Book Description

Here is the fascinating story of the first women to fly U.S. military aircraft—the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) of World War II. Although these pioneers were never allowed to fly in combat, they did fly in many essential wartime missions—some that the men didn’t even want to take on.

Through firsthand accounts, these women share their experiences as they test-fly newly repaired aircraft, drag banners behind their planes so male trainees can practice shooting moving targets (!), and ferry all kinds of aircraft from factories to military bases. Their courage, determination, and lively camaraderie make every page inspiring and surprising.

Yankee Doodle Gals will give today’s young people a new look at World War II and show them just how dramatically society has changed since then.

Book Description

Byron Barton's best-selling series of transportation books are now available as classic board books.Boats, Planes, Trucks, and Trains feature simple text and vibrant illustrations that are sure to spark the interest of even the youngest of readers.". . . will delight the youngest, and have enough meat for older preschoolers and beginning readers." Kirkus Reviews

... Read more

Reviews (7)

Great introduction for little travelers
When we took our 1-year-old across the country via air, we wanted to prepare him for the experience of riding in an airplane. I sought out a book to show him pictures and came across this simple yet substantial book.

Before we took our trip, I was able to show him the pictures of planes similar to what we'd be flying in. When we were waiting on the plane, he was able to "read" his Plane book and see pictures of all the activity that was happening just outside his window. As we flew, the book entertained him with its colorful illustrations and many details.

This is definitely a favorite to my toddler, who now at almost two adores planes and has flown 6 times in the last 3 months. It has been taken across the country and back and has stood up well, with only a few indications that it is a well-loved book.

I've seen no other book like this, and highly recommend it to anyone preparing their child for travel.

Barton's simple approach is superb
My son is an airplane and boat fanatic(as is his Father). Solution? Byron Barton books! These little gems offer a few pages of pictures (very simple illustrations using primary colors)describing the different tasks an airplane, boat, train, etc. do everyday. I prefer the chunky board book format, which is virtually impossible for toddlers to completely destroy. Check out Barton's books today.

Soaring through the skies with Byron Barton
Byron Barton's "Planes" is a fun and educational book for beginning readers. In it the author/illustrator depicts a jet plane, seaplane, crop duster, helicopter, and other aviation phenomena. A sample of the easy-to-read text: "This is a jet plane with people inside."

The illustrations are basically simplified line drawings enhanced with bright, solid colors. Barton brings a distinctive stylistic flair to this approach. A nice touch is that Barton depicts people of various colors and ethnic appearances. Overall, a good choice for small children.

Couldn't be better
My baby loves this - he's 21 months - be brings it to me all the time to read. Nice illustrations.

simplicy is wonderful
We have the board book version and thank goodness! This book is read many times and is holding up well. Any baby or younger child who likes airplanes will love this book. It would also be helpful to read to children who are getting ready to take an airplane flight.

Cartoonish and simple drawings with thick black outlines and pretty bold colors. Text is very simple "this is a jet plane with people inside". Very simple wording yet NOT annoying. Quick to read through and then my son asks for it over and over and honestly, I don't mind the repetition for this book (unlike some other books we own....) At 3 years old he now has it memorized and sits and "reads" it to himself over and over. My baby also likes this book and carries it all over the house and "reads" it to himself with babbling baby talk.

I can't wait to buy more of this author's books and wish they were all available in board book format as this one gets a lot of use in our home.

I have not seen other books about planes in board book format that are appropriate for baby through the preschool ages, making this is a unique book. ... Read more

Book Description

The Big Book of Trains is setting off on a journey to explore the fastest, heaviest, longest, and most fantastic trains in the world. Features more than 50 of the world's most amazing trains, from the Bullet train-the fastest-and the Rocket-the oldest-to the Trans-Siberian Express, the longest scheduled train. Explained in simple language and packed with enough fascinating facts to satisfy every avid young enthusiast. Stunning, specially commissioned photos are reproduced in large format. Detailed annotation highlights the unique features of each example from this incredible international collection. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

a big disappointment
Although I am a huge fan of DK books, and my two boys are huge train fans, this book was a big disappointment. Our family owns many train books for children and I am sorry to rate this the poorest of the lot. I feel this is too high of a price for this book.

The title says it is a big book but what that means is the page size is large and the photos are huge. The huge page size makes it hard to hold up to read aloud to, it works best to lie it flat on the floor or the bed and sit beside it to read it aloud. Many of these photos are published in other/better DK or Eyewitness published books on the subject of trains and railroads (see below) so if you own those books already then this one will be a repeat. (Also note that the DK board book on trains has some of these same exact photos in it.) Many times the photos are gigantic, covering one entire page-and they are ineffective. For example, why would we want to see this huge ½ of the front of a diesel engine? I'd prefer to use the large size of the book and/or the fold out pages to show the full length of the engine (rather than parts of one car) and to show the tender (if applicable) or perhaps use the long page length to show a full train of many cars that are all coupled up to each other.

There is not a lot of text to go with the photo spreads, the font size is rather large. In other words, there is not a lot of text to go with the photos; there are simply large font words with gigantic and large photos. Also note that this book is 32 pages long, so this is not a big book in the sense of containing many pages. Some of the pages fold out for really long and large pages but since these are regular paper stock, our copy quickly was bent and a mess. I feel that any children's book with fold out pages, for the age range of 4-8 should be constructed of heavier stock paper so it will last longer.

I highly recommend meatier books rather than this one, such as DKs "See and Explore Trains and Railways" and "Eyewitness: Train". "Eyewitness Train"... is 64 pages long, has more illustrations and more text. It is a bargain to get so much more in a book that is only a [little] more than DK's Big Book of Trains. Although the publisher states this is for ages 8-12, my two-year old son loves this book and I can partially read aloud from the pages until he wants to turn to another page. I find these books for older children are definitely enjoyed by the younger children. Not only do they contain more text but they contain more images. I also enjoy these more comprehensive books as I can read them myself to learn about the trains and I am prepared to answer the many different questions that my children ask me to answer. It is nice to have these more comprehensive books that are not "dumbed down" and that the children can grow into.

If you have a train lover in the family, you need this book!
This is the first fact-filled non-fiction book my 5 year old ever listened to EVERY word of, including all the many captions! He learned a great deal from our many readings. The pictures are wonderful, and the information given interesting enough that a non-train lover (me) could stand to read it quite a few times. My son loves to amaze people by telling them about the train of the future with no wheels, which he learned about here!

A sterling train guide for all ages.
The "Big Book of Trains" introduces us to 50 of the world's most captivating trains.

From the super-heavy steam locomotives of the early 1800s to the futuristic Maglev ("magnetic levitation," which can move a train as fast as 341 miles per hour), this sterling and oversized volume has them all.

The color photos are large and crisp, and the captions are both informative and dramatic.

Interior shots of, say, the new Italian ETR 500 (which speeds to 190 mph) or one of Japan's renowned Bullet Trains would have been welcomed. (Nearly all of the volume's photos are exteriors.)

Still, this introductory train book is not to be missed. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This old-fashioned tale about one little snowplow's determination inthe face of a small-town blizzard has all the charm and moral grit of TheLittle Engine That Could. This isn't surprising, considering that CaldecottMedal-winning author Virginia Lee Burton (The Little House) specializes inbringing the inanimate to life with endearing illustrations and stories offortitude and vulnerability. Katy, a red crawler tractor, "could do a lot of things," Burton explains early on. In the summer she is a bulldozer, helping to build and repair roads in the city of Geoppolis. In the winter, she turns into a snowplow,waiting and waiting for her chance to be useful. Most of the winters, though,the snowfalls are mild and the town doesn't need Katy. But when the big one finally hits, the town is buried in page after page of powder. The power linesare down. The doctor can't get his patient to the hospital. The fire department can't reach a burning house! "Everyone and everything was stopped but... KATY!" Suddenly, the entire community is dependent on one little snowplow. Children love witnessing Katy's shining moment of glory and will inevitably admire her "chug, chug, chug" endurance. (Ages 4 and older) --Gail Hudson ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Hard to believe, I still remember
At 51 years of age and very recently a first time grandfather with the aid of Amazon.com I started searching for my favorite stories from decades ago. All of Dr.Suess and the Little Engine That Could to Thorton Burgess's many publications that make me smile so many years later. Of all my past memories Katy and the Big Snow was one that I checked out of our local Library at least 3 times a month. It taught me that determination is most important in acheiving goals and that good things come to those who wait and endure. These are the types of books our younger generation should be reading instead of what is available on television these days. I hope someday my Grandchildren will come to enjoy this book as I have.

My son loves Virginia Burton's books
I ordered this book for my son for his 7th b'day. He loves anything to do with transportation, and discovered Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel first. He checked that book out of the school library every week for more than a month, then I helped him find Katy and the Big Snow, and he loved it just as much. I remember enjoying these books when I was a child, and I think it is wonderful that books like these still bring enjoyment to the children today.

Perserverance
Wonderful childrens book, enjoyable machinery come to life displaying a snow truck as a child. Lovely illustrations although remincent of the 50's.

Not up to par
My 4-year-old and I both adore Virginia Lee Burton's books. Neither of us can get enough of "Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel," and "The Little House." So we were excited when we ordered this from Amazon. But it lacks the magic of the aforementioned books. There is no "human element" as in the other two books and it lacks the drama. The plot is relatively mundane - you can only get so much mileage out of snow plowing city streets. Having said that, the illustrations, as in her other books, are beautiful. I particularly like touches such as little vignettes around the border of the pages, and a great map of the town. Against other children books, it's still very good, if only for the artwork. In fairness, Burton set the bar pretty high for herself with her other books.
(This review pertains to the Library Binding version of the book)

Katy and the Big Snow by Virginia Lee Burton
Purchased this book from Amazon.com and in short order it has become my 3 year old son's favorite bed-time book. Brady, a tractor fanatic, has the pages worn on this one already. ... Read more

Book Description

-Ideal for babies and toddlers.

-Stunning large format brings images to life.

-Helps to build a child's vocabulary.
... Read more

Reviews (4)

Nice book... Needs corrected, however
As stated by the previous reviewer, this book does have quite a few errors in the description of the equipment pictured. Yes, definitely a disk and a plow are two different things but I think that the author may have used plow in an attempt to describe what a disk does (sorta but not really). Although not accurate, the book is very interesting but definitely needs to be republished with the corrections. City folks need to know the proper names for all the farm equipment listed. It's very interesting and you just never know when you'll need to know stuff like that. Otherwise, it's a great book and very interesting to read - my son loves it but I also made the corrections! As a published writer myself, I find it very disappointing that the publisher was in too much of a hurry to sufficiently and properly edit the book. Might need a new editing staff there!

This Book Is Not Accurate
My three year old son received this book as a gift with mere excitement, only to be devastated. While the pictures are bold and bright the context (name of the pictures) are completely false! Even my three year old knows that a disk (farm equipment picture) is not a Plow. Come on Roger Priddy do you and your high priced publishing firm not do any research before writing your books? It is obvious that this author, Roger Priddy, is more concerned with making money while teaching children wrong information. This picture book contains 40 photographs with name depiction and of the 40 pictures 11 are named incorrectly! There is better children's literature out there, this guy is a joke!

Super Size Mctruck Meal
If you have a child who is interested in trucks, this is a good bet. It's a big sturdy board book, great for little hands. It's loaded with photographs of real trucks- farm trucks, fire trucks, big rigs, construction vehicles, many of which we see on a daily basis around town.
My son will soon be two, and he has enjoyed this book practically since he was born. It's one of those books that grows with your child. When he was smaller we would just point to the trucks, identify them, and talk about what they did. When he got older, we would say the name of a truck and he would point to it. Now he's pointing and telling us what each truck is...you get the idea. It's also a great way to learn colors, (Show me the red truck!) and parts of cars. (Where are the headlights?)
Two years ago, I couldn't tell a backhoe from a forklift. Now I'm a pro, and so is my son, thanks in part to this book. Although I do have to say, a couple of the construction vehicles are mislabeled, a minor annoyance. They also have an animal book in this series, which is cute. The Big Train Book, however, is a big yawn.

Pretty good book for kids interested in trucks
My 18 month old son LOVES trucks and anything with a diesel engine. When we're driving or out somewhere he is always excited to see them pass by.

Our friend had this book for her son and as soon as my son saw it he had to have it, too. Now he will lie down on the floor and study each picture very closely. He will spend hours looking at this book. After he started to "read" this book (with a little help from me and his dad) he now calls the different vehicles by their proper names. Everything used to be a truck - now it's a BUS! or a FIRE TRUCK! or MAIL TRUCK!(imagine him yelling in excitement).

It is a hard page, large book (about 10" x 10"). It has real photographs with bright colors in the background. Each page is dedicated to a different category of truck such as construction or emergency. Each photo is titled and each page has a question like "Which truck takes away your trash." My husband is mildly annoyed with some of the descriptions because they call a backhoe a digger and a mini excavator a mini digger. This is the reason I have given this book 4 stars instead of 5.

I would highly recommend this book to any young child who is interested in trucks. ... Read more

Book Description

Imaginations will soar!

From the fastest--and noisiest--passenger plane in the world, to downright strange aircraft, here is a spectacular look at a subject of endless fascination to children. Marvel at one of the first planes to blast into space! Learn about a plane that can land on water. And take a close look at the fastest of all jet planes, the Blackbird. Striking photographs are supported by lively and informative text that gives children a fuller understanding of these amazing machines. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great photos; interesting text
My 2-1/2 year old son loves to "read" this book, and I enjoy reading it to him.

The text is definitely written to an older child (I would say that a child would have to be in at least second grade before reading it on his or her own). Fortunately, there are enough snippets of information that an adult can tailor the words to fit the child as she or he reads aloud.

The photos, though, are what make this book so attractive. Each type of aircraft (to include experimental aircraft, Chinook helicopters, and future space-shuttle-like craft)has a two-page spread of photos in this oversized book. Most types feature at least three photos: one from the side, one from directly in front (the SR-71 Blackbird and the jumbo jet are particularly striking!) and one from the rear. Every type of aircraft has a photo taken while flying.

My young son is learning that jet planes don't have propellers and that rocket engines look different from jet engines. Of course, at first, he was more interested in the striking colors of the aircraft chosen for the photos, but this book allows him to grow. He has a while yet before he learns "it all", unlike some of the other airplane books for young children.

An enthusiastic thumbs up!

Big Book of Airplanes
This book is designed for children, but will appeal to anyone with an interest in aviation. The photos are clean and show the planes, helicopters and spacecraft well. The information provided for each aircraft is easy for children to read and understand. ... Read more

Book Description

This book follows hot on the heels of the first two levels in the series. Written by K-3 educator Nora Gaydos, this book provides a simple color-coded, step-by-step approach to reading with the appropriate sequence of phonetic sounds and whole language necessary for the beginning reader. Humorous stories combined with zany illustrations will delight children while they learn to read. The simple repetitive text in each story builds page-by-page and more difficult skills are introduced book-by-book to reinforce a child's reading ability. The cool CD-like package contains:

* 10 removable storybooks * Parent Guide * 40 incentive stickers * Enhancement activities at the end of each book * A magnetic closure ... Read more

Book Description

Scuffy, a red toy tugboat, believes he can sail further than the length of a bathtub.One day Scuffy decides to take a trip down a small stream, and suddenly he finds himself on an unexpected voyage of discovery!With wonderful illustrations by the famed Tibor Gergely, Scuffy the Tubgoat has been a story loved by generations. Now you can own this classic tale in this collectible hardcover edition, at a very affordable price. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Whenever I See a Tugboat, I think of Scuffy
Scuffy was one of my favroite books as a child. I loved to follow him through his adventures along the river. Of course in the end he always wanted to be home in his own little bath tub making me glad to be home with my family.

"If I had my way, I'd take a boat from the river..."
Animation studios are desperate to find proven material for their feature films--especially in the wake of disappointments like "Treasure Planet."

That's why I'm surprised nobody has optioned the rights to one of the greatest children's books ever; it has emotion, thrills, an important lesson, and one of the cutest lead characters I've ever seen.

That book is, of course, "Scuffy the Tugboat."

Scuffy is a toy tugboat (hence the title) who dreams of something more than "sailing" in his little bathtub. When he is taken outside and accidentally swept away in a river, his harrowing adventure makes him realize that he should never have taken his old life for granted.

Just imagine Scuffy the Tugboat brought to life by CGI, charging down rivers, dodging logs and old tires...and facing the bustle of a busy shipyard before being miraculously recovered by his owner.

I can practically hear a popular actor like Ed Burns lending his distinctive voice to the little red tugboat, and Sting's nautical motif from "the Soul Cages" leads me to nominate him for the soundtrack.

As long as it's a faithful adaptation of this classic tugboat tale, nobody would ever be able to say: "the book was better!"

A favorite
It's been years since I've read this, so I really don't remember it much. I just remember Scuffy. But I do remember that this was always one of my favorites. I read other reviews of people growing up in the 1950s and reading this. Well, this has been a favorite since 1982. Scuffy is still going strong.

THE SEA IS THE LIMIT
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"Scuffy the Tugboat" is a classic in childrens literature. It has an almost iconic status with people who grew up in the early Baby Boomer years.

Way back in 1946, toy stores were quiet uncrowded places. In one toy shop there was a rocking horse, a GI Joe Doll and a few cuddly soft toys ........ and one grumpy red painted tugboat called Scuffy.

Scuffy was ambitious. He thought he was meant for bigger things, than just sailing in a bathtub.

The toy shop owner (with his memorable polka dot tie) and his little boy, took Scuffy off to a laughing brook. It was springtime and the brook was running fast. Scuffy was soon off on his adventure.

The pastoral world he passed through seemed placid, but at night the hooting owl gave him a fright.

The river got bigger and busier. Scuffy was proud because he knew it was HIS river. He was nearly squashed between two logs that were on their way to the sawmill. With the spring melt a great flood burst the rivers banks. A lady and her cow had to be rescued off her roof.

Pushed along by the floodwaters Scuffy arrived in the big city. It was a very noisy and busy place. When Scuffy tooted nobody noticed.

Scuffy was just about to be swept out to sea. He wished the man with the polka dot tie and his little boy could rescue him. Miracle of miracles, there they were just as Scuffy was about to pass the last bit off land. He was rescued.

Scuffy realises that sailing in the bathtub is not such a bad thing ...... in fact he said "this is the life for me".

The illustrations by Tibor Gergely are what make this book so appealing. The scenes are full of life and activity, be it the pastoral river scene with its friendly animals and the colourful towns and cities. Look for the details in the city scene. Try to find the horses.

Tibor Gergely was a great children's book illustrator from this period. In addition to his artwork in Scuffy you can enjoy his illustrations in those other "Little Golden Book" classics, "The Little Red Caboose" and "Tootle". These three books are perfect companions in any young person's library.

Scuffy is all about seeing the big world and returning homr.
In the early 1950's I was introduced to the wonders of the the world when my parents bought me "Scuffy". Who would have believed that a little red-painted tugboat could captivate me for nearly 50 years.

Scuffy, the brave and somewhat feisty little red- painted tugboat, tires of his existence of living in the toystore owned by the "man with the polka dot tie" and states that he was meant for "bigger things".

The bigger things leads Scuffy on an odyssey through quiet mountain brooks, singing streams, rushing rivers, floods and eventually the sea. On his journey, Scuffy meets cows, men in "great boots" pushing logs, victims of floods and the scariness of the big city. As Scuffy hurtles towards his ultimate destiny, the sea, he longs for the joy and comfort of the toy store and the love of the man with the polka dot tie. Just as Scuffy is about to pass the last piece of land, prior to entering the eternal sea, the man with the polka dot tie catches the frightened red- painted tugboat with the blue smokestack and returns him to the toystore and his new domain, the safe and calming waters of the bathtub.

A delightful work that will surely be requested night after night by children. It was my favourite and my daughter's favourite. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Wait Until They're Older
While my 2-year-old likes the pictures, the concepts of imagination and fantasy are apparently over his head. He clearly doesn't understand the concept, although he does enjoy the clip of the rhyming text. My advice: wait until your child is a little older before trying this book.

Bound to be a classic
We came across this book by chance at the library. My son is 2 years old and loves trains- this story is so sweet, it's a wonderful make believe. He loves it so much I renewed it 2 times before we broke down and had to buy it for him.

An Imaginative Story
My five-year-old son loves this book and asks me to read it over and over to him. (He's even learning to recognize many of the words.) What I think he loves about it is that Ben uses his imagination to create magical worlds with his toys -- just like what five-year olds do. ... Read more

Product Description

The focus of this book is drawing cars from the side and at an angle. Contains drawing instructions for several dozen modern sports cars, trucks and several "old-timer" cars as well. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Draw Cars
I own the older version of this book by Doug DuBosque and I think that this book is absolutely a best buy. I am a middle-schooler and I like to draw cars in my spare time. This book like many other books gives the reader something else to do other than read and read and read. I think that this is an excellent book and I give it 5 stars and 2 thumbs up.

This book is cool!
I am 9 years old and I love to draw pictures of cars. This book tells you how to draw some very cool cars like Lamborghini, Ferrari and Dodge Viper. If you like to draw like I do, you might want to get this book.

aswome
Great book, i drew almost all the carws in it and some on the way to my vacation in south carolina. it teaches you the basics on how cars are drawn by the format they give you its easy, my freind got the hang of it in 20 min! its worth your buy. you get a format for: BMW, Porche, Mercades, and all other brands like Corvette, Audi, etc.

I didn't know I could draw!!
This book is very well done. I searched for a book that wasn't "cartoonish" and I found it. I'm going to school for automotive engineering and I wanted to learn how to sketch concept cars quickly, and this book showed me how.

I dont like to read...so this book was great for the pictures and concise explainations. Again, a very well done book!

Fantastic for Beginners
This is a great book if you want to start learning how to draw cars. He starts off with some easy tricks and tips, and then launches full force into drawing cool cars. Much better than some books that start off with the assumption that you already are an incredible artist. ... Read more

Book Description

Illus. in full color. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Beginnings and Endings.
This wonderful children's book explains the history of the ill-fated ship, from the beginning of its maiden voyage in England to the discovery of the boat at the bottom of the ocean depths by Dr. Robert Ballard. The illustrations are lively and vibrant, giving depth to the easy to understand, yet enchanting text. I have read several children's books about the Titanic and this one seems to have the best of everything.

Well Written and Educational
This fabulous children's book recounts with wonderful illustrations and simple language the tragic and familiar story of the Titanic. When the movie came out my children (then 5 and 8) were not allowed to watch it (why ask for nightmares? ). This book, carefully written with attention to detail, was sufficient to satisfy their need to know about this event in a manner that was sensitive, appropriate and accurate. There is even a picture in the first chapter that shows a cut-away style picture of how the ship was set-up: "Fancy rooms" on the top decks, swimming pool and squash courts at the bottom, and all kinds of rooms in between. Someday my children will be old enough to handle the feelings that the movie evokes, but until then, (since we live in Washington State) I want to be able to use a ferry once in a while! I'm very thankful for this well written, historical children's book!

I LOVE THIS BOOK!
When I was in the 3rd grade, this was my favorite book of all time. I literally must have read it 100 times. I can't believe that I found it on Amazon.com! I am so excited to read it again. I would recommend anyone to get this book- especially Titanic enthuiastes like me(this book made me one).

As good as it gets
Ever since the movie came out, my 2nd grade students have had a fascination with Titanic. You couldn't ask for a better book than this to describe the ship, the passengers and the human pride and frailties that led to the sinking. This book is well-written enough that it is easy for young minds to understand and complex enough to keep them entranced. Even adults will find it interesting and, between you and your kids, your copy will probably be read to shreds in no time!

I could not even breathe when I finished the book!
I was sad when the men died and it was not fair for the poor people when they tried to get saved. The Titanic couldn't get past the iceberg because there was a wall of icebergs. There was another ship nearby, but they didn't understand that the Titanic was sinking. I am eight years old. ... Read more

Amazon.com

When Lisa goes on a plane trip by herself for the first time, her flightfrom Paris to New York is extremely eventful. She sits next to a "blue lady"(she's wearing a blue dress) who ends up moving after Lisa squirms a bit toomuch. Before she can nap for very long on her newly empty stretch of seats, foodarrives on a tray. And if that weren't thrilling enough, a movie (CowboysForever) comes on, and in the attempt to see over the seats (Lisa is a smalldog), she knocks over her orange juice glass. This sets off a whole new chain ofevents, as "the airplane lady" gives her a bath in the bathroom sink and shegets a special tour of the cockpit (where the pilots tell the newly soaped dogshe smells nice). By the time she gets back to her seat, she's in America, "allclean." Granted, this is a simple story. Its charm lies in Anne Gutman's funny,loving details and in Georg Hallensleben's ever irresistible paintings of smallmoments: the spattered orange paint as her juice goes everywhere, the very cutesink bath, etc. This is the perfect book for any youngster who's about to go ona plane ride, or anyone else, for that matter. Luckily for us, this, and itscompanion Gaspard onVacation mark the start of what promises to be a delightful series.Highly recommended! (Ages 2 to 6) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Very Cute!!
My son loves dogs and airplanes so this book seemed like a perfect fit. He is 18 mos and can't get enough of it. He "reads" it to himself all the time. THe story really is told from a little kid's point of view. The description of the airplane food tray is a perfect example of that. My son loves to identify all the little edibles!

Great for frequent flyer kids
My 3 year old nephew travels by plane frequently to see his dad. His grandmother gave him this book and he no longer wants any other read to him. He always takes it with him on the airplane so his daddy can read it to him, he obviously finds comfort in knowing he's not the only young one who flies and can be scared. Beautiful images and a really nice, straightforward story.

The best in the series
My 2 year old daughter loves this book, and so do my husband and I! The illustrations are colorful and entertaining, and the text is engaging and easy to understand. My daughter loves to read along with this book. I also recommend "Lisa In New York", but I didn't care for some of the others in the series. This book is great and I highly recommend it.

Adorable!
My daughters LOVE this book and others in the series. It's a great book for children who travel or who are about to travel and have questions. BEAUTIFUL illustration! I bought them all!

Fly with Lisa.....
Take a trip with Lisa, an adorable little white dog with expressive black eyes, who is traveling alone by airplane, from Paris to New York. What an adventure! Her seatmate, a nice lady in blue, can't take all the wiggling and squirming and pretty soon Lisa has the whole row of seats to herself, so she lies down and takes a nice nap. Then a very nice airplane lady brings her a tray loaded with food, including a large orange juice with a cherry. But before she can finish eating and drinking, an announcement tells her to put on headphones and watch the movie. It's hard to see over the high seatbacks, so Lisa stands on her orange juice glass to watch. Unfortunately, a catastrophe occurs when the glass falls over, but she gets lots of help from the airplane lady and a special trip to the cockpit to meet the pilot and see all the airplane controls. Soon the plane lands and Lisa's uncle is waiting to show her all the sights of New York..... Ann Gutman and Georg Hallensleben have authored a simple, gentle story that really captures the essence of a little one on his/her first airplane trip. Her engaging text is perfect for pre-schoolers and early readers and Ms Gutman's endearing star character is delightfully depicted in Mr Hallensleben's beautiful artwork. Youngsters will love the vivid colors and humorous details. Lisa's Airplane Trip is a winner and a story children will want to read again and again. ... Read more

Book Description

In a brilliant anthology, THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE COLLECTION presents 56 unique Thomas the Tank Engine stories in one volume, promising hours of entertainment.Thomas and his six friends, Percy the Small Engine, Toby the Tram Engine, Edward the Blue Engine, Gordon the Big Engine, Henry the Green Engine, and James the Red Engine, will take you along on fun adventures through the railways.This volume is fully illustrated with over 400 color pictures that have been restored from the original Thomas the Tank Engine series.

Thomas the Tank Engine has been a family favorite for decades.Make sure you keep his spunky spirit alive by sharing Thomas with younger generations. ... Read more

Book Description

Discover the fascinating history of submarines and submersibles, from the first workable designs of the 16th century to Cold War vessels armed with nuclear missiles. This guide, created in association with the U.S. Navy Submarine Force Museum, illustrates the technology used to build and navigate submarines and the many ways they are used today. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Boring but useful
I must admit, this book is pretty lame in its organization and all. But there was still a load of stuff that I wouldn't have known, so there is some useful content here. (Heh...I couldn't have passed my test without it...)

Great for drivers awareness
I have read some of the reviews and it appears to me that the ones who don't like this book are the children who had to read it. First of all this book is not written for each state, so you will have to check on your own state or county laws along with this book. As for this book not helping you pass the "TEST". Responsible drivers know that their is much much more to driving then passing the "TEST", which this book goes into great detail letting its readers know. I've been A police officer for almost 9 years and now work at a school and deal with children all the time and a lot of thing seem boring to them. But we as adults must continue the teach, and hope that some of what they read sinks in. When dealing with driving a vehicle, learning by experience a lot of times ends up to late. This book doesn't teach you how to pass the "TEST" it teaches you how to be a better driver, something we all need to be...

Not worth your time!
As of now I am completing drivers Ed. We take tests over this book, and I feel it is rather outdated for what it is being used for. The pictures are helpful, but the text I found boring and most of the text seemed just to be fill. They streched out simple procedures, and filled the usefull information with unimportant details. If you want to pass the test, read your state drivers manual. If you think this will help you, try it, but I warn you, its not worth it. Your state drivers manual is worth you time, check it out!

Right On Drive Right
This driver's ed curriculum is outstanding! My son knows things I don't. I would fail the final test if I had to take it. It is thorough and keeps the reader's interest with colorful illustrations. My son passed the DMV test with flying colors.

Excellent Text
This text is one of two TX state approved books. Having taught my teen son from this text, I have to say that it was direct and very well written. Facts and situations were well presented. ... Read more

Book Description

The most amazing, unusual cars in the world! This fun book features some of the world's most bizarre and amazing vehicles and contains large, posterlike spreads plus fascinating facts about each car, including a selection of James Bond's favorite vehicles, the Batmobile, and an extraordinary slug car! With full-color photographs and gatefold spreads that show highlighted vehicles in detail, this is the ultimate book for every car lover, young or old. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Have A Kid Who Likes Cars?
Then this is an excellent choice. I'm a children's librarian and this book always goes out. Big glossy pictures, fold out pages and interesting facts on what the car does (for instance, the dodge viper has an engine 6 times the size of a small family car, has special handles on the door that you have to poke at in order to open it, and a front spoiler that prevents air from getting under the car at high speeds and lifting it up. Did you know that the new vw bug has a warranty that says the doors will not rust for 12 years, and that flower vases are standard issue?) This book is sure to delight even the youngest children, and most adults will probably like it as well. There is even a picture of a car with a swimming pool in the back. ... Read more

Amazon.com

When a fierce storm rips through the Island of Sodor, a bolt of lightning knocks down a tree--right onto the train station's roof! James the Red Engine, Percy the Small Engine, and Henry the Green Engine are sent off to fetch supplies to repair the damage. When they don't return, little blue Thomas the Tank Engine grows worried, and decides to set out on his own to help. Sure enough, his fears are confirmed: one after the other, the engines have encountered mishaps, and Thomas is happy to save the day. After all, he is a really useful engine.

The adventures of Thomas and his friends, both on television and in books, have won many young devotees over the years. Based on the Railway series by the Rev. W. Awdry, the simple, colorful stories will please Thomas fans, if not literature buffs. Bright idyllic landscapes and a plethora of big-faced trains provide a surreal experience best appreciated by the smallest readers. (Ages 2 to 6) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A Good 'Thomas' book for Little Ones
My two and a half year old daughter is just starting to get interested in Thomas and trains, so I looked for a book that would give some background information on Thomas and his friends. This is a pretty good introduction to the Sodor Island Railway and the Engines that are Thomas' best friends. The illustrations in this book are captivating, with enough of a mix of new and familiar to keep a small toddler engaged and curious. The story is very simple and each page has only a few sentences. My daughter loves this book and I am basically happy with it. However, if I had been writing this story, I would have included a little something in the beginning about Thomas doubting that he is really useful. His "really useful"-ness is affirmed at the end when he saves the day, but this affirmation seems meaningless because the author never established uselessness as a problem for Thomas in the start of the story. An older child might feel the story is a little hollow.

Our toddler loves this!
The pictures in this book are very entertaining for our 2 year old son. He sits through the entire story. Any child that loves trains (or cars, trucks, etc) will love this book! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Good story, but lacking in comparison
Really, I wish I would have bought the original. Strangely enough we had the original version borrowed from the library in the house when this book arrived. Even my 2 1/2 year old daughter prefers the original. It is so much better. The details are more vivid. The language more interesting. This version isn't bad; it just isn't AS good.

Why abridge a classic?
Just buy the REAL Little Engine That Could with its beautiful poetic lines. Skip the easy-to-read version. Little kids have a greater appreciation for real books than some people give them credit for.

Wonderful Book
All I can say is that I love this book. As a child my mother read me this book over and over. Its message is as inspiring to me now as it was then. I can't say enough how much I love this book. It's a wonderful addition to anyones collection, young and old. Brings me to tears when I read it and think back on my childhood. I don't think I could have gotten through some of those early years without it. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Informative and Easy to Understand
My 5-year-old son loves trains and this book has been his favorite library book since he was 3. It is very informative, yet easy to understand for preschoolers through first-graders. I was so happy to find it on Amazon.com so that we can add it to his personal library!

Good Value for the Money
Very neat little book for the buck. Great pictures, which appeals to my 2 yr old now, as well as informative text that will keep him interested as he gets older. A definate plus for the library of a little train lover. ... Read more