I would reccomend this book to anyone of any age.

This is the best book in the whole world. I love it!!!
This is a wonderful children's book. I love it!! We need more authentic authors and illustrators of folk tales from Africa. Where did these drawings come from? They're FABULOUS!!! ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Alligator Baby
I really liked this book, because it was funny. Kristen's parents kept bringing home animal babies from the zoo instead of a people baby. Kristen saved the day because she went to the zoo and got the right baby from the gorilla's cage. But it was funny at the end when all the mommy animals break into the house to get their babies back

Wonderful book when you're bringing home another baby.
We got this book as a shower gift when our son was born. We read this over and over to his older sister. I can't imagine a better, more entertaining book for a 3 year old who is welcoming home a new sibling.

A favourite
This is one of our favourite books. A humorous look at a new addition to the family. This was the perfect story for our two children when #3 child arrived, the humour takes away some of the stress and expectation for young children when a new baby is joining the family. Also a great gift.

Very Good
My son loves all the Robert Munsch books. He knows exactly what makes kids laugh and this book is an excellent example of this.

School Kids love Aligator Baby!
This is my fifth year with the elementary school, yet it is my first year in the library. The first book that I read to the children was 'Aligator Baby'. I believe what the children love the most about this book is that there is never a dull moment! All the children participate in what is going to happen next, and they enjoy finishing the sentences. This tells me that the children are focused, and they want me to read it over and over! It is fun to act out the parts as I read to the classes. (1st grade to 3rd grade.) I really do need more books like this one for the chidren. One of the specials that I have with the children is that each child can share a "favorite page" from a book they borrowed. The students always have something good to say about 'Aligatory Baby'. Thanks ... Read more

Reviews (1)

This book is great!
This book is about a girl named Mary Marony that moves to a new house and has to start a new school.She's afraid that everyone will laugh because she stutters.She ends up making three new friends and the book has ahappy ending.This book was so good I couldn't stop reading it!I can'twait to read more books about Mary Marony. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Somewhat flawed
Despite the compelling tale, the poignant illustrations and the author's good intentions, I have some problems with this book.It plays too much into the "noble savages/thoughtless europeans/rowdy teenagers" stereotypes that are insulting to all those groups.Stereotypes, whether they be good or bad are not helpful to the intellectual development of young people and will cause many (especially in the stereotyped groups) to tune out.I love the story and the illustrations but would not read it to my kids or students unless a better option was unavailable.

A magical journey through history
My 5 year old son and I watched this story read on "Reading Rainbow". This book is about a turtle carved in a rock by a Native American in pre-Columbus days. The turtle remains watching as history moves on. It witnesses the immigration of the European's, who take over the land from the Native Americans and go on to build a big city. For many years, the turtle is covered by graffiti and then is finally discovered by an archeologist. I wondered if the subject matter was too advanced for my son. But, he was mesmerized. Like all good books this one speaks to all ages with many lessons and perspectives. Its a story of history, art, people, change, archeology and more. After the story was finished my son turned to me and said, "Mommy we have to get that book." And we did!

A wonderful introduction to Indians and archaeology,
What a nice way to introduce young children to the world before New York City and its environs were a busy, noisy sometimes polluted place! An Indian legend, an archaeologist and the importance of the environment areall packed in this charming short, exquisitely illustrated book.Great forthose who live near the Bronx Botanical Garden but delightful for any childwho wonders about the world around us. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Ages 3-8. Many people fear going to the dentist, but as this ingenious book shows, sometimes it can be just as scary on the other side of the chair. As a crocodile walks to the dentist's office, he thinks, "I really don't want to see him...but I must." Oddly enough, the dentist is thinking the exact same thing about him! The clever text continues in this manner, getting funnier with each duplicated thought, as both characters struggle to be brave and remain polite. An American Booksellers Assoc. "Pick of the Lists." ... Read more

Book Description

Full-color photos. A closeup look at the habitats, behavior, and natural

history of the species that once ruled the earth. "Reptile stands out

because of the fascinating photographs, which are brilliantly lifelike and well

chosen to demonstrate concepts discussed, educating readers in a way that words

cannot. The text is nicely balanced between straightforward factual data and

intriguing bits of trivia, making the book useful both to browsers and report

writers."--School Library Journal.




... Read more

Reviews (3)

This won't be our last Eyewitness book!
This gift from my mother in law for my son sat unused on the shelf for about 2 years before he discovered it at the age of 6.Now suddenly it's the favorite "toy"; dragged to school, on short car trips across town and kept close during every spare moment at home.He knows instantly how to find his favorite spreads on the alligator snapping turtle and the crocodile skulls - invaluable for impressing his friends, teachers and complete strangers.This book inspired a very keen interest, to say the least!

Yes, the Eyewitness series is *technically* for an older reading level but they still makegood picture books for younger kids because the pictures are visually stimulatingand graphically laid-out on a plain white background (non-distracting). The information is also broken up into small groups of text next to specific photos or illustrations, arranged interestingly around the page.When a picture sparks his interest I can read about that item to my son and leave out other items until he's ready to explore further.In this way, our one-spread-per-night "story" time stays fun for his young mind without being overwhelming.

Just for example, the spread on Turtles and Tortoises starts with a technical definition in the main body, then the "tidbits" of info spread around the rest of the space give interesting anecdotes about their shells, common and uncommon species, turtle mythology, the largest turtle on record and Lonesome George, the last giant Galapagos island tortoise.Just enough educational material upon which to start research for a school paper, but not so much that it becomes discouraging.

What it all comes down to is, this book impressed me so much that I will be ordering several other of the Eyewitness series books as my kids grow, both for their enjoyment and as good reference materials for school.Excellent!
-Andrea, aka Merribelle

Great for toddlers/preschool
My 3 year old son loves these books,and they have really helped get him excited about animals and nature.Now when we go for walks he can name every bug, bird, snake etc. that we see and tell me a little about them.

A very intresting book with every type of reptile.
This is a very good book and is my second favorite Eyewitness book coming after Eyewitness SHARK. This book tells about every reptile: Snakes, Allogators and Crocidiles, Lizards, Turtles and Tuateras.I love this bookbecause it tells you very intresting facts about reptiles. You should buythis book because it is awsome! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A variety of poems presenting reptile facts within a fantasy
This book presented facts about types of reptiles through poetry in a way that captivated my five-year-old boy.He enjoyed the whimsical pictures and the context:imagining what it would be like to see reptiles dancing at a ball--without eating each other!In addition to reptile facts, the book demonstrated many different types of poetic form.A rhythmic reading of this books entertained and involved him from start to finish.This book could be used to teach zoology or poetry, but in both cases the result would be a fun time for all. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (2)

Delightful for children--and adults!
The artwork lured me to this book.Each page has a marvelous rendition of a sea turtle's nesting saga. The storytelling is accurate but lyrical so even the youngest children will be captivated. I highly recommend it for parents and grandparents to give to the children they love--especially if you're headed for the beach!

Kudos from my Grandson
My grandson, Cameron Howard, has checked this book out from the library on numerous ocassions.Despite his generally responsible attitude toward returning books in a timely manner, he just can't get this book back when it's due.Why?Because he is busy reading and re-reading the book.He iscaptovated by the pictures.He is infactuated with the text and dazzled bythe illustrations.He called me up to see if I could get him this book. This seven year old made sure I knew the exact spelling of the author'sname and the illustrator's name!It's a hit among the 7 year old crowd! ... Read more

Amazon.com

When Newt is stuck in the mud, Turtle pulls him out. When a snake is about to gobble Newt, Turtle warns him. When an alligator approaches Newt, mouth open wide, Turtle causes a distraction. Turtle doesn't mind helping his red-spotted friend out of jams, he's just happy to have a companion in the swamp. But Newt is plagued by the question, "What can I do for Turtle?" He desperately wants to return the many favors his friend does for him, yet no matter how long he perches cross-legged on his thinking rock, he can't come up with the perfect reciprocal gesture. Finally, Newt's day arrives. When Turtle is flipped onto his back by a curious bobcat, Newt comes to the rescue with a lever system of his own amphibian design. Turtle is eternally grateful, and Newt is ecstatic with the joy of having helped a friend.

Jonathan London tells this simple story with a cadence and pace that will please readers and listeners, and with a voice that neither insists nor implies that repayment of friendly gestures is mandatory. Louise Voce's bright, bold drawings of swamp life will have children devouring the oversized pages, seeking out the rich variety of animal life contained therein. And, because Newt rates fairly high on the scale of all-time cutest picture book creatures, kids will want to return again and again to this gentle story of the natural give and take of friendship. (Ages 3 to 7) ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Loved it, love it, will love it!
This book is one of the keepers - even when my kids get too old to be read to - this one is staying on the book shelf for my grandkids!Wonderful message, goofy characters, great illustrations!

Even at 26 years old I learnt a lesson from this!
Absolutely wonderful,if children can grasp the message in this book thenwhen growing up and beginning friendships it will be a whole lot easier. Iloved it!The graphics were brilliant and story simple but true!

Heart-warming, inspiring, andbeautiful
If you're child is between 3 and 8 buy him/her this wonderfully told and illustrated book.The child will love it (and so will you!). ... Read more