Amazon.com

In older versions of the classic tale Rapunzel, it always seemed improbable that a grown man could scale a tower using only his beloved's hair.Not so in Paul O. Zelinsky's Caldecott Medal-winning version of Rapunzel. Here, Rapunzel's reddish-blonde mane is thick with waves and braids, and cascades like a waterfall down the walls of her isolation tower. In Zelinsky's able hands it's easy to believe that a prince would harbor no hesitations about scrambling up our fair heroine's hair.

Of course, this is not the work of an amateur--Zelinsky's lush versions of Hansel and Gretel, Rumpelstiltskin, and Swamp Angel all earned him Caldecott Honors. His gorgeous, Italian Renaissance-styled illustrations are characterized by warm golden tones and the mesmerizing sensation of trompe l'oeuil. Not only does he have the touch of a world-class illustrator, Zelinsky has also proven himself a master storyteller. We are frightened when the sorceress demands to take the baby Rapunzel, we are alarmed when the flowing locks are cruelly shorn, and we rejoice when the prince and his now modest-haired love are reunited. The notes at the back of Rapunzel reveal his careful scholarship regarding the long history of the story (tracing its origins and transformations from Italy to France and finally to Germany and the Grimm brothers)--work that no doubt contributed to his clean, compelling version of the age-old tale. Children will be captivated by the magical story and evocative pictures and adults will delight in the fresh feel of a well-loved legend. (Click to see asamplespread. Illustration © 1997 by Paul O. Zelinsky, published by Dutton Children's Books, a division of Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers.) (Ages 4 and older) ... Read more

Reviews (27)

A visually beautiful rendition of a timeless tale
"When I was a young girl, I had long braids, and always wanted to be Rapunzel," confided a colleague at a recent meeting. Paul Zelinsky's Caldecott award-winning retelling of this age-old tale of a mother-to-be's craving for the forbidden rapunzel, a possessive sorceress, a beautiful girl with an unending cascade of silky hair shut away in a remote tower, and a handsome prince just might reawaken those desires. In his informative "Note About Rapunzel ," Zelinsky relates how he drew on elements from the early French and Italian sources as well as from the better known Grimm version of this tale to create his own compelling version. Thus, some details of the story are less familiar. Rapunzel naively reveals that she has had a visitor in the tower when she asks the sorceress to help her with her dress for, "It is growing so tight around my waist, it doesn't want to fit me anymore." Other elements, retold in their familiar spare rhythm, such as "Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair!" retain ther original power. Zelinsky uses the formal beauty of Renaissance art to evoke both the physical beauty of the characters and the Italian landscape. His large oil paintings overflow with softly muted colors, billowing folds of finely detailed period costumes, ornate architecture, and majestic landscapes. His masterful use of glinting and filtering light illuminates every page. Zelinsky's Rapunzel is a book to be treasured by anyone who appreciates a timeless tale and delights in an object of visual beauty.

Beautiful illustrations and a traditional retelling
Paul O. Zelinsky's "Rapunzel" is a delight of renaissance-like oil paintings depicting a delicately beautiful girl, a frightening witch, and a handsome prince. The illustrations are truly superb, and each page features a beautifully rendered painting rich with color and detail.

Zelinsky's retelling of the story is traditional yet satisfying, but the illustrations really steal the show. Children will get caught up in the fairytale landscapes and the magical locales. Readers will also appreciate the additional information provided by Zelinsky about his retelling of the story and his study of Italian Renaissance art. It's always nice to know why artists choose to illustrate stories in a certain way.

This book won the Caldecott Medal for its fantastic illustrations.

Provacative story line with beautiful illustrations.
"Rapunzel" retold and illustrated Paul O. Zelisky is a version of the fairytale more closely relating to its original form dating back to 1635 called "Petrosinella". The story of "Rapunzel" has been found all over the world and has transcended time and culture, with few minor changes in the detail of the story for instance Rapunzel's hair color. The most distinctive difference between Zelisky's version and more modern interpretations, beginning with the Brother's Grimm is whether or not Rapunzel's pregnancy is mentioned. I think the story is for a more mature audience but children are not likely to catch the fact that Rapunzel is pregnant because they will be enchanted with the illustrations. The illustrations are reminiscent of the Italian Renaissance and will transport any reader into the fantasy world. Having researched several versions of Rapunzel, I have found that Zelisky's version is the most real to life because it does raise issues of sex, the inability for some parents to take care of their children, stealing, and cruelty to others. This book is provocative and will make readers of all ages asked questions; I would recommend this book for both children and adults. I think that both age groups could learn from each other by reading this book together, just be ready to answer your child's questions honestly.

The rare non-Disneyfied fairy tale
The winner of the Caldecott Medal, "Rapunzel" is one of the most lush and beautiful stories ever created for children. Carrying many of the distinctive Zelinsky elements (staggered perspectives, reoccurring background characters, gorgeous lighting, etc.) the book is a joy to look at. Each picture evokes the spirit of the Renaissance, from the first tableau (the husband and wife feeling her pregnant stomach in contentment) to the last (the loving family poses with the cherubim-like children). The text is a little more racy than your average children's picture book. Zelinsky doesn't shy away from the fact that Rapunzel is pregnant when the witch learns of her illicit relations, though he does legitimize the girl's newfound glow with a hasty "marriage" of the prince to Rapunzel in her tower. Sans priest, no less. The book is also remarkable for the dramatic shift that occurs in the character of the witch. A scowling ghoul in one picture, she transforms into an almost nunlike character when receiving the little Rapunzel baby. One might well ask what happens to the witch after she casts Rapunzel and her prince into the desert, but Zelinsky doesn't feel this is worth discussing. A perfect book for storytelling, as the pictures are colorful and easy to see from a distance. Would pair well with his other oil painted fairy tale "Rumplestiltskin".

Gorgeous book
This book has a great story, but above all: the illustrations are AMAZING. They are like oil paintings, full of colour and detail. Very young and older child both will really enjoy this book. This book is essential to any home or school library.
Slight warning- Rapunzel gets pregnant with twins after 'letting down her hair' for the prince.....i was asked 'how did that happen?' :) Some parents might not want their kids to read that part. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Baby bat Stellaluna's life is flitting along right on schedule--untilan owl attacks her mother one night, knocking the bewildered batlet out of her mother's loving grasp. The tiny bat is lucky enough to land in a nest of baby birds, but her whole world has just turned upside down. Literally. Stellaluna's adoptive bird mom accepts her into her nest, but only on the condition that Stellaluna will act like a bird, not a bat. Soon Stellaluna has learned to behave like a good bird should--she quits hanging by her feet and starts eating bugs. But when she finally has an opportunity to show her bird siblings what life as a bat is like, all of them are confounded. "How can we be so different and feel so much alike?" one asks. "And how can we feel so different and be so much alike?" asks another. "I agree," Stellaluna responds. "But we're friends. And that's a fact." Anyone who has ever been asked to be someone they're not will understand the conflicts--and possibilities--Stellaluna faces. This gorgeously illustrated book is sure to be an all-time favorite with readers, whether they've left the nest or not. (Click to see a sample spread. Illustration from Stellaluna, © 1993 by Janell Cannon, reproducedby permission of Harcourt Brace & Company) (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (55)

Bats in a bird's world
I bought this book after a fellow classmate showed it to our Early Literacy Learning class. The illustrations were so beautiful I went out and bought it that day. I now use the book when I am substitute teaching and the children love it.

The story is of a bat that falls into a bird's nest and is raised as a bat. The differences between the two kinds of animals are explored and explained. The comical episodes of a bat trying to live in a bird's world are done in an expert manner. The book has a happy ending and afterwards there is a section of notes and facts on bats. I have used this book to kick-off lesson plans on bats and birds, and also in planning a unit lesson on the rain forest.

If for no other reason, this book will appeal to your children, because every one of us has been in a situation where we felt we didn't belong, or we were embarrassed because we were different in some way. Cannon shows children how they can be more like Stellaluna and find comfort in themselves and who they are as individuals, even when they feel like a bat in a bird's world.

Why 5 stars?:
This book is worth buying simply for the illustrations. But, the story is one that shows not only compassion on the part of Mama Bird, but Stellaluna learning she does not have to change who she is to fit in. The information provided about bats at the end of the book is a great resource for children wanting to learn about the title character. This book will make a great addition to any classroom or home library.

A book worthy of owning
My first reaction to the book when the owl swooped down on the bats was "Oh, no, another Bambi, mother-abandonment story." It was a good thing it all ended happily. The story had nice, heartwarming elements, from little Stellaluna anxious to please the mother bird, and the baby birds trying "bat tricks" to the final reunion of the bat and the birds, and all of them still getting along.

I read this to my two-year old, and she loved it and she learned things from it. I would recommend it for an audience younger than 4.

I judge a book as well-written if the parent can read it over and over again on request and still find the book appealing. This book passed the test.

Not for adopted, orphaned, or step-kids!
I was shocked at the ending-Stellaluna is reunited with her birth family. That never happens to adopted or orphaned children, nor do stepchildren ever see their original family reunited. I'm not sure who this book is for-I don't see anything in it that children who have never "lost" a parent can identify with. For children that have "lost" a parent, the book just reinforces magical thinking. There are too many other great books out there-skip this one.

Stellaluna Review
This book is about a young fruit bat, who gets separated from her family and has to learn how to live like another bird. She has to overcome sitting upside-down and and eat the same food as birds, like worms. I liked this book when I was young and I still like it now. I like this book because of its equisite illustrations and its rich content. The author, Janell Cannon, really worked his magic in this book. He has made other books but this one is the best out of all of them. This book is a lot more interesting than all of his other book. It is amazing. I would recommend this book to all kids who like birds and bats.

Adorable Book
My son loves this book! Every night its in the pile of books to read. We read it so much he knows the book my heart and is learning the words himself. This book encourged him to read on his own, being his favorite The pictures are adorable, and the story is great. I would recommend this book to any child. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This elegant volume--perhaps one of the best gift books on the planet--contains all six adventures of the irrepressible, mischievous Madeline (the smallest and spunkiest of the twelve little girls in two straight lines). Ludwig Bemelmans's Madeline was first published in 1939, and its five sequels have all become classics. In Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Anna Quindlen's introduction to Mad About Madeline she writes, "Amid a childhood full of children's books, amid glorious pictures and imaginative plots, it is worth wondering why this story is among a handful of books that now-grown children invariably buy for their own more than half a century after Ludwig Bemelmans began writing it on the back of a restaurant menu."

Inside this hefty, richly illustrated edition, you'll find Madeline, Madeline and the Bad Hat, Madeline's Rescue, Madeline and the Gypsies, Madeline in London, and Madeline's Christmas, in addition to Quindlen's splendidly insightful introduction, an essay by Bemelmans on how he invented Madeline, never-before-published working sketches of Madeline, and photos of the Bemelmans family. The perfect gift for anyone who has made friends with--or should be introduced to--the precocious Madeline. (The jaunty verse makes Madeline perfect for reading aloud, and readers ages 6 and older will enjoy sounding out names such as Lord Cucuface.) ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Our first choice EVERY night!
Our two little girls, three and two years old, LOVE Madeline. Daddy reads them one story each night -- they always get to pick which. For Christmas they got two new books which are still almost unread, since every night they want Madeline! The stories are exciting, but gentle and sweet; they are moral but not preachy. And the poetry is wonderful! Also the stories are not too long for a tired parent's voice at bedtime. But with only two little ones of my own, I wonder how DOES Miss Clavel keep TWELVE little girls in two straight lines?

My two-year old daughter is hooked already.
My daughter had seen a couple of Madeline videos (including Madeline's Resuce) and really enjoyed them, so I decided to purchase this book. Well, after only having it for a week and a half, she is pulling it off her bookshelf and asking me to read it to her. The sing-song quality of the prose has her "reading" along with me as best she can already.

These stories can be understood by toddlers even at this early age, although the "recommended" age for this book is older.

A great book and a good deal - worth the price.

Great Collection of Stories for Girls
I originally bought this book for my daughter so she could get a book of her own when the book delivery arrived in the mail.
There are 6 stories - poetic, simple, and time tested.
My daughter is a great reader now, and I attribute this book as one of those that sparked her interest in reading.

What's with Madeline?
I honestly don't know how to review these works. Obviously they are well-loved and have stood the test of time. But on closer inspection, the stories are kind of weak. The 11 girls who have the misfortune of not being Madeline are nameless, dialog-less, characterless ciphers -- for six books! Pepito changes overnight from an animal-abusing brat to a saint? And the christmas story is just plain stupid.

But like the illustrations, in the end the stories are examples of how sloppy and messy can work. The cadences of the text are wonderful. And my 3-year-old daughter loves the books. Who am I to complain?

Adorable characters and great story lines!
I just bought this for my 3 year old daughter as I wanted to introduce her to Madeline.

Madeline and Miss. Clavel (are) brilliantly brought to life in each of the six short stories. There are are bright, vivid pictures with not too many lines which hold the little one's attention (If the wonderful story lines didn't!)

My daughter and I are really pleased! ... Read more

Amazon.com

"Tuesday evening, around eight"--a deceptively mundane beginning for what proves to be a thrilling, miraculous, and surreal amphibian journey. Slowly and quietly on this particular Tuesday, a few fat frogs begin hovering over a swamp, riding lily pads like magic carpets. Clearly satisfied and comfortable, the floating frogs are as serene as little green buddhas. Gradually, the flying fleet grows in momentum and number, sailing over the countryside and into an unsuspecting town. These frogs know how to have fun--startling the occasional bird, waving webbed feet at late-night snack-eaters, and even changing the channels on a sleeping granny's television. As day breaks, the frogs lose their lily pads, head back to the pond, and wait impatiently for their next scheduled departure.

Tuesday won the 1992 Caldecott Medal and, among other honors, was named as an ALA Notable Children's Book. The critical acclaim will come as no surprise to anyone who opens the pages of this beautiful and humorous book. With hardly any words (except those noting the time), David Wiesner creates a wondrous romp as silent as the middle of the night. Using the rich purples, blues, and greens of late evening, Wiesner draws readers into the warm, incandescent world of frog flight. "Read" this wordless wonder to children and savor it for yourself as well. Chances are, you and the youngsters will both find yourselves poised at the window, hoping to catch a few airborne frogs in the act. (Ages 4 and older) ... Read more

Reviews (47)

Wordless, yet eventful Plot
David Wiesner's, almost wordless, book, "Tuesday," gives the reader a vivid story about a group of frogs who take their lily pads for a ride. Their lily pads fly through the air and through the neighborhood. The frogs' adventure ends when the sun begins to rise. However, the next Tuesday, another animal gets to take a similar adventure.

In the book, "Tuesday," David Wiesner uses watercolor on Arches paper for the illustrations. The illustrator uses dark colors to represent the time of night in this story. The dark colors also give the viewer a sense of mystery as they flip through the pages. However, the illustrator also uses light colors to represent the light from a house, the glow from a television set or the time of day. David Wiesner uses line to show the action of the frogs, by guiding the viewers' eye through the frogs' adventure on their lily pads. Wiesner's choice to make the frogs in the book, "Tuesday," makes the frogs seem friendly and happy.
My favorite aspect of the illustration was that color. The light and dark differences found throughout the book made the story seem very real, even though the plot is very, "magical." The use of blues and grays make the frogs flying through the air seem mysterious. While the fluorescent lights of the kitchen give a very drastic change to the frogs flying in the night outside. I also think that it was very cute for the frog to be waving at the man in the kitchen. I think that is a minor detail that a child will most likely pick up on and appreciate.
The lighting of the television room was another favorite for me. I like how the artist let the glow of the television shadow the frogs and the old woman. I enjoyed the fact that the frogs made themselves at home with the remote control and the cat looking on, in the background.
I think this is a book that a child would definitely enjoy to, "read," especially since they do not have to read. The child is free to let their imagination do the storytelling.

to be read EVERY Tuesday
In the inside of the cover, Wiesner claims these events actually happened one Tuesday and... "all those in doubt are reminded that there is always another Tuesday." Beginning at 8:00pm, we see a three-part picture of a pond that changes perspective to focus on an alarmed turtle. Frogs on lilypads have taken flight and begin to chase after birds, intimidate a dog and confuse a man eating midnight snack. As morning approaches, the frogs return to their pond, leaving their lilypads and the curious detectives behind. The story ends with the words, "next Tuesday" and the shadow of a flying pig.

I've used this book in primary classrooms. It is a very cute story with only a few words. It also provides a wonderful opportunity for children to tell or write their own words. This enables students who cannot read yet to engage in a literate activity.

Why 5 stars?:
This book tells a cute fantasy story with very few words. It lends itself to having children make up their own text, which will support their emerging literacy skills. The illustrations are incredibly lifelike and it is no wonder it won a Caldecott.

Monday you can fall apart. Tuesday, Wednesday break my heart
We've all heard the stories of the skies, for whatever reason, raining frogs on innocent town travelers. This natural occurrence of the wild is one of the great weirdnesses of life. So how much odder is it, really, to consider frogs flying? They have all the self-possession required of such a task. Frogs are a uniquely calm species. Confident even. In Dave Wiesner's essentially wordless book "Tuesday", amphibian folk are given the unexplained power of floatation. In his tale, Wiesner considers what exactly frogs would do with the gift of flying if it was granted them.

One of the best pictures in this book is on one of the first pages. There, a turtle cowers into its shell as black eyed pupil-less frogs rise on their lily pads out of the water. The frogs descend, so to speak, on a nearby suburb, and proceed to wreak some minor havok. They disturb a man pausing to eat a late night sandwich. They disturb laundry and enter old ladies' homes to watch a little telly. And they take a great amount of pleasure in scaring a dog that would undoubtedly eat them if it had the chance. As the book ends, the frogs are relieved of their otherworldly powers and hop back to the swamps, leaving only their lily pads behind them. The next Tuesday, at the same time, we're given a hint of how a more porcine animal will handle flight.

Wiesner is a genius at the visual gag. His illustrations are simple watercolors, well-detailed and in-depth. Wiesner knows when to give an animal human expressions and when to leave it looking particularly froggy. He gets every single one of those frogs' spots down , and can manipulate his illustrations in such a way that you never doubt for a moment the ridiculous things you're seeing. To top it all off, the man's a master at conveying light. I'm particularly attached to a scene of flying frogs watching t.v., a wary cat crouching in the background. The old lady asleep in the chair is wearing glasses that are reflecting the light of the television perfectly. On top of that, this is exactly what a room lit only by a single screen looks like. Wiesner's details are marvelous. Make sure to notice the frog appreciatively eyeing the old lady's painting of the forest.

There aren't that many wordless picture books out there these days though Wiesner has made a name for himself by specializing in this area. After reading "Tuesday", you can understand why he deserves this honor. Both witty and perverse, this author/illustrator lets you see into worlds you never could have imagined existed before he came up with them. You'll be thankful that he did.

An imaginative award-winning journey
I discovered this classic over a decade ago when working on my Master's. One of my required classes was a course in children's literature and it turned out to be my favorite. Having long been an avid reader, I was reintroduced to forgotten pleasures and presented with new (at that time) works that were totally fascinating.

"Tuesday" is in the latter category. It is short on prose but makes up for it with engrossing illustrations. The minimum of words allows the "reader" to create a different script with each visit.

My three-year-old niece "eats" the book up every time that either her mom, her grandfather, or even her dotting uncle takes a shine to pull it off the shelf and share it with her. Our respective interpretations of the pictures are limitless, making this a book that will live long after others have faded into obscurity.

Even the book's end allows the child to ponder the events of "Wednesday" and even hypothesize about the events of subsequent days.

Any book that plays on a child's natural tendency to dream is a winner.

Tuesday
I am a student at West Virginia State College, and I was required to read a Caldecott Award winning book for my summer Childrens Literature course. I chose the 1992 Caldecott Medal winner, Tuesay. Without knowing anything about the book I went to the public library and checked it out. To my surprise it was a picture book. The pictures in this book are amazing. They are so realistic and the thought of flying frogs really interests kids. This is a beautifully illustrated book and I would highly recommend this book for children of all ages. All you need is a great imagination to interested in this book. This book rightly bears the Caldecott Medal. I would like to thank my stupendous teacher Roger Samples for this fun and exciting assignment. ... Read more

Amazon.com

"I am Eloise/I am six." So begins the well-loved story of Eloise, the garrulous little girl who lives at New York's Plaza Hotel. Eyebrow raised defiantly, arm propped on one jutting hip, Eloise is a study in self-confidence. Eloise's personal mandate is "Getting bored is not allowed," so she fills her days to the brim with wild adventures and self-imposed responsibilities. An average Eloise afternoon includes braiding her pet turtle's ears, ordering "one roast-beef bone, one raisin and seven spoons" from room service, and devising innovative methods of torture for her guardians.

Eloise's exploits are non-stop, and--accordingly--the text uses nary a period. Kay Thompson perfectly captures the way children speak: in endless sentences elongated with "and then ... and then ... and then... " Hilary Knight's drawings illustrate Eloise's braggadocio and amusement as well as the bewilderment of harassed hotel guests. Eloise's taunts are terrible, her imagination inimitable, her pace positively perilous. Her impertinence will delight readers of all ages. (Ages 5 and older) ... Read more

Reviews (98)

I rawther love love love this book!
As we all know, Eloise is six and she lives at the Plaza Hotel with her Nanny who says things three times, her dog Weenie, her turtle Skipperdee and two dolls. When I was a child, I adored this book and wanted to be just like Eloise. She does whatever she wants and gets away with it.

As an adult, I feel so sorry for Eloise because her mother only sends for her when it's sunny and otherwise isn't present. What a poor little girl to grow up so alone!

However, this is a tremendously humorous and beautifully illustrated classic that can always make me grin from ear to ear. I looooovve room service too! Oh, and charge it please. Thank you very much.

Childlike and Literary
A few weeks ago, I took a friend and her two 5 year old twin girls to dinner. There was a 45 minute wait, and we went to the bookstore next door. I was dreading the prospect of entertaining two 5 year olds for 45 minutes until I saw a copy of Eloise, which has been out of print for many years. I sat down and started reading to them. The time flew by. A few older women walked by and smiled. I like to think that they had read the book when they were little girls. The 45 minutes went by all too soon for me.

What can I say about Eloise? We named our DOG Eloise when I was a boy. It is both literary and true to children. It is one of the books (like Charlotte's Web or Black Beauty) that stays in your heart from childhood.

Give it to your children.

Informed Parents
This is a very fun book. The story is imaginative and witty and the illustrations wonderfully whimsical. I bought this book for my little girl, remembering how much I loved it as a child when my first grade teacher read it to our class. Though I truly love this book, I can only give it 4 stars. This is because I must edit it as I read it to my daughter because I find some of the language used by the precocious Miss Eloise a bit offensive. By my count(done quickly), Eloise uses the phrase "for Lord's sake" six times and "Oh my Lord" five. In my home this is called "taking the name of the Lord in vain" and it's something your not suppoesed to do. It reduces the name of our Lord and Savior to a mere exclamation. I will still read this book with my child. When my daughter (now only 19 months)is old enough to understand, we will talk about how much we love Eloise but how it's not okay to take the name of the Lord in vain or terrorize one's tutor.

ELOISE IS THE BOMB!!!
Eloise is so funny,
she is a free spirt, and very accurate. She's here, She's there, She's everywhere. Recently, they made Eloise at the Plaza,(Rated 5 stars) And she's great.
Though I'm 10, and the age group is 6 and over, I LOVE IT. I have that and Eloise in Paris, and Eloise in Moscow (First Prinitng)

If you read this, you'll always be glad you did...

The absolutely essential book!
I have always loved children's books and at seventeen, I am still quite a child myself. One of my dearest friends, whose name is Eloise and I swap children's books and so she leant me the Absolutely Essential Eloise. I do not care what others say about her being a 'brat' or whatnot, I love this book and the others! Eloise is exactly how anyone would want to live, having everything and doing anything. I would highgly recommend it to any adult who wants to capture their 'inner child' again. :D I love Weenie too because I love pug dogs.
My mother knows Coco Chanel. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (27)

A Beautiful Collection of Letters
Lydia Grace is not only a gardener, but a writer of letters. This lovely book is a collection of her precious letters to beloved family members, and through them her story unfolds. David Small's simple but powerful illustrations bring Sarah Stewart's story of this brave little girl to life. What a great combination of author and illustrator. Be sure to read "The Library", as well.

A delightful story thay wiil grow in your heart
Lydia Grace Finch has been sent to to the city to live with her Uncle Jim while her family struggles with hard times. Uncle Jim does not smile and Lydia Grace finds the big city very, very big. Soon she is able to make friends with the workers at her uncle's bakery and the neiighbors in her building. With a child's enthusiasm and optimism, Lydia works to bring a little bit of the farm back home to her new city home. She also hopes to see a smile cross her Uncle Jim's face one day. Slowly, she is able to transform the roof of her apartment into a magical place and win that coveted smile. Sarah Stewart has written a delightful story of a child's optimism and the power of a smile. Davis Small's illustrations are garenteed to bring a smile to your face. A wonderful book to read aloud.

Grow for me
There are good David Small books and there are bad David Small books. Good David Small books are usually (though by no means always) written AND illustrated by David Small himself. Bad or poorly created David Small books are usually written by someone else, using Mr. Small's talents as a kind of afterthought. The exception to this rule (and all rules, as you well know, must have exceptions) is the pairing of David Small and his wife Sarah Stewart. After creating the fabulous "Money Tree" and the bibliophilic, but somewhat disturbing, "The Library", the two combined their talents yet again to write a gentle story of love, gardening, and family.

The year: 1935, and Lydia Grace Finch is being sent from the country to go live with her Uncle Jim in the city. Lydia Grace faces this challenge with resolve and a little sadness. After all, she is leaving her family behind, the effects of the Great Depression having taken their toll. The city is a gray dirty place and Uncle Jim is kind but he never smiles. Soon, it's Spring again and Lydia has found a place to call her own (the building's abandoned roof). Her number one goal is to get Uncle Jim to smile, and she's fairly certain that the answer to this goal is just around the corner.

What Stewart and Small have accomplished here is an evocative sense of metropolitan dank and pastoral greenery. The pictures are deeply moving sometimes, and gently humorous others. One picture that particularly took by breath away was the shot of Lydia Grace standing in the train station alone. She is singled out, a blue dress wearing, green hat donning, red-haired little girl. The rest of the scene is all gray slashes of people walking in the distance and filthy light streaming through huge windows overhead. It's a gorgeous picture. Uncle Jim is just the right companion for the spunky little heroine too, looking like nothing so much as a 1930s version of Gene Shalit (sans the hair). What I appreciated most about this story was that it accepted the fact that some people in this world express their emotions and feelings differently from others. Not to give anything away, but Uncle Jim never smiles. And you wouldn't want him to either. Human beings can place importance in other things, like hard work and discipline. Uncle Jim is one such person.

If I have any objections to this book at all, it comes at the expense of Lydia Grace herself. This is a wonderful character and a great gal, this is not a child. David Small has, for reasons best known to himself, drawn a girl that looks like nothing so much as a shrunken adult. I've never had this objection to any of Mr. Small's characters before, so it was a bit of a shock to me to have such an objection now. Just the same, the eloquent story and excellent evocative scenes more than make up for a flaw that, let's admit it, probably only I could see.

Gardeners get short shrift in books, especially books for kids (unless you count stories like, "The Carrot Seed"). In this particular case, I think anyone,regardless of whether or not they can tell a petunia from a tulip, will enjoy this book. Its pace is a little slower and quieter than that found in other picture books, but for some kids it's just the right combination of simplicity and sweetness.

A Delight for children and grown-ups alike!
This wonderful book is at the upper scale of the "picture book" variety, aimed at good beginning readers. The vibrant illustrations earned the author/illustrator the prestigeous Caldecot Honor Medal. Any child slightly beyond the "Dr. Seus" series will be delighted with "The Gardener". A story that will make readers and listeners smile,laugh and filled with joy. A rare treat in the overwhelming market of childrens books.*****

This is a CLASSIC!
This book has such an unexpected gut-level impact on everyone who reads it! I have read it aloud to people of all ages and there is never a dry eye in the room! Each of the short letters begins with a date which will be meaningful to anyone who lived through the depression. Oddly enough, disasters and hard times seem to bring out the best in people and this book sets out to show just how that is true. Lydia Grace Finch is such a universally loveable little character - she is unforgettable! The text and the illustrations are so perfectly suited to each other - they seem to have been created by the same person -but they aren't! (Just a "marriage of true minds" I guess.)The book gets at the heart of what a family can give a child even without money - what it means to be poor and what it means to be rich.
This is a lovely gift book for children or adults and I hope it stays in print for a long, long time! ... Read more

Amazon.com

If geese had graves, Mother Goose would be rolling in hers. The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales retells--and wreaks havoc on--the allegories we all thought we knew by heart. In these irreverent variations on well-known themes, the ugly duckling grows up to be an ugly duck, and the princess who kisses the frog wins only a mouthful of amphibian slime. The Stinky Cheese Man deconstructs not only the tradition of the fairy tale but also the entire notion of a book. Our naughty narrator, Jack, makes a mockery of the title page, the table of contents, and even the endpaper by shuffling, scoffing, and generally paying no mind to structure. Characters slide in and out of tales; Cinderella rebuffs Rumpelstiltskin, and the Giant at the top of the beanstalk snacks on the Little Red Hen. There are no lessons to be learned or morals to take to heart--just good, sarcastic fun that smart-alecks of all ages will love. ... Read more

Reviews (111)

I want to hoard this book (IT'S MINE!)
GREAT! What other word can possibly come to mind reading The Stinky Cheese Man? I originally bought this book for my niece and nephew, Kayla and Greg. But before I gave it to them I read it myself and I simply could not stop laughing.

The best way to describe this to parents and adults is: it's a combination of Rocky and Bullwinkle (working on two humor levels), Mad Magazine, Mother Goose, and absolute literary anarchy. If you're an adult and have any sense of humor whatsoever you're going to laugh out loud. The best way to describe this to parents is to quote Greg, 10, who, upon being told he'd get this book said: "GREAT! It has those funny stories and those crazy drawings. I love it!!"

How did author Jon Scieszka and illustrator hit on a book that truly appeals to ALL ages? The book is a parody, moving visually and in its text as fast as a guided missle, but never for one millisecond underestimating the intelligence of its kid -- or adult -- readership. My Special 10 Year Anniversary Edition of this book contained a "Long Lost Stupid Fairy Tale" printed under the cover, the Boy Who Cried Cow Patty, a take off of the boy who cried "Wolf." (There is a less kid friendly version of this great story circulating on the internet).

Once you open the book (and I will not give it all away) you are immediately comedically clobbered with the Little Red Hen, who can't wait until the title page is seen to start her story and is upset with the management. Fonts, page layout, are all satirized or exploited for maximum laughs. Any kid who has ever had a fairy tale read to him/her and looked at a typical fairy tale book will get the visual joke immediately. So this book is not only a book they can read but a book that will make them WANT to read MORE...and see that reading can truly be FUN.

But it's the screamingly funny text and outrageously zany illustrations that have made this book a (well-deserved) legend. Even though it contains the alleged Surgeon General's stamp-disclaimer warning that it "has been determined that these tales are fairly stupid and probably dangerous to your health" these nutty stories are anything but dangerous. The bottom line is that they're comedy-parodies that make all ages think, but don't require a degree to get the joke. The book succeeds from its bonus tale printed under its book cover to its final silly page.

Tales include Chicken Licken with its great ending (comedy coach Greg Dean writes that comedy is a "shattered assumption" and that's what we get here and it's FUN); The Princess and the Bowling Ball (take off on the Princess and the Pea); The Really Ugly Duckling (probably a truer version of this tale than has ever appeared before); the Other Frog Prince (the frog wants a kiss...but what is he??); Little Red Running Shorts; Jack's Bean Problem, Cinderumpelstiltskin; the Tortoise and the Hair; and the absolute all time classic The Stinky Cheese Man, a superb satire of the Gingerbread man with a laugh-out-loud ending.

This book SHOULD be titled "The Stinkey Cheese Man and Other Absolutely Hilarious Witty Tales." If you like satire/parody and want your kids (or you) to read an upscale Mad-type take off on fairy tales, this book is for YEW! Now my only problem is: where can I HIDE this book after the kids read it, so I can keep it for myself???

danger, repeated reading required
Our family came at this a little bit sideways. We picked up The Book That Jack Wrote first, mostly because the paintings by Daniel Adel are absolutely
extraordinary, though the rhyme, by Jon Scieszka, based on the classic The House that Jack Built, is fun too. Then I realized that Mr. Scieszka was the author
of both The Stinky Cheese Man, which you often see on recommended book lists, and The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs, which several other authors of
childrens' books had chosen as one of their favorites in Salon Magazine several years ago. So now we own all three and read them almost every night.

It's somewhat absurd that we refer to the use of self-reference and the ironic blend of fact and fiction within fiction as post-modern, since such elements were
used in one of the first novels ever written, Don Quijote, and have never gone terribly far out of fashion since. Nor is childrens' literature a stranger to these
techniques, as a generation of parents who were raised on Jay Ward's Fractured Fairy Tales can well attest. But Mr. Scieszka is an adept practitioner of the
style and it does tend to make kids' books easier for adults to read and enjoy.

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs is written from the perspective of Alexander T. Wolf as he explains that the whole story is really just a big
misunderstanding, mostly the result of sensationalistic journalism. Meanwhile, The Stinky Cheese Man is a rather more pungent version of the Gingerbread
Man, who can't even get anyone to run, run, run as fast as they can to catch him because of the awful stench he gives off. The illustrations in these two, by
Lane Smith, are less stunning than those by Mr. Adel in The Book That Jack Wrote, but go well with the somewhat manic mood of the stories.

You can't go wrong with any of the three, but be warned, your kids will require repeated readings of each or all.

Book that Jack Wrote : Text : B Paintings : A+

True Story of the 3 Little Pigs and Stinky Cheese Man : Text : A Illustrations : B

4.7 stars
Though some of the humor may not be for preschool children, The Stinky Cheese Man is great for all chilren attending grade school. All children will enjoy the pictures.

The twists of each story(Cinderella, Little Red Ridding Hood...) will also get a small laugh from even the most withdrawn and shy children. The Stinky Cheese Man is ideal for the first day of school and will make almost any child comfortable around the teacher who reads it.

Cow Patty!
LOVE this book! About half the humor is for grown-ups, but don't be afraid to try it out with a kid around the 1st grade level. My son and I laugh ourselves silly whenever we read the book.

The art is great, and I love the hidden story on the inside of the dust jacket. This is an oddly put together book (that's part of the hook), so it can be challenging to read the first couple of times, but it's certainly worth the effort.

Run run as fast as you can...
Making use of every bookflap, endpaper, table of contents, flyleaf, and ISBN box, Jon Scieszka (go on...pronounce it) and Lane Smith teamed up to bring us the picture book that gives kids a lot more credit than most. Many adults will sit their little ones down with the same boring fairy tales with the same boring fairy tale lessons. Kids like fairy tales, no question, but kids also love the subversive. So if you hand them a book like, "The Stinky Cheese Man", that undermines everything fairy tales stand for, the children will fall on their knees in praise.

The book is a madcap collection of dismembered tales and stories. Didn't much care for the ending of the original "Ugly Duckling"? Well here's your chance to see the real (and realistic) finale to the tale. Think "Little Red Riding Hood" could be pepped up a bit by calling it, "Little Red Running Shorts"? Go wild. Scieszka is one of those rare authors that know exactly how to get little kids in stitches without resorting to the usual scatological humor and innuendo. This book is one wild ride. Characters frequently break through the fourth wall to confront the reader directly. There's a mixing and melding to the book, sometimes ending with the untimely demise of boring or annoying characters. I think it is safe to say that prior to reading this story, I had never had the pleasure of watching Foxy Loxy get pummeled by a book's Table of Contents. So thank you, Mr. Scieszka.

But thanking Scieszka without tipping one's hat to Lane Smith is like feeding bananas to buffalos. It just doesn't make sense. Smith is every bit up to the task of matching Scieszka feather to feather and foul to foul on this intrepid fairy tale adventure. Characters appearing in this book look like nothing so much as a nightmare of texts, fabrics, and shapes. Lane has always reminded me of graphic novelist Dave McKean (of "The Wolves in the Walls" fame), but with a few more childlike sensibilities. These pictures are meant to disturb, but not scare. Rather than finding Lane's grotesqueries fierce, children are endlessly amused by them. And to be frank, so am I. They're great. This book, is great. And the experience of reading it is nothing but a fan-freakin'-tastic experience. ... Read more

Amazon.com

"The STRINGS all soar, the REEDS implore, / The BRASSES roar with notes galore. / It's music that we all adore. / It's what we go to concerts for." In this exuberant tribute to classical music and the passionate, eccentric musicians who play it, author Lloyd Moss begins with the mournful moan and silken tone of one trombone. A trumpet sings and stings along, forming a duo, then a fine French horn joins in, "TWO, now THREE-O, what a TRIO!" The mellow cello ups it to a quartet, then ZIN! ZIN! ZIN! a violin soars high and moves in to make a quintet. The flute that "sends our soul a-shiver" makes a sextet, and "with steely keys that softly click," a sleek, black, woody clarinet slips the group into a septet.We move on! A chamber group of ten!And the orchestra is ready to begin. Moss should be congratulated for creating a playful, musical stream of rhyming couplets that seamlessly, slyly teaches the names of myriad musical groups. Marjorie Priceman, the whimsical, masterful illustrator of Elsa Okon Rael's When Zaydeh Danced on Eldridge Street and Jack Prelutsky's For Laughing Out Loud, won a Caldecott Honor Award for this swirling, twirling, colorful musical world worthy of thunderous applause and a standing ovation. (Ages 4 to 8) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (23)

ENCHANTING
I first came across this book in one of my university classes (Music for the Child)and fell in love with it immediately. It is now is my son's (age 2 1/2) favorite book. Even my husband loves it. We can all recite it by heart. It's a great way to introduce musical instruments to young children. My son recently saw a harp in person for the first time and recognized it right away because of this story. The prose, the illustrations - all are wonderful!!! A must for any child's library!

Fresh, charming, artistic approach to counting and music
I wish I could give this book 6 stars, because it is a truly wonderful book for preschoolers. One by one, the instruments in a classic orchestra are introduced, combining simple counting with music education. The text is in elegant rhyme, perfectly complemented by the bright, original & whimsical illustrations (make sure you pay attention to the "dance" performed by the cats, dog and mouse). A top-notch addition to a young child's library.

Emergent readers' gem!
Being a cello player myself, I believe all children should be exposed to music as soon as possible. This is a great introduction to music, orchestras, and the sounds the instruments make. It's great for emergent readers because of the rhyming and the way the words seem to flow from page to page. The illustrations are beautiful and whimsical. I really like the way the author uses pretty advanced descriptive words for the sounds the instruments make, like 'mournful moan' for the trombone and 'the reeds implore'.

Students will also learn basic information about musical groups, such as what they're called, octet, quintet, etc. A great part of this book is that the musical terminology is not reduced to children's levels. The words are quite large and reflect what is really true about classical musical instruments and musical groups. I think children would enjoy seeing the illustrations and learning about these instruments, and perhaps picking their favorite one. It plants an early seed in their head about orchestral groups, makes music fun, and perhaps creates a new generation of orchestral students.

Obviously, this is a minority opinion
As the 20-plus reviews thus far have ALL been five stars! So, take what I say with a grain of salt...

and even I actually mostly like this book (though I know at least one person who actually dislikes the book and won't read it anymore -- she finds the art ugly and the text strained -- but I'm married to her, she can write her own review).

I don't particularly notice the art, I'm usually half-asleep when reading this book to my 4-year-old in bed. But the text does sometimes jar me -- my teeth practically break when I get to the lines that rhyme CELL-o with hell-O (clearly one is supposed to pronounce it HELL-o here, but I can't make myself do it) -- on the other hand, some of it's really quite nice: "with steely keys that softly click//its breezy notes so darkly slick,..." (that ought to give you a sense of it -- if you say that aloud and think "ooh, I like the way those words fit together", and you want to say them to your child, then get this book. If you think "a clarinet's notes are breezy? or slick?"
or you worry about the rhyme of clarinet and septet, then maybe it isn't for you.)

Still, I like the nice twist on counting books, with 1,2,3,
becoming solo, duo, trio, etc. -- and the mouse-cats-dog subplot in the pictures is cute, too.

Awesome!
My three year old loves this book. We've read it only a few times, but he can already correct me if I mess up. He is learning to count, about instruments, the orchestra. It is just a fabulous book. Not to mention the terrific artwork. This is definately one of my favorites!!! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day was first published in 1972, catapulting a lovable, if peevish, young hero into the world of children's literature. Since then, Judith Viorst--mother of three boys, one of whom is named Alexander--has created two more Alexander books, Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday and Alexander, Who's Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move.

This wonderful Alexander-fest features the complete tales, illustrated by Ray Cruz and Robin Preiss Glasser, much to the delight of fans who want to introduce Alexander to the uninitiated. Viorst says that she has been writing always--"or at least since I was seven or eight, when I composed an ode to my dead parents, both of whom were alive and well and, when they read my poem, extremely annoyed." If you've ever gone to sleep with gum in your mouth or dropped your sweater in the sink while the water was running, you'll be able to relate to Alexander, and so will your favorite kids. (Ages 4 to 8) ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Alexander loves Alexander
Okay, I'll admit it. It's cool to see the look on Alex's face when he gets books that have his name in them. And this was definitely a winner. We'd checked out 'the horrible, terrible, no-good, very bad day', so I knew he'd like this one. Of course when we read it together he reads what Alexander says. It's pretty cool.

Who hasn't had a "terrible, horrible no good very bad day"
I grew up just loving Alexander in Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day. My mother read it to us a children (ok, so now you know I'm not too old!) and I was just thrilled to see such a good copy of not only it but the other Alexander stories as well. The library binding is very nice and this book will definitly be a keepsake for my children someday. If you like to have books to pass on, this one's for you!

Absolutely Positively Alexander - Fantastic!
My son's name is Alexander (goes by Alex). I gave this to him as a birthday gift and we have read it over and over many times. The three short stories are just the right length for a bedtime story. This book has humor and the boy, Alexander, is one boy that all children can relate too. The illustrations are great too! I highly recommend this for any child.

Teaches Kids About Everyday Challenges......
.....that they or their friends may have to face in their young lives. In one story Alexander deals with issues surrounding moving to a new neighborhood. In another he deals with the repercussions of spending all his money. And, in the last, he deals with just a plain old bad day where nothing seems to go right. In each story Alexander feels kind of glum and is afraid that no one understands his struggle. By the end of each story though, he learns a lesson and learns his responsibility for his actions. The stories don't end on particularly happy notes, where all works out despite everything, but rather shows a given realization being reached by young Alexander: that if you spend your money frivolously, you won't 'be rich', that everyone has bad days and it's just part of life, and that sometimes we have to do things we are afraid of and that we don't want to do, such as move to a new neighborhood.

The stories are written on about a second grade reading level. Kids ages seven and eight will have little difficulty with the language or with following the story line. Honestly though, I'm not sure that kids this age will get the moral of the story on their own. They may just see the ending where Alexander doesn't get what he wants as unfulfilling until an adult explains further.

You may as well get the whole set in one book!
Judith Viorst, well known adult author and the mother of sons, uses real life frustrations for this humorous (because its so true) story line, featuring Alexander, the youngest brother in a a family with three boys.

The first book is the best - Alexander has the worst days ever in "Alexander and the Horrible No Good Very Bad Day" (the best of the stories). In "Alexander Who Used to Be Rich," he fantasizes about all you do with a dollar, while in the third book, he resists (as most kids do) the family's need to move far away.

My own sons have enjoyed these books - starting in 1972 and into the present. The stories are not dated, as any parent of a child like Alexander can tell you - every untied shoelace is a major tragedy, a move around the corner can be traumatic and 'unfair,' and a dollar can buy you just about anything when you're in that wonderful 4 to 8 year old time of life.

Parents reading the book will see the humor. Children hearing the words will feel as though they are being understood.

As kids grow up (8 to 9 is about the end of the line for this series) they'll begin to see the humor in Alexander's thoughts.

Well written, with illustrations that are well above average, these books are a wonderful addition to any family library. And as long as you are going to get one, you may as well get all three and save yourself time and money! ... Read more

Amazon.com

"Good night, Gorilla," says the weary watchman as he walks by thegorilla cage on his nightly rounds at the zoo. The gorilla answers by quietly pickpocketing the guard's keys, stealthily trailing him, and unlocking the cages of every animal the oblivious fellow bids goodnight to. Looking much like an exhausted father, the uniformed guard traipses home toward his cottage, while the lonely zoo animals softly parade behind him. The animals manage to slip into his bedroom and nestle unnoticed near his sleepy wife--until the bold little gorilla goes so far as to snuggle up beside her as she turns out the light.Author and illustrator Peggy Rathmann (creator of the Caldecott-winning Officer Buckle and Gloria) relies more on the nuances of her jewel-toned pictures than on words to pace this giggly bedtime story, making it perfect for observant preschoolers. In one inky-black spread, Rathmann lets only the shocked, wide-open eyes of the guard's wife tell us that the gorilla has been detected! Tiny details such as the faithful, banana-toting mouse and sky-bound pink balloon that appear in each picture keep this book fresh, magical, and fun--even after countless bedtime readings. (Baby to preschool) --Gail Hudson ... Read more

Reviews (62)

Gracie's Favorite Book
My 10-month-old daughter demands her father and I read only Peggy Rathman books to her before bedtime. Since she was 5 months old, she would choose Goodnight, Gorilla from a pile of books offered to her, even if I hid this book on the bottom of the stack. I have decided that, unlike most baby board books, Peggy Rathman stories have a climax to look forward to -- whether it is yelling "BEDTIME" in Ten Minutes 'Til Bedtime or gasping when the zookeeper's wife realizes there are a bunch of zoo animals in her bedroom in Goodnight, Gorilla. The illustrations keep me interested, night after night. The attention to detail is wonderful. I highly recommend her books, and wish she would write more!

Perfect for toddlers!!
My son loves this book! I think it must be because the illustrations are easy on his eyes. The drawings are very childlike and the colors(mostly primary)are perfect. This is the story of a zookeeper who is closing the zoo for the night, and while he says "goodnight" to each critter, the gorilla, who is first, steals his keys and lets all the animals out. They all follow him home, and he never even notices! His pop eyed wife has to take care of them herself. It's the most adorable little book! There isn't much to read. It's more of a feast for the child's eyes right before he sets off to night nights.
The copy I have is a small board book, and it's small enough for my son's little hands to hold and admire all by himself.
I highly recommend buying this for the child at age 21 month and over.

Great for signing!
If you are using sign language with your child, this is a great book! It is more of a picture book, but there are great opportunities to sign gorilla (monkey, banana and key on every page, as well as some good concepts for kids like "light" and "sleep."

Even if you aren't signing, this book is fabulous. There are opportunities to identify animals and colors on every page, as well as finding the mouse and his banana.

Fun again and again!
I love this book and so does my toddler! We read it over and over. I love that we can think of different stories for every page and the illustrations and wonderful!!!

Not only cute, but really quite good
The creators of children's picture books that seek to enchant the viewer always run the risk of sometimes becoming TOO sweet. A book that's dripping with sweetie-pie sentiments is always in danger of disgusting the discerning (and purchasing) parent. "Good Night, Gorilla", on the other hand, balances deftly between sweet and smart, becoming both at once. In a simple story, a night watchman at a zoo bids goodnight to each of his animals as a sneaky gorilla unlocks them one by one. The unwitting watchman goes home (animals in tow) and it's up to his wife to put them all to bed again. If I was a better writer I'd be able to tell you just how cute this book is. It's SO cute! But not stupid in the least. Rathmann has filled this story with clever little subplots that kids will enjoy following. A small mouse with a banana lugs the heavy object from picture to picture. Rathmann even goes so far as to wrap a picture on the back of the book's cover around and into the inner fold where the tiny mouse stands by, patiently. The book also emotes deadpan beautifully. In one scene the watchman's wife says goodnight to her husband and the page goes black. Next we hear each animal in the room (that crept in unbeknownst to her) saying goodnight back. The two page spread that follows is just a single pair of wide open eyes in the black dark room. The deadpan wit will not be lost on either kids or their adult parents. If you'd like a book that you can read fifty times over without getting nauseated or bored, find yerself a copy of "Good Night, Gorilla", and count yourself lucky for having discovered it. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The curious, protean nature of water has fascinated people for ages, andWalter Wick--the photographer of Scholastic's highly acclaimed I Spy series--is noexception. Wick is a great admirer and collector of 100-year-old science books where,according to his afterword, "Even the simplest experiments appeared as ifimprobable or impossible things were happening. Intrigued, I recreated some of theexperiments and photographed them with my camera. The results seemed magical, butnot because of any photographic trick; it was only the forces of nature at work. It wasfrom these explorations that the idea for this book emerged."

As you're admiring the "crown" created by a water drop splashing into apool, or how many water droplets can fit on the head of a pin (the smallest droplet on thepin contains more than three trillion water molecules), you'll learn about evaporation,condensation, snowflakes, how clouds form, and more amazing water tricks. Wick's otherartfully composed photographs include a "wild wave" caused by a brown eggdropped in a water glass, soap bubbles with a "shimmering liquid skin," asnowflake at 60 times its actual size, and dew on a spider web. Like many old-fashionedscience books, A Drop of Water ends with a list of simple experiments may lurethe young reader into the world of scientific investigation. Unlike many old sciencebooks, this one also stands on its own as a beautiful, notable collection of photographs. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Really Descriptive
This helped me alot while performing my science project. It's cool to everyone I know no matter what their age was...

Excellent read-along for Classical Homeschoolers
I am doing 3rd grade chemistry based on the Well-Trained Mind. This read-along was excellent for our chemistry experiments on molecules, and I look forward to using it several times with the other topics it presents. The photos are absolutely stunning. Even though the reading level is higher than 3rd grade, the focus is on the photos - and they do a wonderful job of rounding out the student's grasp of the concepts. My husband and I both learned something new, and even the 6 and 3-year-olds are pointing out condensation and water vapor along with their third-grade brother.

Included in the back are suggested experiments for those who do nature study along the lines of Charlotte Mason's theories. Definitely a keeper.

A Drop of Water
The pictures in this book are excellent, but the reading level is not 4-8 as listed. The level is about 6th grade and above.

Excellent Photography of Water
A Drop of Water is an amazing book with lots of close-up photography. The facts about water are interesting and fun to read. Walter Wick also covers areas of vapor, steam and ice.

Have you ever wondered about a drop of water?
Have you ever wondered about water - what makes the sides of a glass fog up on a hot day, why snowflakes look like they do?? Walter Wick explores water firsthand with breathtaking photographs in a book that brings water into sharp focus. For the photographs alone this book is worth looking at, and then add the simple science text and its priceless. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The story of Galileo is at once inspiring and troubling. The brilliant astronomer was a celebrated scientist who was showered with honors and patronage until his greatest discovery--that the earth circled the sun rather than the other way around--proved to be too much of a threat to prevailing orthodoxy. Peter Sis, author of the wonderful children's book Follow the Dream: The Story of Christopher Columbus, tells Galileo's tale for children ages 8 and older. A brilliant and sophisticated illustrator and a sensitive storyteller, he traces Galileo's life from childhood to his final days as a prisoner of the church. (Click to see asample spread. © 1996 by Peter Sis. Reprinted by permission of the publisher, Farrar, Straus and Giroux.) (Ages 8 and older) ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Its not just another picture book
In this amusing and insightful book, Peter Sis has attracted more then one audience. Starry Messenger (a Caldecott Honor book) tells the story of Galileo Galilei and some of his accomplishments. The actual story is interesting, but the illustrations are amazing! His pictures are detailed and
intricate, including every possible detail the mind can imagine. On the page introducing Galileo, perhaps fifty babies wrapped in blankets are pictured. On each blanket is their future occupation. You see a baker, a priest, a farmer, a knight, and a barrelmaker among many others. But Galileo is one that stands out. His blanket is dark blue and covered with
white stars, foreshadowing his remarkable life.

The Starry Messenger is a picture book, but don't let that label fool you. Most adults will find the facts about Galileo written in the margins interesting, and as I have, the pictures astounding. Words cannot do this book justice, its marvelous work of art!

A children's book about Galileo clearly for older readers
Yes, "Starry Messenger" is one of those children's books that is going to be over the heads of most children, which is ironic given that it is about a man who wanted to understand the meaning of the stars. Certainly the life of Galileo Galilei is worthy of being taught to children, but Peter Sis has geared this one a bit too high, as I think these reviews clearly indicate. After all, few young readers will appreciate that the inclusion of quotations from Galileo's "Discoveries and Opinions of Gailelo," although they will be more inclined to spin the book around to read cursive lines of tiny print written in a spiral by Sis. Fortunately, most children have much better eyes than I do now a days.

The chief charm of "Starry Messenger" for me is the artwork, which certain suggests both the Old World and Olden Days. Several of the illustrations remind me of Medieval and Renaissance artwork I have seen in the past. Again, I am not sure younger readers can really appreciate some of the details Sis puts into some of this illustrations, especially the three dealing with the his trial before the Pope's court. This is a shame because these are pretty powerful illustrations. Ideally, somewhere down the road kids who learn about Galileo and the example of his trial ("But it does move") will return to this book and better be able to appreciate it.

Nice Artwork, Misleading History
This children's book about Galileo has very beautiful illustrations, but the history leaves much to be desired. It's a perfect example though of how myths about the past take on a life of their own independent of historical evidence or historical context. Sis offers another variation on the "warfare" of science versus religion with Galileo representing the modern rational scientist (which he was not) and his opponents in the Church representing ignorant, dogmatic tradition. Of course the reality was much more complex, especially considering that Galileo did not have proof that the earth moved. This book shows why children are so often misinformed from an early age for the sake of telling a good story.

Definately for older children
This book is beautifully illustrated and written but was given to my daughter when she was 4 years old by an ambitious uncle and although she is quite interested in science, at age 5 it is still way over her head. I would have to agree with some of the other reviewers, I would recommend it for much older children interested in the subject.

May be more for adults than children?
Although the illustrations are delightful and fun to explore I was disappointed with the book. I bought it to give to my 7 year old grand daughter and I have not givent it to her yet. I feel this is a book written for someone who already knows a lot about Gallileo. Those who already know a lot will enjoy the illustrations, those who need to learn will miss the message. ... Read more

Amazon.com

It is Yoko's first day at school, so of course her mother wants to sendher off with healthy comfort food for lunch--a delectable package of homemade sushi. "Have a wonderful day at school, my Little Cherry Blossom,"her mother says as Yoko climbs into the bus. And it would have been, had it not been for lunchtime. Timothy brings a peanut butter and honey sandwich. Tulip has Swiss cheese on rye. The Franks brothers have beans and franks. Butwhen Yoko opens her cooler of rice rolls with "the crispiest cucumber, the pinkest shrimp, the greenest seaweed, and the tastiest tuna," one of the Franks brothers announces, "Ick. It's green. It's seaweed." Tulip and Fritzchime in, "Yuck-o-rama."

Rosemary Wells (Voyage to the Bunny Planet), with her expressive, bright-eyed, chubby-cheeked animal kingdom, has once again successfully tapped into the emotional world of children. The embarrassment of bringing an uncool lunch to school! What child hasn't wanted to hide under the cafeteria table when caught with a gooey enchilada or a slice of vegetarian lentil loaf? Fortunately, Yoko's teacher concocts a plan to stop the teasing. Parents who have more ambitious hopes for their children's lunches than Fritos, PB&Js, and Oreos will be relieved to discover that the happy ending does not include Yoko's giving up her comfort meal or, more importantly, her heritage. (Ages 4 and older) --Gail Hudson ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Sends a great message to children
This is a wonderful story that celebrates the diversity of our nation, and shows that these differences are cause for celebration not ridicule. My daughter enjoyed this book, and followed the childrens feelings of the unusual lunch dish. When she said "ick!" and slowly began to wonder what sushi actually tastes like, it made me smile. She learned the first lesson of the differences in everyone. Rosemary Wells provided the stepping stone for understanding and tolerance.

Nice story
This is the story of how Yoko brought Japanese food to school, and the reactions Yoko gets. Rosemary Wells has done a number of books about the kids at Hilltop school and turned it into a cartoon on PBS. She's also the author of the Max and Ruby 'Bunny' books.

This is a pretty simple little book but it has some good lessons tucked away in the story. First, it's good to try different foods. Second, its okay to be different. Third, the teacher is your friend and wants you to enjoy school. This is not a deep book, but Wells creates another story that small children will enjoy.

not the ending I expected....
Somewhere three quarters of the way into this book, something happens. The book breaks away from the ending that my wife and I expected. Ms. Wells steers clear of the facile 'happy ending' and re-routes the book to new and different territory. In the hands of a lesser author we would have the entire class doing cartwheels for Yoko's sushi. Sorry, that doesn't happen. Instead we get a much different ending. Somehow that makes the book more tender. More realistic. Kudos to the author for the ability to make this true to the meaning of being a kid.

Excellent way to show cultural differences
Yoko is an Asian American who faces prejudice and teasing because of the food she takes to school for lunch. After the other children in the class continue to pick on Yoko about her meal, Ms. Fox, the teacher, writes invitations for International food day on the following Monday. While all other dishes are eaten, no one touches Yoko's sushi, except for Timothy, after which Yoko and Timothy become friends. Rosemary Wells shows the cultural differences among