Amazon.com

"'Always chicken feed! Day after day--year afteryear--I'm sick of it!' squawked Big Brown Rooster."

In this deliciously imaginative book by sisters Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel, a hungry and fed-up rooster suddenly recalls hisfamous Great-Granny, a fabulous chef who penned a book of recipes for future generations. He hunts down her cookbook--The Joy of CookingAlone by L.R. Hen.

Rooster carefully turned the pages. "So many recipes--and I thought she just baked bread! Look at the strawberry shortcake!... Yes sirree--just like Great-Granny, I'll be a cook! COOK-A-DOODLE-DO-O-O!"

Upon settling down with this remarkable tale, every child's naturalcuriosity for cooking will likewise come bursting forth. There is a greatbasic story here, with plenty of creative spins on The Little Red Hen. In this version, Rooster--rebuffed by Dog, Cat, and Goose just like his Granny was--finds companionship in the kitchen with Turtle, Iguana, and Potbellied Pig. As Turtle reads the recipe aloud, Iguana continuously confuses the instructions to great comedic effect, Amelia Bedelia-style.(He tries to cut butter with scissors and beat an egg with a baseball bat.)Pig, on the other hoof, asks over and over for a chance to taste the batter.("Looks mighty dry in there," said Pig. "Perhaps I should taste it.") Stevens's sure, friendly illustrations evoke a tremendous amount of character and activity in lightning-fast time. Take, forexample, the cooking hats all the creatures don when they get to the kitchen:Turtle sports a copper-bottomed soup pot on his head, Iguana wields a candy-striped oven mitt, and Pig is wearing a kitchen towel, tied kerchief-style. They're ready!

Scattered through the story are sidebars with cooking tips that offer information on the ingredients, measurements, and techniques mentionedin the text. (Even if kids don't want to read them, they're quite handyfor adults answering questions while reading.) Kids will love this lively, slapstick story of teamwork in action, and no doubt will want to try making strawberry shortcake! Fortunately, the recipe for"Great-Granny's Magnificent Strawberry Shortcake" is in the back. (Ages 4 and older) --Jean Lenihan ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Reading fun in the kitchen
Crummel and Stevens do not disappoint with this book that is wonderfully designed to bring children into the story by way of their stomach. This book is a rescipe for fun and games in the kitchen with your children. Be sure to participate by making the strawberry shortcake along with the characters in the book.

Delicious Entertainment!
Look out Amelia Bedelia! Big Brown Rooster and friends are cooking strawberry shortcake and the misunderstandings abound! Literal interpretations and great illustrations make this an extremely entertaining picture book. Read the book, create the shortcake, and eat it! The recipe included in the text is fantastic.

outrageous animation !
The animal's expressions are SO animated that it is a visual DELIGHT as well as a fun read ! What a treat !

My 3 and 4 year-olds' favorite - educational and fun!
This is a great book that has lots of depth. My three year old loves the repetition and the characterisation, without realizing he's learning concepts and facts about food and cooking. It's clearly their favorite book.

A must have book for your collection!
Not only is this book highly enjoyable, it is also very educational. Teachers, and parents alike, will enjoy sharing this delightfully funny story with children everywhere! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Anansi the trickster strikes again!
That Anansi is such a scoundral!!

After boring into one of Elephants melons, he eats himself too big to get out!! So, Anansi waits to get thing again...Only, he's bored! So he decides to amuse himself at Elephant's expense... and Hippo's...and Warthog's...Well, you get the idea.

This is a cute story about a trickster spider. Janet Stevens' illustrations are, as always, excellent. Anansi is not just a regular spider. Stevens gives him expressions and a personality. You wind up laughing with Anansi's pranks. Very well done!

I would definitly recommend this book. I read it to a group of young school age kids - 5-9. They could kinda tell where the story was going, but were more than willing to sit for the ride.

Great for preschool/kindergarten agers
My 5 year old son LOVED the mischief Anansi got into and understood the lessons that were being taught. It is written in a way that younger kids can understand and the illustrations are great!

Trickery at its best!!
Anansi the spider bores his way into one of Elephant's melons and thus begins the great trickery of some of the greatest animals in the Animal Kingdom. I used this book with the second grade class and we loved the human characteristics of the animals and all the funny things Anansi says while he is in the melon. It is a great book to act out in the puppet theater and we had great fun taking on the roles of the elephant, monkey, spider and other surprised and astonished animals. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (17)

A delightful trickster story.
This children's book is a retelling of an African-American folktale about a lazy bear and an industrious rabbit, a trickster, who grows different crops on the bear's land. Sometimes the bear wants the top of the crops while the hare takes the bottoms. Other times the bear demands the bottoms. Each time, the hare grows a crop which makes him the "winner" in the deal. The book was a 1996 Caldecott Honor book (i.e., a runner-up to the Medal winner) for best illustrations in a book for children.

A new classic - well worth buying!!
It seems Mr. Rabbit is in a bit of a fix. After losing that race to Turtle, he's in a bit of a financial jam. So, he goes to Bear and makes a deal.

The Rabbit family will plant and harvest the crops on Bear's land. Rabbit will split the crops with Bear 50/50. All Bear has to do is decide which half - tops or bottoms - he wants.

Unfortunately, whether the crop is potatoes, lettuce, corn, or radishes, Bear keeps picking the "wrong half".

This is a hillarious story that kids of all ages will appreciate. For visual interest, the book is designed to flip from top to bottom (as opposed from left to right).

Janet Stevens' artwork alone is worth the cost of the book!

Enjoy!

Heads and tails
When I first picked up the charming, "Tops and Bottoms" picture book by Janet Stevens, I was initially certain that this was a kind of Brer Rabbit tale. It had all the markings of it. Animals in clothing tricking one another out of food of one sort or another. The hero was a hare and the villain a bear. But on reading this book I was in for a shock. A staple of the Brer Rabbit tales is the idea that sometimes luck and laziness go hand in hand. Brer Rabbit is forever tricking the other animals into doing his work for him rather than the other way around. But in "Tops and Bottoms" we have a very familiar message to contend with. Hard work pays off.

The book is drawn in a rather original format. Rather than holding the book with the spine horizontal, instead this tale can only be read with the spine completely vertical. Pictures are long here, rather than wide, and the result is an eclectic new way of telling a tale. It's enormously effective. In this story, a lazy bear owns most of the land. One day, Hare decides its time to buy some of his own land back. He strikes up a deal with the prematurely hibernating neighbor and the two become business partners. If Hare does all the work, Bear can chose the part of the crop he prefers. Either the tops or the bottoms. It soon becomes clear that Bear is no match for the sly hare. After all, when Bear chooses the tops, Hare plants carrots. When Bear understands his mistake he chooses bottoms and Hare plants lettuce and celery. And when Bear demands both the tops AND the bottoms, Hare plants corn and gets the middle. In the end, Bear learns the benefits of hard work (and staying on top of things) and Hare has enough money from the crops to own his own land again.

A word of caution: If you're using this book with the intention of utilizing it to teach youngsters about farming cycles, cease and desist. In the course of this tale, Hare harvests his crops three times over the summer months. His youngsters also weed the garden of unusually hardy dandelions each and every time Bear instructs Hare to plant again. Still, as complaints go this one's fairly petty. The story is funny and well written. Hare has a wonderful way of roping Bear into the deal, coming off with phrases like, "Yes, sir, Bear, we're in this together. I'll work and you sleep". Better still are the illustrations. From Bear's permanently loose tie and oversized shoes to Hare's gaudy carrot covered Hawaiian shirt, the characters here are alive and kicking. Stevens also has a great talent drawing vegetables. I've rarely seen the stems of radishes as wonderfully rendered as they are in this book. And best of all, Hare is aided and abetted by his hard working kin. Baby rabbits fill the pages, usually hiding over, under, above, and through every vegetable in the book. My favorite moment was the scene in which Hare presents the tops AND bottoms of the corn. There, in the lower left hand corner stands Mrs. Hare, studiously removing the roots of the plant to place in the "bottoms" pile.

In effect, Janet Stevens has taken the essence of the Brer Rabbit tales and switched the message about 180 degrees. And you know what? It doesn't matter. Because Hare still gets the best of Bear and the story is a well-told romp. Add in the gorgeous pictures and the amazing format and you've got yourself a bonafide hit. As great read aloud books go, this is definitely one of the best. A highly recommended story time favorite.

Wonderful!
I enjoyed reading this and looking at the pictures as much as a child. To me, that's a real hit when you have both the child and adult looking forward to the reading.

What a shrewd bunny!
The characters are amazing... and amazingly easy to impersonate.
My children love when I give each of the main characters (bear and rabbit) a different voice. The story is really about entrepreneurship, but the little ones only need to know the difference between a root vegetable and a leaf vegetable. Anyway, my kids cannot look at a corn field now without saying "Tops or Bottoms"? And that to me is the best compliment given to a book. ... Read more

Book Description

Amazon.com

Lots of people know the nursery rhyme, "Hey Diddle Diddle," but hasanyone ever thought about what happens each night after it's read? The dish runsaway with the spoon, and, presumably, they come back later, otherwise the rhymecouldn't go on without them. But one night, when the dish and spoon take off,they simply don't return! The fiddle-playing cat, laughing dog (who turns out tobe quite a grump when he's not playing his part), and the sleepy, moon-hoppingcow set out to search for their missing friends. Along the way they encounterLittle Boy Blue, the spider from "Little Miss Muffet," Humpty Dumpty'srepairman, and a big bad wolf. But will they catch up with the dish and thespoon before the next reading? And can all of them dodge the dangers of anafter-hours, fairy-tale world?

Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel pick up where the nursery rhyme leavesoff in this witty, entertaining romp. Young readers will "laugh to see suchsport," as characters from fairy tales and Mother Goose mingle, make puns, andoccasionally join forces to find the wandering tableware. The hilarious facialexpressions and lively scenes by Janet Stevens invite readers to stay a while oneach page. Stevens is the author and illustrator of the Caldecott Honor BookTops and Bottoms. She andher sister-collaborator have previously teamed up on Cook-a-Doodle-Doo!, Shoe Town, and Tumbleweed Stew. (Ages 5 to 8)--Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Can we read the Dish & Spoon book again Mommy?
My 4 1/2 year old daughter absolutely loves this book. We originally borrowed it from the library, but she was heartbroken when it had to be returned. Although we've read it at least a dozen times, the story, familiar nursery rhymes and whimsical, beautiful pictures continue to grasp her interest. Parents will also enjoy this book, since it is written in a manner for both adults and children. I especially like the point where the characters traveling down the path come to a fork in the road, and it is actually a "fork" in the road, which will help them look for "spoon". I am always delighted when my daughter, Kelly, chooses this book for her bedtime selection.

Educational and Entertaining
My son and I checked this book out from the library when he was about 2 1/2, and he loved it! I did, too. In addition to being fun and clever, with delightful illustrations, the book was a great launching point for further discussions in three areas. First, the word play offers lots of chances for parents to begin explaining jokes, cliches and puns. (And I appreciated that the humor was engaging on both child and adult levels!) Second, the involvement of other Mother Goose characters is a natural lead-in to further reading. In fact, after reading "And the Dish Ran Away with the Spoon," we returned to the library for a good Mother Goose collection and went through it looking for now-familiar characters. And third, it is a great way to introduce map-reading skills. My son pretended to draw and read maps after reading this book, and he now understands that miles and directions (north, south, east and west) are ways of expressing where things are.

Awesome.
The school that I teach at is performing this play tonight. It has come along great and going to be very cute live and in person. Very good book!

The Rest of the Story
This delightful twist on the familiar nursery rhyme gives us "the rest of the story" by telling what Cow, Dog, and Cat must do to rescue a missing Dish and Spoon. The witty text includes frequent word plays-one of the characters is the Fork in the road (dressed in a Hawaiian shirt and sunglasses), and Dog complains that she's "dog-tired." The story is also replete with references to other nursery rhymes-in the climax a Giant chases Dish and Spoon down a beanstalk and a quick and nimble repairman named Jack mends the broken plate.

The static characters of the nursery rhyme are reinterpreted in this story so that Dog, Cow, and Cat display full personalities as they work together to deal with Dish and Spoon's disappearance. Cat is the leader taking charge; Cow is a mellow, but lazy, tag-along, and Dog is a somewhat sarcastic pessimist whose true colors come shining through when she comes to the rescue with the Dish's missing piece.

Every so often the narrative is interrupted with a rhyme that sets the stage for the next part of the adventure. For example, as the characters set off on their search the rhyme reads, "So, off went the three with a hey diddle dee by the light of the silvery moon-the cat with his fiddle, the cow, and the dog, to bring back the dish and the spoon." These rhymes are set in a larger typeface than the rest of the text and are arranged in a square around illustrations at the center of the page, enhancing the feeling of movement as the characters travel along.

This clever and unexpected story with its soft, yet colorful and active illustrations should draw the attention of both adults and children alike, reminding them that there's more to every story than we may at first realize.

Crummel and Stevens at their best.
I am an avid fan of Stevens and Crummel and this book is by far my favorite of the books they have done. The pictures are outstanding. The way the old nursury rhymes are interpreted is wonderful, the interactions of the characters are funny (even for adults, maybe even more so.) If you like good picturebooks, this one will not disappoint. I highly recommend this book. I do read-alouds with my students (middle school) every year, and every year when I read this book, by the end of the year I have had 15 to 20 requests to see and hear it again. The great thing is that when I do read this one aloud, they are all listening and enjoying the story. Buy it! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Veteran children's lit professor Coleen Salley tells a variation on hersignature story, an archetypal "noodlehead" tale based on the time-honoredSouthern legend of Epaminondas. A "sweet patootie" named Epossumondas headlineshere as a be-diapered young possum who follows his mama's instructions a littletoo literally.

"Queen Coleen" (as Salley sometimes goes in her native New Orleans) tells herstory in slow, old-South cadence, repeating a cycle where Epossumondas visitshis auntie "most every day" and receives something to take home to his mama's.His gifts, however, never seem to arrive intact: After Epossumondas arrives homewith a piece of cake that's been squinched into a fistful of crumbs, his mamascolds, "Oh, Epossumondas, you don't have the sense you were born with! That'sno way to carry cake! The way to carry cake is to put the cake on your head, puta hat on your head, and come along home." But the next day, Auntie gives himbutter, which then gets carried home cake-style (on his head). The next day, hegets "a sweet little puppy," which then gets carried home butter-style (wrappedin leaves and cooled in a brook), etc.

Caldecott Honor-winner Janet Stevens has obvious fun capturing Epossumondas'sridiculous errands in watercolor and colored pencil, especially as other bayouanimals look on in puzzlement. But Steven's biggest coup has to be conveying thestory's subtle secret--that Epossumondas might not be as dumb as he looks. (Ages4 to 8) --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Reviews (5)

So much fun!!
This is a great read-aloud because it is so fun. Salley is able to make a possum seem believably related to these two wacky ladies. And Epossumondas is so lovable, despite his inablility to get things right. The illustrations are able to effectively capture the zaniness of the characters and their actions. The book can also be connected to Cajun culture and folklore. A wonderful book to share with all ages. Full of heart, humor, and love.

The Most Adorable Possum Book Ever!
I am a wildlife rehabilitator and I specialize in possums; therefore, when looking for a gift for my twin 4-year-old cousins, I called Borders and requested "any children's book about opossums". I always say it takes a special person to love an opossum because most people think they are big rats! And so I love to show children the possum babies and they love them and don't think they're ugly at all. They never fear an opossum again. They know that you can't "play" with an opossum because "possums don't play. they're just curious and hungry." And so I went to pick up this book on my way to the birthday party, and I was crying from laughter in the parking lot. I am 20 and have been accused of having a weird sense of humor (I'm a possum girl, go figure) and this book was so damn cute, I couldn't stand it! I love to read this book over and over to my 6 cousins and their friends. They age from 1-10 years old and they all think it is hilarious even after the 50th time I read it to them. For any child I have to find a gift for, I get them this book. And even for infants because I know it will become a favorite. This is the book that your child will pretend to read because they have the words memorized. Who can resist a silly little possum in a diaper!? I advertise this book to people; it also shows that Epossumondas just does exactly what he is told and does his very best. And in the end, even after he messed up so many times, his mama and auntie still love him very much. I feel this gives a good message to children. In development, at the age of 2 children learn that mommy may say "no" or get angry, but that mommy still loves them. Many children today are traumatized at this age and do not learn this vital behaviour. This book depicts love perfectly.

Choose Your Words Carefully.....
"Epossumondas was his mama's and his auntie's sweet little patootie. They just loved him to death. Epossumondas used to go see his auntie most every day, and she nearly always gave him something to take home with him..." So begins renowned storyteller, Colleen Salley's, clever folktale about an endearing little possum who always follows his human mama's directions a little too literally with hilarious results. As she tells the reader in the Storyteller's Note, Epossumondas is a noodlehead story. "Mishaps occur but are not caused deliberately. The humor is gentle and silly. The plot may be highly improbable, but not impossible-it could happen." Ms Salley's engaging text just begs to be read aloud and is complemented by award winning illustrator, Janet Stevens, captivating, bold and bright artwork. Children will revel in all the eye-catching detail and marvelous facial expressions as they linger over each page. Perfect for youngsters 4-8, Epossumondas is a fun-filled, witty and warm romp little ones will want to read again and again, and is sure to become an instant favorite at your house.

Life imitates art
I bought this one mostly due to the art. I loved the photo type backgrounds contrasted with the drawings. This has been a huge hit with my 3 year old daughter. She thinks it is hilarious! It is requested nightly. She really "gets" this type of humor at her age. She has also picked up on the fact that the possum is no longer sent to do the errands because of his mistakes. She tries it on me, now!

Who could resist a diaper-wearing possum?
Not I! The cover illustration is just an appetizer for the glorious feast of possum inside - possum ILLUSTRATIONS, no possums are EATEN in this book!!!!

As sweet little Epossumondus wearing that adorable droopy cloth diaper goes from Auntie to Auntie he encounters friends along the way (also whimsically illustrated) with hilarious results. The text is yet another re-telling of the old English 'Lazy Jack' tale, but done in great style that will appeal to younger children as well as older ones.

I've told the tale to older children, this shorter version will be great to read to the those as young as 3 or 4. LOVE IT & you will too! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The Tortoise and the Hare
The book is about a tortoise that was slow at everything. The Hare who thought it was funny teased him every day. One afternoon, Hare said that he could beat him in a race. With the encouragement from his friends, Tortoise said, "Yes." The race was great, but your going to have to read it to find out what happened. This book teaches children that if you work smart it can be better then working hard. I would recommend this book for kid's ages 4-12 because kids below would not understand, and kids over would think it is childish. I think this was a great book for kids.

A neat Legend
This book is mostly about a race between a Tortoise and the Hare. The Hare is favored to win by everyone even the Tortoise, but the Hare refuses to take the race seriously. Will the lack of confidence allow the Hare to win? Will the Hare just blow-out the Tortoise? Will the Tortoise shock the Hare and win? Get this exciting book to find out. ... Read more

Book Description

A longtime favorite of teachers, parents, and children, this new edition of The Weighty Word Book will delight the next generation of beginning readers. For every letter of the alphabet, a big multisyllable word, such as "zealot" or "abasement," is defined by a whimsical story and a telling pun. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

It has the kids circling around
I bought this book to help my soon to be fifth grade daughter who has an interest in language. Her best friend now asks for us to read the book whenever she comes over. My daughter took it on a camping trip and kids came from all around to read it with us. They love it! Even my husband enjoys hearing the stories (we both learned a couple new words, and we have masters degrees!). Buy this book for any older elementary child you know. Its a great gift to their future and they will have a great time with it!

Still Remember This Book...
As a fifth grader, one of my favorite teachers read this book aloud to our class once a week. Today, as a high school junior, I still remember every word and story from the Weighty Word Book. Recently I took the PSAT and SAT, and between the two tests words from this book showed up 4 or 5 times. It has been an extremely beneficial part of my education.

Breathes there an adult with soul so dead...
...Who never to the world has said
I love this book, this children's book...

Adults read children's books to children, but seldom pick one up for their own pleasure. They miss a lot by the omission. THE WEIGHTY WORD BOOK is an example of a book written for children that is delightful for adults, at least adults who love words.

It's written by three University of Colorado English professors and consists of a series of whimsical and enchanting stories about words -- selected words, useful and syllabic.

In the first story, for example, Benjamin Van Der Bellows, a bear "who did not know the things he was supposed to know" is moved each time he makes a mistake to an office on a lower floor. Predictably, he winds up in the basement. "So, whenever a person has been lowered in position or rank or office, we say that person has suffered an abasement."

There's an imaginative and articulate story about each letter of the alphabet. Don't miss this one -- it's for all ages and it's loads of fun.

The Weighty Word Book
I have used The Weighty Word Book for 10 years in my third and fifth grade classrooms. The vocabulary words are excellent and the stories that help show the meaning are entertaining and meaningful. The students ask for me to read the book to them and they often not only remember the words, but also the stories for years. This is a wonderful book to show kids that they can have fun learning new "hard" vocabulary words. Try it, you'll find that you'll improve your own vocabulary.

This book coruscates!
My nearly 10-year-old daughter and I are thoroughly enjoying this book, and know that we are going to be clamoring for more. This is a tremendous book to read on your own, but even better to share it aloud with others! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

"What a strange moss-covered--" KPOM!
My kids (ages 8 and 5) think this book is hilarious -- I just now finished [re]reading it to my daughter, who made me repeat the schtick between Anansi and the little mule deer about six times in a row, ending up with us acting out the two parts. A little boisterous for bedtime, maybe, but we had a ball. The idea of a strange moss-covered rock that knocks out anyone who says "what a strange moss-covered rock!" is pretty surreal, but if you suspend your disbelief the rest of the tale, and its moral lesson, follow like clockwork.
The illustrations are well done, too. Some of the animals are a little too cartoony-cute, but Anansi has an intriguingly zig-zag shape, and it's a nice sight gag to see them using ceiling fans and aluminum lawn chairs. Also, if you flip back through the book you can find little mule deer peeking out from the background on nearly every page, which is a huge bonus as far as the kids are concerned.
A previous reviewer condemned this story as violent -- but it's not suggested or shown anywhere in the book that the rock hits the animals on the head. Instead it's just "KPOM!" and the animal falls in a faint. My kids and I hadn't even considered the being-hit-on-the-head theory at all: they just figured the rock was magic. Maybe they just haven't watched enough Bugs Bunny cartoons...

Anasi a West African Trickster
Eric A Kimmel cleverly retells the an story Anansi folk tale in his book Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock, which is illustrated by Janet Stevens. It is a clever story based on the folk tradition of West Africa with Anasi the spider as a trickster hero. Anansi is a true mischief maker and after finding a magic moss-covered rock decides to use it to his friends disadvantage. In the end it is Anasi who is taught a lesson, maybe.

Anasi books and tales are a wonderful way of exploring the rich traditions from West Africa. He is derived from the Ashante who are skilled weavers and story tellers. Anansi is associated with both the Ashante traditions of story telling and weaving. He is an intriguing character whether he is spinning a web with words or with thread.

For parents and teachers introducing this story to children it is important to consider your own beliefs and views on violence and teaching lessons through violence. The trick of the moss-covered rock is that it hits animals on the head and knocks them unconscious. While children frequently delight in this kind of slapstick humor and may not take the use of violence as condoning it, the adult should consider their own conscience in introducing this book.

Great for reading or telling
Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock is a staple in my storytelling repetoire. Small children appreciate the repetition; older children appreciate the humor; adults enjoy the pure playfulness of the tale. In short, this is another example of folktales being excellent (or not surviving).

The book is well written and well illustrated - I hope it becomes a children's classic as it deserves to be

Enjoyable, well illustrated story.
I find this book useful in teaching teachers about the folk lore of Africa. It also is useful in showing teachers an interesting way to introduce and discuss values with young children.

Thoroughly Delightful and Enjoyable
My second graders loved it! Kimmel is an expert storyteller. His Anansi tale is humorous and utterly delightful! It also teaches children a valuable lesson, as do all tales of this type! This is definitely a book for which children of all ages will sit still.The illustrations are colorful and eyecatching. It adds the perfect touch to this wonderful little book. I can only hope that the author, Eric Kimmel, continues producing stories of such high quality. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (4)

This strange creature is sure to eventually turnip somewhere
I purchased this book because it had such an intersting title: JACKALOPE. Simple, yet mysterious. A jackalope is an imaginary (well, maybe not totally imaginary) creature that has the body of a jack rabbit and the horns of an antelope. This book is "the absolute truth" about what happened to the jackalope. The story is narrated by a crudgy old armadillo who sits in a lawn chair.

Basically, there once was a jack rabbit named Jack who wasn't happy being who he was. He wanted to be a fierce and frightening creature. One day he wished upon a star and his fairy godrabbit appeared and gave him the horns of an antelope. But there was a catch, but Jack was so excited, he didn't listen to what the catch was.

This is a hilarious story that mixes everything together from American tall tales to classic fairy tales. There's a little bit of Cinderella, Pinocchio, the big bad wolf (coyote) from Little Red Riding Hood involved. There's also a touch of Aesop's fables and a magic mirror that is probably a cousin to the one in Snow White. All of this and vegetable jokes and witty wordplay. Plus, some really clever illustrations. Tack on a false ending and some scientific facts about jackrabbits, antelope, and horned toads and you've got yourself one mighty fine story. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys a great story, age doesn't matter.

Very funny!
I had to laugh as a read this book to my daughters. It teaches a wonderful lesson to be happy with who you are, not who you think you want to be. I loved the ending... enjoy!

Silly, corny--lots of fun!
The sister duo who produced this book obviously had lots of fun--with word play, corny jokes, rhymes, and borrowed bits and pieces of classic tales-a fairy godrabbit and a magic mirror that admonishes, "I don't just reflect, I need your respect." They tack on a false ending plus an old-fashioned moral: "Like yourself as you are."

They set out to tell the TRUE story of that unique Western creature--the jackalope, a jack rabbit with antelope horns--and pull it off wonderfully with an irreverent attitude and silly illustrations.

Hilarious and original
I work in a small town library, and today when the UPS man came in the door with the Jackalope in a delivery box, it just made my day. No quiet was had at the front desk while reading this original and hilarious tale. Of course being a Texan didn't hurt understanding the story line--the jackalope is legendary here. The illulstrations are top rate, and as good as any of the previous efforts by the authors. The story is original and wonderfully retold.
I can't wait to share it with my grandson as well as the story time with the young readers at the library. My big two thumbs up! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A Definite Winner!
I love Janet Stevens' work and this one is no exception. The illustrations are delightful, as always, and the concept of showing readers how a book is made is terrific. I'll enjoy sharing this with classes. It would be a great lead-in for students to do writing of their own, too. It's a winner!

A wonderful story for children and adults of all ages!
Stevens has created a delightful story, complete with fabulous illustrations, in which she models for the reader how a book/story is written. This is a valuable/must resource for any elementary teacher wanting to introduce or reinforce the elements of a story or who just wants her students to enjoy a well-written, fun tale ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (14)

The best "non-page-turner"
This fun book has a great rhythm you will want to keep turning the pages and keep up with the beat, but if you read this to your children you won't get to turn the pages at your desired pace because they will love the pictures. The illustrations are great. Filled with animals and each one has a personality, as does the main character (she becomes more and more frustrated as the story moves along and her home is filled with animals who take over her house). There are so many cute details in the illustrations you children will find more things to discover with many repetitions of the book. You will read this book many times if you own it. Sometimes with your children and maybe even on your own without them there to distract you!

Funny Offbeat Story
This story adapts a traditional children's song by pulling it into our contemporary world. Most of us don't go to the market anymore to buy a whole pig or cow, and the illustrator highlights this gap in time by showing what happens when one woman does bring all these animals home. The result is both thoughtful and silly: I love a children's book that doesn't take itself too seriously!

As you can imagine, the animals run loose and create havoc in the kitchen while the overwhelmed woman goes back to the market for more things. Finally in desperation, she buys a bunch of vegetables and makes them all soup!

It's an artsy little story that you can read over and over again without getting bored. The illustrations are witty and creative throughout. I appreciate inventive touches in this book, like the black and white background juxtaposed against the color foreground. Also, I like the way the market background is reminiscient of an earlier time period, perhaps the 50's or 60's?

My kids love this one!
My 4 and 2 year old just love this book. It is a very simple book and I do think the illustrations are very interesting and detailed.I ordered this online and when I received it and read it myself, before I read it to them, I didn't think they would like it much, well, I was wrong! The 5 star rating is from my kids, and they are the ones who love it, and for a kids book ,that is all that matters!

Jiggety Jig
This is a wonderfully illustrated book. Your students/children will literally jiggety-jig because of the intensely humorous pictures. This is also a great book to use in conjunction with word family and rhyming lessons.

This is Hilarious
I just loved this book - both the story and illustrations are so much fun. My girls and I laughed through it - the funniest part was that it is almost like our house. My husband brings home a different animal every week and they are always getting into everything. I also liked that the woman bought brown rice and lots of healthy food - nice to see in children's books. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (4)

My Son Loved This Version
We have checked out a number of versions of The Three Billy Goats Gruff from the Library when my son was 4. This is the version he liked the most. It is very simple (as one reviewer uses as a reason to reject it) but for some ages, that simplicity is what makes it a favorite.

What the....!
I grew up with this story - what happened?!Somewhere in this grossly underproduced version they forgot that even in a kids story you need talented actors.Kids know when someone sounds wooden and unskilled - and you can't pawn something as poorly done as this off on them.They're smarter than that!I could've done a better job in my garage."Under the bridge lived a troll..."Come on!

Faithful retelling of the fairy tale
My boys love this author's version of the Three Little Pigs, so I bought a few more of his fairy tales for them.They also liked this one, but not as much.That might just be because it's not quite as interesting a tale!But the illustrations are well done---especially the troll, who is truly scary looking!This is a good book for a reader who likes to do voices, asyou really have to use dramatic effect to show how the biggest billy goathas a loud and intimidating voice while the little one has a tiny and timidvoice!

I am the voice
Can I just put in a credit for myself here.I am the voice(s) on the audio cassette.Let me know what you think.Hope you enjoyed it. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

"Marvelous, aren't they?"
In this story, Baxter, a family's basset hound, grows affection for the cat, Eloise's newborn kittens. Once they are born, Baxter is forbidden to go near the little babies, but one day, his curiosity over comes him and he wanders into the laundry room, where the kittens stay. To his surprise, they are tiny, blind, weak, and helpless. Since Eloise is not around, he answers to their mews and feels that he must take care of them. Eloise soon finds him near her babies and makes him leave, immediately.
Soon, Eloise trusts Baxter and he plays with and takes care of the kittens. He is there for the kittens all the time.
When the kittens have grown and are sold to other families, Baxter grows lonely and upset. He doesn't know what to do with out seven little fuzz-balls to look after. Eloise sees how sad Baxter is and comforts him. She thanks him for all of his help in taking care of the kittens.
I think that this charming story, written by Polly M. Robertus, sends a message of love and devotion. It is delightful and enjoyable to read. The illustrations of Janet Stevens are humorous and show a great amount of emotion. This book is great for young children and the parents who read it to them. Enjoy!

Very entertaining!
This endearing book is not only a cute story about a dog and cats, but has a deeper message about love and devotion to others not like yourself. Janet Steven's illustrations are humorous! The dog, a Basset Hound, is very expressive, even with all his wrinkles. Anyone who has had to take care of more than a couple of kittens can relate to the picture of Baxter (the dog) spread-eagled on the kitchen floor trying to keep track of the kittens all going separate directions! This book is a present for my 4 1/2 year old son, and I know I'll be reading this story over and over again, to my delight!

Basset Hounds Unite! Arrrooo!
The Dog Who Had Kittens is a delightful tale about a caring hound whose dedication to a litter of kittens will tug at the heart strings of children while teaching them the elements of responsibility despite adversity. Using the gentle nature of a Basset to bring this story to life is a fantastic touch. The book's illustrations are absolutely wonderful - showing the characterization of a Basset Hound in his true form. This book is highly recommended by me.

A wonderful book for all ages
This book is charming to say the least. To say the most the illustrations are wonderfully accurate of a basset hound and the story is one of the most wonderful I have read in a long time. Everyone has heard the stories of animals fostering other animals babies, this is a wonderful adaptation of that theme for all ages. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Kids love tricksters!
Anansi is lazy and he likes to play tricks! This time, turtle outsmarts Anansi. Anansi does all of the work while turtle gets tired. The kids in my class ask to listen to this book and the other Anansi tales, retold by Eric Kimmel, over and over again. This one takes a little bit more thinking to figure out what the tricks are. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

Caldecott Medalist, Janet Stevens, along with her sister, SusanStevens-Crummel, tell a charming tale about a cat named Merl, who sees hispeaceful life turn upside down when a Golden Retreiver puppy moves into thehousehold.First in the series, My Big Dog is perfect for storytime, bedtime,or anytime! ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Dublin Elementary's First Grade Class!!!
Our class thought this book was funny! We laughed when the cat, Merl, got dressed up as a girl.Our favorite part was when the kids played tug-of-war with Merl.You have to buy this book!It is excellent!

Thornwood Tigers Book Review
Our class thought this book was funny.We liked the part when the dog licked the cat.The pictures were very colorful and they had a lot of detail.Merl and the dog were hilarious! This book is Pur-r-r-rfect!

Such Fun!
I LOVE this book! I read it a couple of times in stores and laughed every time. I picked it up because of the cute Golden Retriever on the cover. (I have a dog like that) But it was the hilarious story telling from a cat's point of view that really made me laugh. I finally gave in and bought my very own copy to read to My Big Dog.

cute kids book
This book is very well illustrated and written. It is the story of a spoiled cat that runs away because its owners bring a new puppy in to the house...We read a lot of children's books,and while this may never become a classic; it is well priced and well presented, which is more than I can say for many of the childrens books we now own.

Teachers---A Book Great For All Ages!
I use this book with my middle school students to show VOICE in writing(from Six Traits Writing).It's a great model for personification also.The kids love the book, even though it's not for the reading age. ... Read more

Book Description

The prince of Upper Crestalia wants to get married, but his mother doesn't want him to, for selfish reasons.The queen makes up ridiculous tests that no aspiring bride can pass.Then the prince, convinced he is destined to remain single, meets Opal, heir to the throne of Lower Crestalia and the only princess ever known to drive a pickup truck.The prince soon discovers that not only is Opal handy, she is practical, beautiful, and genuinely nice.But can any of those qualities save her from the queen's trickery?You may think you know the story of "The Princess and the Pea," but you have never seen it as amusingly told and wittily illustrated as it is in this rollicking version of the classic tale. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A Real Princess
PLEASE NOTE! This review is for the version that is illustrated by Dorothee Duntze. Everyone knows this Hans Christian Andersen story about the bedraggled princess who shows up looking for shelter on a stormy night. She might be a good match for the prince who's been searching for a "real" princess so the queen mother runs a little test...the rest is the subject of fairy tales! This version is simply told and beautifully illustrated. The pictures, executed in soft pastel colors, have a quirky Art Deco feel to them that I thoroughly enjoyed. The gowns of all the ladies in the book are done in a collage style and are covered in intricate patterns and designs. Lovely...the real thing!

an amusing modern twist to an old tale!
In the beautiful land of Upper-Crestalia King Adolph, Queen Frieda, & their dear son Prince Ralph live & the queen is quite content until her son one day bursts into her chamber & declares that he wishes to marry.

The queen does not like this idea at all so she hatches a plan to prevent her son marrying & she makes sure that the few princesses who do audition for Prince Ralph's wife all fail.

Mad with grief, Prince Ralph tears off in his expensive car down to Lower-Crestalia & when smoke starts billowing out of his hood, poor Ralph is stranded.

To his great surprise & relief, an auto-mechanic pulls up next to him & a dirty young woman in overalls carrying a tool box, jumps out. They get to talking, & the Prince is smitten! Her name is Opal, & she is the princess of Lower-Crestalia.

On the spot Prince Ralph proposes & when her prince charming confesses that his mother has idiotic tasks in store for her, Opal only becomes more determined.

Opal passes the tests with flying colors & that's when the queen insists there be a third test which is the one from which the title of this hilarious book is taken.

Will Princess Opal pass the final test? Will the queen's crafty plan succeed? Read this enchanting book & find out! ... Read more