Book Description

Plush Doll which is the main character in the children's story book "The Last Straw". ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A Christmas Favorite
A proud camel is selected to accompany the Magi described in Matthew to carry gifts for Jesus. He tries to get out of the journey (he has other commitments), but is convinced otherwise by some sand-blowing voices. As his journey continues, so does his burden, as gifts are added to his back. A young child even adds a straw for the baby's bed, that, well, I don't want to spoil the ending ("Will this straw cause me to fall?").

We used this book as the basis for our church's family Christmas Eve service. The children participated in a recreation of the Christmas stories in Matthew and Luke, and then settled in for a reading of this great book. During the story, we had two people in a camel costume come through the aisles, as "presents" were loaded onto baskets on the "camel's" back. It was a great success, and helped bring alive the oft-repeated Bible stories.

Thury has a great skill of weaving in enough adult humor to keep the attention of even the most holiday-weary parent (this camel complains of his joints, gout and sciatica, which all parents and granparents can relate to after weeks of holiday shopping, eating and "assembly-required" efforts). My seven year old has requested it again and again. Original, enchanting and a great twist on both the Christmas story and "the straw that broke the camel's back." Or did it? The pictures are outstanding.

A Wonderful Story for Christmas!
This is such a wonderful book! Every year I look for a special book to share with my family, this year it will be The Last Straw. It is a humorous tale that also teaches a valuable lesson about humility. The Last Straw is right up there with Santa Calls and The Red Ranger Came Calling. I highly recommend this book! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

God Loves You a repeat winner!
God Loves You, A pop up book is one of those books that is a true gem. The bright, fanciful pictures, simple words and "magic" pop ups characters absolutely fascinate my grandchildren and the children in my day care. The content of the book is easy for them to understand, and the reinforcement of "God Loves You" on each page makes them feel loved. They soon repeat the phrase with me as we read. It is a wonderful book. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Children learn something worthwhile!
My three-year-old doesn't know Simba from Nala. She doesn't know a soccer ball from a football. She doesn't own a single Barbie. But, she knows all of the instruments in the orchestra. And she will soon learn that oboes and bassoons are great for college scholarships. I am greatful for this worthwhile book; every preschool should have it ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Propulsively rhythmic, deliciously illustrated
Linda Manning's "Dinosaur Days" beautifully dovetails a propulsive rhythm in verse with the vivacious and colorful illustrations of Vlasta van Kampen.

The unnamed dark-haired girl who appears on every page has to deal with a succession of ruder and ruder dinosaurs--one appearing each day, and doing everything from squashing her morning toast to spilling the laundry detergent to marauding through the garden!The little girl is patient and sweet with each successive rude dinosaur guest, trying to teach them manners and finally succumbing for a dinosaur fest in the backyard, complete with barbecue!

The illustrations are just sumptuously colorful and detailed, and the text lots of fun to read aloud to your favorite dinosaur lover.

beautifully illustrated
My 5 year old son loves this book and asks to have it read to him again and again.The story is a silly rhyme that helps teach the days of theweek.The illustrations are clever and very detailed-- he always seems tofind something new in each of the pictures.This book nicely blendschildren's love for dinosaurs with delightful situations.We are orderinganother copy today to donate to our school. ... Read more

Book Description

The tiny house had just one room for the farmer, his wife, their six children, and the grandparents. They quarreled and fought and got in each other's way. It couldn't be worse!

On hearing of their difficult situation, a wise old fishmonger suggests the family take their goat inside the house with them. The farmer's wife is dumbfounded by this strange advice. But as the fishmonger is such a wise man, she follows his suggestion.

The next day the farmer's wife tells the fishmonger that things couldn't be worse! He smiles and tells her to take their sheep into the house, then things will get better. As the woman and her husband push and pull the sheep into the house, they remind themselves that the fishmonger must be a wise man.

Next the farmer's wife is advised to bring the pig into the tiny house, and soon they have been convinced to bring all the barnyard animals inside. Finally, the desperate woman returns to the fishmonger and tells him that things couldn't be worse! He smiles broadly and tells her to take all of the animals out of the house, then things will definitely get better. And of course they do. He was, after all, such a wise man!

This adaptation of a classic folk tale unfolds with sprightly illustrations, richly colored and filled with hilarious details.

Key Features
- Award-winning author/illustrator
- Hilarious story that will give children fits of giggles
- Detailed illustrations add to the humor and build on the absurd circumstances ... Read more

Reviews (1)

She marveled it again!
Excelent read-aloud story for preschoolers and young grade schoolers. This folktale takes place in a farm setting where grandparents, parents and their 6 children all live in one house. This story carries a lesson of conformity. Vlasta's frolicsome watercolor illustration is so vivid that it makes the reader feel the "crowding" sensation of HOW MUCH WORSE CAN IT BE to live in that little house! ... Read more

Book Description

What's the difference between a butterfly and a moth? A frog and a toad? An alligator and a crocodile? Curious kids will enjoy discovering the differences between animals that frequently confuse us.

"What's the Difference?" compares ten animal pairs, from insects to mammals. While both tortoises and turtles are shelled reptiles, a tortoise has sturdy, elephant-like feet for walking on land, while a turtle swims using flippers. Cheetahs and leopards are both large, spotted cats; one difference is that cheetahs have long legs and run very fast, while leopards count on their stealth to sneak up behind their prey.

Compare:
- Bees and Wasps
- Butterflies and Moths
- Crows and Ravens
- Alligators and Crocodiles
- Frogs and Toads
- Tortoises and Turtles
- Cheetahs and Leopards
- Donkeys and Mules
- Dolphins and Porpoises
- Rabbits and Hares

Colorful, clear illustrations place the animals vividly in their natural environments, and the layout of the book places them side by side for easy comparison. "What's the Difference?" was developed in conjunction with the Canadian Museum of Nature. At the end of the book, a key to the animal pairs and an index for quick reference is provided. ... Read more

Book Description

With rich, vibrant colors and depth of texture, Vlasta van Kampen's illustrations allow these bear tales from around the world to come alive. The stories are adaptations of traditional legends from three diverse cultures, and each presents an insightful lesson.

"Bear and Pig Went to Market" This humorous tale from Czechoslovakia features a pig and a bear who are best friends. They decide to sell their delicious cooking at the market. Bear has a stall with scrumptious potatoes while pig has a stall with sweet-smelling buns. Business is slow, but between them pig and bear manage to sell all their wares by unwittingly swapping the same nickel back and forth between them!

"Why Bear Stole the Moon" This North American Native legend explains why the moon changes throughout its cycle. Bear likes it dark so that he can hibernate, so he steals the moon from the night sky. The other animals of the forest are not happy, so Coyote, Raccoon and Raven devise a clever plan to release the moon from the sack in which it is hidden. When they succeed and the moon tumbles out, high, high into the sky, it shines brightly. Bear is disappointed. In order to please all the animals from that time on, the moon changes size and shape, some nights big and round, some nights just a sliver, so everyone is happy some of the time.

"Two Lazy Bears" From Russia comes this warning against excessive laziness. Ivan and Igor are two lazy bears; they won't tidy up and they won't sweep up. They can't even be bothered to carry home the fish they have caught. In the end, all their laziness turns against them. When both refuse to clean up after dinner, they decide that the first one up the next morning will do the cleaning. Well, these silly bears both pretend to sleep well into the afternoon, waiting for the other to rise. It is only after their friend Goat arrives to tell them they have missed the July picnic that they resolve never to be lazy again and to cooperate to get their work done. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Virbrant artwork, colorful storytelling.
In Bear Tales, writer and illustrator Vlasta van Kampen engagingly retells three traditional folktales. Bear and Pig Went to Market is a humorous tale from Czechoslovakia. Bear and his best friend Pig decide to sell their delicious cooking at the market. Bear offers scrumptious potatoes in his stall, Pig has sweet-smelling buns in his. But business is slow and Bear and Pig soon become each other's best customers! Why Bear Stole the Moon is a Native American legend and has bear stealing the moon from the night because he likes it dark so he can hibernate. While Bear sleeps, Coyote, Raccoon, and Raven devise a clever plan to release the moon from the sack in which it is hidden -- and that's why the moon has changes throughout its monthly cycle. Two Lazy Bears is the Russian tale and finds Ivan and Igor are so lazy they won't do their chores. They won't even carry home the fish they caught for dinner! The only work they will do is argue. But a stalemate over cleaning up after dinner causes these silly, slothful bears to miss the Big Picnic. Highly recommended for school and community libraries, the artwork is vibrant and colorful, the storytelling adaption for young readers ages 5 to 8 is simply first rate. ... Read more

Book Description

The story of how birds got their colors is beautifully told by Vlasta van Kampen through her vibrant, colorful illustrations.

Mother Nature has been very busy creating a wonderful world, but among all her responsibilities the birds have been overlooked: they are colorless! When she realizes what has happened, Mother Nature quickly sets about correcting her mistake. She calls on some special helpers, the monkeys.

They arrive with pots of paints and baskets overflowing. All the birds assemble and the monkeys paint them in turn, until each is beautiful and unique. Some are speckled, some brightly colored, some striped. When the coloring is done, the birds experiment with bills and beaks and crests, deciding what they like and how they wish to dress themselves.

It is a grand time, and when they are finished, a wonderful celebration follows as they all dance together. Into the middle of the festivities flies one small, tired bird. He has gotten lost on his way and fears he has arrived too late to receive his colors.

Sadly, the monkeys look around and discover only two pots left - one with a drop of brown paint and the other with a drop of gold. They mix the brown paint with sweet nectar and paint the little bird all over. He had hoped to be bright and beautiful, however, so he remains sad.

Then the duck has a wonderful idea. She asks the little bird to open his mouth, and into it she lets fall the single drop of gold paint. When the little bird opens his mouth to chirp, out comes the sweetest sound any of the birds have heard. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Oh, just such a well illustrated story!
I found this book from browsing thru a bookstore. Read a few lines and knew this one had all the qualities I looked for: fun filled story with a moral- there is no beauty as exuberant as the beauty that comes from within . Exilarating pictures! The water color painting in this book is soft and yet sharp with details. My kids read this story contless times! One you will be dissappointed to not have.

What imagination
This book is so captivating. The pictures really drew in my 2 1/2 year old. We were able to review our colors, learn parts of birds, and recall certain birds we had seen at the zoo. Plus, the lesson at the end has really caught her attention. We have read this book every night for 2 weeks. Highly recommend! ... Read more