Book Description

Pete's father starts kneading the dough. Next, some oil is generously applied. (Its really water.) And then some tomatoes. (They're really checkers.) When the dough gets tickled, it laughs like crazy. ... Read more

Reviews (24)

I truly love this book.
My wife and I are currently expecting our first child and have begun putting together a little library of children's books. This one is our favorite. It's sweet and funny and has wonderful illustrations. I can't wait to read it to our little one -- and to make "Pizza" a game for our family as well!

Good, simple fun.
This book is an easy read with expressive pictures. Pete's father plays a game with him to cheer him up and his mother soon joins in. It is a sweet family moment, where the family uses lots of imagination. At first, I didn't see the charm in this book. But my three year old twins liked it. They started requesting it more and more often. And I enjoyed reading it each time. It is a "feel good" book. (And, for me, the price of the book is worth just hearing my toddlers say "Pete's a Pizza!") Since my children are so delighted with Pete being made into a pizza, and then seeing the "pizza" run away, I think I will have to try making them into a pizza soon.

Cute and cheerful
It's a rainy day and Pete is in a sour mood. His dad decides to cheer him up by making him into a pizza. He puts him on a table, kneads him, tosses him in the air, and puts toppings on. The game continues with laughs all around until the sun finally comes out and Pete can go out and play. The book is not at all scary. It's a great make-believe book. It has about 300 words.

a copy for my kids, a copy just for me!
My favorite children's book- oh yeah, my kids like it too. i keep one under my pillow for times when i need a smile!

Wonderful
We have played a game like this at our house where we make pizza out of our son and daughter. They have always enjoyed it. They loved reading this book and seeing how someone else can make a pizza out of a kid.

The pictures are very cute. The writing is easy to read.

Enjoy. ... Read more

Amazon.com

It would seem a riddle worthy of the sphinx: how do you give children a sense of jazz music without playing a note? Chris Raschka answers loudly and clearly with the illustrated, syncopated Charlie Parker Played Be Bop. This sparse, rhythmic, repetitive text (inspired by a recording of Parker's "A Night in Tunisia") embraces and reflects the sound and feel of jazz when read aloud: "Charlie Parker played be bop. / Charlie Parker played saxophone. / The music sounded like be bop. / Never leave your cat alone." Whether in complete phrases or in nonsense refrains that taste like music in your mouth ("Alphabet alphabet, alphabet, alph, / Chickadee, chickadee, chickadee, chick, / Overshoes, overshoes, overshoes, o, / Reeti-footi, reeti-footi, reeti-footi, ree."), Raschka brings melody to the page, and rhythm to eager ears.

Raschka, whose Yo! Yes?won a Caldecott Honor, and whose MysteriousThelonious--another ebullient, musical exploration of a jazz legend--was named a 1997 ALA Notable Book, proves once again that he is just as at home with a paintbrush as he is with a pen. His bold, quirky illustrations add movement and light to the words, buoying their already lyrical effect. Charlie Parker Played Be Bop is a colorful, whimsical romp through the world of jazz, sure to set young and old toes a-tapping. (Ages 4 to 8)--Brangien Davis ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Makes me want to dance!
I have read this book over and over and over. I regularly buy it for neices and nephews and make sure each has their own copy. I have read it to my 4th graders for the past few years and they love it. It is a great read-aloud. The words flow. The book is hipnotic. Charlie Parker needs to be introduced to children and this is a great way to go about it.

My 6 year old neice can quote each page! She's been able to do that since she was 3 or 4! Her little brother now has a copy! Chris Raschka has done a great job with this book. Oh, and, never leave your cat a-lone.....

My 13-month old is OBSESSED with this book.
I purchased this book because I love Charlie Parker and wanted to share that love with my then 6-month-old son (he's been listening to Charlie Parker on Phil Schaap's Birdflight since he came home from the hospital).

It immediately became his favorite book (he has over 100) and INSISTS that it be read to him 4-5 times per day. Frequently, we will have just finished it and he reaches for it again. One of his first 7 words is pa-ka (Parker)...it is his first two-syllable word! I would teach him to say "Bird," but I think that would confuse him right now. :-)

The pictures are wonderful! I particularly like the one of "Charlie Parker Played No Trombone" which shows Bird looking at a trombone and scratching his head.

The words and sounds are wonderful and convey the feeling and flavor of "Be Bop."

My son particularly loves the mysterious kitty...

My son is now 13 months old and it's still his favorite book BY FAR!

"Never leave your cat a-lone..."

Letters and Sounds
My daughter is nearly three years old. She is just now learning her alphabet and the sounds of the letters. As we read Charlie Parker Played Be Bop, she points to each word. I feel it is a great asset in her learning. In addition, I have noticed that she plays with sound more, sings more, and yes... I've even seen her dancing to her own songs. Maybe it is simply an age thing, but I would give some credit to this wonderful book. It demonstrates the power of sound beyond the meaning of words. We find ourselves learning that skill unaware that it is being taught.

My musical 2 year old loves it!
I saw this book on "Between the Lions" and I loved it, so I bought it. I figured my daughter (then about 18 months) wouldn't have any interest, but I'd keep it until she got older. Boy, was I wrong. She loves it. She loves looking at it by herself and she loves us to read it to her. I'm not a major jazz fan, but the book is impossible to read without feeling the rhythm. The illustrations are fun and the cat looks just like ours!

First book my son read and read and read...
Picked this book up at the Library after it was featured on PBS's Between The Lions. My son never put the book down, so we bought it. The book is fun, easy to read for children, and the pictures are great. Both my boys have it memorized and read it often. ... Read more

Amazon.com

"And if the moon could talk, / it would tell of evening / stealingthrough the woods / and a lizard scurrying home to supper." Kate Banks and illustrator Georg Hallensleben's lovely bedtime book spins a sleepy tale of what the moon would say if it could look down at a night-swept Earth and tell us what it sees. The book begins with a cozy inside view of a little pajama-clad girl and her stuffed white rabbit. Then we travel outside to a moon's view of the night world. Back inside, from the familiar objects on the bedside table--"a glass, a wooden boat, a starfish, too"--we move to "waves washing onto the beach, / shells, and a crab resting." Each rich,color-drenched scene complements the next--as Mama hands her child the toy rabbit, a lioness licks her cubs in a faraway den. "And if the moon could talk," the book concludes, "it would tell of a child / curled up in bed wrapped in sleep. / And it would murmur / Good night." From the creators of the beloved Baboon and Spider, Spider, this beautiful book--winner of the 1998 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for best picture book--has become one of our all-time favorite bedtime stories. (Click to see a sample spread. Illustrations copyright © 1998 by Georg Hallensleben, text © 1998 by Kate Banks. Reprinted by permission of the publisher, Farrar, Straus and Giroux.) (Ages 3 and older) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (18)

A rare gem!
This is one of my very favorite picture books, as it is equally enjoyable for children and adults. This treasure of a book is aesthetically pleasing to both eyes and ears, and its message sweet, imaginative, and meaningful. The paintings are richly colorful and simply beautiful, and the text is lyrical and soothing. It's a perfect bedtime story that begs reading again and again and again.

A great book!
I love books and have a 2 yr old daugter, therefor my daughter loves books. And if the Moon Could Talk is one that we can both recommend without question to anyone.

My little girl just loves it. It is one of a very few books that she picks up again and again. The story is perfect for that "just before bed book."

Buy it, you won't be sorry.

My Favorite Children's Book!
This is a fantastic child's book! It is gorgeously illustrated with mysterious, lush, beautiful night scenes; the text is rhythmic, soothing, subtle poetry of the highest quality. I've been reading this book to my niece for three years and she loves it still! When she was four I'd read it to her and she would get to "read" the refrain "And if the moon could talk" each time it appeared. When she was five and six she'd read it with ever-increasing ease as she learned to read; now that she's seven we alternate pages, but she still has her favorite parts she will not allow me to read--she insists on having those pages to herself. We imagine we live in the beautiful town, assigning houses to grandma, uncles, cousins. This is a book to treasure!

Maybe too well written for toddlers
I bought this book for my 2 1/2-year-old twins, but a lot of it goes over their heads. Obviously the author has talent, but she's more of a poet than a storyteller. Perhaps she should be targeting an older crowd. This book has elements suited for toddlers (big pictures, only one sentence per page) but the writing is too sophisiticated and abstract for them, and the story too disjointed. I guess it would be good for a one-year-old or younger who just enjoys hearing a parent read a peaceful book (e.g., "Eyes close. There is a drowsy hush. Darkness swells into a colorful dream. And if the moon could talk..."). But my kids prefer books with stories they can understand, and even repeat. This ain't that.

By all means, get this book!
This is my 21-month-old son's absolute favorite book. Since finding it in our library a week ago, it is the only book that he lets me read to him at bedtime. Hallensleben's lush and dreamy illustrations, along with Banks' carefully chosen text works like magic to lull our little guy into a deep, peaceful sleep. If I dare put the book down for a second or suggest another book, he gestures wildly until I return to his favorite. Hallensleben is a remarkable artist, and adults and children alike are transported into his magical world. I can't wait for this and two other Banks/Hallensleben collaborations to arrive in the mail. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Author and illustrator Calef Brown is a blue elephant, we're told on the back flap of the book, and we half-believe it, judging from this exuberant, unforgettable collection of 14 ultra-hip rhyming stories about everything from sleeping fruit to a funky--and we mean funky--snowman. Incomicalfolk-art paintings, bathed in truly delicious colors, we meet Ed. "Introducing Ed, / with cherries on his head. / He says, 'I like the color,' / So all his stuff is red..." One odd hamlet is described like this: "Clementown is greenish, / the people tall and leanish, / the dogs bark very loudish, / but not because they're meanish." Brown sings the praises of "Snails" as well: "...they don't make threats, / they don't eat meat, / they don't place bets, / they almost always pay their debts / and never puff on cigarettes." These poems are as nonsensical as Edward Lear's, but clearly for modern hipster kids, and, well, adults, too. (Click to see asamplespread. Illustrations © 1998 by Calef Brown.) (All ages) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (29)

My son's favorite book!
My son, age two, received this book for Christmas last year. He loves it! We read it almost everyday. His favorites are Polka Bats, Snails, Ed and Eliza's Jacket. Calef Brown is a very unique and funny poet. The poems are upbeat and fun to recite. My family and I find ourselves reciting various lines at the simple mention of a trigger word..such as "pocket". I just bought my son his second Calef Brown book, Dutch Sneakers and Flea Keepers. So, grab this book and some chocolate pudding, remember check your house for those "pesky snails" and "kick it" with the "funky snowman"!!

Can't stop laughing...
I discovered this book on one my regular bookstore trips with my granddaughter, 3, who already loves books and bookstores. While she picked a "Pooh" book, I chose this one.

Later in the day, we had to take her to the hospital with a mild asthma attack. "Polkabats and Octopus Slacks" went with us. By the time we were done (she's ok), my wife had read her every story/poem at least a half dozen times. She loves the drawings and the wonderful cadence of the poems, in addition to the silly thoughts. It quickly became part of the bedtime story reading list.

"Polkabats" is her favorite poem, followed by "Ed", with the cherries on his head. I love the "Kansas City Octopus" and "Ed." But they're all a hoot, and after my granddaughter has gone to bed, I'll reread them myself, just for fun.

My 5YO son's favorite books!
The two books of poems were given to us as gifts and now they are the books that my son always chooses first when we sit down to read. That's saying A LOT since he's usually only into dinosaurs, superheroes, and other macho things. But these poems are fun and silly and brilliant and the illustrations are crazy works of art.

If reading were more fun it would be illegal
My daughter grabbed this book at the library and being some kind of reading- Nazi, I was hesitant. "Those don't look like OUR kind of illustrations," said the little censor in my head. But I let her toss it in the bag and I am so glad I did.
We read this nightly and after I've used up all our renewals on its checkout, I think I'll have to buy it. And one for my funky parents, one for my funky brother and sister-in-law and their funky new baby, etc etc.
The poems are so catchy and fun and this is one bedtime book you will not tire of reading (!!!). The illustrations are a perfect match for the incredibly vibrant world Brown paints with his words. I'm guaranteed thatif I call out, "Does that stop Funky Snowman?" my daughter, if she's within earshot will yell enthusiastically , "NO!" If she's not within earshot, my husband just looks at me like I'm an idiot.
Brown's poetry is wonderful nonsense and I look forward to getting my hands on Daniel Pinkwater's audio production of it.
Thank God for unbiased children.

Fun for kids, funny for adults
In enjoy reading these poems as much as my son loves hearing them. We were at a potluck with some friends, and my boy (just turned 3 at the time) comes out with a spontaneous recitation of "Funky Snowman", word for word. My jaw just about hit the floor. These poems are really lots of fun, and several have the rhythms of popular song. One of my favorites is about a traveling salesman who goes around in a bathtub on wheels hawking shampoo and soap with his one-legged duck (named Alphonso). As kooky as it sounds, you can almost sing this poem to the tune of "The Times They Are A-Changing". And another one called "Skeleton Flowers" sounds like the Addams Family theme song. Or maybe I'm just not getting enough sleep. Anyway, this is one of our favorites. We have another one of Brown's books, Dutch Sneakers and Flea Keepers. It's also good, but I like this one better. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Perfect science and read-aloud book.
A wonderfully succinct overview of the blue whale and it's habits.

The clear, sweet prose makes delivery of the content easy, and the very fine, soft illustrations demand repeated veiwing. My Preschool and Kindergarten ESL students found it highly engaging.

If there's a better science and read-aloud book around I'd really like to know about it. TEN stars.

Follow this book up with the superb "Is a Blue Whale the Biggest Thing There Is?" by Robert E. Wells. Wells' book uses the whales' size as a starting point for exploring the size of the universe and other very big things (the second step involves putting a hundred blue whales in a really big jar). Read my review of Wells' book if you like.

ONE OF THE BEST WHALE BOOKS AVAILABLE!
I'm a whale researcher who has spent much of the last 12 years studying blue whales in the North Pacific. I'm also a mom who loves children's literature. Rarely do I see a book that is so accurate factually while it is captivating and magical! The illustrations are beautiful. I highly recommend it to anyone who has children who are facinated by whales. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Created by Margret Rey and her husband H.A. Rey, themischievous monkey Curious George has delighted millions ofreaders for more than 50 years with his hilarious hijinks. Afterthe birth of Curious George in 1941, six titles completed theseries, which have since been translated into 12 languages. Thiswonderful 416-page collector's edition (with all seven of theoriginal Curious George titles in one colorfully illustratedvolume) features Curious George, Curious George Takes aJob, Curious George Rides a Bike, Curious GeorgeGets a Medal, Curious George Flies a Kite, CuriousGeorge Learns the Alphabet, and Curious George Goes to theHospital. The intrepid monkey--who represents the insatiablycurious (and invariably accident-prone) soul in all of us-- captures the heart of everyone he meets. (Picture book) ... Read more

Reviews (47)

George stays in your mind forever !
I loved George so much when I was little, even before I could read. My mom bought me one and she ended up buying all the other Georgefs books. Mine were written all Japanese, George's books are everywhere in the world and famous. I am 36 year-old (!) now, I still can remember some of the stories I read and adorable drawings of the books. I think this book even had an influence my "personality development" as a child. Good influences such as: be independent, be curious, be creative, be bold, be unique, be humorous, be even a little rebellious, be lovable. Very good chilren's book.

Memories of old and new
I absolutely loved Curious George when I was a child. It is so thrilling to watch that same excitement in my 3 y.o. daughter. She practically begs me to read her a story from the book every night. During the day, she loves to flip through the book looking for her favorite pictures. It's not often that children enjoy the same things that delighted their parents as children. I am so happy to able to share these stories with her!

Too much monkey
The Curious George stories are cute in small doses but after awhile they become rather repetitive.

A Great Book to Read at Bedtime
When I was a child, curious George was one of my favorites, and now this fine book allows me to pass along George's adventures to my own children. Perhaps the best thing about this book is that it contains so many curious George stories. You could read a different story each night for several nights. My children have quickly become as fond of George as I was when I was a child. The accompanying illustrations are very colorful and they definitely grab a young child's attention. I highly recommend this fine children's book. It is a great book to share with your children and perhaps serve as a reminder to your own childhood.

Perfect under the tree!
This makes a great gift. Curious George is a very fun character, who gets into really interesting situations. There's a lot of "story" here, and hours of reading fun.

I like this one as it's become a cherished book for my kids. They read it together, and have lots of fun with it. ... Read more

Book Description

Take a journey through time with seven women who left their indelible imprints on the past. Their history is a story and more. They were farmers and artists and missionaries and storytellers. They fought many battles but never in any wars. They were devout and determined and tireless and beloved. They were brave beyond compare. Betsy Hearne and Bethanne Andersen both make their picture-book debuts in this empowering, beautifully illustrated account of seven unforgettable women. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Seven Brave Women
A book that tells the story of a family over generations, shows strong women, and expresses an unapologetic, matter of fact opposition to war would be of interest if it were not so well done. But it is well done. Telling the stories in the voice of the author's daughter is brilliant, tying the past to the future.

The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous.

I have bought copies of this book for my nieces and great-nieces, from adult to infant (OK, the infants will have to grow a bit before they understand, but even they like the pictures.) I think it would be good for the boys to read it, too, but I think that would be a harder sell.

So enjoyable!
Reading this book to my kids made me want to find out more about my own great-great-great grandmothers!

A Celebration of Seven Generations of Strong Women!
I found this book to be simply inspirational. Hearne sets up a time line of sorts, depicting seven strong, determined women from her heritage who are rugged yet feminine and caring. Each woman differs remarkably in her interest and education, but is portrayed as a positive and vital part of the family. The focus on the wars through out the lives of these women demonstrates the integral part women played on the homefront, more often than not with out the credit they deserved. This is a book that would spark interest in female readers who might not otherwise be curious about their own heritage. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Even the most educated marine biologist could learn something from this whimsical, beautifully illustrated collection of 21 poems about sea life. Some of the poems are pure silly fun ("There are uglier fish than a blennie-- / But not many."), and others are gracefully infiltrated with animal facts ("Did you know the ocean's oysters / Sometimes change from girls to boysters?"). Douglas Florian, whose Beast Feast and On the Wing received high praise, accompanies each of his delightful poems with a stunning watercolor painting. In addition to capturing the liquid blur of an underwater world, the illustrations incorporate subtle visual jokes; for example, the salmon are doing the high jump, and the seahorses are wearing saddles. It's no fish story--Florian's combination of intelligent, funny rhymes and rich, irresistible paintings will make a splash in your home! (Ages 3 and older) ... Read more

Amazon.com

"Ten minutes till bedtime!" Father announces from behind his newspaper.Out a picture window, his son and his son's pet hamster can see a hamster family (with kids numbered 1 to 10) approaching the house. "All aboard!" shouts the boy's prized pet, as his puzzled owner opens the door and the hamster tourists are loaded onto the special trolley. What the humans at 1 Hoppin Place don't know is that their cherished family pet has advertised on the Web (www.hamstertours.com) fora "10-Minute Bedtime Tour," and the hordes have only just begun to descend.

"Nine minutes till bedtime," Father insists, oblivious to the burgeoning hamster parade. At the 8-minute marker, the hamsters and the boy are in the kitchen for a pre-bedtime snack. One little guy is standing on top of a fruit bowl, lowering a cherry cluster with a string and paper clip. Hamster number 10 is trying to feed an animal cracker to the boy's fuzzy bedroom slipper. "Seven minutes till bedtime!" reminds Father as creative tooth-brushing progresses. But what's this? It's the 5-minute countdown marker, and the faint light of hamster headlights appears out the window. More tourists are on their way! Buses, trucks, taxis, and golf carts full of rodents are driving up the sidewalk!Hilarioushamster hijinks ensue. If you're not seeing the appeal here, it's like this: each spread is turbocharged with dozens of winsome, adorable details that will keep youngsters giggling and entranced--and counting to 10--time after time. Peggy Rathmann, author of the Caldecott Medal-winningOfficer Buckle and Gloria,offers readers a rollicking rodent romp that ends with a goodnight kiss and many, many closed eyelids. (Click to see a sample spread. Copyright © 1998 Peggy Rathmann, published by Putnam Books, a division of Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers.) (Ages 2 to 8) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Delightful
This book is packed with detail making it fun to "read" everytime. The illustrations are charming and you fall in love with the hamster family that starts on the tour. After reading it many times you actually start to understand the personalities of each family member.

Peggy Rathmann is talented in using few words and fun pictures to tell a story for the youngest child (18+ months) to someone a few years older who appreciates all the detail and can tell their own story by looking at the pictures.

If you are a fan of Rathmann's other books ("Good Night Gorilla" and "Officer Buckle & Gloria") you'll delight in seeing details of those stories in this book.

Even better than Good-Night Gorilla
When a friend told me that Peggy Rathman had written a book even better than Good-Night Gorilla I just had to see it. He was right.

Ten Minutes to Bedtime is a wonderful book. The main character is a young child with a pet hamster. The hamster runs the Hamster 10-Minute Bedtime Tour. Well, as the book opens we see the first of the tour arrive.

There are not many words in this story (unless you read the newspaper the father is reading), but the detail in the illustrations is superb.

I have to recommend that readers do several things. First of all, you must read the article and ads in the father's newspaper. Next, pay attention to the first family (the kids all have outfits with numbers). Look at everything in the pictures! I was very pleasantly surprised by some of the details I found going on in the pictures (my daughter was worried about the kid's slippers).

Buy it! Read it! Study it! You won't be disappointed!

Enjoyed by both a 6 year old and 2 year old!
This wonderful book can be enjoy by toddlers and "Big" Kids. My 6 year old niece loved to "read" this book to her 2 year old cousin. The two year old would pick out hamesters and the 6 year old made up stories about them. Both children had so much fun "reading" this book together. The text is very simple - the pictures tell most of the story. And what stories they can tell! Have fun exploring out the pictures with your special little (or big!) one.

*Great* book, but get the hardcover vs. the board book
My children adore this book, so we've read it many, many times. They still squeal with delight and laughter. There is so much detail, that you can't help but discover something new with each reading (keeping it entertaining for mom and dad as well as Junior). My one recommendation is that you buy the hardcover version versus the board book. We have both. The board book lacks some of the detail of the original.

What fun!
This is a really cute book, although there's not much reading involved. It's about a boy and his hamster who give a "10 Minute Bedtime Tour" to a family of hamsters. Each of the 10 little hamster children has a personality all his own, and it's great fun looking over each page to see what they are up to. (One of the hamsters is even a scrapbooker!) ... Read more

Amazon.com

Imagine all the happiness and wealth you could achieve if you found a magic pebble that granted your every wish! Sylvester Duncan, an unassuming donkey who collects pebbles "of unusual shape and color," experiences just such a lucky find. But before he can make all his wishes come true, the young donkey unexpectedly encounters a mean-looking lion. Startled, Sylvester wishes he were a rock, but in mineral form he can no longer hold the pebble, and thus cannot wish himself back to his equine trappings. His parents, thinking he has disappeared, are at first frantic, then miserable, and then plunge into donkey ennui. Meanwhile, Sylvester is gravely depressed, but tries to get used to being a rock.

In 1970, William Steig won the Caldecott Medal for Sylvester and the Magic Pebble--the first of his many Newbery and Caldecott honors. In this donkey's tale, Steig imbues his characteristically simple illustrations of animals sporting human garb with evocative, irresistible, and heartbreakingly vivid emotions. The text is straightforward and the dialogue remarkably touching. Children will feel deeply for Sylvester and his parents, all wishing for the impossible--that the family will one day be reunited. Sylvester's sweet story is one that endures, reminding us all that sometimes what we have is all we really need. (Ages 4 to 8) ... Read more

Reviews (32)

If Wishes Were Things, Where Would We Be?
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble won the Caldecott Medal as the best illustrated children's story of 1970. The images stand out for their tender renditions of emotion in the faces and bodies of the animals in the illustrations. Nature is rendered in just as malleable a way to emphasize the changes going on in the story.

The story itself is a variation of the familiar theme of the grass being greener on the other side. In typical fashion, that fable theme is carried out here through many trials and tribulations that will help your child appreciate the joys of what otherwise would be consider humdrum. The strength of the story is the way the moral is made more explicit than in most other versions of this theme.

This book will never be forgotten by any child who reads it, and should be enjoyed by most children beginning around age 3. Fascination will tend to dull after age 6.

Sylvester Duncan (a donkey) lived with his parents. His favorite activity was to collect pebbles of unusual shapes and colors. One rainy Saturday during vacation, he was alone when he found a quite extraordinary one. It was "flaming red, shiny, and perfectly round, like a marble." Shivering in the rain, he wished that the sun would come out . . . and it did. The rain stopped so fast, "It CEASED." "It struck him that magic must be at work . . . ." He "guessed that the magic must be in the . . . pebble."

He then ran three tests. He started the rain, stopped it again, and got rid of a wart on his left hind fetlock.

Excited, he headed back home.

He ran into a lion. Startled, he made a wish without thinking. "I wish I were a rock." Well, he succeeded. The lion left.

The only trouble was, the pebble fell away from Sylvester. He could no longer hold it to make more wishes come true. He wished away, but still stayed a rock. It was a very dull occupation.

His parents were frantic, and started a massive search. Even the dogs could do no good because Sylvester smelled like a rock rather than himself. A year passed slowly.

Then through happenstance, the pebble touches Sylvester again. When he wished to be Sylvester again, he changed back in a twinkling!

The Duncan family was delighted to be reunited.

"Mr. Duncan put the magic pebble in an iron safe." "Some day they might want to use it, but really, for now, what more could they wish for?"

"They had all they wanted."

As you can see, this story is good for dealing with issues like your child's concerns about losing her or his parents, separation anxiety, the dangers of leaving home, and "magic" based fears. You can provide lots of encouraging reassurance as you read the story, explaining how your child's situation is much different from Sylvester's.

The illustrations pick up on the language in the story, so this book will be one of the easier books for you child to learn to read when he or she is around 5 or 6.

After you finish the story, I suggest that you ask your child what she or he would wish for if a magic pebble came along. Then talk about how one might obtain something just as good or better through your family's own efforts . . . without the benefit of magic. This can help your child appreciate the magic of mind and spirit within each of us to turn worthwhile wishes into reality. You can point out that this method has an advantage. It never turned anyone into a rock by accident!

Touch the magical imagination of your child to create a world of real potential for both of you!

A Classic for all Ages
William Steig's Sylvester and the Magic Pebble is one of the greatest picture books yet written. Steig is really the master of the genre.

The story is of Sylvester, who is accidentally turned into a rock by a magic pebble. This horrid situation causes Sylvester and his family to realize the true love they have shared and tosses them into total boredom with life. They have to find a way to get back to one another.

The book is so moving. The pictures are beautiful as is the prose. The story teaches the joy of love that families should share. It can also be read on an even deeper level as a metaphor for death and the redemptive power of love. Overall, this is an entertaining and brilliant book which can pack an enormous punch within its few pages.

A rock forever?
Sylvester the donkey collects rocks, and when he finds a special one, he adds it to his collection. While holding it , he wishes for the rain to stop, and it does. Finding that the pebble is magic, Sylvester hurries on his way to tell his parents. However, on the way home, he is confronted by a lion hungry for donkey for lunch. Remembering the magic pebble, Sylvester wishes to be a rock. Bad decision! With no way of holding the rock, Sylvester cannot change himself back to a donkey after the threat is gone. Will he be a rock forever?
Great story, Caldecott medal winner. Subtly teaches your kids that "things" aren't the important things in life, your family is. Short and enjoyable, this is one your kids won't ever want to part with and will pass on to their children.

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble is a meaningful story about a donkey named Sylvester Duncan. On a mysterious day, Sylvester found a magic pebble and realized that the special pebble would grant him any wish. Suddenly he sees a lion, and in a panick, out of all the things he could have wished for, he wished to turn into a rock. Meanwhile, Mr. and Mrs. Duncan were frantically worried, as Sylvester had not returned home. I enjoyed this story, as it makes the reader aware of the love and joy families should share, and to always be careful for what you wish for.

Lovely Book
I am a granma to 3 beautiful grandaughters and when my children where little my middle son's teacher read him this book at school he was so touched by it that when i saw an article on william steig and realised that it was the same author who has since written shrek i determined to purchase this wonderful book for my grandchildren who i must say have enjoyed it as much as my children did. A wonderful story teaches children that its not always pleasant to get what you wish for and sometimes its just nice to be grateful for what you've got. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Sometimes you read a story and it almost seems too nice. This book may seem to be one of those at first, but the difference is that this story is true! Tomás and the Library Lady is the wonderfully illustrated tale of Tomás Rivera and the kind librarian who helped him learn to love books. Tomás started his life as a migrant worker and, when he died, was a university chancellor. (The UC Riverside library now bears his name.)

This tribute to Tomás and his mentor reminds us of the power of stories and those dedicated librarians who have changed the lives of so many people. (Recommended for ages 4-8; it's great for new English readers and is also available in Spanish.) ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A Hearwarming, True Story.....
"It was midnight. The light of the full moon followed the tired old car. Tomas was tired too. Hot and tired. He missed his own bed, in his own house in Texas. Tomas was on his way to Iowa again with his family..." Tomas' family were migrant workers. As his parents toiled in the fields during the day picking corn in the hot Iowa sun, Tomas and his brother, Enrique, tried to stay cool under the shade of trees, listening to the old stories told by their grandfather, Papa Grande. "Tomas, you know all my stories, " he said. "There are many more in the library. You are big enough to go by youself. Then you can teach us new stories." The library was large and cool, and had more books than Tomas had ever imagined. But more importantly, the librarian was very kind and took the young boy under her wing. And with her help, opens up a whole new world for Tomas; the love of books and learning..... Based on the story of Tomas Rivera, a migrant worker who grew up to become an educator and eventually chancellor of the University of California at Riverside, Tomas And The Library Lady is a heartwarming and inspiring story. Pat Mora's sweet, simple, and quiet text is complemented by Raul Colon's gentle and evocative illustrations and together word and art detail the joys of reading, and the wonderful impact one person can have on a young life. Perfect for children 4-8, Ms Mora includes a short biography of Tomas Rivera at the end to complete the story.

inviting-like the library!
This is a short story of a boy named Tomas, who needs more stories than his grandfather can tell, and so he goes to the library. Poor, migrant and Hispanic, he finds a friendly, caring librarian who provides him with the books he needs to nurture his spirit. The illustrations are warm and textured, lending a rich (almost biblical) quality. The experiences of Tomas, and his fertile imagination, are easily recognizable to children of all ages. The historical note on his later success in life is added incentive to keep going to the library for good books, like this one!

Tomas makes reading a life changing experience
This book is the wonderful true story of Tomas Rivera who was the son of migrant workers and became the chancellor of the University of California at Riverside.

My sister and nephews were in town and they took a trip to the library with their Nana(my mom). I believe that my sister grabbed this book, because it mentioned the library lady. I liked the fact that the author dedicated this book to Tomas Rivera and "for librarians who lure us in."

I read this book to my oldest nephew while he was here. He was absolutely mesmerized by this book. The author draws you in with the tale of Tomas Rivera's life and how his life changed when he discovered the library. The illustrations in the book were beautifully drawn and colorful.

Tomas lived with his Mama, Papa, Papa Grande and his little brother, Enrique. His parents were migrant workers. They picked fruit in Texas in the winter and in Iowa in the summer. They were on their way to Iowa for the summer.

Tomas had always enjoyed listening to his Papa Grande's stories, and he knew all of them by heart. So, Papa Grande encouraged Tomas to go to the library in Iowa and tell them more stories. The next morning when he reaches the library he becomes very intimidated by the big library. Well, things change once he meets the library lady.

She is so warm and inviting to Tomas that Tomas spends the whole day at the library reading. Using her own card, the library lady checks out two books for Tomas to take home and read. While reading, Tomas gets lost in adventures with dinosaurs.

During the course of the summer, Tomas teaches the library lady some Spanish, while she encourages him to read more books. There is a tearful goodbye as Tomas gives the library lady some pan dulce(sweet bread) and she gives him a book.

I'm glad that the author put a note about the story at the end of the book. The note gives a brief synopsis of Tomas Rivera's life.

The major reason I liked this book is the fact that it is encouraging children to read. Reading is the big key to education and success. Also, I think that it is encouraging adults to read to their children, which is definitely important. This book is definitely designed for four to eight year olds.

Tomas and the Library Lady should be a part of every child's life.

A story inspired by a true-life hero!
Attention teachers! Add this one to the classroom library. All students will find a true hero in this story. Many of my ESL students identified with Tomas and his struggle for literacy. This book invites the reluctant student to read ... Read more

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Reviews (2)

Baboon Butts and More!
In one word, wow! I purchased this book in the hopes of finding a good children's book, but boy was I surprised when I found a collection of lovely paintings, drawings, and pressed art made from the hind quarters of various baboon species. What a find!

-Pie

A book about baboons?
Baboons? Who want this kind of book? Weren't they ugliest monkeys?

No, this books shows you a very different world. Even if you're an adult, you'll find this book a nice bed time reading. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The King and Queen are most gracious hosts to a certain little boy--and any friend of his is a friend of theirs. When he brings a giraffe to tea, the King doesn't blink an eye and says, "Hello. How do you do?" and the Queen merely exclaims, "Well! Fancy meeting you!" The royal pair continue to invite the boy as their guest for tea, breakfast, lunch, dinner, apple pie, and Halloween, and each time he politely asks if he can bring a friend, waits for their assent, then brings a hippo, monkeys, an elephant, and once even a pride of lions into their elegant home. Beatrice Schenk De Regniers's gentle, repetitive, rhyming story, with the refrain "So I brought my friend," will resonate with young children, who will be pleased to see the well-behaved wild animals wreaking harmless havoc in the palace, and soothed by the unfalteringly open arms and perpetual politesse of the King and Queen. Beni Montresor's distinctive, inky, richly colored drawings earned this book a Caldecott Medal in 1965, and have won the hearts of children ever since. (Ages 3 and older) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (5)

A Timeless Classic
I had this book when I was a child and loved it then. When I had children of my own, imagine my surprise when I found it again. It was a pleasure to read again and again to all 3 of my children. The antics of the various guests keep young minds interested and yearning to find out what will happen next. It is a timeless book - A joy to share with any child.

May I Bring a Friend?
"May I Bring a Friend?" is a wonderful childrens book and i urge that you read it to your children. Beatrice Schenk De Regniers is a great author. This book is an award winner, it has won The Caldencott Award. This book is mainly about a little boy that get an invitation to eat with the king and queen for all seven days of the week. The king and queen tell him that he can bring friends, and he brings his animal friends. Even though they might not be on their best behavior, they love the animals anyways, for why else would the king and queen go to the zoo for tea on the seventh day.

A Special Invitation.....
"The King and Queen/Invited me/To come to their house/On Sunday for tea.// I told the Queen/And the Queen told the King/I had a friend/I wanted to bring.// The King told the Queen,/"My dear, my dear,/Any friend of our friend/Is welcome here."// So I brought my friend..." So begins Beatrice Schenk De Regniers' timeless classic, May I Bring A Friend? originally published in 1964. Our young narrator is invited to the palace quite often, in fact every day of the week, and has lots of interesting friends, he politely asks to bring...a giraffe to tea on Sunday, a hippo to dinner on Monday, monkeys to lunch on Tuesday, an elephant to breakfast on Wednesday, a pride of disguised lions for Halloween on Thursday, and a horn playing seal for Friday's Apple Pie Day. Finally on Saturday, the little boy and all his special friends extend an invitation to their ever-gracious hosts. "So that is why...// The King and Queen/And I and all/My friends were seen/On Saturday at half-past two/Having tea at the City Zoo." Ms De Regniers' joyous, lilting, rhyming text begs to be read aloud, and the engaging repetition of each day's new invitation allows little ones to interact and read along. Beni Montresor won a Caldecott Medal for his boldly imaginative, colorful, and detailed pen and ink illustrations, and youngsters will enjoy all the humor and silly antics of visiting zoo animals. Perfect for preschoolers, May I Bring A Friend? is still as fresh and entertaining as it was over thirty-five years ago, and is a simple little treasure to read and share now with friends and family, and future generations in the years to come.

A classic!
This is one of the very best children's books. The reason is repetition which children love. I'm 27 and I more or less remember every word. I don't have the book in front of me, but I can tell you that a boy, who is friends with the local king and queen, invites various animals to have tea with royal couple. After being very gracious to all of the furry guests, the king and queen wonder if it wouldn't be better to go to the animals' house for a change. They do!

Again, the key is repetition of the basic elements of the story with slight changes. (Sort of like Caps for Sale, is that still in print?) I really think this book helped teach me how to read, but I may be mistaken about that--it was a long time ago!

A boy brings unusual guests to royal meals.
This children's story is about a boy who keeps getting invited to dine with a King and Queen and each time he brings an unusual guest with him (the first being a giraffe). The King and Queen are very regal and treat the boy and his guest, no matter who or what it is, with politeness. Kids will get a kick out of this story. The book is illustrated by Beni Montresor and it won the 1965 Caldecott Medal for best illustrations in a children's book. ... Read more

Amazon.com

"I can't believe it. Me. Max Stravinsky in Paris. Picasso. Paté. The opera.Ballet. The crème de la crème. The city that gleams. That romantic, extravagantic city of dreams. Oh pluperfect Paris, just give me a chance and I'll toast your beauty, oh Paris of France." So begins Maira Kalman's boldly painted, wildly designed, linguistically playful masterpiece Ooh-la-la (Max in Love), the story of a millionaire poet dog named Max who has come to Paris from New York and is staying at a hotel run by the aromatic Madame Camembert.

Moodily meandering, he wanders through the Parisian parks and boulevards with a hangdog expression on his face. After all, c'est Paris in the spring, and love is in the air for everyone it seems, except Max. Along the way he meets an outlandish cast of characters including Fritz from the Ritz (where he quit in a snit when the chef in a fit threw escargot on his chapeau); his French tutor Charlotte Russe (who came by autobus); and Pierre Potpourri, the owner of the noise-soaked, blue-smoked Crazy Wolf Nightclub, where Max finally encounters the piano-playing Crêpes Suzette, the dog he's been waiting for his whole life. The rest is history!

This is one of our favorite picture books of all time ... and for those who are equally mad for Max the poet dog, we can also recommend the hilarious and quirky Max Makes a Million, Max in Hollywood, Baby, and Swami on Rye: Max in India. (All ages, but perhaps especially for adults with stars in their eyes or Paris in their hearts.) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (13)

"Tout Paris is abuzz. Max is here!"
Max is in Paris, the city of light and romance, to see the sights and maybe, just maybe find his heart's delight. "...Who is Max??? Mon dieu! Sacre Bleu! He is the coolest cat, I mean the hottest dog. He is Max Stravinsky. The dog poet from New York. That Bohemian beagle..." He stays at the little hotel run by the "aromatic" Madame Camembert, and tours the city, visiting the Louvre, Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Eiffel Tower, the parks, boulevards and cafes. He eats, he drinks, and takes French lessons from Charlotte Russe. And he walks and walks, meeting a quirky cast of original characters, always looking for love..."It was April after all." He's invited out to the Crazy Wolf Nightclub by owner Pierre Potpourri, to hear the incomparable pianist, Crepes Suzette, and it is there he finds his "raison d'etre", the dog he's been looking for his entire life..... Maira Kalman has authored an ingeniously inventive and entertaining picture book classic, starring the ever-endearing Max, that truly stands alone in a class by itself. Her witty and creative text, part French, part English, begs to be read aloud, and is full of clever rhymes, wordplay and puns, and complemented by her intricately detailed and expressive artwork. Children and adults alike will enjoy poring over the pages, always finding something new and intriguing everytime they open the book. Ooh-La-La (Max In Love) is a masterpiece that will be enjoyed by "children" of all ages, from 5 to 95, and a book to be treasured and shared with friends and family now, and in the many years to come. This is Maira Kalman at her very best. Make sure you get your copy now!

ooh la la, I'm in love!
Maira Kalman is wonderful. I totally fell in love with this book. I shared it with the first graders that I tutor and they adored the zany illustrations and blushed when Max fell for the lovely Crepes Suzette. It was also a great way to introduce a little french culture. They were totally facinated and asked me to find more Max books. Please don't pass this one by because some of the vocab may be difficult for kids to understand. The illustrations are the most amazing that I've ever seen. Both kids and adults alike will be enthralled.

So you think you're an artist...
Max, starry-eyed romantic poet, goes to Paris where everything is absurd and wonderful. This book is like Salvador Dali on mushrooms. Self-confident, smart, and just plain strange, this book is suitable for everyone with a twist. It even made me laugh. ha.

the best book ever
I'll give this book five stars because I just loved the way Mira Kalman used so many details. In this book Mira Kalman uses her creative and funny illustration to express her writing.
I really really liked,no loved this book.You might think of gross ,mushy ,gushy stuff!But Mira Kalman expresses the feeling of love in a calm ,yet sensible way as Max falls in love with the dog of his dreams!

Our whole family loves this book!
It's just like a clever movie for kids that is aimed at the younger set but also includes lots of "inside jokes" for the parents. Other reviewers said it's too wordy for kids. My kids, though, have their own favorite lines. They say them right along with me when I read. I'm always happy when they pull a Max book off their crowded bookshelf. I finish reading with a smile on my face, and with my kids cuddled up next to me to see the pictures (a nice benefit on a chilly North Dakota night). ... Read more

Amazon.com

"Somewhere in the Italian hills, a homing pigeon is released. She soars quickly and follows an old road, which (of course) leads to Rome." So begins Caldecott Medal-winning artist David Macaulay's visually festive journey that tracks the whimsical flight of a homing pigeon through the archways, over the terra-cotta rooftops, and between the columns of this most ancient and vibrant city: "Instead of traveling directly to her destination, which is standard pigeon procedure, she decides to take the scenic route." Macaulay's angle of vision pans back and forth between the pigeon's-eye view and that of a roaming cinematographer. The effect is a kaleidoscope of whirling, swooping, dizzying images that must resemble flight itself. Macaulay's intricately crosshatched pen-and-ink images of Rome--with its ancient amphitheater, Colosseum, Temple of Hercules, elaborate fountains, and bustling cafes (with a feast of crumbs for a travel-weary pigeon)--provide a dazzling display of architectural finery. We are so swept up in the homing pigeon's divergent path--marked on the black-and-white vistas by a thin red line--that we momentarily forget she has a task at talon. All is explained in the uplifting one-word message joyfully delivered by the pigeon to the sketch artist (Macaulay himself?) shown at work in the last scene of the book. Rome Antics concludes with an aerial map of the city, marked with the pigeon's flight path. Roman sites from the Arch of Constantine to the Pantheon are briefly described as well. This lovely visual serenade to Rome is a delight for anyone who could fall in love with such a city as this. (All ages) ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Great pictures, simple story, must-have for Rome fans
This book is a trip through Roma from a pigeon's point of view. The pigeon flies around, through, over and past many of Rome's historical landmarks, and a brief section in back describes their history and significance.

I checked this out of the library to read with my 5 year old after I went to Rome last year, and bought a copy for myself, just to enjoy the pictures and the memories they bring! The Chiesa de San Ignazio (Church of St. Ignatius) is an especial favorite, as my choir performed there to a "standing room only" crowd! Quite a feat for an amateur choir on their first overseas tour!

The pen and ink sketches, the snippets of history, and the wonderful way they evoke the charisma of Rome make this a great addition to any child's or adult's library.

The perfect engagement gift!
Share David MacAuley's obviously personal portrait of Rome. It's a portrait in the most obvious sense: lovingly detailed drawings of Rome's greatest architecture captured from MacAuley's witty and often weird perspective. But, through the drawings and the wonderful conceit, you see that this little book is also a personal exploration of a city that touches the heart.

"Rome Antics" for those in love with Rome and otherwise.
This is the finest illustrated gift book for the Romaphiles that you love!! Get it now and make a gift to the one you love. It will be appreciated for years to come. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Maria is feeling so grown-up, wearing her mother's apron and helping to knead the masa for the Christmas corn tamales. Her mother even let Maria wear some perfume and lipstick for the big family celebration that evening. When her mother takes off her diamond ring so it won't become coated with the messy masa, Maria decides that life would be perfect if she could wear the ring, too. Trouble begins when she sneakily slips the sparkly ring on her thumb and resumes her kneading. Uh oh. It is not until later that night, after all the tamales have been cooked and after all her cousins and relatives have arrived, that Maria suddenly realizes what must have happened to the precious ring. Ed Martinez's warm oil paintings celebrate the riches of South American Christmas colors--adobe reds, dusty gold, lacey whites, and rain-forest greens. Martinez also has a gift for capturing children's animated expressions, especially when Maria begs her cousins to help her find the missing ring by secretly eating the enormous stack of steaming tamales! Gary Soto's delightful Christmas-spirit closure will relieve young readers who empathize with the negligent Maria. Grown-ups, too, will appreciate this playful reminder about the virtues of forgiveness and family togetherness. (Ages 4 and older) --Gail Hudson ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great Book
I am an elementary education major and I used this book to examine the book contents for educational value and also to see if children would like it. I loved it and bought it! I also work at a daycare when I am not in school and I used it for "class time" and had them (3 -5 year old children) draw anything about the book and they drew tamales, diamond rings, and the girl looking out the window of her house. They totally caught on to the story. I would recommend this book to everyone no matter the age of the children.

Too Many Tamales
Too Many Tamales is an excellent book that portrays the traditions and celebrations in a Latino family. Tamales are the traditional Christmas food in Latino families. This book is about a mother and daughter making Tamales during the christmas season. Somehow the daughter losses her mother's ring while making the Tamales. Could it be in the Tamales? A wonderfully vivid story with great illustrations. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Ashley Bryan's ABC of African American Poetry is not an alphabet book. Award-winning children's book author and former teacher Ashley Bryan has simply hit upon a straightforward way to present the work of his favorite African American poets: he uses a letter of each poem to organize the 25 excerpts and one African American spiritual. His vibrant artwork, with bold strokes of paint reminiscent of Vincent van Gogh, successfully captures the essence of each piece."As I read," Bryan writes, "images sprang from the lines of the poets... Finally, I chose the sketches that offered a balanced play of images and did finished paintings from them in tempera paints and gouache colors."

Poems ranging from the intense to the whimsical reflect the diverse voices of poets such as Rita Dove, Lucille Clifton, and Gwendolyn Brooks. A colorful elephant stands solidly next to Countee Cullen's poem: "Dear Noah: Please save me a spot / Exposed to the sun, where the Mice are not; / But if I must share my chamber, the Ant / Is the one I should welcome. Yours: L. E. Phant." From Langston Hughes we hear, "There are words like Freedom / Sweet and wonderful to say. / On my heart-strings freedom sings / All day everyday." And Eloise Greenfield chimes in with "Harriet Tubman didn't take no stuff / Wasn't scared of nothing neither / Didn't come in this world to be no slave / And wasn't going to stay one neither." This innovative, easy-to-absorb, boldly illustrated introduction to a rich variety of African American poets would be a valuable addition to any child's bookshelf. (All ages) ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Beautiful, breath-taking
The illustrations in this book are so beautiful, words can not explain. It is a simple read that introduces the little ones to poetry. Most poems are excerpts of a stanza or a few lines and the picture corresponds to the poem. Each poem either starts with the letter of the letter is bold in the poem and ties in the picture. For example, F=freedom, but the poem's first letter is not F, so F is bold in the word freedom. Highly recommended for the entire family.

Awesome Images!
We love this book and are purchasing a second copy so we can cut out the images and frame them. Ashley Bryan is a master of art! Bryan uses only portions of poems by wonderful poets, the stanzas chosen match the images perfectly and make the reader want to find the entire poem to read! Highly recommended by this family ... Read more

Amazon.com

Counting Crocodiles may feel familiar to you, perhaps due to its folktale roots, maybe because Will Hillenbrand's artwork is so marvelously, comically, stylistically perfect, or perhaps because the delightful rhyme is so much like that of Lewis Carroll or Edward Lear. Here's a sample: "On an island in the middle of the Sillabobble Sea / lived a clever little monkey in a sour lemon tree. / She ate lemons boiled and fried, / steamed, sauteed, pureed, and dried. / She ate lemons till she cried, / 'I'm all puckered up inside!'" Meanwhile, Hillenbrand's full-page illustrations provide unending delights. In the first, most lemony of spreads, the snail is holding a whole lemon in her mouth, the fox has a glass of lemonade, and the lemon tree is laden with a blender, juicer, rolling pin, peeler, spatulas, and pans. The monkey looks suitably soured by the whole state of affairs.

On the second page, the monkey spies a banana tree on a similarly deserted island. Of course, she craves a few of these fine fruits. And she wonders aloud how many crocodiles there might be in the Sillabobble Sea. One crusty croc emerges to imply slyly that there are so many crocs that she could easily walk on their backs to the banana island, and invites her to count them. She counts them: "... one crocodile with a great big smile, / Two crocs resting on rocks, / Three crocs rocking in a box, / Four crocs building with blocks," and so on, until she counts "Ten crocs dressed like Goldilocks." Impatiently, the rascally reptiles ask her how many of them there are, she stalls, she counts them again, and lo and behold! in all the splashing and cavorting, the monkey (with the help of the fox and the snail) gets her bananas! This is one of the most delightful picture books around! (Ages 4 to 8) ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Grown-ups will love it, kids love it more!!
When we borrowed this from the library, we read it several times per day, and my kids were begging to keep it when it was time to return it. Now we have to buy a copy for ourselves, plus one for a gift. The rhymes are better than clever--maybe even brilliant! With the catchy rhythm, this was easily the most fun book I've ever read with my kids. My fou