Reviews (4)

It's Important that a Father Believe in his Sons
Henry Pettigrew was the best wood-carver in Tennessee. Everybody loved the animals he carved. One day Daniel said he wanted to carve animals too, all he needed was a good knife and a good piece of wood. His brother Jeff laughed. His father bought him the knife and gave him a block of wood, because sometimes it's important for a father to believe in his son.
A+++ for Daniel's Duck
This book has a lot going for it - not only is it written by Clyde Robert Bulla, a prolific and talented writer whose books are slowly (and sadly) going out of print, it is also "An I Can Read Book", which is my favorite series of readers for young children.
Daniel'sduck.
Daniel has a quiet life.He dind't have eny friends exceptRead more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 1-2    3. Fiction    4. Readers - Beginner    5. Social Issues - Emotions & Feelings    6. Wood carving    7. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (8)

4 1/2* An I CAN READ History Book by Benchley and Lobel
In plain language, and with just a bit of humor, prolific author Nathaniel Benchley (son of the great humorist Robert) and the equally experienced Arnold Lobel tell the story of the beginnings of the American Revolution, as seen through the eyes of a young boy. On the night of Paul Revere's famous ride, Sam accompanies his father to the village green. The pensive faces of the Minutemen and the monochrome and two-toned drawings of Lobel build tension as they await the possible arrival of the British. Finally, they hear the "TRAMP TRAMP TRAMP" of the British soldiers-the "lobsterbacks": "Over the hill and past the tavern came the soldiers! They came on and on and on."At close range, the British kill eight men (they're shown lying on the ground), and wound Sam's friend John in the leg. "'Sam!' John cried. `I'm hit.' John held his leg and fell down."
Excellent Historical Fiction
My kids loved this book. This book can be read by any reading level, because of its historical perspective.It appears to most adequately suit 1st graders.With my older children I used it as a tool, along with George the Drummer Boy, to teach perspective in writing and history.These two books in combination do an excellent job.Sam the Minuteman is told from the perspective of an American boy.George the Drummer Boy is told from a British boy's perspective.This book has 61 pages, about 1/4 of the pages are full page illustrations.Both books portray the same event in history - the beginning of the American Revolution.

Wonderful history for children
I have a 5-year-old son named Sam. I read him this book for many days--day after day after day. He even slept with the book. So obviously, I believe this is a good book for kids! I had to give it a high rating--he never slept with any other book. The book, I believe, is rated at about a 3rd grade reading level. It involves guns and redcoats and things that interest young folks.Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    3. Children: Grades 2-3    4. Fiction    5. Juvenile fiction    6. Lexington, Battle of, Lexingto    7. Lexington, Battle of, Lexington, Mass., 1775    8. Minutemen (Militia)    9. Readers - Beginner    10. United States    11. Juvenile Fiction / Readers / Beginner   

Reviews (2)

A Way to Connect
I featured this book in my 4th grade class's unit on "How We Came to California." It was the best book that told about the journey of many families to the Golden State during the Dust Bowl Days because it included why they left, how they came and the struggle once they got here. To make it even more special, my grandmother came to read it to the students because she lived in CA during this time and helped the people who came to her town from Oaklahoma and Kansas. Having an elder read it to the kids was the most memorable thing to many of the kids who simply did not know about this period of their family's history.

Includes facts in an interesting story format
Gradeschool children who read this story identified with the story characters.Students went away with appreciation for this time in American History.It was easy to read and informative.It made many studentsrealize how fortunate they are. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1929    2. Children's 4-8    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 1-2    5. Depressions    6. Dust Bowl Era, 1931-1939    7. Family - General    8. Fiction    9. Historical - United States - 20th Century    10. Juvenile fiction    11. Readers - Beginner    12. Juvenile Fiction / Family / General   

Reviews (2)

Good
I liked this book.It was one of my favorite books. It was a good thing they hid in the hay.They hadto go to the under ground railroad.The under ground is a secret group of people who believe slavery is wicked. We need to obey all laws this book is a bout history.

Two different Worlds
This tale of the underground railroad told from the perspective of young, mischievious Tommy Fuller, blends history with a compelling adventurestory.Tommy discovers a runaway slave family hiding in his father's barn. Little Jeff is Tommy's age but has had a very different life as a Southernchild of slavery.The adventure is how Tommy and his father, DeaconFuller, help this family escape to Canada and freedom.Includes a simplediscussion between Tommy and his father about the fact that they havebroken a law and that sometimes laws cannot be obeyed. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - Historical    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Kindergarten    4. Fiction    5. Historical - United States - 19th Century    6. Juvenile fiction    7. People & Places - United States - African-American    8. Readers - Beginner    9. Slavery    10. Underground railroad    11. United States    12. Juvenile Fiction / Readers / Beginner   

Editorial Review

When Emma learns that her family is about to adopt a 4-year-old boy, sheis thrilled. She has always wanted a little brother and is convinced Max will bethe best brother ever. Her friend Sally isn't so sure. "He will be a pest," shesays. "All brothers are pests." When Max finally arrives, Emma is stunned thatthings don't go the way she expects them to. Max had looked little and sweet inthe photograph. In real life he looks big, he doesn't smile at her, and he saysher homemade cookies are yucky. It's going to take a lot of understanding andsome changes in perception for Emma and her new brother to find a way into eachother's hearts.Read more

Reviews (1)

A Great Book
As a prospective adoptive family it is wonderful to finally have access to a book for our older children (ages five and eleven) that describes the adoption of a younger child from the perspective of the older sibling.The brother and sister in the story get off to a rocky start but gradually bond, helping young readers to understand that the integration of the new sibling into the family may not be easy - but is ultimately worth it.We got it for our five-year-old for Christmas, but both children love it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Brothers and sisters    3. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Grades 1-2    6. Family - Adoption    7. Family - Siblings    8. Fiction    9. Juvenile Easy Readers    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Readers - Beginner    12. Siblings    13. Juvenile Fiction / Readers / Beginner   

Reviews (3)

Terrific Tales for an Early Reader
2 women with spunk, humor and caracter go west to make their fortunes. Each chapter is a self-contained story that has good dialogue, character and keeps you laughing. My 6 year old daughter loves these stories.

Excellent for beginning readers
My seven year old daughter has had this book for a year and loves it.I started reading it to her and now she reads it herself; its one of her favorites.The characters of the two sisters are easy for her to identifywith and she finds the stories very funny.Her favorite chapter is aboutthe sisters competing for the princess role in a proposed play, ThePrincess and the Troll.

Excellent for beginning readers
My seven year old daughter has had this book for a year and loves it.I started reading it to her and now she reads it herself; its one of her favorites.The characters of the two sisters are easy for her to identifywith and she finds the stories very funny.Her favorite chapter is aboutthe sisters competing for the princess role in a proposed play, ThePrincess and the Troll. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Byars, Betsy    2. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. Entertainers    5. Family - Siblings    6. Fiction    7. Frontier and pioneer life    8. Humorous Stories    9. Juvenile Easy Readers    10. Readers - Beginner    11. Sisters    12. West (U.S.)    13. Juvenile Fiction / Readers / Beginner   

Reviews (3)

Excellent Historical Fiction
I read this book, along with Sam the Minuteman, to show writing and historical perspective.The book is probably intended for the lst grade readers.There are 61 pages in the book, 1/4 of the pages are full page illustrations.This book tells of one moment in history from the perspective of a British boy, as opposed to Sam the minuteman, which is the same moment in history told from the perspective of an American boy.The moment in history explored here is the beginning of the American Revolution.All of the kids from ages 4 to 10 liked hearing this book....

early reader with a new perspective
This early reader features George, a boy who drums for the army of British General Gage, and takes place in Concord and Lexington on the day the American Revolution begins.At 61 pages, with simple vocabulary, this would be a good selection for a young reader interested in history.The companion volume, 'Sam the Minuteman', tells the story of a boy on the side of the rebels on the same day. Nice illustrations in red and blue.

Good History
For second graders who have to read history books for school, this book is a good option.The vocabulary is manageable and the storyline is interesting.The author brings the Revolutionary War to life in a personal way which delights young readers.(Mom's part)This is information you normally do not learn in class. The Minutemen are people in the Revolutionary War who can load their guns in a minute.That's why they're called the Minutemen.(Munroe Woodward's part, Age 8) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - Historical    2. Children: Grades 1-2    3. Concord, Battle of, Concord, M    4. Concord, Battle of, Concord, Mass., 1775    5. Fiction    6. Historical - United States - Colonial    7. Juvenile fiction    8. Lexington, Battle of, Lexingto    9. Lexington, Battle of, Lexington, Mass., 1775    10. Readers - Beginner    11. United States    12. Juvenile Fiction / Readers / Beginner   

Reviews (3)

Kids young and old love the Gollys!
I'm in my 20s, and this is still one of my favorite books! The Golly Sisters are delightfully quirky, imaginative, and believable. Two irrepressible performers on the road with their act, May-May and Rose make every day a hilarious adventure. The illustrations perfectly complement the clever stories, adding wonderful subtle detail (the horse's reactions to the sisters' predicaments are priceless!)Read it to your kids or pick it up when you need a good chuckle, this book is a sure winner.

Great for Kid and Adult !!
My son and I have been reading "The Golly Sisters" books as part of his nightly first grade home reading.They are very entertaining, easy for a young reader, and wonderful illustrations.He enjoys reading them over and over and as a parent I don't mind listening again. Hilarious stories for kids who love to laugh
My kids are in high school and they still remember the antics of the Golly sisters, siblings with funny adventures and fancy dreams!Along with Amelia Bedelia books, the Golly sisters encouraged my kids to begin readingat a very early age just to relive the antics on their own without Mommy'shelp.Highly recommend the Golly sisters with a whoop and a holler! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children's stories, American    4. Children: Grades 1-2    5. Entertainers    6. Family - Siblings    7. Fiction    8. Frontier and pioneer life    9. Humorous Stories    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Readers - Beginner    12. West (U.S.)    13. Juvenile Fiction / Readers / Beginner   

Reviews (8)

Wonderful!
Another great offering from the "I Can Read Book" series.This book is also a Reading Rainbow Book, and it is a true story!
Wagon Wheels by Milagros O.
The main idea of Wagon Wheels by Barbara Brenner is how the Muldie boys survived when their father went to find free land. The book is historical fiction. The Muldie boys went to look for their father because their dad went to find a place to live better. The important events are that the Muldie boys and their father went to find free land. The Indians helped the Muldie boys by giving them food to eat. I like the book because it was interesting. It was based on a true story. It was good and made me want to read it again. I learned that families help each other when they have a problem.

Wagon Wheels by Miguel C.
You should read Wagon Wheels by Barbara Brenner and it is historical fiction. The Muldie boys and their dad were going to the West. They came to Kentucky to make their wood house. In Kentucky, it was a free land. One day the Muldie boys' dad went to find a new place to build a new house. It is a good book because the Muldie boys try to find their dad. It makes me feel very happy to read the book because it was historical fiction. I learned about the Homestead Act and I learned that you can help each other. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. African Americans    2. Blacks    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 1-2    5. Children: Grades 2-3    6. Fiction    7. Frontier and pioneer life    8. General    9. Historical - United States - 19th Century    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Kansas    12. People & Places - United States - African-American    13. Preschool Picture Story Books    14. Readers - Beginner    15. Juvenile Fiction / Readers / Beginner   

Reviews (1)

Poor Bootsie?
I enjoyed Bootsie Barker Bites and thought it genuinely clever; however, Bootsie Barker Ballerina is simply too agressive--and I do not generally consider myself to be politically correct about these things.Bootsie is mean to others and they are mean to her, which doesn't really teach positive moral values.And while morality isn't everything, the book lacks the spark that Bootsie Barker Bites had.Read more

Subjects:  1. Ballet    2. Ballet dancing    3. Bullies    4. Children's 4-8    5. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    6. Children: Grades 1-2    7. Fiction    8. Readers - Beginner    9. Social Issues - Emotions & Feelings    10. Social Issues - Friendship    11. Social Situations - Emotions & Feelings    12. Social Situations - General   

Reviews (1)

Enlightening children's historical
A story of a chinese boy living with his grandfather at a mining camp during the gold rush.Chang is lonely and wants a pony so he would have a "pengyo" a friend.This story delicately discusses the hurt a person feels when they are made fun of for being culturally different.Chang's idea of panning for gold to earn money for his dream horse doesn'tpan out, but honesty and hard work does.A wonderful story that willeducate and entertain your child. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    2. Children: Grades 1-2    3. Chinese Americans    4. Ethnic - Asian American    5. Fiction    6. Gold mines and mining    7. Historical - United States - 19th Century    8. People & Places - United States - Asian American    9. Ponies    10. Readers - Beginner    11. Juvenile Fiction / Ethnic / Asian American   

Reviews (1)

Excellent easy chapter book that promotes books & reading!
This easy reader chapter book promotes books and reading with an appealing story set in 1905 Maryland. Inquisitive Clara desperately wants to learn to read, but there are no schools nearby, and her father says she's too busy with farmwork to waste her time on books.Read more

Subjects:  1. Bookmobiles    2. Books and reading    3. Children's 4-8    4. Children: Grades 1-2    5. Farm life    6. Fiction    7. General    8. Traveling libraries   

Subjects:  1. Birds    2. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. Christmas    5. Family - General    6. Fiction    7. Gifts    8. Holidays & Festivals - Christmas    9. Juvenile Easy Readers    10. Readers - Beginner   

Reviews (3)

Exciting plot
This was one of the first books my daughter read cover-to-cover in one sitting.She was very interested in the outcome of the race and motivated to finish the book.Some of the vocabulary is specific to ballooning and was unfamiliar even to me (at least in the context of ballooning).

MIDWESTBOOKREVIEW
I was very impressed by the great illustrations in this book.Colorful and eye This is a true story for balloon lovers!
Do you like balloons?If so, this is the book for you.The story is true and took place in 1882.I loved it.There were four characters:Carlotta, Ariel, Bernard, and Mr. Myers.I think kids and their friendsshould read this book.It did take a long time to read, but it was good. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1849-1932    2. Balloon ascensions    3. Balloons    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Kindergarten    6. Fiction    7. General    8. Juvenile fiction    9. Myers, Ariel    10. Myers, Carlotta,    11. Juvenile Fiction / Readers / Beginner   

Reviews (2)

Adventures Abound!
Young Buffalo Bill becomes a Pony Express Rider and suddenly must battle weather, Indians after his pony, wolves, danger, and bad guys. What more can a small boy want? (or in my case, a boy and a girl with a excessive fondness for horses).
Buffalo Bill and the Pony Express
The story set the pace right from the first page.It was one adventure after another.The bright illustrations set the tone for each adventure.This was the first book my son said he couldn't wait to get to the next chapter ( it's set up in only 4 chapters), because he had to know what happened to Bill Cody. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1846-1917    2. Buffalo Bill,    3. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - Historical    4. Children: Grades 2-3    5. Fiction    6. Historical - General    7. Juvenile fiction    8. Pony express    9. Readers - Beginner   

Reviews (2)

Charming tale for the youngest history fans
This is a charming, easy-to-read account of one young girl's encounter with the American Revolution.All my children loved it - even the ones for whom it was too "young"!A well-told tale based on an actual event.This is a great story for putting your kids "in the shoes" of those who lived during the founding of our country.

Compelling historical drama for young children
I think this is the only book we've ever found in the Beginning Reader section that deals with a real, historical subject.Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - Historical    2. Children: Grades 2-3    3. Fiction    4. Geese    5. Historical - United States - Colonial    6. History    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. New Jersey    9. Readers - Beginner    10. Revolution, 1775-1783   

Reviews (1)

a grandfather's love
Marisol and her grandfather really caught my daughter's attention.My daughter is only 3 years old but was enraptured by the story because she could relate to Marisol and her love for her Abuelito and how he cares for her to let her have the dog in the end.My daughter loves her own "Ah Kong" (grandfather in chinese)and I think this easy to follow story lets her see into another child's love for their grandfather and value his guidance and how a grandfather cannot stand to see their grandchildren unhappy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children: Kindergarten    2. Dogs    3. Fiction    4. Grandfathers    5. Juvenile Easy Readers    6. Pomerantz, Charlotte    7. Puerto Rico   

Subjects:  1. American poetry    2. Children's 4-8 - Poetry / Plays    3. Children's poetry, American    4. Children: Grades 2-3    5. Children: Kindergarten    6. Collections    7. Juvenile Nonfiction    8. Juvenile poetry    9. Outer space    10. Poetry    11. Poetry - General    12. Readers - Beginner    13. Technology - Aeronautics, Astronautics & Space Science    14. Juvenile Nonfiction / Readers / Beginner   

Reviews (3)

Let me add a "Hooray!" to the chorus!
This may be my favorite of the Golly Sisters books -- but how can you choose?? Each of the tales is utterly captivating in its own clever way. The first time I read this book to my little sister, one of the illustrations struck me as so hilarious that I couldn't go on reading; I was rolling on the floor laughing for a good 5 minutes! (It was in "Rose Does the High-Wire Waltz" when May-May is helping her climb down the tree.) Told with simple words but a sure and sophisticated wit, these stories delight time and again.

Wonderfull
Easy to read and for small kids to comprehend when it is read to them.My 2 and 3 year olds love it.It is easy to read because it takes such a simple perspective on things like a child, not because it is dumbified so it only uses easy words.Gives children something that is easy to read and a classic.It has wonderful wit and charm.Adults as well as children can relate to the Golly sisters.I would put it up with wonderful books like Dr. Suess and Sandra Boynton.

Hooray for the Golly Sisters!
My children love these books.We have "The Golly Sisters go West" and "Hooray for the Golly Sisters!".They're a treatfor little ones and a pleasure for parents to read.I would recommend anybooks in this series.The stories are interesting and funny on manylevels. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Baby/Preschool    2. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    3. Children: Grades 2-3    4. Entertainers    5. Family - Siblings    6. Fiction    7. Frontier and pioneer life    8. Humorous Stories    9. Readers - Beginner    10. Sisters    11. West (U.S.)    12. Juvenile Fiction / Humorous Stories   

Subjects:  1. Bashfulness    2. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. Fiction    5. Friendship    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Magic    8. Readers - Intermediate    9. School & Education    10. Social Situations - Emotions & Feelings    11. Social Situations - Friendship