Book Description

Reviews (1)

Kentucky Harmony-family, dreams & dealing with hard times
Ruth White's tale about the Collins family who lives in a small house in the Kentucky hills in 1955. The family makes up of four little girls Kentucky, Virginia, Georgia and Carolina and their Mama. Their daddy left them when Carolina was a baby. What little electricity they got in the house when they can pay the bill. Their idea of a good time is a trip to town for a hair-do and see one of those Hollywood movies. One day a young fellow by the name of Winston Churchill "Tadpole" Birch comes walking into their lives. He was named Tadpole after he took a dare to swallow a tadpole. Tad had ran away from abusive relatives and now comes to live with the Collins family. He has a talent for singing, playing guitar, he gets neighbors together for social events and gets free passes to the carnival.

The story is laid-back and the dialect is very Southern colloquial. The family are well-adjusted and go through remarkable changes inspite of hard times. They learn important lessons about closeness of family, what home is, keeping your dreams and dealing with child abuse. The story looks at the family in a warm and sensitive way with what little they do have, they have so much. They have each other and their dreams beyond the hills. In Carolina's case she find her special talent. The way she can harmonize with Tadpole's music. Parents who buy this book for younger children may want to consider the theme and content of the story. I think this should be for older children who can understand a very sensitive subject in this story. I find it a good story. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

not as good as Grandmother's Pigeon
The Range Eternal is Louise Erdrich's second children's book (the first being Grandmother's Pigeon). The story Erdrich tells is one of family and tradition (and an old stove). The story is told simply and well, and it is peppered with Native American legend and tradition. For this reason, I wonder if the book would not be better suited to Native children more than non-Native children. I have read Erdrich's novels, so I have a passing familiarity with terms like "Windigo", but I'm not sure most non-Native children would and this might confuse them.

While I am a fan of Erdrich's other work (including the young adult novel: The Birchbark House), this isn't a book that I would be excited to read to my children (when I have some). It isn't quite as accessible or has a simplistic enough feel to it. Maybe I'm not giving children enough credit, but I would recommend something like Alison McGhee's "Countdown to Kindergarten" over this one. Instead of this, you might want to give Erdrich's first children's book, "Grandmother's Pigeon", a try. It's much better.

Gorgeous book!
The illustrations in this book are gorgeous! The pictures flow and fill out the story. Children will be drawn into every page. The book is a wonderful tale of family life, responsibilities and the value of tradition. I put it on my list to buy for my niece and nephew. ... Read more

Book Description

In the ideal follow-up to his stunning Caldecott Honor book Alphabet City, Stephen T. Johnson turns his talents towards numbers. Wordless spreads featuring impressively photo-realistic paintings of New York City invite readers both young and old to search for the numbers zero through twenty-one hidden in the images. From a sweeping 4 found in the span of an urban bridge to the 13 of a faded crosswalk, this is an intriguing new way to think about numbers and the world around you. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

the most creatively educational children's book on the marke
Stephen Johnson is by far the most creative artist/illustrator of educational children's books alive. He not only makes learning fun in Alphabet City and City by Numbers, but shows his remarkable talent as an artist. His illustrations, for lack of a better word, are flawless as can be seen clearly in the originals. He does not bring the book down to a child's level, but teaches them to appreciate art and learning at his level. He is completely remarkable and shows that it is rewarding to major in fine arts in college even if you wish to be an illustrator. No illustrator could produce the quality work that he has produced. Definitely buy this book. You will not be disappointed. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Taxi Dog is a Heartwarming Ride
Truly one of the best children's books out there. The illustrations are incredibly rich, colorful and detailed and the story is so inventive and charming. I love Maxi! I bought this book today and read it to my 4 month old daughter. It held her attention the entire time--quite a feat! It's no wonder--the beautiful lyrical story with its rhymes and the gorgeous artwork are a delightful combination. I can't say enough about this charming story. What a plus that proceeds of the book go to a worthy animal cause. I want to see more of Maxi's adventures!

There is a home for every creature
I read this book to my son when he was 5 yrs old as part of the scholastic book order through his school. My son is now going to be graduating from high school and he still has the book. However, it has seen better days since it is in paperback! The first time I read this book to him, believe it or not, I got choked up. The illustrations and the story itself are outstanding. He treasures this book as a very happy childhood memory. I've decided as part of his graduation present that I would get the brand new hard cover so that he may always cherish it and read it to his own kids some day. :o)

My kids and I adore this book!
This is a wonderful story for children. I have bought several and given them as gifts. I always get comments from parents about how much their children love this book. The rhymes are enjoyable to read out loud.

It's "FARE" to say this is a Terrific Book!!!
Take it from a Third Grade Teacher who has a social studies curriculum that includes the United States...What better way to celebrate New York City but with the Barracca's Series of Books entitled: Taxi Dog? Wonderful illustrations and rhyming text captivate my audience of 8-9 year olds and make them want to read the entire series! We even make our own "taxi dogs" and rewrite our own text using the rhyming sequence of the book. Thank you to the Barracca's - keep 'em coming!! :)

charming story, captivating illustrations
A fun story, especially for animal lovers, with vibrant illustrations. Enjoy hunting for the many cats hidden on each page (in patterns on clothing, reflected in mirrors,etc.). ... Read more

Book Description

This child's view of the long day's work in the cotton fields, simply expressed in a poet's resonant language, is a fresh and stirring look at migrant family life. "With its restrained poetic text and impressionist paintings, this is a picture book for older readers, too."--Booklist ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Fairly accurate portrayal of life in the fields
I read this book as part of an assignment. It is a Caldecott Honor Book and I am very familiar with picking cotton. I was born the daughter of a cotton share-cropper, so my earliest memories are some of the very same things that appear in this book.

Cotton picking by hand is hard. It is backbreaking, and the days are hot and long. However, I had a few concerns about this book. It is written in the local dialect and speech patterns of the Black child who is telling the story. It was rather difficult to read but easy to understand what she meant. Since this is a child's book, I am not certain that every child would understand the language system that is portrayed. A teacher needs to be completely aware and ready to explain the dialect.

Also, even though the child describes a typical day of cotton picking, hard, hot, long,and lonely for socialization, I do wish the fact had been brought out that other ethnicities picked cotton as well as Blacks. It is hard work no matter who picks the cotton.

The illustrations were done nicely and the family structure was portrayed as intact. However, it reminded me all too well of the long, hot days my family spent in the cotton fields.

A very good politically 'incorrect' book.
Some books that I read do not catch my eye right away, but this one caught my eye for a couple of reasons. For one, this book reminded me of the stories that my grandmother used to tell me about when she would be in the fields picking cotton. Two, this book does not make picking cotton sound like a bad thing at all. When my grandmother would tell me stories about being in the cotton fields, the stories would never sound bad, or harsh. Her stories made me want to pick up this book and read it. This book is about a little girl named Shelan who goes to the fields every morning to go pick cotton with her family. Her family consists of her father, mother, her two older sisters, and her baby sister Leanne, who her mother has to carry while she picks cotton. The story is told through Shelan's eyes, from the time that they get on the bus at dawn, to the time they leave the fields at sunset. The illustrations were as vivid as the little girl telling the story. The pictures were hazy, just like a very hot day, where there are no trees. I thought that was very symbolic. I liked this book a lot, for different reasons. But I do have one or two concerns about this book. For one, the book may not be suitable to teach to just "any" child. I think that a children's book is supposed to move at a comfortable pace. Not make the child think too hard, but just enough to spark some creative ideas. Every child is not going to be able to relate to this book, like others would. To make it plain, I do not think that a Black child would have as much trouble understanding this book, as opposed to children of other ethnicities. I (a Black male) understood the dialect in this book very well and I enjoyed reading the "broken language" because that was what I was used to as a child. I did not think twice about the dialect until I had to analyze it. After I read the whole thing, I wondered if children of other backgrounds would be able to understand this book. The author was not trying to think "politically correct," but rather, correct in the eyes of the little girl. Shelan doesn't know any better than to talk the way that she does. Just like any little child does not recognize their "grammatical speaking errors." I think that whoever is going to read this book to a class of little children should be conscious of what children they are reading it to. The makeup of the class who receives this book is very important. Just like Nappy Hair, this book is very real as far as language and vivid images are concerned. This book is very good nevertheless, and hearing a great storyteller tell this story would be a treat to the senses.

Working Cotton
The Caldecott Medal book that I chose to read for this assignment was called Working Cotton. It is about an African American family's daily work picking cotton from the fields. Williams incorporates a good deal of African American culture into the story. Her familiarity with the dialect allows for the story to be portrayed in a very realistic way. The story is written in the third person as a young girl details her and her family's daily routine of getting up at dawn and riding a bus to the cotton fields where she, her brothers, and her father picked cotton. All the while, the mother sat along side of the field and tended to their new infant child. What makes this book unique is that it is written in a dialect that is very much expected from a less educated population. Williams uses this dialect effectively to bring the story to life. Miriam Youngerman's 1994 article in Children's Literature Association Quarterly Touches on the importance of dialect in children's books. "The dialect is a large part of the storytelling. Any children's story with a setting of a different time and place should be frelected in the dialect and the dialogue of the story" (241). As it relates to Working Cotton it is the dialect that truly makes the story convincing. Another strong aspect of this book are Carole Byard's detailed illustrations. These drawings do a great job of depicting the strain and hardships that cotton pickers dealt with on a daily basis. Every picture clearly illustrates the feelings and emotions of the characters. The illustrations take up entirely both sides of every page while the text is written on top of them. Overall, I think that this story is a strong cultural story for children to read. I believe that it is important to for children to understand the importance of hard work and willingness to help. Too many children are growing up expecting to always be taken care of. My generation is very guilty of this. Books like Working Cotton, though too remedial for adults, can go a long way to establishing an appreciation for hard work and good literature.

The life of a child in a migrant family.
A children's book based on a book of poems by Sherley Anne Williams that first appeared in the mid-1970s. It is about a migrant family (in this case, an African-American family) who are bused from one cotton field to another to pick cotton in which the children have to help. The book is really an indictment against child labor. It shows the hardships of this life, how important the "family" is, how tired and exhausted everyone (especially children) are at the end of the day, and how much children miss playing with other children. Reading the book with other children should lead to some fruitful discussions. It is beautifully written and illustrated. The illustrator was Carole Byard and the book was a 1993 Caldecott Honor book (i.e., a runner-up to the Medal winner) for best illustrations in a book for children.

A Moving Depiction of Migrant Labor
Working Cotton is a very moving look at a little girl, Shelan, and her daily life of working the cotton fields. It realistically brings to life the hardships that she and her family face, through sparse prose and impressionistic artwork, the reader feels the burden of the cotton sack upon their back. I almost cried reading it, knowing that for many children in the United States and worldwide this type of work is typical and expected to help the survival of the family. Its a good book to share with children to help them not take for granted the life that they lead. And its also a great way to show that not every story has a happy ending, just an ending. ... Read more

Book Description

Every page features an internal wheel that changes both words and pictures before a young reader's eyes.

Children will giggle with delight as they follow Junior through a surprisingly silly day on the farm. It all starts when Junior wakes up and looks at the sun shining outside his window. But wait . . . is that the sun in the sky? . . . or a tennis ball? . . . or a daisy? . . . or even a fried egg? Join Junior as he mistakes a banana for a duck, a lightbulb for an egg, and underwear for a beehive. Finally, Junior discovers just what he needs to see everything right. Children will learn just how cool sporting specs can be. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Cleverly designed, interactive book
Amazon's suggested age for this book is 4-8, which represents the reading level but not necessarily the ideal target for the book. My son, now 4-years-old, gets a great thrill from having an impact on the story when we read it together. On each page, he gets to turn a wheel to choose between different silly alternatives for what Junior sees (without his glasses on). He takes time each night to explain why he chose each different object. We've been reading the book off and on since he was about 2.5, but I've noticed that this year (at 4), he picks it out almost every night (out of hundreds of other books). There's no special educational value of this book, but it does make a young child feel more in control of his world and I think it unleashes a little imagination during reading time. I enjoy hearing my son laugh at the humorous illustrations and the silly choices that HE made while reading the book. ... Read more

Book Description

Marian called it Roxaboxen. (She always knew the name of everything.) There across the road, it looked like any rocky hill -- nothing but sand and rocks, some old wooden boxes, cactus and greasewood and thorny ocotillo -- but it was a special place: a sparkling world of jeweled homes, streets edged with the whitest stones, and two ice cream shops. Come with us there, where all you need to gallop fast and free is a long stick and a soaring imagination.

In glowing desert hues, artist Barbara Cooney has caught the magic of Alice McLerran's treasured land of Roxaboxen -- a place that really was, and, once you've been there, always is.

Reviews (17)

Roxaboxen
This book reminds me of when I was little and how my brother and sister and my neighbors and I would set up our own town. We had a jail and a market and a toy store and a gas station and we would use our bikes for our cars.
This book allows children to make up their own towns and rules on how they would like it to be. It allows their imagination to wander.
The story is based on the author's mother's childhood. Roxaboxen is a real place on the corner of Second Avenue and Eighth Street, in Yuma, Arizona. The author was able to write this story by getting information from diaries, memories from relatives, and letter and maps frm inhabitants of Roxaboxon.
I would highly recommend this book!

A book as large as the desert sky
The sky in Arizona is like looking into God's eyes. In its quiet way, this powerful book takes us directly into the realm of imagination and play that resourceful children inhabit. There is a cozy, dreamy drift to the tale, which describes the imaginary town of Roxaboxen, and the activities of the children who created and peopled it. The real gift of this book is how it illuminates that magical realm's fundamental importance to the spirit of both children and adults. Not one of the children from Roxaboxen ever forgot about it; it stayed with them for life. And it should for us all. Barbara Cooney works wonders with colorful, evocative illustrations that are even more beautiful and touching than those in Mrs. Rumphius. This marvelous book demonstrates that the best children's literature is equally enjoyable and valuable for adults.

An incredible world for kids
This was my absolute favorite book as a child: I loved imagining the world of Roxaboxen as the children who 'lived' there did and I loved creating my own Roxaboxens in my world. Alice McLerran's kids taught me how to make my own places and times and adventures in my own universe. The entire book was so beautiful that I still smile whenever I see kid's books and remember my favorite or when someone asks me what my favorite book from childhood was.

Wonderful picture book geared towards adults
Roxaboxen is a lovely story about a childhood playground created by the author's mother, her mother's siblings and her mother's friends.

While children will enjoy the pictures and may get some great ideas for building their own Roxaboxen "town", adult readers are the ones who will truly treasure this story. Its sweet nostalgic look at childhood is a catalyst for our own stories and memories to return. Cooney's pictures are appropriate and enjoyable but subdued.

Overall, a nice memorial to the real Roxaboxen and its residents.

Roxaboxen
Roxaboxen was one of my favorite books growing up as a child. I used to pass by Roxaboxen almost every week and we (me and my siblings) would play games just like in the story. It is a fun-loving and imaginative story that all kids and adults should read. The illustrations are incrdible and the book reminds me of when I was a child. A great read for all ages. ... Read more

Book Description

Mary Call has promised her dying father to keep her brother and sisters together forever on the mountain, and never to take any help from strangers. She is determined to keep her word. No matter what. At first she is sure she can manage. Romey, Ima Dean, and Devola help gather herbs to sell in town; the riches of the mountains will surely keep the family clothed and fed. But then winter comes, fast and furious, and Mary Call has to learn that the land where the lilies bloom is also a cruel and unforgiving place, and it may take more than a promise to keep her family together.

Reviews (37)

not exceptional, not terrible
Where the Lilies Bloom was a story set in a rural mountain community. Two stars are left out of my rating because I felt it was very shallow at times. Some things struck me as unrealistic. For an example, in the beginning of the book, the protagonist's sister, Devola, was portrayed as a girl with nothing to her. The protagonist, Mary Call, was four years younger than Devola, but Devola was irresponsible and had her head in the clouds. However, at the end of the book, Devola suddenly underwent an immense change, took charge, and became clearheaded.

Despite the book's shortcomings, three stars are merited because I really admired Mary Call's determination and spirit and the way she never gave up. She was not afraid to stand up for herself or for her family. If I had read this book two years ago, I think I would have liked it much more.

Excellent Book!!!
Where the Lilies Bloom, is an excellent book! If you are looking for a good book to read, read this. It's a wonderful story about a family that lives in Appalachia. This particular family, has no parents. But the father has left 14 year old daughter, Mary Call, in charge of her siblings, with the responsibility of keeping the secret that he is dead. This is a very good book, and if you read it I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Where the Lilies Bloom
Where the Lilies Bloom is an excellent book. Our school used it as a book of the month when we studied the character trait of responsibility. It is about a young girl with total responsibility for her family after her father has died. She must also keep the secret of her father's death from all of the neighbors. Mary Call accepts this responsibility and goes on to try and take of here siblings by any means she can. She gathers roots and leaves to provide an income for her family. She keeps her head up and believes she should ask no one for assistance. Our students enjoyed it and I hope you will find it to be a good book also.

touching and funny
Now, this is a very good and interesting book to read...it's about a girl, Mary call, and she has many siblings, Devola, Romey, and ima dean...and unfortunatly thier father dies, and makes them promise not to tell anyone. So now, Mary call has a huge burdone to carry out... and enough probles she can handle, esspecially when her father makes her promise to him to keep kiser peas, who wants to marry Devola, away. If you ever get bored or need a book to read, you should get this one.

Excellent and brilliant
I read this book the first time when I was a child. I remember seeing the movie and being fascinated by the life of the mountain people - so far removed from my suburban life. The struggles, bravery and ingenuity of the Luther kids is amazing and touching. I think this book is geared to young teens, but I don't think it can be appreciated by most of that age. It is so sad to read the many reviews from the 12 and 13 year old kids here who "hate it" and who suggest books of the likes of Harry Potter instead. Perhaps once they have expanded their intellect somewhat they might be able to appreciate and understand it's beauty and brilliance. ... Read more

Book Description

Nickel and his mother need t find a new apartment. When their search leads them to an unfamiliar part of the city, Nickel is drawn to a strange building at the end of an alley, a building called The Beastly Arms. Nickel¹s mom thinks the building is creepy. But Nickel‹an avid photographer who has a gift for seeing what others miss‹senses that The Beastly Arms houses a secret that only he can unearth. And that secret will leave you looking at the world in a whole new way. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A Sure-Fire Winner With Kids
The Beastly Arms is a highly engaging, very enjoyable read. Patrick Jennings has come up with a quirky, interesting protagonist: Nickel, an imaginative young city boy who photographs clouds. The writing shines: unique, well-observed details; vivid scenes; spare, yet rich and believable dialogue. Like photographs, the images are so rich and sensitive they live on in the memory. There's a subtle wit and wisdom to the book and an avoidance of cuteness or cliche that kids (and adults) will appreciate. Nickel's closest relationships-with his single mom, with his school friend and her parents, with his pet kangaroo rat, Miriam-are all well-drawn and sympathetic. When Nickel and his mother move into a mysterious building called The Beastly Arms, the story leads to an exciting, unexpected, and fantastic (in the best sense) conclusion.

Another great book by Patrick Jennings
I absolutely love this book, really couldn't put it down! Like "Faith and the Rocket Dogs" and "Faith and the Electric Cat", this book inspires further reseach while being completely intertaining. I wasn't a reader as a kid and at 39 I am really enjoying books written for a younger audience. Both for myself and to read aloud to my not yet reading kids. This book is as wildly imaginitive as Holes but with so much more researched detail. I think kids will learn so much from reading this book and want to know more about some things in the story that they may not be familial with. It is the story of a boy and his mom who move into a new building as a result of a rent increase and the things they learn about The Beastly Arms. For more you'll have to read the book. ... Read more

Book Description

This clear and simple text traces the development of corn through the seasons, as it is planted, cultivated, and harvested. ... Read more

Book Description

The latest in the series. Phineas and his daughter travel round the globe, exploring the sights and amassing souvenirs. Turns us into expert geographical detectives. 11 1/4" x 11 1/4" For children ages 8-16 years. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A Virtual Vacation!
This is SUCH a neat book! Phineas and his daughter embark on a world tour in his hot air balloon. At each stop, Phineas does some sightseeing and his daughter does some shopping, purchasing souvenirs found in each country. The pictures are comical, the rhyming story is fun, and the puzzle is challenging, though not difficult. My 4 year old and I have gone through the book and it held her attention the whole time. I had thought we might need to read through it in several sittings. We haven't solved the puzzles at the end of the book yet. My 9 year old will be able to solve the puzzles on her own. They involve going back through the book, looking at the places they stopped and what they collected (and lost), then taking letters from these words to spell the answers to the puzzles. FUN!

Great Book!
This book really helped my children with their geographic skills! I would reccomend this book to any family with children! ... Read more

Book Description

He wanted to be treated like a man, not a child.

Every summer the men of the Chavez family go on a long and difficult sheep drive to the mountains. All the men, that is, except for Miguel. All year long, twelve-year-old Miguel tries to prove that he, too, is up to the challenge'that he, too, is up to the challenge'that he, too is ready to take the sheep into his beloved Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

When his deeds go unnoticed, he prays to San Ysidro, the saint for farmers everywhere. And his prayer is answered . . . but with devastating consequences.

When you act like and adult but get treated like a child, what else can you do but keep your wishes secret and pray that they'll come true.

This is the story of a twelve-year-old Miguel Chavez, who yearns in his heart to go with the men of his family on a long and hard sheep drive to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains--until his prayer is finally answered, with a disturbing and dangerous exchange.

Winner, 1954 Newbery Medal
Notable Children's Books of 1953 (ALA)
1954 Junior Book Award (Boys' Clubs of America) ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Patrick Richview Middle
The book I read was ..And Now Miguel. The book was about this kid who wanted to write poetry, but his dad didnt want him to because he thought men shouldnt write poetry . During the story Miguel sneaks behind his dad`s back and writes poetry for school. So when his teacher calls his house to tell his poetry.So when his dad finds out he gets furious at him and locks him in his room. When Miguel starts to write with his teacher at the end of the story. This was ok but i wouldnt read it again.

REALISTIC, Historic Fiction for Readers with Patience
This Newberry Award winner is a classic that may best be appreciated by readers with patience for a slower lifestyle. This is not for action-adventure junkies waiting for a roller coaster ride of thrills and suspense. I enjoyed this book because I am familiar with the setting in Northern New Mexico around Taos, which is well described in the book. For hundreds of years ranch owners have sent their shepherds and sheep to the green grazing fields in the local mountains during the summer months. The desire to go to the mountains with the sheep would have been a common personal conflict with older children. As a work of realistic fiction, it portrays a real lifestyle with real dreams and conflicts in a time and place before our modern technology, noise, and adrenaline surges of a rushed, stressed based lifestyle. This book is for the sophisticated reader who is looking for a good story in a work of historical fiction.

The Most Boring BookI ever Read
I think this book was so boring! I also think that the summary on the back of the book was a lie. He did not have "devasting" consquences. Please! I mean, you tell me what was so "devasting". I'm all ears. This book was so boring. Who wants to hear about how you brand sheep? Uh, no one! This book all most put me to sleep. El boringo.

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU PRAY FOR
Miguel at 12 desperately wants to take his place among the Menfolk of his family, by proving to his father that he is mature enough to be one of the regular hands. For years he has dreamed of accompanying the Chavez men on their annual summer trek up into the Sangre de Cristo Mountains with their large flock of sheep. Despite his zeal, creativity and real help with the family business, Miguel seems condemned to spend yet another summer at home with the girls.

When the entire village near Taos, New Mexico, turns out to celebrate the feast day of San Ysidro, their local patron, Miguel decides to petition the saint in a touchingly humorous (almost letter like) prayer. He takes it for granted that his wish will be granted, but soon is shocked to discover the harsh conditions. He never meant for his beloved brother, Gabriel, to have to leave home for two years in the military. Is there any way he can take back his wish? This leads to a long, soul-searching discussion on the

efficacy of prayer, the power and limitations of saints, and great fraternal quality time.

This story will apppeal more to boys seeking macho experience, for the role of females is relegated to the superficial. Still the book provides warm, family interactions. Narrated in the first person by Miguel himself, the book reveals the coming-of-age struggle and dreams of a Mexican-American youth. Readers will discover wry humor, simple faith, bi-lingual slang, and uneven pacing. Krumgold indulges in great detail about the sheep raising business, as Miguel blunders his way into adulthood. Wonderful descriptions of the mountains which have been calling him for years. ... Read more

Book Description

The Little House books have captivated generations of readers with their story of the little pioneer girl Laura Ingalls growing up on the American frontier. Now the Little House story continues with The Rocky Ridge Years, books that tell the story of Laura and Almanzo Wilder's daughter, Rose.

The first four books in the Series, Little House on Rocky Ridge, Little Farm In The Ozarks, In The Land Of The Big Red Apple, and On The Other Side Of the Hill, describe the Wilders' covered-wagon journey to Missouri and their first three years in their new farmhouse,Little Town In The Ozarks continues their story, as hard times on the farm force Rose and her family to move to the town of Mansfield. Life in town is so different from living on Rocky Ridge Farm that Rose wonders if she will ever learn to like the hustle and bustle of town life.

Little Town In The Ozarks continues the story that Laura Ingalls Wilder began more than sixty years ago -- a story whose wonder and adventure have charmed millions of readers.

Reviews (13)

Little Town Great
This book was an excellant read for children to get a real look at the life and times of pre-twentieth century life in the U.S. Mr. MacBride brings out wonderful details and continues the legendary story of Rose Wilder and her family as they try to better there lives in Mansfield.

A wonderfully entertaining pageturner!
This book is absolutely terrific! Rose Wilder adjusts to life in Mansfield, away from her beloved Rocky Ridge Farm. She meets many new people, has exciting experiences, and also falls in love with her best friend Paul Cooley.

Little Town in the Ozarks is excellent!
This book is just great. Rose is one of my favorite character. She like to read books and has a great appeal. I think every girl who are around 11~12 would find this book wonderful. So I give 5 stars to this book.

Just as charming as her Mama
The girl was quite a firecracker. Again, just as charming as Little House, but the storytelling is a bit more complex and more reflective of who Rose was. This series truly equals the charm and storytelling of Laura's story. Kudos to those who thought to bring this series to print.

Ozarks Adventure Story
Little Town in the Ozarks is the fifth book in a series about Laura Ingalls Wilder's daughter Rose. Rose has many fun, exciting, and scary adventures, such as getting Pneumonia and rolling down a hill in a barrel.
One of my favorite characters, is Nate who lives on a farm with his older brother, Abe, Abe's wife, Effie, and Effie's twin babies, James and Elza. I like him because he is nice , like when Rose gets sick, he comes to see her a lot.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to read about 12 year old girls who have lots of adventures and who love to read. One adventure is when a tree falls on their henhouse, after a big ice storm, and makes a big hole that the chickens escape out of, and then they have to find all of the hens and roosters. ... Read more

Book Description

On January 1, 1935, Rose Samuels bids good riddance to a dry, desolate year and begins a new one. The severe drought has left the fields too dry for crops and the farms are all failing. Times are tough, but with hope, love, and determination, Rose and her family manage to turn the year around.
Includes fun new book-related activities!
... Read more

Reviews (4)

girl in a storm
This book is about a girl who lives in a house and they live by a farm and all they have are horses and cows and chickens. She is in a big dust storm. They cannot keep anything growing so her mom and dad go out to a dancing contest to see if they can earn money for seeds. They come back without any money. So they join a last man standing club. This club is for people who are having hard times but will not abandon their town. I liked this book because it was based on a true story, and it was from a long time ago. The setting was set in the desert with lots of wind storms and also set during the Great Depression.

The girl that learns agin
This book was alsome. It puts me in her place. I can get in to alot of books but this is the book that it gust took a little bit to read it. It might be little but it is good. We could have done alot of other books but i picked this one. I'm all so reading two other books. It is about a girl in the gret depresion she has to clean ever day. She lifes with her mom,dad,and her brother. She and her panters and her friends have to live in the sand storms. My reflection is i would recmond this book to other people that have to do something on the great deppresson. OR if you just want to read it for fun. The story elements are where the story takes place in the dester. the point of fewe is that the worst can happen.

Rose's Journal: The Story of a Girl in the Great Depression
I liked it because I really like the Amelia stories (also by Marissa Moss) and learning about the Great Depression. They finally came together!

Moving and informative
Rose's Journal is one of Marissa Moss' best books yet. It is both a vivid picture of the Depression era and a moving portrait of an individual child. Rose's relationships with her family, friends, farm animals and land are delicately, poignantly, and even humorously depicted. The narrator's soulful and childlike drawings leaven the serious text; her words are also enhanced visually with real photos of the time and drawings of her brother's comic strips. A humane, creative, refreshing and vivid way to present history to children. ... Read more

Book Description

My father is always talking about how a dog can be very educational for a boy. This is one reason I got a cat.

Dave Mitchell and his father yell at each other a lot, and whenever the fighting starts, Dave's mother gets an asthma attack. That's when Dave storms out of the house. Then Dave meets Tom, a strange boy who helps him rescue Cat. It isn't long before Cat introduces Dave to Mary, a wonderful girl from Coney Island. Slowly Dave comes to see the complexities in people's lives and to understand himself and his family a little better.

Winner, 1964 Newbery Medal
Notable Children's Books of 1940–1970 (ALA)

Reviews (2)

Makes Your Children Think
First of all, the illustrations in this book are priceless!When I first read it to my children, I could barely turn a page without their comments and chuckles about an expression on a character or some other subtle detail they noticed.Secondly, as a home-educating mother, this book is a gold mine of themes:honesty, resourcefulness, spirituality, social skills, death, generosity, and most of all, positive attitude.My children, ages 3 and 5 are a bit young for all it has to offer but they still enjoy it immensely and request it frequently.I would recommend this to any child ages 7 and up.It is a beautiful volume that really makes your children think...and ask questions!

Sappy comments on a great book.
This is a wonderful book about how a life can be changed by an unexpected gift, and how the love of someone can spread to others who are unknown to them.I read this to my little girl, and almost couldn't finish it--I wascrying so.It is a very meaningful book, and shows how God's providencecan change our lives and the lives of those around us.

I almost forgotabout the illustrations!They are vivid, and express the joy of a lifethat has been changed by love.

I'm sorry, this review is really sappy,but I loved this book! ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

The Little House books have captivated generations of readers with their story of the little pioneer girl Laura Ingalls growing LIP on the American frontier. Now the Little House story continues with The Rose Years, books that tell the story of Laura and Almanzo Wilder's daughter, Rose.

The first six books in the series describe the Wilders' journey to Missouri, their first three years on Rocky Ridge Farm. and their move to the town of Mansfield. In this latest Rose Years title, a whole new world opens LIP for Rose when she leaves Rocky Ridge Farm and moves to Louisiana to live with her aunt Eliza Jane. Rose is sixteen now, and she thrives in a city brimming with excitement and adventure. Rose even finds herself becoming an independent young woman with her own ideas, ambitions, and dreams.

ON THE BANKS OF THE BAYOU continues the story that Laura Ingalls Wilder began more than sixty years ago -- a story whose wonder and adventure have charmed millions of readers.

Reviews (10)

Very pleasant story...
Young Rose Wilder, daughter of Laura Ingalls Wilder, is becoming a young woman. She had decided to go to high school in a place that's far away from home and her family. Now when she gets there, she is no longer a little girl who always has listen to her mother. Now she is a woman of her own. Rose does things her mother would not approve. But it is a very pleasant story of Roses' life.

PS- Missouri Bound is probably the next book(and the last) after this. It has not yet been published. It will be out on October, 1999. Be sure to read it!

Good book about Rose Wilder.
This book, the seventh about Laura Ingalls Wilder's daughter, Rose, was good. In it, Rose goes to live with her aunt Eliza Jane in Crowley, Louisiana, for almost a year so she can attend high school. Rose has many experiances in Louisiana. She meets a Cajun girl and her family, and goes to a traditional Mardi Gras party. She learns about the terrible racial predjudices of the turn of the century south, and joins the causes of rights for both women and workers. I highly reccomend this book.

Got a Lot from this Book
This is definitely one of my fave books(i'm 14). I think I first read this book when I was 9 or 10, but I wasn't mature enough to really get all of it yet. Rose is definitly growing up, separating from her mother, making good and bad friends, falling in love, taking big risks and thinking about her future. Frankly she is dying to ditch her boring, ordinary life in her small Ozarks town, but she also has to decide what she is going to do about Paul, her first love, who is gone most of the time. Basically it is a coming-of-age story set in small-town turn-of-the-century America. I liked it especially for the historical value, and would recommend it to anyone who liked the Laura books, or likes historical fiction for young adults. ...

My favorite Rose book
ON THE BANKS OF THE BAYOU is a delight. It is the best of all the Rose books. Rose goes to a Louisiana academy, taking up her aunt's offer. She stays with her aunt, and slowly realizies that she is for womens' rights. She crusades with her aunt to help boost voting for women, and along the way she learns Latin and learns about Lousiana with a new Cajun friend, Odette, and her huge family. It is fun and inspirational, but Rose also learns the horrible truth of slavery and segregation in full. When she eats at an ice-cream parlor under cooling fans, she watches a black girl pay at a special window and sit on a dingy chair in the blazing sun. Rose learns more than Latin, Algebra, and geography. She learns what it is to live in the world.

Big Red Apple doesn't fall far from the tree
Delightful glimpse into Rose's life away from home and adds another layer of complexity to the bossy sister-struggling teacher-go to it gal in the form of Eliza Jane. I don't doubt for a minute most of this volume is true to word, especially the emergence of Rose's feminist/socialist values.

Fun for kids, equally interesting to this adult. ... Read more

Book Description

Teen girls want their bedrooms to be more than places to sleep. Now the author of the hit column "Cool Room" has created the ultimate bedroom makeover guide. With a little paint, a bit of glue, and some creative thinking, Montano shows girls how to transform rooms so that they reflect blossoming individuality. Featuring the makeovers of fifteen bedrooms of real girls, each chapter includes an interview, before and after shots, and step-by-step instructions for completing the inexpensive projects, and a comprehensive resource guide!
... Read more

Reviews (10)

Super Suite is Super Sweet!
I recently purchased Super Suite at amazon.com and I was floored with the rooms that Mark designed, constructed, crafted and compiled- all with the upbeat, modern, trendy style flair that all teenage girls desire. Mark satisifies an entire range of personalities in his designs! So thy will suit any teen girls interests and what they are looking to create in their room. All of the projects are simple to create and look beautiful! You ar able to choose an array of effects for creating unique curtains, window and wall treatments, lamps, furniture, headboards, pillows, linens, assorted accessories, floor treatments and much more! I am so thrilled with this book- it is amazing! I love the modern art that he does! I drawn to purchase this book because I am dedicated CosmoGirl magazine reader which features a monthly Cool Room feature with bedroom makeovers by Mark.
Therefore I would really encourage anyone to purchase this book because it is so neat! It will fill ou with so much satisfaction and pleasure as you spend hours looking it over again. The projects are so inexpensive and simple to do that you can continually update the look of your marvelous room! Also pillows, art, accessories etc. make excellent gifts that will leave the receivor absolutely tickled with glee! Go on and start compiling YOUR Super Suite! I hope that you enjoy this book as much as i did!

Best room redecoration book EVER!!!
This book inspired me to redecorate my room and now it looks fabulous! 15 teen girls get their bedrooms redone (lucky) by genius Mark Montano and they all end up looking GREAT. Lots of color, lots of fun, lots of pink. Well worth the money to buy it.

Wow wow wow!
Just got Super Suite for my birthday and I love it. There are so many ideas in this book, it was hard to decide where to start. I noticed some of the other reviews and they are wrong. This is the only good book out there for teen decor. Most books I have seen are boring BORING. This one was really fun and colorful and inspirational. I would tell any teenager to get this book for sure.

It's okay
Many people say that it's a great book. And it is pretty good. There are quality ideas in here and many varities to choose from to fit your style. But the ideas were often sort of complicated (don't get me wrong, I'm not impatient or anything) and expensive, all you have to do is look at the room indexes. Often the designer spent hundreds of dollars and incouraged girls to buy new furniture. Also, the ideas in this book can't really be mixed together to create your own one of a kind style, they need to coordinate with their matching ideas. The instruction often do not explain themselves fully, and you are left hanging wondering what to do next. I give this book three stars for having ideas that are mostly too expenisive and a little drawn out.

OK but not the greatest book I've ever seen on redecorating
I purchased this book for my daughter. There are some cute individual ideas in this book, but it is not good for getting an overall theme for redecorating a girl's bedroom. I've seen much better books than this one. I wouldn't waste my money on it. You can find better ideas on the internet for free. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Uri Shulevitz won a CaldecottMedal for his illustrated edition of Arthur Ransome's The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship, and has won numerous other awards for illustrating his own books. Not surprising, then, that he'd create such a lovely book as Snow, a touching story about childish hope, grumpy pessimistic grownups, and the wonder of snowfall. Will the snow come? (Oh, please?) In the first scene there is none, but the second has--if you can find it--a single flake. Then there are more--but they melt. And then, finally...joy! These are unusually subtle illustrations for a children's book: so many illustrators try to out-do each other with lurid effects and excessive brightness, but many of Shulevitz's exquisite panels are close to monotone. He paints whole cityscapes in a dozen shades of gray, with small human figures who you notice (at second glance) have coats of gray-green, gray-blue, or gray-brown. The adults have tiny Edwardian parasols or handle-bar moustaches. The abstract, atmospheric, folktale effect is heightened by a pared-to-the-bone text, just a few words per page. "'It's nothing,' said man with hat. Then three snowflakes. 'It's snowing,' said boy with dog." Snow perfectly captures the transformative nature of snow and the result is magical. Click to see a sample spread. Illustrations and text ©Uri Shulevitz, reprinted with permission from Farrar, Straus and Giroux. (Ages 3 to 6) --Richard Farr ... Read more

Reviews (6)

The Simplicity of Snow
The children's book, Snow, by Uri Shulevitz is about a young boy who anticipates snow with only seeing just one snowflake. His grandfather and other people around town do not pay much attention to his words and just brush him off. More snowflakes begin to fall and make the town white. Finally, there is snow. This book is very bluntly written. There are no proper names, no possessives, and no descriptions. With the exception of the pictures, Snow is quite bland. The minimal title of Snow does somewhat suggest the simplicity of the story in the book. Perhaps Shulevitz's whole purpose of writing the book is to show the purity and incomplexity of snow itself. The sentences within the book are not long or complex in any way. Most of them consist of a simple subject and a simple predicate and four to six small words. For example, the first page says, "The skies are gray. The rooftops are gray. The whole city is gray." The next sentence is three words but is not really an actual sentence. However, the sentences do begin to grow in length and number of words as more snow begins to fall through out the story. During the climax of the book when the snow really begins to fall hard, there is a sentence with many words that runs for four pages. Another way in which the narration is very dull is that there are not any descriptions. The story does not say anything like, "the short boy with brown hair" or "the fat man carrying the briefcase." The boy, who is the main character of the story is just called "boy with dog" through out the entire book until the last page when he is "the boy." Also, the boy comes into contact with three nameless people: "grandfather with beard," "man with hat," and "woman with umbrella." Although none of the characters have names, they still fit into the story as well as the boy. Another item that is missing from the narration is the article "the." The boy or the people he meets would not sound so uninteresting if they were called "the woman" or "the man." Overall, this is a good story to read. If not for the excitement that many children have over seeing snow, Shulevitz would not have been able to be so basic with his telling of the story. However, the two parts of the story-the stirring idea of snow and the unexciting storyline fit perfectly to make the book balance.

Let It Snow!
This is such a lovely book. Simple text that easily portrays the joy of the season. I initially chose the book for it's stylish illustrations, but have found it has much more to offer. It's a favorite even on a sunny day!

It Really Feels Like Snow
The illustrations in this book capture the mood of snow. The gray sky gives way to more and more and more white snowflakes culminating in a snow covered world. The artwork's gradual buildup of the storm truly evokes the soft, silent feel of snow.

Simple, beautiful, and a classic
Since I love snow and obviously live in an area where it is a big deal if it does, I was immediately drawn to open the cover of this beautifully illustrated book. I love the simplicity of words and unique fun illustrations. It reads like how a child would think and that's what makes it so beautiful. Since it is not cluttered with too many words, the story allows the reader and the person being read to, to think and use their own thoughts and imagination. The storyline is about a boy's hope and faith that one snowflake will lead to two, and more, despite the unbelieving and cynical opinions of adults who cross his path. I can actually put myself in his shoes and jump right in those pages. I hope my children will grow to love this book like I do. It has become one of my personal treasures.

Childhood optimism comes to life.
I read this book at the preschool I work at. With beautiful illustrations and simple words, it shows the reader that one little snowflake can certainly turn into a snowstorm. The children loved it. It demonstrated the "faith like a child" we all wish we still had. ... Read more