Amazon.com

Every young child should be introduced to this story, as great a classic as its predecessor, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. This colorful picture book describes a spider's day. Blown onto a farmyard fence, she starts to spin a web. The other animals ask if she wants to play, but in every case "the spider didn't answer. She was very busy spinning her web." The book is touchable: elements including the strands of web are embossed on the pages and you can follow them with your fingertips. But the best thing by far is Carle's familiar, yet still breathtaking skill as an illustrator. Especially in this large 11.5-by-8.5-inch format, his cow, goat, and dog (just to mention three favorites) capture the essence of each animal in a way few artists can hope to approach. (Baby to preschool) --Richard Farr ... Read more

Reviews (25)

Beautifully illustrated story for young children.
I love this story of the determined spider who is blown on a fence and begins to weave her web, too busy to play with the other animals. She catches her fly at the end. The typical farm animals are represented and young children will be able to identify the animals by the pictures and can make the noises of the animals portrayed. The web can be felt with the fingertips, although my son was never and is still not impressed with this feat, although his mother is. Eric Carle is a masterful illustrator and story teller. If you have never read his books to young children and seen the fascination of a 2 year old sitting and waiting for the page to be turned, you are missing out. He does not have one bad book. His illustrations are stunning. We have a LOT of books at our house and this one is chosen at least once a week for a bedtime story. Highly highly recommended.

Terrific for toddlers
My two-year-old and I love this book. It's about a spider who blows in, lands on a fence post, and spends the entire day building a web. She keeps working as various animals tempt her to do other things. At the end of the day, she catches a fly in her web and then falls asleep, tuckered out from her busy day. This book has several things going for it. First, it is a very simple narrative, making it one of the first stories that your child will be able to understand. Second, it is repetitive. Toddlers LOVE repetition and it is good for them. It helps them stay focused on the story, and gives them a chance to "read" something themselves, because they will naturally recite the repetitive bits as you come to them. Last of all, this book has several animals and the noises they make--very important for that fund of knowledge you are building. Oh, and I forgot the kicker: The spider web is made of some sort of 3D glue, making it tactile. My son loves running his fingers along it. I would have given this book 5 stars, but I love Carle's THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR even more!

Cute
This is a cute story about a spider who drops in on a farm. All the farm animals greet her and invite her to play. But the spider spends the day building her web instead. The book is fun and informative, and not at all scary. The pages are doubled so they are easy to turn, but be careful, because inquisitive little fingers may reach inside the pages and rip them. The book has about 350 words.

silent
I liked this book but it was too short. I mostly liked this book because of the spiders web you get to feel. I wouldn't mind reading it again.

The Very Busy Spider
This book is about a spider that is spinning its web while alot of animals came and ask it to play.
The moral of the book is that after your done working you can have fun. It is a good book for young kids because it has colerful pictures and it teaches about spiders and what they do.
I woul say the age rating is 3 to 6. ... Read more

Amazon.com

A cricket is born who cannot talk! A bigger cricket welcomes him to the world, then a locust, a cicada, and many other insects, but each time the tiny cricket rubs his wings together in vain: no sound emerges. In the end, however, he meets another quiet cricket, and manages to find his "voice." Children will love the repetitive text as they meet a steady parade of new creatures (including a "spittlebug, slurping in a sea of froth"); and of course they'll delight in the happy ending. This is one of a series of large (11.5 by 8.5 inches) format Eric Carle books with a mechanical twist: in this case, the quiet cricket bursts into (surprisingly authentic) electronic song as you turn the last page. (The battery is replaceable.) An amusement for the ears, but most of all--as ever, with Carle--a feast for the eyes. The colorful cut-paper illustrations are simply gorgeous, drawing you in even on the hundredth reading. (And there will be a hundredth reading, followed by many more.) (Baby to preschool) --Richard Farr ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Sweet Story, Beautifully Illustrated
My two year old son loves The Very Quiet Cricket; and this book, along with "Brown Bear, Brown Bear...", have been his bedtime favorites for months. Toddlers and parents alike will enjoy the repetitive and rhythmic nature of the verse (my son heaves a very dramatic sigh every time I read "...but nothing happened, not a sound." The simplicity of the tale lends itself nicely to parental embellishment, which is great for those who like to add a bit of their own drama to a story. I love the fact that I can tailor my reading of it to suit the hour or my son's mood, making it shorter or longer, exciting or soothing. Eric Carle's illustrations alone make this book a worthy addition to any child's library.

I agree with the reviewer who complained that this is not "first reader" material, but I would add that "The Very Quiet Cricket" is more about the joy of reading than about teaching the mechanics of sounding out simple words.

Attention getting illustrations
The Quite Cricket book is another favorite from Eric Carle. I have almost every book he has written. My favorite is The Very Hungry Caterpillar but this is a tie for second.. I loved how he illustrated all the other insects in the story especially the dragonfly. The large drawings would hold the attention of a young child. This isn't a book for a new reader some of the vocabulary is a little difficult. The only draw back to this book is when the battery that makes the cricket sound dies, it is rather expensive to replace.

Great Illustrations & Story, but...
My 8 1/2 month old is fascinated by the wonderful artwork and the chirping sound. I expect he'll enjoy the story when he can understand the words. However, there's an inconsistency in the text that drives me crazy. The three crickets are referred to as "he" and "she," but the praying mantis and worm are referred to as "it." Argh!

Our child loves this book!
We received this book as a gift and Grandma ended up getting the board book version for our daughter because she loved it so much (and wanted to look at it more often than we did)! The illustrations are great, like in all of Eric Carle's books.

She loves getting to the end of the story, but will also turn back to look at favorite pages.

We have a few of the other Eric Carle books and enjoy them as well, but this one stands out right now and it doesn't look like her interest is going to fade any time soon.

Very Provocative Bugs
The Very Quiet Cricket is a great book, and while difficult, I suspect most children will like this much more than their parents suspect. Like all of Eric Carle's books, my son (2 ½) loves The Very Quiet Cricket. The art is, as always, amazing, and he really enjoys repeating the phrases on each page. The formula seems to draw out his inquisitiveness; this book nearly always stimulates more enjoyment than others do. In particular, he enjoys the chirping sound the book makes when you turn to the last page. He'll ask to have the book read to him as many as four times in a row.

This is a challenging book for young kids, more so than many of Carle's others. I think the interesting insects and provocative words and sounds are part of why my son likes it so much. It may be some time before he really masters that vocabulary, but I love that Carle challenges his young readers in this way. I can unconditionally recommend this book. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Many of Eric Carle's books begin with a small creature being born just as a great yellow sun rises. This time the hero is a firefly, and the inimitably Carle-ish cut-paper orange-and-yellow sun is setting. The firefly buzzes off in search of companionship, but keeps following other lights by mistake--a candle, a flashlight, a lantern--and these in turn are all leading in the direction of a fireworks display. Finally, the lonely firefly finds the friends it is seeking--a dozen or more other fireflies. This is one of a series of large (11.5 by 8.5 inches) format Carle books with a mechanical twist: in this case, the firefly's new group of friends start to flash (from tiny yellow bulbs embedded in the book) as you turn the last page. (The battery is replaceable.) (Baby to preschool) --Richard Farr ... Read more

Reviews (21)

The Very Lonely Firefly
My children (ages 2&4) adore this book. The text is a bit boring, but they look forward to the last page. They also have a tendency to leave it open, and the batteries have been replaced twice in the last 5 months -- (it takes 4 batteries that retail for $2-3 each, and I've only been able to find them at one electronics store). This seems to be too much maintenance for a children's book -- especially given that we enjoy Eric Carle's "no-maintenance" books just as much or more.

Great First Bedtime Book
I've been sharing this with my daughter since she was about 7 months old. She was a little antsy the first time through, but when we reached the lights she fell in love with the book. It is her favorite of the Eric Carle books (although she really likes sticking her fingers in the holes of The Very Hungry Caterpillar.) My daughter is now 20 months old and asks for this story every night. Her vocabulary is growing with each rereading and she is able to point out most objects (firefly, candle, lantern, dog, cat, flashlight, lights) to me. I am surprised at how much she enjoys it and find this is one book I don't mind reading every night.

The batteries are the only problem. The first set finally died after a year of steady use, and the second set didn't last very long. (I suspect she left the boook open all day.) I am having trouble finding replacements that don't cost more than the book, but the book is so enjoyable I don't mind.

The Very Lonely Firefly
My children love this book. The flashing lights for fireflies at the end is the icing on the cake! We have been out for the past 4 nights catching fireflies in a jar (and then letting them go) to watch them glow. My boys (ages 3 and 5) love all the Eric Carle books.

Buy it!
Okay, don't even hesitate on this book, just buy it! The fireflies light up at the end of the book and there just couldn't be any child anywhere that wouldn't be thrilled with this book. Mine just played and played with it and couldn't put it down. Still is one of his favorites and has to be read VERY frequently! This is such a cute, cute book and very well done. Plus, it has fireworks in it - another household favorite! It goes through and shows the many things that light up at night, explaining them very well. Just grab it and run - you won't be disappointed!

Where Are You?
The Very Lonely Firefly is a good book. This firefly is in search for another. He shines his light to attract others but can never find anyone. This book keeps you in suspense. He always finds a light but...It's never a firefly. To find out the ending of this book read The Very Lonley Firefly! ... Read more

Book Description

Illus. in color. The story of an incredible twosome that "provides interest, suspense and word repetition. Illustrations excellent. Recommended."--(starred) School Library Journal. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

This story sounds like Pinocchio
I read this book in first grade and noticed that the details of the story are very similar to the cartoon movie, "Pinocchio" for example, Sam the owl tries to teach Gus the firefly right from wrong(like Jiminy Cricket)and Gus doesn't listen, and just like when Stromboli locks Pinocchio in a cage, the Hot Dog Man cages Sam in a glass jar and drives him off, only it's in a pickup truck rather than a horse-drawn trailer. The only differences are that there were no characters taking the place of Foulfellow or Gideon, and that in Pinocchio, the Blue Fairy saved him, not his conscience.

cool dude
This was a very, very cute book.

Read it over and over and over and...
This was my favorite book growing up. I owned a copy and I still checked it out of the library so I could read it at school. At age 4, the story was engaging and the moral easy to understand. At 5-6, the story was still great, but the challenge of reading words with such a wide range of difficulty kept me interested for years.

This Book Works Brilliantly
I have never forgotten reading *Sam and the Firefly* as a child, and I never will. One of my children projects all of his naughty deeds onto Sam; the other wants me to be sure to read every single word on every single page. This is a book that, on all levels, just plain works.

Gus is a law-abiding owl who teaches Sam to make words with his fire-fly light. Sam likes the words but soon is into mischief, writing "cold dogs" above a hot dog stand and nearly causing a riot by writing "free" above a movie theater. His tricks border on the dark as he almost causes cars to collide. The scary darkness of the tale never comes to anything but engages the reader completely. My children worried about the outcome, and wondered (like Gus) how to control Sam. The book even becomes tense when Sam ends up in a closed glass jar and needs rescuing.

Yes, Gus is a lot like a parent. Sam is a lot like a child. And the book is full of learning to read and testing limits and innocently causing real danger and true friendship and sticking together and...it amazes me how seamlessly Eastman puts all of this material together in a riveting story. This may be the best Eastman book of all. It may also be one of the least preachy and most educational books I know. Dark and light, good and bad. It's all there.

Super Book to Teach Youngsters how to Read!
Sam and the firefly is a super book for many reasons. First of all, Sam and the Firefly is the first book I learned how to read. My mother read it to me every night, until she started letting me read some of the words, and soon, I could read the whole book. (I didn't memorize the book, either.)I highly recommend that you give this book to youngsters who are beginning to read. This book also has a cute plot that will capture youngster's attention, and the illustrations are very fun. This book is a fun read, and I will treasure it forever. ... Read more

Reviews (29)

Excellent story and Beautiful illustrations!
I have loved this book since it first came out. The pictures are beautiful- very detailed and fun to look at. I have never seen such pretty flowers and colors in a children's book. Since reading this book, I am a big fan of Miss Spider and collect Miss Spider toys, books, etc. The story sends a very good message to kids. The story rhymes which makes it fun to read aloud.

I fell in Love with Miss Spider at her tea party!
I happened upon Miss Spider about three years ago at the Denton public library. At the time my daughter was 3, I love the prose, I love the art, I love Miss Spider!

David Kirk does a wonderful job of creating an adorable "mis-fit" Miss Spider is so misunderstood! None of the other bugs want to come to tea. The story breaks your heart then shows how persistance and kindness pay off!

My daughter isn't as thrilled by the books as I am. but then again, I LOVE them. Thank God for people with such great imaginations as the author and illustrator of the Miss Spider series. I recommend Miss Spider to everyone, not just kids, the lessons are profound and the flowing prose style is wonderful. This is my very favorite book to read to children. I am a life long fan of Kirk!

Beautiful
The artwork in this book will keep any child interested. It took my daughter a few reads to get into the story and she still prefers Miss Spider's New Car, but we read this book often.

Vividly Gourgeous Illustrations-A Joy to Read!
~ Miss Spider's Tea Party is one of those children's books that brings delight to the adult reader as well as the child.
~ The illustrations are beautiful and vividly intricate, but not too complex for children to enjoy, the story has a very gentle wit, that adults will appreciate.
~ Poor Miss Spider invites all kinds of insects to tea, but for some reason they seem reluctant to befriend her. : - )

~ Happily, her naturally sweet charm wins her popularity in the insect kingdom over, as well as a true fan in the reader. Children really seem to love this simple tale, mostly for the beauty of the illustrations, and the sense of a happy conclusion approaching.

I highly recommend this as a book you can enjoy reading with your child. And I would definitely also recommend the sequel "Miss Spider's Wedding"!

Wove a Web Around Me
My daughter and I love this book. The wording is terrific and the paintings are fantastic. She started turning the pages when she was 4 months old as she couldn't wait to find out what happened next with Little Miss Spider. Even at her age she's picky about books. I've been trying to read Eloise to her for days, but no go. However, Miss Spider is always a hit. Fortunately, it's so well written that I don't get tired of reading it time and time again. ... Read more

Book Description

It's the Grouchy Ladybug's 20th birthday. To celebrate, we are introducing a new, larger format edition with brighter, more colorful pages created from Eric Carle's original artwork using the latest reproduction technology. The Grouchy Ladybug is bigger and brigher, as irascible but irresistable as ever and will surely delight new generations of readers, as well as her devoted fans of all ages. Happy Birthday, Grouchy Ladybug!

... Read more

Reviews (38)

Great for all ages!
I am a mother of 3 aged 5,3 & 1 year. All three of my children love this book. They think the Grouchy Ladybug is a silly bug. They enjoy "reading" along with me because the book is so repetitive! Even my one year old sits & listens intently to the pattern. "Ya' wanna fight! " "If you insist..." "Oh- you're not big enough." Repetition is the best tool in teaching to read & Eric Carle books are PERFECT for that! The other concepts he introduces in his books such as TIME & DAYS are helpful in teaching too. GREAT WORK, MR. CARLE!

The Wonderful World of Insects
The Grouchy Ladybug is a wonderful Eric Carle book. I love his mosiac illustrations, and the moral he projects. The grouchy ladybug is mean to all the other insects that he meets. He does not want to share the aphids on his leaf with the friendly ladybug. He ends up making no friends at all, and the animals he is rude to are getting bigger and fiercer as the book goes on. In the end the grouchy ladybug ends up on the same leaf he started out on, and shares the aphids.

Note to teachers: This is a great book to introduce a unit on insects. Most students probably don't understand what aphids are, and the ladybugs feed on them. You could also incorporate all of the other animals in the text to do a unit on animals. There are so many wonderful teaching oportunities with all of Eric Carle's books, but this is one of my favorites.

Wonderful book--one of my child's favorites
This is a great book and the repetition is great for a emerging young reader. My 3 year old can "read" this book to himself and his baby sister because he can anticipate what will happen when he turns the page. He has language delays due to hearing problems when he repeated ear infections and these repetitious books that Eric Carle has done have been wonderful with slowly introducing him to language.

Repetition, repetition, repetition....
After reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar to my son enough times to have it memorized, I bought this book thinking that it would be a nice change, and expecting The Grouchy Ladybug to have a moral somewhere along the lines of Alexander And The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (if you haven't read that to your kids, get it). I found The Grouchy Ladybug to be repetative to the point of parental abuse. Eric Carle has good children's books, but this one was definitely not my favorite. The only thing my son has learned from it is "Hey, You, Wanna Fight?" It was okay to read once or twice, but the next garage sale, it's going to mysteriously vanish. I would suggest The Very Hungry Caterpillar instead, if you don't have it.

This book is crap
Eric Carle has done better. Read the "Very Quiet Cricket". This book is extremely repetitive and isn't really even a story so much as an excuse for the mediocre illustrations and a kind of irritating gimmick of having differently sized pages. These pages are have for my son to turn also.

I love reading real children's stories to my kids, and I don't mind some repetition (e.g., "Guess how much I love you" and "Are you my Mother?" are great...) But the ladybug keeps saying the same thing over and over and over. Yeah, I've hid the book from my kids and they don't miss it. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Perfect tale for young and old of the power of true love...
Longer than most of the Miss Spider books, this is a lovely tale that reinforces the value of true love - it's not about appearances, but the unique qualities that make one soul respond to another. I thought it might be a little over my two year old daughter's head, but from the first night I read it, she was clamoring to "hear it again!" The rhyming text and gorgeous illustrations make this book a treat for eyes and ears. I am seriously thinking of giving this book as a wedding ag gift to every couple I know!

A gorgeously illustrated quirky tale of insect romance

Brilliantly-colored illustrations jump from the pages of this charming book. The story is surprisingly adult, however.

Miss Spider is rescued from the poisonous clutches of a blonde-coiffed arachnid lothario by her true (and a bit nerdy) love. Ages 6-9 are probably the best audience for this tomboyish little romance.

In a special-interest side note: Graphic designers and lovers of computer-generated illustrations will probably want to have this particular story book in their collections

Adult Reader Gives Three Thumbs Up
This book MIGHT not be suitable for little kids. I would share it with my own, but each parent should read this book for him/herself first to make that decision, before sharing it with the little ones.

Even if you think the topic is a little too sensitive for your kids at this time, I recommend holding onto it until your little ones are ready -- or just buying a copy for yoursef. Because this book is excellent in all regards. It is well written, the plot is clear and funny, and the illustrations are...well, absolutely stunning. I picked this book up for myself. Once in a while, I will sit down, and literally put my fingers on the pictures. They are works of art. I like to read sections aloud, because the rhyming structure is so pleasing to the tongue.

There are very few children's books that still hold my attention. In fact, I would say that this book is a keeper for all ages. And when you decide your little one is old enough for the contents, I am sure he/she/they will delight in this superb book.

Not A Children's Book
I fell in love with the art work of the Miss Spider books and bought a few for my son. When we saw this book at the library I figured it was another good book in the series. I was wrong. The content of this book is definately not aimed at children. It hints at intimacy that young children don't need to be exposed to and some of the pictures are rather scary. I stopped halfway through the book, noticing some of the pictures. They could very likely give a child nightmares. Children do not need to be exposed to this content and violence depicted in the story. Let's keep them young a little while longer yet please.

Beautiful Pictures, Tongue in Cheek Wit, for Adults too!
--.--.-
This gorgeously illustrated book is only a medium favorite with the kids, but its MY favorite to read aloud.
The illustrations are intricate, gorgeous and as gently satirical and rich as the text. The children can certainly enjoy the basic story of Miss Spider's search for a suitable mate, but only adults will appreciate the tongue in cheek humor as the insect world is revealed to have many social similarities with our own. If the insect world had a "Jane Austen" it would be Miss Spider.
There is a happy ending as usual with children's stories, but there was one page of conflict that the girls (at ages 6 & 7) found "scary"- I was initially surprised, but its true that all the kids I've read this to (ages 5-8) found the big dramatic moment (Miss Spider's suitor turns out to be a little too pushy) a little intense.
The dashing (yet meek and mild) hero soon sets things right, however and the kids all enjoy the pictures of the wedding preparations. This one is not for easily frightened kids, although I originally thought it was unlikely to frighten anyone.

This book is really for adults to enjoy on an entirely different level while children are entertained by the beautiful pictures and happy resolution. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Wonderful book!
My son (2 years old) absolutely adores this book! We typically read a minimum of three books together every evening, and this, is always one of them! (The other constant is another Don and Audrey Wood book - The mouse, the red ripe strawberry and the big hungry bear). The "quick as a cricket", "slow as a snail" similies through the book are wonderful. I would highly recommend it!

Great book for toddlers!
My one year old daughter is a book-a-holic. She loves me to read ot her and I have, in the process, been given an opportunity to become quite adept in my knowledge of great children's books. This book is a winner! It is her very favorite. She loves the illustrations and the story delights her. She loves animals and is able to see many of her favorites, namely, the dog and cat. She also loves the end of the book where the boy has his arms overhead. She likes to mimic this gesture everytime we come to the end. If your kid loves to read, loves animals and you want a book that is not too wordy this book is for your child. Happy reading!

I'm as Quick as a Cricket
My children all grew up with this book. My oldest child is handicapped and ABSOLUTELY loves this book over all the others. When read with enthusiasm and accents on the words, it makes it all the more enjoyable. The last page with the big smile is the ultimate ending and my daughter pulls the book to her face with glee. If you enjoy reading to your kids and enjoy wonderful pictures---this is a keeper. This is at the top of my list and has been for years. All of the new nieces and nephews recieve this as a gift. Absolutely the greatest!!

Quick as a Cricket
This lovely book has won the heart of my 2 year old daughter. She requests the "cricket book" perhaps a little too often :-). I do really enjoy reading the quick paced, bouncy rhyming style of Audrey Wood. She is one of my favorite children's authors and with her husband Don Wood, they have created beautifully illustrated pages to go along with it. It is colorful, fun, interesting, and predictable enough so that the toddler can help you finish the sentences and join in the story FUN!

All-time Favorite
I got this book for my son, when he was three years old. And it's been his favorite book ever since. At age 5, he still asks for it at least once a week.

The pictures are great and the child is drawn in a gender-neutral way that lets each child relate to the story as they want. I've given this one as a gift several times, and the boys always assume the character is a boy and the girls see a girl.

The story reinforces the concept that we can all be different ways at the same time -- and that ability is to be celebrated. ... Read more

Amazon.com

One night, the sounds of New York City--the rumbling of subway trains, thrumming of automobile tires, hooting of horns, howling of brakes, and the babbling of voices--is interrupted by a sound that even Tucker Mouse, a jaded inhabitant of Times Square, has never heard before. Mario, the son of Mama and Papa Bellini, proprietors of the subway-station newsstand, had only heard the sound once. What was this new, strangely musical chirping? None other than the mellifluous leg-rubbing of the somewhat disoriented Chester Cricket from Connecticut. Attracted by the irresistible smell of liverwurst, Chester had foolishly jumped into the picnic basket of some unsuspecting New Yorkers on a junket to the country. Despite the insect's wurst intentions, he ends up in a pile of dirt in Times Square.

Mario is elated to find Chester. He begs his parents to let him keep the shiny insect in the newsstand, assuring his bug-fearing mother that crickets are harmless, maybe even good luck. What ensues is an altogether captivating spin on the city mouse/country mouse story, as Chester adjusts to the bustle of the big city. Despite the cricket's comfortable matchbox bed (with Kleenex sheets); the fancy, seven-tiered pagoda cricket cage from Sai Fong's novelty shop; tasty mulberry leaves; the jolly company of Tucker Mouse and Harry Cat; and even his new-found fame as "the most famous musician in New York City," Chester begins to miss his peaceful life in the Connecticut countryside. The Cricket in Times Square--a Newbery Award runner-up in 1961--is charmingly illustrated by the well-loved Garth Williams, and the tiniest details of this elegantly spun, vividly told, surprisingly suspenseful tale will stick with children for years and years. Make sure this classic sits on the shelf of your favorite child, right next to The Wind in the Willows. (Ages 9 to 12) ... Read more

Reviews (73)

The Cricket in Times Square
I read The Cricket in Times Square and thought it was a fantastic book. I enjoyed the book because the author, George Selden, used good vocabulary words to describe his characters and settings. The story was easy to follow and fun to read.

The Cricket in Times Square is about a cricket named Chester. Chester lived in Connecticut. One day he smelled some food from a picnic and went over to investigate the smell. While sniffing, he got caught in a bag with sandwiches. The family eating the sandwiches got on a train to New York City. When he got to New York City, one of the main characters, Mario Bellini, found Chester outside. Chester was next to Mario's parent's newsstand so Mario picked him up and put him in a matchbox. While at the newsstand, Mario asked his mom if he could keep the cricket. After a few days Mario took Chester to buy a cage at a Chinese store. The cage was shaped like a Chinese building.

At the newsstand Chester met a mouse named Tucker and a cat named Harry. Chester became good friends with them. Chester became a very famous cricket and played his beautiful music at 8:00AM and 4:30PM for all the people at the newsstand.

If you want more details about Chester's exciting adventures, read this book or other books by George Selden! I hope this review makes you want to read The Cricket in Times Square, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

A Review On The Cricket In Time Square
It all started when Mario found his new best friend in a pile of dirt. He met Chester, Chester the cricket. Mario lives with mama and poppa, but they don't have a lot of money. They own a newsstand in Grand Central Station. Chester meets two other friends besides Mario. He meets Tucker, a mouse and Harry, a cat. Quickly these four learn a lot about each other and become best friends. The four friends work hard to bring success to Mario's newsstand. I think this book is great. When I was reading I couldn't put the book down because you never know what's going to happen next so you have to read on. I think many other people should read this book too. It so detailed so you can see every little part in the book happening in your head. This book is one of my favorite books I have every read in my whole entire life. There's nothing good missing in this book, it's great. I would most certainly recommend this book to anyone who likes to read. The four friends work hard to bring success to Mario's newsstand. Read the book to find out what happens in the end of this great, Newberry award winning book.

By:Jake Soffer

The Cricket in Times Square
Can you guess what book I read; well if you guessed The Cricket in Time Square you were right. George Seldne really gets you interested in the book. I didn't want to put the book down.
Mario owns a cricket named Chester. He picked him up by the family owned newsstand in New York.
The mother of Mario doesn't want the cricket in the house or in the newsstand, but Mario makes a little deal with her so he can keep the cricket as a pet.
This book reminds me of The Todd and Frog because in both books they develop good friendships. Chester is an outrageous friend that helps out this family by chirping famous songs. He also helps out these two friends in New York.
If you're a person that likes fantasy, where animals tell the story, then you should really enjoy reading this book.

By Tara Curry

Emily's Review of The Cricket in Times Square
I really liked The Cricket in Times Square because there are lots of funny and unusual characters! It is about a small boy named Mario who finds a very unusual pet - a cricket! The cricket, Chester, ends up takinga subway to New York, and meets two other friends, Tucker Mouse and Harry Cat.
This was a hilarious book as Chester tries to manage in the city,which is unlike his Conneticut home.
This book is realistic fiction which means that everything in the book didn't happen, but it could happen. The author created many interesting characters at very unsual times. I like the way George Selden made the characters come to life. He described every character, so that I could visualize them in my mind, even without the pictures.

I would recommend this book to people who like adventure stories.Younger kids,and most adults would like The Cricket in Times Square.

The Crickets in Times Square
This is a fiction book.I read ths book in the summer.I would recmmend this book to others because its really fun and exciting.I could read this book all the time.If you like funny,exciting,and clever you should read ths book.at the end does chester go back to his home town,Kansas if you want to Know this great seceret?Does he live with his owner?Unravel this great seceret and pickup the adventures of the Cricket in Times Squares. ... Read more

Book Description

Get ready to blast off with Captain Bug Rogers on an intergalactic pop-up adventure. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Cool and cute too
This book is really cute, in a weird and silly way. My son got it when he was five, and it was his favorite book for a long time. The space bug pictures and goofy plot were funny enough that I didn't mind reading it to him over and over and over and over and .....

Daughter loves this book.
This book is full of silly plays on words, like "Capt. Bug Rogers" and "The Bug in the Moon." Although my 4-year-old daughter doesn't get the references, she still asks me to read it again and again. Every page has a pop-up, a movable piece, or flap to open. She broke two of them, which I was able to glue back together, good as new. Personally I thought it was kind of hokey, but I rated it 5 stars because it certainly seems to reach its audience.

Excellent Children's Book!
This is the first "Bug Book" by David Carter I have bought. It has wonderful illustrations and pop-ups. I thought it was a little young for my four-month old son when I bought it. However, I thought it was too cute to pass up. As it turns out the colors are so vivid and eye-catching and the pop-ups so entertaining, that he actually laughs when I read it to him. I highly recommend it for children of any age. I plan on buying many more of the "Bug Books".

Bugs in Space
Our five year-old son received this book as a gift and it was a delightful surprise! We laughed out loud through the whole book. It was very fun to read. Lots of interactive fun! This was our first book by David Carter but I would buy another. Very young children would like it too but I would be afraid of it holding up without getting ripped - not that it is too flimsy but that young hands would want to grab it.

Really fun book for kids!
My kids really love this book. We have enjoyed David Carter's Bugs in Box books for many years. I gave it four stars instead of five only because I think some of the other ones (like Alphabugs) are even better than this one. This is good, but if you only buy one "Bugs in a Box" book, I'd recommend the Alphabugs or the first one! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Absolutely amazing!
I'd agree with the previous reviewer; however, the author (Joyce Cooper Arkhurst) was indeed the person responsible for popularizing the Anansi stories here in the USA! The vocabulary in the book introduces kids to Africa and West African terms and culture. Joyce was a storyteller at the New York City Public Library many years ago and received a grant to go to West Africa to research the rich oral tradition of storytelling in the villages. This book was the first to popularize the Anansi stories and opened the door for McDermott and others. Enjoy!

This is a great book for children and adult storytellers
The author has presented a simple, easy to read format which will be easy for children to read, understand, and most important, ENJOY! The humor is wonderful. The main character, Spider, will be easily recognizable to those children already familiar with the Anansi stories. Additionally, I am a teacher and have introduced oral storytelling into my second grade classroom. These stories are simple, rich and easy to learn for those who may be interested in becoming a storyteller themselves! It's a thoroughly enjoyable and wonderful book. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Anansi the Spider is a wise, funny, mischievous, and loveable folk hero who pops up in traditional Ashanti tales from Ghana, in West Africa. This story, retold and illustrated by Gerald McDermott, relates the tale of father Anansi and his six spider sons. When Anansi sets out on a dangerous journey and gets into all sorts of trouble, each son does one thing to help, and all their efforts together save their father. He finds a mysterious, beautiful globe of light in the forest, and decides to make it a gift of thanks. But which son should receive the prize? Even with the help of Nyame, the God of All Things, he can't decide, so Nyame takes the great globe up into the sky, and that's where it has stayed ever since--the moon, for all to see. This profound story reaches children of many ages; younger ones see it as an exciting rescue story, but older children are intrigued by the larger themes of cooperation and "the whole being more than its parts."

Anansi the Spider, McDermott's first book, received immediate acclaim and was named a Caldecott Honor Book. McDermott has retold and illustrated many other folktales and myths during his long career, including Arrow to the Sun: A Pueblo Indian Tale, which received the Caldecott Medal, Musicians of the Sun, and a series of trickster folktales from around the world. He has a rare combination of skills, being both a gifted writer and a talented artist.His distinctive graphic style using bold shapes and brilliant colors is always striking, but is especially well suited to the story of Anansi, with traditional African motifs skillfully integrated throughout the art.This is a story that can be read over and over again! (Ages 4 to 9) --Marcie Bovetz ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Vibrant, vivid illustration and a wonderful tale
The Anansi stories have been handed down through generations of Ashanti culture. This book is a wonderful, vibrant and vivid story for children of all ages. Born in Ghana I left at aged 3, leaving much of the Ghanaian culture behind. At aged 30 I can still remember a song about Anansi the spider, the only remnants left of my native tongue. I was given the Anansi book as a child, it captivated me, I read it over and over again, and it provided a connection to my past. At 16, I spent hours crafting a cushion embroidered an illustration from the book that was a childhood favorite. Sadly, the book was lost and I never thought I could get it again. Now, some 14 years since I last saw the book I can still visualize the pictures and hear the wonderful tale of Anansi the spider, his sons and the moon. I have just bought two copies, one for my niece and one for my two year old daughter. I absolutely cannot wait to read them again and again and pass this memorable story to a new generation.

Anansi
Anansi is one cool African trickster, and he does it again in this book! When he tries to determine which of his six sons to reward for saving his life, he becomes responsible for putting the moon in the sky.

We love Anansi!
My 18 month old son loves the artwork in this book. There is a lot to talk about on each page. For the first time it seems that my son is following the story and not just dealing with one page at a time. He waits eagerly for the page when Anansi is swallowed by a fish (don't worry it is not violent in any way!) Since there are 6 spider sons there are lots of opportunities for counting. My 18 month old can now count to 6.

Why the moon is in the sky!
A short children's book based on a folk tale of the Ashanti tribe of Ghana about the tickster Spider who is rescued by his sons and why the moon is in the sky. Children will enjoy hearing this story and even acting out its parts. The artwork is very appealling. The book was a 1973 Caldecott Honor book (i.e., a runner-up to the Medal winner) for best illustration in a book for children.

A culturally rich story that captures the eye with it's art.
This story captured the attention of 18 pre-schools within a few seconds! Personally, I enjoyed this story, the unique characters and the "trickster" Anansi. The children loved acting out a skit about the 6 sons of Anansi by taping a "spider logo" to their shirt and acting out "cushion", see trouble" and the other brothers. I especially enjoy how McDermott exposes children to the beliefs of other cultures. ... Read more

Book Description

Bring on the spiders, stinkbugs, and grasshoppers. Charlie Kaplan, "Bug Boy," thinks bugs are the best and is always on a Bug Alert for crawly creatures. But when he receives the Amazing Bug-A-View in the mail, Charlie thinks it's a joke. Then he notices that the Amazing Bug-A-View says, See the world from a bug's-eye view! Before you can say bug off, Charlie turns into a...! ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Have You Ever Wanted To Be A Bug?
What's this? Charlie Kaplan turned into a bug! Find out how, by reading Bug Boy by Carol Sonenklar. It's about a boy who can turn into bugs when he gets a Bug-A-View. Charlie has many adventures while he is a bug. I liked this book because in the beginning it was suspenseful when he didn't know what the Bug-A-View was. I think it would be so cool to be a bug. The author's message is of friendship. Even though you make new friends, you don't have to give up your old ones. Charlie has some exciting adventures. How will Charlie change back into human form? Read this book and find out!

Do you like adventurous stories? Read this book
Have you ever turned into a bug? You can find out in Bug Boy, by Carol Sonenklar. When one boy named Charlie Caplan gets a bug transformer he can turn into any bug he wants to. But he takes big risks being a bug. At one point in the book his teacher almost steps on him. I liked this book a lot because the author wrote it so well you could picture what was happening in your head. This book told me risks can be fun but dangerous. Will Charlie get eaten? You can find out in Bug Boy.

If You Like Bugs, Read This Book!
How would it feel to be locked in a garbage truck? Well, that almost happened to Charlie Kaplan in the book Bug Boy, by Carol Sonenklar. This book is about a boy who changes into different insects. One day on his porch he finds something that looks like a flashlight. It says, 'See the world from a bug's eye view,' and that's exactly what he does. I liked when he turned into a tarantula and crawled onto his mom's face. She sneezed and he flew all the way to the back of the room. This story has a lot of insect adventures. Read this book to learn more about what happens to Charlie.

Do You Like Adventure? :)
How would it feel if you were a fly? Charlie Kaplan becomes a fly in the book Bug Boy by Carol Sonenklar. I like this book because it is very cool that he turns into a bug. I give this book a ten. His favorite show is Spiderman and so is mine. I want to read Bug Girl too. I bet it will be really cool like Bug Boy. The author tells a lot about bugs like spiders and beetles in this book so you actually learn while you read. Will Charlie be a fly forever? Read this book to find out.

The Interesting Bug
What would you do if you got a package and you didn't know who it was from? Bug Boy by Carol Sodenklar is about a boy who one day finds a package at the door. The package turns you into a bug when you say you want to be a bug. I like this book because I think it is funny that the kid is a bug. Can you imagine a boy being a bug? The author was writing this book to entertain kids. You should see what kind of bug he turns into! Read this book to find out! ... Read more

Amazon.com

An affectionate, sometimes bashful pig named Wilbur befriends a spider named Charlotte, who lives in the rafters above his pen. A prancing, playful bloke, Wilbur is devastated when he learns of the destiny that befalls all those of porcine persuasion. Determined to save her friend, Charlotte spins a web that reads "Some Pig," convincing the farmer and surrounding community that Wilbur is no ordinary animal and should be saved. In this story of friendship, hardship, and the passing on into time, E.B. White reminds us to open our eyes to the wonder and miracle often found in the simplest of things. ... Read more

Reviews (306)

among the best in children's literature
As we all know, there are those certain books in the world that literally every single child in the world should read, and "Charlotte's Web" is a perfect example of must-read literature. It's such a classic story, not to mention a beautiful one. E.B. White creates such memorable characters and describes them very well. When a little girl named Fern hears that some baby pigs have been born in the barn, she is terrified to hear that her father plans to kill the littlest one, the useless "runt." Fern talks her father into letting her adopt the pig. She names it Wilbur and treats it as her own. Then the time comes for the pig to be more on its own, so Fern is forced to sell him to her uncle, who owns a farm. Wilbur feels lonely and out of place until he meets Charlotte, a kind spider who befriends him and, eventually, saves his life. Beautiful, beautiful story of friendship and courage. It contains characters and a fun plot that any child can enjoy. I read this book for the first time when I was in fourth grade, and I recently helped a little second-grader that I baby-sit for with her "Charlotte's Web" comprehension questions. It brought memories back. This is one of those books that you remember for the rest of your life once you've read it. It's excellent, and well worth the money.

'O best beloved'
This is a book which should have ten stars, not just five.

Faced with the impending slaughter of Wilbur, the runt piglet she has saved and nursed to health, Fern is appalled that she has fattened him for the axe, and commits herself passionately to save her beloved animal. So, too, is Charlotte, the spider who inhabits the barn with him, and woh turns her web into a sort of billboard/oracle which astonishes (and admonishes) the community by weaving words that inform them that this is no ordinary pig! She recruits Templeton the Rat and the rest of the animals in her battle for Wilbur's life...will they succeed? or will Wilbur be a nine-days' wonder? and what will be the ultimate cost?

This is the best present I can imagine to inspire a young reader; it's a wonderful tale of courage against the odds; it's warm, sad, and delightfully funny, and 30 years after I read it in fourth grade, I still get a lump in my throat thinking about it. A special, special book. (With wonderful original illustrations!)

A Great Book about Friendship
I must confess that having just read "Animal Farm" shortly before reading this book, I was a little hesitant about excepting this as a pure children's story without any hidden political agenda. I kept expecting the talking animals to rise up behind the pig and take over the farm. Rest assured however there was none of that, as E.B. White does a good job of keeping the story at a purely kids level.

Wilber is the runt in a litter of pigs, and Mr. Arable the farmer is going to take him out back and have him slaughtered since as he says, "He is small and weak and will never amount to anything." His young daughter Fern who is eight, hears this and requests that her father give the pig to her to raise instead. The father wishing to prove a point to her, allows this so long as she promises to do all the work to take care of it. To Mr. Arable's surprise Fern does an excellent job of raising Wilber and he turns out to be "Some Pig", proving that even though he was very small he still could amount to something.

As Wilber grows bigger the Arable's can no longer support feeding him, so Mr. Arable has Fern sell Wilber to her uncle Mr. Zuckerman who has a farm down the road. There she goes and visits Wilber every day. Being young I guess gives you the ability to sit and listen to the animals more intently than adults, and by doing so Fern is able to hear that the animals can actually talk and she understands them. (Being the father of two girls who are 7 and 5, I'd have to disagree somewhat with this logic as my girls never sit still, and certainly have a hard time listening at times, but for the sake of the story we'll just give them the benefit of the doubt.)

Anywise Wilber meets all the other animals in the barn who are very nice, but none of them are really his close friend. He becomes lonely and wishes for a friend. A gray spider named Charlotte answers his prayers and after introducing herself, she becomes Wilber's best friend.

When the other animals tell Wilber that Mr. Zuckerman is just fatting him up to eat him for Christmas, this makes him greatly disturbed. Charlotte being a great friend promises to do all she can to make Wilber so important to Mr. Zuckerman that he would change his mind. She sets a plan in action to weave messages into her web proclaiming how great the pig is, and by doing so she hopes to trick the adults into believing it as well. With the help of Templeton the rat she obtains some newspaper clippings and begins her work.

Each new message in the web is looked upon as miracle, but rather than looking for any religious connection, the folks in the town just believe they have a very famous pig on their hands and accept it at face value.

The suspense builds as Zuckerman takes Wilber to the Fair. If he can just win an award there, Charlotte knows his life will be saved. Charlotte and Templeton have to stow away in Wilber's crate just to accompany him to the Fair, and then when they get there the pig in the stall next to Wilber is twice as big and looks to be a shoe in for first prize.

This book was obviously written at a much simpler time in history. At the Fair grounds the adults send the kids off on their own. Besides Fern who is 8, she has a little brother Avery who is only 5. After giving them all kinds of warnings such as not to eat too much, and to stay out of the sun, to not get dirty, and to be careful on the rides, the mother stops and says to the husband, "Do you think they'll be all right?" and he responds, "Well they have to grow up sometime." (None of the warnings were about staying away from strangers.) Of course when the kids returned they hadn't stayed out of the sun and were hot, and completely dirty, but they had fun.

Fern meets a boy at the Fair, and starts to grow up a bit as playing with him starts to seem like more fun than talking to bunch of animals.

It is a great book about overcoming obstacles even though you are very small, growing up, and most of all friendship. My girls loved the book as well, and especially seemed to like the illustrations by Garth Williams.

Quality literature for children
A spider saves the life of a friendly pig by spinning accolades about him in her web, thereby producing a miracle that impresses people for miles around. This is a beautifully written little story for children that has real literary quality. The prose is excellent. Note in particular the simple but lovely descriptions of the passing seasons that Mr. White writes. The themes include friendship, coping with the loss of loved ones, and the realization that life goes on, changed but still worth living.

Best book ever
I think this is a really good book.It was about a pig and a spider who were vary good friends. My favorite part of the story was when they went to the Fair. The book was great. ... Read more

Book Description

This companion volume to the best-selling Slugs and Skunks! takes an irreverent look at another of the world's most misunderstood creatures-bugs. Accompanied by Lynn Munsinger's sly, witty illustrations, Bugs! is sure to disgust and entertain both bug lovers and bug haters alike! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Fun for kids & adults!
I bought this for my nephew but am now buying it for my husband...it is a clever, witty, and well illustrated book suitable for anyone with a wacky sense of humor.

Creepy crawly fun!
This book is just plain gross... but ALSO, it is truly funny! I get a big kick out of the fast paced jaunty way it reads out loud, and the way it makes your skin crawl as you read it.

My son who is 2 may be a little young for it...he may even go out and eat a bug because of it. I think it was a little creepy to him at first (with the boy riding on a REALLY big black spider), but now he requests it, and enjoys the funny illustrations as well. It is not scary by any means, but more silly and gross. I recommended this book for kids ages 3+ for a creepy crawly good reading time.

Bugs! By David Greenberg
David Greenberg's book, Bugs!, crawls with humor and entertainment for all ages. I absolutely love it! The story in verse is original, fast paced, and definitely stimulates the imagination using more of the readers' senses than just sight. Tastebuds balk at the thought of eating a squirting bug. Ears hear the loud crunch of that first imagined bite. Noses begin to scrunch up as stinkbugs are sprinkled over a salad. Skin twitches with feelings of being crawled on. The author's style is grossly hilarious and quite clever. His ridiculous use of the bugs is sure to keep the interest of readers, even reluctant ones. Surprise and the unexpected are the usual bill of fare in this book, especially the ending. Lynn Munsinger's colorful illustrations further complement the story. Each bug is characterized with individual personalities through the various facial features and expressions. None of the bugs, even the creepier ones, appear fierce or frightening. They lean more towards harmless, lovable, and/or goofy looking. The illustrations and text are in harmony and together create a light hearted, amusing story in verse.

Hilarious! Entertaining for all ages.
I checked this book out from my local public library to read to my children, ages 6 and 3. Not only did my children find it an enjoyable book, they wanted to keep it. It has ben passed around my children's school, and has only recieved great reviews by the teachers. It is a book that will be added to the school's library.

Custard like.
Fantastic, and reminds one of the Custard books. Since she (he?) illustrated those, these are great. Highly recommended. My son wants to eat a bug now. Ycccccch. ... Read more

Amazon.com

David Kirk, creator of the bestselling favorites Miss Spider's Tea Party and Miss Spider's Wedding, has created another deliciously quirky, rhyming Miss Spider adventure. This time the amiable arachnid is car-shopping with her husband Holley. At Mantis Motors, a praying mantis named Mik is a used car sales-insect: "Mik Mantis crooned, 'This honey runs/On Nectar from a flower./Its two-stem engine is equipped/With turbo-bumble power,/And capable of reaching speeds/Near ninety yards per hour!'"

Miss (or is it now Mrs.?) Spider and Holley explore other car lots (including Meg's Wings n' Things) and encounter a few near misses, but all ends well thanks to the help of benevolent Moth Sue. The book's clever and original verse is laced with subtle ironies that won't be lost on you or your little ones; in the first spread, for example, a note arrives "snail mail," because the postal carrier is a snail. Kirk's exuberant, luminous colors and hilarious, cartoonish depictions of the bug world are truly wonderful. Miss Spider's New Car is the perfect book for any child who loves cars or bugs--not to mention a clever gift for any adult itching to buy his or her dream car. (Ages 4 to 8) ... Read more

Reviews (17)

she loves the "chuggy buggy"
My 2 year old loves this book. She loves the variety of silly sounds and she is delighted by the pictures. We love reading it to her. Now on to the rest of the Miss Spider series......

Great Pictures
Quite by accident we stumbled upon MISS SPIDER"S TEA PARTY when my granddaughter was five. That book was to be touched,read, and taken to bed a many nights before she fell in love with the next one (MISS SPIDER'S WEDDING). The rhyming does not take away from the message of virtues that can be found in any culture. Holley is her hero because he wears glasses and shows kindness. We have collected all of Mr. Kirk's books and can't wait for future books to be presented. The vividness and texture of the pages held her attention long after we had finished reading a particular page. She clapped and cheered for Holley and wanted explanations of phrases that at that time was beyond her comprehension. Now she reads these books herself and although she has them memorized by heart; she still turns page by page to view the characters and touch the colors. What a wonderful way to start on the pathway of reading for fun.

The Chuggy Buggy is the Best
My daughter loves the line about the Chuggy Buggy and this is her favorite of the Miss Spider books. Of the three it is the one we read the most. She loves it and I have to admit it is pretty fun.

Not the strongest entry in the series
The illstrations, while vivid, are a bit obtuse and difficult to discern. The prose doesn't flow. The book simply can't stand alone the way the "counting Book" and Miss Spider's Mom, do. If your child is hooked on Miss Spider, then this will be a fun addition to your collection, but it shouldn't be your first choice.

Miss Spider's Wedding
This book is pure poetry; a tender love story with rhyming language that flows to the ear like warm honey. It presents softly the mystery of attraction, devotion and pairing between individuals who from outward appearances are totally unsuited for one another. Dramatically illustrated, the romance between aphid and arachnid teaches tolerance for and acceptance of those who are different from ourselves. Its lyrical vocabulary is satisfying to the adult reader as well as little people. In fact, it brings tears to my daughter-in-law's eyes when she reads it to Jack and Mimi. ... Read more

Book Description

Roald Dahl was a champion of the underdog and all things little--in this case, an orphaned boy oppressed by two nasty, self-centered aunts.How James escapes his miserable life with the horrible aunts and becomes a hero is a Dahlicious fantasy of the highest order.You will never forget resourceful little James and his new family of magically overgrown insects--a ladybug, a spider, a grasshopper, a glowworm, a silkworm, and the chronic complainer, a centipede with a hundred gorgeous shoes.Their adventures aboard a luscious peach as large as a house take them across the Atlantic Ocean, through waters infested with peach-eating sharks and skies inhabited by malevolent Cloudmen, to a ticker-tape parade in New York City.This happily ever after contemporary fairy tale is a twentieth-century classic that every child deserves to know.And Lane Smith's endearingly funny illustrations make this hardcover gift edition the one to cherish and pass from one generation to the next. ... Read more

Reviews (122)

James And The Jiant Peach
A great book you should read is James and the Giant Peach. This is an adventurebook. My favorite charactor is the centipede.
This book is about a boy named James Henry Trotter. One sad day, his parents are eaten by a rhino that escaped from the zoo. He has to live with his two most hated aunts, Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spiker. The make him their slave. One day, he sees an old man. He gives James a bag of magic bugs. He trips and they go everywhere. They go into the ground and get into the roots of the dead peach tree.The tree grows a giant peach and James goes inside a hole in it. He meets a centipede, a grasshopper, a spider, a ladybug, a glow worm, a silk worm and a earth worm. They are as big as him. They roll down the hill and squish the nasty aunts. James and his new friends meet sharks and cloud men.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes adventure books.

Ally's Review
Accidently, James Henry Trotter drops a bag of magic beans by the peach tree. Suddenly the crystals form into a gigantic peach! Odd things start to happen. James sees an entranceway through the peach and all these wierd critters that can talk! James is in shock.

As you go through the book you come along some characters named Centipede, Ladybug, Spider, Grasshopper, Glow Worm, Silk Worm,Aunt Sponge, Aunt Spiker and James. Aunt Sponge, the tremendously fat one, and Aunt Spiker, the most skinniest person in the world, treat James so deadly. They beat him and treat him horribly.

My favorite part is when James meets all of the characters. I liked it because they are a big part of the book. So I wanted to know a lot about them. I think some kids can relate to James' personality because he's a smart kid who's fri